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I know I usually post two chapters but it's been a crazy few weeks and I didn't want to wait any longer on getting this posted.

Ch. 9 I Sip My Coffee and Smirk

(CLARE)

"Hi, what can I get you?" I ask the guy that just came in. He's lean and tall, soft features with chocolate eyes and skin. If I weren't so in love with Fitz I'd think this guy was attractive. He looks a few years older than me though, probably in college. He's also got a uniform on for the movie theater at the mall.

"How about an affogato," he says smiling at me.

"Sure, $4.50," I reply ringing him up.

He takes out a $10 and hands it to me, his fingers brushing along my skin as he does. I give him back his change and he drops it all in the tip jar with a wink. He's starting to give me the creeps, Drew isn't working today or I'd text him to come in here. I start making the espresso and when I turn around he's looking at my chest. I realize he was looking at my nametag when he speaks.

"Clare, that's a beautiful name, I'm Chris, we're both C's," he says as though having names that start with a C makes us kindred somehow.

I smile politely, but I really don't know what to say to him. I take the espresso and put in a scoop of vanilla gelato, topping it with chocolate and a wafer cookie. When I hand it over his skin brushes over mine again. He then sits down at the table closest to the counter and starts eating very slowly. I'm the only one here until closing which isn't for two hours, but this guy is making me nervous. I get out my phone and text Fitz, turning away from Chris but am faced so I can see if anyone comes in.

Me: Wish you were here with me.

Fitz: Miss me that much?

Me: Always but….

I start to type there's a creepy guy in here but erase it. I don't want Fitz to worry, maybe I'm just reading him wrong. Maybe it's just that his overt flirting is getting to me when I'm in love. I erase the "but" and instead write: Always, it's very quiet and lonely. Not a lie, but it won't freak him out either.

Fitz: I'm picking you up, why don't I come down now and keep you company.

Me: You'd do that?

Fitz: Of course, I'll be down shortly.

Me: Thanks, I love you.

Fitz: Love you too Sugar Dumpling.

I twist my mouth at the name, but I feel better that he'll soon be here. I slip my phone back into my pocket. Without really meaning to I glance up at Chris to see if he's still here. He is, slowly eating and watching me.

"You're lucky you get to be on your phone at work," Chris comments.

"Oh yeah, my boss is cool, if it's not busy she doesn't mind," I reply. Actually, it's only if there aren't customers here, but I'm sure Chiara won't mind. "I was just texting my boyfriend, saying hi, that I love him," I remark. Message sent. I am taken.

Chris doesn't say anything, just continues to eat and watch me. I have to keep busy so I wipe the counters, then I start wiping the tables near the entrance, but I can feel Chris watching me. So, I return to the counter and clean the espresso machine. Then busy myself pretending to organize the things around the espresso machine.

"So, you work all weekend?" Chris asks, his voice is awfully close. I think he's leaning on the counter, but I refuse to look.

"No, Sunday all day, Wednesday afternoons and every other Friday afternoon," I blurt out. I didn't actually mean to but he's making me nervous and I'm not thinking. It doesn't occur to me until the words leave my mouth that I just told him my entire schedule.

"See you Wednesday then, goodbye Clare," Chris comments. I finally hear him leaving and don't think I breathe until he's gone.

I look around letting out a breath because he's finally gone. No other customers are around, and my legs are kind of shaking. I kneel behind the counter, sort of organizing the area, thinking about Chris and his behavior. I flat out said I had a boyfriend I was in love with, and he didn't even care. I start to overanalyze if I should be worried or he's just friendly and a natural flirt like Drew.

"So, you ask me to come down here and then you hide from me?" Fitz's voice startles me from my thoughts. I didn't hear him come in, but I'm very happy he's here. I jump up and lean over the counter, gripping his shirt and crushing my lips to his. "Guess you really did miss me Dollface," Fitz laughs when I release his lips.

