The poll on my page is down now everything will get at least one more chapter. I will begin plotting them over Christmas break and schedule them beginning in April. Taken Some Bad Times will be the first to get a follow up chapter as it got an astounding 98 votes! Thank you everyone for voting and I'm glad everyone enjoyed one shot month.

Ch. 3 Clung to the Hopes & the Lies

(DREW)

"Okay meeting adjourned," I say calling today's student council meeting to a close. Clare grabs her stuff and is the first to leave, Connor walks out with Jenna and I look at Dallas. "Can you walk home? I need the car," I tell Dallas.

"Yeah sure," Dallas shrugs.

"I'll take you home I'm sure Jenna won't mind," Alli offers and Dallas grins.

I run out and get in my car following Vince as he pulls out with Clare in the passenger seat. I'm careful to follow at a distance but I also make sure not to lose them. Vince pulls into the parking garage for an apartment building and I park across the street. I try to get into the building but it's secured so I cross the street and start looking into windows trying to find Vince's apartment. After about half an hour of trying to find which apartment is Vince's from the outside and see in I give up and get in my car waiting for Clare to come out. I start doing my homework but keep one eye on the garage and building exit watching for Clare to come out. I've been doing it for about half an hour when there's a knock on the car window and it startles me. When I look over I see Zig standing there and I roll down the window.

"Hey Drew what are you doing over here?" Zig asks.

"Spying on Clare," I reply and Zig looks around looking for Clare but of course he doesn't see her anywhere. "She's in Vince's apartment somewhere in that building."

"What in the hell is Clare doing with my brother?" I hear Tiny ask and they look behind Zig to see Tiny.

"They're dating she thinks he's changed and I don't trust him, uh no offense Tiny."

"Is she nuts she's going to get herself killed," Tiny remarks and then looks at me, "you want to come up? Spying would be easier if you were in the apartment."

"Love to thanks," I grin setting down my book and getting out of the car. I lock the car before following Tiny and Zig into the building.

"When did Clare start dating Vince and why?" Zig questions as we walk up the stairs.

"I guess they started dating last night and I'm not sure why other than I screwed up and she was angry. And Vince has her convinced that he's a changed guy. She seems to think he's an angel now," I comment with a roll of my eyes.

"We're home," Tiny calls into the apartment as he unlocks and opens the door. I walk in just in time to see Clare and Vince pulling out of a kiss.

"Drew what are you doing here?" Clare asks with shock. Vince looks angry at first and then he gets a devious grin and pulls Clare onto his lap kissing her neck. He only gets a couple of kisses on her flesh before she grabs his face. "Stop there's other people here," she tells him. He does stop kissing her neck but he tightens his arms around her.

"I asked Drew to come over," Tiny informs them.

"Yeah just spending an afternoon with friends," I reply putting my arms around Tiny and Zig's shoulders. Clare gives me a suspicious look I'm sure she knows that I've never really hung out with Zig and Tiny before, at least not without Adam and Grace also in the mix. That's just fine I don't mind if she knows I'm spying on her.

"Well if everyone is going to be here for dinner I'll order some pizza, why don't you come help me Spicy," Vince comments. He doesn't exactly give her a choice as he stands up with her in his arms and carries her into a bedroom. While Clare and Vince are in the bedroom ordering pizza, and probably kissing, I tell Zig and Tiny what I know of how Clare and Vince got together. "Pizza's on the way," Vince says when they come out to the living room again.

Vince sits down on the sofa and turns on the TV, Clare sits next to him so I sit on the other side of her. Zig and Tiny sit on the floor and we all watch TV, well we're all looking at the TV but I'm not sure how many of us are actually paying attention. I'm paying more attention to Vince and Clare. When Vince puts his arm around her and she cuddles into him I feel like vomiting and when he turns her head to him and steals her lips for a kiss I almost do vomit. At least when he starts caressing her arm she elbows him in the side. When there's a knock on the door Vince tosses his wallet at Tiny and tells him to pay for the pizza. Zig gets up to help Tiny and they bring the pizza box back setting it on the table.

"Get some plates and napkins I don't want to get pizza grease on Clare's wonderfully soft skin," he says caressing her skin but looking directly at me. He's taunting me that it's now his skin to caress I'm certain that's what he's doing.

