Ch. 4 Is It Me for a Moment

(DREW)

Clare's heart is pounding so hard I can feel it vibrate against my chest. Her breathing is getting thinner and shallower. She's clinging to me and her body is trembling. Everyone else is just sort of watching us with worried or confused expressions. I recognize the panic attack as soon as she clings to me. The thought of going home, back to where she was attacked is so terrifying that her body is shutting down.

"Look at me Clare," I say in a gentle but commanding voice. I tip her chin up so she'll lock eyes with me, if she can focus on my eyes and voice, block out everything else it will help her calm down. "Breathe Clare, you need to breathe," I command and take her hand that's fisted into my shirt. "Deep breaths," I tell her. At the same time, I put her hand on my chest and breathe deeply so she feels me. "You have to slow down your heartrate Clare or you're going to pass out."

After a moment her breathing is deep and steady, and her heart rate is slow again. Her heart is still beating pretty fast but is at least to a point where I know she won't pass out. While Mom, Adam and Dallas all look relieved that Clare has calmed down, Helen is just staring at her daughter with confusion and uncertainty on her face.

"I can't, I can't go home. I won't," Clare says resolutely although she's still clinging to me and says it into my chest.

"But Clare…" Helen begins to protest, but I cut her off.

"The attack happened at your house, she doesn't feel safe there, not right now," I tell Helen firmly, but calmly.

"Drew's right Helen, Clare feels safe here and she's welcome to stay as long as she needs to," Mom says.

"With Drew sleeping in the bed with me still?" Clare asks but does turn out of my chest a little to do so.

"WHAT?!" Helen exclaims.

"We just sleep Mom, but I need him there," Clare implores squeezing my hand, "it's the only way I get any sleep.

"Mrs. Martin, I respect your daughter and would never do anything to hurt her. I am only in the bed with her because she wanted me there, needs me there to feel safe, but all we do is sleep. Clare has PTSD and she's been through a lot in the past year and to feel safe at night she needs me in the bed with her but we just sleep," I tell Helen calmly but with a steely urgency to my voice. I'm feeling particularly protective of Clare just now and if someone tries to take her from my arms right now, I will fight.

"Drew is right Helen; Clare has been through a lot. We have experience with PTSD and Drew's been through it he can help Clare. I think it's best for Clare to stay here until she feels safe going home. Otherwise she might completely break down," Mom advises. Helen's face changes for a minute and she kind of pales, it seems like an odd reaction to me.

"Of course, Clare, whatever you need," Helen says quietly after a moment.

"Helen why don't I follow you home. We can speak to Glen and pack some more stuff for Clare. Adam perhaps you should come as well to help me pack, you know what Clare likes. Is there anything else you want from your room or home?" Mom questions.

"My laptop would be nice, can't think of anything else right now," Clare replies. Helen doesn't seem to know what to do so she kisses Clare's head, while she's still in my arms. Then Helen walks past us and out the door.

"Thanks for letting me stay Audra," Clare says after her mom leaves. Mom smiles kindly, cupping Clare's cheek in her hand, and brushing it down her face before pulling her into hug. It's only at this point that I release Clare from my arms.

"Of course, Honey, you can stay as long as you need. Adam and I will be back shortly, why don't you kids order up some dinner for us," Mom says. Adam hugs Clare and then leaves with Mom.

"Are you okay?" I ask Clare and she nods. "After my mom said you should stay here so you wouldn't break down your mom kinda went pale. It seemed like an odd reaction."

"I think she was thinking about Darcy," Clare replies.

"Why would thinking about your sister make her go pale?" Dallas questions.

"Darcy was raped, drugged by an unknown guy and raped. She didn't remember and thought that she'd had sex with her boyfriend. She started to remember bits, but never the guys face. Anyway, Darcy broke down to the point of attempting suicide."

"Oh," Dallas replies quietly. We're all silent for a moment before Dallas speaks again. "We should order food," Dallas says putting our minds onto something else.

It takes a few minutes of discussion before we decide what to order. After deciding I place the order and text Mom with the total. With food on the way the three of us go down to the basement and turn on the TV. Mom and Adam, Dad, and the food all arrive within a few minutes of each other. We eat together and return to the basement, watching TV until pretty late.

"You can both get ready for bed first, I'd like to shower," Clare says as we go upstairs.