"You have no id…Dollface? Are you a 30's gangster?" I laugh.

"Think I'd look pretty good in a pinstripe suite and a fedora," he grins.

"Yes, that you would. I'll get you some coffee and a cannoli, on me for coming down here so early. You'll stay until I'm off right?"

"I said I would, besides why would I leave when I'm taking you home?" Fitz questions and then looks me over. "Everything okay?"

I mentally slap myself, I'm not going to worry Fitz over some guy flirting with me. Even if it was brash and forward even after he knew I had a boyfriend. There's no reason to worry Fitz and I don't want him going to the theater looking for Chris. I force a smile on my lips before responding.

"Fine, just bored, it's been slow and Drew isn't here today," I reply.

Fitz smiles and leans over the counter to sneak a quick kiss. I make him espresso the way I know he likes it, and grab a strawberry cannoli. I take it to him and put it down as my free one for the day. Every time we work six hours or more Chiara lets us have a free baked good or gelato. We get free espresso for every three hours. I haven't used mine yet today. Fitz stays with me for the rest of my shift and Chris doesn't come back. I know when a movie has let out though because we get a small rush of people wanting gelato, espresso or dessert. Fitz stays with me while I close up, we walk out to his car and he drives to my house.

"Do you want to hang out for a bit? Mom will probably make us stay in the living room, but we could watch a movie," I remark when he pulls up next to my house.

"Sounds wonderful," Fitz smiles, turning off the car and walking in with me.

"Hi Honey, hi Fitz," Mom greets us. She hugs me and then Fitz.

"How was work?" Glen asks.

"Pretty slow for the most part, but Fitz kept me company for the last couple of hours. Is it okay if he hangs out for a while?"

"Of course, just stay downstairs," mom says. Thankfully, she and Glen go upstairs giving us the living room.

I toss in a bag of microwave popcorn and go up to my room to change into more comfortable clothes. Fitz hangs out to watch a movie before going home. I shower before bed and stay up talking to Fitz on the phone before falling asleep. Monday morning Jake takes us to school, and I see Fitz's car already here. I go inside and find Fitz at his locker; Owen is at his and Anya is with him. He has his arm around her, it would have hurt to see even last week, but not anymore.

"So, are you two official?" I question.

"Yeah, he asked after the dance," Anya says.

"I'm glad, you two seem happy together," I smile while Fitz pulls me into his arms and lays a kiss on my temple.

"We are, although you two are definitely in love," Anya grins.

"We are, very much in love, right Angel Eyes?" Fitz asks.

"Right," I smile, kissing him softly. I'm not even annoyed over the name because it wasn't that bad.

"You know, you're welcome on the trip again," Owen remarks.

"I know, but Clare will be here, and I want to be with her, you guys have a good time," Fitz replies.

He walks me to my locker and then to class. New packets for parenting/life econ class with surprises and a project. Fitz and I eat lunch with our friends and after school we go to his house. After making out on his bed for an hour we start on our project. I stay for dinner, and he takes me home after dinner.

"Track and field tryouts are tomorrow; you can stay and watch. Get a start on your homework and we can go to my house after to work on our parenting/life econ project," Fitz offers when he walks me to my door.

"Sounds great," I grin wrapping my arms around his neck and taking his lips for a kiss.

I don't linger in the kiss as much as I want to because I know mom will come to the door at any minute. I say goodnight to Fitz, go inside and talk to mom and Glen a few minutes before going up to my room. I finish my homework, shower, go to bed and dream of Fitz all night long. Jake takes us to school Tuesday morning, we get there before Fitz so I go to my locker. I put away my books for afternoon classes and walk to the front to wait for Fitz, but the Torres boys find me first.

"Hi Clare," Adam smiles.

"Hey, you working tomorrow?" Drew asks, putting his arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah, four to close," I nod.

"Me too, you can ride with me. I'd offer to take you home, but I'm sure Fitz or Jake will be picking you up," Drew comments.