"I can get the plates," Clare offers.

"No you stay seated Spicy," Vince says as Tiny and Zig get up. Vince breathes in Clare's scent and nuzzles his nose into her neck. "I think you should stay the night tonight," Vince whispers against her skin but it's loud enough that I hear it.

"No way," I blurt out and Clare shoots me a glare before looking back at Vince.

"I can't sleep over I have to get home and do my homework my mom still doesn't know about you," Clare comments.

"You can lie," Vince replies as he begins trailing kisses down her neck.

"No I need to get home tonight and we've only been a couple for 24 hours," she remarks as Tiny and Zig bring over plates, napkins and pop.

"You can sleep over tomorrow night then," Vince says caressing his hand along her leg.

Clare turns to Vince and grabs his crotch tightly enough that Vince cringes in pain. Zig, Tiny and I all just stare at this scene, I'm fully expecting Vince to hit her, punch her or grab her arm like I'm sure he would have done if Bianca had ever done that. I tense up read to fight Vince as soon as he even begins to hurt Clare.

"Behave yourself or I'm leaving now I'm not sleeping over on a school night," Clare tells him in a firm voice releasing his crotch. Instead of hitting her Vince smiles and softly kisses her cheek.

"I just want to spend time with my sexy, spicy girlfriend Spicy," he tells her and Clare smiles.

"Which is sweet but I'm not ready to spend the night," she tells him.

I still can't believe he didn't hit her or grab her arm or something. Maybe he just didn't do anything with the rest of us here but I doubt he cares. Vince kisses her and hands her a plate. Clare takes a piece of pizza and the rest of us begin eating and watching TV. No one says anything until Vince gets up and goes into the washroom.

"Clare you shouldn't be with my brother he is not a good guy he's dangerous and his lifestyle is dangerous. He got smarter after prison not better, he just got smarter about running the gang," Tiny tells her.

"He told me he wasn't running a gang anymore," Clare comments in a small and hurt voice. It's a fracture in her trust in him.

"He is and he forced me into it, Tiny too. I've tried getting out he came to Maya's house and threatened to hurt the Matlin's if I left," Zig enlightens her and then we all go quiet when Vince comes out of the washroom.

"Are you still running your gang?" Clare asks him outright. Vince fires an irate look at Tiny and Zig. "Don't look at them answer my question, the truth Vincent," Clare demands and he looks back at her softening his expression and he almost looks regretful or maybe he's just sorry that she knows.

"It's not like you're thinking Clare I…" Vince begins but she cuts him off.

"You lied to me Vince! You told me you weren't running a gang not only are you running a gang but you've forced Zig and Tiny into it," she growls slamming down her plate and it breaks on the coffee table. She stands up and storms out before anyone can stop her and without grabbing her coat or backpack. I put down my plate, grab my coat and run after her getting my coat on as I run down the stairs. She might be small but she's fast and she's outside and nearly across the street when I catch up with her.

"Clare wait," I insist catching her hand in the middle of the street.

"Just leave me alone Drew," she responds trying to pull her hand away but I hold tight. When I see a car coming I pull her across the street next to my car. "I told you not to trust him, who knows what else he's lying to you about."

"Is that why you came today to prove that you were right and I was wrong?" She asks as she shivers in the cold. I try to take off my coat to give it to her and she bats it away.

"No I'm just looking out for you."

"Yeah well no one asked you too and I thought you didn't want to have anything to do with me?"

"I never said that I ju…" I begin but Vince runs out of the building after Clare.

"CLARE," he calls to her.

"Can you please take me home?" She requests.

"Yeah get in," I reply unlocking and opening the door for her and running around to the driver's side before Vince can get to us. I peel out and speed off before Vince can get to us.

"Clare I…"

"Just drive Drew don't talk please I just want to get home and I don't need a lecture from you," she snaps at me. I go quiet and decide it's better to let her cool down before I try to talk to her again, and when I get home I'll ask Adam to call her because she might talk to him. "Thanks for the ride," she says hopping out of my car as soon as I pull up to her house.

I watch her go inside and then I drive home grabbing my backpack and books before I go into the basement. Adam is here doing homework but Dallas must have stayed with Alli.

"Where'd you go?" Adam questions.

