Imperfect

Chapter Nine

"Hey babe,what's wrong?" Derek asked,wrapping an arm around Claire's shoulders and kissing her lips.

"Nothing Derek." Claire stated dully,not even attempting to sound convincing. She was too upset about what she had done to KC. She still felt awful about it. What was happening to her? Why was she changing so much? Was she that addicted to how everyone noticed her and wanted her that she didn't care who she hurt? For the first time since her makeover,she began to regret everything. It was nice to have people want her,but it wasn't good when she didn't even like herself.

By now Derek was kissing her throat and his hand was pawing at her shirt,yet she hardly noticed. She knew that she had to find a way to make it up to KC. And she would. She just didn't know how.

------

KC was still in the library,his knees under his chin as tears poured down his tearstained cheeks. He knew his eyes were puffy from all the crying he had been doing. After Claire had left him,he hadn't had the energy to move even a little.

Suddenly,Peter Stone walked into the room. At first he didn't notice that anyone else was in the room. He had to stay and work on a project so that was pretty much the only thing on his mind. That was when he heard a shuddering breath from up against the bookshelves. He froze in his spot and his brows furrowed together. He knew that kid. He was Claire's friend. For a brief,shining moment he wondered why the boy seemed so heartbroken but then he recalled how much Claire Edwards had changed.

Slowly and hesitantly he walked over to the young teen and took a seat beside him. At first KC didn't seem to notice his companion so they both sat in silence for a few moments,then Peter took the chance and said,"What's wrong with you?"

KC looked at him,startled. "Huh?"

"I said,what's wrong with you?" He repeated the question,cocking his head to the side and narrowing his eyes at the freshman.

The fourteen year old could only shrug helplessly and divert his eyes to the floor as a hand came up to shakily run through his messy hair.

Peter raised an eyebrow when he noticed a purplish marking on the base of the young man's pale throat. He let out a soft chuckle and pointed to it,flashing a brilliant white smirk. "Is that a hicky?" He asked,unable to control his laughter.

KC glared at him with his flashing green eyes. "It's not funny." He muttered in anger,trying to stand to his feet.

Peter looked at him in shock. "Whoa! KC...I was joking!" He said,putting his hands up in defense.

"Sorry." The skateboarder mumbled his eyes. "Things have been really confusing lately."

The blond smiled. "I can understand that." The smile then fell from his lips. "Does this have something to do with Claire?" He asked motioning to KC's neck.

KC began to breathe shallowly,feeling fresh tears begin to sting his green eyes.

That scared Peter. He placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder and the boy began to sob uncontrollably. "What happened with Claire KC?" He asked in a soft,gentle voice.

KC spewed forth everything that had occured in the library almost an hour ago to a stupified Peter. What he didn't know was that Alli and Connor had been looking for him---and had heard every word he had said.

------

Alli felt anger shoot through her. How could Claire do that? Unaware of Connor calling for her she threw open the door that led to the Media Immersion room that she knew her friend--or former friend was in and grabbed the girl by the delicate fabric of her sweater. "You BITCH!" She shrieked in a loud,throaty voice. She threw the girl against the wall with all the strength she could muster. Her friend was NOT going to get away with this.

Next Chapter:Claire and Alli argue,KC admits how much he cares for Claire and Claire and KC have a serious conversation about what happened.