Ch. 4 If You Could See Yourself the Way that I Do
(CLARE)
A video call with Alli pops up on my laptop while I'm doing homework. I hit accept and see not only Alli's tear streaked face, but Jenna's as well. We saw her fight with Bianca that morning and knew that she'd been pulled into Simpson's office. Rumor around the halls had been that they both got a week's suspension. Jenna and I both tried to text her at lunch and after school but Alli never texted back. She seems awfully upset over a week's suspension and a fight though, something else has to be going on.
"Alli what's wrong?" Jenna and I question.
"I'm done with DeGrassi, my parents pulled me out. When Simpson called them in this morning and told them about the destruction of school property they found out everything else too. Sexting with Johnny, having a boyfriend, a different wardrobe for school, threatening Holly J, all of it. They think DeGrassi is too distracting for me. My dad called in some favors and I'm going to an all girls school in Hamilton. I'll live there during the week, coming home only on weekends. I hate this," Alli bemoans.
"Alli that's terrible," Jenna says.
"I'm sorry Alli, that's awful. It's going to be lonely without you at DeGrassi," I comment.
"Alli, Mom and Dad are home, better get off," Sav warns her from the doorway.
"I gotta go, I'll get in touch when I can, if I can," Alli says before hanging up and her face disappears from the screen. Jenna and I exchange a look and both let out the same sigh.
"Well, this sucks," Jenna says before hanging up.
I close the video chat program and stare at my computer. I knew Alli would be in deep trouble, that her parents would be pissed over the bill for the damage with the trashcan. I didn't think they'd send her away to Hamilton. I'm still staring at my computer screen when my phone rings, Eli's picture pops up and I pick up my phone.
"Hi."
"Hey, you don't sound very happy to talk to me."
"I am, it's not you Eli. Alli, just called me and Jenna, her parents pulled her out of school, she's being sent to a school in Hamilton. She'll only be home on the weekends."
"Pulling her out of DeGrassi and sending her away over a fight and a broken display case? That seems pretty extreme," Eli replies.
"It was more than that, Alli has done some other things that Simpson kept from her parents. They found out everything, decided DeGrassi wasn't good for her. I'm losing my closest female friend to Hamilton," I sigh.
"Sorry Clare, that sucks. You'll be able to see her on weekends though right? I mean that's something isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess, hopefully her parents will let her, it might be a while. Her parents are pretty strict and traditional."
"The house sounds pretty quiet," Eli comments I guess trying to change the subject.
"Yeah, no one is home yet, which I actually prefer to them being home together and fighting. I'm going to be tutoring Fitz in biology, that should keep me out of the house during at least some of the fights."
"You're doing what? Why would you tutor that thug?" Eli hisses through the phone.
"Eli," I huff with exasperation, "he's not a thug and I thought you were going to let this stupid feud die! Fitz is nice, he's working really hard to change his life and I can help him in biology."
Eli goes silent, though I can hear shallow angry breathing.
"Eli, you promised no more feuding. I'm just helping him with biology," I say again.
"I know, and I think it's very benevolent of you to help him. It'll probably be a challenge to get anything to stick in that brain of his."
I decide to let Eli's snide comment pass, I don't feel like fighting with him about this. I change the subject and asks him when our next date is. I spend the rest of the evening on the phone with Eli doing homework. He gets off when he's called to dinner, and I wonder why I haven't heard from either of my parents yet. Then I see a missed text from each of them saying they won't be home for dinner. I heat some soup and watch TV, I'm in the shower when Mom gets home, but Dad never does come home.
I didn't sleep much because Dad never came home. Mom doesn't say anything about Dad not coming home, but she does give me a ride to school. I go to my locker and lean my head against it, I'm not sure if I want to scream, cry or drift to sleep.
"Bad night?" Adam questions joining me at my locker.
"I ate dinner alone and Dad never came home," I reply with a yawn.
