Last chapter everyone, I hope you enjoy it and thanks for enjoying the Clew sweetness and drama with me.
I had a reader recently ask if I am on Twitter, I am actually. If you were reading and had twitter during season 14 you might remember I was watching live and tweeting. I also tweeted clues and things for my chapters. Well, I stopped watching at season 14 and kind of stopped using Twitter. However, feel free to message me, or tweet and I will respond. If a lot of people are on and talking with me I'll probably start using it again to communicate with readers and such. Anyway Halawen_DFF is me.
Okay, now onto this last chapter, hope you all enjoy!
Ch. 15 Bright Are the Stars that Shine Dark is the Sky
(CLARE)
I go through the front door of the Torres house and Drew envelopes me in his arms. I break the embrace after a moment, but only long enough to hug Adam.
"I'll make some breakfast," Audra says.
"We'll be in the basement," Adam tells the adults.
"Do Bianca and Owen know?" I ask as we go down the stairs.
"Owen's mom will tell them when they get up," Drew replies. "I knew a restraining order was going to be mostly useless. He went away for a few weeks and now that he's out he's going to be even angrier. He doesn't have Bianca and he knows you sent him to prison, he's going to come after us. He's probably going to come after us and have to kill one of us before the cops do anything," Drew growls. We're sitting on the sofa now, I take Drew's hand and interlace our fingers.
After a few minutes of sitting there in silence Adam turns on the TV. When breakfast is ready Audra calls us up, I don't think any of us are very hungry, but we go upstairs. We make ourselves plates and return to the basement. While we're eating breakfast and watching TV Owen and Bianca come through the door.
"We knew that fucker was getting out soon," Owen comments as they sit down.
"Yeah, but not this soon," Adam replies.
"He might come after me," Bianca remarks, "and the rest of you if you're near me."
"He'll come after us anyway, he was already mad at Drew and he knows I was the one that got him arrested. We're stronger and better if we all stick together, so don't even think about taking off or something Bianca," I warn her.
"I already told her the same," Owen speaks up.
"I won't, it didn't do any good last time," she says. For a few minutes we sit there silently, but it becomes to much for me. Instead of feeling scared I start to feel angry.
"This is ridiculous," I comment putting my half-eaten breakfast on the table and standing up. "Sitting here scared and worried is letting Vince win. He's out, the system sucks but we can't just sit around worried and scared. Even if he comes after us with his whole gang if we all stick together there's not a lot he can do. Prom is a couple weeks away; Bianca and I need prom dresses and you guys need to rent tux's or suits. Let's go to the mall."
"I haven't asked anyone to prom," Owen speaks up.
"I don't care, come with us and rent a suit. We'll go as a group and I'll dance with you at prom," I reply.
"I'll dance with you too Owen, and you should come," Bianca insists.
"I'll see if we can borrow the van from mom, so we're not all squished into one car with a lot of bags," Drew comments.
Audra says we can take the van, so a few moments later we're on our way to the mall. We go into one of the larger department stores first, the guys all find suits to rent within the first hour. With the guys all taken care of Bianca and I look for prom dresses. Neither of us finds something we like, and we move on. After a couple more stores we break for lunch, and then it's back to looking for prom dresses. We spend most of the day at the mall, Bianca finally settles on a scarlet red dress with spaghetti straps and some velvet roses on the bust. It has a low back and goes to the floor. She does get flat black sparkly sandals to go with the dress, she doesn't want anymore height since Adam isn't that tall. I chose a dark blue halter dress with a bra built in, it only goes to my knees, but since Drew is so much taller than I am I get heels the same color as the dress. We don't leave the mall until after seven, so we stop for pizza on the way home.
"That was fun, and I didn't think about Vince once," Bianca smiles when we return.
"Neither did I, and I don't want to feel afraid of Vince anymore. He'll get caught again, and until he does we just need to be cautious, stick together and not give him an opportunity," I say resolutely, I'm tired of being afraid and on edge.
"Very wise thinking, one of the many reasons I love you," Drew grins.
"Did you just say you love me?" I question.
"I did, and I do," he replies widening his grin a little. I smile, but before I can answer the interior door opens.
"Hi kids, how was prom shopping?" Audra questions coming downstairs.
