Chapter Three: A Broken Moment
Here's the thing about Clara. Once upon a time, she enjoyed playing DnD. She enjoyed the role-play, she loved hanging with the middle schoolers that she played with because God forbid, she play with the club at high school. She couldn't do that; it would go against her flawless image. The image of a cute cheerleader with the amazing jock boyfriend.
When she went through hell and back, she stopped. She stopped caring about cheer, she stepped aside when her boyfriend decided that he preferred Clara's twin over herself. She started dating the jerk, didn't care that he continuously belittled her. She just didn't care anymore.
The boys named the monster after a demon in DnD. Maybe that was why she refused to play anymore. Any thought about hearing the name of that damn creature sent shivers down her back.
At the bell, she started gathering her things. She went to grab her lunch tray, but Eddie beat her to the punch. He had disappeared for a bit after his spiel but had arrived back just minute ago. He grabbed it from her, balancing it precariously onto of his.
"Of course not, Dustin. Don't try again," he repeated her words as he followed her towards their next class. They shared it, sitting beside each other, much to the confusion of Ms. O'Donnell. She couldn't see why her top student bothered with her failing student.
"I don't know what you mean," she said, stopping at her locker to grab a couple of books.
"Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean."
Looking up at him, she gave him a look that told him to drop the subject. Or at least, that was what she thought she conveyed. From the way he continued with their course of conversation, he either didn't read her expression properly or had ignored it. Likely the latter, but she tried to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Turning, she jumped at the sight of Max standing in front of her. The redhead ignored Eddie's presence as she started rambling.
"Clara, is it just me, or has Dustin gotten dumber?"
"Max—" The girl didn't stop.
"Did he honestly believe that I would play that stupid game with them? I've never played and have never had any desire to play it. They oughta have better luck with you. Didn't you use to play?"
Clara sighed as Eddie started chuckling. Max shut up.
"Oh, sorry, Clara." She slunk off leaving Clara with Eddie.
"What class and level?" he asked.
"Like I said before, I have no idea what you mean."
She attempted to escape him, but he cornered her against the lockers, arms on either side of her head.
"What class and level, Cunningham?" he repeated lowly, leaning in close to her. He bit his bottom lip, waiting for her to answer.
"Thief, level twelve," she whispered, staring up at him. "But that was a very long time ago, Munson."
She ducked under his arm, smiling secretly to herself as he stumbled to catch up with her. He followed her the rest of the way down the hall, until the second bell rung, and she started racing to get to class on time. She couldn't be late. It would reflect awfully on her record.
The pair of them drew glances when they burst into the classroom, moment before the third and final bell rung. Clara flushed, cheeks turning bright pink as students stared at her. She walked to her desk, head low as Eddie followed.
As Ms. O'Donnell started handing back papers, Clara snuck a glance at Eddie's paper. A large red D was circled on it. Thank God he hadn't failed. It was getting pathetic now. This was what, his third time taking the class? He ought to have learned something by now!
She leaned over her desk, scribbling someone to a piece of paper. She waded it up and haphazardly tossing it onto Eddie's desk beside her. He barely acknowledged it, stuffing it into her pocket without a second glance.
Listening intently to Ms. O'Donnell, Clara forgot that she had her meeting with the school counselor. It wasn't until Ms. Kelley poked her head into the room. Clara gathered her things, ignoring the stares as she walked out of the classroom.
Head down, she followed Ms. Kelley to her office, sitting down across from the woman. God, the woman thought she knew everything. That she could fix what whatever was wrong with Clara.
There was nothing wrong with her. Well, nothing Clara could share. She had been to hell… or as close to hell as one could get. She survived that place after all. Ms. Kelley tried to get her to speak, but like all the other session before, Clara only answered with basic head nods. Were the headaches still affecting her? Yes. Nosebleeds? No. Throwing up? Yeah, but not today. So, no.
Ms. Kelley sat back, tapping her pen against her notepad.
"Clara. I can't help you if you don't let me." That was new.
"What?" Clara asked quietly.
"You have top marks in all your classes, but you don't participate. You haven't gone back to cheer or tried anything else."
"I don't enjoy it anymore," Clara muttered. "I'm just trying to get through this last semester so I can get the hell out of this shithole."
"Clara, language."
"No, I'll say whatever I damn well please." Clara pushed her chair back, and stood, getting her bag. "You will never understand what I've gone through and I'm sick and tired of you thinking you do." She walked out, ignoring Ms. Kelley calling out her name.
She took off running the moment the office door closed behind her. She didn't stop running until she got to edge of the school's property. She started hyperventilating, dropping to her knees in the grass field. Her hands went to her head, covering her ears as she tried to calm herself down.
"Cunningham!"
Steve was suddenly beside her, wrapping an arm around her. "Calm down," he whispered into her ear, rocking her back and forth.
