Sorry if this chapter feels a bit rushed.

Standard disclaimer.

Claire opened her eyes and was met with a dark space lit only by the distant glow of a street lamp from across the street. For a moment she experience nothing but blind panic as she tried to recall where on earth she was. Her panic subsided after she recalled her visit to John's house, there had been some talking and a lot of kissing and …, she couldn't remember, they must have fallen asleep. As she emerged out of her disorientated state she became aware of John's arms loose around her waist and his breathing behind her head. Oh no, she must still be there and it was dark outside. She squinted at her watch in the dim light. She wished now that she hadn't decided on a designer accessory with only four dots to signify numbers set in an oval shape.

Gently, she lifted up his arm and slid of the bed, bringing the timepiece to the window. She was sure she had only been there a few hours, so when the clock face indicated that it was somewhere in the vicinity of 4.00 in the morning, she almost yelped in surprise. She began to search for her coat, straightening the creases in her clothing as she did so. She must look a state. She found the coat, half under the bed and scouted around for something to write on. She managed to find a balled up receipt and an almost dry ballpoint pen. She quickly penned the words.

Didn't mean to stay so long.

Gone home, see you soon.

Claire x

She had debated putting 'love Claire' but decided that might be interpreted the wrong way. She placed the note in his hand and let herself out into the hallway. Here she faced another obstacle. Manoeuvring as quietly as she could she stepped around the couch which had been folded out into a bed and which was now occupied by John's father. She froze as he turned over and muttered something about a dog. Finally, she made it to the door and slid the bolt across and unlatched the chain. Luckily the door wasn't locked. She was loathe to leave the door unlocked but felt it couldn't be helped.

She quietly shut the door and wrapped her coat around her, pulling up the hood. It occurred to her that this was a dangerous neighbourhood and that it was in her best interests to be as invisible as possible. She walked along the pavement in silence, retracing her steps with further and further uncertainty as to whether she had got it right. Everything was so different in the dark and she wasn't familiar with that part of town. For this reason she was overjoyed when the friendly and familiar shape of a public phone box melted into view.

Thoroughly relieved she rushed to something she usually wouldn't have dreamed of setting foot in. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of urine in the booth and pulled off the receiver. After several moments of fishing, she managed to find some change at the very bottom of her purse and waited in silence after dialling the number of a the only Shermer taxi service which her mother, in a rare moment of motherly concern had made her memorise. After several seconds, a friendly voice answered the phone.

"Shermer Cab Service, how can I help you."

"Um, can I get a taxi to Number 3 Elizabeth Terrace, only I'm not exactly sure where I am. I'm near …" She searched for a street sign. "Holloway road and there's a garage opposite me called 'Hags Auto – motive."

"I know where you mean, just wait ten minutes and someone should be there."

"Thankyou", she replaced the receiver.

The taxi ride was short and depressing. After she had paid and thanked the driver, she walked morosely up the front drive. She locked the door behind her and proceeded to walk up the stairs but as she was walking through the corridor to her own room, that of her mother's swung open. Her hair pulled back and a flower pattern eye mask at her throat, she looked like a before image in a beauty salon. Though still pretty, her face was puffy from sleep and her pale blue silk dressing gown made her eye colour stronger beneath half closed lids.

"Claire, this can't go on, you are becoming positively lawless."

"Mother, it isn't what you think, I was at Marilyn's."

"Till five o'clock in the morning?" Her mother's tone was sceptical. Claire clutched at the first idea that came into her head.

"But she broke up with her boyfriend. I couldn't leave because she was so upset. He was two – timing her and she finally managed to end the relationship. Would you rather I left her alone." Her mother seemed to be taking the bait. Claire knew that any mention of philandering males was certain to send her thoughts inward to her own relationship.

"Well, don't stay out this late again." Claire watched as she went back to bed, probably to dwell in self pity for an hour or so. She breathed a sigh of relief for the second time that night and headed toward bed for what few hours sleep left that she could glean form the rest of the night.

