Yeah okay I realise I turned the Easter holidays into the summer holidays but… whatever. Enjoy! And thanks for the reviews you're sweet as 3
Clara woke up in a sweat, sitting up suddenly in bed. Danny woke as she moved, "Clara?" he mumbled sleepily. She couldn't talk though, still trying to work out what the hell was going on. He sat up now, putting an arm around her. "What's happened?" Clara looked to him quickly but she still couldn't reply - she simply didn't have an answer. She wanted to lie back down, but she couldn't do that either. Suddenly she realised and turned to him again, her eyes wide and scared. That told Danny all he needed to know. He wrapped his other arm around her and lay her back carefully. "I'm right here, it's gonna be okay," he told her and kissed her head softly. Danny could only watch as she slipped into unconsciousness and began to shake. He could only question why this had happened now, but there was nothing he could do for her in the moment.
Minutes seemed like hours but thankfully it was over in less than 5, As soon as he could hold her again he did so and Clara's small hint of consciousness allowed her to move as close to him as she could. Danny whispered in her ear, making sure she knew he was right there. He watched as she drifted back off to sleep, the tiredness taking over, but he couldn't allow himself to drop off and instead watched her through the rest of the night, ensuring she was safe.
When his parents knocked on the door at 9 she still hadn't woken, but that wasn't overly surprising. She would likely be out for a good while yet, especially as it happened overnight. He slid out from her and left the room, shutting the door behind him to his parents' confusion. "Can we talk in the kitchen?" he asked and they nodded, going down with him. Once they were safely out of earshot and any danger of waking Clara he explained everything that happened overnight.
"So you don't know why this happened?" his Dad asked.
Danny shook his head, "she just woke up so suddenly and it was like she couldn't speak at all, or at least couldn't explain it. Then she just looked so scared…" he stopped himself. "I don't know."
His Mum put an arm around him, "hey, you did everything right. She'll be okay, we can let her sleep. We'll spend the morning in the garden then we aren't far away."
"I'd rather be there when she wakes up, it'll take her a moment to adjust," Danny told them. "I'll just grab some breakfast and go back up."
"I can bring it up to you if you want, I can see you're desperate to go," Gina replied, "Go on," she smiled and Danny thanked them both before running back upstairs.
Clara hadn't moved, but she was so deeply asleep that it wasn't a surprise. He slipped back into bed but sat up this time, knowing he'd be eating soon. He kept an arm around her, turning the TV on but keeping it very quiet. Gina came up with his breakfast a few moments later, opening the door quietly. "Ah, French TV," she smiled and handed him the tray.
"Mmm it's fascinating, thank you for this," he smiled.
"How's she doing?" she asked.
Danny looked down at Clara, "fast asleep. At least it's been a settled one," he stroked her hair. "She'll be alright."
"She's got good company," Gina smiled, "you know where we are if you need anything." Danny nodded and thanked her before she left.
A few hours passed and it was almost lunchtime before Clara finally stirred. He noticed the movement and looked down to see Clara's eyes flick open slowly. There was a small amount of panic as he expected but she soon spotted him and realised where she was. "Hey you," he moved her hair out of her face, "how're you feeling?"
"Okay, I think," she sat up slowly. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't you apologise, it's alright love. Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.
Clara sat up, "it was just… a dream. My Mum." Danny nodded, knowing what she meant.
"Alright, you don't have to go over it all it's okay," he kissed her head. "You must be starving, you want food?"
"Yeah, can I shower first though?" she asked.
Danny nodded, "I'll get changed and go sort lunch. Take as long as you need."
Clara got up and went to the bathroom and while she was gone Danny did as he had said. When he got downstairs his Mum appeared in the kitchen, "hey, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, she's awake and okay, just getting up. Can we do the beach this afternoon? It'll be relaxing and it's perfect weather for it," Danny asked while sorting the food out.
"Sounds wonderful, I'll go speak to your Dad," she smiled and disappeared back off outside. Danny returned to making the lunch, making some half baguettes for his parents as well and putting them on plates. Clara came down just as he'd finished. "Everything alright?"
"Much better, raring and ready to go," she grinned and kissed him. "What's the plan?"
"Probably beach, if that's alright?"
"More than alright, exactly what I was hoping. Lunch first though yes? I feel like I haven't eaten in a week," she chuckled.
"Absolutely, it's all ready I'm just gonna tell Mum and Dad, you start if you want," he smiled and went off to get them.
#-#-#-#
The rest of the holiday was a smoother run course. They visited many places, Danny showing her all his favourite things and nearly every evening was spent at the beach. It was perfect, everything Clara could have hoped for in a holiday. They sat on the beach on the final night together, his parents letting them stay down there alone as it was the last night.
"You look so beautiful," Danny told her. It was almost dark and so a little chilly on the beach now. She was sat in his jumper over her dress and looking out over the dimly lit ocean.
