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And now on with our story.
Ch. 10 Don't You Be Scared, Just Call Me Tonight
(DREW)
"Was it bad?" I ask with a yawn answering my phone a little after two in the morning.
"I'm sorry, I woke you up again," Clare apologizes in a meek voice.
"It's fine, tell me about the nightmare."
"It was dark and Eli was…Vince was there…I think my dad…" she sighs heavily and then goes silent for a moment. "I'm sorry Drew, I woke you up to talk about a nightmare I can't even remember."
"Clare don't apologize you had a nightmare and you called me like you should."
"But you were asleep, you may not have even been having a nightmare and I woke you."
"And I don't care that you did. Can you get back to sleep? Do you want me to come over?"
"No, get back to sleep, I don't even recall the nightmare and I feel better now. I'll see you tomorrow, goodnight Drew."
I set my phone down and roll over, falling back to sleep within minutes. I have no nightmares, instead I dream about being in the MMA ring with Vince and kicking his ass. I wake up not only happy but revved for a fight. I crave getting in that ring and showing what I can do. Once we're ready for school Mom drops me and Adam off, and my brother keeps glancing at me so I know he's about to say something.
"You look better today," Adam comments finally.
"I slept well," I grin hitting his arm playfully before walking to my locker.
"Hey Drew," Julian greets me as I open my locker.
"Hey Julian," I nod to him while getting out my English book, "there a fight tonight?"
"No, but there's an open bout tomorrow," he replies leaning against the lockers as I put some books in my locker.
"Open bout?"
"Yeah, anyone can fight you just sign up when you get there," Julian explains as I close my locker.
"Anyone?"
"Anyone," Julian nods, "but some of these guys have been fighting for years. I don't think you're prepared to get in the ring."
"Hey guys, what are we talking about?" Owen asks appearing behind me.
"Open bout tomorrow night," Julian explains.
"Cool. We meeting at lunch to practice?" Owen asks.
"Yep, in the gym. Is Clare coming?" Julian questions looking at me.
"I think so, I'll text her," I reply leaning on the lockers and getting out my phone. "Yeah, she'll meet us in the gym at lunch," I tell them after texting Clare and getting a fast reply. I hang out with them until the bell rings and I walk to class. I nod to Jake as I sit at my desk and he nods back.
"So, Clare's coming to your game after school," Jake remarks just as Eli walks in. I'm sure Jake's timing was on purpose but the look on Eli's face is priceless.
"She is," I nod with a grin, "says she likes to watch me."
Eli glowers at us. "Clare is mine," he growls at us under his breath.
"You stay away from her," Jake says in a harsh but even voice. Eli glares back at us but doesn't say anything.
English seems to drag by, probably because the teacher reads to us from an author that died centuries ago and she wants us to interpret in our own words. At least Jake looks as lost as I feel, but Eli writes out these long paragraphs and when Miss Dawes has him read one she gushes over the depth of his writing. Eli glances back at me with an arrogant grin.
"Hey Drew, if you go to the library they have classic literature for dummies books," Eli laughs as he walks past me when class lets out. I clench my fist but Jake puts his hand on my shoulder.
"Forget it, when are we ever going to need to translate some dead guy's writing after high school? You know Eli'll go to some college for a liberal arts degree, go way into debt and he'll never get a job where he can use his degree," Jake comments patting my shoulder.
"Yeah but what are we going to do after school?"
"I'm going to partner in my dad's contracting business. And you, you'll probably get a football scholarship, sign a multi-million dollar contract and never have to worry."
"Good to know somebody thinks I have bright future," I laugh. Jake grins and waves as he walks to class, I get to auto shop and nod to Owen, Eli's not here yet he must have gone to his locker.
"So, you going to this open bout thing tomorrow?" Owen asks.
"Thinking about it."
"Open bout means anyone can fight right?"
"Yeah, pretty awesome," I grin.
"Drew you're not thinking of fighting are you? You're definitely not ready to fight, not in a match like that."
"No, I'm not going to fight, I probably won't even go."
