The New Girl

Careful

River~

Clara looked at me suspiciously. That wasn't what I was doing, was it? If it was I hadn't meant to. 

"No, but seeing her mad does make me feel good because she is rotten." Maybe some part of me did want to make her jealous, but I didn't know for sure if that was my intention. 

Clara's face softened and I noticed that tears were still rolling down her face, but her breathing had slowed quite a bit. 

"How well do you know her?" She asked me quietly. Oh man, to say I know her well would be an understatement. 

"I've known her for a long time." I said as casually as I could.  

She was still crying quietly, but had calmed down a lot.

"Did she do it on purpose? " Her voice came out barely a whisper. 

"I think so." Victoria had never been a sweet or welcoming person. She had gotten much worse over the past few months though, since everything that happened. I should have known that she would be angry that I was showing interest in Clara.

"Clara, we need to get out of here. " I knew that we couldn't hide in the girls bathroom much longer before someone found us and reported us. That wouldn't look good for her on her first day, being found in a bathroom stall with me would definitely start the rumor mill. 

"I'm so embarrassed though. " She said, and pressed her forehead into my shirt. I froze as she did it. Sure, I had hugged her just a couple minutes ago, but it seemed out of character for her to touch me first.  I wonder if I had made her feel uncomfortable at all today? I am a pretty touchy person with a small bubble, maybe I need to work on that. Gently, I put my hand on the back of her head and felt her soft hair. She really does seem so delicate, but I think there is a tough girl under the scared surface. 

"I'll be with you. I'm even in your next class. It'll be fine, I promise. " I knew that with me right by her side people wouldn't mess with her, especially not Victoria. Victoria would be afraid of causing me to get angry with her. She knows how I feel about her behavior. I used to hide how much it bothered me, but not anymore. She knows I won't tolerate her messing with someone as shy and vulnerable acting as Clara.