Disclaimer: I own nothing yadda yadda.
To the readers: I have revised chapters 6 and 7 to fit in with the later story, sorry for the serious lack of updating, going back to school will do that to you.
CHAPTER 6- Bruised and tentative
'Only two more minutes until lunch', thinks Claire. She sits in American History with her head resting on her arm, trying not to fall asleep. She was glad that she had so far managed to avoid her 'friends'. She really was not looking forward to that confrontation.
After what feels like forever, the bell finally rings and Claire quickly gathers her things, leaving the room swiftly. She dumps her stuff at her locker, grabbing her lunch as well, before heading towards the cafeteria. Rummaging through her bag, Claire doesn't look where she is going, and as she turns the corner she walks straight into someone.
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John walks out of a now empty classroom, still wearing his mysterious sunglasses, he makes his way towards his locker with his head down. 'Finally, lunch! I thought that damn class was gonna last forever!' As he rounds the corner of the hall, he bumps into someone heading the opposite way.
"Sorry", he mumbles, without looking up.
However, he lifts his head when he hears his name, "John?"
A glance confirms what he already knows, it's Claire. Suddenly, he isn't so confident and he doesn't know what to say.
"Uh, yeah…Hey Princess…", he answers quietly.
She takes a good look at him and as he turns his head Claire notices the edge of one of John's nasty bruises, lurking beneath his sunglasses. She reaches her hand up, pushing his hair out of his face and bringing her hand to rest at the side of his neck.
"What happened?", she asks, almost entirely sure of the answer.
He shakes his head while replying, "not here."
She nods her understanding and brings her hand down to grasp hold of his. He appears reluctant at first, but soon Claire has John following her away down the hall.
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They enter the empty auditorium walking in sync with one another. Claire takes the lead, pulling John over to the back row of seats. She lets go of his hand to seat herself and indicates for him to do the same. He removes his jacket before sitting and she turns her body to face him, she gives him a reassuring smile, which he returns, somewhat tentatively. Her hands move towards his face again, but this time they reach for his sunglasses. Claire carefully and slowly removes his sunglasses and gasps when she sees what lies beneath them. He lowers his head in embarrassment while mumbling, "it's nothing."
"God John, it's not nothing…", she responds. "It's not anything to be embarrassed about…I'm sorry."
His head turns up sharply at that, "what are you sorry for?" he asks, a little harsher than intended. She winces internally before answering him.
"I'm sorry that this", she waves her hand indicating his black eye, "happens to you…that your dad, y'know. This is just…I mean you don't deserve this…I…I'm sorry."
She looks up and meets his eyes. She does not look at him with pity in her eyes, like so many would; instead, her eyes show sympathy and sadness. But most of all, they convey her understanding and acceptance of him. Her hand drifts gently over the dark, painful area around his eye and he flinches slightly. "Sorry", she says softly.
"Stop it", he says, his voice hard and for a moment she thinks she has annoyed him. Claire starts to pull away, but he grabs hold of her wrist as he makes himself clear. "Stop apologising. This isn't your fault and you shouldn't feel bad about something you can't change", he says softly.
She looks up at him through glassy eyes and nods while willing the tears away. When she gains control over her emotions she resumes the conversation.
"Did he hurt you anywhere else, John?" He doesn't answer. "Don't make me check you over…", she threatens playfully.
He speaks, but too quietly for her to make out the words. He realises she hasn't heard him and speaks again, louder this time.
"My stomach…he uh, kicked me."
"Let me see", she requests. He looks slightly shocked but recovers quickly. Claire cautiously lifts the hem of his t-shirt up, not sure if she really wants to see what is underneath. But what she does see makes her upset and her eyes fill with tears again.
She runs her hand across his black and blue stomach, asking herself 'what kind of person does this?' Her hand starts to tremble and John, noticing this, takes hold of it and pulls her into a hug.
"It's okay, I mean, I'm used to it now", he says, trying to comfort her. But this brings out her anger and she pulls back frowning.
"No, it isn't! You shouldn't have to get used to it, it shouldn't happen at all. It shouldn't be allowed to happen!" She retorts, enraged, tears finally making their way down her face.
He doesn't know what to say and rather than try to answer her he pulls her reluctant form back into his arms.
A few minutes later she calms and he slowly moves back to look at her face. Her stomach flutters as she looks into his eyes. Moments later their lips meet for the first time since detention. John is hesitant and his lips brush over hers a few times in light, ghost kisses, before he covers her mouth with his own in a sweet kiss. His lips are soft and gentle, yet strong at the same time and when they break apart both are left breathless and gasping for air.
A slow smile spreads across John's face, turning to his trademark grin. Claire can't help but smile back, a blush creeping over her cheeks.
Hope you liked it, R&R!
---MusicalWonder.