Owen gives me a look but he doesn't say anything else. Mr. Ehl starts class and we work silently, when the bell rings we wash up and go to the gym. Julian is already in the locker room when we go in to change and when we get out to the gym Clare is waiting for us. I ask Julian to help me with some moves and Owen is working with Clare on blocking and punching. We stop with twenty minutes left on lunch so we can change and eat before class. Bianca is absent from both afternoon classes again, I feel a pit in my stomach because I feel like she went missing because of me. Okay probably not completely my fault but I stopped talking to her, told her to leave me alone. She was still with Vince and I'm sure he did something to her.
"Good luck today," Owen says as we leave our 4th period business class.
"You too," I grin back. He's on his way to the rink for the hockey game and I'm headed to the gym for basketball. I wave to Jake and walk to the gym, KC joins me and Clare is just behind him coming from their fourth period class.
"See you in there," Clare says to us both. She parts from us and I watch her walk away. We're about to go into the gym when I see Clare get stopped by Eli and I stop walking.
"Come on Drew we have to get in there and change before we warm up," K.C. says tugging at my arm. When I don't move he looks to see why I stopped. "Clare can take care of herself," K.C. comments tugging at my arm again.
"He's hurt her before," I inform him.
"Yeah bad breakup b…"
"No, I mean he's physically hurt her, bruises, bad ones," I enlighten K.C. as I start walking over. K.C. is right behind me. "You alright Clare?" I question.
"Stay out of this Drew," Eli growls.
"Clare go into the gym," K.C. says.
"What's going on?" Adam asks approaching from down the hall.
"Let's go find seats Adam," Clare speaks up taking my brother by the hand and walking past Eli to the gym.
"Stay away from Clare, both of you," Eli hisses at me and K.C. as he shoves his way past us.
"That guy takes possessive to a whole new level," K.C. shakes his head. "Come on, Clare's with Adam and we need to change."
(CLARE)
"See you in there," I wave to K.C. and Drew just as I turn to go to the audience entrance for this afternoon's basketball game. I take a few steps and Eli runs over blocking my path.
"Clare, we need to talk," Eli says with urgency in his voice.
"There's nothing to talk about Eli."
"So that's it? Your breaking up with me to date the imbecilic jock?"
I sigh with exasperation, "Eli we broke up when you crashed your car to get my attention. Drew and I aren't even dating but even if we were you have no say in it."
"I know you don't mean that Clare."
"Eli…" I pause for another sigh. How do you get something through to someone who refuses to listen?
"You alright Clare?" Drew asks from behind me, I glance back to see not only Drew but K.C. as well.
"Stay out of this Drew," Eli growls but he's still looking at me. I can feel Drew getting tense behind me and I'm afraid the two might start fighting.
"Clare go into the gym," K.C. commands and I almost turn around to glower at him for the command. I see Adam approaching though so I look at him instead.
"What's going on?"
"Let's go find seats Adam," I say quickly taking Adam's hand. I pull him with me past Eli and dart into the gym.
"What was that?" Adam questions after we take seats in the front row.
"Alpha-male stare down," I grumble.
Adam knows better than to say anything else. Alli joins us after a few moments and the team comes out to start warming up. I smile and wave at Drew and he grins at me. The stands quickly begin to fill, Audra arrives and waves at Drew and Adam, she has to sit two rows above us though. The opposing team arrives bringing their fans with them and the game soon begins. Adam, Alli and I cheer every time DeGrassi makes a basket. The DeGrassi Panthers crush the other team and when Drew makes the winning basket I jump up cheering and run out to the court. I almost run to his arms and kiss him but come to my senses and stop short.
"Great game, that was an incredible shot," I smile.
"Yeah great game bro," Adam grins joining me. From the corner of my eye I see Alli giving Dave a congratulatory kiss. I look at Drew and bite my lip.
"I'm going to congratulate K.C.," I say awkwardly. K.C. is talking to another player so I touch his arm and he turns around. "Great game guys," I smile at K.C. and the other boy since he's still standing there.
"Thanks Clare, it's great to have Drew back," K.C. smiles.
"Yeah, I'm glad he was cleared to play," I reply. Coach Armstrong blows his whistle and the team runs over to line up. I turn to go back to the stands but K.C. catches my arm and I turn back to him.
"Why didn't you tell me Eli was hurting you?" I blink at him stunned.