"Great we all found something, the guys will pick their suits up the day before. Look at the beautiful dresses Clare and I got," Bianca says holding up our dresses in the clear garment bags.
"Those are gorgeous, I'm sure you'll both look stunning. Did you kids eat?"
"Yeah, we got pizza," Adam tells her.
Audra smiles and goes upstairs, Adam decides we should watch a movie and selects one. We watch two movies before Owen and Bianca go home. Mom already knows I'm staying the night, so I don't need to text her. I take my bag into the washroom to start getting ready for bed, while Drew gets pillows and blankets for us.
"I'm going to go get ready for bed, I'll be back downstairs in a few minutes," Drew tells me when I come out of the washroom. He starts to go upstairs, but I run over and catch his arm. He turns back giving me a slightly concerned look.
"I love you too Andrew."
He grins cupping my chin and bringing our lips together for a loving kiss!
(DREW)
"You look amazing," I grin when I see Clare in her prom dress.
"Thanks Handsome," she smiles back before kissing me.
"Wait, let me get a picture," Mom says holding her phone up again. She's already taken at least a dozen of me, Adam and Owen in our suits.
Clare and I hold our kiss until Mom says okay, we break the kiss, but Mom snaps a dozen more pictures of us. Then Bianca comes upstairs, and Mom gets at least a dozen of her and Adam, and then she gets me and Adam pinning the corsages to our dates, and then several of the group of us. When Mom is satisfied she has enough pictures we finally go out to Owen's car, the girls sit in back with Adam and I take the passenger seat. Owen pulls up to the valet when we get to the hotel where prom is held this year. I help Clare out of the car while Owen gives his keys to the valet. We enter prom as a group and get a group picture taken, then Clare and I get one, Adam and Bianca get one. Finally, Owen gets one with both the girls, it was Clare's idea.
"I was one of the last to buy tickets, I don't think we're at the same table," Bianca comments.
"I asked Fiona to make sure we were all at the same table," Adam tells us.
"Let's go find our table then, and then we're going to dance," Clare insists.
"Anything you want," I smile at Clare.
"Here this is us, we are at the same table," Owen says looking at the name cards.
"Sav's at our table too, but I don't see him and he's not a junior," Clare says picking up his name card.
"Yeah, but he's president and was on the dance committee, I think he and Fiona are here as sort of chaperones," Adam says.
"He's probably dancing, speaking of which shall we dance Gorgeous?" I ask holding my hand out to her.
She smiles and takes my hand before grabbing Owen by the jacket. "Fast song you're dancing too."
We all go out to the dance floor and dance for a couple of fast songs. When the slow song comes on Owen vanishes and I wrap my arms around Clare. She puts her head on my chest and we sway gently to the music. I look over at my brother, he's happily dancing with Bianca, she has her arms around his neck and she's gazing blissfully into his eyes. I feel like everything is right, Adam and Bianca are happy together, they make sense. Just like me and Clare, she balances me and I do the same with her.
"I'm hungry, let's get dinner," Clare says when the song ends.
"Looks like they're serving anyway," I comment seeing the weight staff setting dishes out.
"Time to eat," Bianca agrees. We return to our table where Owen is already eating and Sav is at the table.
"Hey guys, you four were cute on the dance floor," Sav greets us.
"Thanks Sav, having fun at Junior Prom?" Clare asks.
"Well, lost my date for senior prom, so I figured this might be the only one I attend. Though technically Fi and I are here to chaperone, along with Miss Oh," Sav shrugs. "Owen was just saying that you haven't seen or heard anything from Vince or his gang," Sav tells us.
"Yep, and it's been two euphorically peaceful weeks," Clare grins.
"I want to believe he's gone, that he won't bother us," Bianca sighs.
"You don't think he is?" Sav questions.
"No, I think he's laying low before lashing out," Bianca replies.
"Well, he's not here and I'm not letting him ruin tonight. If he does show his ugly face again we'll just use what we've learned in Jeet Kune Do class," Clare remarks.
"How are those going?" Sav asks.
"Great, we've learned a lot already," I smile.
We eat dinner and talk with Sav a little. He leaves the table again when he's done eating and tells us to enjoy prom. Owen finishes eating before the rest of us and says he's going to go say hi to some people. A couple minutes after he leaves Eli comes over and sits in Owen's empty seat.
