Here's chapter 18 xx hope you like xx Ok, so it seemed like people were keen to participate in my other competition so I thought I'd do another one xxx The question is, What Secret is Michael Glass hiding? Let me know what you think and c if you can guess correctly ! xxx All will be revealed soon . . . R&R plz xxxxxx Thalia's Tree xxx

Shane's POV

"Shit Shane hurry up its starting to rain!" Eve yelled at the top of her lungs as I hurriedly carried a box of ice lollies, (Yes thats right, ice lollies) to her hearse. I know what your thinking.

Why ice lollies when its raining?

I'll tell you why. Gothica has gone crazy. As it is Claire's birthday tomorrow, Eve has been racing around like a mad women, trying to perfect every last detail of the surprise party. Just as well really cause I wouldn't have known where to even start!

"Right, Michael you're on music and alcohol duty, I'm on invitation and decoration duty. Shane, you're on food and distracting Claire duty." Eve had instructed me and Michael a few days ago. Its like she had gone into complete commando mode. It was kinda amusing to be honest. She was literally pacing the floor as she spoke. All Eve needed was one of those pointer sticks.

"And how do you suppose I do that?" I had asked.

"Um well you could try kissing." Eve had suggested with a wink.

"No! I meant how am I supposed to do food if I have to distract Claire?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something." Eve had replied.

So that's what I was doing now. I'd dropped off Claire at the library earlier that morning and I now had Eve with me in the backseat of the car (dunno why, but she said she needed to get out of the house for a bit, so I let her tack along)

Really regretting being so nice.

It was now getting dark and thunder struck as I sped off down the road towards the Glass house. Just because it was raining it didn't mean that Vampires were going to stay at indoors.

The plan was to drop Eve off with all the party stuff, including balloon (which were NOT pre-blown up), sandwiches, sausage rolls, fizzy pop for those under the drinking age who were attending as well as lots lots more.

A heck of a lot more. But I'm sure everything will be eaten, knowing us.

Well maybe not Claire.

She hasn't been eating so much lately, she says she has lost her appetite. That's probably true, the doctor had informed us of this. I can't help feeling a little scared though. Claire seems to be going down hill pretty fast. Or maybe that's just me, but it's scary to think that she actually is ill. And there's nothing I can do to help.

"Shane where are you going?" Eve asked, now sat looking strangely at me.

"Home." I said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Ok, well we passed home a street and a half ago." She informed me. Damn it. "You okay?"

"Yeah sure." I replied absently minded as I turned the car around. It was thundering pretty bad now and I was pretty sure there would be lightning later.

"Right." I said as I pulled up the car. "Eve, you and Michael need to get everything away so Claire won't see. If i'm right then Claire will come home and go straight to bed. We can put everything together so that when I take Claire out, you can get everything out eaily. Got it?"

"Aye aye Captain!" Eve saluted. "Everyone should be arriving about 2ish so if you take Claire out for brunch, make sure she doesn't eat too much."

"Who did you exactly invite?"

"Um," Eve shrugged. "Dunno really. I put a notice up in the college and put it on Facebook, so I suppose anybody could turn up." She thought for a second and then looked shocked. "Oh my God I forgot to call Aria! I knew I'd forgotten something! Gotta go!" Eve jumped out of the car quickly and I heard her scream as she suddenly remembered it was raining.

Silently I chuckled and pulled away, making my way to the library to pick up my girlfriend . . .

Eve's POV

"Yoy Mikey i'm home!" I yelled as I got into the house. I shaked myself off, noting that I'd have to dry the floor off later.

No reply.

Perfect.I thought sarcastically. Gone again. Maybe he'll think to pop into the bedroom tonight. No scrap that, we were sleeping in different beds tonight.

I entered the kitchen and put the bags down on the counter and starting putting food in the fridge. I was so excited for tomorrow, probably more excited than Claire herself.

Claire.

It still didn't feel real you know? It's like I'm vaguely aware of the situation, but I refuse to believe it. Whenever I try to talk to Claire about it and try to get her to tell me what she is feeling, she just keeps telling me that she is fine, that she is not scared and that it will be over soon. I thought she meant that she will be cured soon.

But now I think that she thinks that she is going to die.

I heard Claire crying last night. She was whispering to someone, or herself. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but I', pretty sure it proves that she is scared.

Oh my baby.

Feeling slightly peckish I figured I'd put myself together a sandwich. But as I reached for the bread bin, I saw a note from Michael stuck on it.

E,

Sorry I can't be here right now to help with the final arrangements. I'll be back tonight. I promise.

I screwed up the note and threw it in the rubbish bin next to me. I would not let it get to me, I would not let. It. Get. To. Me!

Ok I think i'm letting it get to me.

I grabbed two slices of bread from the bread bin and began to grate some cheese. I just don't understand why Michael can't tell me where he is going. It's not right. We're a couple and we should not be keeping secrets form each other. Anyway, if he told me I could help him right? Maybe he doesn't want my help. Maybe to him I'm just a stupid girl in stupid clothes who is just all round stupid . . .

