A/N- So sorry for the delay! But here's the next chapter!

Chapter 6

"SONNOVA-" CRASH! Clay flipped over the handlebars of his bicycle head-first and smacked into the pavement. His forehead collided hard into the concrete with a loud crack! and Clay groaned as he rolled over onto his back. He sat up slowly, and reached up with his hand to touch where he had hit the ground. His hand felt hot, wet and sticky when it made contact with his forehead, and Clay groaned again.

He stood up slowly, struggling to fight off the wave of dizziness that almost overcame him, and reached out with his other hand to rest on a nearby tree trunk. "Fuck," he groaned when blood dripped down into his left eye. "Just my fucking luck." He glanced over at his bike, while looking for the source of his misfortune at the same time. There was a small bump in the pavement, and Clay had somehow smacked into it of all places.

Clay picked his bike up off the ground and walked the rest of the way home, constantly wiping his forehead to keep the blood from going into his eye again. He avoided his mother, who was sitting in the lounge along with his dad, both reading something that Clay didn't bother to look at. He quickly bolted up the stairs and locked himself in the bathroom and walked over to the mirror.

His face was almost completely covered in blood, which had been smeared from his hand. His forehead had been sliced open, an ugly red line that curved slightly. Already he could see the signs of bruising forming around the wound, the skin beginning to purple. He had to wipe the blood off his face quickly. So he grabbed a face cloth and rinsed it in hot water, then began roughly scrubbing the drying blood off his face, leaving the blood around the wound for last.

When he had cleaned the rest of the blood of his face off, Clay sighed at the last bit. He had to be delicate, in case he caused more pain than necessary. He rinsed the cloth out again, took a deep breath, and lightly brushed the cloth over the wound.

"HOLY FUCK!" bellowed Clay. The wound flared up with a pain comparable to getting stung by a swarm of wasps. His eyes watered and he swore again, clutching the cloth tightly. Somebody banged on the bathroom door.

"Clay? Are you alright?" It was his mom.

"I'm fine Mom, just cleaning a cut to my face!" hissed Clay.

"What happened to your face?" she called back.

"I fell off my bike and hit the pavement."

"How'd you do that?" asked the voice of his dad.

"I don't know. There was a bump in the road that I didn't see!" snapped Clay, then he lightly dabbed at the wound again. "HOLY MOTHER FUCKERING SON OF MEGATRON!"

"Language!" scolded his mother from behind the door.

"What? I said Megatron!" retorted Clay, wincing again as he continued cleaning the blood surrounding the cut.

"Great, our son's a sassy pants," commented Dad with a hint of amusement in his voice. Clay didn't hear his mom's response, because he swore again when he pressed to hard on the cut, but he was glad that the last of the blood had been removed from his face, though more was beginning to trickle down again.

Clay opened the bathroom cupboards and grabbed a box of bandaids. He pulled one out and carefully stuck it over the cut, wincing slightly. He rinsed out the cloth before tossing it into the dirty laundry basket that sat in the corner and opened the door to see his parents staring at him. His mother was glaring at Clay, though there was concern in her eyes while his father looked like he was trying to stifle a laugh.

"All better," said Clay with an awkward grin. It faltered when his mother's eyes narrowed, her gaze zeroing in on the bandaid like she had x-ray vision and was looking at the cut itself.

"Did you really fall off your bike?" she asked.

"Mom, I swear I just fell off my bike," said Clay almost pleadingly.

Behind Mom, Dad snorted.

"It's true!" said Clay indignantly.

"Ok ok, but you're wearing a helmet from now on!" said Mom before she turned around and went back downstairs.

Clay glared at his dad, who was still suppressing his laughter. "What?" he growled.

His dad finally burst into laughter, the sound a booming noise that echoed through the house. "I'm sorry, but Megatron? Really?" he laughed, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Glad to see you enjoy my choice of vocabulary," Clay deadpanned before going to his room, leaving his father to chuckle in the hall by himself.

Clay had just opened up his notebook when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, expecting it to be a message from either Tony, Zach or Alex. It wasn't any of them.

It was Sheri.

We need to talk.

"Shit," muttered Clay.

When?

Tomorrow before school?