"I followed Clare and Vince after the meeting. Tiny invited me up to the apartment, Vince didn't like having me there but he was also gloating that he had Clare. Then she found out he was still running his gang and she stormed out so I took her home. I tried to talk to her but she didn't want to talk to me so I was hoping you'd call her."

"Drew," my brother admonishes.

"She won't talk to me but she might take a call from you, please Adam."

"Just what am I supposed to say to her?"

"Tell her you heard what happened and you're calling to check on her. And that I'm sorry," I tell him.

"Okay I'll try but she may not take a call from me either," Adam replies getting out his phone. At least she does pick up because I hear Adam's side of the conversation, as short as it is. "Hey I heard what happened I just calling to…yeah…okay I'll see you tomorrow," Adam says and hangs up.

"So what did she say?"

"She said she's fine and she needs time to think and she'd see us tomorrow at school."

(CLARE)

I ran out of Vince's place so fast I left my backpack and books there so I can't do my homework. Mom and Glen have been in their room all night, Mom barely came out to say hi to me when I got home but that's fine I'd rather be alone tonight anyway. After stewing in my anger for a while and cursing the male species for their existence I'd showered and gone to bed early hoping I could sleep and wake up back in November and keep and of tis from ever happening. I couldn't of course but at least I could hope my dreams brought me to a happier place even if I didn't want to wake up and deal with it all tomorrow. I'd begun to fall asleep and was very nearly at a state of dreaming when suddenly a hand clamps down on my mouth! I shriek but it gets muffled baby his hand. I claw at him and start thrashing in my bed.

"Clare calm down it's me," Vince says turning on my bedside lamp and taking his hand from my mouth.

"What in the hell are you doing here? How did you get in and what did I tell you about skulking around dark rooms?" I scold him in a harsh whisper while I hit his arm several times for frightening me.

"I'm sorry but you turned off your phone and I was afraid if I just came over while everyone was awake you'd call the cops and have me arrested."

"Which is exactly what I'm going to do now," I reply reaching for my phone but Vince takes my hand.

"Please Clare just listen, let me explain. If you still want to call the cops after that then you can," Vince begs.

"Fine I'll listen but make it quick and let's go downstairs so we don't wake my parents."

I get out of bed and Vince whistle when he sees the tank top and panties I wear to bed. He stops whistling when I glare at him though. I grab my robe and turn off my lamp then Vince follows me downstairs. I turn on one of the lamps by the sofa and look at him.

"I lied but you threatened to go to the cops," Vince begins and I cut him off.

"You still should have been honest with me I thought you were a better person."

"I am Clare and I know I lied but it's not easy to get out of a gang. I was still running it in prison because they don't let you out, my number two guy was running things on the surface but I was still in charge or other people would have taken over and they would have gone after Tiny. I'm trying to get out and turn my life around but I can't just walk away,, honest Clare I wanted to leave prison with a fresh start but they don't make it easy for you on the streets. You wouldn't know, you might not live in a palace but you've never had to steal so you could eat. Never watched your parents die or have to protect your little brother from a guy with a gun. I can't just walk away it takes time and I can't just leave I got Tiny here, and you," he says the last two words with a pleading and hopeful tone. I bite my lip mulling over everything he just said.

"If that's true than why force Tiny and Zig to be in the gang?"

"For their protection."

"There must be a better way of protecting them than forcing them to be in the gang."

"I suppose there could be."

"Then find it," I assert.

"It will take some time."

"If you want me they're out by tomorrow I don't care what you have to do."

"Does that mean you forgive me and we're still together?" Vince asks hopefully.

"No it means there's a chance but you had better not ever lie to me again. You find a way out and start working on it and I had better see progress and proof of it."

"Okay I'll figure it out, do you forgive me for lying?"

"Yes I forgive you."

"So are you still my girlfriend?" Vince questions with a smile.

"No drugs," I stipulate.

"I can't just…"

"No drugs Vince that's the deal if you really like me and you want to be with me no drugs and you find a way to get out of the gang for good. I'm not going to be with you and always worried that you're going to be arrested or someone is going to come after you with a gun. If you can't do that then get out now," I respond pointing to the door.

"You're tough, okay no drugs and I'll get out. Whatever it takes to keep you," Vince tells me with a sincere tone.

"If I find out that you're lying to me or not trying to get out then I'm gone."