"Sorry Clare, you want to come over after school? We can do homework together, take you home at the last possible minute," Adam offers.
"Yeah, that sounds good, thanks Adam," I smile at my friend.
"Heard anything from Alli?" Adam questions as he opens his locker.
"Yeah, she's going to a school in Hamilton now, she'll be there all week and only be home on the weekends, when we might get to see her."
"They're sending her to a whole other school?"
"Her parents found out about everything she's ever been in trouble for here, it was a lot and they decided DeGrassi wasn't the place for her," I explain.
"Sorry Clare, I know you two are close," Adam replies.
"She's my only close female friend. I have Jenna, but we aren't that close, and we've only been friends again a short time."
"You have me," Adam says, "I don't know how good I'll be at girl talk though."
"That's okay Adam, I'm grateful to have you," I giggle and kiss his cheek.
"Hey, where's my good morning kiss?" Eli pretends to whine. I smile at my boyfriend and kiss his lips gently. "That's better, you know if you were kissing any boy besides Adam I'd have to kill them," Eli comments with a smirk. I'm not sure if he's joking, Adam and I just kind of look at each other. Eli begins to chuckle softly so we laugh as well, I'm still not sure he was joking.
Eli stays with us and walks with us to homeroom, even though he's not in the class. He walks me all the way to my desk before kissing me again and leaving the classroom.
"He was joking, right?" I ask Adam.
"With Eli probably not," Adam replies.
"That's what worries me. It's not like I have plans to kiss any other guys but I worry that Eli will get jealous if I'm spending time with another guy. He promised to drop this feud, but I don't know that he actually has."
We stop talking about it as Jenna comes into class, now the subject turns to Alli and how much we'll miss her. When I get to second period I smile when I see Fitz at his desk.
"Hi Clare," Fitz smiles as I sit down at my desk.
"Hi, are you working at The Dot today?" I question.
"Yeah, after school until seven," he replies.
"I'll be at Adam's doing homework, if you want to pick me up from there I can help you with biology until curfew," I offer.
"What's your weeknight curfew?" Fitz questions.
"Nine-thirty."
"That should give us enough time, I'll text you when I'm off and pick you up from Adam's," Fitz says and I smile.
I eat lunch with Adam and Eli, Jenna is eating with K.C. alone, it's the first time they've done so since finding out she was pregnant. Eli walks Adam and I to science after lunch, giving me a soft kiss at the door. Adam walks me to fourth period, which he doesn't normally do, but when we get there Drew is just getting there too.
"Clare's coming over after school to do homework, we can take her home just in time for curfew," Adam tells Drew.
"Actually, Fitz will pick me up when he's done at work," I tell them and they both cock their eyebrows at me. "I'm helping him with biology," I remark.
"Cool, see you after class Little Bro," Drew says putting his hand at my back.
His hand is resting at the small of my back to guide me into the classroom and get me out of the way of the other students coming in. I'm sure the gesture means nothing to him, but I can't help the tingling electric thrill his touch (even through my clothes) sends along my spine.
"I'm crushing on Drew, why am I crushing on Drew? When did this start? New Year's Eve, it started with that kiss! That kiss that meant nothing to Drew. I shouldn't be crushing on him anyway, I'm dating Eli." These thoughts race through my head as I'm walking to my desk. Drew's hand left my back as soon as we were in the classroom.
I force myself not to look at Drew or even think about him all through class. I concentrate on class and keep thoughts of Eli in the back of my mind. It's hard not to think about Drew when we leave class together and ride in one car. Adam is even a gentleman and lets me have the front seat.
The boys start raiding the kitchenette for snacks as soon as we're inside. Adam puts on the TV and we start doing homework. Drew leaves his math homework until the last moment, Adam and I both help him with math, and I keep hoping he'll mention the kiss. I even picture Drew kissing me again when Adam goes to the washroom. Drew doesn't kiss me of course, he hardly looks at me.
