Chapter 25 - The Aggravation (1/2)

”I can't believe this,” Karen mutters. ”You, of all people.”

For a moment, Claire thinks Karen's referring to Russell. She looks around for anything to grab and cover her nȧkėdness, but the nearest one is a coffee table book titled, 'Inside Japan's Penis Festival: In Full-color Pictures'. It actually has a picture of a gigantic pėnɨs on the cover. Claire uses it anyway, more to cover herself from Russell's lecherous gaze than anything. ”I've never been so glad to see you…”

”I can't believe you can do this to me,” Karen says, staring directly at Claire, her face almost distorted in indescribable hurt. ”How could you?”

”What?” This confuses Claire. ”Are you being serious?”

”I've seen you giving my boyfriend 'The Eye', Claire! You cannot deny this!”

Claire is dumbfounded. Only now she realizes the magnitude of Karen's stupidity. ”Which part of the struggle you saw indicated anything that was consensual, huh?” Tears begin welling in her eyes.

”Your stupid goddamn boyfriend tried to **** me!”

”Oh, no, no, no, no!” Russell buŧŧs in, laughing nervously. ”Me? **** this girl? You've gotta be kidding me!”

”Yeah!” Karen says, her voice quaking. ”Why would my boyfriend take any interest in you, Claire? You've never had a boyfriend, you don't know anything about the opposite sėx. And you dress like an old lady. Why, of all people, would Russell even take a second look?”

”Okay, genius,” Claire hisses. ”Did you see ME on top of this idiot? No? Because he's the one who was trying to overpower me. I would've thanked you for appearing right in the nick of time, but I realize this is all an exercise in futility.”

Claire storms out and slams her bedroom door shut, leaving Russell and Karen in the wake of this toxic drama.

Claire is furious—and deeply hurt. She can't believe Karen would even make such a stupid ȧssumption. It was plain as daylight who was doing what to whom. And for pete's sakes, it's not like Russell's the finest specimen of manhood. He's just some successful entrepreneur—sure, a bit good-looking, but totally not Claire's type. And she wouldn't in a million years seduce a man, especially one who's currently dating a roommate!

Claire couldn't wrap her mind around what happened today. What in hell's happening with her life? All she wanted was a day away from the aggravation of her days, and yet, fate doesn't seem to be willing to grant her the smallest of favors.