Chapter 153: Blaine's Silent Prayer

When Claire's hand accidentally brushed against Blaine's arm, he recoiled as if he'd been shocked by electricity. Instinctively, he jumped back and stood a safe distance away from her, his expression a mixture of surprise and discomfort. 

"Blaine?" Claire asked, her eyes filled with confusion as they searched his face. She couldn't understand why he suddenly avoided her, treating her like she was something poisonous. 

Was she really so unpleasant to be around? Why, aside from Lucas, did even Blaine seem to dislike her? 

"Uh... I... it's nothing," Blaine stammered, trying to act nonchalant as he avoided her gaze. "What are you doing up here? Are you finished with everything downstairs?" 

"I've finished everything," Claire replied cautiously, a faint trace of hurt flashing across her eyes. "I noticed you left your phone downstairs, so I thought I'd bring it up to you." 

She stepped closer and pulled his phone out from the back pocket of her jeans, offering it to him. 

"You're wearing jeans again?" Blaine finally noticed, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't you buy a bunch of more... feminine outfits last time?" He hesitated, then quickly added, "I mean, they're at my place anyway. Why don't you take them back today?" His voice trailed off, as if trying to suppress some deeper emotion. 

He told himself it was because her belongings cluttered his space, and he couldn't stand the sight of them. 

Or was it because her presence threatened to occupy more than just his physical space—perhaps even his heart? 

"Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" Blaine snapped suddenly, his frustration boiling over. His sharp tone startled Claire, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. 

"Blaine, this is your phone..." Claire whispered, placing the phone into his hand. She turned to leave, but as she did, Blaine noticed a teardrop glistening on the phone's screen. 

"Wait... are you crying?" Blaine reached out and caught her arm. "I wasn't... I didn't mean to yell at you," he said awkwardly. "I was... upset with myself." His voice softened, genuine regret seeping into his tone. 

"Blaine, I know I'm not very bright, and I probably annoy people a lot," Claire murmured, her head hanging low. "So, I wasn't upset at you for raising your voice." 

"Then why are you crying?" Blaine sighed, his chest tightening at the sight of her tears. He gently guided her to the couch and handed her a cold drink. "Here. Stop crying. Otherwise, I'll think you're upset with me." 

Claire sniffled and took the drink. 

"Claire, have you been crying a lot lately?" Blaine asked after a moment of silence. "You seem... fragile." 

"I haven't been crying," she lied, afraid to let Blaine know about the tension between her and Lucas. She didn't want Blaine to confront Lucas on her behalf—it would only make things worse. 

"Really?" Blaine's voice grew sharper. "Your eyes say otherwise. Let me guess—it's that stubborn boyfriend of yours. He still believes he's to blame for Blaire's death, doesn't he? And he's taking it out on you, hurting you with his words and actions?" 

Claire's silence gave her away. 

"So I'm right?" Blaine huffed. "What's he been doing to you?" 

Claire hesitated, thinking back. "He doesn't talk to me much anymore," she admitted. "The most he's said to me was last night..." She trailed off, her heart sinking at the memory. She had tried so hard to bring warmth back into their relationship, only to have Lucas retreat further into his grief. 

"Does he not love you anymore?" Blaine's question caught her off guard, and for a moment, it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. 

"I think he does," Claire whispered. "He says he loves me... but maybe he's just struggling too much to show it." 

"Oh, so he still loves you," Blaine muttered under his breath. A heavy weight lifted from his chest, only to come crashing back down with a painful thud. 

"Blaine, what do you mean by 'still loves'?" Claire's eyes widened as the question slipped out. 

"N-Nothing!" Blaine stammered, his usual eloquence abandoning him. "I just think he's being an idiot. That's all!" 

Claire couldn't help but smile faintly. It was rare to see Blaine, usually so calm and composed, stumble over his words like this. 

"Blaine, are you feeling okay?" she asked, noticing the flush on his face. "You look a little red... and your forehead feels warm." 

Blaine froze as her cool hand brushed against his skin. 

"I think you might have a fever," Claire said with concern. Without giving him a chance to protest, she gently pushed him back onto the couch, propping a pillow under his head and removing his shoes. "Stay here and rest. I'll go find some medicine and make you something to drink." 

"Wait, I don't—" 

"I know where you keep the medicine," she interrupted. "Remember when I was sick here last time?" 

Blaine sighed inwardly. He wasn't sick—at least, not in the way she thought. His flushed face and racing heart were caused by his wandering thoughts, not a fever. 

As he watched her bustling around the room, Blaine closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer to any deity that might be listening. 

"Please, let me survive taking this medicine without any weird side effects..."