As soon as the loft door opened, Claire was on her feet. It was painful, but it did her good - it meant she still felt. Isaac and Scott brought Boyd and Cora in, Claire noted. Derek followed close behind, his shirt torn up to a point where it was almost falling off him. Blood stained nearly every part of him. Claire went to run to him - to hug the life out of him for coming back, but her feet froze when she saw the woman that was hanging onto his hand. Her heart sunk painfully in her chest. She felt the pang of hurt and before she was seen, Claire snuck out of the door.

Isaac saw her though, because he followed her.

"Hey, wait."

Claire didn't want to stop, but she couldn't as she held on to her side.

Damn wolfsbane to hell, she thought.

Isaac had gently grabbed her arm. "Where are you going? You're still healing."

"I'm fine."

"Liar."

He had called her out on her bad acting. She liked Isaac, he didn't sugar coat things. From the few days that she'd known him, he wasn't so bad.

"What's really the matter?"

His gaze was on her, made her want to crack under pressure. She knew how bad it would be if she did crack.

Heaven help her. Those eyes, a world of possibilities to them.

Stop, stop thinking about that! Her mind screamed at her.

"Claire?"

She snapped out of her thoughts, feeling like a complete and utter idiot. Shaking her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts, she needed some air.

"I just need some air."

Fortunately for her, Isaac let her go. A part of her knew that he knew what was wrong because she could feel his eyes on the back of her head as she continued down the stairs and out of sight. When she reached outside, morning was just rolling up across the sky. She began her walk down the street, attempting to sort out any thoughts that might have still been coherent. Two blocks down and the next thing she knew, Isaac was running up next to her.

"I told you to leave me alone."

"And let you get hurt? Derek will have my head."

At the mention of his name, she felt the pang of hurt all over again. Maybe she was imagining things? Her own sick thoughts were taking over her mind, threatening their way in. She let them.

"It's about the teacher, isn't it?"

The teacher?

Claire stopped to look at Isaac, who stopped a few steps ahead.

"What?"

"The teacher - I saw the look you had on your face when Derek came back to the loft, that's the new teacher that he brought with him. She was stuck in the boiler room with Boyd and Cora when Derek went down there to stop them."

Still, that didn't stop the pang of hurt.

Why would Derek bring her to his place?

Since when did he care for innocent people?

She didn't seem hurt, why not just leave her there?

So many thoughts ran through her head that her head hurt.

Life's not easy for anyone. Everyone has scars they're afraid to show and we all get slammed headfirst into a proverbial locker from time to time by someone bigger and badder. She was a victim to her own thoughts, a prisoner to her own twisted mind.

"It's just... I've never seen Derek with another woman before."

"He cares about you, Claire." Isaac reassured her. "The night you were attacked by the alpha twins, he stayed next to the couch while you were passed out."

That didn't make the feeling go away.

Claire began walking again, hoping Isaac would get the picture.

He didn't.

He kept pace with her, keeping his gaze on her.

"Why are you here, talking to me?"

"I'm here because I know the sadness inside you. I know what it feels like to wake up, lost and lonely and aching for someone to be there with you. You can be quite transparent when you think no one can see."

Damn him.

She heard Isaac's phone buzz in his pocket and he took it out, looking at the screen. Claire peeked over his shoulder and saw who it was.

"Don't answer it. Please." She pleaded.

Isaac answered it anyway.

"Derek."

"Have you seen Claire?" She could hear on the other line.

Isaac gave her a look that clearly said I told you so.

Claire shook her head, mouthing Please don't tell him I'm here.

There was a moment of silence. Then Isaac spoke and Claire was certain she was going to have a werewolf head on her wall.

"Yeah, she's right here. Hold on." He held the phone out to her with a smirk on his face.

She gave him a look that told him she hated his guts now. Taking a deep breath, Claire put the phone to her ear.

"Where are you?"

"Nowhere."

"Why are you with Isaac?"

"I'm not. He followed me. Just go help that teacher, Derek."

"Wait, Claire-"

She didn't bother hearing the rest as she hung up the phone. Handing it back to Isaac, she began walking away from him. She kept her pace fast, but Isaac still kept up with her.

"Would you just leave me alone?"

"No. Because I have a feeling you're thinking of doing something incredibly stupid and I've only known you for a few days."

"What do you care?"

"Because I see a broken woman underneath that hard outer shell."

"So what?" Claire spun around. "You claim to know all that and you've only known me for a few days. You know nothing about me."

Isaac raised an eyebrow at her. "...You really are just like Derek. No wonder you two get along so well."

Claire gave Isaac an evil look.

The world isn't fair. And no matter how good and decent you are, no matter how much you give to others, someone is always going to hate you for no other reason than the fact that you breathe. You can't help that. You can't change people or their minds once they've allowed them to get twisted by hatred. But you can change how you deal with them. Never back down, but walk away when you can, fight when you must. Whatever you do don't give them the power to hurt you. Don't let them inside you.

They're not worth it. Live your life for yourself. Stay true to yourself and if they can't see the beauty that is you, it's their loss. Let the bitterness take them to their graves. Spend your time on what matters most. Being you and appreciating the people who see you for who and what you are. The people who love you, and the ones that you love. They are all that matter. Let the rest go to hell.

It was something she was taught to live by. Something that was forced into her brain. It had only gotten worse when her mother was murdered. The world turned it's back on her, so she turned her back on the world.

"You could use some time off from the supernatural world." Isaac held out his arm for her to take. "How 'bout a movie?"

Claire narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing. Can't a guy ask a girl to a movie without needing a hidden agenda?"

Claire stood there, thinking about.

After a few moments, Isaac broke the silence. "My arm is not getting any lighter."

Claire shrugged inwardly. Why not? She needed something to take her mind off Derek and that teacher. And what they could be doing right at that very moment. Linking arms with Isaac, he led the way as they walked in silence, leaving each other to their own thoughts.

Author's Note: Isaac and Claire? Going for a movie? Oh lord help me. I had fun writing this chapter. The teacher though, has something up her sleeve. Reviews are welcome. :)