Layton sat at his desk quietly, desperately trying to concentrate. Alas, this was becoming harder and harder. He kept thinking back to her. He just wanted to be with her. He stared down at his lecture notes only to see a blank page; he had not written anything down nor taken anything in. His thoughts of her were blocking everything else out and demanding his full attention.
"Psst Hershel…psst!" Clark whispered from the row behind. Hershel just ignored him. This is often what Clark did, he would wait until fives minutes before the end of the lecture to scribble down all the notes Hershel had managed to collect.
"Oi Hershel pssst!" His whispers were now becoming more harsh and desperate and a couple of people from Hershel's row were turning around to see what was going on; including an older student named Paul Donte.
"Hey Triton, will you shut yer trap!" he said with acid tongue "I can't hear what Shrader is sayin',"
Clark just glared at him to which he replied with an angry sigh. He then proceeded to turn back around to try and listen for the rest of the lecture.
A slightly disgruntled Clark once again turned his focus back to Hershel. He couldn't even be bothered to whisper.
"Hershel!" he said, a little louder than previously anticipated. Now even Dr Shrader had been interrupted. This annoyed Paul even more and he expressed this with an exaggerated rolling of his eyes.
"Is there something wrong Clark?" Dr Shrader asked.
"No, sorry," He replied sheepishly, realising that everyone was now staring at him each of them sharing the same disapproving look.
"Good, then we'll continue," Shrader replied returning to his presentation. The rest of the students soon began to turn and focus back onto their tutor.
Clark sank into his seat, scowling at Hershel (even though he had his back to him).
The lecture continued for another ten minutes before the clock rang.
"Oh my…goodness, look at the time!" Shrader exclaimed gathering his papers "That's it for today everyone,"
The students began to gather their belongings and stampeded out of the lecture hall.
"Clark, what was that about?" Hershel asked sternly.
"Sheesh sorry Hersh," he replied sarcastically "What's burst your bubble?" Hershel just glared at him, saying nothing.
"Come on," Clark prompted "Your not normally this moody," Hershel continued to remain silent. All he wanted to do was to get back to his flat. He needed time to think.
They both walked in silent for a few minutes, passing through the university hall until they saw his door in the distance. Unusually he saw Brenda waiting outside.
"Hey, it's Brenda!" Clark exclaimed waving to her. She saw them both and gave a small wave back.
"Brenda what are you doing here?" Hershel asked concerned. She sighed before replying.
"I just came to tell you that Claire is booking an appointment tomorrow," Brenda could see by Hershel's dramatic change in expression that he was not happy.
"Wait, what?" Hershel could not believe what he was hearing "Do I not get a say in this?"
Brenda just shrugged her shoulders sadly. She did not know quite what to say to him.
"Did you not think to try and talk her out of it?" Hershel asked, a mixture of anger and concern growing inside him.
"Well what could I say? Hmm? It's not my place" Brenda replied "Besides which that is your job, this is between you and her, and I cannot possibly even try to comprehend what you are feeling right now,"
Hershel thought for a moment. He needed to stop her. It doesn't have to be this way.
"I need to see her!" He said frantically "Where do you think she will be?"
Brenda rose an eyebrow "Where d'you think? If I know Claire as well as I think I do she will be over at her flat,"
Hershel nodded "right!" and set off down the corridor.
"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Clark said, confused.
"I will but now is really not a good time," Brenda replied turning and following after Hershel.
Clark, still completely oblivious, soon followed.
After a few moments of frantic speed-walking and meandering through various winding corridors they reached a quaint, grey door.
Hershel proceeded to bang profusely against it.
"Claire, Claire! I know you're in there,"
From within Claire could sense his urgency. At first she was wary about opening the door but hearing his rapidly growing impatience she knew it was better for it to happen sooner rather than later. Cautiously she opened the door to reveal Hershel, Brenda and Clark standing outside.
"Hershel, for goodness sake, why so urgent?" Claire asked, flinching at what he may say next.
"When were you going to tell me?" Hershel replied, his anger growing "Don't I get a say in this?"
"I thought everything was decided," She said "I thought this was what you wanted,"
"No! This is the complete obvious of what I wanted, how will this help anything?"
"Well for one thing it will eradicate this before it becomes and even bigger problem," Claire's words were spoken with very little emotion and this was the most striking thing. Hershel knew Claire didn't want this.
"Claire," Hershel began in less of a harsh tone "Please,"
Claire sighed at his words. She knew she didn't want this. Of course she wanted to keep it. It was just the timing that meant this could never have a happy ending.
"Hershel I would like nothing more than to keep it, for us to be a family," The harshness of reality caused a lump to form in her throat. "But we must be realistic,"
Hershel placed a caring hand on her cheek.
"I am dear…and I know that we will make it through this…together," Claire forced a smile but it could not hide her oncoming tears.
"Brenda," Clark whispered "What's he going on about,"
Brenda turned to face him.
"It seems Hershel is faced with a dilemma that not even he can solve,"
Clark tilted his head in confusion.
"Claire is expecting," Brenda said bluntly.
"He he, what?" Clark asked
"Yep, it appears he is going to be a parent,"
Clark began to chuckle causing Hershel and Claire to be removed from their romantic embrace and turn to him.
"Cor Hersh," Clark grinned "You sly old fox,"
Brenda looked at him disapprovingly, wiping the smug grin off of his face.
"See, this is why this isn't a good idea," Claire exclaimed "People will think I am some cheap tart,"
She placed her hands over her face.
Hershel lifted her hands away from her face revealing her glassy eyes.
"No, no one will ever think that," He forced a smile "and do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because you have me, I will be with you every step of the way,"
Claire smiled and kissed him softly on his cheek.
She took a deep breath and sighed.
"Ok Hershel, I'll keep the child," She took his hand in hers "But…"
"But what?"
"There is still the small matter of telling our parents,"
A look of dread spread across Hershel's face.
