Indigo Avenue, Westchester
The Abelay Household, Front Door
Thursday, July 3
9:18 AM
"Thanks," Claire said, as Layne handed her the three textbooks she borrowed.
"Are you sure you don't want to join for dinner? Mom's making anchovy rotisserie chicken!" Layne licked her lips in delight.
Claire grimaced. "No thanks. My Mom is expecting me. Thanks, though," she added.
"No problem. See ya!" She waved, and slammed the door.
Claire turned and started walking down the long driveway. If she went through the park, it'd take her fifteen minutes to get home. But she opted for the road, since it'd take less time, ten minutes or so.
She click-clacked with her Ked flats, and played with her necklace. A locket with the picture of the whole PC, 'pre-Cam breakup'. What memories she held inside, so happy, until a month ago…
She was almost there. She just needed to cross Perkins Circle and go through Marcus Road. Suddenly she heard a shuffle in the bushes.
She spun around. It was near 9:30, and in Westchester, it got dark at around 7. She saw a hazed figure stumble by about ten feet behind her.
She squinted. He was stumbling, he looked injured. Looking around to see if anybody was there, she bit her lip and walked to the figure.
"Are you ok?" She called out. The figure stopped moving and looked her way. From what she could tell, he was about sixteen or seventeen, close to her age. (A/N: The PC and others are mid sixteen, btw) As she got closer, she could smell a strong scent of alcohol, stingy…he was drunk. Feeling nervous, she backed away.
"Sorry," she mumbled. "I thought…" she trailed off.
"S'okay, Angel," he slurred. "C'mere."
Claire shook her head. "I got to go," she rushed.
"I won't hurt you," he shuffled over and got as close to a foot away from her.
"No," her voice shook. "I have to go." She tried to sound firm, but knew she sounded scared. She turned and began to break into a jog-speed-walk, but felt a tug on her wrist.
"What are you doing?" She cried loudly, hoping someone could hear her.
"Why you trying to run, Angel?" He whispered in her ear.
Her knees shook, as he dragged her near the sidewalk of the road where it led to forest. She couldn't let him take her in the midst of the trees where no passer would see her. She dug her feet in the ground.
He turned and grinned sloppily. "What wrong, Angel?"
Suddenly, her heart leapt out. A rough hand had made contact with her necklace.
"Pretty," he whispered. His fingers drew lazily down, going under shirt.
"Stop," pleaded Claire, her whole body trembling in fear. She was scared. "What are you doing?" She tried to pull away, but he swung his hand at amazing speed for a drunk, and pulled her close to him.
One hand was on her chest, grazing her softly, the other rubbing her back hardly.
"Stop," she sobbed. "Please, stop,"
"Why, Angel? Don't ya want a special night?" He was slurring worse.
Suddenly, lights shone on the road, lighting up the area. Her eyes widened with hope. But thought the car rolled slowly, it drove right past the two figures on the side of the road.
"Ain't that too bad Angel?" The guy slurred, grinning.
Claire inhaled. "Help!" She screamed at thetop of her voice.
"Bloody 'ell!" The figure jumped back. The car froze to a stop. She closed her eyes, hearing a car door slam, and foot steps jogging towards her.
"Get away," the guy stepped in front of her.
"Are you ok?" A male voice called out.
"Help," Claire repeated meekly.
As if suddenly realizing the situation, the driver suddenly walked forward and punched the drunk in the nose.
"Are you alright?" He asked Claire, who was shaking from her uncontrollable sobbing. "Shh, it's alright."
Her head hurt, her chest hurt, everything hurt.
"C'mon, I can drive you home. What's your name? Where do you live?" The guy asked gently, taking Claire's hand and leading her to the car.
"I…the…Block Estate," she mumbled.
"Claire?" They guy exclaimed.
She looked up. It was…Cam!? No…it…his brother. Harris Fisher.
"Harris?" Claire wiped her eyes.
"Oh God," Harris ran his hand through his hair. "Oh…Oh God…"
Claire squeezed her eyes shut. Why? Why Cam's brother?
"Oh…God, are you alright?" Harris asked, seeming out of breath.
Claire shook her head. The past month, she must've been asked that question a million times…from Massie, Dylan, Alicia, Kristen, Layne, her Mom, her Dad, her teachers, Kendra, even Todd once…
NO. She was not ok. Not, not, NAWT.
"What happened," Harris muttered. "What did that creep do to you?"
Claire opened her mouth and then closed it. "I…I was just walking home from Layne's…Chris's sister," she added. Harris nodded. "He looked hurt, but it turned out he was drunk…he just started…" She didn't know how to explain. "He kind of…"
Harris nodded understandingly. He got it.
"I'm taking-"
Cl-eh, cl-eh, cl-eh!
Claire fished through her bag, and pulled out the cell phone and snapped it open.
"Hello?" She mumbled.
"Claire!" A shrill voice shrieked.
"Mom!" Claire lifted the phone of her ear.
"Where are you? Are you ok? What happened? Why aren't you home?" Judi cried. "Is she ok?" Claire heard Kendra ask in the background.
"I'm…I'm fine. I'm sleeping over at Layne's." she lied. "I thought you knew."
Harris raised his eyebrow at Claire/
Judi sighed in relief. "No," her voice replied chokingly, "I did not. Claire, you know the rule! I was worried."
"Sorry," Claire sighed.
"OK, well, Massie said you were supposed to sleepover at her house…"
"I forgot," Claire mumbled. "Don't tell her I'm over at Layne's. I'll be home in ten minutes."
"OK," Judi replied uncertainly.
Claire snapped her phone shut. "Sorry."
"About what/?" Harris asked, about to start the car.
"For getting you involved in this. I can walk home, you know. It's five minutes from here."
Harris looked at her incredulously. :In this condition? No way, man. I'll drive you."
Claire rested her head onto the head rest.
"You ok?" Harris asked, starting the engine.
Music filled the car. He quickly closed it. The Strokes. But Claire had different strokes on her mind. The harsh strokes that kept rubbing her.
"I'm fine," she muttered.
A/N: How did you like that drama? (grins) Lol, anyways, R&R if you want more!