Heyyy, I'm sorry it's been awhile! But at least I am now...but. DID YOU GUYS SEE THE MIDNIGHT SHOWING OF HG? I DID. SOOOOOOOO GGOOOODDDDDDDDD:):D Now to make your week even better, SHANE.

As Claire and Shane got into the kitchen, they started to wish they hadn't been in such a rush. On the counter, was Eve. And standing over her was Michael. And they were…

"OMGOD. PLEASE. MY EYYYEESSS!" Shane covered his eyes and staggered to his seat. Michael tore his lips from Eves and blushed. Eve quickly jumped down from the counter.

"Uhhh..we ..we were just-"

Claire's eyebrows rose. "Making dinner? Riggghhhttt. I think we should all just pretend that didn't happen. I'm just too hungry." She plopped down into her chair.

Eve straightened her shirt and nodded. "Uh, yeah. Sounds good."

They all sat down and dug into the chili. After about 10 minutes of a strained silence, Shane spoke.

"Okay, I know we said we wouldn't talk about it but seriously. I have to ask. Have you guys-"

'Dude, it just started now, sorry we don't tell you every second of our life."

Shane grinned at Eve's uncomfortable answer. "Sooooooo…you haven't done it yet?"

Michael and Eve went crimson. Shane smiled, clearly enjoying their embarrassment.

"No man, couples don't always do it their first night together, that's only you." Michael raised his brow at Shane.

Eve seemed surprise. "Sooo, we're a couple now?"

Michael turned his attention to her. "Well, that's what I was hoping.."

Eve was beaming. "Me too sweetheart."

Shane grimaced. "See? That's why I don't do couples. Getting called sweetheart? No thanks."

Michael and Eve were barely paying any attention to him. Eve just flipped him off. Claire snorted into her chili.

Eve gave Michael a secret smile and a wink, then turned to Claire. "So…I've been wanting to ask Claire….What did you mean when you said we shouldn't have to worry about Brandon anymore?"

Claire thought fast, she shouldn't have been so lose with her words, but she had wanted to comfort Eve then. So, now, she lied.

"Hmmmm? Oh, I don't know I just had a feeling." She shrugged.

"Huh. You mean like, intuition?'

Claire avoided the question. "What? Shane Collins know a word that big? I would have never thought!"

Eve laughed. "Goodness, you're right. Way to go Shane. Impressing the college girls."

He stuck his tongue out at her. "Merp. Whatever. " He took a giant bite of chili and gulped it down. "Oh, and since you're done with your love fest, Claire punched Monica."

Eve and Michael dropped their spoons and stared.
"About time. High five man. " Eve held up her hand.

Claire smiled and slapped it. "She hit me first, plus, before she could do anything, Shane grabbed me and pulled me inside."

Michael shook his head. "Of course."

Eve was still grinning, but slowly it faded. "Claire?"

"Hmmmm?"

"What…what happened to your parents, exactly?"

Claire stopped eating, but didn't look up from her plate.

Eve hurried to speak. "You don't need to tell us-I just...was wondering…"

Claire put her spoon down slowly, but still; didn't look up.

"No, no. It's- you all want to know- and you guys let me stay her and… I think you guys…" Claire swallowed. "Deserve it."

All three housemates were silent. No one was moving, and they didn't understand what Claire meant when she said they "deserved it" but they still wanted to know.

Claire, on the other hand, was taking a couple deep breaths. When she said they deserved it…it wasn't really what she meant. She felt a connection to these people and…wanted to tell them.

"It was a Sunday night. Any other night. I was 6 years old, and there was a knock at the door. My parents, who had just been laughing at me, I kept trying to do my hair…and they both went to get. I watched. As they opened the door, the looks of joy left their faces and looks of horror replaced it. My father tried to get in front of my mom, but he was grabbed and dragged out the door. My mom screamed, she took and step forward and then turned towards me. She told me to hide. To run. I did. I hide in the closet. I saw my mom running in the opposite direction, trying to keep him away from me, but she didn't make it. He grabbed her and…bit. I watched as the life drained out of her. I watched her die. And then he reached into her pocket and took out a book. He grinned, turned around and…left. I stayed there for hours...until the neighbors noticed something was wrong." Claire finally looked up. Shane's face was horrified, Eve's was so sad, and she was crying, and Michael looked sympathetic. Shane slowly reached out and gripped Claire's hand. She turned it and entwined her fingers with his. It gave her…comfort. Hope. She took a breath and continued.

"He killed them for the book. They knew something, had something, they weren't supposed to…and they died for. That's why I'm here. I have to know. I need to know. I can't leave."

Eve took a big breath. "Oh, Claire. If-if you need anything.."

Claire shook her head. "No, no. Letting me stay was the best thing you could have done. Thank you."

Shane squeezed her hand. "I know how you feel Claire…I…my sister died in a fire. My mom was killed ny one of…them. I can talk...if you need me."

Claire looked up in Shane's face and felt the first tear run down her face Shane under stood. She could tell. Just like her, he had been hurt in a way that could never be healed. And he had offered to…talk. She had never, in ten years been able to do that. She gripped his hand hard and gave him a small, sad smile. "Thank you. I'd like that."

Shane smiled at her and Claire didn't let go of his hand for the rest of dinner.

Boom. That too me forever. At least it's longer… ILOVESHANE.