Wheeee "Guthrie get over here," Coach Armstrong calls.
"You'd better go," I tell K.C. and he lets go of my arm running over to get in line.
"More ex-boyfriend trouble?" Adam questions when I return to the stands.
"No, K.C. was just concerned," I reply. We watch the Panthers say "Good game" and slap hands with the other team, then they run back to the locker room to change. Meanwhile, the opposing team and their fans begin to clear out of the gym.
"Drew says some of the guys are going for pizza and me and Clare are invited," Adam comments looking at his phone (which must have vibrated in his pocket) and then his mom to get permission.
"Alright Honey," Audra nods, "home by curfew and take care of Clare."
"We will," Adam grins. Audra leaves and Adam drapes an arm over my shoulders.
"Are you guys going for pizza with the team?" Alli questions coming over to us.
"Yeah," Adam and I say together and then laugh.
"We can all ride over with Dave then," Alli grins and seems to text him so on her phone.
After visiting our lockers to get what we need for the weekend the three of us walk out to Dave's car. K.C. is also coming with us which makes six people and five seats.
"Shotgun," Adam, Drew and K.C. say all together making Alli and I giggle.
"My car, I decide seating," Dave comments, "Alli gets shotgun and Clare can sit on Drew's lap."
I open my mouth to protest but Drew takes my waist pulling me around the car. He gets in and I get in, sitting on his lap and he buckles us both in. Adam gets in and sits in the middle and then K.C. on the other side. Alli and Dave are already in and Dave starts driving, Drew puts his arms around my waist. Adam chuckles and I wrinkle my noise at him because I know what he's thinking.
"So, why didn't you tell me about Eli?" K.C. questions.
"What did Psycho-Boy do now?" Alli asks turning around.
"He's been hurting her," K.C. says.
"He gets a little carried away," I clarify.
"A little?" Drew speaks up and tugs my shirt down to show the bruises near my collarbone. "And the ones on her back are worse."
"Eli will get over it and I'll avoid him," I try to assure everyone.
"Because that's working so well," Alli remarks in a snarky tone.
Thankfully, we've reached the pizza place now and they drop it. We go inside and find Coach Armstrong with some of the team and cheerleaders. Coach Armstrong gets two pizzas and pitchers of soda for the team the rest of us are on our own. Dave, Drew and Adam split the cost of another pizza and pitcher for us. We stay for a couple of hours and we all have a good time, the six of us ride in Dave's car again and since we're closest to the Torres house Dave stops there first.
"You want to stay over Clare?" Adam asks. I got out to let Drew out so the three of us are standing outside the car now.
"Ooh," the other three chorus in a teasing tone.
"Not like that, she'll just call Drew or he'll call her after a nightmare," Adam tells them.
"Sure, I'll text my mom. Thanks for the ride Dave, see you guys Monday," I smile grabbing my backpack and closing the door.
We wave goodbye to everyone and go into the basement. Drew goes upstairs to tell their parents that we're home and I'm staying the night. I text mom and she says it's fine for me to stay over but wants me to come home in the morning to have lunch with Glen and Jake. Adam, Drew and I stay up watching TV until finally deciding to go to bed a little after two when we start to get tired. Of course, after getting bedding and setting it up on the sofa for me and Drew, and then getting ready for bed I'm a bit more awake. Adam is upstairs now and Drew is upstairs brushing his teeth so I turn the TV on again.
"I'm not as tired," I tell Drew when he comes downstairs to explain why the TV is on again.
"Yeah, me either," Drew says sitting down on his side of the sofa.
We watch TV for a while but I drift to sleep during a Hardy Boys rerun, and probably would have stayed asleep had I dreamt about The Hardy Boys. Instead I dream about Eli, Vince and my dad, I wake up to Drew shaking me. I know it's him before I'm entirely awake, I throw my arms around him, he holds me close with one arm and caresses my arm with the other.
"It's okay you're safe," Drew says.
"Did I wake you?" I ask after a few moments but don't let go of him.
"No, I woke up from my own nightmare and heard you having one of your own. You want to talk about it?"
"Not really," I shake my head reluctantly pulling away from him, "do you want to talk about yours?"
