Announcement regarding Short Stories: I'm taking the number of revolving short stories down from 5 to 4, and eventually to 3. The reason being without a short story chapter a week, and most especially without the aid of short story months any longer the short stories are not moving fast enough. One shots, practically with chapters of 2 & 3 shots going up consecutively, and long stories now that they're getting nice long chapters are moving at a good pace and coming off the list at a good pace. Short stories are not and the time between chapters for each short story are too long! So I will not be replacing Light in a World of Dark with anything so there are now four short stories in rotation. When the next one ends there will then be three short stories in rotation which will mean less time between chapters for each short story and they should be moving at a better pace.

New pics are up there is now 140 stories represented in picture in the 200 stories gallery on the DeGrassi Saviors Website.

Guest reviewers please remember to check my profile page for a response. Mary and Olivia please see my profile page for questions on your requests.

Ch. 4 I Been Folding Myself in Little Shapes

(DREW)

I open the sliding glass door when I see Clare arrive, she steps inside, drops her bags and throws her arms around me before I can even close the door. She kind of jumps on me knocking into my broken ribs and I bite back a painful yelp. She's hugging me tightly and it's hard to breathe yet I relish the feeling of her in my arms. I don't even mind the pain or the fact that it's hard to breathe. She's also clinging to me with a gratefulness and a comfort, I rub her back softly and whisper in her ear.

"I'm alive Clare it was just a dream."

She takes a shuddering breath and steps away from me, "I know. I'm sorry for ambush hugging you like that it was just I was so relieved to see you alive. I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No I'm fine," I smile at her finally closing the door and locking it again. "I doubt you're tired so you want to watch a movie?"

"Yeah that would be good," she replies. She picks up her bag and her backpack and sets them near the coffee table, slips off her shoes and then takes off her coat and I can't but help and stare for a second. She's wearing only pajamas. Silvery gray in color they have long pajama bottoms and a thin tank top, which seems to be highlighting her breasts and I become mesmerized by them. "What?" She questions wrinkling her forehead at me.

"Uh nothing sorry I just didn't expect you to be in pajamas still," I reply uncomfortably scratching the back of my head.

"I didn't feel like getting dressed again," she comments biting her lip and looking down.

I look down and realize I'm just wearing pajama bottoms and boxers, I never bothered to put anything else on. Clare grabs the blanket from the back of the sofa and wraps up in it as she sits down on the sofa. I put in a comedy movie, turn off the light, grab another blanket from the closet and sit down.

"You never did tell me about your nightmare," she says after a few minutes.

"You don't want to hear about that," I shake my head.

"I don't mind if you want to talk about it," she urges.

"No it's okay I feel better now anyway, let's watch the movie," I tell her.

"Do you think we'll ever stop having nightmares?" Clare asks after another few minutes.

"I hope so, I haven't slept more than a couple of hours at a time since the attack. It's even worse now that he's been arrested and released again. Knowing that he's out there somewhere and could be coming for me, or for you, it's terrifying. Mom reminded me that we still have the restraining order this afternoon but I fail to see how a piece of paper is going to protect me. If he gets that close to me I'm sure to be dead before the cops can even get there," I comment closing my eyes as I begin to picture this scenario in my mind.

Clare moves over until she's sitting right next to me, she reaches out and takes my hand with hers interlacing our fingers. The small gesture is immensely comforting, I look up and grin at her and she smiles back. She doesn't say anything but there's nothing to say, she can't ensure me that Vince will never find me or kill me. Just like I can't promise her that Vince will never go after her. We just look at each other for a moment and then lean back to watch the movie but she doesn't let go of my hand. All the lack of sleep must have made me more tired than I realize because I fall asleep less than halfway into the movie. I sleep the rest of the night without nightmares and wake up to my brother's voice the next morning.

"Why don't you two just sleep in one bed every night."

Both our eyes shoot open and Clare jumps up like I'm suddenly on fire. She fell asleep on me; our hands were still clasped together and she fell asleep with her head on my shoulder. Now she's about ten feet across the room with bright red cheeks and biting her lip nervously.

"I had a nightmare that Vince cut Drew's throat and…"

"Relax Clare," Adam laughs cutting her off, "I figured you were here after another nightmare. I'm just teasing." Adam shakes his head and turns going back up the stairs. "CLARE'S HERE AGAIN," Adam yells as he goes running up the basement steps.

