Chapter 27

Claire Redfield

"I'm sorry about Chris," I say to Piers as I sit on his bed. "Whatever," he shrugs. Helena was downstairs, giving us some privacy. "Come on Piers. Talk to me." I'd gone to Piers house after the party, telling Chris I was going home because he wouldn't have let me see Piers. "I don't know." He shrugs again. "Piers, don't worry about him. We can still try." "Try? You want to actually try dating me?" He laughs, not a funny laugh, but a 'you must be desperate' kind of laugh. "Yes Piers, I want to try. That's it. You could decide you don't like me and go back to dating guys, but you can't lie, there was something in that kiss." He shakes his head, "I'm just confused. I want this but... I didn't think I'd ever date a girl." "Well, I'm here and I'm asking... So...?" "Your brother won't like it." "I don't care." "Well then, let's make it official," he moves closer and we kiss again. Damn, it was great. I'm sure the fact Chris didn't approve made it a little better. He was being a dick! Usually, he was supportive of me with everything. And I mean, at least I'm dating one of his friends. I'm not dating an idiot that I met on the street. We both knew and liked Piers, well I mean Chris even dated him! Like come on, it's a family share. And Piers isn't like Steve, he'd never hurt anyone, especially someone he loved.

"Damn Piers, can't lie, you're good at this." There's a knock on the door. "I'm coming in," it's Helena. "So, Chris' sister?" She raises an eyebrow. "First him, then his sister?" Piers rubs the back of his head, "Uh. Yeah." Helena shakes her head, "I'm happy you found someone, but what are we going to do about Chris?" "What about him," I ask. "Well, I don't think he's too supportive of this little get together." "I know, but he'll have to deal with it!" "Okay," she shrugs.

I slept there that night. I didn't want to make the trek all the way home and I got to spend time with my new boyfriend! Helena seemed a little skeptical, but I mean Piers was just getting whip cream eaten from his mouth by a guy, so we all should be skeptical for now. But we'll all get used to it eventually. I woke up to the doorbell, I noticed Piers and Helena were already gone. I was still in my clothes, so I walked over to the stairs and saw Piers and Helena at the door with their arms crossed as Chris stood in the doorway and Jill was behind him with her arms crossed as well. "I just came by to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said, I just... She's my sister and we dated, it's weird. And I guess I just don't want to lose her, she's my only real family." I can't see Piers or Helena's face, but Piers hugs Chris so I guess he was smiling. "Claire?!" Shit, Chris saw me! "What the hell," he pushes Piers back, "She's been here and you didn't tell me?!" "I thought she told you!" "No! She told me she was going home!" "Well, in my defense..." I try and defend myself. "No, I'm taking you home." "Chris!" "Come on." I walk down the stairs in defeat, and as I pass Piers I give him a big kiss, just for Chris to see. His face turns red with rage and I smile as I walk by him. "We'll continue this later," I hear Chris say to Piers.

"I'm driving her home," Chris says to Jill, "I think you'd better go back to the house. We need to have a private chat." "Chris, calm down. She's not doing anything wrong. Hell, you fell under Piers' charm," Jill smiles. "Jill, please." "Fine." She heads to her house and I get in the passenger seat of the car. "What the hell is this Claire?" "What," I ask. "Why were you so ready to kiss Piers?" "Because maybe I like him!" "Do you really?" Chris' voice is full of skepticism. (I've been saying that a lot.) "Yeah, why do you have such a big problem with it?!" "Because... Because..." "I think you're jealous!" "Jealous, of what," Chris asks like this was the most preposterous assumption. "You're jealous because Piers let you go and now he's with me!" He lets out a small chuckle, "I'm not jealous! I'm back with Jill and I'm just as happy as I was the first time! I'm over Piers, I'm just..." "What?!" "I'm watching out... for both of you. Piers is extremely sensitive, ever since the whole homecoming thing and you... Your last boyfriend was a shitty choice..." "You think Piers is a shitty choice? You're watching out for me? Do you hear yourself?! Piers is you friend!" He lets out a sigh and shakes his head, "Hear me out. I love you and Piers! Piers is like my little brother, and you ARE my little sister. I just want what's best for you both, and I just think that this isn't going to be a permanent thing and I don't want you two to get hurt."

