17 The Catastrophe (1/2)
”Claire, where are you going without having breakfast.” Dad called me as he saw me walking out the house.
”Dad, I didn't know you were still here. I'm really late for school. I'll eat at school.” I looked back to inform him.
”Alright, but have a glass of juice atleast. He walked to me and handed me, a glass of apple juice.” I took it from him. ”Are you going to have breakfast with that guy who came to the house the day before yesterday?” He gave his brows a raise.
”So you heard about him. No, I'll have it with Emily.”
”Why did you fight? You even went out to have dinner with him that day. I thought you were close.”
”He's just a friend, I went out to dinner with him because he insisted to have dinner with me here. To avoid him meeting you, I had to.” I shrugged.
”I heard from the staff that he's pretty good looking and a gentleman. Don't you have any intention of dating him?”
”Dad, no, not at all. He's not the one. Stop asking me to date every other guy you hear about.” I whined.
”If he's not the one then is there someone else?” He teasingly asked.
”Uhh... I'll tell you later about um, him.” I quaffed the juice.
”So my indifferent daughter finally took an interest in someone. I am curious about him, I'm eager to meet him.”
”Can we tell him about our relation, he's someone from the school.”
”If you trust him enough we can do that.” ”He's someone I trust the most after you. Dad, he's just so good, I'm sure you'll like him too. Should I bring him over tonight?” I got excited.
”Calm down, sweetheart. Seeing you this way is already so surprising, give me some time to accept it first. Also, I'll be out of the town for the coming two days so it won't be possible. I'll meet him this weekend. I'm contented seeing you have someone who makes you happy, I already like him.” He patted me on my cheek.
”Where are you going all of sudden?”
”It's an urgent business matter, I'm looking avung today and I'll be back before the weekend.”
”Okay, Dad.”
”You are safely keeping the locket with you, right?”
”I have it around my neck all the time.” I took the locket from under my collar and showed it to him.
”Good girl, don't ever leave it behind. When I'm away, I believe you'll take care of yourself and everything else too.”
”Of course!” I said confidently not because I was self-assured but because I had someone by my side who'll protect me just as Dad would.
”Aren't you running late to school?”
”Gosh, I forgot because of you. I'll need to take the tiring route again today.” I groaned and ran to the door.
”What route? You aren't skipping school, right? Claire?” He shouted as I left the house.
I came running back and hugged him. ”I have alot to tell you Dad. I'll tell you everything once you come back.” He smiled at me and I hurried back grinning cheerfully.
I sat on the chair in the corner of the library with my arm laid on the table and head resting on it, looking intently at Shaun who sat in front of me busy reading something.
”Why aren't you looking at me?”
”I'm reading, Claire.” He's aid without looking at me.
”You can't fool me. I know you aren't reading that. You are just looking at the book to avoid me.”
”N-no, it's not like that.”
”What are you so afraid of now?” I rolled my eyes.
”Claire, what if someone sees us like this.”
”So what? Is it a crime to date?”
”But..” I pulled my chair near him.
”How can you even resist me like that?” I put my hand on his arm.
”I'm trying hard.” He looked at me and he both broke out in a laugh.
We were walking down the hallway to the class when Ed sudden showed up.
”Claire, we need to talk.”
”Ed, I have a class right now. Can we talk later.”
”No, we need to talk right now.”
”But...” Before I could say anything, he grabbed my hand and pulled me.
”What are you doing? She said she doesn't want to go now!” Shaun fumed and grabbed my other hand to stop me.