"I'm going to go get dressed," I tell Clare and she nods.

Since she brought a bag and her backpack I assume she has what she needs for school and Dad doesn't need to run her home. I go upstairs and my parents are looking at me.

"More nightmares Honey?" Mom asks.

"Yeah me and Clare, she's getting ready in the basement," I tell them before walking to my room to get ready for school. It's a little slow getting dressed with my ribs but it's getting better. I get to the washroom just as Adam is coming out and he gives me a look. "Nothing happened Adam I called her after a nightmare and she was terrified and wanted to come here. We fell asleep watching a movie," I insist to my brother.

"I didn't say anything," he laughs.

"You gave me a look."

"It's surprising to find my brother and my best friend asleep in each other's arms that's all. If talking to each other or being together after these nightmares makes you both feel better then great I'm glad you have each other. Doesn't mean not finding you in your room and instead finding you downstairs holding my best friend isn't surprising."

"BOYS YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE," Mom yells up the stairs.

Adam goes downstairs and I go into the washroom, I get ready quickly and go downstairs. Clare is dressed too, holding her bags and still looking down, I don't think she's eaten breakfast yet either. I'm not hungry though the thought of Vince being out there just has me nauseas. Mom drives us to school and keeps looking over at me.

"There's officers posted at the school and we still have the restraining order Drew. You can't play basketball yet so I'll be here to pick you up right after school," Mom assures me and then glances in the rearview mirror to see Adam and Clare sitting in the back. "Clare Honey your mom and I are meeting to petition for a restraining order for you as well today," Mom tells her.

"Okay," Clare replies quietly and I look back at her. By the look on her face I think Clare is about as convinced as I am that a restraining order will do anything.

Mom pulls up to the steps to let us out, it still hurts to carry my backpack on my back so I have it in my hands. Clare and Adam part from me to go to their lockers and I walk to mine, setting my backpack on the floor to start putting books in. I'm shuffling books around when a hand comes down on my shoulder. I jump and turn around to punch the person, luckily they block the punch because it's Owen standing there and not Vince.

"Whoa easy Dude," Owen says holding up his hands.

"Sorry Owen I'm a little jumpy," I apologize.

"I'd say more than a little, you don't look like you slept either," he comments.

"I slept, I just had a really bad nightmare about Vince coming for revenge for getting him arrested," I reply bending down slowly to get my books and Owen bends down to pick my backpack up and hold it for me.

"Yeah I heard he got out. I was going to ask how you were doing but guess I don't need to ask."

"I'm okay just a little jumpy and tired," I yawn.

"Yeah you look it. Are you sure you slept? Or have been sleeping?" Owen questions as I close my locker. I start walking to class and he comes with me.

"I fall asleep and wake up with terrifying nightmares and then I call or text Clare. After talking with Clare for an hour or two we both sleep better," I tell Owen just as we pass Eli and he glowers at me. "I slept a whole lot better last night once Clare was there and sleeping my arms," I say loud enough that Eli hears me and Owen gives me a look.

"Seriously? Clare slept in your arms last night?"

"Yeah we fell asleep watching a movie though I was really just saying that to piss Eli off," I confess and Owen laughs.

"I still don't understand what she saw in him. Anyway I'll see you in auto-shop next period," Owen waves to go the other direction towards his math class. I walk to class and sit at my desk with my backpack on the desk.

"That Eli guy has issues what did Clare ever see in him?" Jake asks as he sits at his desk in class.

"I have no idea. I get why my brother is best friends with him they have a lot in common but I have no clue what Clare ever saw in him. Why did you make out with Clare in the halls so Eli could see or something?"

"No, that's not a bad idea though. We were making out in my truck last night. I don't know if he saw or just heard us talking about it. He stepped out from the shadows when we tried to go into the club but he didn't do anything last night. This morning I get to school and he comes over to my locker and tells me Clare is his and to stay away. I told him Clare's not a possession and she's not even his girlfriend anymore and she can kiss whoever she wants. He just sort of glared at me," Jake shrugs.

"Yeah he looked like he wanted to kill me when he heard me tell Owen I slept better when Clare came over last night. So, to really piss him off I mentioned that she fell asleep in my arms," I remark and Jake raises an eyebrow at me, "watching a movie after we both had really terrible nightmares about Vince being out." I felt the need to clarify that nothing happened with me and Clare to Jake because I know he likes her, well he better like her the way they've been kissing anyway. Jake just grins though, he seems to be pretty easy going, but at that moment Eli walks in and gives us both a death glare. Jake and I exchange the same look that says "Let's have fun with him."