"I'll be picking my girlfriend up," Fitz says, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me from Drew and taking my lips tenderly.

Bianca and Owen find us before the bell, and we stay together until the bell then Adam and I leave them to get to first period. I see Fitz in second period, and we spend most of class working on the current assignment. We have lunch with our friends and Fitz gives me a long kiss before we part ways to get to third period.

After school I walk to the bleachers for track and field. The track team is still in the locker room, I get out my homework and when the guys come out I blow a kiss to Fitz and wave to K.C. and Dave. I do my homework while idly watching the track and field tryouts. There's a few standouts that were on the team last year, notably Fitz, Dave, K.C. and a senior whose first name I believe is Cole. I can't remember though, and Coach Armstrong only calls him Walters which is his last name.

I wait for Fitz to shower and go home with him. His dad is home, and we all make dinner and eat together. Then Fitz and I go up to his room, making out on his bed for a while before we get to parenting/life econ work. He gets me home for curfew and Mom opens the door to make sure Fitz is coming for my birthday dinner Thursday. I kiss Fitz goodnight and go up to my room, shower before bed and dream of Fitz.

Wednesday is much the same except that I don't watch Fitz at practice. I do meet Drew at his car after school and ride with him to the mall. I walk with him to the kiosk and wave as I walk on to the store. Chiara is here and I clock in, put away my purse and put on an apron with my name tag. It's fairly slow for the first couple hours of my shift and Chiara spends it taking stock, ordering, and doing some bookkeeping. I'm stocking and straightening shelves, watching the entrance when I see someone coming in. I look over smiling, but it almost drops when I see it's Chris.

"Hi Clare," he grins.

"Hi, what can I get for you?" I ask politely. I turn from him to walk back to the counter.

"Those bobolini look good, and a vanilla espresso," he says.

I ring him up and he leaves a generous tip again. I get him his pastry and coffee; he sits at a table close to the counter and watches me. Thankfully, Chiara comes from the back just as Chris sits down.

"Sorry about that, Clare. I got back there, and I had more to do than I thought," Chiara apologizes.

"That's okay, it's been pretty quiet out here."

"It's your birthday tomorrow isn't it?" Chiara asks. From the corner of my eye I can see Chris leaning in to listen.

"Yeah, my sixteenth, my boyfriend is coming to dinner," I reply. Hoping the mention of my age and the reminder that I have a boyfriend will deter Chris' attention.

"Just a dinner? I went all out for my sixteenth, although your birthday does fall on a weekday, maybe they're planning a surprise party for you Friday night," Chiara comments.

"Friday Degrassi's hockey team is playing in the championship game. Fitz and I are going to go support our friend Owen, the star player. Saturday Fitz is having a party for me at his house."

"Well, I'd better get back to work, thanks for the delicious pastries and coffee ladies," Chris says getting up from the table. Chiara smiles and waves, I start walking to the table to get his dishes.

"I'll get those, take your lunch Clare," Chiara says just as Drew is coming in.

"Sweet, I'm on lunch too, let's go eat," he comments, linking his arm with mine. We walk to the food court and get pizza. I eat with Drew; we talk a little about my birthday party and March break. He walks me back to the store and gets some gelato before he returns to work.

Chiara is off when I return, and the rest of the shift is pretty quiet. Fitz arrives about half an hour before I'm off. I already have everything ready to close and the last thing after closing metal pull down door is locking the cash drawer. Chiara will reconcile in the morning. Fitz and I leave through the employee entrance in the back. We get in his car and I tell him about my shift, just not about Chris, but do tell him I had dinner with Drew since we were both on lunch.

"I'd ask you to come in, but I have homework still," I tell him when he pulls up to my house.

"That's okay, I'll see you tomorrow," Fitz says. He walks me to the door and gives me a long, ardent kiss goodnight.

