Okay, now this I think will be my favorite chapter of 'In Some Other Life'! This is a two-part chapter. So here is part one! I took some ideas for this chapter from The O.C. episode, 'The Rainy Day Women'. That is by far the best episode of the O.C.! Here it is!

Chapter 14: Homecoming Part One Thirteen Days Later…

Claire's alarm rang at 7:00 that morning. She yawned and sat up. She then turned her radio on. A familiar tune started playing. She got up and stretched, meanwhile, the radio playing in the background.

'All I can say is that my life is pretty plain,

I like watching the puddles gather rain.

And all I can do is just pour some tea for two,

And speak my point of view,

But it's not sane.'

Claire went to her window and opened up her blinds. She expected to see a bright day, but it was dark and rainy. She looked out at the rain.

'I just want someone to say to me, oh, oh, oh,

I'll always be there when you wake.

You know I'd like to keep my cheeks dry today,

So stay with me and I'll have it made.'

Claire looked at her three boxes she was taking with her to the states. She sighed. A picture of her and Charlie lay on top of them. She still hadn't told him yet, but she had to. And she had to do it today.

'And I don't understand why I sleep all day,

And I start to complain that there's no rain.

And all I can do is read a book to stay awake,

And it rips my life away but it's a great escape.'

Claire shut her radio off and walked to the kitchen. Kate was standing there making a bagel.

"Hey," Kate said. Her hair was wet and Claire could only figure that she went out to get the paper.

"Hey," Claire said slumping into a chair. Kate looked at her.

"Don't feel horrible, today's your last day here. Let's make the best of it," Kate said.

"I have to tell Charlie today," Claire said.

"You still haven't told him?" Kate asked. Claire shook her head. Kate sighed. "Can you believe this weather?" she asked changing the subject.

"Yeah, I can. It's the weather to signify that my life is over once I leave," Claire said. Kate smiled at her.

"The news said it's going to rain all day today, tonight and tomorrow. So much for the Sydney sunny weather," Kate said. "Shannon's coming over tonight. We're going to hang out and do a bunch of girlie stuff before you leave tomorrow."

Claire smiled. "Sounds great." Kate came over and hugged her.

"Are you going to be okay?" Kate asked.

"Yeah, I'll be okay," Claire said.

Later…

Claire ran down the sidewalk in the soaking and pouring rain. She ran up the steps of Charlie's apartment building. She rode the elevator all the way up to their floor and went to their door.

Claire knocked and Jack came to the door. "Hey Claire, looking for Charlie?"

"Yeah, his room?" Claire asked. Jack nodded and Claire walked down to Charlie's room. She knocked softly.

"Come in," his voice called. Claire opened the door to see him sitting on his bed with his guitar on his lap. "Hey," he said. He set his guitar down and came over to her. Claire smiled and hugged him.

Charlie leaned down and kissed her softly. Claire deepened the kiss and moved him over to the bed. Charlie pulled away when they fell on the bed.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked. Claire looked at him. She looked into his deep blue eyes and felt like crying.

"Nothing," she said. "I'll tell you later."

"Okay," Charlie said. "You sure you're alright?" Claire nodded.

"I'll be fine, trust me," Claire said. Charlie kissed her.

"I already do, hey I have a surprise for you!" Charlie said. Claire sat up.

"A surprise, what?" Claire asked. Charlie helped her stand and he grabbed his jacket.

"Come on, its not here. I have to take you to see it," Charlie said. Claire took hold of his hand and Charlie led her down to the car.

"So, where are we going?" Claire asked. Charlie started the car and pulled out of the spot.

"Somewhere secretive," Charlie said. "You'll see it when we get there."

Claire was anxious, she was scared over having to tell Charlie, but she was also excited to see what the surprise was.

Charlie noticed her wringing her hands. "Love, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. I'll be okay," Claire snapped. Charlie turned away offended. "Charlie, I didn't mean it that way."

"Claire, you're acting really different. Is something going on?" Charlie asked. Claire shook her head. "You're not pregnant are you?" he joked.

Claire laughed. "No, I'm not." He smiled and took her hand. "I love you Charlie."

"I love you too," Charlie said. They drove for about five more minutes and Charlie stopped in front of another apartment building.