"I swear to you I'll do it all I'd do anything for you Clare. I really care about you Spicy," Vince grins.

"Just remember the rules and what will happen if I find out you lied to me again. When I get out of school tomorrow I had better find out Zig and Tiny are out of the gang."

"I'll make sure they're out and protected."

"And you? I don't be caught in the crossfire because someone's coming after you."

"I wouldn't ever let anyone else hurt you Spicy," Vince says cupping my chin and capturing my lips for a gentle kiss.

I loop my arms around his neck and part my lips deepening the kiss. Vince smiles into the kiss leaning me back on the sofa. After a couple of moments of kissing his fingers open my robe and begin caressing a long my leg.

"Okay I think you need to go home now," I assert grabbing his hand before it goes any higher.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow after student council," he tells me.

"Fine but no more sneaking into my house."

"But I like sneaking into your house," he grins and I hit his arm.

"Vince no more sneaking in if you want to see me call."

"What if you don't pick up?"

"Take the hint and give me some space," I reply walking him to the door.

He smiles a little bigger and gives me another kiss before leaving. I lock the door when he's gone but now I'm not tired and I stay up late watching TV. I go to bed around two in the morning and nearly sleep through my alarm. I wake up late and as I'm rushing to get ready for school I realize that my backpack is still at Vince's place.

"If you missed me so much I could have spent the night," he tells me.

"I left my backpack and books at your place."

"I'll pick you up, I was going to drop Tiny and Zig off anyway. We're almost out the door we'll be in there in a few minutes," he says.

I hang up and grab a granola bar for breakfast. I put on my coat, scarf and mittens and wait outside for Vince. He pulls up a few minutes later and I run over getting in his car.

"We brought your coat too," Tiny tells me from the backseat.

"Thanks," I smile.

"They're out and I'll make sure they're protected," Vince says taking my hand as he starts driving again.

"Good and you?"

"I'm working on it, it's only been a few hours," Vince replies.

He pulls up to the school and we get out, I leave my other coat in the car but take my backpack and give Vince a quick kiss before getting out of the car. I walk inside just after Tiny and Zig; as soon as I'm inside Drew grabs my hand pulls me under the stairs.

"You got back together with him after last night are you insane?"

"I never actually broke up with him," I point out.

"He runs a gang Clare!"

"He's trying to get out and he let Tiny and Zig out," I inform Drew.

"And you believe him?"

"You believed Dallas when he told you that you were nothing but a rebound to me," I shoot back and turn around walking toward class.

"AND I WAS AN IDIOT!" Drew yells after me and everyone in the halls hears him.

I can hear the people laughing at Drew but I keep walking towards homeroom. Drew remains angry that still with Vince, he tries to talk to me a few times but I tell him to butt out. When I leave student council Vince is waiting at his car. He gets out when he sees me and greets me with a kiss.

"I have something for you," Vince says reaching into his pocket and pulling out a gold necklace. It says Spicy in cursive and has a gemstone dotting the I. "Turnaround," he tells me and I turn around pulling my hair up and Vince puts the necklace on me just as Drew and Dallas walk out. Vince kisses my jaw after the necklace is clasped and I let my hair down. "You want to come over?" Vince asks as we get in his car.

"I can't I have two days worth of homework to do," I comment.

"Alight I'll drive you straight home then," he replies with a sigh.

He takes me home and I give him a quick kiss before getting out of the car. For the next couple of days Vince is always there to pick me up when student council gets out. He wants me to come over and I keep refusing mostly because of the amount of work I have to do. He does assure me that he's trying to get out of the life and go straight. On Saturday he has we have our first official date, he takes me to dinner and we watch a movie at his apartment. Drew remains unhappy that I'm with Vince and Adam just tells me to be careful but he stays out of it otherwise all though he does spend a lot more time with Grace and a lot less time with me. Drew tells me at least once a day that Vince is bad and he's going to hurt me but that's about it. Besides that he doesn't talk to me at all except for student council.

"We've been together almost two weeks now I think you should spend the night at my house," Vince tells me when he picks me up from school the following Friday.

"I'll tell Mom I'm sleeping at Alli's," I smile as he starts driving. Vince stops at my place to so I can pack a bag and we go to his place. "Where's Tiny?" I inquire when we get back to his empty apartment.