Clay hesitated. Was it really wise to have a (no doubt) heavy discussion before school?

Sure. Groaning, he tossed his phone onto the desk and put his hands over his face.

oOoOoOo

Clay ignored the curious looks people gave him when he walked through the school halls to his locker. He glanced over at Hannah's locker, which had become something of a habit even before she ended up in the hospital, then opened his locker to grab the books needed for the day.

He heard her before he saw her. Her footsteps were hard on the ground, and her breathing was shallow, no doubt from the nerves. Sighing, Clay closed his locker to meet the dark brown eyes of Sheri. She looked nervous, but she still smiled warmly at Clay. He didn't give her any response, instead he chose to stare at her with no visible emotion on his face.

Sheri's eyes darted up to the bandaid covering half of his forehead and she opened her mouth to say something, but Clay stopped her.

"Accident. Nothing too major. Let's just get this over with," he said bluntly.

Sheri looked offended at Clay's curt greeting, but she schooled her features and walked away from him. Clay followed her, and Sheri led him outside to the school field, then sat down on the bleachers. She patted the seat next to her, and Clay sat down slowly, never taking his eyes off the dark-skinned girl.

"First off, I just want to say sorry for what happened to Hannah," started Sheri.

"Maybe you should tell that to her yourself," grunted Clay as he looked over the field. He saw the baseball team practicing on the other side of the field, and the track and field team running along the race tracks. He spotted Justin giving them a curious glance, while Zach stood behind him, giving Clay a concerned look.

"I'm trying to make things work Clay," said Sheri in an exasperated voice. "I didn't know that Jeff was going to die that night."

"He wouldn't have if you just did what you were supposed to and call the cops!" growled Clay.

"I had to-" began Sheri.

"Oh don't give me that 'I had a curfew' crap! Hannah tried to do the right thing and you just left her!"

Sheri's eyes took on a hard look and she stood up. "Follow me," she hissed.

Clay stood up and followed Sheri, where she led him to the car park and her car. She got into the driver's side, while Clay climbed into the passenger seat. Sheri started the car and they drove off, away from the school. They travelled through the town and into the nicer part of the suburbs.

"Where are we going?" asked Clay.

"Just wait and see," was all Sheri said.

Nothing more was said until Sheri parked the car outside a lovely, two-storey house. They both got out of the car and Clay followed Sheri up the steps to the front door. Sheri knocked on the door three times and the two teenagers waited for a few moments before the door opened, revealing and elderly lady who smiled brightly at the sight of them.

"Sheri! What a surprise to see you!" said the old lady happily. She then seemed to notice Clay. "Who's your friend?"

"Mrs Cantrell, this is my friend Clay. Clay this is Mrs Cantrell," said Sheri politely.

Clay shook Mrs Cantrell's hand, feeling enormously confused about the whole situation. Why would Sheri take him to see an old lady?

Mrs Cantrell gestured for the two teens to enter, and Clay wasn't exactly surprised by how comfy everything looked. It seemed just like the kind of house an elderly lady would live in, though it seemed a little large for one woman, and it didn't stink of cabbages or something else of the sort.

"Dear, who is it?" said an old male voice from upstairs.

So she doesn't live alone, mused Clay.

"It's Sheri honey, and she's brought a friend!" called out Mrs Cantrell.

Coming down the stairs was an old man, who was supporting himself on a pair of crutches, as one of his legs was covered in a cast. Clay's heart stopped when he recognised the man. Clay gave Sheri a look, but she ignored him, instead she went up the stairs and met Mr Cantrell halfway. She helped him down the rest of the way, amidst the quiet thank you's from Mr Cantrell.

The foursome walked into the sitting room and sat down. Clay helped Mr Cantrell into an armchair, though didn't look him in the eyes. How could he? The only survivor of the crash that killed-

"Would you like some tea dear?" asked Mrs Cantrell, breaking Clay from his thoughts.

"Oh uh, sure," said Clay as he sat down next to Sheri on the couch. Mrs Cantrell smiled at him before leaving the sitting room.

"So how do you know Sheri Clay?" asked Mr Cantrell.

