Chapter 3

(Present Day)

"There is no guy. Or at least not anymore. He's just someone I met over the summer. But he is more than off limits. And anyways I don't need a guy to distract me from schoolwork." Claire explained.

"Oh there so is a guy. There so is, and you so love him and-" Ali giggled but before she could finish the bell rang. "If you didn't care so much about grades I'd make you skip class and give me the dirty details."

"Ali! There is not one dirty detail about my life! " Claire snapped and walked out of the ladies room flustered. Once she got into the hall it took a second for her to get her head in the right spot and actually remember where she was supposed to be heading. Taking a breath, she began the walk to her advanced math class. She tried to think about how much she would enjoy math and how she would make new friends, but she just couldn't get her mind off of the fact that she had lied to Ali.

**********

( 2 and a half months earlier)

Darcey had been dating Craig for two weeks and she hadn't brought him home yet. She had talked to Claire about it so much that it made her sick and it made her sure that whoever this guy was, he was probably a total moron. Darcey had crap taste in guys anyway. She probably couldn't find a smart guy if he came up and yelled quadratic equations into her face.

Claire sighed. One day it would be really nice to find a guy like that. Smart and cute, and funny. One that could make her laugh, and that wouldn't judge her for being interested in something other than parties and alcohol. One who could maybe even...tap into her sexual side. Claire daydreamed until there was a knock on her door.

"Claire honey? Can I come in?" It was her mother.

"Of course Mama." Her mother opened the door and poker her head inside,.

"It's time for dinner, and we have a guest. Wash up and come to the table."

"Okay, I'll be there in a second." Claire answered, curious about who their guest could be. Her parents hadn't mentioned any relatives coming over. Maybe it was one of Darcey's friends.

She crawled off of the bed and stood up, and it was then that she heard the music. A soft gentle melody, coming from the living room. She followed the sound down the hall and around the corner, almost hypnotized by the song. She turned the corner and then, there he was.

There he was sitting on the couch, and there was his brown hair and brown eyes and his sweet smile. And he had a voice like an angel. She sat on the comfy chair across from him, and noticed Darcey on the floor by his feet for only a second before her gaze returned to the beautiful boy playing the guitar.

He stopped playing suddenly, and surprised her by looking directly into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help but notice you come in. I'm Craig." He held his hand out to shake hers.

"I...Claire." She held her hand out but it seemed like all of her strength had gone and her handshake must be very weak.

"I'm friends with your sister. She didn't mention that she had a younger sister until today though." He smiled.

"Thanks Darcey," being mean to her sister always restored Claire's confidence. "She probably didn't tell you about me because she's just embarrassed that I'm the smart one."

"And the funny one too apparently." Craig laughed but stopped immediately when he saw the look of disdain on Darcey's face.

"Well. There really isn't much to tell about you is there Claire? Besides the fact that you always have your nose in a book and never want to do anything fun." Darcey growled.

"Hey, hey guys, don't fight. Lets just go sit at the table. Your parents are never going to let me come back here if I start a war between you two on the first day."

"You're right, Craig," Claire stood up. "After you."

Craig walked into the dining room quickly, leaving Darcey and Claire alone.

"You are such a bitch sometimes," Darcey spat. "Why don't you grow up?"

*********

(Present Day)

"Claire! Claire!!" Ali yelled, running down the hallway. It was lunch period and Claire was trying to find the library so she could eat alone in silence. Obviously now that wasn't going to happen. She stopped walking and turned around to let Ali catch up to her.

"This is so great," Ali smiled, out of breath. "We have lunch together so you can tell me everything!"

"What if I don't want to?" Claire asked half sarcastically.

"That is SO not an option," Ali laughed. "Especially now that you've admitted that there is in fact something going on!"

"Ah fine. But if you tell anyone I will murder you."

"Claire! Threatening to murder people?! Something definitely happened this summer because the old Claire would never do that!" Ali teased.

"The old Claire is long gone. Come on, lets go to the courtyard. If I'm telling you this, we're going to have to find a tree really far away that we can sit under and talk in private." Claire ordered.

"Deal. You're secret is safe with me."

They walked down the hall and into the front lobby without any problems. The courtyard was filled with people and it took them longer than they thought it would to find a secluded place. Once they sat down and began to eat Claire decided it was okay to open up.

"Okay well...do you remember that party we met at this summer? You blackmailed Sav into taking you and I was forced to go by Darcey?"

"Yeah...over at Marcos apartment? What about it?"

"Well...do you remember Craig?"

"You're sisters boyfriend? The one who caused all the drama that night because Manny was there and she failed to tell your sister that Craig was the famous ex boyfriend that Manny dated?"

"Yeah, thats him. Well do you remember how after that I kind of...dissapeared for a little while?"

"Yeah, you to get some air right?" Ali asked eagerly.

"Um....not exactly...See, I was getting some air, on the front porch. But then, Craig showed up. I guess he needed air too....and then..."