Clare

"I've been to jail son, I know how to do things that can cause you pain."

"Peter! You were arrested and put on house arrest. Stop trying to scare Eli. He knows that if he ever hurts, embarrasses or displeases Clare in some way again we will have his thumbs broken an hour before we have him assassinated."

"I know that now…"

"Great, want some pie?"

"Why? Does it have cyanide in it?"

"No just peaches… and love."

"Sure."

I should have guessed that as soon as I excused myself to go to the bathroom Darcy and Peter would threaten Eli. I kind of enjoyed seeing him sweat though, he looked rather scared. It probably didn't help that Darcy was holding a craving knife in her hand while Peter was giving him the look of death. Eli Goldsworthy broke a sweat.

I went back to my seat when the smoke cleared. Darcy brought out the pie, it smelled delicious. It's funny how she makes it seem like she made it from scratch when in reality it's a Marie Callender pie she brought from the store. All she done was bake it and put it on a plate with ice cream and a dollop of whipped topping. I guess it doesn't really matter that much though, good pie is good pie. When dessert was done it was time for Eli to go.

"So, I uh, heard they roughed you up."

"Yeah, I'm shaking in my boots."

"I can see."

"So, school starts back tomorrow."

"Yup."

"Want me to pick you up?"

"No, I'll walk."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I like the walking. Having twenty minutes of cold air blowing against my face makes me feel alive."

"Oh, okay. Well, tell Darcy once again I said thanks for the lovely meal."

"She's more than likely peeping out the window, she probably read your lips but I will relay the message anyway."

"Cool, well… see you tomorrow?"

"…maybe."

"Okay."

I went back in the house where Peter and Darcy were in a loving embrace. I decided to give them some private time, so I went to my room. I changed into my pajamas and I cuddled up under the sheets. When I went to sleep I realized that this wouldn't be a peaceful night. I had a night terror. This time it was a different scene. I was at a party and I got roofied again, except instead of that random guy Fitz got hold of me again. I woke up to see Darcy and Peter standing over me shaking me .

"Clare, Shh, stop screaming and calm down. It was just a bad dream."

"What?"

"You were just having a nightmare."

After that I tried going back to sleep, but I just couldn't. My mind wouldn't let me. Every time I dozed off I'd have that falling sensation, so I woke up. Finally I just gave up on trying getting some shut eye that night. I got up and I got on the computer. Alli was on.

"So, guess what I done last night?"

"Don't you mean who you done last night?"

"Funny…Drew and I had sex; I must say I was a little… disappointed."

"Why?"

"Well let's just say he isn't built and sturdy on every part of his body."

"You mean…"

"Yes!"

"Wow."

"Don't tell him I told you though."

"Does he even know it's a problem for you?"

"He was self conscious about it."

"Does he use it well?"

"About as well as a newborn baby can walk."

"Wow…well…"

"It's things like this that make me wish I was waiting until marriage. No offense."

"None taken."

"Why are you even up Saint Clare?"

"Night terror, Backwoods Bhandari."

"Oh, about…that?"

"Yes, about…that."

"Maybe try Lunesta?"

"You really think they would give them to someone with my history?"

"Oh, right. Well, I'm about to go to bed. See you tomorrow. Meet me in front to help me avoid Drew?"

"Sure, why not?"

I watched old music videos and read fan fiction until my alarm clock went off. I didn't even try to go back to sleep. It would have been pointless and I didn't even want to waste the effort. I got up, feeling sluggish and heavy eyed. I went to the shower and let the hot water wake me up a little. A little was all it done too, I left out of the bathroom still feeling sluggish.

I grabbed my back pack, pop tarts and the painting. Darcy must already be at the Dot because I don't hear her rattling around to get ready. It was sunny outside today but the wind was blowing.

The winter wind hit my face and it felt like needles were prickling my skin. The cold air brought tears to my eyes and it made my sinuses burn. If this didn't wake me up, nothing would. It didn't, I guess it was my day to be a zombie.

I made it to school and I placed the painting in Ms. Suave's office so that I wouldn't have to wag it around all day. After that I went to my locker where Alli was standing there looking kind of pissed.

"Oh, sorry Alli I forgot I was supposed to be meeting you."

"Yeah I guess you did."

"I apologize."

"It's not you I'm mad at Clare… He's doing it again."

"Who's doing what again?"

"Look behind you."

Drew was talking to Bianca. She flipped her long curly hair around while he hammed it up for her. She playfully hit him every now and again, letting her fingers linger just a little too long. They were flirting and Alli could see it. I didn't know what to say to her. I could barely tell left from right. The night without sleep was catching up with me.

I went into Ms. Dawes class and I lay my head on the desk. She came and stood beside me. She patted me on the back. I rose up to look her in the face.

"Clare, are you okay?"

"Fine Ms. Dawes just feeling a little ill."

"Oh dear, do you need to go to the nurse's office Clare?"

"No, I just need a powernap."

"Very well… I'm not going to start my lecture until every last person on the roster arrives and everyone should be late today seeing that it's the first day back from winter break. You have roughly ten minutes."

"Okay."

I woke up to a gentle tap on my shoulder. There was a pool of drool on the desk. I looked up to see Adam looking at me and laughing. I wiped the drool off of my face and the desk with a napkin from my pocket. I looked to the front of the classroom where Ms. Dawes was giving her lecture. Needless to say, I nodded through the entire class. Even that extended nap wasn't enough to keep me afloat though. I nodded through all of my classes. At lunch I went to the library and I went to sleep. If I hear the tardy bell I will go to class, if I don't well then… the nap will be worth getting detention.