I tell myself it's better, that I'm dating Eli and he's kind of with Bianca. Telling myself this doesn't take the New Year's Kiss from my mind or keep me from stealing glances at Drew across the dinner table.
Audra is big on family dinners and we all eat at the table. I tell them about my parents fighting and my dad being out of the house a lot. Audra says I'm welcome at their house any time. I help clean up and we're just finishing when Fitz texts to tell me he's on his way. I go back down to the basement with the brothers and Fitz arrives a few minutes later. We say goodnight to Drew and Adam, and I leave with Fitz.
"Where would you like to go? We could go back to The Dot or I can take us to Owen's house," Fitz offers.
I almost say The Dot, but then thinking that Eli might come in and find us there decide that's not a good idea. I'm sure even if Eli didn't yell or anything he'd sit down with us and we wouldn't get much done.
"I'd say my house, but I don't know who's home. It's possible no one's home, and it's possible both my parents are home and fighting. Owen's I suppose, is there a quiet place for us to study?"
"Hang on, I have an idea," Fitz says as we get in his car. He drives us back to The Dot and I worry that we're studying here after all. I suppose it isn't that likely Eli will come out looking for us. When we get out of the car however Fitz pulls me around to the back. "Wait here a moment," he says going in through the employee entrance. He reappears a moment later with the keys to the club. "Careful, the steps might be bit slippery. Hopefully, Spin won't mind us working in the club."
"I doubt it, but we won't be making a mess," I reply and Fitz grins.
He unlocks the club and turns off the alarm. We sit in the back on the sofa sitting close, but not right next to each other. Fitz gets his biology book and opens his book to show me what Mr. Bettenkamp wants him to do for homework. I help explain things and tell him to write down any questions he has during class tomorrow.
"I actually understood that, thanks for your help Clare. I have to keep my grades up so I can move out on my own and get financial help. I was really worried about not being able to pass biology. I'm sure Wesley would have been an okay tutor but I don't think I could have a better tutor than you," Fitz says. I blush and push a curl behind my ear, biting my lower lip and rolling it between my teeth. "I guess I should get you home now," Fitz comments looking at his phone.
"I'm happy to help you Fitz, and to have a reason not to go home," I reply as we pack up.
"Things not good at home?" Fitz questions turning off the lights and locking up the club.
"My parents are fighting a lot, or just not coming home at all. I had dinner alone last night because they were both out."
"I'm sorry Clare, you should never go through that kind of pain. You definitely should never eat alone, unless you want to of course," Fitz replies. He disappears for a moment to return to the club and then he comes back out. We get in his car and he makes the short drive to my house, where I see both my parent's cars and a light on in the kitchen.
"Good night Fitz, I'll see you in class tomorrow," I say, forcing a smile on my lips before getting out of the car.
"See you tomorrow," Fitz says.
I close the door and walk slowly up the path. I can already see my parents silhouettes in fighting stances through the blinds. "Just great," I think to myself as I slowly approach the door. Fitz still hasn't driven away, he must be waiting for me to go inside. I'm tempted to run back to his car and tell him to drive. I wonder if my parents would even notice? Of course I have no idea where I'd tell him to go. Plus, Fitz has to get home too.
So, I unlock the door and wave to Fitz and he drives off. They are definitely fighting, not quite yelling but with those angry voices and they don't seem to hear me come in at all. Mom is angry at Dad for all the time he's spending at work. Dad is angry saying that he has a big workload and Mom could be more understanding. I take off my jacket and boots, lock the front door and they still haven't said anything.
"I'm home," I call into the house, no response. "Hello? Youngest daughter, squeaking in before curfew. I spent all night with boys," I say. I wasn't lying about being with boys all night, not that anything happened. It doesn't matter, I might as well be a ghost, it's how I feel right now.
I give up and run upstairs, shutting my door and locking it. For the first time in a long time I wish Darcy were still here and we were sharing a room. That someone was here for me to complain to and comfort me. Then again, knowing Darcy she'd probably just sneak out and stay the night at her boyfriend's place. Get into trouble and make our parents mad at her. Suddenly I have a brilliant idea.