"We know each other at school," said Clay. Beside him, Sheri stiffened slightly, noticing the fact the Clay hadn't used the term 'friend' like he used to. "How do you know Sheri?" he asked, out of politeness despite already knowing the answer.

"Oh, she came around to help out one day when she saw me. You see, I had been in a car crash just almost two months ago and she's been helping out around the home ever since until I'm all better," said Mr Cantrell, his eyes sparkling with grandfatherly affection for the dark girl.

"Oh," said Clay, glancing at Sheri. She had this happy look in her eyes, and it made Clay wonder just what was going on with the girl.

They didn't stay around too much longer after that, just long enough for Clay to finish the cup of tea he had been offered. He said farewell to them and he and Sheri left, heading back to the school. Something was off with the whole thing.

"Why are you helping them?" asked Clay when Sheri pulled car into an empty park in the school car park.

"Why not?" Sheri retorted. "It's my way of making up for my mistake. And before you ask, I've been doing it since before I even heard the tapes," she added when Clay opened his mouth.

Clay's mouth snapped closed at the revelation. So Sheri wasn't as bad as he thought. Of course, he had always admired Sheri throughout all the years he had known her. She had always seemed like such a genuinely nice girl. That was until he listened to the tapes and Clay had assumed she was no better than the rest of them. But Clay was glad that his fears were for nothing. Sheri was still a good person, but she had only made a bad mistake. However, that wasn't the source of Clay's suspicions.

"Do they know that Jeff died?" he demanded quietly.

Sheri didn't say anything for a few minutes. Clay adjusted himself in his seat so that he didn't have to turn his head to look at her.

"Sheri?"

"I was going to tell them," said Sheri, her voice cracking. "But I couldn't do it. They were worried for Jeff, but they didn't know who he was or where he lived. I didn't want to hurt them."

"Sheri," said Clay. "You're hurting them by not telling them the truth about what happened to Jeff. I could see that they both wanted to hear something, anything, about him."

"I-I know but..." Sheri choked off and dissolved into tears.

Clay seemed unable to move to comfort the girl. It was almost as if the only person he was capable of comforting was Hannah, and that was only after she almost died. So Clay placed a hand on Sheri's back and rubbed it gently.

Sheri's crying eased off after several minutes and she sat up straighter in her seat. She looked over at Clay with a helpless look on her face. "What do I do?" she cried.

"I think you should tell Mr and Mrs Cantrell the truth about Jeff," said Clay slowly. "It will give both them and you a peace of mind I think. Then you should report what happened to the cops. They think Jeff died because he was drunk driving."

"But they might arrest me!" said Sheri.

"They won't arrest a girl because she made a mistake," said Clay. "And Jeff's memory doesn't deserve to be tainted by a lie."

Sheri sniffed and smiled sadly at Clay. "You think?" she asked.

"Yeah," said Clay.

"Thanks Clay," she said and hopped out of the car. Clay followed her lead and together they walked back to into the school grounds. "For what it's worth, I think I agree wit you about helping Hannah."

For the first time that day, Clay smiled.

oOoOoOo

Clay knew something was wrong when Clay walked into Hannah's room. She was sitting in one of the armchairs instead of her bed, a magazine sitting abandoned across her lap. She looked more lifeless than the day before, her eyes taking that faraway look that Clay had come to realise was when she was remembering horrible things.

"Hannah?" he said carefully.

Hannah didn't even acknowledge him until he placed a hand on her arm, and she flinched violently away from Clay.

"Hey, hey. It's me, Clay," said Clay in a soft voice. Hannah relaxed when she realised it was only him and gave him a half-hearted smile.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," said Hannah, though Clay didn't believe her for a second.

"You don't have to hold it in you know," said Clay.

"I know. But I'm just not ready to tell you yet," replied Hannah, looking slightly more withdrawn.

"Okay. But when you're ready, I'm here for you."

Hannah didn't reply to that and instead tried to change the subject. "How was school?" she asked.

"Oh you know, same old same old," said Clay nonchalantly. "I talked to Sheri today," he added.

Hannah instantly perked up, but her face looked suspicious. "What did she say?"

"She wants to help out," answered Clay.

Hannah raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why?" she said disbelievingly.