I got nothing done at work, so it takes me a couple of hours to get all my homework done. I shower and go to bed; I sleep well but wake flushed after a steamy dream about Fitz. Mom is still here, and she hugs me as soon as I come downstairs. After a few minutes of hugging me and making a fuss that "her baby is sixteen" Jake pulls me away and tells her we need to get to school. Neither of us ate so we stop at The Dot for breakfast.

"Happy birthday Clare," Spin says when we come in.

"Thanks Spin," I smile.

"Your order is on the house for your birthday," Spinner says.

"Cool," Jake grins and starts ordering. Spinner only rings up Jake's food and coffee, we eat at the café since we left a little early. As we're finishing eating Fitz comes in.

"Happy birthday Sexy," Fitz grins. He snatches my lips for a kiss before sitting next to me. Jake and I finish eating and I ride to school with Fitz.

All day my friends wish me happy birthday and we talk about my party on Saturday. After school I head to the bleachers at the track to watch Fitz at practice. I sit on the second row with my feet up, my backpack is below me. I have it open since I'm also doing homework. I watch the guys showing what they can do, the final roster will go up Friday and the first meet is in two weeks. Suddenly movement under the bleachers catches my eye. I look down and see someone in a hoodie trying to get into my backpack!

"Hey," I snap at them, setting down my book and getting under the bleachers as fast as I can. I slip through the ones above me and drop down. The hooded figure at my backpack turns around, he's holding a small box wrapped in silver with gold string. It's Chris! I don't know why he's here when he clearly doesn't go to this school.

"Just dropping off your birthday present," Chris says, looking at me and winking while also putting the box in my hand.

"You shouldn't be giving me presents or lurking around under the bleachers," I reply. My voice laced with annoyance and ire.

"Hey Clare," K.C. calls. I turn to look back at him and when I turn back Chris is running off. "You okay? Who was that?" K.C. questions as he joins me.

"I don't know, he was lurking near my backpack, I think he was trying to steal things," I reply. Telling K.C. that it's a guy that works at the mall would have led to a lot more questions that I don't have the answers to. I don't want K.C. getting mad, and I don't want him telling Fitz or anyone else. It is worrisome that Chris came to the school, but he's too old for me and surely he'll lose interest soon.

"What's that?" K.C. asks, noting the package in my hands. I've been so shocked I forgot I was even holding it.

"My birthday present…from Alli," I say slowly, "it fell out of my backpack when that guy was trying to open it." I turn and start walking out from under the bleachers and K.C. follows me.

"You guys okay? What's going on?" Fitz questions coming over, and I put my arms behind my back hiding the gift.

"I went to get water and saw Clare under the bleachers with some guy. Looked like they were arguing so I came over to see what was going on. As soon as he saw me the guy turned and ran off. Clare said he was trying to get into her backpack, probably a ravine kid looking for drug money," K.C. informs Fitz.

Fitz puts his arm around me hugging me from the side, "You okay? Did he take anything?"

"No, I stopped him before he could, like K.C. said he ran off as soon as K.C. called to me. Thanks for investigating K.C.," I smile.

K.C. smiles but before either of us can say anything Coach Armstrong calls for the guys to get back to practice. When the guys run back to the track I look at the box Chris gave me. I think about tossing it out without opening it, but curiosity overtakes me, and I open the package. Inside the small box is some black and silver tissue, and when I move that I see black fabric. I pull it out just enough to see that it's a lacy black thong. I close the box, though some fabric is sticking out, so it doesn't close all the way, and walk over tossing it in the trash can. The only one here is the one near the team. I toss in the box and the wrapping and return to my seat to watch the rest of practice.

(FITZ)

"Good job everyone, final list will be posted tomorrow morning. Hydrate and hit the showers," Coach hollers when practice is over Thursday afternoon.

We head to the bleachers grabbing our stuff and Clare gets off the bleachers heading toward us. Sam is tossing something in the trash can but stops and looks in the can. Then reaches in pulling something out.