(DREW)
"Whoa, what are you wearing? What's in your hair?" Adam exclaims suddenly.
It's Wednesday morning and we just got to school, we're waiting in the foyer for our friends. I'm waiting for Owen and Fitz, he's waiting for Clare and Eli. I was looking at my phone, but when I look up I see one of his friends has arrived. Clare is here, but she looks different, and it takes a moment for my eyes to leave her chest.
She's wearing leather boots that come to her midcalf, ripped fishnets, a black mini skirt that I'm pretty sure does not qualify for the dress code. Then she wears a red corset, making her already ample chest about double in size, it's over a black mesh shirt, but her bra and breasts are very visible. She has on about three necklaces, earrings, but she's also got pink and purple streaks in her hair.
While we're busy staring at her other people notice too, mostly guys staring at her breasts or butt. Several of them whistle at her, Clare's cheeks go pink, but she also smiles.
"When did you go from prude to punk?" Julian asks looking from her backside to her chest.
"Go away Julian," I warn him.
"I feel like I need to put my jacket on you," Adam comments.
"No way, if I cover up I can't get in trouble, if I don't get in trouble Simpson doesn't call my parents and they can't be mad at me," Clare replies.
"You want your parents to be mad at you? I try to avoid that," I remark.
"So, your plan of attack is to get your parents mad at you instead of each other and hope they see the effect their fighting has on you," Adam says. Well now I feel dumb, what she's doing makes sense in a way. Though I do wish she'd found a way that didn't show so much of her to so many horny guys.
"Couldn't you have just come downstairs and asked your parents how they like your outfit?" I question.
"I tried that," Clare says, twisting her face when she thinks about it. "Mom was already gone and Dad told me I look great without looking up from his phone. I could have walked out in a slip and nothing else and it wouldn't have made any difference."
Now I'm picturing Clare wearing nothing but a silky black negligee, I know she said slip but that's what my mind pictures. It's a terrible picture, because it's turning me on and now I'm going to picture Clare like that all day.
"I'm sorry Clare, you want to come over again?" Adam offers.
"Yeah," she sighs.
"Okay, let's get you out of the foyer, I'll get your books from your locker. Drew can take you to class," Adam remarks volunteering for me. I don't mind though, I'm happy to walk her to class.
"I can walk to class by myself," Clare shoots back.
"No," Adam and I say at the same time.
"I don't trust half the guys in this school with you dressed like that. Come on, I'll walk you to class," I assert putting my hand at her lower back to get her to walk down the hall.
Clare gives in and I walk her to class, I'm a little reluctant to leave her in here, but Jenna and Dave are here. Clare gives me a small smile and I leave her in class.
"Who was that?" Owen asks. He and Fitz were coming down the hall.
"Clare," I tell them with a small shrug.
"That was Clare?!" Owen and Fitz exclaim at the same time.
"Why is she...dressed for Halloween?" Fitz asks cautiously, as though she can hear him.
"She's trying to piss her parents off. They've been fighting, so she's hoping dressing like that will get her in trouble at school so her parents get called, see the effect their fighting is having on her. Julian already hit on her, you should have seen the guys in the foyer looking at her," I tell them as we start walking to class.
"I can imagine," Owen remarks.
"I don't want to think about it," Fit comments.
I really need to get my mind off Clare so I ask if either of them have heard from Bianca, but they haven't. So, we start talking about class and Owen's hockey game next week. Eli comes into class and now I'm thinking about Clare again, and specifically my vision of her in a negligee. I need to calm down and shake this image from my head, so about five minutes after Miss Oh starts class I grab a washroom pass. I go to the far washrooms, the ones near the front office, hoping the walk will help. It might have but Clare is standing at the phone, presumably to call her parents. Rather than walk to the washroom I linger in to listen.
