I never know why. I only know who. (AU)

Chapter 13

Clara made sure to take hundreds of pictures of her on the beach in her bikini. Most of them were just to tantalise John, but she was beginning to have fun in LA. Her and Angie started to get on better than she had initially expected they would.

It turned out that she was a nice girl, and they spent loads of time together. As much as Clara found Angie's younger brother, Artie, adorable, he was a pain to have to take everywhere.

Especially when they went to the beach and someone offered to buy Clara some fries, and then he came up to her asking for an ice cream and she couldn't exactly tell him to fuck off.

She wasn't really expecting anything from the guys, although loads of them were hot. It was fun to have a laugh with them, but at the end of the day, it was John she wanted to be with her on the beach.

Her loneliness hadn't escaped Angie's notice, and she had made a point to stay up late with Clara so they could talk about everything from boys to school and to the beach.

The chats included long interrogations from Angie about her first time, but she strangely felt okay with the talks She had expected to feel awkward, but it was like having a younger sister who you could tell everything to without her getting grossed out.

As any fourteen year old girl is, Angie was nervous about dating guys and her first time, although Clara made her promise to wait until she was at least sixteen. Angie was quite a pretty girl, and no doubt would she be lining up the boys any time soon.

Although, Clara had never done that, despite the numerous offers she often got. She had been teased mercilessly by Olivia and Louise for never taking up anyone's offers.

She'd never really taken anyone over to her house either. She often spent time with Olivia and Louise, but her Mum had always disliked them and claimed they were a bad influence. Especially after the incident in year nine, which involved all their parents getting involved.

Clara still needed to really tell John about that. He'd heard things mentioned about the mess in that year, but he'd never dared to ask as the gentleman he was.

It hadn't been her fault that it had all turned into a disaster. It was all because of the stupid party. Olivia and Louise had dragged her to it when she was far too young to go.

It was right at the beginning of the year, and she was still thirteen, although she was dressed up way older than that. It would have been hard for anyone to tell whether she was thirteen or seventeen, despite her tiny height.

Which was why people hadn't questioned giving her plenty of alcohol in the night. And when it had come down to the crunch, no-one had hesitated into giving her an ecstasy tablet. By that point in the night, she was too far gone to even make sense of what it was and took in unknowingly.

But the side effects had been disastrous. Mixed with the alcohol she had consumed, she was dizzy and sick and her heart rate had elevated way too much.

She had walked into her house that night feeling paranoid and sick. Ellie had seen her on the way and instantly knew something was extremely wrong with her daughter, and it wasn't just alcohol. After almost lashing out at her Mum, she had passed out and whacked her head on the side of the counter.

Dave had already come downstairs because of the screaming, and they quickly got her off to hospital. They had been told it was just in time, as he heart was beating way too quickly and she could have swallowed her own vomit.

When Clara had finally come around the next morning, Ellie was being sick with worry and she had no idea where she was or how she had got there. She didn't even remember taking anything, although the nurses had made it very clear what had been in her system.