"Hey, enjoying prom?" Eli asks.
"Yes," Clare smiles.
"Where's your date?" Adam questions.
"Imogen is dancing with Fiona," Eli replies pointing out to the dance floor.
"Aww they're cute out there," Clare says and then looks at me. "Let's dance again," she says tugging at my arm.
"As you wish," I smile.
"We'll come with you," Bianca remarks standing up and tugging Adam with her.
"You coming Eli?" Clare questions looking over her shoulder at him.
Eli gets up and comes with us to the dance floor, it's a fast song and we're all kind of dancing in a group. We move around the dance floor a little, Owen joins our group and the six of us dance together, until suddenly Bianca is yanked away.
"HEY, LET GO OF HER," Adam yells. It's Vince, he got in somehow and he's pulling Bianca away. She looks petrified, but the rest of us leap to action.
Adam is closest and punches Vince, at the same time I use a kick to his stomach. The kick send him back and he falls to his butt, Bianca yanks her arm away before she falls with him.
"GET OUT OF HERE AND STAY AWAY FROM ALL OF US," I yell at him.
Vince looks pissed, he growls and hits his hand on the floor. He gets up and sneers at us, but then turns and starts walking away. Adam and I exchange smiles of satisfaction, put our arms around our girls and begin walking back toward the center of the dance floor.
Then suddenly there's this sound, a horrible bang and then a scream at almost the same second. Adam groans and falls to the floor in Bianca's arms. I watch in horror as Adam's white shirt begins to turn red!
"ADAM!" Clare screams pulling out of my arms and going to her knees at his side.
"SOMEONE CALL 911," Eli yells as he goes down to Adam's side. Eli takes off his jacket holding it on the bullet hole in Adam's shoulder.
"Adam?" I kneel down next to my younger brother's head and look in his eyes.
"Adam! Adam, I'm sorry this is all my fault," Bianca sobs.
"No, it's not," Adam replies weakly.
"Adam, hang on the ambulance is on it's way," I tell him.
"Yeah, the ambulance and cops are coming," Owen says as he joins us.
"Where's Vince?" Bianca inquires.
"He ran off after he fired the gun," Owen replies.
"Adam sit up a little," Imogen instructs. "Here, hold this on his wounds to stop the bleeding," Imogen says handing me and Eli a stack of paper towels.
"Adam, stay with us. Keep talking, you have to be okay," Clare pleads holding his hand.
"I'm not going anywhere," he says trying to smile. It's weak though and he's getting paler.
"Where's that ambulance?" I whisper under my breath.
"I'll go see," Owen says getting up and running out.
"Vince will pay for this, I swear Adam," Bianca tells him with a resolute voice.
"EVERYONE MOVE," Owen yells and EMTs finally arrive. Eli and I move, I pull Clare away and once the EMTs have him Bianca moves.
"This is my fault, I have to go after him," Bianca says as the EMTs get Adam on the gurney. Before we can stop her Bianca runs off and disappears into the prom crowd.
"I have to go after her, can you go with Adam to the hospital?" I ask Clare. She gives me a teary nod.
"I'll go too," Eli says.
"I'll go with you," Owen tells me.
"Thanks," I smile at both of them.
"Be careful, both of you," Clare pleads and grips my shirt giving me a soft kiss. "I love you," she whispers against my lips.
"I love you too, take care of Adam for me."
Leaving my brother in the hands of his best friends Owen and I run out to find Bianca. We run through the hotel and out to the parking lot, in the dark parking lot with all the cars it's hard to see anyone.
"Hey, did you see a girl run through here in a prom dress? Lots of dark curls and a red dress?" Owen asks the valet.
"Yeah, she ran straight out that way crying," he replies.
"Here, my valet ticket, tell me where to find my car," Owen demands. The valet tells Owen where his car is parked, and we run to it. "She couldn't have gotten far," Owen says as he begins driving.
He's right, we've barely driven a block when I see her. "There, pull off in front of her." Owen does and I hop out of the car before it's even in park. "Bianca what are you doing?"
"This is my fault, everything that happened, Vince wouldn't be in our lives if not for me. Now Adam is hurt, he could have died Drew. I can't let anyone else get hurt," she says with angry tears rushing down her face. Owen is standing with us now, but he hasn't said anything.