"No answer," Clare says slamming the receiver down.
Simpson peeks out of his office now, he sighs heavily, "I can't reach them either and I've left messages with both their offices. You cannot wear that all day at school, that is definitely not dress code. Maybe we have something in the lost and found bin."
Clare makes a face at the thought of the lost and found bin.
"Unless there's someone else that could pick you up?" Simpson asks.
Clare's face falls, she looks down and shakes her head. She thinks she has no one and that makes a stab of hurt shoot through me. She should know she's not alone.
"Why don't you just suspend me for a few days, then I won't be dressed like this at school," Clare replies defiantly.
She's intentionally throwing herself under the bus she wants to get in trouble to make sure her parents get angry at her. I don't think she realizes that just because they get mad at her for acting out doesn't mean they won't blame each other.
"I can run her home Sir, she's only a few blocks away. We'd be back in twenty minutes," I offer approaching the office.
"What about your class Drew?" Simpson asks while Clare seems surprised by my offer.
"It's media studies, I won't miss much and Owen and Fitz can fill me in on what I do miss."
"Go ahead, I'll inform your teachers. There and back though," Simpson says sternly while I drop the washroom pass on the desk.
"Yes Sir," I nod.
Clare gets her backpack and we go out to my car. I don't have my coat, but I'll put the heater on as soon as I'm in the car. We get in the car and I start driving to Clare's house.
"I called both my parent's cell phones and neither one answered," Clare deflates.
"I'm sorry Clare, I know it's hard to have them fighting. I still remember my parents fighting when things got bad. Mom and my birth father that is. How much it hurt, how I felt I was being ignored, or it was my fault. Sometimes I felt more like the rope in their tug-of-war than their son."
"Yeah," Clare nods sadly, "I feel that way too. I just thought if they got mad at me maybe we could all talk. I seem to be invisible to them though, I feel like a ghost in my own home. Less than that, a speck of dust, at least a ghost would make them pay attention."
"You're not invisible to everyone Clare, and you're not alone in this. You know you're always welcome at our place, and Eli...at least I hope." I almost say she has Alli and her other friends, but Alli is gone and she's not very close to Jenna. I don't think she's close enough to or comfortable enough with Dave, Connor and especially K.C. to go to them when her parents are fighting.
"I do have Eli, but we haven't talked about my parents fighting much and the one time I was at his house he didn't even let me inside. I do have Adam though, and your house, I am very grateful for both," she smiles as I park in front of her house. "You can come in, it will be a few minutes."
I turn off the car and follow Clare to her front door, she unlocks it and we go inside. It's probably just knowing how she feels about the place but it does seem dark and lonely in here. Clare goes upstairs and I look around her living room. Her mantle is this sad monument to happier times with family portraits lining it. I see pictures of young Clare smiling, and apparently Clare has an older sister. I have to wonder where her sister is in all this. Clare and her sister look nothing alike, neither do me and Adam, but we have different birth parents.
I take a picture off the mantle to look at it closer, it couldn't have been taken more than two or three years ago. Clare has longer hair, glasses and no figure yet. She looks kind of geeky, but in a cute way. Her sister looks to be maybe fifteen or sixteen, they're with their parents in a garden and everyone is smiling, happy. Clare's father has his arm around Helen, everyone seems happy. When I hear Clare coming down the stairs I set the picture back on the mantle.
"Much better," I smile when I see Clare. She's wearing jeans and a long sleeve purple top. She still looks good, but my dick-brain is not distracted by her cleavage. She still has the purple and pink streaks in her hair, I walk over and stroke one with my fingers.
"It washes out, but I didn't have enough time for a shower," she says.
"Leave it in, I mean your parents need to know you're rebelling a little right?" I question and she smiles. "We should get back or Simpson might call my mom."
"Will your mom be mad you missed some of class?" Clare asks as I begin driving back to school.