"Chris, we won't know unless we try, right? Sure, Piers was gay last night, but now we're dating and..." "You two already decided to date?" "Yes, but..." "Did you two... Claire, did you have sex with him?" "No! We just started dating!" "Claire, you were at his house overnight." "And I went to sleep, you can ask Helena! I didn't have sex with him yet." "But you plan to?" "Well, you did!" "That was different!" "Chris... was it really?" He's quiet for the rest of the ride, but once we pull in front of the house he bring the discussion back to life. "You can date him, but... just be careful. You both mean too much to me, and if you guys turn our to hate each other's guts in the end, I'll have to pick sides and I'm not so sure I'll pick yours." He's obviously joking, but I punch him in the shoulder anyway. "Thanks Chris." We hug quickly. "I'll watch out for him, and maybe we'll even get married," I wink at him. He didn't seem to like that, but he didn't yell and did smile a little. "Just remember, I was mad because I love you. I want the best for you two." "And this will be the best thing for both of us!" "I think you might've convinced me Claire." I smile at him before getting out of the car and walking to the home. Once I open the door, Chris drives off.

Chris Redfield

I did really want what was best for them. Piers and Claire, never would have predicted that. But I wouldn't have predicted me and Piers happening either. That kid is just full of surprises, to say the least. I went back to Jill's first. She asked about my talk with Claire and I explained the whole thing and how she convinced me that their relationship could be a good thing. She was happy to see I was letting things happen. Then I had to go to Piers' house and explain what happened yet again to him and Helena and that I was now allowing him to date my sister. God, this would be awkward. "So, Piers how does it feel to have dated both Redfields," Helena asks to make it worse. Piers and I laugh nervously and then the girls both laughed at our nervousness. "Well, the first one was a mistake," Piers tries to joke. "Oh?" I raise an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure you enjoyed it while it lasted!" He shrugs, "Yeah, well. Your sister is a better kisser than you." "Maybe because I wasn't as comfortable as her when kissing a guy. She's done that before, I haven't." We all laugh. "I'm glad you're not mad at me," I say. "Well, I was, but I got over it. I know you can be emotional sometimes." "I'm not emotional... I'm manly as hell." "Yeah, only in school," Jill adds rolling her eyes. "Whatever Valentine."

Jill Valentine

Ugh, we have to go back to school?! Why is break always so short?! It's only January 2nd, what's the point? Why am I up at 7:30? There's only two days until the weekend, what's the point!? And it's Thursday!? That means double physics! Fuck that! I'm also a little hungover, fuck life! At least Chris is in the same boat, but he doesn't have physics! Ugh, but Piers has it with me so we can be miserable together. We decided to turn up for the New Year, both New Years Eve and Day. I actually woke up drunk on New Years Day, but today I'm dying.

"Chris, I don't want to go," I moan. "Well Jill, you were the one who downed twelve shots of vodka." "You had like 24!" "No, I had 5 and you just can't control yourself when you're drunk." "Well... I won't argue with you there." We leave the house and head for the car. Piers comes running out of the house, "WAIT!" Helena followed behind him. He's not wearing his scarf! What the hell? "Piers! Where is your scarf?" Then I realize he's wearing a red vest. "Claire and I exchanged accessories." "You're sure you're not still gay," Chris teases. He flares his nostrils, "Yes." "Well, which vest is it? Made in Heaven or Let Me Live?" "Let Me Live. She said it'd be weird if I wore the Made In Heaven one since you have the matching jacket." "Just a little," Chris agrees sarcastically. "How does that even work," I ask. "What," Piers asks. "Isn't it uh... Doesn't it slip off since you don't have an arm?" He smiles at me, "I still have a shoulder." I guess that makes sense, "But aren't you cold?" "I left my jacket in school." "Fuck, you've been without a jacket the whole break," I ask. "Yep, but luckily we stayed in either your or my house." I nod. We drive to the school and Piers runs in to avoid the cold. Chris and I casually follow behind him. Helena walks next to us and laughs at Piers' attempt to avoid the cold.

