Thanks for the reviews! Why am I so mean in not writing this? I want too, but then I turn the page on and I'm like , maybe later. Sorry. But yeah, after that sad ending, lets try to get a happy chapter. Probably not. I don't even know how long Kendra has in this pregnancy. I'm making it up :\. I cannot remember the due date. I'll work it out. She was over 3 months at the end of January. Let's say 14 weeks. Worked it out. Due date is July 26th. I got that from a real due date calculator estimator off the net, not from my head :). I'm not that good at maths ;). Don't care if it's not correct to the story dates or anything, thats what it is now and it was going to be July anyway :P. Not updated this in quite a while :( I'm just so busy. I started college in september (college in the UK is diff. to college in the US btw), just soo much work and I have exams in Jan soo.. sorry.


'NO!! MY BABY!' Audrey started to scream once more, then collapsed in a heap on the floor, sobbing. She wiped her face, but the tears kept coming faster. Audrey cleared her throat. 'Could you phone my husband please? His mobile number is on your files. Koby and him were coming for eight. It's too late now. Can I see him?'

Audrey seemed to have recovered fast but her actions were slow, almost as if she had switched into robot mode.


Guesthouse

Claire's Bedroom

Wednesday, May 21st

8:07 A.M.

Judi knocked softly on Claire's bedroom door. She peeped around to see Claire curled in a ball under her covers.

'Claire?' She said, posing it as a question.

Claire lifted her head from her pillows slightly, then thumped her heavy head back down.

'Yeah?' She mumbled.

Judi walked in and sat on the edge of Claire's bed.

'How are you feeling?' She asked, softly.

'Terrible.' Claire sat up and burst into tears. 'I just can't believe he's gone.'

Judi moved closer to Claire and started to cuddle her. Claire sobbed into her mom's clean sweater.

'I'm not sure whether to go to school.' Claire mumbled, wiping her cheeks. She sat up.

'You don't have to go in, you know. I would say have the day off or even a few days.' Judi said.

'I want to be there though. I don't want to sit at home and just cry all day, but I don't want everyone asking me about it.'

'I'll tell Massie, shall I? She sure knows how to get people to stay away.'

Claire giggled.

'I'm serious. I'll phone her now, if you like. Kendra came over at 7:30 A.M. and said Massie is leaving for school at 8:30 A.M.' Judi said.

'Why?' Claire asked. She sniffed.

'Kendra phoned the principal and told her about Aaron. The principal already knew the bad news, but Kendra explained about you carpooling with Massie and how close you were to Aaron. So she asked whether you could be excused from being late for the next few days.' Judi said.

'I'd better get dressed quickly then.' Claire said. She looked at her wall clock. 8:18 A.M.

Judi kissed Claire on the top of her head.

'I'll leave you to it.' She said, leaving the room and shutting the door.

Claire got up from her bed and padded to her closet. She pulled out a plain, light blue t-shirt with white silk ribbons on the short sleeves. She then picked out a pair of dark-wash long shorts and her red canvas Keds. She tied her hair back in a scruffy ponytail, then left her room to brush her teeth and use the toilet.


Octavian Country Day School

Morning Assembly

Wednesday, May 21st

9:17 A.M.

Claire couldn't stand the amount of people looking in her direction as Principal Burns told the school about Aaron's death.

'It's a very sad time for us all and if we just all pull together and support each other through these next few weeks...'

Claire tuned out Principal Burns speech. She fought hard to stop her eyes tearing up. She scanned the hall. She saw two girls from the seventh grade cuddling each other and sobbing. They didn't even know Aaron. All the boys on the soccer team had their heads down. Claire knew they were affected by the news. Aaron was a good friend but also one of the best players on the team. Claire looked towards the soccer coach who was stood up against the wall with the rest of the teachers. He was dabbing his eyes, which was a first for the coach, as he never got emotional. Not even when the soccer team won the championships.

The school day passed slowly with everyone approaching Claire with their condolences and Massie telling them to leave and to take their condolences with them.