"Hopefully, she won't even know," I comment and then get surprised the soft feel of Clare's lips on my cheek.
"Thanks for bringing me home to change Drew," she says after taking her lips away.
"No problem, I'm just glad I won't feel the need to hit every guy that stares at your chest the rest of the day," I remark and from the corner of my eyes I see her bite her lip and blush. "Or worry that Eli's going to poison them all," I add.
She giggles, but it's an awkward giggle because she knows it's a possibility. "Yeah, I guess I wasn't thinking of how Eli would react. I guess it's a good thing he didn't see me, and my plan kind of backfired."
"I don't think getting them mad at you is going to fix anything, it may just make them blame each other. I know it hurts Clare, but if my mom and birth father hadn't gotten divorced then my parents wouldn't be married now, and I wouldn't have Adam. I couldn't ask for a better brother, and everyone is happier now. Maybe it's all for the best in the long run, even though it's going to be painful for a while," I tell her as I park at school again.
I turn off the car and look at her, Clare is giving me this glittering smile and I can't help the way it makes my heart flutter and my stomach do somersaults. The way she's looking at me is incredible and I grin back. I wish every girl looked at me the way she is right now.
"And you think you're dumb," she comments.
"I am dumb," I shrug.
"You can't fool me Andrew Torres, that was one of the most intelligent things I've ever heard."
"Guess I have some smart moments," I reply feeling my cheeks blush. I should not want to kiss her as badly as I do. I'm so tempted to comb my fingers into her hair and smash my lips to hers. She has a boyfriend though, Adam's best friend in fact. I'm also not sure how much a girl like Clare wants to just be grabbed and kissed. So, before I can do something stupid and kiss her, I get out of the car.
(FITZ)
"Where'd you run off too?" I whisper to Drew as he slips back into class.
"Yeah, longest washroom trip ever," Owen remarks.
"I took Clare home to change, I didn't want her getting suspended," Drew whispers back.
"Good, I'm glad she changed," I say with relief, and then we go quiet until the end of class.
"I miss anything in class?" Drew asks as we leave homeroom.
"Not really, nothing important anyway," Owen shrugs.
"'See you guys at lunch," I wave as I turn into business class. Clare comes in a few minutes later and I'm relieved to see her dressed in jeans and a purple top. "Morning Clare, you look nice," I grin and then see the purple and pink stripes in her hair. "Wanted something different?" I question lifting a purple curl as she sits down.
"Something like that," she says with a soft smile.
"I don't work today, we can meet any time after school for tutoring," I tell her.
"Great, I'm going to Adam's to do homework, but maybe you could pick me up from there just before six? We can get some dinner and I can tutor you," I tell Clare.
"Sounds great," I smile. Sounds like a date to me, but I'm not going to say that. She might change her mind, I also don't want Eli to think it's a date. I don't want to start fighting with him again.
After class I walk out with Clare a short ways before we go to separate hallways to visit our lockers. I check in with my PO quickly and eat with Drew and Owen in the caf, at a table with many of the football and hockey players. After lunch when I return to my locker for my books I see Clare approaching and I smile at her.
"Eli and I are going to dinner, so we'll have to change our tutoring time. I was thinking maybe you could come to Adam's after school and I can tutor you there," Clare says although she's really looking behind me at Drew. I guess that's her way of asking him if it's okay. I turn to look at him too.
"Fine by me," Drew shrugs.
"Adam said it was okay with him too," Clare smiles, "I'll see you after school. See you next period Drew."
"Bye Clare," Drew and I call at the same time.
"Will your parents mind that I'm coming over?" I question Drew as we walk to personal fitness together.
"I don't think so, we told them you and Owen apologized."
I release a breath I didn't know I was holding. It feels good not to be angry all the time. Personal fitness seems to go by really quickly, and biology seems to take forever. Finally though the last bell rings and I'm meeting Drew, Adam and Clare near the front doors.
"I don't work today so I rode in with Owen," I tell them. I feel kind of awkward now and wonder if I should have said something before.