"Vince came after both of us because of Anson, not because of you. Adam got hurt, but if you go back to Vince it's not going to change that. Adam is going to be more hurt if he finds out you went back to Vince. What Adam needs now is for us, all of us to be with him. Where are you even going at this hour and in your prom dress still?"
"He has a gun stash, I was going to take one and find him. Get him out of all of our lives for good," Bianca tells us as she wipes some tears from her face.
"Do you know where he is?" Owen asks.
"Yeah, I think so. He has one hideout he almost always uses to lie low for a couple of days," she nods.
"I'll bet you know a lot more about Vince's operation?" Owen asks. Bianca nods. "Get in the car, we'll go to the cops. They must know what happened tonight and you can tell them more about Vince's gang and what goes on. Like his secret stash of guns, that's got to be something the cops are interested in and something they can arrest him for."
"What if they arrest me too? I did sell drugs," Bianca reminds us.
"Under duress, I'm sure they'll take that into consideration," Owen assures her.
"My dad's a lawyer, I'm sure someone is in his firm will represent you," I tell her.
"Okay, let's go to the police station," Bianca nods.
I smile and the three of us get back into Owen's car. He takes us to the nearest police station and Bianca says she needs to talk with someone about Vincent Bell and his gang, and the shooting at prom tonight.
"I'll call Dad and have him get you a lawyer," I say to Bianca after the cop tells her to wait a minute.
"No, you should go to the hospital and be with Adam, and Clare. Tell Adam I'll be there as soon as I can," Bianca asserts.
"Yeah, you need to be there. Take my car and I'll stay here with Bianca. We'll come to the hospital when we're done," Owen says handing me his keys.
"My parents will be at the hospital. I'll ask Dad about getting you a lawyer, don't say anything until you hear from me," I tell Bianca.
She nods, and I go out to Owen's car driving to the hospital. Now that I'm alone and I know Bianca is safe my mind begins to race. I'm worried about Adam, I haven't heard anything from anyone, but all I can remember right now is my brother in a pool of blood. I start thinking about all the "what ifs", What if the bullet had hit him a little lower? What if the bullet had hit Clare? What if Adam doesn't make it?
"No," I scold myself, "no don't think that way. Adam is fine, you'll see for yourself when you get to the hospital." I park at the hospital and run into the emergency room, it's pretty full. I guess that's not so surprising for a Saturday night, I look around for Clare.
"Drew," Clare's voice calls to me and I turn to find her. I see her now, with Eli and my parents. Clare comes over to me, hugging me with relief and I crush our lips together.
"How's Adam?"
"Where's Owen and Bianca?"
Our questions overlap each other the second our lips detach from the kiss. Clare smiles and takes my hand bringing me over to everyone else.
"Adam's in surgery, they said the bullet was a through and through in the shoulder and he got lucky. He should have full use of his arm back after some healing and physio," Eli informs me.
"Thanks goodness," I breathe out with relief. "Bianca and Owen are at the police station, Owen let me take his car," I tell them as I sit down. Clare's was the only empty seat since she got up, so I sit in it and pull her into my lap. "Dad, Bianca might need a lawyer. She's going to tell them everything she knows about Vince, and his gang, and their operation. She was forced to sell drugs for him though, she's worried about being arrested."
"I'll call Don," Dad replies. Don is a lawyer at his firm. Dad gets out his cell and goes outside where it's quieter to make the call.
"Is Bianca okay?" Clare asks.
"Upset, scared, but yeah she's okay. She and Owen will come to the hospital when their done at the police station."
Dad comes back in to ask me what station Owen and Bianca are at. I tell him, he relays it into the phone, says a few more things and hangs up. "Don is on his way down there," Dad says as he sits down again.
I text Bianca and Owen that a lawyer is on the way, I tell them his name and as much as I can remember about him. And now we wait…and wait…and wait. It feels like each ticking of the hospital clock is an eternity. I know they said Adam would be okay, but it doesn't make the waiting any easier. I'm relieved, but also a little scared when the doctor does come over to us.
