a/n hello =] I totally don't like the start of this chapter... or the middle... I only really like the end... O.o lol I didn't get this beta read because Dani's elsewhere right now... But thanks to Sonib89, Julzi, Neurotic-Idealist (I didn't forget you this time!), KenzieandAlex, XODaniiOX, tvrox12 and Just a Bit Natty for the reviews! I love you all!

I don't own anyone but Claire =]

-Tuesday, February 9-

Gail looked at me sympathetically as we ate breakfast the next morning. I hated that look, I didn't deserve that look.

"Hey, it's Gwen!" Jill tried her best to make me smile, but I couldn't do it, so she pouted at me.

"What's wrong with Claire?" the newest Diva asked as she too pouted at me.

"Don't look at me like that." I said gravely, my tone was emotionless. Their heads shot up and their faces turned blank, sympathy gone.

"Long story?" Jill said hopelessly to Gwen, who nodded her head in understanding, "If she wants to tell you, she will later." We sat in silence for the next ten minutes as we picked away at our breakfast. I looked up and closed my eyes,

"Has anyone seen Cody?" Gwen nodded and said that he had gone to the gym, and without another word I left the room. Not giving another glance at the two people that had just walked in.

Cody was lifting weights and, just my luck, Ted was the spotter. I took a deep breath and sat on the bench next to them. Staring at my feet.

"What's wrong?" Cody asked as he stopped, "You're acting like a teenager." He told me and I looked at him with a dead expression. I was. This is what I'd do when I was younger, stop talking and look like someone had just died. I'd resorted back to my teenage self. "Claire?" I shrugged at him.

"She doesn't want to talk about it," Ted stated, obviously, "Just leave it." It wasn't nice Ted saying this; it was matter-of-fact Ted who came out when he was in a bad mood. I had put him in that mood.

I watched them both lift weights for an hour, staring blankly as people came in and went out before my eyes.

"Claire, come on, we're leaving." I nodded at them and followed them back to the elevator. "Where did you stay last night?"

"With Jill and Gail." I answered quietly,

"Why didn't you stay in your own room?" Ted asked snidely and I started to cry again. Cody was at my side in a second, glaring at Ted, "Come on! I didn't even do anything!"

"It doesn't matter, okay? If you hadn't kicked her out, then we wouldn't have had to have this conversation!"

"You didn't have to ask!" Ted growled as he rubbed my back. "Claire, really, you should tell us."

"She doesn't have to." Cody spoke with a sigh and I looked up slowly to see Mike with Maryse. "That's why you stayed with Gail, isn't it?" I nodded slowly,

"What have I done wrong? Why does he like her?" Ted laughed at my question,

"Frenchy, you haven't done anything wrong." He assured me, "Mike's an idiot. We've always known that." I punched his arm, "Okay, so you're still going to defend him." I had to laugh, the way he said it made me.

"We'll go out and do something fun today, alright? I think there's a fair in town..."

"Cody," I said calmly, "It's raining and it'll probably snow."

"Fine," he shrugged, "We'll watch movies."

-Sunday, February 14; Valentine's Day-

Valentine's Day. Today. I want to scream. I haven't celebrated Valentine's Day in years. I never had a need to. I just stayed in and watched movies. How antisocial of me.

Everyone has gone home to be with their partners. I just spent seven months at home and I don't feel like going back... Not that I have anyone to spend the night with.

Against everything I stand for, I decided that I'd hit a bar for Valentine's Day, maybe go against everything else I stand for and pick up a guy and have a one night stand. You know, what normal people do nowadays.

I decided that I was definitely going to do that.

I searched through my clothes and grabbed a dark blue dress, it reached mid thigh and was shorter than what I would usually wear – but I wasn't being me tonight – I paired with black strappy heels and my black trench coat. I left my hair as it was, loose and flowing over my shoulders.

I grabbed my handbag and walked from the room, heading towards the elevators which would lead me to the 75th level bar, also known as the bar every single person was tonight.

Maybe it wasn't the best idea that had ever come to mind... But it wasn't terrible. Naturally the choice sleaze had come to hit on me; I had brushed them off in French. Thankfully that hadn't made them even more eager to get to know me, it has definitely happened before though.

"What are you drinking?" I looked up and laughed as I saw Carly Colón take a seat.

"Hey," I smiled as I shook my head, "What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that question, you wouldn't have any trouble getting a date for V-Day." I shrugged at him, "Me on the other hand... Carlito isn't so cool anymore." I pouted at him,

"Carlito's still cool." I assured him, "He's very cool."

"Thank you. Claire's pretty cool too." I laughed at him, "What are you drinking, girl? You need a new one." I looked down at my empty glass,

"Jim Beam and coke." He disappeared briefly, but returned with a drink in his hand.

He's so nice and everything, but he was escorted out of the bar by a cute little redhead and I was left alone once more.

I was pretty drunk, I shouldn't have been... But Carly just kept buying me drinks.

"Need a new one?" I looked up knowing the voice, but it definitely wasn't Carly.

"Jim Beam and coke." I told him what I had told Carly. I drank it quickly, looking up at the man again.

"Want to get out of here?" he asked with a smirk.

"You know it." I smiled and grabbed my bag, feeling lightheaded as he slid his arm around me and placed his hand on my hip, holding me close.

a/n whose the mystery man?