"So, exchanging accessories? They sound serious," I elbow Chris' side. "Yeah, okay. We never exchanged accessories but I think we're more serious than them." "Well, you did give me that necklace." "Yeah, but I bought that and you didn't get me shit." "I got you the PS3, what are you talking about?" "Come on, let's not lie, you got that for yourself." "I got it mostly for you, and it just turned into a win for both of us." "Sure. I have to go to U.S., so I'll see you later." "Ugh, double physics," I moan at Piers. "Helena has it too!" "No, I'm so sorry." Helena shrugs and we walk to the physics room.

We all sit together, we had assigned seats but no one sat in them, and once the whole class had arrived the teacher got in front of the class saying, "We have a new student today, Helena? Can you please stand and say something about yourself?" She stands, "Hi... I'm Helena, and most of you might remember me from last year so... Yep." Class continues as usual, and I didn't pay attention as usual. I have all the science credits I need for graduation so this was useless, I wasn't becoming a physicist. I'm going to West Point and becoming a demolitions expert, more chemistry than physics. I guess physics has something to do with it, but I mean I'll learn it there. I'll forget all of this by then. Jessica walks in, fuck me! She has a huge mark from where she hit her head. She shoots me a look before walking to her seat. "Ms. Sherawat, you're late." "And?" "You can't be interrupting class because you're irresponsible." "Ugh!" She's so stupid, God why can't she just move away again. "Guess you guys still aren't friends," Helena whispers to me. "Nope, see that cut on the back of her head? That was me. Pushed her into a sink at the club because she was being a bitch." Helena's eyes open in shock, but she's impressed. "Don't fuck with Ms. Valentine," she smiles. "We've all learned that," Piers looks up from his drawing.

"What are you drawing," I grab the book. "Jill, I went over this with you a hundred times: If you snatch my book I'm going to mess up the drawing." "Aw! It's Claire! You're such a nerd!" "Shut up," he laughs. I give it back and he continues to draw her. I'm impressed, it really does look like her. I look around the room and see Sheva sleeping. Somethings just don't change. "Sheva," I whisper. She doesn't respond. "Sheva. Sheva! Sheva!" She's still not hearing me? "Sheva," Piers says really loud. Sheva wakes up and looks at us, the teacher giving Piers a dirty look. He responds with a winsome (S.A.T. word) smile. "What," Sheva mouths once the teacher's attention isn't on us. "What's up," I ask her. "Nothing, let me sleep!" "Ugh, fine. Helena, talk to me!" "About what?" "I don't know. I don't care, I just need to be distracted from this stupid ass physics!"

"So how's Claire," Helena asks Piers. "What do you mean? We were drinking with her yesterday," Piers says. "Well yeah, but... I mean how IS she?" "WHAT!? I haven't had sex with her!" "Why not Piers, you've been dating for what...?" "A few days! I'm not like you, Helena! I don't fuck anyone until I know them!" "Is that so?" "Yeah!" "You weren't even dating Chris when you fucked him for the first time." "Well, that was different. I was friends with him for months!" "Fine, what about Dave?" "You weren't even here!" "Jill told me." Shit Helena, don't drag me into the argument. "Well, I needed a release after Chris." "Stop giving me half ass excuses!" "Fine! I'm... I'm scared," he moves down to a whisper. "Scared," Helena repeats. "Yeah, what if... What if I have sex with her and I turn out to not be attracted to her?" "You're afraid you're still gay," I ask. That's dumb, like really dumb. "You've kissed her, and you liked it right? Gave you a boner?" "Jill!" "Answer the question," Helena demanded. "Yes, alright!" "Then you'll be fine."