"Not really, do you want to watch TV again?"
"Yeah."
Drew sits closer to me, grabs his blanket and turns the TV back on. It's after dawn before either of us falls asleep again and I'm woken by Adam what feels like a rather short time later.
"Clare, it's eleven. You're mom called she wants you home in half an hour," Adam tells me.
"I'm up," I groan.
"Drew, Mom says you need to get up too," Adam tells him.
"Yeah, yeah I'm up," he yawns.
I get up and get dressed, I have no change of clothes so Audra drives me home as soon as I'm ready. After a shower and changing into clean clothes I feel much better and I'm rather hungry when we leave for lunch with Jake and Glen. After lunch the four of us go to a home improvement store to pick out tile for the kitchen. Actually, it's about two hours of Mom being indecisive, and Glen offering an opinion while Jake and I are bored out of our minds. Since we're still out at dinner time we eat at a diner, one Mom and I have never been to but it's one of Jake and Glen's favorites. When we get home, Jake gets in his truck, he has a date with Katie. Glen and Mom start talking about plans for the downstairs so I go to my room. I spend a few hours on my laptop, Mom came up to tell me she and Glen were going for a drink and to not wait up. When my phone rings just after ten I glance over at it, Adam's smiling face is flashing on the screen so I answer.
"Hi Adam."
"Give the phone to Drew, he left his here," Adam says and my heart sinks. Immediately I know something isn't right.
"Drew's not here," I force the words out even though I'm sure I'm not breathing.
"He left almost an hour ago, said he was staying the night at your house," Adam replies but his voice is tight with worry now. I'm sure we're both thinking the same thing, that Drew was on his way to my house and Vince got him. Somehow in my panic the rational portion of my brain speaks up, I realize there is the possibility that Drew lied to Adam (and their parents) and went somewhere else. I have no idea where but I can think of a couple of people that might now.
"Don't worry Adam we'll find him. I'll make some calls, don't worry your parents just yet," I tell him.
"Okay but call me as soon as you find him, our parents are at a party. If you haven't called me by the time they return I might have to tell them."
"I'll call you as soon as I know anything." I hang up with Adam and my first call is to Owen.
"Clare? You okay?"
"I am but have you seen Drew?"
"Not since yesterday why?"
"Apparently, he told Adam and his parents that he was sleeping here but he's not here," I tell Owen and I know my pleading voice shows how worried I am.
"That fucking idiot," Owen sighs.
"You know where he is?"
"Yeah, I think so. I'll pick you up what's your address?"
I tell him my address and he says he'll be here in five minutes. I put my shoes on and leave a note for my mom that I went to Adam's. I see Owen pull into the driveway and I step out, locking the front door and getting in Owen's car.
"Where is he?" I ask Owen as he begins driving.
"He and Julian have been going to these underground MMA fights. I went with them the other night, it worried me a little how much Drew was into it. Yesterday they told me there was an open bout tonight. I told Drew not to fight, he assured me he wouldn't, I should've known better than to listen," Owen shakes his head in shame.
"He didn't tell me about the fights," I comment hoping I don't sound as bitter as I feel that he kept it from me.
"Yeah, he didn't figure you'd like it probably. I just hope the fight tonight is in the same place I went with them because Julian isn't answering his phone. I tried calling him before I left and on the way to your house," Owen explains.
I realize that I'd better tell Adam something because he's probably still worried. So, I take out my cell and send him a text.
Clare: With Owen, he thinks he knows where Drew is. When we find him we'll come back to your house.
Adam: Thanks, I hope you find him I'm worried.
Clare: We'll find him Adam.
Owen is parking so I stuff my phone into my purse and I don't see if Adam replies. Given the look of the abandoned warehouse I decide it's better to leave my purse in Owen's car. This place is creepy and as soon as we're out I take Owen's hand purely because I feel my heart pounding with tension.
"Let me do the talking," Owen whispers draping an arm over my shoulders. We approach the man at the door, scary looking muscled bald man with a mustache. Owen says nothing at all but gives the guy $20 and he lets us in. Entering the abandoned warehouse is like entering a visualization of testosterone. Dozens of men crowded together, shouting and hollering, cheering for the fight. I've never smelled so much male in my life and I cling to Owen a bit more. "Stay close," he says loudly tightening his arm around me.