Lunchtime soon came. Claire chose a turkey burger and a bottle of water and followed Massie to table number 18.

They both plopped their trays down on the empty table and took their seats. They sat opposite each other.

'How are you holding up?' Massie asked, picking up a california roll and taking a small bite.

'Good, I guess. Considering.' Claire said, biting into her turkey burger. 'I just hate the way people are staring.'

'It sucks. They'll find something new to talk about soon.' Massie smiled. 'I think you've done really good, all day. You haven't cried at all.'

'Yeah. Not counting the times I kept saying I needed the bathroom.'

Massie laughed. 'And to think I was beginning to think you had a water infection.' She said, putting her hand to her heart.

'Shocker. I don't.' Claire giggled, then her face fell. 'Why am I so...okay with this?'

'You're not okay with Aaron dying. You're just good at acting. That's why you got the part in Dial L for Loser.'

'And why you didn't. I see that wad of tissues in your bag.' Claire raised her eyebrows.

'Oh, come on, Claire. I'm entitled to get upset. He was a nice guy, they're short of supply in Westchester.' Massie said.

'I know. I was kidding.' Claire gave her a small smile. 'I just can't wait for the day to be over.'

'I'm like that everyday. It's school.' Massie smiled and Claire giggled. Claire's face then fell and her eyes started to tear up.

'I can't believe I can even laugh at a time like this. It's just so..ugh. I want to cry. I want to scream. I just...can't.' She looked at Massie sadly.

'It's natural. Trust me. A few months before you arrived, my grandmother passed away. I never told the others this, but I was distraught. I was so close to her. When I was first told, I thought I was going to collapse and cry myself to death. But I didn't. I just hid out in my room until the funeral. That's when I broke down. Her coffin was so small. I was crying so loud, my mom had to escort me into a side room in the church. I sobbed for days after the funeral. That's probably when you'll cry. During and after the funeral. That's when it'll sink in.'

'You sure?' Claire asked.

'Totally.'

'It sounds bad to say but I want to get the grief over with. It's just not coming.' Claire said.

'I know what you mean. Just stay strong. I'll always be here for you, Claire.' Massie gave her a warm smile.

A warm feeling washed over Claire as Massie pulled her into a hug. Massie pulled away.

'Here come the girls.' Massie said, nodding towards their three best friends.

They reached the table, and Alicia practically threw her tray on the table. Kristen and Dylan took their seats.

'Woah. Angry, much?' Massie said, moving her chair away as some of Alicia's hot chocolate slopped out of the cup.

'Sorry.' Alicia said, sitting down. 'It's just all the people in the gawd forsaken school!'

'What do you mean?' Massie asked, scrunching her waxed eyebrows.

'She means the fact that half the girls in our grade and below are crying over Aaron when they didn't know him.' Kristen explained, tearing the lid off her peach yoghurt. 'We just passed two seventh graders clutching each other and sobbing, saying how much they are going to miss Aaron. I'm pretty sure they didn't know Aaron even existed.' She dipped her spoon in the yoghurt, then licked it.

'Probably not.' Massie said. 'We just have to deal with it, Leesh.'

'Yeah, I know but it's really annoying me.' She said, flicking her california rolls.


Octavian Country Day School

The Front Steps

Wednesday, May 21st

3:32 P.M.

The Range Rover pulled up in front of the school and the PC headed towards it. Minus Claire.

'So, it's settled, right?' Massie said. 'We'll hit the mall, and get some outfit choices for the funeral then head back to mine. My mom said you can stay for dinner, then Isaac will drop you all off home around 7:30.'

'I think that's okay.' Alicia said vaguely.

'You think?' Massie said.

'I have a feeling I'm already doing something.'

'Check your PDA. If you're busy, it's tough luck. The funeral's on Friday, so I can't go tomorrow.'

Alicia pulled her PDA out and tapped the screen. She checked her calender then turned to Massie, slipping her PDA back in her Coach bag.

