A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed! I've changed the format around a bit, and will keep in mind to write longer chapters.
This is my first attempt at Clare! I really wanted to get her character right, so again, any feedback is welcome!

Clare's POV

I slowly walk towards my moms car, hesitant on what type of reception awaited me. I never knew nowadays. It's not that my life is so terrible.
But it definitely has changed from the life I've always known. Which was, for all intents and purposes, perfect.

I suppose the tension in my family started a few years ago when my older sister, Darcy, was raped.

She was the sunshine of our lives, bubbly, confident, charming.

Nothing shook her faith. Nothing...Until someone slipped something into her drink, and her innocence, her faith,everything she
thought that was good and right with her-was ripped away.

Things became increasingly difficult after that. I still feel guilty, yelling at her like I did, not knowing what she had gone through.

She had become the very anti to her being. She wore baggy clothing, snapped at my parents. She stopped attending church and her
youth group and didn't bother to groom herself. She accused Mr. Simpson of terrible things. She stopped talking to me.

I had no idea that she was just filled and anger and hatred towards herself.

Until, of course, she tried to kill herself.

Ironically, while things were still bad, they started to..improve. Darcy let us in, and together, as a family, we worked through her issues.

Then, she left for Africa.

At first it wasn't so bad. I had my own room finally, and this was supposed to help hEr atone for her sins. She was going to be back at the end of the semester. She never came back. We don't even hear from her anymore, and it's been so long.

The first month that passed without any word from her was the first time I heard my parents scream at each other.

The third month was the first time my dad didn't come home until after midnight.

and so it continued, gradually getting worse.

I just wish I was like Darcy. This is why this is happening. I'm just...not enough. I see my mother staring at me, she has a small smile on her face,
but I know better. Her eyes are strained. I can see the tension around her shoulders.

Dad hasn't been home yet.

I get into the car and give my mom a small smile. "Hey mom, how's everything?" She looked at me with her glazed, tense eyes and smiled. A contradiction.
"Fine sweetie. I think Daddy will be home a little late tonight." I nodded, mostly to myself.
"He's been gone a lot."
My mom stole a glance at me, then kept her eyes on the road. "He's had a lot on his plate at work 's will calm down soon enough." But then she sighed, like even SHE didn't believe what she said.

We said no more the rest of the way home.

I stare blankly at the screen of my computer. I had know idea what to write about. I tried a few times, but immediately erased the work. It wasn't even worthy of Eli making fun of it. Eli. There's something about him, he's so aggravating, so...appealing. He makes my face flush and heart race, and I'm never quite sure if it's the chemistry I feel between us or the annoyance I feel at his absolute smugness. Maybe it's a mixture of both. I glare at my computer screen. The blinking cursor in the text box for my MS word document was driving me crazy. I count the number of it blinks within a minute. Still no ideas. Ergh, I needed to get out.

As I get up from my computer, I hear a bleep. I look over, and notice I still had Face Range minimized on my screen. Hmm..I click it open, and discover a notice.

Eli Goldsworthy has requested you as a friend

Eli Goldsworthy has sent you a message: Now you can't avoid me, English Partner. Can't wait until tomorrow, so you can read my amazing works and simmer with envy.

I stare at the screen, irritated, yet...smiling? I shook my head, and clicked "accept".

Just then, My dad came home, shutting the door hard and hanging up his coat, obviously preoccupied. My mom came into the room. She had on a cute, charcoal dress that fell just above her knees.

"Well? she said beseechingly. Obviously trying to get my dads attention.

"What do you think? It's for the fundraiser tomorrow."

I looked at my beautiful mother, her hopeful look at my preoccupied father, and felt pity.

"You look great mom."

She smiled.

"Thanks, honey." She stared at my father. "Well?" She asked him directly.

"What? ..Oh. The dress, It's fine." He said dismissively.

My mom glanced at me then started talking in hushed tones to my father. They started bickering more. I became annoyed.

"You guys are fighting again."

My mom looked over at me. "No sweetie. We aren't. we're just..disagreeing."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

And then they were gone. Arguing, as always, in the other room.

This would never have happened if Darcy was here.