"I used my charm of course," joked Clay, and Hannah smiled. "Seriously though, I just talked to her about some things, and she decided to take our side I guess."

"Our side?"

Clay shrugged. "You know. You, me, Tony, Zach, Alex and now Sheri against everyone else."

"What are we? The Justice League?" laughed Hannah.

"Sure. I'm Batman," said Clay.

"No way, you're Superman," replied Hannah.

Clay pretended to look affronted. "Superman? No way Batman's way cooler!"

"You're my Superman," whispered Hannah, her face turning sad.

Clay swallowed thickly, his heart beginning to race after hearing Hannah's confession. Before he could ask her about it though, somebody knocked on the door. It opened and the shy faces of Alex and Zach peered in. Clay glanced over at Hannah and it was like her face had lit up the whole room.

"Er, hi," said Alex, walking in with Zach following closely behind.

"Hi guys," said Hannah.

Nothing was said for a few moments, and Clay was beginning to feel nervous.

"Listen we just want to say how sorry we are for everything," said Zach.

"We really fucked up big time," said Alex.

"Guys, it's okay. Clay already told me," said Hannah reassuringly.

Zach and Alex looked over at Clay and he felt his cheeks getting warmer.

"So... we're cool?" asked Zach.

Hannah's smile could have blinded Clay for all he knew. "Of course we are, somebody's gotta take care of Helmet when I'm not around," laughed Hannah, and just like that, the tension had left the room, replaced by an atmosphere of fun.

The four friends spent the rest of their time together joking around and laughing about anything and everything. Clay had never seen Hannah this happy in what felt like a million years. Had he known that she would be this happy surrounded by other people who cared about her besides himself and her parents, he would have brought Zach and Alex along sooner.

"Hey, what happened to your head?" said Zach suddenly, breaking a brief moment of quiet.

"I fell off my bike last night," said Clay, flushing slightly. Zach laughed, Alex grinned and Hannah giggled.

"How'd you do that?" asked Hannah, trying to stifle her giggles.

"I wasn't paying attention," said Clay.

"Were you wearing your helmet, Helmet?"

"No."

Hannah couldn't hold it in any longer, and she burst into a loud fit of laughter, Zach and Alex joining her.

"I could have split my head open you know," huffed Clay indignantly.

"Looks like you already did," said Alex dryly.

Clay couldn't help but join in with the laughter after that, and the four kept laughing and joking for what felt like a long time after that.

Eventually, it was time to go. Zach offered Clay a ride home, which he accepted. Zach and Alex waved their goodbyes to Hannah and left the room, leaving Clay and Hannah alone for a few moments.

"I'm sorry I have to go," said Clay.

Hannah waved his apology off. "It's okay. It's not like you can actually stay here overnight," she said. "Though you did try your best," she added, pointing to the bandaid on Clay's head.

"Ha ha," said Clay dryly. "I'll come around tomorrow," he promised.

"No you won't," said Hannah.

"What?"

"I'm getting out tomorrow afternoon, and I'll be back at school next week."

Clay couldn't say anything for a few moments, before he let out a loud shout of joy and crushed Hannah with a hug. "That's awesome! I'll come by anyway to see you out," he said, and without even thinking, he kissed Hannah on the cheek and said goodbye, closing the door behind him.

Hannah sat there stunned, before her hand reached up and lightly touched the area where Clay had kissed her on the cheek. A wistful smile crossed Hannah's face, and she was more keen than ever to get out of the hospital.

A/N- Just a bit of fluff and happiness, because just about everyone on the show deserves some happiness (except for Bryce, Justin, Courtney and Marcus. They can go fuck themselves).

Somebody suggested a Clay/Hannah/Sheri love triangle and with all due respect, I laughed. I don't mind Sheri as a character, but in this story Clay's heart will always belong to Hannah. It is a Clannah story after all.

I have also written up a rough draft of the plot of the story, and let's just say that shit will go down in the last few chapters. I'm not sure how many chapters this story will have but expect some serious stuff to happen that you may or may not like. Sadness will ensure but there will be a happy ending, That's all I'm saying for now. The rest, you have to either figure it out for yourself or keep reading along! Anyways ADIOS AMIGOS/AMIGAS!