There wasn't a word to describe how it felt to be back at school. She practically ran back inside, knowing that Jess and Faye were both already in their room and as soon as Clara opened the door they both jumped on her. Clara hugged them tight for quite a few moments before they separated and moved a little further inside the room.
"You have no idea how grateful I am to see you two," Clara smiled and fell backwards purposefully onto her bed. "Never did I think I'd be so ready to come back to school."
"You survived a week living with a monster, I'm not surprised," Jess chuckled and sat on the end of her bed. "So what's she like there?"
"Worse," Clara groaned. "It was barely worth leaving my room the amount of shit I got. Thankful for making a friend in Kate, at least Jackie seemed to look up to her a bit so I could at least eat dinner in relative peace."
"Bless you, did Danny come back again after Tuesday?" Faye asked.
"No. I saw him at the hospital but haven't since. That was too close…" Clara shuddered a little. "Anyway, I'll see him after dinner - need to hear about your holidays first!"
They spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and Clara felt much better to be with her friends. She listened intently to their stories about their respective weeks away and laughed at their stories. It allowed her to forget a little about how rubbish her week had been.
"What about your Dad, how's he doing?" Jess asked.
"He's okay, as we kind of expect him to be at this stage. Next operation is on Thursday," Clara told them. "It's fine, he's doing well. I'm not gonna go as often now because it's just going to affect my work. Dad won't want that. Danny's parents are taking my Gran down a couple of times a week which is really good for them both," she smiled.
"Good, I'm glad things are a little better. Now I'm starving and it's dinner time so can we go?" Jess asked and Clara chuckled, nodding and sitting up for them to head off to dinner.
#-#-#-#
After they'd eaten Clara went to her hideout room and went in to find Danny already there. "You're early," she pointed out. Danny stood up and hugged her,
"I was sick of listening to Jackie to be honest, she's got worse after the holiday. I can't stand her talking about you like that," he sighed.
Clara stepped back and sat down on the bed, gesturing for Danny to join her. "I've kinda learnt to ignore it now, as should you. Not worth it to be honest."
"I suppose not," he smiled.
"Good, now can we cheat because I could do with a distraction," Clara asked and grabbed the pack of cards from the side.
"A card game? I'm shocked - are we not going straight into the project?" Danny replied as she dealt the cards.
"No, we're not. Work can start tomorrow, tonight we have fun," she smiled.
They played for a while, probably longer than they should. It was riskily close to lights out when they noticed the time and quickly packed up. "I'd better run. Goodnight beautiful," he smiled and left. Clara watching him go and lay back on the bed, suddenly realising how tired she was. She didn't intend to fall asleep there, but she did.
The next morning she woke up and was a little surprised where she was. Suddenly she remembered lying down for a moment - just a moment. Her phone flashed on the side and she looked at it to see that not only had she fallen asleep here, she'd overslept. No wonder she had 6 missed calls. She finally answered Jess' call.
"Finally! Where the hell are you?" Jess asked.
"In my hideaway…" Clara replied.
"We knocked on the door and it was locked so we looked elsewhere, I think Paula even phoned the hospital! Anyway why were you there all night?!" she hadn't meant to panic them all.
"I'm so sorry, I fell asleep and I hadn't set my alarm so I woke up late. Must've been a really deep sleep I guess…" she presumed.
"No kidding! You'd better get back, I'll tell Paula you're okay. You… are okay right?" Jess clearly doubted herself.
"Yeah yeah I'm fine. See you in a bit," she hung up and quickly ran through school back to the room.
"Bloody hell you slept in your clothes, you okay there Oswald?" Faye asked, jumping up. "Jess just went to find Paula."
"Okay, and yeah I really am fine. Before you ask, Danny went back to his room," Clara told her, grabbing her hairbrush.
"We know, tried that avenue fairly early on," she told Clara who immediately reached for her phone, "it's okay he knows you're fine. It's not like you to sleep in though."
"Yeah, guess I haven't slept too well this week. It's fine though, I'm just gonna change and I'll be ready," she smiled and Faye nodded, going back to whatever she was doing. Clara ran about getting into her uniform and organising her stuff ready for the day. She was nearly done when the door burst open and Danny ran in. "Bloody hell you look like you're about to collapse, where exactly have you run from?"
"The back field, seeing as you ask. Via my room to change." Danny told her. "Don't ask, the guys wants an early morning run. Seemed like a good idea at the time…"
Clara chuckled, "you look knackered," she commented. Faye quickly excused herself and left the room. "Why you here anyway?"