'I was right. It's my uncle's birthday, and we're all going into the city for dinner.' She grimaced.

'But, what are you going to wear to the funeral? Surely, it'll take more than a day to get an outfit together.' Dylan said.

'Yeah, seriously, Leesh. It's cutting it a bit fine, isn't it?' Kristen asked, picking a stray hair off her blazer.

'I'll sort it out. Worst comes to worse, I have to wear something I already have.'

Massie opened the car door and the girls piled in.

'Where's Claire?' Isaac asked, turning in his seat.

'I'm not sure. She had Biology last. I'll text her.' Massie said, pulling out her iPhone.

MASSIE: WHERE R U?

CLAIRE: DONT WAIT. MITE B A WHILE.

MASSIE: ? R U DOING?

CLAIRE: STUFF.

MASSIE: WUT STUFF?

CLAIRE: DSNT MATTER. JUST GO.

MASSIE: GOING MALL. WANT NETHING?

CLAIRE: NOTHING I CAN AFFORD.

MASSIE: OK. LAYTAH X

CLAIRE: BYE X

'She said don't wait.' Massie said, putting her phone in the pocket of her olive linen pants.

'Does she have a ride?' Isaac asked.

'She must have.' Massie said.

Isaac started the engine, and proceeded the ride to Alicia's house then the Westchester mall. It wasn't long before he pulled up in front of the gates of Alicia's estate.

'It sucks that I can't come.' Alicia said. She started to rummage in her bag, then pulled out her Amex card. She handed it to Massie. 'Get me something you think I'll like. Get Claire something too.'

'What do you want me to get Claire?' Massie asked, pocketing the card.

'Something for the funeral. Get her a dress, shoes, a bag and accessories. Same for me. I mean, I want that, don't get us the same outfit.' She said, giggling.

The girls laughed.

'I get you.' Massie said. 'Later, Leesh.'

'Bye, girls.' Alicia said, shutting the car door with a 'pop'. She waved, then started the long walk down her driveway.


Octavian Country Day School

Wednesday, May 21st

3:45 P.M.

Claire watched the Range Rover drive away, then breathed a sigh of relief. She had no 'stuff' to do. She just wanted to walk home. Away from everyone, so she could just think.

She walked down the steps and started the walk home. She heard a car engine behind her and turned around. A familiar car pulled up beside her.

'Hey, Claire!' Harris said. 'You walking home?'

Claire glanced at Cam in the passenger seat.

'Yeah.'

'You want a ride?' Harris asked. He unlocked the doors.

Claire thought about her options. Walk home alone for two hours, or have a car ride with her ex and his brother.

'Sure.' She said, opening the back door and climbing in.

'Cool.' He checked she was safely in before pulling away. 'Listen, I'm sorry about Aaron. Cam told me how close you two got.'

Claire blushed. 'It's okay. I, um, yeah, it's the funeral on Friday.'

'Friday. Okay. You going, Cam?' Harris asked.

Cam nodded. 'All the soccer team are going.'

'Yeah, I should go too. We'll need new suits though.'

Cam nodded. Claire sighed and looked out of the window. She wanted to talk to Cam, but what was there to say? She still had feelings for him, but was it just a rebound. Or was Aaron the rebound? She knocked her head against the window and closed her eyes, breathing deeply. She opened them seconds later, catching Cam's eye. He stared back for a few seconds, before giving her a small smile and facing forward.


That'll be reet for now. I'm going to sleep :). It's nearly 1am. Not that late really, but I want to sleep :) I like going to sleep. As it's 22nd December now, I should say IT'S 3 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS PEOPLE! Wooh, what are you all getting :D? I just want a phone and books but my mum's got me more stuff as well which I have no idea what they are :S. I'm excited for Christmas Eve :D I get new pajamas, dressing gown and slippers, so I'm looking forward to having a bath on Christmas Eve then putting them on :). How sad am I? Haha, don't forget to review :D.