"If Clare's sleeping with you at your place again then I can drop her off so she's not going over in the middle of the night. Probably easier if you two just start out in the same bed," Jake says with a sort of gloating grin at Eli.

"Just bring her over when you two are done making out in your truck," I reply with the same grin.

You can actually see in Eli's eyes the things he'd like to do to us for having anything at all to do with Clare. Of course more people have come into class too and also heard us, we might need to explain and apologize to Clare later. Jake and I leave class together and I walk to auto shop making it to the door just when Owen does.

"You know I think you should be more afraid of Eli right now than Vince," Owen comments when Eli walks into class and narrows his eyes at me. His lips are pulled in and his mouth is one thin angry line, his piercing eyes turned down and his eyebrows turned in he looks pretty demonic right now actually but it makes me laugh.

"Jake and I were having fun with him in class that's all. Anyway, I'm not afraid of Eli, he picks fights and crashes his car to hurt himself not me. If he wants to fight me now that's fine he's got a broken foot and I'm still nursing broken ribs but I bet I can still take him," I shrug.

"Hey I got your back," Owen says and I grin.

I always like auto shop because unlike my other classes I actually understand it. By the end of class though I'm beginning to feel the lack of sleep.

"You want to eat in the caf?" Owen asks as we leave class together.

"Not hungry I think I'll lie down for a bit," I reply.

"You going to go find Clare so she can lie down with you?" Owen laughs and is loud enough that Eli can hear him.

I just smile back, Eli's already walking in the other direction. I'm a little worried that he's going to go confront Clare but she has class with my brother this period so I know she'll be safe. Besides which Clare got an entire gang of thugs to stop beating me up I'm fairly certain she can handle Eli.

I walk to the storage room, I know there's a sofa back here and I plan to sleep for all 45 minutes of lunch, maybe even skip 3rd period. I doubt much will happen in photography and Owen can give me the notes. I fall asleep as soon as I lie down and it seems like I fall right into a nightmare…

I walk down a lonely street looking back over my shoulder feeling like I'm being followed but no one is there. I look ahead and Vince steps out of an alley, gun in hand, holds it to my stomach and just as he pulls the trigger Clare is there. I feel the bullet enter and the life draining out of me and then Clare screams, "AGHHHHHH"…

I wake up with a gasp, panting and trembling, sweating lightly. I look at my phone and see that there's still ten minutes of lunch but I have no intention of staying. I go to the nurse, still sweating and shaking, I tell her I'm sick and she calls Mom. While waiting for Mom I text Adam that I'm going home and then I lie back closing my eyes, I open them again when I feel Mom's hand on my forehead. I leave with Mom, getting in the van and she starts driving home.

"I'm going to call Dr. Carter and get a recommendation of a good doctor for you," Mom says and I clench my jaw. Dr. Carter is Adam's therapist, he has to do it before he starts taking the hormones.

"I don't need a head shrink Mom I just didn't sleep because Vince is out there somewhere," I reply harshly but I'm not crazy. Fearing for your life after nearly being beaten to death is not crazy. Mom gives me a look but doesn't say anything as she parks in the driveway. "I'm going to lie down," I tell her when we come into the house.

"I'll cancel my afternoon, stay home with you," she says in the voice she uses when I'm sick which makes me feel sick and my whole body gets tense.

"I'm fine Mom I'm just tired go do what you need to do," I reply as I stomp up the stairs. My voice is harsh but I refrained from keeping it too angry.

I lie on my bed and close my eyes but the first image to come to my mind is Vince beating me and my eyes shoot open again. Even seeing his face in my mind has me scared, I hate feeling scared all the time. The fact that I do feel scared all the time, especially when I've always been the brave protective one, makes me angry. My heart begins pounding from anger instead of fear, my jaw clenches and my hands ball into fists and just as I'm about to punch something I get a text on my phone and when I see Clare's name I release a breath and relax.

Clare: Adam said you went home are you okay?

Drew: Just tired, fell asleep in the storage room at lunch and had another nightmare.

Clare: Okay get some rest, see you tomorrow?

Drew: Yeah. And I'm sure we'll talk tonight.

