Scars in the Making

Spring 2009:

Peter: I wish now, that I was someone different back then. I wonder if I had handled things better; that maybe I wouldn't be where I am now. Claire was wise beyond her years. I kick myself for not seeing it. She once told me, "You can't change the past, Peter. So, change your future."

Claire Bennet stretched like a lazy cat in the warm April sun. The morning light streaming in through the window surrounded her face, giving her a peaceful halo. "I wonder what Peter thinks when the sun gives my hair a golden highlight . . ." She thought idly, still waking from her dream. "Peter . . ." Suddenly, all she wanted to do was throw up. Her eyes flew open and she sat up quickly. Next to her a body stirred. Claire threw back the covers and jumped out of bed. Aaron Richardson rolled over and rubbed his eyes.

"Where's the fire?" He smirked.

"I've got early classes this morning."

Aaron blinked and stared at her for a moment. A smile crossed his lips as he watched his underwear clad girlfriend search for her clothes. He glanced at his alarm clock.

"Claire, Babe . . . It's only 6.11."

"What?"

"Classes don't start for at least another hour. Come back to bed."

Claire looked puzzled for a moment. "No . . . I really shouldn't." She pulled on a blue pair of jeans.

Aaron rolled from the bed and walked over to her. "Seriously, Claire."

"What?" she growled, with more anger than she intended.

He moved closer and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Please. Calm down."

Claire stared up at him, resisting the urge to cry.

"Come back to bed." He started caressing her shoulders before tilting her head towards his. She didn't resist when he lowered his lips to hers. Claire closed her eyes. His hands moved down her body, over her bra strap and down to the fly of her jeans. His lips were incredibly soft and his touch gentle.

Claire forced her eyes open. "No . . . I can't." She stepped back from his embrace. "I'm not . . ."

"Shhh," he lowered his voice and cradled her in his arms. "I promised I wouldn't pressure you . . . and I'm not okay. But, having you in my bed every other night is driving me crazy."

Claire's body went rigid in his embrace. "I . . . I know. I'm just not ready."

"And, that's okay with me, Babe." He smiled.

"Fuck." She hated his honesty. She hated the way she felt guilty, even when he'd given her no reason to feel that way. How could she possibly explain the mixed up feelings inside that were stopping her from taking their relationship to the next level. "Thanks." She forced a smile onto her pretty face and let him lead her back to bed.

Later that day, Claire was studying in her dorm room. Casually, she flicked the radio on. The alluring tones of Mariah Carey's Touch My Body filled the room. Not usually a fan of Ms Carey, Claire couldn't help but sway to the music. She pushed herself up out of the chair and began moving around the room in time to the music. She let her hair down and danced in an incredibly seductive manner. Softly, she sang along to the lyrics, moving her body as only one can when they are alone.

"Touch my body, Let me wrap my thighs, All around your waist, Just a little taste. Touch my body. Know you love my curves. Come on and give me what I deserve. And touch my Bo-"

Claire jumped a foot when a couple of books fell down onto the floor with a loud thud. She glanced around, nothing. With a hand on her pounding heart she bent down to pick up them up. A sharp knock on the door startled her again. Aaron poked his head around the door.

"Hey Babe . . . Geez, you look like you've just seen a ghost."

Claire laughed it off. "Scared of my own skin sometimes." She glared into the emptiness of the room.

"Ready to go to the Library?"

"Sure." She gathered the books that were spread out on her desk.

Claire and Aaron spent the early hours of that evening with their heads into their respective text books. She loved the stillness of the library and had found her own corner in which she could hide away from other students.

"Psst . . ." Aaron whispered as he sat down next to her.

"Yeah." She felt his warm hand grab hers under the desk. He gently pushed something into her palm.

"Study break time." He watched as Claire opened her hand to reveal a small velvet green box.

Her eyes widened. "What's this?"

"Six Months . . . since you saved me." He grinned and his blue eyes sparkled.

"I'm so sorry. With studying for exams and everything I-" Claire began.

"Don't worry, just open it."

Claire pealed open the box to reveal a small set of pearl earrings. "They're beautiful." She threw both her arms around him and caressed her lips around his. After a few moments she pulled back breathlessly. Green eyes returned that sparkle. She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the sound of shattering glass. Small shards of glass began raining down upon them. Aaron moved quickly and put his arm out to protect Claire. The window directly behind them had been smashed.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Claire nodded and turned slowly to see the massive gaping hole where the window had been. Aaron leapt to his feet and rushed over, peering out into the dim evening light.