"The surgery went well, Adam was very lucky it passed through the muscle and tendon without hitting bone or artery. It did nick the radial nerve. As I said before I believe with healing and physio he should get full movement and sensation back. He's being taken to his room, and he should start waking up in a few minutes. I can take you all back to see him now."
"Thank you Doctor," Mom smiles with relief. We follow the doctor back, I lag behind to text Owen and Bianca with Adam's room number.
Mom goes in first, and as soon as the nurse steps away Mom brushes Adam's hair aside and kisses his forehead. Dad stands by Mom, putting a hand on Adam's arm. Clare pulls me to the other side of Adam's bed and takes his hand. Eli comes with us, standing next to Clare. Adam's shoulder is bandaged, his arm in a sling, but his color is back.
"Adam?" Clare says when he begins to stir. His eyes blink open and he looks at all of us.
"Don't ever scare me like that again," Eli scolds with a smile.
"Don't ever plan on getting shot again," Adam replies. He's cracking jokes and I smile, he's going to be fine. "Where's Bianca?" Adam inquires after looking at everyone in the room.
"At the police station with Owen, they'll come when they're done. She wanted me to tell you she'll be here as soon as she can," I inform my brother and he grins.
"What about Vince?" Adam questions.
"Hopefully, in jail," Clare responds with a bitter edge to her voice.
"If he hasn't been found and arrested yet he will be soon," Dad says.
"We didn't get much of a prom," Adam comments after a moment.
"I don't care, I'm just glad you're okay," Clare says.
"Imogen understands, anyway it's just a dance and you're far more important," Eli replies.
Adam grins and nods, then his eyes start to close. No one moves though, none of us are going anywhere, not tonight. If the hospital staff tries to make us leave they'll have to deal with my mom. Eli leaves the room only to call Imogen and then he returns. We sit there watching Adam sleep for almost two hours before Owen and Bianca come in.
"How is he?" Bianca asks.
"I'm tired, but I'll be okay," Adam replies. Guess he wasn't asleep, or he woke when they came in the room.
"I'm glad, it hurt me more to watch you in pain and bleeding from Vince's bullet than if the bullet had hit me. I told the cops everything, there's multiple warrants out for Vince and most of the members of his gang. The cops are conducting a sting right now, he should be in handcuffs within the hour," Bianca says. Owen is standing at Adam's feet, but Bianca has been moving up and she's now standing at Adam's head. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you right now," Bianca smiles and then leans down placing a soft kiss on Adam's lips.
Clare smiles and looks up at me giving me a quick chaste kiss. I smile into the kiss, deepening it slightly and feel my heart flitter in the throes of young love.
(CLARE)
"Look up," Bianca instructs.
She's sitting in front of me in my desk chair, I'm sitting on my bed and she's applying my eyeliner. It's a Saturday, it's mid-August, it's hot and muggy, but it doesn't matter, Mom and Glen are getting married today and I'm very happy for them. It was supposed to be just very close family and friends, but after what happened at prom Mom invited Drew, Adam, Bianca and Owen. She invited Eli too, but he's in New York with his parents, he did drop off a gift though.
Eli and I both spent a lot of the summer at Adam's, the three of us are very good friends again. Eli and Imogen didn't last, in fact she's dating Fiona now. Eli said he's taking a break from romantic relationships, being bipolar and figuring out ways to deal with it and balance his meds is more than enough. Not to mention he's determined to go to NYU film school next year and he's plunging head long into what he needs to do in order to get in.
Owen on the other hand, met a nursing intern at the hospital while Adam was there, and they've been dating all summer. When not with the nurse Owen was usually found at the Torres house. It became the hub for pretty much everyone over the summer, we spent more time there than anywhere else. Even Jake was there almost all summer. Jake and Glen moved into our house in June, Jake and I already feel like we're siblings and I like Glen. He's good to me, which is nice considering I've barely spoken to my father all summer.
"I'll do light eyeshadow since you have such a sexy dress, and your eyes are so ethereal anyway," Bianca says setting the eyeliner back in her makeup bag.
Bianca and I have become very good friends in the last few months. She and Adam became official the day he got out of the hospital. They make an adorable couple, both of them are really happy. Bianca was able to strike a plea deal, with the help of her lawyer, no arrest and a few hours of community service that was it. She served her community service over the summer and whenever she wasn't at home or at community service she was at the Torres house to be with Adam. She almost always took Adam to his physio and helped with his exercises.