"I was worried about you, you spent all night there!"
"I fell asleep, it was nothing major Danny relax. Won't Jackie be waiting for you anyway?" she asked. Danny moved forward and hugged her, "are you okay?" she asked, a little surprised at the sudden movement. He nodded but didn't reply. Clara took a step back and looked up at his face, "what's wrong?" she asked and reached a hand up to his face.
"There's something I haven't told you," he told her, taking the hand on her face and leading her to sit down on the bed. "God I don't know how to say this."
"Just tell me, you know you can tell me anything," Clara squeezed his hand.
Danny sighed and nodded, "I know, I do know. This is just, I should've told you a long time ago," he looked down.
"Danny, just tell me or neither of us will get to eat this morning," she grinned.
"Okay okay. Just - thing is, my parents… they're not technically my parents. Well, they are legally, just not like biologically," he told her in broken sentences hoping for the best.
"You're adopted," Clara replied, a little surprised. "You're so close to them."
"Yeah, they're good people. Always be my parents in my eyes, I never knew my real Mum and Dad. They adopted me when I was 9, we agreed on boarding school after I finished junior school to try and help with my behaviour. When they said you'd made a difference to me they weren't joking you know? I've changed a lot. I was… reluctant to be adopted, but they stuck by me. I just, I should've told you," he sighed.
"Why should you? It's a big thing it's okay to take a while to talk to me about it you know?" she leaned forward so their foreheads touch. "I'm so proud of you. You're doing so well."
"It's not just that though. That's where I met Jackie, I was at that house. I'm their success story if you like," he rolled his eyes at the comment. "I've known her since she came when I was 7. We didn't see each other again till we came here but… yeah. I'm sorry," he sighed. Clara kissed him softly, "what's that for?"
"To shut you up mostly, but a little to prove a point. I love you, I don't care where you came from or how long you've known that bitch, you're everything I need regardless," she smiled.
"Clara Oswald I can't believe you just said that!" Danny looked at her in shock but then smiled, "I do love you."
"Good. Now for goodness sake go to breakfast and I'll see you in class okay?" Clara stood up and pointed at the door.
Danny smirked, "I love it when you get bossy." Clara rolled her eyes, "okay okay I'm going!" he replied and left. Clara let a small smile out when he left and grabbed her bag, going after Jess and Faye.
#-#-#-#
A few weeks passed and Paula was still sticking by her quite a lot. Clara didn't mind too much, she wasn't being too intrusive and it made life a little easier sometimes. When lessons ended that day she said goodbye for the day before going back to her room. Jess and Faye had already got back. "So are you gonna tell us what happened with Danny the other week or…?" They had asked her every day since.
"Or. Definitely or," Clara grinned. "Sorry, confidential conversation. Need to know basis."
"Oh yeah," Faye smirked.
"Shut up," Clara rolled her eyes and sat down on her bed. "What are you guys doing tonight?"
"That damn maths project," Jess sighed.
"You sound disappointed, I'm kinda enjoying it," Clara replied.
"Yeah well you're a weirdo who likes maths, and you get to work with your boyfriend!" Faye pointed out.
"Excuse me am I not good enough for you?" Jess asked. Clara chuckled, "I'm a little offended."
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Faye jumped up and opened it, moving out of the way to allow Danny in. "You might as well live here," Faye commented as he walked in and she shut the door.
"Sorry, I wasn't sure what was happening tonight so I came to check," Danny told her.
"You're not convincing. You have a phone remember?" Jess pointed out.
"Busted…" he replied.
Clara chuckled, "library?" she asked and Danny nodded. "Fab." Clara grabbed the project folder and went over to him, saying goodbye to Jess and Faye before disappearing off to the library.
They sat in their little corner and started working, bouncing off each other as they often did. They worked and chuckled and time passed quicker than they had realised. "We're nearly done," Danny pointed out to Clara.
"Mmmm we should stop for now," she chuckled and put her pen down, leaning to rest on his shoulder. "I love working with you. Shame it'll be over soon."
"Likewise, it's nice to work with someone who cares about what they're doing. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed school before you came. And anyway, when this is over it'll be Christmas so we get 4 weeks to spend together," he kissed her head.
Clara leaned her head up so she could kiss him properly and Danny ran a hand through her hair.
"I came to save you from-" Clara and Danny both jumped apart at the sound of another voice to see Jackie stood in front of them. "What the hell is going on?!" Clara froze, she didn't know what to do. "What are you doing with that freak?!"