"No worries, we can all fit in my car," Drew says.
We walk out to his car and Adam gives me the front seat so he can sit in back with Clare. Drew parks next to the house and we go in through the front since there's some icy snow leading to the basement. No one else seems to be home so we all go down to the basement, Dew goes straight for the fridge. He pulls out some drinks and snacks while the rest of us sit on the sofa. We hear the front door open and a moment later Mrs. Torres comes into the basement. Drew says Clare and I are there to do homework, she just smiles returning upstairs and I release a breath. I was really worried she'd kick me out.
Clare starts helping me with biology, but she and Adam are helping Drew with his homework too. Somehow they are also doing their own homework. I'm having a hard enough time concentrating on my homework and not thinking about Clare. Which is not easy to do when she's sitting so very close to me, so close I can smell her shampoo. It's worse when she leans over me to point something out in the book. Her arms brushes mine, her side brushes mine. Every time I have to hold my breath and force myself to concentrate on what she says when all I want to do is grab her and kiss her.
I know that I can't kiss her, but I really want to. Despite not being able to kiss her, and that she's only touching me to point things out in the book, I want this evening to last. So, when Eli shows up and I know the evening is over my heart sinks a little.
"Ready to go Edwards?" Eli asks from the doorway. He's smiling, but I don't miss how tight his jaw when he sees Clare between Drew and I.
"Yeah," Clare nods putting her books in her backpack, "see you guys tomorrow."
"Have fun," Adam calls.
"See you tomorrow," I call while Drew waves. "I should probably head out too," I comment a couple minutes after Eli and Clare go through the door.
"Why? Stay for dinner, finish your homework," Drew says.
"Yeah, Mom will have dinner ready soon," I'll go ask her. Adam runs upstairs and returns after a moment. "Mom says it's cool, dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes."
Drew and I continue to do our homework, Adam has already finished his, until Mrs. Torres calls us up to dinner. I set my books down and follow the brothers upstairs. I sit next to Drew at the table after saying hello to Mr. and Mrs. Torres.
"Thanks for letting me stay for dinner," I say as we begin eating.
"It's our pleasure Fitz, we're a second chance family. The boys have told us how you apologized and you're trying to turn your life around. You're working at The Dot I believe?" Mrs. Torres asks.
"Yeah it's a good job, Spinner is a good boss. He had his own share of trouble in high school and he was willing to take me on. He's taught me a lot, he and his girlfriend Paige have been great to me. I'm hoping to have my own place by March break."
"That's a good goal, do you think you'll reach it?" Mr. Torres asks.
"I think so, I was worried about keeping my grades up but Clare's been tutoring me in biology. I looked into it though, with some help from Paige, even with the government help I probably won't be able to do better than a studio. It doesn't matter though, it could be a storage container, as long as it was mine I'd be happy."
"That's a good way to think about Fitz. You should be very proud of all our your accomplishments," Mr. Torres says and I grin proudly.
"If you need help you can call on us Fitz," Mrs. Torres remarks.
"Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Torres that means a lot. About the only people I've truly had in my life that I could count on is Owen and his family. I know I kind of isolated myself by being angry all the time, picking fights. Since being out of my house and not fearing for my safety and constantly on guard, not being constantly angry things have gotten a lot better in my life."
"The power of apology is strong," Mrs. Torres says and I nod.
Mr. Torres asks us how school was and the rest of dinner is spent talking about our days. None of us mention how Clare came to school this morning, or Drew running her home to change. After dinner I help clean up and then Drew and I finish homework in the basement with Adam. I finish my homework and finish the movie we're all watching before texting Owen to pick me up. Drew and Adam say goodbye when Owen gets there, and I tell Owen how happy I am as we drive home. I have friends, I'm spending time with Clare, I'm working hard for a better life.
Is the sexual tension killing everyone yet? More chapters coming soon including Clare's sixteenth birthday.