Clare replies with a smiley face emoji and it makes me smile. I close my eyes again but this time I don't let myself think about Vince or his gang. This time I picture Clare dancing again and I fall asleep with a smile on my face.

(ADAM)

"It's nice out you guys want to eat outside?" K.C. asks as we all leave second period math class. Only Dave and Jenna aren't in class with us. Dave has architectural design this period and Jenna is home with the baby.

"Sounds good, someone grab us a picnic table," I reply.

"I'll claim us a table my lunch is in my backpack," Connor says.

Connor goes outside and Alli heads straight for the caf, the rest of us split up to go to our lockers, they're all pretty close to each other but Clare and I have lockers only two down from each other. Dave is at his locker and Wes tells him that we'll be eating outside. I open my locker to put in my backpack, Clare does the same with hers, we didn't pack lunches this morning but Mom gave us money to get lunch from the caf.

"We'll see you guys outside," I tell the others as Clare and I start walking to the caf.

"Okay see y…"

"Are you dating Jake and Drew?" Eli asks storming around the corner and cutting Dave off mid-sentence. Everyone else stops what they're doing and we all look at Eli.

"I'm not dating either of them," Clare replies but seems a little flustered by his blitz attack.

"So you're just sleeping with them then?" Eli growls.

"What?!" Clare gasps in astonished, insulted shock.

"Back off Eli she's not your girlfriend anymore," K.C. says firmly stepping between Clare and Eli like he's afraid Eli's going to hurt her. Then again considering the crash and Eli's other behavior I can't blame K.C. for thinking that.

"Stay out of this Guthrie you never cared about Clare," Eli growls at the much taller boy, "Or are you just trying to get on her good side so you can sleep with her too?"

"Eli!" Clare scolds on an angry exhale and we barely hear her. Clare has red cheeks and tears in her eyes. K.C. is clenching his fists and he's stiff like he's about to hit Eli, never one to back down from a fight Eli clenches his fist ready to fight back. Wes and Hannah have quietly slipped away but Dave is still here.

"I'll get us both lunch, can you two take Clare outside?" I ask K.C. and Dave hoping to stop the fight.

"Yeah come on Clare," Dave says putting an arm around Clare's shoulders and tugging at K.C.'s sleeve. They turn and walk away and then Eli looks at me narrowing his eyes accusingly.

"Why didn't you tell me she was sleeping with your brother?"

"First of all she's not and secondly I'm not in the habit of telling you about Clare's dating life," I reply.

"You told me when she had a date with Fitz," he reminds me.

"That was completely different. I blurted it out when she hesitated to tell you and because I thought she was crazy for letting him blackmail her into a date to save us."

"I already knew she was kissing Jake I saw it last night but I didn't know she went to your house to sleep with your brother after that."

"Eli what are you talking about?"

"I heard from your brother's mouth that she fell asleep in his arms," Eli growls in a jealous rage.

"Watching a movie at like two in the morning Eli. She had a nightmare and he had a nightmare and she came over and they fell asleep together watching a movie. It's not the first time and it's understandable that they're finding comfort in each other after what they went through. They are not sleeping together, not the way you think and if you want to win Clare back charging over in a jealous rage and accusing her of things you heard is not a good idea. I think you need to take some space from her and cool off Eli."

I say my piece and walk off, Clare is my best friend but so is Eli and I'm not going to play relationship therapist or take sides. However, if Eli is going to keep acting crazy like that he may not leave me with a choice. I go to the caf and get some lunch for me and Clare then go outside and find everyone at the picnic table. Thankfully if there was any conversation about Eli's jealousy fueled behavior it's passed. Now they're talking about movie night at the school on Friday, Alli and Dave are on the entertainment committee and are debating about the movie.

"Are you going to ask someone to movie night Adam?" Alli questions.

"I don't think so," I shake my head.

"So Clare are you bringing Jake or Drew?" Alli asks.

"Drew and I aren't dating. I'll ask Jake," she grumbles slightly.

"You going to bring Jenna?" Dave asks K.C. and he shrugs.

"If my mom can babysit but I'm also probably getting a job at Little Miss Steaks to help out with finances. I interview after basketball practice today and if I get the job could be working Friday," K.C. replies.

The rest of the time we're eating conversation revolves around DeGrassi move night, what movie they should show, what snacks should be sold, when to start and more. We talk about it so much I start to feel like I'm on the entertainment committee. When we're done with lunch we toss our trash and go inside, Clare goes to her locker to get her backpack and I go with her, just to be safe. I grab my own backpack and wait for her, I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket so I pull it out and find a text from my brother.