Danny stood up. He looked angry and Clara didn't know where he was going next. She wanted to reach for his hand but that didn't seem very sensible right now. "Don't call her that." Clara's eyes widened.
"Why are you defending her? You hate her," Jackie seethed.
"No. You hate her for some stupid unknown reason. Did what you just see look like I hate her?" he replied.
"She's weird, why would you want to be with some ugly weirdo when you have me?" she asked.
"Firstly, Clara isn't weird. She is cleverer and kinder than you will ever be. Secondly she is far from ugly and you know it. Jealousy won't get you anywhere. You know this is exactly why we were keeping it a secret but you know what? You deserve to know. You deserve to know that I can't stand being around you, I can't stand listening to you constantly belittling anyone who isn't just like you. I can't stand the fact that you always expect everyone to listen and agree with you. I don't like you Jackie and I was a fool to ever start. Clara has showed me how to be myself again. So yeah, we are over. I don't give a damn what you or your poor friends think," he told her.
Jackie looked shocked, but then spotted something. "If you like each other so much, how come she's run away?" she asked with a smirk. Danny looked around and on seeing Clara's empty seat he immediately sprinted out of the library. "This isn't over!" Jackie shouted after him as he left.
Clara ran and she kept running until she got back to her private room. She burst in and shut the door behind, taking deep breaths and locking the door. Her phone was vibrating in her pocket and she grabbed it, unsurprised to see Danny's name on the screen. She couldn't answer it. Instead she found her group chat with Faye and Jess and just wrote 'She knows.' before throwing her phone under the bed and out of sight, falling to the floor and curling up as she lost consciousness.
#-#-#-#
Clara could hear her name as she came round, it was Jess' voice. "Come on let us in, I promise it's just us." She glanced at the clock and knew she'd been out all night, but hospital was the last place she needed to be. Slowly she pulled herself up and went to the door, opening it slowly. Jess and Faye came in and she quickly shut it again. "It's nearly breakfast, come on."
"Where's Danny? Is he okay?" she asked.
"Probably not slept all night. He and Jackie had a huge blow out in the corridor, teachers had to break it up and they both got put in isolation for the night. He managed to text us to say what was happening, said he tried to call you but you didn't answer." Faye explained.
Clara sat down on the bed and put her head in her hands. "I've screwed everything up. We should never have started this."
"Don't you ever blame yourself for this. You made Danny a better person and he knows that. You both only kept up the pretence for your protection and that's important to remember. So she knows now, but you've got us and Danny who will defend you to the bitter end. Now really come on, I am starving," Jess had crouched down beside her to talk but stood up now.
Clara looked up, "I can't. I can't go out there."
"Well you can't stay in here till Christmas," Faye pointed out. "We won't leave you, promise."
"Plus if we're not out in 5 minutes Paula's coming in," Jess added. "So basically you're coming out either way."
Clara sighed, she knew they were right but she also knew the fallout from this would be huge and it wouldn't go away anytime soon. Slowly she stood up and nodded, following them outside where they found Paula stood just round the corner. "Hey, how you doing?" she asked. "I'm sorry I'd already left when it all kicked off."
"Not your fault," Clara replied. "I need to clean up."
"Alright, we've still got time. Jackie is still in isolation at the moment, she's being lectured at by Mr Garmin," Paula smiled. Mr Garmin was known for being the teacher you do not want to get on the wrong side of. Clara knew that it wouldn't stop Jackie coming for her, but at least she was out the way for now. They went back to their room so Clara could change and organise herself. Jess and Faye were their usual selves and trying their best to cheer her up which she was grateful for.
Once she was sorted they went down to the food hall and grabbed breakfast. Clara wasn't really all that hungry and just took a banana to show willing, sitting with them at the table. Paula had, with Clara's permission, left them to it while they ate as she wanted to go and speak to various teachers about the situation now it was out there. Clara could feel people watching her as she sat listening to her friends chat away beside her while she stared down at the banana in front of her. Everything was a little fuzzy today, probably down to the previous night's events but she still wasn't going to tell anyone about that. "Clara! Danny's here." That was obviously not the first time she had said that to her, but she'd been in her own world. Her head shot up when she processed what Jess was saying.
"I need to go," she replied.
"What? Clara he'll be over once he has food," Faye told her, a little confused.
"And what will everyone say then? They're already giving me dirty looks."
"So what? They're gonna have to get used to it and soon they'll see everything we see between you two," Jess took her hand, "you're amazing, show them."