"Where's Drew?" I ask just as loud because he won't hear me otherwise.
"In the cage," Owen says and then makes a face as I hear the horrid sound of fist hitting skin.
"What?" I question, practically yelling.
Owen doesn't reply but he starts shoving us through the crowd until we come to a cage of sorts, made with what looks like chain link and wood from a lumber yard. To my absolute horror Drew is in the cage, facing an opponent twice his size. The guy looks like he might be from the military base, at least 6'4 with a buzz cut and tattoos on his forearms. His arms and torso have muscles upon muscles and he's about to hit Drew again! I look over to see a man standing by the gate to the cage, letting go of Owen I race over to him.
"OPEN THE CAGE," I yell at him.
"Bout started, they signed the waivers," he shrugs.
"Open the cage," Owen asserts from behind me.
"You want to fight then wait your turn," the man replies callously.
Okay time to get mean, and hope it doesn't get me killed. "Open, or I call the cops and tell them all about this place and that you're letting a sixteen-year-old fight." The guy looks in at Drew, makes a face and opens the door. I run in and kick Drew's opponent before he hits Drew again, I doubt I hurt him but he gets confused and turns around. In possibly the only time I've been grateful for my small stature, I duck under his arm as he spins around and I run to Drew grabbing his shirt. "Let's get out of here," I insist.
"Clare, what are you doing here?" Drew asks but he still has that fire in his eyes that he wants to fight, despite the fact that he's not winning. I will never understand boys!
"What are you doing? Drew we need to get out of here! That is not Vince and you are not winning," I try to reason with him.
"I can take him, I know how to get the upper-hand now," Drew replies. He still hasn't looked at me so I grab his chin and force him to look me in the eyes.
"Andrew this won't solve anything. You're just going to get hurt again, think what that would do to me, to Adam!"
Finally, I see the change in his expression, the realization that this is stupid and he's just getting hurt. And in the process hurting me and Adam. Drew sighs and takes my hand from his chin.
"Okay, let's go home," he nods still holding onto my hand. Drew's opponent laughs, as do some others and since I've already made it this far into the tiger's den unscathed I decide to say my piece. Chalk it up to a night that seems to be all about bad judgement.
"YOU'RE ALL PATHETIC, IF YOU HAD ANYONE TO CARE ABOUT OR TO CARE ABOUT YOU THEN NONE OF YOU WOULD BE HERE EITHER. A BUNCH OF LITTLE BOYS WITH NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN HAVE AN UNDERGROUND PISSING CONTEST." Yep that shut them up, whether or not they agree they all just kind of look stunned.
"Okay, that would be our cue to exit," Owen comments ushering us out of the building and we make a hasty exit. "Where's Julian?" Owen asks Drew when we're back in the fresh air.
"On a date. Took a ride share here," Drew replies.
"Come on, I'll take you both to your place," Owen remarks.
"I told Adam I was sleeping at Clare's," Drew says as we walk to Owen's car.
"Yeah, and he called me when you left your phone at home. He knows you weren't at my house. I'm just glad Owen knew where to look for you. What were you thinking Drew?!"
"That it would feel good, that I wanted to kick some ass and prove that I can," Drew replies as we get into Owen's car and buckle up.
"Goddamnalphamaleprimitivegenes,"I curse under my breath and Drew only cocks an eyebrow so I know he didn't hear me, or at least didn't understand the mumble. Owen looks back in the rearview mirror, probably wondering what I said. Drew and I both got in the back seat so Owen is currently chauffer. "Andrew, you were ganged up on by Vince and his gang. That would have been hard for anyone to fight back. I understand feeling vulnerable and defenseless after what happened but intentionally signing up for an illegal underground fight? Against an opponent that undoubtedly has more training. What good would getting beat up again be? To anyone?"
"I just wanted to know I could take Vince if he ever came near me again," Drew sighs.
"I understand wanting to defend yourself, but this was not the way. I think the two of us should sign up for real self-defense classes. We can take them together, learn together."
