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Being Her

Summary:
A series of one-shots in Claire's perspective throughout the series For Her.

Notes:
Um, will not go in any order. they come as i get bored enough to write them. PSSSTTT if you want a new story, go review with her!

16. Friendships Forged

Rating 0/5   Word Count 519   Review this Chapter

I walked into school Quil’s hand reassuringly on my shoulder as we reached the door he turned me around to face him- I winced, and so did he, he knew why I was hiding, why I was afraid.

“Sorry, sweetheart.”
“S’okay,” I whispered.

“You can do this, Claire. I know you can and you will,” he said.

“Really?” I was terrified- because I still assumed every person was a bad one, that those who were kind and sympathetic, those I could trust, were the exception and not the rule, that one day there would be, if not another him, than more of the hundreds who had known and done nothing, the teachers who didn’t care, the girls who laughed at my fears, the police who walked in and out and said everything was fine when I was too stiff and sore and agonized to move… an accomplice most of the people I’d known were that kind of person and it seemed far too much to hope for that every person here would be good while every person there was cruel

“Really. You’re a very brave girl, you know,” he says and I get the distinct feeling he isn’t talking about starting a new school I smile back at him but other crueler words echo in my ears coward when I shrink away fool when I’m too afraid even for that failure as he triumphs over me once again hissing the epithets like a lover’s pet names in my ear as I flinch and hide and wish I could run and… “Claire? Sweetheart?”

“Sorry.” I wince I’m sorry I’m sorry don’t hurt me I’m sorry I swear I won’t ever ever again…

“Don’t be scared, sweetie. Don’t you ever be scared of me, all right?” I nod mutely. “I may look scary, but I’m an o.k. sorta guy once you get to know me, huh?”

I nod. “Yeah. Very okay.”

He laughs at that, “Thanks, honey.”

“You’re welcome.” We stand mutely for a few seconds waiting I try not to drown in fear and sorrow and terror of the past following me, reaching out to strangle me, to drag me down into the depths of pain I will never really escape

“Well, you’d better go on in. We talked to the teacher, and she understands, but you don’t have to tell anyone else, okay?” I nod. “Have a good day, honey. I’ll be here to pick you up at three.”

I smile at him “I can’t wait.”

The expression in his face is incomprehensible- I can’t understand the joy and glee in it, don’t understand why he is so happy at that one simple sentence.

I turn and walk into the classroom, and Quil’s eyes follow, gently, as I smile at the teacher and the other kids

One girl waves at me, and I tentatively go to sit by her “Katie” she introduced herself

“Claire” I reply

And just like that, I had a friend my own age

It was alarmingly easy