"Oversized jumpers over summer dresses are all the rage these days I hear," Clara replied.
Danny chuckled and hit her playfully, "shut it. You really do," he told her. "I hope you've enjoyed this."
"Every second. You've given me so much more than I could ever imagine," she smiled. "I just wish we weren't going back to school in a week, I'll miss this," she told him, hugging in to him. "God I hate being so young."
"We'll find a way to see each other I promise," he replied and kissed her head. "I want you to promise me something."
"What's that?" she asked.
"Look after yourself," he told her.
Clara looked up to him and smiled, "for you, always."
They sat there until the last minute they were allowed before heading back to the house. They climbed into bed and settled down for the final time this holiday, but as they fell asleep Danny promised himself it wouldn't be the last time he brought her here.
#-#-#-#
After they returned home, Clara immediately felt strange not having Danny by her side. It was, however, lovely to return home to find her Dad and Gran waiting for her. She received a huge hug from them both as she entered the house and returned the favour, she had missed them.
"Did you have a good time?" her Dad asked as they sat down on the sofas.
"It was amazing, it's really so beautiful there Dad you'd love it. There's so much history in the area it's fascinating," she smiled. "I've got loads of photos I'll put them on my laptop later so you can see."
"Sounds like you've had a great time," he smiled. "Are you hungry? We were thinking about getting fish and chips tonight."
"That would be amazing. I'm gonna go and shower, it's been a long journey and I'm rather sticky," she smiled and stood up.
An hour or so later Clara had just finished organising herself and her Dad had just come back with dinner. She grabbed her laptop and went down, "that smells amazing," she smiled and put her laptop down, going to help him sort it out. "You coped without me then?"
"Just about avoided any kind of food poisoning you'll be pleased to hear," Dave grinned. Clara chuckled and grabbed the sauces from the cupboard. "You find some good food out there?"
"It was amazing," she told him, grabbing a chip from the pack as he served them up, "nothing beats a good chippy though."
They took the plates through and all ate together, just talking and catching up. When they'd finished Clara took the plates and glasses to the dishwasher and then went back and opened her laptop up as her Gran seemed desperate to see all the photos. She took them through each one, mostly scenery or places they'd been.
"Well it looks stunning, I'm glad you had a wonderful time," her Gran replied. "You and Danny do make a very gorgeous couple."
"Agreed," Dave smiled and Clara looked at him, slightly surprised. "Well it can't be denied," he told her. "Can't believe how soon you're back at school," he sighed, "going to miss having you around at home."
"I'll miss you too Dad, but it's still the right place for me to be," she told him, sitting back so she could hug him. "I'm trusting you to look after each other."
"Yes boss," her Gran replied and Clara chuckled, "you've come a long way Clara, you're doing wonderfully."
"Thanks Gran," she smiled, "I couldn't have got this far without you."
#-#-#-#
The day to return to school came round fast. Clara was torn over how to feel - she hadn't seen Danny in a week and she knew he would be back by the time she got there, but at the same time so would Jackie and all her mates. She got moved back into her room quickly enough, Jess and Faye had yet to arrive. Clara said goodbye to her family and let them go, settling herself in and making her bed. The door opened behind her about half an hour later as she was organising the wall space around her area.
"Hey you!" Jess ran at her and they hugged tight. "My goodness you've got a tan on you, where have you been?! I didn't think you were going away?"
Clara grinned and pulled her phone out, finding a photo of her and Danny on the beach, "plans changed," she showed her.
"I'm sorry and why didn't I get informed of this?! That's a phone you're holding there missy!" Clara smiled sheepishly, "you both look absolutely stunning it's completely unfair." Jess told her.
"It was only a week ago, there was a lot of drama before we went, I just kinda… forgot to mention it," she shrugged. "Anyway how was your cruise?!"
"Oh gosh it was beautiful, I mean I sent you a couple of pics but I took hundreds there's loads more to see. All the ports were just stunning, it was such a good holiday," she sat down, smiling at the memory. "So, why didn't you tell me about this drama then, did your Dad do something?"
"Oh we don't want to talk about that now, happy holiday talk please? Things are fine now I promise." Clara told her.
"Alright, holiday talk, where did you go?" she asked.
"France, a beautiful village. I keep saying it's not far from Paris but it's actually quite far, it's just the nearest place anyone has heard of. It was by the coast, the weather was beautiful and there was so much culture," she smiled at the memory. "Danny's family own a holiday home out there, they go all the time so he showed me all the best places."
"You went with his family? Wowza what a step up! What are they like?" Jess asked.
"What are who like?" They both looked up and saw Faye at the door. Clara and Jess both squealed and ran over to her. They hugged as a group, "what have I missed?"