"When I catch the asshole that did this-" Aaron gritted his teeth in anger.

Claire was at his side. "Hey, we're both okay. That's all that matters." She hid her left hand behind her back until the pain from a glass cut dissipated.

Others had gathered behind them now marvelling at what kind of explosive force could break a window like that.

"Lets get out of here." Claire started putting books in her bag.

"That was weird," Aaron murmured when they finally made their way down the flight of stairs outside.

Claire nodded, her mind racing. Glancing to her left she caught a sight of a figure disappearing. She stopped walking.

"Hey. I think I left my biology text book behind. You go ahead. I'll catch up with you later."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Of course. I'm fine," she lied.

"Okay." He kissed her on the forehead.

Claire watched him disappear into the distance, before she turned and ran around the side of the library.

"Show yourself." Her tone was one of anger. "Show YOURSELF," she demanded.

The low rumble of thunder forced its way across the darkening sky as a figure materialised in front of her.

"Peter?" Sharp tears sprang to her eyes. She didn't know if she could feel more betrayed by him. "You've got to stop this. Now."

"What?" Peter played innocent.

"This." Claire flung her hands up in an exasperated gesture. "I respectfully asked you not to be part of my life . . . at least for awhile and this is how you react . . . by spying on me? Following me around? Aaron could have been hurt . . . Even worse, so could I."

"I'm sorry. I'm just looking out for you."

"Looking out for me? This isn't the first time is it?"

His silence gave the game away.

"Jesus, Peter. Just when I thought I couldn't trust you any less, you go an do something that blows everything before it completely out of the water."

"I never meant for you to find out . . . I just . . . I don't ever want to see you hurt."

The heavens opened. The rain feel heavily against them in their exposed position. Together they were instantly saturated.

"This is unbelievable."

"I know." He held out his hand for her.

She stared at it for a moment. "No . . . not this . . . you. Please just leave me alone." She pushed past him, eager to escape the emotional torrent that flowed through her mind.

"I need you, Claire."

She turned back to face him. "No, Peter. You need to get a life. One without me in it. I've grown up. I've moved on. Now it's your turn."

"Please. Don't give up on me."

"No. I can't do this again. We can't be friends, Pete. Not when you keep treating me like this. I'm not some object to be won. I'm your niece."

"Don't you think I know that? Don't you think I've tried? These last few months have been Hell without you." His eyes pleaded with hers.

"You once told me I was an immature young girl. Well, I'm not anymore. I've grown up. Time to take your own advice."

"It always comes back to you, Claire. My destiny is you."

"Don't you see, Pete. This whole year. What it's all been about?"

"What's that?" He questioned her harshly.

"You can't change the past, Peter. So, change your future."

Peter suddenly looked like someone had punched him square in the stomach. The rain had plastered his dark hair to his face.

"Please, just leave me alone to live my own life," Claire cried loudly, not just to be heard over the downpour, but also hoping to finally get through to him.

"You don't mean that."

"Yes . . . I do." Desperate tears flooded down her face, mixing with the rain. "Leave, me, alone."

Peter's face dropped. He too, was clearly on the edge of tears. It was the first time they had spoken truthfully in months. It hadn't exactly gone to plan. He turned away and paused as if there was something more to say. He thought better of it and stormed off without looking back.

"You want me out of your life? Fine, that's exactly what you'll get."

Claire hugged herself gently. She made no attempt to move out of the torrential rain. She looked skyward, wishing for absolution that did not come. When she looked back Peter had gone. She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. A mixture of pain and sorrow rolling though her veins in rapid waves. She wanted to chase after him. To make him realise what effect he had on her. Instead, she forced herself to turn and walk in the opposite direction. After a few moments she broke into a run, not stopping until she had reached her destination. The pale white door swung open.

Aaron was astounded at the sight that confronted him when he opened the door. Claire stood before him, saturated to the skin, makeup running, wet hair dripping all over the hallway floor.

"Claire . . . What the?"

"I'm ready."

A/N: Enjoying the story so far? Please review, I would really like to know who has been reading. Thanks. Pip :)

In the final chapter of Volume Three: Change of Heart. Claire is startled to learn the depth of Aaron's feelings and what it means for the future of their relationship.