Chapter Six

Eric's POV

Claire and I became closer after our first date. Yea, it was indeed a date, not just an escort. We started hanging more often, and I got to discover so many deep things she hid from the world. I never knew she had low self-esteem and that she was shy. She always looks bold and confident in public. I promised myself that I'll help her get more confident.

I know now that if I told myself I didn't love her, I'll just be lying to myself. I loved her, and I'm gonna try my luck. I'll ask her to be my girlfriend on the day of  the sweetheart dance. I'm really nervous, though, like I'm not even up to 70 percent, sure she'll agree. I still had to try anyway.

Claire's POV

It's been two weeks since the day that I had gone to the beach with Eric. After that day, we started hanging out more often. My parents were really happy that I had started socialising a little bit.

I didn't feel awkward whenever I'm around him anymore. I had to accept the fact that there was a  connection between us.

The horn of Emily's car brought me back to the real world. It was time for school. I grabbed my backpack and my lunch and left the house after I bade my parents goodbye.

Good morning. I greeted Emily and Ivy as I entered the car. Morning, they said in unison. The drive from my house to school wasn't really that long, so we got to school in no time.

I was getting my books from my locker, and when I turned to put them in my bag, Eric came out of nowhere and slammed the locker door. I rolled my eyes at him and laughed,I blushed, actually. I'm not even done I said as I opened my locker once again. Oh my bad, silly me he said. We walked together to class, and before you judge me, I didn't abandon my friends they had a different class at that time.

Umm... you know, the sweetheart dance is this Friday, Eric said while while we were in class. I thought in my mind, was this guy serious? Is he trying to get me in detention for talking in class. Eric, quit it I said. You're gonna get us in trouble. Oh, please, stop being paranoid, Claire. Mrs Morgan isn't even looking at us. She doesn't care about who talks as long as you don't disturb her class, she's fine. Eric said so casually like he didn't even care. He must be from the moon. Maybe he's an alien, because if the characteristics I possess are of humans, he clearly isn't one of us. Well, as we're talking, we are DISTURBING, I said with emphasis on the word 'disturbing'. Relax Claire, you're too paranoid he said, smiling at me. I just decided to ignore him and focus on whatever Mrs Morgan was saying.

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During recess,  we all sat together in the cafeteria. I, Emily, Ivy, and Eric. We've sort of become like a little group.

Anyway, as we were eating, Eric told Emily and Ivy about what happened during earlier that day in class. To my utmost surprise, they agreed with him that I was being too paranoid. Betrayals, I said to them after they agreed with him. Claire, we're not betraying you. We're just saying the truth Emily said as she high-fived Eric. Wow, pure betrayal I uttered playfully. We all burst into laughter.

***************

It was finally Friday, the day of the sweetheart dance. I was nervous. Ever since Liam died, this dance meant nothing to me. I took it as a public holiday because I didn't even bother to go, but now, things are different. I would be going with Eric. I was beginning to have second thoughts about going, but I decided to go. I couldn't disappoint Eric after lifting his hopes this high. No, I'm not a monster.

I was really thankful to my mom. She was there to calm me down. Everything will be alright, there's no need to worry, okay? Okay, mom, thank you. I smiled at her. It's alright, dear.

Eric came some minutes later, okay mom wish me luck I said as I stood up and left.

Eric was looking too handsome. The suit he was wearing really brought out his broad shoulders. Wow, you look beautiful he said as soon as he saw me. Oh, don't flatter me. I said, you look look quite good too. We then got into the car and drove to school.

I went to greet Emily and Ivy as soon as we got to school. You look like you're about to make a speech in front of the world, Claire, Ivy said as soon she saw me. You know you shouldn't be nervous,  you need to be calm if you really want everything to go well. I know Ivy, but I can't help but be nervous. Claire, if everything goes well, I promise you five chocolate bars every day Emily said. Really, I said it's a bet then. It's not like it was hard for me to get chocolate. Winning was the main theme here.

It was now time to dance. The music became slow. I saw Eric walking up to me, and I decided to tell him the embarrassing truth. I don't know how to dance. I said the words so fast, I'm sure he didn't even hear me. What? He asked as he chuckled. I don't know how to dance, I think I've forgotten I said. Stop being ridiculous and get on the dance floor with me, Claire. What but... before I could finish, he pulled me onto the dance floor. I just flowed with the rhythm of the music. I thought you said you've forgotten how to dance Eric said as we were dancing. I was just being nervous then, okay? I tried to defend myself. Yea, Eric said. I thought so.

We danced for about 15 minutes, though it was a slow dance. I was already getting tired. I'll go get us some drinks, I told Eric and left.

While I was getting the drinks, Tiffany walked up to me. Hey, I see you've got a hot date, nice one. Look, Tiffany, I don't have time to chat with you. Okay, hold on before you leave. Let me make something clear to you. What, I said already getting impatient. Eric doesn't like you he's just using you. I burst out into laughter. Okay, now you just sound desperate, Tiffany. Oh, you don't believe me Claire, do you want me to prove it to you? Tiffany asked. I knew Eric's didn't even like Tiffany to begin with, so I decided to let her embarrass herself. Okay, prove it, I said to her. Okay, watch me, but you know you need to pretend like you're not looking at us. Yea whatever I said. Just get on with it.

Tiffany walked up to Eric, I acted like I wasn't watching them and I actually wished I didn't watch them. Eric was smiling at her as both of them kept talking to their selves and smiling like too lost lovers. I couldn't even look away now, my eyes was fixed on them.  I thought Eric liked me. I immediately regretted coming, I tried hard to stop the tears but I couldn't. The tears came down slowly, that was when Eric saw me, he waved to me. I felt insulted, like I was just being used the whole time. I left immediately, I couldn't stand to be there any longer.

I sat on a garden bench when I got outside. I just sat there crying and wishing Liam was still alive, I know he can never do this to me.

Claire is not what you think I promise Eric said as soon as he found me. Of course he'd say that, don't ever come close to me I said. I trusted you, I thought we had some sort of connection but you just decided to use me right? No Claire I promise I didn't use you and I'll never use you Eric said pleading. Then what was it uh, tell me why you'll be smiling like that with Tiffany. We were talking about you Claire, I don't know why but she walked up to me and said that you looked so good, and how I was so lucky to have you. I was smile at her because I was talking about you. Please believe me he said when I didn't reply him. I didn't know what to say, I was speechless, I didn't know if i should be believe him or not. I turned to look at him in the eyes, I could tell from his eyes that he was telling the truth. He came and sat beside me, I did chase him away this time. I just sat there thinking heavily if it would be a mistake to believe him or if it wouldn't. Look Claire, the biggest lie anyone can tell me right now is that I don't love you. I love you more than I even know and seeing you in tears knowing I'm the cause breaks my heart. Really I said. Did he just confessed he loved me? Of course Claire I love you and I have to ask you something. Would you be my girlfriend? I was shocked, I wasn't expecting that question. Are you for real? I asked him.

Of course Claire, I want you to know that we're now together so you can be well satisfied that I wouldn't be mingling with any other girl. I'm all for you I promise. I hugged him tightly of course, I'll be your girlfriend. I was sure I wasn't making a mistake, I believed him. Thank you so much for accepting and forgiving me he said. Please don't apologise again I said. I hugged him.

We both didn't want to go back inside so we just sat there, with my head resting in his shoulder. We just stared at the moon in a peaceful silence. 

Emily better get those chocolates ready because not only did this night went  well, it was perfect. I probably tell her to double it I said in my head as I smiled.

Why are you smiling? Eric asked, nothing I said as I continued watching the dark blue sky.