They separated and Jess ran over to the bed, picking up Clara's phone that was still lying open on the bed with the photo on screen and showed it to Faye, "this one has been on holiday with her boyfriend and his family!"
"What?!" Faye shut the door, "why didn't we know about this?! I need all the gossip, forget unpacking tell me EVERYTHING," she put her case down and sat back on the bed with Jess and Clara.
Clara ended up going through everything from the holiday, they just kept asking more questions. "You coped well then, all that change," Jess commented as she came to an end.
"Yeah, I mean I had a little wobble one night but they were so lovely about it, I had to sleep all morning and Danny refused to leave me apparently," she blushed slightly, "my gosh it's stupid isn't it? I'm 14!"
"Yeah, 14 going on 21, you two are so lovely it's really quite unfair," Faye replied. "I'm very jealous."
Clara chuckled and stood up, "come on you two need to unpack, there is literally nothing more to be said about my summer I think you covered it all. It'll be dinner soon."
Jess stood up and saluted jokingly to which Clara laughed and pushed her back on her bed. Their laughter was interrupted by a knock at the door. Faye stood up, "I got it, you two carry on beating each other up." She walked over to the door and opened it, "Oh hi Miss," she turned back round. "Yours I think Clara."
Clara turned around and saw Paula stood at the door. "Hey, well don't you three look surprisingly happy to be back at school," she chuckled. "And you miss look very tanned!"
"That is exactly what I said," Jess pointed out to Clara who rolled her eyes.
"Your Dad took you away then?" she asked. Clara quickly tried to think of an answer but thankfully Faye got her out of the mess.
"Family friend apparently, they took her to their house in France, lucky sod," she told Paula. Clara gave her a subtle thank you look.
"Well that sounds wonderful. Mind if we have a catch up about things at home then? We can go to my office if you want," Paula asked.
Clara shook her head, "here is fine. Jess and Faye know pretty much everything anyway. It's been… an eventful summer."
"Clara you nearly died that's more than eventful," Faye pointed out. "I still wish we could have visited."
"I really didn't want you two seeing me like that," Clara sighed and looked back to Paula. "I had a huge seizure, worst I've ever had. I could barely even walk when I woke it was… terrifying, quite frankly. But I got there, everything is fine now. I have a long letter from my physio telling you everything I have to do but honestly it's fine."
"It never ceases to amaze me how quickly you brush these things off," Paula told her and sat down on one of their chairs. "How did your Dad take that?"
"When he bothered to answer the phone calls he barely left my side apart from to look after Gran. It's been… an up and down summer, but things are good now. Towards the end it got a lot better," she told Paula. "I think we really turned a corner now."
"That sounds good. So how did the holiday come about?" she asked.
"Oh it's an old friend of my Mums," she told her. "It was nice to get away. Spent a lot of time on the beach."
"Wonderful. Well I'll leave you to get settled, I'm sure I'll see you in the dining room later," she smiled and left.
Clara quickly groaned into her hands and lay back, "why didn't I consider Paula asking about the holiday?"
"It's fine we covered it! Teamwork," Faye winked. "Now stop moping and help me unpack."
"Hey why does she have to help you? I was here first!" Jess perked up.
"Exactly, you've had more time than me," Faye shrugged and Clara smiled, sitting back up.
"Shut up I'll help you both. It's the only hope we have of being ready for dinner at this rate," she chuckled and got to it.
#-#-#-#
When they got down to dinner Clara's eyes were immediately drawn to where Danny sat with Jackie. They were facing away from her but she still felt a pang of upset. Jess spotted her and pulled her away, "don't sweat, you know how he feels," she whispered to her. Clara nodded and they went off to get dinner.
They ate and chatted together as usual and Clara had to admit it felt great to be back with her friends. She noticed her phone buzz on the table and picked it up to see Danny's name on the screen.
Jackie spotted you. I'm sorry. Xx
Clara sighed and showed the text to Faye and Jess who both looked up to see the group walking over. "Well look who's back," Jackie smirked. "Had a good summer have we? Lots of smiles. That'll change. Freak." Clara did her best to ignore her, not even looking up. "Oi, don't ignore me!"
"Why don't you just leave her alone, what do you get from this?" Jess argued back. Clara looked up at her and glared at her to stop, but she obviously wasn't going to. "She's done nothing to you." Technically not true, but Jackie didn't know that.
"She's here, that's enough. Why would you want to be friends with a freak anyway?" Jackie's friend Lauren asked.
Jess stood up now, pushing her chair back and walking round to them, "Clara is not a freak, she's one of the best people I've known but you wouldn't know that because you don't know how to recognise good in a person. All of you have nothing better to do than put others down. Just leave her alone!" she was getting increasingly angry.
