Please don't be a game

Time flies

Clara trudged into the hall her bag slumped over one shoulder, surveying the hall with almost empty green eyes.
It was the first set of tests for the term, Skyler and her siblings had stopped coming because they didn't write their tests at the school.
She hadn't seen her friend in almost three weeks and then when the holidays began she'd miss her for another few weeks.

It was bad when she wasn't even looking forward to her break from the mind-numbing endlessness that was her coursework.
At least she was hanging out with Riley for a few days during the holiday. She had that to look forward to even though her older brother, who was Clara's age, was a major prick and pervert, at least in her personal opinion.
It was a sacrifice she was willing to make, however, to spend time with her adorable little friend that she took as a little sister.

So she sat herself at a table and did her tests abscent mindedly, she just needed to pass, just enough to stay ahead of everyone in her year that did the same subjects as her and to keep her mother happy.
Just stay on top. Pass and stay at the top.
It was the only thing that mattered. At least that's what her mind uttered. Constantly. Her worth was her level of competency. Her worth was the smiles and praise she could withdraw from others.

. . .

" I can't believe I'm spending five days with you, Riley!" Clara squealed hugging the girl close after setting her bag down in her room.
" Me either! The sleepover at the beginning of the term was too short!"
" Agreed. Now. Whats the plan?"
" Well we're going out tomorrow and then the boys want us to go with them to a bar."
" We're underage tho?"
" And?"
Lips pressed together as she tried to find an answer that wouldn't have her be called a buzz kill.
" Fair enough, I'll look after you though."
" I've gone out more than you."
" Shut up Riley..." Clara shoved the giggling younger teen's arm before the two started deciding on colours for their nails.

The next day had been a blast. She'd gone to an arcade, got matching rings with Riley and even played in a water fountain they were definitely not meant to.
It should have ended there. She should have ended it there.
The bar wasn't all too full but all her 'friends' from school were there. Baily and her brother, Trevor, but no other girls. Just her and her two little angels. It felt so wrong that the rest of the group was boys. Stupid tipsy boys.
" Baily you're going home early right?"
" Yeah. Our parents are beyond strict."
" Good." Clara sipped a cider slowly, painfully slowly as she watched the perverted prick, Matthew, play pool with his mates.

" Clara. I bought you another drink."
" Oliver, you know I didn't bring money so that I don't drink, right?" She asked politely accepting whatever the hell it was he was handing her. She saw it being made, she wasn't too worried.
" I know, but you're old enough and responsible enough to drink." He urged and she sighed taking a long sip through her straw.
She didn't know when her third drink turned to a number she'd lost count of.
Her head was spinning however and Riley wasn't anywhere.
She tried to stay with the guys she trusted to some degree but on her way to the bathroom to rinse her face she found Matthew along the dim passage.

" Move it prick."
" You're so unsteady, Clara. Here le-" She didn't let him finish as she pushed past him, back to the light, the people, anywhere she wasn't alone with him," come on Clara, you don't visit Riley just to see her now do you?" A strong hand wrapped around her wrist and yanked her back, mouth covered by his before she could protest.
Disgust crawled under her skin and she slapped him, as hard and as firmly as she could before staggering away wordlessly.

She found Riley and silently stayed by her until they could go home.
She thought it was over and safe now that they were inside, around adults and most importantly in separate rooms.

A drunken form unfurled in the bed, consciousness dancing on the edge as a weight dipped next to her. The room was dark but it wasn't Riley's hand that brushed her cheek.
" Get...Matthew get out..." She muttered as he leaned in closer his breath brushing over her lips and making bile rise in her throat.
" We weren't finished earlier..." His mouth was back on hers and she shoved his head again.
" Get out! Get out! I'll wake your fucken parents!" She slurred and he quickly scrambled up shushing her as he backed out of the room.

It was safe to say she did not spend the last three days there. She'd phoned her mother's friends and they had quickly fetched her the next morning under the excuse of feeling ill.
" You're not going there again," Natalie stated driving back to her place with a sullen Clara curled agaisnt Natalie's younger brother.

A perfectly fun weekend ruined.
It was her fault too. She should've stopped herself or him or just not gone at all...there had to be something she could have done differently to not have that be the outcome.

The horrid memories of an unpleasant holiday faded as more posts and banter was traded with Shane throughout the rest of the holidays.

S: ' What do u think of the other year 11s?'
C: ' I think you could use better grammar firstly, secondly, I think they're all pretty decent except Nathan.'
S: ' What about him?'
C: ' Avery's ex? He used her and cheated. He's a God damned pig.'
S: ' Oh right, have u ever cheated?'
C: ' Tf? Of course not. Not to mention I've had like one releationship irl'
S: ' Fair'
S: ' Wdum irl?'
C: ' My last three relationships were all online and long distance'
S: ' Oh okay'

Clara tossed her phone aside with a groan, why was he so dry and why the hell was he asking such odd questions?
The girl turned over on her bed groaning before looking at the calender plastered on the wall.
A few more days and she had to face midterms.