"Hey, what's this?" He says pulling out some tissue paper, ribbon, and a little piece of black lacy fabric. Clare freezes and K.C.'s eyes go right to her.

"Alli bought you sexy panties for your birthday?" K.C. asks Clare. My eyebrows shoot up and now the entire team's eyes are on my girlfriend.

"You and Fitz going to get biz-ee for your birthday Clare?" Sam teases. He also drops the ribbon and tissue back in the can holding up the panties. Not only are they sheer black lace, but they are a thong. The other guys start whistling and looking at Clare like she's a piece of candy.

"Alright guys, you can stop picturing my girlfriend in these," I comment, marching over to take the panties and stuff them in my pocket.

"We need to shower," Dave says while the other guys are looking disappointed that I hid the panties.

"You can give those to me now," Clare whispers, coming over to me.

"Why? You going to wear them tonight?"

"No, Mark, I'm going to dispose of them somewhere safer. Those are not my style," she remarks reaching into my pocket to take the panties. I growl and playfully nip her neck for using my first name.

"I'll meet you at my car in a few minutes," I tell her running off to join my team in the locker room.

"You going to take pictures for us of Clare in those sexy panties?" Kyle asks.

"Dude, I even think you're picturing her in the panties again and I'm going to stuff you in a locker," I growl.

"I'm surprised Alli got her those," K.C. comments.

"I'm not, seems like a gift Alli would give," I remark.

"I don't remember Alli talking about getting those for Clare, but then she probably wouldn't have told me," Dave says.

We get in the showers and the guys are still making comments. I shower as quick as I can and run out to my car. Clare is at my car, Owen with her and the two are talking. I wave to Owen and help Clare into my car. He wishes her happy birthday again before getting into his car and driving off.

"So," I venture as I begin driving to her house for her birthday dinner, "what is your style?"

"Huh?"

"If a lacy black thong isn't your style then what is? Big white granny panties?"

"No," she laughs, shaking her head vigorously.

"So, Dumpling? What is your style, what panties are you wearing right now?"

"If you can go all night without calling me one of those stupid nicknames then I'll show you," she responds.

Just the prospect of it has my dick twitching. I take her hand, kissing the back of it before interlacing our fingers. I park in front of Jake's truck when we arrive at her house and follow Clare inside. Greeting her parents and Jake before washing our hands and sitting down. Helen made Clare's favorite meal and we have a nice dinner with her family.

"I know Fitz wants to take you for dessert, but before you leave your father and I will make a down payment on a car and pay for the first two months of insurance," Helen tells her.

Clare gets really excited, jumping up and hugging her mom and Glen. "Thank you," Clare almost shrieks.

"We have time on Saturday, before your birthday party. We can have breakfast first and then go car hunting," Helen says.

"I'll get up early on Saturday! I'm going to have my own car," Clare says practically jumping.

She thanks her parents again and hugs them along with Jake before I get her out to my car. I asked earlier this week if I could bring Clare to my place for dessert after the family birthday dinner. I just have to have her home by curfew, which only gives us a couple of hours. Dad was on call tonight, so I didn't even have to worry about him crashing in on us.

"Sit," I tell Clare when we come into the kitchen.

She sits at the kitchen table and I grab the cake I made last night, and the candles I got. I wasn't going to put sixteen candles on the cake, I just bought a 1 and 6. I put them on the cake and light them, bringing the cake over and setting it in front of Clare.

"Happy birthday Clare, I'd sing but you don't want to hear that," I tell her, and she giggles.

"Thanks Fitz, this is a wonderful present," she smiles, kissing my cheek.

"No, this is dessert, your present is upstairs."

"You baked for me, and I have a present? How'd I get so lucky?" She grins. I smile and kiss her lips gently.

"Blow out your candles so we can eat your dessert, I only get you for so long before I have to get you home."

