Chapter Five

Eric's POV

I was really surprised when Claire agreed to be my date to the dance. I thought she would decline, considering her past.

Ivy had told me all that happened to Claire's brother and her boyfriend. Ivy said it made Claire feel like she was cursed, and she could really use my help in helping Claire. I promised Ivy I'll do whatever I could to help.

The next day wad Friday, the day I work be taking Claire out on a date. I'm not sure if I should call it a date because I don't think Claire is thinking about it that way. Anyway, I didn't want anything to go wrong tomorrow, so I was literally killing myself just to make sure everything went right.

I hadn't even realised I've fallen hard for Claire. She was all I was thinking of day and night. I would all miss seeing her lovely face or how cute she always looks whenever she rolls her eyes.

I finally decided to face my fears and chat her up.

I decided not to introduce myself at the beginning, I'll be anonymous at first, then later tell her who I am. I heard that chatting girls like that always made them curious.

Claire's POV

The moment I entered my room, I jumped on my bed and screamed on my pillow. For some reason, I was overjoyed. I didn't know if it was because Eric asked me to go the dance with him or because I'd be going on a date with him tomorrow. But I'm not so if I could call it a date. He just needed an escort. I probably shouldn't take it seriously.

Ding! My phone buzzed. Who could that be? I wondered. The person just had the wrong timing. I'm here trying to pick a perfect dress.  I checked to see who it was, and it was an unknown number. I decided to ignore it, and I'd check it later.

*********

It was finally Friday. After I came back from school, I decided to take a shower and take a little nap.

I woke up an hour later, I checked the time, and it was 4:36. Eric told me he was gonna pick me up by 5. I decided to start dressing up. Emily was with me in my room. Are you looking nervous, or is there something wrong with my eyes? Emily asked me as she looked concerned.

I sighed, I was indeed nervous. This was the first time I'm  going on a date ever since I lost Liam, and it was kinda hard for me. Emily could see I was disturbed, and she came to hug me. Don't worry, Claire, everything will go as planned. Okay, I said, feeling a little bit better.

The horn of a car brought us back to reality. Okay, that must be Eric, I said. Bye. I'll see you later. I said as I walked out of my house to see Eric leaning on the car, waiting for me.

Hi, I smiled as I greeted him. Are you ready? He asked, Yup.

I got into his car, the drive to the beach was silent but the atmosphere wasn't awkward it was just peaceful.

When we got to the beach, Eric took out his surfing board. I didn't know Eric could surf. Anyway, I decided to stay in one of the benches' tents, while Eric decided to surf for a few minutes.

I had to admit, he looked good with no shirts on. Like the kind of good that you just can't stop starring. I immediately looked away when his eyes caught mine.

I couldn't help but notice the way you were starring, Eric said as he was busy putting his surf board properly. What, I wasn't staring at you, I was just lost in my thoughts. I said, trying not to admit the fact that I was staring at him.

Oh Claire, you're really bad at lying Eric said, laughing. I just turned my gaze back to the ocean because I couldn't look at him. I was embarrassed.

I checked the time on my phone and it was 7:37. I have to go. I told Eric. My curfew is 8, and my parents will kill me if I miss my curfew.

Yeah, you're right. It's getting late, let's go. We packed our stuff and headed for the car. This time around, the drive home wasn't silent. It was really lively. We talked about so many random things.

Bye, I said as we pulled up in front of my house. Bye, I'll see you later. And one more thing, Claire, please answer my text. Eric said as he winked at me and drove off. That's when it occurred to me. The unknown number was Eric.

I walked into my house with a really broad smile. Woah, someone must have had a really fun evening. Oh my gosh! Emily, you scared me. I had no idea Emily was still in my house, and she really scared the sh*t out me. Tell me all that happened, Emily said, not even minding the fact that she scared me. What a friend indeed. Nothing really happened, Emms. It just went smooth. I knew it, Claire. I told you. Nothing would go wrong, but no, you decided to be nervous. Okay, stop it, I said, laughing. Emily was really a chatter box. Emms, it's getting late, don't you think you should be on your way now? Looks like you're right. I'll be on my way, bye.

Emily left, and I was now home alone. It's a good thing my parents weren't back because I came back but 8:20, which was way past my curfew.

I took a quick shower and just lay on my bed, and all I could think of was Eric. I couldn't help but admit I'd fallen for him, really hard.