chapter 10: the mirror. Claire

"Oh my god, how am I going to explain this to my parents. And at school on Monday. Everyone is going to want to know what happened. How can I face them." Claire cried out as she looked in the mirror.

"well, it can't be any harder than waving to me in front of your friends right." John said smiling.

"I look so ugly. My cheek is sooo red."

"You could never look ugly princess." john said suddenly embarrassed. "here, I have been slugged in the face enough to know a few tricks. We will get you fixed up. Plus I am sure you can cover some of the bruising with makeup and hopefully no one will notice."

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Claire spun around and suddenly demanded.

"Hell Claire after last week I thought we were friends."

"Is that what we are, friends."

"Isn't that what you wanted. I thought that was what we all wanted. To stay friends." John said confused at what she was getting at.

"I don't know what I want anymore." She sighed, and turned to face the mirror again. "a few weeks ago, no, even a few days ago, everything was so clear. I was prom shopping, and picking out a guy to be my date, and now. . . Everything is different."

"Wait a sec, is this about the prom." John was confused.

"No silly." Claire laughed. "just life has suddenly changed and I am not sure what to think anymore."

"Good. Cause for a minute there, I thought you were hinting for me to ask you to prom. Believe me, I wouldn't be caught dead at no stupid school prom." John said shaking his head.

"Oh god, could you see the look on Vernon's face if you walked into prom. With me no less." She was still laughing, it almost hurt now.

"Well, that might be worth it then. The old guy would probably drop dead from shock." John said smiling. Claire was laughing still, it felt so good to laugh. To laugh away all the pain. John continued. "Plus I bet you would be wearing some hot little number, that might be worth seeing also.."

"Why John bender are you asking me to Prom" Claire said coyly.

Before john could answer, Allison appeared at the door. "Hey guys. We were going to have talk awhile if you would want to come down. We thought it might do us all good to talk some more, like we did last week."

Claire and john nodded. Claire took his hand and lead him downstairs.