"Drew's going home again," I tell Clare.

"Is he okay?" She asks.

"Says he's just tired," I tell her although I'm not sure myself.

"I'm going to use the washroom I'll see you in class," Clare tells me.

I wave to her and walk to class. The rest of the afternoon is quiet, I don't see Eli again. Clare goes home with Jake again since he's working at her house. Dave and I have our radio show to do right after school and of course we plug movie night hoping to sell a lot of tickets. Dave drops me at home when we leave school and when I come into the basement I find my brother punching the punching bag we have down here. Only he's punching hard and fast, not properly and it's like he's trying to kill the bag, which I'm sure he's picturing as Vince.

"Drew stop," I say pulling him back. I look at his hands and see that they're red. "You're going to break your hand."

"I'm fine Adam," Drew snaps at me.

"But you're not fine, you're angry and scared all the time. You wake up screaming and then you don't sleep until you talk to Clare. You need help Drew, I think you have PTSD."

"I got beat up I didn't go to war," Drew argues.

"PTSD isn't just for soldiers Drew it's post-traumatic stress disorder and you went through a traumatic stressful event. You need to talk someone Drew, a professional wh…"

"No I don't need a therapist Adam I'm fine. It was not that long ago, the nightmares will stop," Drew insists.

"If you're fine then come to DeGrassi movie night on Friday. Find a date and come out with your friends," I plead with my brother.

"Are you going to go with a date?" Drew asks.

"Girls don't want to go out with me, especially now that they know I'm FTM. You attract girls like geeks to a comic book convention."

"If you find a date then so will I and I'll go to movie night. I'm going to shower before dinner," Drew tells me and goes upstairs.

I make a heavy sigh and flop down on the sofa. I'm worried about Drew and now I need a date, no pressure for the only FTM student at the school. I get out my phone and text Dave.

Adam: I'm worried about Drew but he agreed to find a date and come to movie night if I find a date too.

Dave: I have an idea. I'll tell you tomorrow if it works out.

Adam: I hope so because Drew needs to get out of the house.

I put my phone down and get out my homework to get a start on it before dinner. It's hard to concentrate because I'm worried about my brother, I know he says he's fine but I know he's not.

(CLARE)

"There's a movie night Friday at school, would you like to go with me?" I ask Jake as we ride to my house in his truck.

"Sure," Jake grins and I smile. When we arrive home Glen is just coming out of my house to his truck.

"Hi kids. Clare I'm meeting your Mom to look at samples for flooring, tile and paint. We'll be gone for a couple of hours. Jake you should probably get your homework done while I'm gone," Glen tells him.

"Okay," Jake shrugs.

"Are you hungry?" I ask Jake as we set our backpacks on the table.

"Always," Jake smiles. I shake my head and turn to open the fridge but Jake grabs my hand and spins me around. "But I can eat and do my homework later I'd rather do this right now," he says with a playful and flirty smile before he crushes his lips to mine.

I laugh and push him away and he pouts, "I don't want to make out with you in my kitchen."

"Okay let's go to your room then," Jake grins taking my hand and pulling me upstairs.

I laugh but follow him upstairs, we go into my room and sit on my bed. Our lips attach once more and I put my arms around his neck, parting my lips but then pull away again.

"Why does Eli, and most of the junior class, think I'm dating you and Drew?" I question Jake.

"Oh," he replies looking just a little guilty. "Drew and I were having fun with Eli. Your ex accosted me this morning and told me not to kiss you anymore because you were his. I told him you weren't a possession. I told Drew about it when I got to class and when Eli came in and glared at us we decided to have a little fun with him. We didn't say anything that wasn't true," Jake tells me innocently and I giggle.

"Well as long as you guys weren't lying I don't care what everyone thinks. And maybe we should give you something to tell Eli tomorrow," I grin wickedly as I lie back on my bed and pull Jake with me fastening our lips together again.

Jake grins into the kiss, his tongue slides between my lips and caresses mine. I grip his shirt and pull it over his head breaking us from the kiss momentarily. Jake grins with carnal excitement and it makes me smile, but he's always working here with his shirt off so if we're making out on my bed I want his shirt off. Jake reattaches his lips to mine, his tongue jutting back into my mouth, he leans on one arm and strokes my skin with the other hand. We're both getting pretty hot and I'm considering taking this a little farther when we hear the front door open our parents come in.