"Okay, I'll be quick," Adam shrugs. I brush my teeth with Adam and then leave him in the washroom to finish getting ready. We had the washroom door open and Clare was in my room getting her pajamas out.

"You need me in the washroom with you?" I ask once my bedroom door is closed.

"Yes please," she nods. She looks at me with pleading eyes and is chewing her lower lip.

"Eyes open, watching the door, no one will get in," I assure her. She finally relaxes and smiles at me.

"Thanks Drew, without you and your family, even Dallas, I really would have broken down like Darcy by now."

"We won't let that happen Clare, I know what you're going through. Come on, I hear Adam leaving the washroom," I tell her.

After making sure that my brother's door and parent's door are closed tight, I follow Clare into the washroom. She turns on the light and the shower, I sit on the tub, facing the door, telling myself not to look as she sheds her clothes. I'm trying to be good, but my eyes do dart to the mirror a few times.

"Look at the beautiful curve of her ass, how silky her skin looks. How lovely all of her curves look; I want to trace each one with my hand until I reach her sumptuous breast and…NO! Bad Drew, don't think that way, you can't think that way. She's been traumatized, she needs you in here as a guard dog not lusting after her while she's in the shower."

After scolding myself I do behave, although I can't get the image of her naked body from my mind. I even dream of her that night, it's a good thing we sleep a few inches apart and facing each other or she'd feel my arousal. I'm not sure how safe she'd feel in my bed after that, and I do want her to feel safe.

(CLARE)

"We should do something," Dallas comments setting down his controller. He and Drew have been eating sandwiches and playing video games for the last hour. I finished my sandwich in ten minutes, as I wasn't trying to play video games as well. "Go out and do something I mean, this is a waste of a Saturday," Dallas gripes.

His grumpiness was due at least in part to the fact that Alli was occupied with her parents all day. Adam was hanging out with Jenna; they were getting together to write music and were thinking of starting a band. So, it was just Drew, Dallas, and I in the basement. Audra and Omar were out doing their normal Saturday errands and getting together with friends.

"Do you want to go out?" Drew asks me. I think it's sweet that he's deferring to my wishes.

"Sure," I shrug.

"Okay, so what should we do?" Drew asks Dallas.

"Umm…" Dallas says scratching the back of his head. I think about where we could go and what we could do that I would be sure not to run into Asher.

"We could go to The Break Room," I speak up. Then thinking about all the time I spent there with Spinner and Jay after Darcy tried to commit suicide, think better of that idea. "Then again maybe not," I reply and can't help the sad inflection in my tone.

"What's the breakroom?" Dallas asks.

"It's a billiard club, I learned to shoot pool there, but that was right after Darcy's breakdown," I tell them.

"Okay, not shooting pool, we could…" Dallas says and then stops as he tries to think of something the three of us would enjoy.

"There's a great minigolf complex in London, they have an arcade and go-karts too. That should keep us entertained. Adam and I used to go there all the time when we lived there," Drew suggests.

I'm not likely to see Asher in London, so this sounds like a good idea to me. I nod and so does Dallas. We all get changed since we're just in sweats or pajamas still. Once we're all ready to go we get in Dallas' car, but he lets Drew drive. When we get into London Drew starts talking about the old neighborhood. I can tell there are things he misses about it. When we get to the Family Fun Time Center, we pay for a round of golf. I win mini golf since it's all a matter of calculating your shot. After golf we go to the arcade where I'm content watching the boys play video games and air hockey.

"Hey Torres," a boy calls while Dallas and Drew are playing air hockey. It distracts Drew and Dallas shoots making the winning goal.

"Hockey champion on the ice and the table," Dallas celebrates. I shake my head while Drew turns to look at who called to him.

"Hey guys," Drew greets the four boys that have come to surround him. "What are you guys doing here? Shouldn't at least two of you be off at college?" Drew asks before turning to me and Dallas. "Adam and I went to school with them, Nate and Kaden were in Adam's grade, Orlando and Jeremy in mine. Oh, this is Clare and Dallas, this is Nate, Kaden, Jeremy and Orlando," Drew introduces us pointing to each boy as he says their name.

"Who's Adam?" Kaden asks. Orlando hits his chest and makes a face at him.

"We could say the same thing about you," Orlando comments to Drew. I notice that none of them, including Drew say what they are doing now.

"Rob's having a party tonight you three should come," Nate says changing the subject.