Eli

I looked around trying to find Clare. Maybe she didn't come to school today, but I doubt that she would miss it because she gets to show Ms. Suave that ugly picture of me that she painted. I sat beside Adam in the lunchroom. He was texting Fiona who was apparently treating herself to a pampered day of hooky.

"Dude you are whipped."

"You're just mad because you aren't getting any."

"Adam, shut up."

"Maybe you are for all I know. Clare was pretty tired in class today. She could barely keep her eyes open."

"Since when do you take art?"

"Since I transferred into the class."

"I wonder why she's so tired. Any clue where she is now?"

"Yeah, no… Unlike you Eli I'm not stalking her waiting for a chance to play superman."

"I'd rather be Spiderman thanks."

"Whatever dude, I haven't see her. Who knows, my guess is that she's gone to a quiet place to sleep."

"You are a genius."

I went to the library and there Clare was, knocked out at one of the tables. She wasn't snoring but she was definitely sleeping. I guess I just needed to see that she was here today or something… I left and went back to the cafeteria.

Clare

Well, I slept through my last class of the day. Luckily I didn't get slapped with a detention. I don't even know if they noticed I was gone. I went to Ms. Suave's warm office. The feeling of drowsiness hit me again. She wouldn't let me blow z's on her though. I could tell by the look on her face that she was ready to talk.

"So Clare, I see you done what I asked. You liked to paint?"

"Yes."

"So when doing it did you feel any different?"

"Not really…"

"What were your feelings while painting before your rape?"

"I was happy."

"Were you happy while painting this?"

"Yes."

"Let's examine the artwork shall we? What is it?"

"It's um… a guy only as a little emo cartoon like pon and zi."

"I'm not familiar with those characters. Who is the guy?"

"Just a guy."

"Oh I see… Do you feel comfortable revealing his name?"

"Elijah."

"Oh, Eli… So have you forgiven Elijah for the teasing and touching?"
"Almost."

"It's understandable that the road to forgiveness is long. He deserves to work to have even an ounce of your trust back. What made you paint him of all people?"

"Well, he bought the materials and told me to paint him, so I figured I'd give him what he wanted while giving myself a little kick."

"This gives me an idea. Next weekend there is going to be a cluster of events all raising awareness about rape and sexual harassment. There will be a 10 mile marathon, a silent auction to raise money and several different seminars and women telling their real stories as well as on site resources…
"Let me guess…"

"There will be an art showcase where victims of rape can show their work. I think it would be a good idea for you to paint something. I also think it would be a good idea if you and Eli entered in the marathon as partners."

"What's in it for me?"
"I'll cut you down to only twice a week."

"You promise?"

"Yes."

"You'll tell Eli about this?"

"Yes. So what other things happened during your break?"

"I was roofied."

"That's horrible Clare."

"Nothing happened though, they caught the guy. He roofied a lot of other girls too…Nobody reported rape though."

"Let's talk about that Clare. Has this set you back emotionally any? How do you feel?"

"Honestly, empowered a little… Before he could get his hands on me and before the dugs completely knocked me out ,I maced him pretty damn good…."

"Clare I usually don't encourage weapon use but if mace is what it takes for you to feel like you can be your own hero, then by all means carry it. I just have a question, what happens when you don't have mace?"

"I haven't thought about that."

"Maybe look into some other ways of empowering yourself Clare so that you never have to be anyone's victim again."

"Okay."

After the therapy session I gathered my painting and bid Ms. Suave goodbye. I wondered what I'd gotten myself into until Eli appeared out of nowhere and scared me. I jumped hard and I dropped the painting.

"Geez Eli! You almost scared me to death."

"Sorry, you didn't honestly think I would let you leave without getting that monstrosity on canvas did you? Hand it over."

"I changed my mind. It makes me laugh when I look at it. I kind of want to keep it."

"Oh no, you promised I could burn it."

"Well it won't be bothering you if you don't burn it. I will only bring it out for the occasional tee hee."

"I don't trust you, how am I supposed to know that this isn't some plot for vengeance? You might put it online or something."

"I won't. You have bigger problems."

"Like what? Like the fact that you still haven't stabbed me in the arm like I asked you too."

"You're still on that?"

"Yes."

"You really want me to don't you?"
"Yes."

"No."

"Seriously consider it… What were you about to tell me though?"

"Ms. Suave has kind of…well she… How are your running skills?"

"What?"

"Ms. Suave thinks we should run a marathon to raise awareness about rape."

"What?"

"You heard me Eli, a marathon."

"Do I look like I would run a marathon to you?"

"Do I look like I would either? Point is, if we do this I get less time and you probably would too."

"You don't say? I guess I could run a couple miles. Want a ride home?"

"Well…"

"Hey, no pressure. I could walk you home instead."

"Walk me home?"

"Yeah, it's getting dark and you know the freaks come out at night."

"I have my ma…"

"Yeah yeah you have your mace, just let me be a guy and walk you home?"

"Well, alright. Since you put it that way we can take Morty."

"Great, I have an idea."

"About what?"

"You could take a picture of the painting and keep that to get your jollies and I could take the original."

"You really hate it don't you?"

"Yes."

"Fine…"

"Great, I have a Polaroid."

"You go around with a Polaroid camera?"

"Yes."

Eli took a picture of the painting and he gave the exposure to me. It turned out and it still looked funny. He took the original painting. Only god knows what he will do with it. He dropped me off and I started thinking about what I would paint for the awareness weekend.

Eli

I got home all in an uproar, ready to set fire to the painting but something wouldn't let me. So instead I put the matches and lighter fluid away and I mounted the thing to the wall of my walk in closet. It's a little piece of her, or at least that's how I see it.

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