"You're safe. You're okay." She finally got a breath and collapsed against his chest, tears streaming down her face. He held her tightly, rubbing her back until she calmed down, breathing back to normal.
Pulling away, Clara wiped at her cheeks. Steve gave her a playful smile.
"See, you're all fine, grasshopper."
"Sorry, Steve," she mumbled.
"Nah, no big deal," he said. "I'm used to keeping watch over you." She gave him a small smile, allowing him to help her stand. "Good thing I was uh, driving by, eh?"
"You mean, good thing you're my ride?"
"Clara!" someone yelled.
Her head shot up to see Dustin running over to her.
"Please! I need you to play tonight. I'm begging!" He got onto his knees, hands interlocking.
"No."
"Please! Please! Please! I'll do anything!"
That made her pause.
"Anything?"
"Anything," Dustin repeated.
"I'm not playing, but I have a sub in mind, and I'll bring them by tonight." Dustin's eyes brightened.
"It starts at seven!" He darted off, whooping, and yelling for Mike.
"Playing?" Steve asked.
"DnD," she answered. "I haven't played in three years and for some reason, Dustin thinks he can get me to play again."
"Just ignore him," Steve said. "He'll get used to it." She laughed. Actually laughed. He grinned at her, leading her to the car. Clara caught sight of Eddie watching her and lifted her fingers in a small wave before turning her attention to Robin, who was leaning against Steve's car.
"We're gonna be late!" she whinnied.
Climbing into the backseat, Clara listened as Robin started gushing over Vikki again. She was so enamored with the trumpet player. Robin turned around in seat, smiling at Clara.
"So, your boyfriend seemed hyper today."
"Excuse me?" Steve asked, glancing at Clara through the review mirror.
"Eyes on the road, Harrington!" she scolded. "He is not my boyfriend, Robin."
"Who the hell are you talking about?" Steve demanded.
"Eddie Munson," Robin said in a mock dreamy voice.
"No! Absolutely not," Steve snapped. "You are not going out with Eddie Munson. He's too old for you."
"I'm almost eighteen," Clara muttered.
"Still, he's not a good person, Clara."
"Neither was Billy, but he still sacrificed himself for us."
That destroyed the mood in the car. Robin realized she had gone too far, and Clara felt tears welling up in her eyes again. She blinked them back, playing with the ring on her necklace.
"Sorry," she finally said. "That was a low blow. Steve, Eddie is not my boyfriend. I saw him disappear with Chrissy during lunch and I'm not going after a guy who will likely choose my sister over me again."
The conversation changed as they drove up to Clara's house.
"See you at the game," Steve said. Clara shook her head.
"I'm not going, Steve. I'm picking up a sub for the DnD club, dropping them off and then getting the hell out of there. I'm going to relish in spring break." Steve gave her a soft look.
"Just be careful," he begged. "I don't want you hurt again."
"I know," she said. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for caring." She climbed out of the car and headed inside.
She snuck towards her room and ducked inside, closing the door quietly behind her. She spun around, almost screaming when she saw Chrissy sitting on the bed.
"Oh my god!" Clara breathed out. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
"Sorry," Chrissy said. "I need your help."
"With what?" Clara asked.
"Well, I spoke with Eddie Munson about needing something today and he offered to give me it, but I'll need to go to his place after the game tonight."
"You're buying drugs? Chrissy!"
Chrissy's sighed, "I know. I know. But Clara, my dreams are getting worse. Honestly, I don't know how you can handle them without taking anything."
"How long have you been buying off of Munson?"
"First time," Chrissy admitted. "I heard he had some stronger stuff."
"Chrissy! You're going to ruin your life!"
"You do them-"
"NO! I DON'T! I haven't, Chrissy. The worst I've done is bum a few cigarettes off of Billy and that wasn't the most pleasant experience."
"You didn't hate it."
"Yeah, but I didn't love it either."
Brushing a curl behind her ear, Clara stared at her sister.
"It's a bad idea, Chrissy. You're going to get hurt." She sighed as tears began to drip from Chrissy's eyes.
"I know," Chrissy whispered. "But I need help."
"That's not the way to do it." Clara flinched as Chrissy threw her arms around her sister.
"Thanks for caring, Clara."
"I always care," Clara murmured. "That's what twins do."
As Chrissy left the bedroom, Clara reached for the dial phone beside her bed. She spun a few numbers and then let it ring.
"Can I help you?" a sharp voice asked on the other end.
"Erica Sinclair," Clara said. "I've missed you."
"Clara Cunningham. What do you want?"
"There's a game of DnD at the high school tonight and they want a sub. Of course, they asked me, but as you know, I don't play DnD anymore. Then I thought, who better to go to the club night then yourself? The boys need a good kick to their egos after all."