"Clare?"

"Jake?"

Our parents yell at almost the same moment.

"I'll go down first, do not tell them we were up here kissing on my bed," I warn him.

"It was a little more than kissing," Jake grins and I smack his arm, "I won't say anything."

I have all my clothes on so I push him off me and get up running downstairs. Mom and Glen are together in the kitchen and laughing, they are standing very close and almost seem to be flirting.

"Uh Jake is in the washroom he'll be down in a minute," I say and they turn to look at me.

"Good, we brought dinner we thought we'd all eat together," Mom tells me.

"Okay," I reply slowly taking my backpack and Jake's off the table where we left them. Jake comes downstairs with his shirt on and helps me set the table.

"There's something we wanted to tell you two," Glen says a few minutes into dinner.

"Glen and I are seeing each other," Mom informs us taking Glen's hand on the table. They interlace their fingers and smile at each other.

"Seeing each other? You sound like you're in high school," Jake comments while I'm just shocked beyond speaking.

"I feel like I'm in high school again," Mom grins looking at Glen.

"Besides working on the house Jake and I will be around a lot because of our new relationship," Glen grins.

"Clare? Say something Sweetie," Mom prods when I've just sat there silently for several minutes.

"I…I'm happy if your happy mom," I reply but I'm not sure that's how I feel.

"We thought that the four of us would go to the cabin one of these weekends," Glen comments.

"Great," Jake and I both reply slowly at the same time in the same way. Like we're not sure if this is a fabulous thing that he and I will be alone in a cabin or a truly awful thing now that our parents are dating. I'm still grappling with the fact that my mom is dating a month after my dad moved out and before the divorce is even finalized.

Jake and I finish eating in silence while Mom and Glen dominate the conversation by talking about their new relationship and things we can do all together. Mom does mention that the judge wouldn't grant me a restraining order with Vince but I didn't think I'd get a restraining order. After dinner the four of us clean up our dishes and then stand in the kitchen awkwardly.

"I don't think Jake and I are going to get any work done tonight, why don't I take everyone out for dessert. I know a great place," Glen speaks up.

"Yeah I'm hungry again," Jake grins.

"You're always hungry Son," Glen laughs.

"Dessert sounds good I just need to use the washroom," I tell them.

I go upstairs and past my washroom, I do need to use the washroom but I also need a minute. I walk to my parents room and open the door, it wasn't that long ago that my father lived here and slept in this room but now all evidence of him is completely gone. I see something else though, the divorce papers on Mom's desk and I go over there and look at them. I look at the open page and words in bold stand out: verbal and psychological abuse, repeated and long term infidelity on the part of the defendant. The defendant is my dad and infidelity is an affair. My dad's been having an affair?! For how long? With who? My heart begins to pound, tears crowd my eyes, my stomach drops with a stab of pain.

"Clare?" I hear Jake's voice behind me. He puts his hand on my shoulder and I turn into his chest.

"Are you this upset about out pa…" he pauses and I can hear him looking at the papers on the desk, "Oh. You just found out your parents got divorced because your dad was having an affair."

I nod against his chest in response and he hugs me tightly. He doesn't say anything just holds me tightly and rubs my back for a few minutes until I sniffle in the rest of my tears. I take my head from his chest and wipe my eyes.

"Where are our parents?" I ask noticing how quiet the house is and that Mom hasn't called or come upstairs yet.

"They went to the restaurant already we'll meet them there. Are you okay? I can call Dad and tell him we're not coming," Jake offers.

"Definitely not okay but dessert does sound good. I really do need to use the washroom and clean up a bit. I'll meet you downstairs in a minute," I tell Jake.

"Okay but I will come in if you're not down in a minute."

I walk into the washroom, use it, wash my hands, splash some water on my face and meet Jake downstairs. We get into his truck and he starts driving.

"Listen," I speak up after a few moments of driving, "with our parents dating now I think we should stop…all the kissing and stuff. If our parents are really serious, and they seem to be, we could end up as stepsiblings."

"That's a good point, don't take this the wrong way but suddenly kissing you does not sound appealing. Guess we'll need other dates to movie night," Jake comments and it makes me giggle which makes him laugh.

"Yeah I guess we will."

Update soon picking up from around here in Clare's pov still and including the next day at school.