Clara and Clay had been dating for a month. They were very happy but every once in awhile Clara would still sense that Clay was thinking about someone else. She did her best to push it out of her mind. She'd just gotten to school. As she went up to Clay who was athiat locker his back was to her. She tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and smiled.
"Hey." He said.
"Hi sweetheart." They kissed.
"You're a little late this morning." He closed his locker.
"Yeah, I had kind of a late night."
"Clara did you have another nightmare last night?"
"No." She looked down at the floor.
"Clara."
She looked at him. "Ok, yes."
"Why didn't you call me?"
"It was four o'clock in the morning." "I didn't want to wake you." "You shouldn't have to suffer and be tired because of my problems."
"I've told you baby, I don't mind."
"Well I do."
"So you had one of your attacks all by yourself?"
"It didn't last that long."
"Next time you have a nightmare and an attack, I want you to call me." " "I don't care what time it is."
"Ok."
"Promise me."
"I promise."
"Thank you."
Later that day Clara was sitting in the library waiting for Clay to start their tutoring session. He came and sat down next to her.
"Hi." He said.
"Hi."
"How's your day going?"
"Good." "Yours?"
"Good." "Ready for some English?"
"No." "I'd rather be making out with my boyfriend." She said smiling.
"Ha ha."
"I'm serious."
"I know but we have to work right now." "He'd rather be making out with his girlfriend to."
"Ok, let's work."
"How far along are you in the book?"
"I have two more chapters."
"Have you started the paper yet?"
"I've jotted down some ideas." "I hate book reports."
"I know but with me helping you it won't be that bad." "You told your mom that you were coming to my house after school, so I could help you with this right?"
"Yeah." Under the table she grabbed his hand and held it.
After school Clara followed Clay home in her car. They'd spent the next four hours in his kitchen working on the paper. It was about halfway done.
"I'm ready to stop for today." She said
"Ok."
"My brain hurts."
He leaned over and kissed her temple. "Is that any better?"
"Yeah." They kissed. They broke it when they heard the front door open.
"Hello?" Clay's mom said as she came through the door. Clara and Clay stood up and went into the living room.
"Hi mom." Clay said
"Is this Clara?" Clay's mom asked looking at her.
"It is."
"It's so nice to finally meet you."
"It's nice to meet you to Mrs. Jensen." Clara said.
"You were right Clay, she's beautiful."
"Thank you." "I should get going."
"You don't have to run off."
"I have to get home for dinner."
"Speaking of dinner, I've been wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner." "Clay's father has been wanting to meet you to."
"Next Tuesday would be the best time for me."
"Tuesday it is." "Seven?"
"Sure."
"I'd better get dinner started for us." She went into the kitchen.
Clay walked Clara to the door.
"Now, if you wake up tonight and need someone to talk to, what are you gonna do?" Clay asked.
"Call you, I promise."
"Ok." They kissed. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The next night Clara and Clay were at the movies. They were standing in the lobby.
"I don't think I could ever work here." Clara said. "I couldn't wear that tie they have to wear."
"It's not that bad." Clay said. "I worked here for a year."
"You did?"
"Yeah me and um, a friend of mine."
"Tony?"
"No." He looked over at the concession stand and had a flashback of he and Hannah standing behind the counter.
Clara could sense Clay was thinking of someone else again. "Clay." "Clay."
"What?" He said snapping out of his thoughts.
"Are you ok sweetheart?"
"I'm fine." "Come on, we don't wanna miss the beginning of the movie."
The next night Clara had again popped up in bed from having a nightmare. It was three o'clock in the morningHer anxiety attack had started. She thought about calling Clay but didn't want to wake him. She couldn't calm down, so she got her straight razor from it's hiding place, went into the bathroom, sat down and cut her leg. She felt relief almost instantly.