She smiles and blows out her candles, I get out ice cream and serve us both a slice of cake. We eat mostly in silence, but she's happy and that's all that matters to me. After we eat I put the top over the cake container, she'll take the rest home. Then I take her hand and bring her up to my room, sitting her on my bed. I grab the small black box from its hiding spot in my drawer and take it to Clare. She smiles but seems almost nervous as she takes the box to open it. When she lifts the lid and sees what's inside her slightly nervous smile grows to a happy one, stretching her lips wide. She takes out the silver bracelet holding it up and admiring it. It's a braided silver chain with a flower made from her birthstone in the center.

"It's beautiful Fitz, thank you so much," she grins, and her lips attach to mine.

"Happy Birthday Clare," I smile when she takes her lips away. "This has been a perfect birthday, and we haven't even had my party yet."

"You deserve perfect," I smile, taking her lips for another quick kiss. "So, I've been a good boy, do I get to see?" I question excitedly.

"You have been good, okay but close your eyes," she says, starting to get up, but I put my hand on her arm.

"May I? I would love the privilege of peeling off your clothes to reveal my prize."

She bites her lip looking considerate for a moment before nodding. I smile and push her to lie back while sealing my lips to hers. I put her feet on my lap and take off her shoes and socks. Then I sit up, I want her to see me as I do this, for my eyes to be locked on hers. She watches me as I slowly open her jeans and start pulling them over her hips.

"Beautiful and sexy just like you," I comment when her panties are revealed. Clare bites her lip and blushes.

I watch her face, but also admire her panties. They are also black, but cotton not lace, with little red cherries and white flowers on them. Not sure of the cut, but I can see her hips, they do cover her ass though. I continue pulling her pants down until I've peeled them off entirely. Her milky, porcelain skin revealed before me I can't help but run my fingers over her smooth legs. My fingers drift up to just under her panties and I stop, locking eyes with her again.

"May I give you the additional gift of an orgasm for your birthday?"

"Okay," she exhales so softly I almost don't hear her.

"If you want me to stop just the say the word, actually, hit my head…stop isn't generally a good word to try and say in the throes of passion," I comment, and she giggles.

Her giggles turn to a slight gasp when I hook my fingers into her panties and begin to shimmy them down her hips. Inhaling deeply as her beautiful lower lips become revealed. I take her panties off and open her legs, lying on my stomach between them. My tongue licks softly over her lips and she makes the loveliest of moans. Soft, but purring, her back arching a little, I look up to see her head craned back and eyes closed in pleasure.

I get my hands under her ass to give me better access as my tongue very gently penetrates into her tender folds. Clare moans, her body tensing just slightly before she begins to tremble in my hands. I watch her face, her hands gripping the bedspread as she wriggles and writhes with each flick of my tongue.

Occasionally I'll withdraw my tongue just long enough to flick it over her clit. My tongue tickling the tender bud of nerves evokes some delicious purring moans from Clare's lips. Her body shivering and quaking, writhing, and wriggling in immense pleasure. I let my tongue slowly explore her and taste her, savoring her sweet flavor on my tongue. Flicking her clit every so often, her moans and body movements increasing until she screams out my name as the orgasm overtakes her. I slow my ministrations but don't stop completely until she's ridden out her orgasm.

Slowly withdrawing I work my way up my body. Laying soft kisses along her flesh as I go until I reach her lips. My lips attach to her hers, her hand grips the back of my neck as her lips part, welcoming my tongue and tasting her flavor on my lips. I pull out of the kiss after a couple minutes to let her breathe. Looking down at her with adoration.

"Happy birthday Clare."

"It most certainly was," she grins, pulling me back down to kiss her.

I will try to update soon, we are drawing to a close on this story so the next chapter(s) will likely be the last. I haven't entirely decided what will replace this. story when it ends. Next up will likely be more chapter of "This is Life & I'm Wondering if We Should Play it a Different Way."