I spent a very blissful summer with Drew, mostly at his house with everyone, but we found time alone too. Owen, Adam, Drew and I have kept up with Jeet Kune Do classes, and we've been showing Bianca some of what we learned. Vince was arrested the morning after prom, kept in prison and he's now awaiting trial. After Bianca led the cops to his stashes and hideouts, and with her testimony Vince was deemed a dangerous felon and he was denied bail. His trial isn't for another few months, but the lawyer is sure he won't be given anything less than five years. With Vince locked away and his gang either dispersed or in prison Drew and I were able to go on several dates out alone. Of course, we doubled with Adam and Bianca a couple of times as well.
"All done, you'll be the prettiest and sexiest maid of honor at the wedding," Bianca grins.
"I'm the only maid of honor, actually I'm the only bridesmaid," I laugh.
"And my statement holds true," Bianca says.
"I should check on my mom and you should probably go check on the boys."
"Yeah, they have been left fairly unattended for a while now, who knows what they've been up to."
I get up and look in the mirror on my vanity, "It looks great. Thanks for doing my hair and makeup Bianca."
"No problem, see you down there."
We leave my room together, Bianca goes downstairs while I walk to my mom's room and knock on her bedroom door. Her best friend Melissa is in the room to help her get dressed, and to help Mom do her hair and makeup. I call through the door that it's me and Mom calls to come in.
"You look beautiful Mom."
"Thank you Honey, you look wonderful. It looks like we're ready, will you ask them to start the music Melissa?" Mom asks her.
"Of course," Melissa says hugging Mom.
Mom and I go to the top of the stairs and get our bouquets from the vases they were sitting in. When the music begins I go down first, Jake is at the bottom of the stairs and takes my hand, walking with me to our spot at the altar. Glen takes Mom's hand and they walk over standing in front of the pastor. The ceremony is short, but beautiful. Even though I watch Mom and Glen during the ceremony I sneak a few looks at Drew whenever I can. When he sees me looking at him he always grins back. Everyone claps when Mom and Glen share their first kiss as man and wife, marking the beginning of their lives together, and the end of the ceremony. People get out of their seats to congratulate Mom and Glen, they also congratulate Jake and I.
"I have been wanting to do this for at least the last hour," Drew says pulling me into his arms and crushing his lips to mine.
"Just an hour huh?"
"Maybe two," he smirks.
"It was a beautiful ceremony and your parents were so happy. They were like giddy teenagers," Adam grins. He, Bianca and Owen have joined us.
"Yeah, they are very happy," Jake nods, "now might I suggest we all move out to the backyard where they are setting up the buffet?"
"Good idea, I'm starved," I reply.
As soon as we go outside other guests start to come outside. The buffet and dance floor are in an air conditioned tent set up in the backyard. All of us teenagers are sitting at one table, Mom and Glen have a table all to themselves. We eat and then we all dance, Owen leaves the dance floor during the slow song, but I dance with Drew and Adam dances with Bianca. When the slow song ends Drew takes my hand and pulls me inside, but we don't stop in the living room, he takes me all the way up to my room.
"What are we doing in here?" I laugh when he closes my bedroom door.
"You made me a promise, one night, a few months ago when we were up most of the night on the phone. You promised you'd dance for me when we were alone. We're alone, we're in love and I still haven't seen you dance. Not the dance you learned in all these lessons you've been in since you were…three was it?"
"Yes, three," I smile that he remembered and then bite my lip thinking about dancing for someone.
"Dance for me, please?" Drew requests before kissing me softly.
"I'll dance for you, but I need some music."
Drew gets his phone out of his pocket and after a moment of him fiddling with it soft music begins playing. I let out a deep breath, turn around and begin moving to the music. I start with ballet, then do some contemporary before the song ends.
"That was gracefully beautiful, just like you," Drew smiles taking me in his arms. "I love you Clare Edwards."
"I love you Andrew Torres."
We both smile, he tightens his arms around me, I grip his shirt and our lips attach in a blistering loving kiss.
And that does it for this story. I hope you all enjoyed, replacing this is The Way She Smiles When she Sees Me as voted on by you. And next to be updated is Alone on a School Night.