"Yes, a party sounds fan-fucking-tastic," Dallas says enthusiastically. Drew doesn't say anything but does look at me to see if it's okay.

"Sure, a party sounds fun," I smile.

"Sweet," Jeremy grins.

The four of them hang out with us in the arcade, all the guys trying to outdo each other no matter what they play. Around eight we leave to follow them to the party, getting back in Dallas' car. He drives this time since we're just following Jeremy's car. We park behind them on a residential street, and as soon as we're out of the car Drew puts his arm around me. I don't know if he's worried about me feeling like Asher is around or just making sure I know he's there.

As we walk into the living room everyone near the door looks at us. We only make it a couple feet into the living room and away from the door before people come over to start greeting Drew. He says hi, politely introduces me and Dallas to everyone and then someone calls him over to another group. He tells me he'll be right back and goes over, Dallas is still with me, but he's talking to some guys about hockey. I'm sort of standing here awkwardly when a group of three girls approaches me.

"Hi I'm Carli, this is Ebony and Steph," one of the girls says.

"Clare, nice to meet you," I smile politely. Carli and Ebony are giving me genuine friendly smiles, but Steph is giving a fake one and kind of glaring at me. I'm not sure why, I don't even know these girls.

"So, you're Drew's flavor of the month?" Steph asks in a biting tone.

"What?" I question confused. I don't know what she's talking about, but she appears to be jealous because I arrived with Drew.

"You know he goes through a lot of girls, you won't last, they never do," Steph replies with the same biting tone. More jealousy in her voice now, and I understand she's not jealous that I came with Drew, she thinks I'm dating him. They haven't seen Drew in over two years, and I don't think they know anything about him now. He dated Bianca and Katie for several months each and was engaged to Bianca for nearly five months before she broke it off. I don't like this Steph girl, but as far as I can tell she only has the idea I'm dating Drew based on me walking in with his arm around me.

"No, I'm Adam's best friend, Drew and I are only friends, I came with him and Dallas," I respond in an even voice, but can't help rolling my eyes. The three girls look between each other a minute, I'm not sure why they look so confused.

"Who's Adam?" Carli asks.

"Duh, Gracie," Ebony says. I even see when the realization dawns on her. Carli nods satisfied but Steph makes a face.

"Oh right, that freak," Steph replies with clear disgust in her tone. I bite the inside of my cheek; this is not the time or place to get into her small-minded thinking. I've known this girl for less than five minutes and I already dislike her. The other two don't seem so bad though.

"Who's Dallas?" Carli asks.

"He's billeted with the Torres family; he came last year when our school acquired a junior pro hockey team."

"So, where's Adam? Did he come too?" Ebony questions.

"No, he's with his girlfriend tonight," I reply pulling out my phone. I unlock it and go to photos finding a picture of Adam and Jenna.

"Wow, she…er he looks so different. He looks really happy," Carli says.

"They make a cute couple, and his girlfriend is really pretty," Ebony smiles. I smile at them, but Steph is just rolling her eyes, or looking disgusted. I'm tempted to slap her, but I don't feel like a fight right now.

"So, is Drew going to college in Toronto?" Carli inquires.

"Uh no, he dropped out for part of last year and he's repeating his senior year," I tell them.

"Oh, that must be hard for him to be in the same grade as Gr…Adam," Ebony comments. I appreciate that at least she and Carli are catching themselves. They really only knew Gracie, so I can understand that it would be hard and I'm grateful Ebony and Carli are trying, even if Adam isn't here. Steph, well she seems to be a lost cause, I'm trying to ignore her and only give my attention to Ebony and Carli.

"Not really, they're very close, I've never heard a complaint."

"Does Drew have a girlfriend?" Steph questions. I don't answer.

"Does Adam still like music? He was really good with music I remember," Carli comments.

"Yeah, he loves it. He and Jenna are thinking of starting a band," I reply.

"Who was the last girl he dated? A cheerleader I bet, he always dated cheerleaders. I'm a cheerleader," Steph says. "He still plays sports, doesn't he?"

"You know, you should really ask Drew these questions. Excuse me, I'm going to go get myself a drink," I reply as politely as I can.