"Ah shit!" I cussed as I ran out of cheese and grated my finger. I sucked on it while finishing off the sandwich and taking it into the front room.

I sighed out loud and to no one in particular I said, "Why can't life ever be simple. Why can't life be a fairytale, because I have a funny feeling there is not going to be a happy ever after . . "

On the table in front of me there was a pile of random birthday decorations that Michael had obviously left out for me. Damn it.

"Better put these away, I guess, don't look like anyone else is going to do it!" I already knew that 12 of Claire class mates were coming tomorrow, and possibly a few more. Michael said he knew a few people who would come. But to be honest I very much doubt it is going to be a big party.

"Aria." Better call her too. Then put the decorations away, and star preparing food, and wrapping the present, and tidy up and . . .ah hell. The list was never ending.

Shane's POV

"Dum dum dum tee dee dum . . " I hummed along to the lyrics of the song on the radio as I drove through the streets of Morganville. Even though it didn't look like Claire would be going back to school in September, and it was the holiday, she had still insisted on going to the library to study. Strange girl. She had said that even though she was sick, she still wanted to study and keep up with her work. I think that it great that she still thinks about her future, and I think its very important.

I pulled up outside the public library and sprinted my way to the doors and the rain still pored down. It better clear up for tomorrow else I'm gonna have words with the big man up there. As I stepped in side I was instantly lost. "Wow, that's a lot of books." There were books everywhere. I know that that is what libraries are for but gee, they like to make a boy feel stupid.

I figured that instead of wandering around aimlessly, I'd ask the front desk. The woman sat at the desk had dyed red hair and was fat. I mean, no offence but she was. She wore a badge that said 'Happy to Help!' but from the look on her face, she looked anything but.

"Hi." I greeted as I approached the desk. "I was wondering if you could help me . . ."

Claire's POV

I'd had a bad day. If you know what i mean. Somedays i'll feel good, other days i'll fe bad and other days were a mixture of both. Today was just plain old bad.

I'd woken up that morning feeling really nauseated and had actually ended up throwing up, which is slightly annoying seeing as I hadn't even started my treatment yet. My only request to the doctor had been not to start anything until after my birthday, which is tomorrow. So I better fell well tomorrow or i'll be sad.

Ok, slight understatement. I'll be pissed off.

Anyway, I figured there was no way I could spend today around my friends feeling this ill. They've been so good to me and they don't need to see me like this. So I had Shane drop me here this morning so I could study. Though I've mostly been kinda dosing instead. Once, a librarian had come over and told me that unless I was studying I'd have to leave. Oops.

"Claire?"

"Huh?" I looked around to see my boyfriend making his way over to me. Was it 7 o'clock already? I guess so.

"Hiya." i smiled as he kissed me on the head. "Bad a good day?"

"Better now I'm with you. "Shane replied.

"Cheesy much?" I laughed.

"Na just an old romantic. You ready to go?"

"Yep let me just put my books away." Once they were all safely in my bag I let Shane pick it up and put it on his shoulder. I pushed the chair away and stood up, but had to steady myself on the desk in front of me as my head spun.

"Ok?" Shane asked having obviously seeing my hesitation. He knew better now a days not to ask me if I was ok because he knew I hated it, but I let it go.

"Yeah, sorry. Lets go."

oxoxoxoxox

Hand in hand we left the library both giggling.

"You know I got lost trying to find you." Shane told me.

"you've been in the library before?"

"Well obviously I have. When I was in the school reading club I would come here every Thursday!" I laughed a real laugh, knowing that Shane has never read a book in his life. Shane smiled back at me, clearly happy at being able to make me laugh, something none of us have done a lot of these past few weeks.

"So, you looking forward to tomorrow CB?" Shane asked, poking me playfully in the arm. I swatted his hand away.

"Yep. I'll finally be able to legally drink finally."

"Well its not like you haven't drunk before. Remember when . . ."

" . . . I said legally babe."

Getting in the car we drove home silently. I was looking forward to tomorrow but I could t help feeling scared. Not because I was becoming an adult or that it was the next step in my life, I was scared that it would be the last birthday I'd ever have. I knoe that sounds morbid, but what if it is? I sighed.

"Tired?" shane asked as we pulled up outside the house. I nodded.

"Shane can i ask you a question?"

"Sure Claire Bear. What is it?"

"The other night," I began," whe. You thought I was asleep, you sang me a song."

Eve though it was dark, I could see him blush. "Thats not a question. "

"Did you mean it? Will you always stay with me?" I asked, looking down at my lap.

It was Shane's turn to sigh. He thr. Off the engine, took off his seat belt and turned so his whole body was facing me.

Taking my hands he looked me straight in the eye and said. "i meant every word of it. I'll stay with you through it all. I'll love you through the hole damned thing. And when it is over, and it will be over one day, I will still love you. "

He kissed and I knew he meant it. I'd never be alone. As long as I had Shane, everything would be ok.