"What are we doing here?" Claire asked. Charlie didn't answer her; he ran around to her side and helped her out.

"Come on, I want to show you something," he said. They went up to the seventh floor and Charlie pulled her to an apartment door.

"Are we meeting someone?" Claire asked. Charlie laughed.

"No," Charlie said. He took out a key and opened the door. Claire and him walked inside and Charlie turned the lights on. "Surprise!"

Claire looked around. "It's an empty apartment."

"Yeah I know, but I bought it! My own place!" Charlie said. Claire smiled.

"Oh Charlie! That's great!" Claire said. She looked around. "This is going to be a great place for you to live!"

"For us," Charlie corrected. Claire stopped.

"What?" Claire asked.

"Claire, I want you to move in with me. If that's okay," Charlie said. Claire felt her heart drop about three feet. Charlie looked at her expectantly. She tried to say something but her mouth wouldn't let her.

The next thing she knew, she felt tears running down her face. She collapsed to the floor and Charlie looked at her worried.

"Claire! What's wrong?" he asked helping her sit up. She sobbed into Charlie's shoulder.

"I'm sorry Charlie, I can't," Claire said. Charlie looked at her.

"Why?" he asked.

"I just cant'!" she said. Claire pulled away from his grasp and raced back down the stairs.

Claire reached the car and tried to open the door but it was locked. She fell against it in tears. Charlie arrived a few seconds later and lifted her off the car.

"Claire, if this is about what happened between you and Thomas. That's okay, you don't have to move in with me just yet," Charlie said wiping away the tears and raindrops falling on her face.

"No, that's not it," Claire said. Charlie looked at her. "I got accepted to a different university."

"Claire that's great! Is it in a different part of Sydney?" he asked smiling. Claire shook her head.

"Is it near Sydney?" Charlie asked.

"It's in the states," Claire replied letting loose a sob. Charlie felt his heart break.

"What? You're going to the states?" he asked upset. Claire nodded sniffing.

"I tried to tell you, I just couldn't," Claire said apologetically. Charlie looked at her. His hand met hers.

"Why?" Charlie asked.

"I was afraid you wouldn't support me! Charlie the states are so far away from here!" Claire said she put her head on Charlie's chest crying. Charlie put his hand on the back of her head.

"When do you have to leave?" Charlie asked. Claire sobbed.

"Tomorrow," she said quietly. Charlie pulled away.

"What? You're leaving tomorrow!" he said. Claire nodded. "How long have you know for?"

"Two weeks," Claire said. Charlie looked at her. "Don't be mad."

"How can I not be! You just kept something from me! Claire, if you had told me earlier we could've spent so much more time together than what we have been!" Charlie said. Claire cried. Charlie then noticed his tone and then his voice cracked. Claire saw he was crying.

"I don't want to loose you Claire," Charlie said. He took Claire in his arms and held her close.

"Charlie, I don't want to loose you either. I love you," Claire replied.

"Oh, I love you too. Why don't you just not go," Charlie replied.

"Charlie I can't do that," Claire replied. Charlie looked at her. "We'll still see each other."

"Only on holidays, and your summer break," Charlie replied.

"It's only for a year. This is my last year of college," Claire reminded him. Charlie sighed.

"Claire, I don't know what to do," Charlie said. Claire looked at him. They were both soaking wet.

"I don't either," Claire said. Charlie looked down. "Can you take me home?"

"Yeah," Charlie said. They got in the car and drove home.

At Claire and Kate's…

Charlie pulled up in front of the house. He looked over at Claire. Claire looked at him. "You're going to come see me off tomorrow, right?"

Charlie didn't answer. Claire felt like she'd been punched in the chest. She nodded. "Bye Charlie."

Charlie didn't answer that either. Claire looked at him. "I love you." Charlie just looked at her. Claire closed the door and ran up to the apartment.

As soon as she closed the door she fell to the floor and wept all the tears and pain out of her body.

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Okay, I know this is getting really sad! I'm so sorry! Hope you guys like this chapter. I'll conclude this chapter on my next update. See you all then!

Song: 'No Rain' - Blind Melon

Until next time,

Bloomy Angel