Clara stood up now, finally facing them. Danny was stood at the back of the group with his mates, but he wasn't looking. She grabbed Jess' arm, trying to pull her away, but Jackie had other ideas and grabbed Jess, moving her away forcefully so she had Clara on her own. "Got to get your friends to do your business now have you? How pathetic?"
"Says she with an army behind her," Clara mumbled. "This isn't worth it," she replied and went to walk away, but she was stopped by Lauren and another girl.
"Leave her alone!" Jess shouted back but by now Clara was completely surrounded. She looked to Faye who nodded and ran off. "What are you going to do?"
"Oh we don't have to do anything do we?" Jackie smirked. Clara knew what she meant, they hadn't touched her but she could feel her body starting to grow cold with the fear. It would react the way she always did and there was nothing Clara could do. Just as her breathing started to change she heard Paula arrive and suddenly the group dispersed, although not before Jackie had whispered, "don't think this is over," to her.
Paula ran over to Clara, supporting her. "Let's get you to my office," she hurried her out. "Mr Porter," she called to their new head of year, "I want Jackie Stewart and her group all in the detention room. I'll explain more once I've dealt with this." He didn't argue - nobody tended to argue with Paula - and he disappeared off to do as asked.
When they got to Paula's office Clara was beginning to feel a little better - thankfully nothing had properly started before she'd intervened. She sat down on the sofa with Faye and Jess either side of her. "What happened out there?" Paula asked, sitting opposite them on her desk chair.
"It's nothing, it's fine," Clara sighed as she got her breathing under control.
Faye shook her head, "it's not fine miss. Jackie always gets at her, calls her a freak, and her stupid little friends just follow. It's not fair."
"It's the girls miss, I mean the boys don't do anything to stop it but they don't do anything," Jess added, realising Clara probably wasn't speaking up for Danny's sake as much as anything else.
"Is that true Clara?" Paula asked. Clara nodded, not looking up. "Alright, I want you three to stay here. Use my kettle and make yourselves some tea. I'll be back shortly."
Paula made her way down the corridor to the nearby detention room and stormed into where Jackie, Lauren, Danny and the rest of the group were stood. "Right, if you're male I want you out of this room now and I want you to seriously think about who you're hanging round with. Girls, stay in here!" she shouted and then turned to Mr Porter, gesturing to him that they would speak outside. Once the boys had disappeared she explained everything that had happened as far as she was aware. "I know they've got to her a couple of times before but I didn't see quite how bad. I think now I'm not spending as much time with her it's giving them more access."
Mr Porter nodded, "I see, well this can't continue. Do you want to speak to them first? I'm happy to have them in here the rest of the day. Notes on their files too?"
"Sounds fair to me," Paula replied and took a deep breath before going back in, "do you understand the seriousness of what you did?!" she approached them. "Look at me!" All 4 of the girls looked up at her shouting, although Jackie still didn't look bothered which was really beginning to annoy Paula. "Do you think it's funny treating someone like that? Especially someone with such complex health problems?"
"Nah Miss she's just weird," Jackie grinned, but Paula slammed a hand down on the table in front of her.
"Is that what you really think? Do you know anything about what she's been through?" she asked angrily. "No, because she doesn't shout about it, she doesn't feel the need. I'm not going to be the one to break her secrets either but you, Jackie Stewart, haven't even given her a chance. Those episodes you make fun of are serious, they could be life threatening in the wrong hands. Would you make fun of someone with a physical disability?" she shouted.
Jackie's smirk was wiped off her face, "no Miss," she replied.
"Then I want to hear no more of this! You're all in detention for the rest of the day and there will be notes on your file. I want apologies written as well. This is your one and only chance before I contact home and I think we all know that would be bad for you Jacqueline," she gave her a look to tell Jackie she knew what had happened over the summer. "I'm going to leave you in Mr Porter's capable hands, I have more important places to be," she replied and walked out.
In the meantime back in her office, Faye and Jess had managed to get Danny in without anyone else noticing. He sat down next to Clara and wrapped his arms around her, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault Danny," she sighed softly, "how'd you get in here anyway?"
"The lads are keeping undercover so I just said I was going for a walk, I thought you might be here then Faye flagged me down. I guess Paula is off shouting at Jackie?" Clara shrugged. "Well Faye and Jess are on lookout anyway. How you doing?"
"Alright, I calmed down before it got too bad so you know, I'll be fine. I just hope Paula doesn't tell them too much," she sighed.
"She won't, but hopefully things will settle down now. It'll make things easier for us too," he told her. Clara nodded and smiled gently, looking to the door quickly before looking back and kissing him quickly, grinning. "You rebel," he winked. Jess ran in and nodded. "That's my cue. I suspect Jackie isn't leaving that room all day so I'll try and see you later, he ran out and Faye and Jess returned to their positions. Clara just prayed what Danny said had been right, she couldn't deal with much more from that group.