"That's the best idea I've heard all night," Owen speaks up from the driver's seat, "I'll take it with you."
"You're right," Drew nods, "we can look into it tomorrow."
"Good, and since your parents aren't home it looks like the only one you have to explain the bruises to, at least for now, is Adam," Owen remarks pulling up to the Torres house.
We all get out and I notice Drew is already moving stiffly, I wrinkle my face at him disapprovingly but he's ahead of me and doesn't notice. Adam is pacing the basement looking at his phone but looks incredibly relieved when we come in.
"Where have you been?" Adam questions.
"It doesn't matter he's safe now and he'll never do that again, will you Drew?" I ask with an inexorable tone to say that he better not ever think of doing that again.
"No, not ever again," Drew shakes his head leaning back on the sofa. Adam pulls his eyebrows together seeing how stiffly Drew is moving.
"Come on Adam, Drew needs some ice and you can show me the first aid stuff I'll show you what Drew needs," Owen remarks putting a hand on Adam's shoulder. They go upstairs and I look at Drew.
"How could you put yourself in that position Drew? Willingly fighting with a person that was so much bigger? Didn't it bring back memories of Vince's gang?"
"No…sort of…I was kind of picturing the guy as Vince," Drew admits.
"I was terrified when I saw you in there Drew. What if you'd gotten another concussion?"
"I wasn't really thinking at all."
"I couldn't stand to see you like that again Drew," I comment looking down at my hands, wringing them together nervously. My heart begins to pound again, my stomach filling with butterflies as I'm about to confess something and fully expect Drew to balk. "I like you Drew, really like you and I know you probably don't fe…"
I'm cut off when he holds my face, tipping it up so that I look in his eyes, and then smashes his lips to mine. For a moment I'm so stunned I'm frozen and then my arms encompass his neck. His hand moves from my face, resting on my waist, his tongue slides over my bottom lip and my lips part for him. After a moment we pull out of the kiss, I smile and bite my lip.
"Be my girlfriend?" Drew asks.
I simply nod in response and Drew grins, our lips collide together once again. My lips part for him and his tongue glides in caressing mine gently. My hands rake through the short hairs at the back of his head. We're so lost in the kiss we don't even hear Owen and Adam coming back down the stairs.
"Well, you seem to be doing better," Owen remarks.
"Can't leave you two alone for a moment," Adam laughs and we break apart. I blush and bite my lip again.
"Clare's my girlfriend now," Drew informs them.
"Here Clare, you'll need these to take care of Drew. I think he'll be just fine with nurse Clare, want to go get a shake Adam?" Owen questions setting the stuff down on the coffee table.
"Sounds good, uh Mom and Dad will be back in an hour," Adam reminds us but he's chuckling, and he leaves with Owen.
"They took that better than I thought," Drew comments.
"Yeah, considering we kept insisting we wouldn't date."
"I didn't think Adam would approve of us but I don't think we fooled him," Drew grins.
"No we didn't. Now then shirt off and lie down," I order.
"You're very bossy," Drew laughs as he takes his shirt off.
"Andrew," I gasp when I see his bruises, "if you ever do something so stupid again…" he sits up and cuts me off with a kiss.
"I'll be fine, don't worry Beautiful it's just a few bruises," Drew says caressing my cheek, "besides now I have you to nurse me." He chuckles and I push him to lie down again. I look at what Owen and Adam brought down, putting ice packs on the worst of the bruises I time it for twenty minutes and turn on the TV for something to do. When I take the ice away I pick up the tube of arnica cream and begin gently rubbing it into Drew's bruises. "If I get this kind of attention when I'm hurt I'll get hurt more often," Drew remarks with an impish grin and I twist my mouth at him.
"No more bruises Drew," I say sternly, "don't get yourself hurt for any reason."
"Does that mean I get this attention anyway?" Drew inquires.
"That means I don't want you hurt, if you want attention from your girlfriend there are easier ways to get it."
"Like this?" He asks before ensnaring my lips into a fiery passionate kiss.
Update soon picking up from about here probably and including others finding out Clare and Drew are official. Next updated will be Alone on a School Night.
Clew fans be sure to check out The Best Thing that Never Happened the new short story for this round, premiering soon!