Chapter Six

Long Day Coming

Clear was more happy then she had ever been when she heard her alarm clock go off the next morning, signaling the start of another day and another chance to see Alex. For the first time in years, she actually spent a while attempting to decide what to wear, trying to decide what would make her the most appealing to Alex, the best possible dating material. It was just her luck that all of her clothes were ugly, baggy or both, making her look neither sexy nor attractive.

She decided on a red sleeveless top (that hadn't fit when she had gotten it three years ago) and faded black jeans, not answering her grandparents' questions on why she was so "dressed up." Just as she had promised herself on the walk home the previous day, Clear had kept her mouth shut about Alex, letting him be her precious little secret; she had learned long ago that once something was shared with someone else, the meaning of the words lost whatever power they once held.

Bidding her now legal-guardians goodbye, Clear slipped out of the house and headed toward Mt. Abraham High School, nearly buzzing with excitement. For the first time since her father had died, she found that she actually had something to look forward to, a solid reason to keep on living; she just hoped that Tod had spoken to his friend, praying that her feelings were returned.

By the time she had covered the distance, the school parking lot and hallways were already filled with students and teachers alike, all milling about before having to spend the day in the dull "prison." Clear roamed the hallways until first period, looking around for Alex or Tod (preferably Alex) and managing to get herself on Carter's bad side by bumping into him in the hallway and causing him to spill his Coke. Not wanting to suffer Tod's fate, she had left the scene without sticking around to apologize, something she was certain she would regret later.

Clear forced herself into her first period class, still mourning that fact that she hadn't seen Alex that morning. She didn't let that little thing get her down, however, knowing that she would see him in French class, just a few periods away.

* * *

Tod looked over at his friend, who was too busy pretending to pay attention to their first period teacher to actually hear a word the man was saying. It only took one look at Alex's face for Tod to realize that he was contemplating exactly what he was going to say to Clear, provided he decided to ask her at all. Unable to take anymore, Tod decided to get an answer before fourth period, leaning the short distance across the aisle to whisper to Alex. "So, are you going to ask her?" By the look on Alex's face, he could tell that he had caught his friend red-handed.

Alex shrugged, attempting to act as though he was paying great attention to the lecture but unable to maintain the guise any longer. "I don't know...I haven't decided." He mumbled finally, pursing his lips.

Tod smiled slightly, shaking his head slightly. "Well, you'd better decide quick because this class is almost over." He pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

Alex gave him a slightly confused look. "But French isn't until fourth period." He pointed out, trying to figure out what he was friend was getting at.

"Right, but you never know when Clear might show up." Tod remarked, nodding when Alex nodded as well. Alex knew his friend had a point, Clear did seem to have a habit of following him around and popping up whenever he stayed in one place for too long. He just figured it was all the more proof that she really did like him but he still hadn't made up his mind about asking her out. He didn't know her, after all, aside from the fact that she lived with her grandparents and that she was strange and pretty. He never realized asking someone out on a date would be so difficult.

"Right." Alex muttered instead, pulling away from his friend and leaning back in his chair, thoughts once again drifting toward Clear and the impending fourth period. Time suddenly seemed to go by a lot faster.

* * *

Alex was already in French class by the time Clear walked in, trying to keep a low profile to avoid being seen by Carter, who was chatting away with his jock friends and blonde girlfriend. Just when she thought she had flown underneath his radar, the dark haired jock turned her way with a sneer on his hard features. "Well if it isn't Miss Queer Rivers." He called, loud enough for the whole class to hear, friends snickering. Glaring at him, Clear gave him the finger (which only made him even more upset) and slipped to the back of the classroom, taking her seat behind Alex.

Instantly, Tod turned around to face her, a friendly smile upon his lips, which looked rather promising to Clear. "So, looks like you've drawn the unwanted attention of Carter." He remarked, proof that everyone had heard the short exchange that had passed between the two only seconds earlier.

She shrugged her shoulders, Carter Horton far from her mind as she looked at the back of Alex's head, wondering why he had yet to turn around and join in on the discussion. 'That's it, he's not going to ask me out...or ask me anything...or even talk to me.' Clear realized with growing horror, realizing that she wasn't sure if she could bare the thought of Alex not liking her.

"That's too bad, he's going to be attempting to beat the hell out of you for the rest of your life. In kindergarten, I spilled glue all over his pants and he's been after me since. Alex called him a 'butt-face' in preschool and the same goes for him, there's no escaping Carter Horton." Tod told her, trying to act casual, though it was obvious that he was trying to start a conversation and keep it going, waiting for Alex to make his entrance.

Finally, when all seemed lost, Alex turned around to regard the anxious brunette, who couldn't hide the huge smile that crossed her face. "So Clear do you like...movies?" Alex started and finished, realizing how lame he sounded.

Clear nodded promptly, which would have been her response, even if Alex asked her if she liked to sky-dive. "Yes I love them." She told him, knowing that she hadn't been to the theatre since she was ten.

Alex nodded as well, staring at Tod out of the corner of his eye, noting that his best friend was doing his best to pretend uninterested, though there was a smile of amusement upon his face. "Good." He muttered, returning his gaze to Clear. "So I was wondering if..." He paused, just long enough to glance toward the front of the classroom.

Clear was already preparing her answer, complete with address, phone number and everything else she could think to give him. She could practically hear the words coming out of his mouth, words that she had prayed to hear since she had first laid eyes on Alex Browning.

That was when she realized that he was longer even looking her direction, gaze directed to the front of the classroom. That was when Clear noticed that someone else was commanding Alex's attention....

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Okay, so the cliff-hanger thing is kinda lame but oh well...who is it? You'll have to review and see (if you don't already know). The title of this chapter comes from the song "Isobel" by Dido. Also, the part about Carter calling Clear "Queer" I got from the fics by Dark5...so, I thought I'd credit her.