"He and Zig are spending the night at uh…I forget his name, some gay kid's house."

"Tristan's?"

"Yeah that's the one. I'll order us some dinner you find something to watch on TV."

He orders pizza and we watch TV, he pays for it when it comes and then we eat. At about ten he turns off the TV and takes me into his bedroom. He kisses me passionately and begins undressing me.

"If I'm going to be naked you have to be naked," I tell him.

"Anything you want Spicy," he grins and strips down.

"Condom," I insist when his hand goes between my legs. He gets up grabbing a condom from his nightstand.

"Can we have sex now or do you want me to shower first?" Vince asks in a joking tone as he crawls back on the bed with the condom in his hand.

I giggle and put my arms around his neck taking his lips for a sultry kiss.

(VINCE)

"Is Clare coming back over tonight?" Tiny asks when he gets home from school on Monday.

"Nah she has to sleep at home tonight she was here all weekend," I reply.

"Yeah I know and you two are not quiet if you keep dating her I'm going to need to soundproof my room."

"What you don't like to hear me having sex with my girlfriend?"

"No," Tiny shakes his head looking in the fridge just as I get a text. "We have no food," he says.

"Yeah I know come on I'll drop you at Zig or Grace's place I gotta go do something."

"Gotta go do what? Vince what are you going to do you told Clare you were getting out."

"Relax little brother I just have an errand, I'll pick up some groceries later," I tell him.

We go down to my car and I drop him at Grace's place before I go to the abandoned factory where I'm meeting someone. I wait in the dark for the guy who owes me a lot of money.

"Bell you here? I need more product," he calls.

"Where's my money?" I question stepping from the shadows.

"Here," he says handing me a wad of cash. I take it and count it up real quick.

"Where the hell is the rest?"

"That's all of it."

"No it ain't you short changin' me boy? There should be another $200 here you better not be stealing from me."

"No no I didn't sell all of it."

"You're lying."

"Where's the drugs Bell I need more drugs."

"You've been taking the product you fucking moron you don't sample the product. You have two days to get me my money and you're not selling anymore," I tell him and start to walk out. I hear him running and turn around just as he punches me in the face. I stumble back and he gets out a knife, I duck down and kick him but the knife still gets my arm. He comes at me again with the knife and I grab the gun I had in my pants firing right into his head. He falls back dead, I grab the knife, put it with my gun as I get up and run to my car, I drive to Clare's house and sneak in the way I always do. I open Clare's door and she jumps because I startled her.

"Vince what happened?" She shrieks when she sees me.

"It was the leader of another gang, he heard I trying to get out he tried to kill me so he could take over. I knocked him and got away but he cut my arm pretty good," I tell her looking as pitiful and sorry as I can while I show her my bleeding arm.

"I need to take you to the hospital," she says leaping up from her bed and coming over to look at my arm.

"No they'll know it was gang related and call the cops and the other gang will just come back for retribution. It could put Tiny in danger, and you," I tell her putting my fingers under her chin so she'll look at me, "I don't want you to get hurt."

"It needs stitches Vince. Let me wrap it and take you to the hospital we'll tell them you were with me and it was a kitchen accident."

"Really you'd do that?"

"I don't want anyone else to get hurt and you need stitches. Is Tiny somewhere safe?"

"Yeah he's at Grace's place he can spend the night there."

"You should stay here tonight my parents are at a dinner with clients so they'll be home late just stay in my room and stay quiet. I'm going to get some gauze stay here."

She walks across the hall to the washroom and I go over to her bed. I take the knife and the gun from the back of my pants and stuff them under Clare's mattress. I sit on the bed just as Clare comes back in with first-aid supplies.

"You know you're incredible. No other girl would do this for me. I don't know any other girl like you," I say trying to kiss her but she pushes me away.

"Flatter and kiss me later take off your jacket so I can see your arm," she instructs.

She helps me take of my jacket and then wraps my arm in gauze then we leave for the hospital. She tells them we were cooking at her place and in the close quarters she accidently caught me with a knife. They buy it and give me stitches and no one calls the cops. No asked any questions and when they find the body they'll never be able to link it to me because the murder weapon is under Clare's mattress.

The update on Monday, December 21st will not only be the last for One Shot month but may very well be the last for this story as well. The update will pick up with Clare's pov a couple days later.