I didn't mind answering Ebony and Carli's questions, but I'm not going to give Steph information on Drew. I back up and blend into the crowd between two rather tall boys. For once I'm grateful I'm so short and can disappear fairly easy. As I walk away, I can hear the three girls gossiping and roll my eye. I find my way to the kitchen where drinks and food are set up. I don't want alcohol but see a cooler with drinks in it that look non-alcoholic. I grab a bottle of sparkling juice and stand up surprised when a guy is standing right next to me, his eyes tracing my body.

"Hi, I'm Micah," he grins eying me lecherously.

"Clare," I respond, opening my drink instead of looking him in the eye.

"I haven't seen you around before," he comments. When his eyes settle on my breasts, he licks his lips.

"Yeah, I live in Toronto," I tell him. I don't want to be rude, but I don't like this guy.

"Toronto huh? Wh…" he begins to ask and then gets cut off by Drew. The older Torres brother appears suddenly and puts his arm around my waist pulling me to him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to leave you for so long. Come on I want you to meet some people," Drew comments. He keeps his arm around me and keeps me with him now. Actually, aside from when he's eating his arm is always around either my waist or shoulders. He does introduce me to the people he stops to have conversations with, but the conversations are generally about sports. If not sports, then Drew's old school and people I don't know. I'm bored, I'm not having a good time and yet I don't want to leave Drew. I don't want to get bombarded with questions from Steph or hit on again. I check my phone frequently, texting Alli as she's done with her parents and Jenna is still with Adam.

Clare: At a party in London near Drew's old neighborhood. I'm so bored.

Alli: You're not looking for hot guys?

Clare: No, I'm sticking with Drew. I've already been interrogated by a girl that has some major crush on him, and hit on by some creepy guy.

Alli: Is Dallas with you?

Clare: Yeah, the three of us came down. Played mini-golf and ran into some guys from Drew's old school that invited us to the party.

Alli: Is he having a good time?

Clare: Relax Alli I haven't seen him hit on a girl all night. I think he's been talking hockey with the same group of guys since we got here.

After that I tell her about my conversation with Carli, Ebony and Steph. I realize I'm gossiping via text, but it's giving me something to do. When I see that we have leave to make it back by curfew I'm very relieved.

"We should probably head out if we're going to make it back for curfew," I comment to Drew showing him the time.

"Yeah, sorry guys we have to head out, my mom is as strict as ever and she'll kill us if the three of us aren't in the door by curfew," Drew says. The four boys Drew was talking with exchange a look.

"The three of you?"

"Yeah, Clare's staying with us," Drew says nonchalantly. He then turns and whistles into the room and Dallas looks over. "We need to head out if we're going to make curfew," Drew says. We start moving to the exit but get waylaid when we get out to the yard, by Drew and Dallas saying goodbye to some people.

"I thought you said you weren't Drew's girl?" Steph accuses with venom in her tone. Her eyes almost glow with jealousy.

"I'm not," I shrug.

"But he had his arm around you for the whole party, a clear message to everyone here that you're his and hands off," Carli says. Her tone is soft, but she believes what she's saying. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at the archaic possessiveness.

"If you weren't his girl and he didn't care if other guys hit on you, he wouldn't have kept his arm around you the entire party," Steph remarks. Her jealousy is kind of overwhelming, she sounds desperate in a ridiculous way to be the one with Drew's arm around her.

I really don't know how to answer them. How do I tell them he was looking out for me, keeping me close because of what I went through? I don't, I'll probably never see these girls again and have no desire for them to know what happened to me. I just shrug, then Drew takes my hand, he waves to some people and we walk back to Dallas' car. Dallas drives home, and though I don't want to I think about what the girls were saying. I'm sure Drew only kept me close so I wouldn't have a panic attack or something.

We squeak in two minutes before curfew, at which point Audra and Omar go to bed. We go down to the basement to watch TV since no one is tired. Adam is down here, Drew sits next to Adam telling him all about the party. Drew tells him everyone that asked about him or said to say hi, which makes Adam happy.

"There were three girls too, well two really, that asked about you. Carli and Ebony, they seemed nice, and I showed them a picture of you and Jenna," I inform Adam.

"Oh sure, I remember them, they were nice girls, always hanging around with Steph though. Probably because she was head cheerleader," Adam comments.

"Yeah, Steph was not so nice," I reply but don't mention all her questions about Drew.

