It was certainly not comfortable for her at the beach with all this people around. She felt like the odd one among them all or even the kill joy. Andrew was indeed quite popular as he had the girls around him and then he had once given her a little spotlight when he had introduced her as his sister. They all seemed to welcome her with all their hearts including the rude ladies from earlier but she knew within her these were all fakes. Given the chance after finding out what a dummy she was, they would bully her without a second thought as to what it would do to her emotionally. She simply smiled and walked away to find the perfect spot to sit and think. Andrew soon was busy with his friends and she had found a perfect spot behind a rock to sit and overlook the vast water body before her. Claire walked over there and watched the waters as she began ruminating in her thoughts about all that had happened between she and Tristan and what would become of her. She knew well enough that it meant her virginity was gone but she had her worries. All her life, she had wanted to gift it to a man she loved so much and cherished that would love her as she was which brought about her entire confusion. Tristan Jenkins might be a great guy who was really wanted by everyone including her but he was not hers. He never asked her to be his woman yet she had let herself fall so easily for him. Had she played stupid? Claire wondered a lot. Of course she felt something for Tristan but what she no longer had control of was if that which she felt was love or merely an extension of her lust for a celebrity. Growing to love him every passing day was not going to do her any atom of good when Tristan would start hating on her after all that had happened.
Well, it could be well acknowledged that her fears emanated from the point in time when Tristan had left her to go attend to that woman he spoke to on the phone. Claire still recalled the name she overheard him call her. Doctor Amanda was what he had muttered when he saw the name on his phone at first and he had left her there to attend to this woman before driving her out because that was exactly what sending her away felt like. He had driven her out and went off to meet this woman who apparently she would never stand up to. She was no doctor and just a dummy with no records to her name. For once, Claire hated herself more than she ever had. Tears started leaving her eyes and her vision was becoming blurry. Of what use was it to her that she had been born the way she had to genius parents with no drop of their genius blood in her. Perhaps she must have been adopted but if that was the case, her mother would have mentioned it when speaking to her. She remained there brooding all alone by herself.
“Hello beautiful, what are you doing out here all alone?” someone suddenly asked her bringing her back to reality.
Claire wiped her eyes before he could notice she had been crying and turned to look at the person approaching her. Man this boy was really handsome but after her encounter with Matthew, she would very much rather not have any other strange men close to her. He looked like he was a model and had short black hair. He came close and squatted beside her. Too close that she knew any closer would evade her of space between them both. Claire raised her brow to look him in the eyes.
“Hi.” she said.
He squinted his eyes like he was making a medical observation then suddenly he tapped her friendly on the nose.
“You’re new because I have never seen you in our school or I would have remembered this beauty definitely.” he said to her.
Now that was too friendly even for her but she did not want to appear rude to anyone. She thought about her words carefully and then smiled as she answered his question.
“Well I came with my brother.” she said to him
“Your brother? Now whose brother are you that refused telling us about his beautiful sister?” he asked her
“Andrew.” Claire said
“Hold up? You’re Andrew Willows sister?” he asked
“Yes.” Claire said looking at him weirdly
“I… I’m sorry but I don’t see how.” he said and then she realized what he was talking about
“Oh I’m his stepsister.” she said
“Andrew has a step sister. Now how cool is that?” he asked her and she smiled. “What’s your name?”
“Oh I’m Claire.” she responded beginning to feel rather uncomfortable especially as he drew closer again. That had to be the last or it would become an evasion of privacy.
“Okay Claire, I’m Duke your boyfriend for today.” he said.
No way he said that to her now. Claire stared at him wishing he would go away and not make her contemplate walking away and leaving the space to him. She had come there to get her quiet time and not get pestered by some hottie schoolmate of her brother’s. Claire prayed for a miracle and luckily for her, Jasper had been looking all over for her as he brought had two glasses with him.
“Go away Duke. Do not bother her.” he said the moment he arrived
“Go away? I don’t want to go away. What are you going to do about it wasp?” Duke asked standing up. He was more muscular and a head taller than Jasper.
Now Claire could understand while he intimidated her by drawing so near. He was a bully. Jasper walked around and handed both glasses to Claire.
“Hold onto this Claire?” he said
“You aren’t going to…” Claire began as she took the glasses
“It would be alright. Trust me.” Jasper said and winked at her.
She was worried. She did not want any drama over her but Jasper went over to stand face up with Duke who smiled devilishly. He took a glance at Claire and then told Jasper that he had a lot of respect for Claire being the reason why he would not do anything to him. He bid Claire bye saying he looked forward to seeing her again but Claire wished not as she watched him leave. It was at this point that Jasper came to sit down beside her and she handed him the glasses. He took one saying the other was for her as he had been looking for her everywhere. Claire thanked him as she held it in her hands as she recalled Matthew’s episode. Perhaps it had successfully ruined her thought pattern and she would never again be comfortable nor trust anyone being so nice to her. Jasper noticed she was not drinking and asked if she disliked the drink.
“There other brands and some alcohol at the back though. I could get you another if you want.” he said
“No this is fine. Just had lot on my mind.” she said
“A lot?” he asked after her
“Yes. Work.” she said thinking that was the perfect clone name for Tristan at the moment. He was work at this moment. Hearing that the glass she was holding was not alcohol made her feel better. She raised it to her mouth and sipped from it. Whatever it was, she liked it and smiled at Jasper who smiled back. To think she was going to miss out on the beautiful view and fun sounded funny in her ears.
Jasper sat down beside her and for a moment they said nothing to each other. He obviously was seeking the perfect words to say to her as he did not want to offend her in anyway. He began explaining the occasion and how it had been brought about from a squabble among the students. There had been this game played where a group had been created and everyone had to drop an anonymous message using a hidden link for the rest. It brought a lot of controversies and bad blood as most persons were slandered especially in things they did not do. Now everyone had been on the edge with one another and Andrew had suggested a social outing to bring back the love. However, he was certain even if it curbs things, everyone would keep on their toes with each other as the hate had been instigated already.
Claire smiled saying that was such a dumb game to play.
“Why do you say so?” Jasper asked
“Because it is just about exploiting other persons weakness and ridiculing them to slander their identity. That’s not fair.” Claire said
“Exactly. That’s what I think to.” Jasper said and put his hands on hers.
Just that moment when she might have begun worrying about it, her phone started ringing and looking at the screen, the name Tristan was boldly spelt there. She recognized the spelling but recalled she had saved it as boss. She wondered who had changed it but her suspicion was not far from him. She was happy he had called and excused herself to take the call.
“My boss.” she said and walked away a little.