Allison blinked as she felt the sun on her eyelids turning the usual black into red. She shielded her half open eyes as she sat up and looked around her. The field ahead had not yet been touched by the new sun. One or two rays fell on her as she rose. Andy woke at her movement and pulled her back down beside him.

"Hi." He stoked her cheek and pulled her into a short kiss. She tuned and reached for the half empty bottle of wine and poured two glasses. That would have to suffice for possible morning breath. As they drank in silence, they watched the sun rise. Andy wrapped the blanket around them.

"If we don't go soon, we'll be late for school."

"We don't have to go." Allison smiled as he spoke.

"Bet you haven't missed a class in your life." Andy gave a sheepish grin.

"Well, I was ill once for two weeks."

"That doesn't count as skiving." They downed the wine in one gulp. She stood up, gathering the glasses and the blanket over one arm. "Come on, let's go." Andy followed with the basket and car doors closed behind them. The car pulled away and all that was left of their presence was a flat patch of grass.

Brian found the door closed and tried the window, it creaked open. He reached one leg through and then another tumbling him onto the carpeted floor in the process. A shape on the sofa jumped up. It crossed to the lamp and both were dazzled in the sudden light. His mother stood in her dressing gown, her hand still on the lamp.

"Where have you been? I have been so worried, I thought something terrible had happened." It was obvious that she was about to launch into on of her tirades.

"Mum, just stop, I was out with a friend. We were talking."

"All night!" She looked at him in utter exasperation.

"Yes and do you know what, stop acting like it's the end of the world. I think you have to accept that I want to go to college too. If you haven't drummed it in by now, I'd give up. Stop telling me to do things that I already plan to do. Its my life and I can do what I want with it."

"Brian, don't you talk to me like that."

"I'm not trying to be unfair; I just want some say in my life. OK." He walked past her towards the stairs. "I have to get ready for school." As he headed towards his room, his sister peeked out of the bathroom, rubbing her eyes.

"What's going on?" He just smiled and ruffled her hair, something he knew she actively despised. "Victory." He muttered under his breath. Nothing could touch him that day, he had been with Sally, and it was true they had just talked and she had kissed him on the cheek which was a start. He smiled, he had to get to school and see her again, and he had had an idea about that shop project.

Claire let the door bang shut behind her. She crossed over to the mirror and mechanically went through the process of retouching her make up as she thought through everything that had happened recently. She had only been there five minutes when Marilyn sashayed into the girl's bathroom.

"So… I thought I'd find you here. Now, I would like very much too hear your explanation for the phone call I got this morning from your mother. Apparently you spent last night consoling me over a break up with my non – existent boyfriend. She also went into detail about the latest Cosmo article about cheating men. Dare I ask?" Claire spun to face her.

"You did say I was there?"

"Relax, what's a best friend for? So who is he?"

"He's nobody." Claire feigned disinterest.

"Don't give me that, I bet you can't wait to tell someone."

"Nothing happened."

Marilyn pulled herself up into a space between the sinks, on the counter and crossed her legs. She had on a baggy dress over tight leggings and leg warmers. Claire feared she had been watching dance films again. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail as she watched Claire.

"But did you want it to?" She raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, shut up." Claire giggled. "He was hurt; I went to go see him."

"Oh my God, its John Bender, isn't it? It's all over school that he was in a gang fight and got away with but with multiple stab wounds."

"Well, as far as I know it was only one." Claire jumped when she realised her unwitting confession before colouring up. "I mean … It wasn't."

"It is! You liar! I knew it."

"Look, it isn't anything serious, yet, so don't tell anyone."

"Why?"

"Because. Ok?" The bell rang out overhead. Marilyn hopped off the counter and headed towards the door.

"Whatever. I'll see you in homeroom." Claire made to follow her but the doors of one of the stalls banged open.

"That was cowardly." Allison stepped out.

"So is eavesdropping."

"I was hiding actually."

"From who?" Allison looked uncomfortable before stating simply.

"Andy." Before walking out the door after the other girl.