(DREW)

I'm having a wonderful dream of Clare in the shower. She's soaping up her body, letting me watch her and not the door. I really shouldn't be dreaming of Clare in the shower, but I can't help it. I was in with her again tonight before we went to bed. She can't shower unless I'm in with her and she won't do that unless we're home alone or everyone is in bed. We're both sure that despite sleeping in the same bed, being in the washroom while she showers will be forbidden.

We have school tomorrow, but we spent a pretty lazy Sunday in the basement. My parents were out early, but us kids slept in until at least ten. Had breakfast, did our chores, Dallas left to meet Alli for a couple hours, and we spent the rest of the day watching movies or playing video games. Clare didn't tell me she wanted to shower until she was certain my parents and Adam were in their rooms for the night. So, the last images burned to my brain before bed are a naked Clare in a steamy washroom.

My wonderful dream is disrupted when Clare begins thrashing and crying next me. I know she's having a nightmare and I sit up. I hold her shoulders, I don't shake her though, she's thrashing enough as it is, I'm trying to hold her still.

"Clare, wake up it's just a bad dream," I say firmly but quietly. "Clare it's okay, you're safe, here with me. It's Drew," I tell her.

Suddenly her eyes shoot open, she looks at me and bursts into tears. I lie down again and rub her arm, unsure if I should hold her or keep my distance. She's not clinging to me or moving away from me, so I just continue to rub her arm. After some time, she cries herself to sleep, and I return to sleep myself. I don't dream of Clare in the shower this time, though that's probably a good thing.

We're both tired at school, but we get through. I call off student council, Clare and I are both tired and we can meet tomorrow at lunch. Alli, Jenna and Adam decide to go to The Dot for homework, and Dallas will meet them after practice to have dinner there. Clare doesn't want to go to The Dot, so we go home. I'm surprised to see both my parents home when we get there, it's rare for Dad to be home so early on a weekday.

"Hi Clare, we have good news," Mom says when we come into the kitchen.

"The police found witnesses that can place Asher in your neighborhood around the time of your attack. Asher was questioned and denied everything, but they found his fingerprints in your washroom. They also found a foreign hair from your exam," Dad informs us without going into details.

"Was I raped then?" Clare questions terrified by the thought and I take her hand.

"They didn't find evidence of rape, but it had been a week, and you were already sexually active?" Dad asks.

Clare nods.

"Has Asher been arrested then?" I inquire.

"Yes, he was arrested and is being held, but I must warn you that his bail hearing is tomorrow. He will almost certainly be granted bail," Dad replies. At this news Clare starts shaking, and I'm sure she's worried Asher will come after her again, succeed this time. I take her hand and interlace our fingers.

"We've already taken out a restraining order against him," Mom tells Clare with a sweet smile. I roll my eyes.

"Great, a piece of paper because those do so well to protect you," I respond sarcastically.

"Andrew," Mom snaps at me.

"No, he's right," Clare comments and clears her throat as she starts to choke up. "Asher would have to get caught violating the order for him to be arrested. I appreciate that you took the step, but I'd be lying if I said that made me feel safe."

"We're gonna start on our homework, Adam and Dallas are eating with Alli and Jenna at The Dot," I tell my parents. Still holding Clare's hand, I pull her down to the basement with me. "You okay?" I ask her when we're downstairs.

"Not really," Clare shakes her head, "let's do our homework."

We get out our homework and I turn on the TV just to have the background noise. Mom let's Clare and I eat dinner downstairs. Adam and Dallas get home just after eight, we've all finished our homework, but stay downstairs watching TV until it's time for bed. Clare doesn't want to shower tonight, so we just go to bed when we're ready. I don't dream about naked Clare tonight either but do wake up when I hear her sobbing.

"Clare? You okay?" I yawn.

"Bad dream," she says. My eyes finally open and I see her sitting up, her knees pulled up and her arms around them. I sit up and put my arm around her back, stroking her arm softly.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Asher was out on bail and he got to me, he killed me by suffocating me. I tried to scream, and I couldn't. He said that's what I got for talking, for bringing suspicion onto him."

"He won't get to you Clare; I won't let him. He won't come near you ever again," I assure her.

"I know," she nods sniffling in her tears and then turning to me a little. "I feel safe with you Drew," she says, into my chest. Her voice so soft I hardly hear her, but I do, and it makes me smile.