Danny put his place down and sat in by Clara, putting a hand on her shoulder, "hey, look at me." She didn't turn around straight away, "I know everyone's looking and I know how that makes you feel, but I'm here and nothing can stop me now."
"But your friends… I've lost you everything…" Clara still couldn't look at him.
"My friends are bloody glad this has happened apparently." Now Clara moved, surprised at what he just said. "I know, I'm surprised too. Turns out they were getting sick of her attitude as well and having to hang out with the girls all the time. They're kinda grateful." Clara finally looked at him. "This is you and me now, together," he smiled gently. "Ignore everyone else. If they're ever making you feel bad then you look at me and remember that."
"God I'm gonna throw up," Jess groaned, "we have to put up with this all the time now?!" Clara chuckled a little at her sarcasm.
"Clara," Danny's small smile at Jess' comment was quickly gone. "Last night, what happened after you ran away?"
"I hid away and slept," she shrugged.
"Your eyes are twitching," he told her and Clara looked down, turning to sit forward in her chair again. "I'm right aren't I?"
"I'm fine, honestly. Danny if you don't eat you'll be complaining by 10," she told him, making it clear that she was done with that conversation.
"It's a little weird that you know that," Faye sat back in her chair.
"These days nothing surprises me with those two," Jess chuckled. "You okay if we disappear quickly? Left my folder in the room."
Clara nodded and the girls both got up and left. "You know they did that on purpose?"
"Oh yeah I know," she replied. "Sometimes it's easier to let them think they're playing a game."
Danny chuckled, "so you gonna tell me what really happened last night?"
Clara sighed, "I don't know. I can't remember leaving the library or going upstairs or falling asleep. I don't remember anything after she walked in."
"What, you don't remember at all?" he asked, putting his cutlery down when he finished eating and turning to her.
"No, I don't. But I'm fine. I need to get out of here though, can we go?"
They stood up and left the hall together, but they hadn't got far when they were met by Jackie's gang of friends. "What do you think you're doing?" they approached Clara, practically ignoring Danny.
"Walking down the corridor?" she replied, suddenly feeling a little argumentative.
"Don't get snarky with me," Josie got uncomfortably close to her. "You know what I'm talking about, slut, do you really think this is going to last? He's just using you for a bit of excitement."
"Yeah, I'm the definition of excitement me," Clara rolled her eyes, though she was shaking inside and it was taking all her strength not to run away. "That must be why I'm so popular."
"Oh she fights back," Olivia joined in. "You've got a nerve."
Danny stepped in now, "why don't you lot give it a rest and stop following Jackie like little bloody sheep?"
"Um she's not even here?!" Josie said as if she was saying something incredible. Danny and Clara shared a look, not quite believing she was saying that.
"Really?! Hadn't noticed…" Danny rolled his eyes, "we have places to be. We'll leave you to work that one out." He took Clara's hand which in turn caused reaction that they ignored and got passed them to head out.
#-#-#-#
Danny moved in every lesson. Paula agreed to organise it that he could sit by Clara, she agreed that they might as well make it plain they meant business and all their teachers were fine with it. Interestingly they'd had some good comments from teachers about the relationship which helped. Unfortunately most students were far from agreeable, but they just got their heads down and worked through their lessons together.
Lunchtime came around and Danny was beginning to get concerned. Clara wasn't right, whatever she'd said about feeling fine clearly wasn't true. She wasn't on it like usual, getting simple answers wrong or missing things that were being said. Paula had gone off to a meeting and Danny suggested they go outside for a while to get away which Clara was more than grateful for. "You're still not right," he told her, squeezing her hand a little as they walked."
"There's a lot going on that's all, I'm sure I'll get used to it," she smiled softly and kept walking with him. "I think it's a good thing, people knowing."
"It will be in the end," he reassured her, "people will see the truth soon too. They'll realise we are serious." Clara nodded and leant into him as they stopped by one of the trees. "I'm worried about you."
"I got that," Clara replied. "I really am okay, just shaky that's all. How are you doing anyway?"
"Honestly? Just relieved. Relieved Jackie is gone from my life, relieved I haven't actually lost all my friends, relieved that I can finally look at you the way I always want to," he rubbed her arm softly and kissed her head.
Clara smiled at him, "you and me. Always."
"Always. Now come on, I'm starving," Danny smiled.
"Yeah we should go back," Clara agreed and they started walking back. "Oh damn-" she stopped in her tracks. "I promised Jess and Faye I'd go through that maths stuff with them. Oops. I'd better go find them. You be okay?"
"I'm sure I can survive," he winked. "See you later."
Clara nodded, smiled and ran off.