(CLARE)

I fell asleep in Drew's arms last night. I don't think I could have gotten back to sleep after my nightmare without being in his arms. I needed to feel the shield of his arms, his skin on mine. As safe as I felt the dream still entered my mind as soon as I was awake this morning. I thought about it all morning, when we parked at school I walked behind Drew and Dallas next to Adam. I didn't really feel good until I was inside. We're eating lunch now, we walked to The Dot as a group, I stayed in the middle, sandwiched between Drew and Adam, my eyes darting around.

I don't have much of an appetite and lose the desire to eat at all when I see Asher across the street looking at me. He's glaring at me, I see in his eyes how he wants me dead, how he hates me. I stop eating, I feel sick, I want to scream or run, grab Drew's hand, something, but I'm frozen by fear. Then a truck drives by and Asher vanishes. I'm left wondering if he was even there. Still not hungry I push my plate away and Drew gives me a concerned look. I whisper to him that I'm just not hungry, doing my best to smile. He still looks worried, but he nods.

Everyone else continues eating and talking, I sit there staring out the window, sipping my lemonade, expecting to see Asher again. I never do, not even on the walk back to school. Third period writer's craft keeps my mind busy and engaged, I'm able to get Asher and my nightmare to the back of my mind. Before fourth period I go to the girl's washroom. While washing my hands I see Asher's face in the mirror! I gasp and turn around but he's not there. The two girls also in the washroom begin laughing. I'm sure that I'm losing my mind and I run from the washroom to class, drying my hands on my jeans as I go. I run straight for photography nearly bumping into Drew, but he catches me.

"Clare, what is it? What's wrong?" He asks.

"Nothing, I'm okay," I tell him. I don't want to admit to him that I'm losing it, that I'm going crazy. I'm sure of that now, I'm losing my mind.

"You're safe Clare," Drew whispers to me. He puts his arm around me, and we walk into the classroom together.

I tell myself I have PTSD and that's why I saw Asher's face in the mirror. It's really not all that comforting, I still feel like I'm going crazy. For the entirety of the period I continue glancing out the window expecting to see Asher watching me. He's never there, and yet this does nothing to quell the feeling that I'm going crazy.

I make it through student council only because there are no windows in the room. Asher couldn't come in and he couldn't watch me from here. I'm able to concentrate on my duties and for a short time I feel my pre-insanity self once more. When we leave student council and make our way to the front doors however I freeze. I'm terrified to go outside now, and my feet can't seem to pass that threshold. Drew and Adam stop with me, both looking at me, the looks on their faces only make me feel more insane.

"What's wrong?" Adam asks.

"Asher's not out there," Drew tells me.

"But what if he is? If he got out on bail he could be," I reply getting nervous and agitated. My earlier visions of Asher making me fear he's there even if he really wasn't there earlier. Adam puts an arm around my shoulders and Drew takes my hand.

"Even if he is Clare, we won't let him get anywhere near you," Drew says. His voice is firm, yet soothing and I nod. We get outside, but I'm still scanning the yard for any sign of Asher as we walk to the car. We don't see him, and we get in the car driving home.

We greet Audra and get started on homework; Dallas arrives home a few minutes after we do. We eat dinner together and then return to the basement finishing our homework. Drew showers while I'm watching TV with Adam and Dallas.

After getting ready for bed, and when I'm sure Dallas is in his room, I tell Drew I want to shower. He comes with me to the washroom and looks at the door as he always does. I get in the shower and start washing my hair, closing my eyes, and leaning back into the water. When I open my eyes, I see a figure on the other side of the glass. I know it's Drew, that he's there because I wanted him there. My fears and insanity however are telling me it's Asher.

"Drew," I call, my voice coming out in more of a terrified shriek than I meant it to.

"I'm here," he says moving a little so I can see him.

"Just you right?"

"Clare, no one else could get in here, I won't even let Dallas in here right now, or Adam for that matter."

"I can't see you clearly with the frosted glass and the steam."

"The only way for you to see me clearly would be for me to be in the shower with you," Drew comments his voice picking up just a little lust. I'm sure he's picturing doing so, but I don't care that he is.

"Just keep talking to me, I'll be done in a minute."

Drew says okay and then starts talking to me about whatever he can think of. I finish showering as quickly as I can, grabbing the towel as I turn off the water. I put on my pajamas before I'm even completely dry. We leave the washroom together and at that moment Adam leaves his room. He looks at us, realizes I just showered and we both came out of the washroom and his eyes go round, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

Update soon including Drew and Clare getting closer.