The Morganville Vampires: Safe and Sound

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Gina didn't try anything, it turns out. She sat there glaring at Claire but without he so-called 'friends' she was harmless. A dog that's lost its bite.

Chemistry flew by. So did Physics. And the afternoon lecture she had was the longest one in her life so far. Claire was in the advanced classes but she knew everything, inside-out. She probably knew more than the teachers did.

The lecture finished at four. Claire decided to go visit Eve at work, who finished at five-thirty. As Claire walked to Common Grounds she expected something to happen - anything: an attack from a bloodsucker, or a threat from a human. But nothing did. She got some smiles and nods - of appreciation? It seemed like. She did get a few frowns and glares, nothing too serious.

When she walked through the door to Common Grounds she saw Eve busy taking orders. There were a few tables left as mostly students got a coffee after school. She took the one in the corner by the window and waited for the queue to die down by getting her head stuck into her physics book - again. Instead, a cup of mocha, just the way she liked it, slammed down on the table as Eve slid into the chair opposite.

"Hey, Claire Bear." She caught her breath.

"Oh, hey, thanks." Claire put her book away. "Busy?"

"Was, not now though. Managed to speed my way through those orders - might have broken the world record or something." She laughed which was a good sign. "So, did you manage to talk to Shane?"

"No. I couldn't."

"Sure you could have," Eve frowned as she leant back in her chair, "you had a moment alone this morning and he drove you to school."

"I know. I just wish we could talk about something else instead of am I feeling ok and have I told anyone." Claire tugged on her hair out of frustration.

"Ok," Eve threw her hands up in surrender, "what are you going call it?"

"I don't know and I'd have to talk to Shane about the names." Claire smiled. "I don't even know if I'm keeping it."

"What?" Eve gasped. "Don't you want it?"

"Of course I want it!" Claire felt a little offended that her best friend thought otherwise. "What if Shane doesn't? I can't raise it by myself and I'm not ready for it."

"Honey, it's your body - not Shane's. If he don't want it, screw him." Eve said flippantly and Claire smiled at her private joke: I already did.  "You won't do it by yourself, you'll have me, and Michael. We'll get ready for it."

"Swear?" Claire said desperately.

"I swear." She wiggled her little pinkie in the air and hooked it on to Claire's. "Do you think my design is ok?" She meant her nails. Painted a polished black with white little skulls hand painted on.

"They are so you." Claire said and they both shared a moment of laughter. Claire glanced at her watch.

"Claire, why don't you go work in the lab at the hospital instead of working Myrnin?" Eve asked, placing her hand on the back of Claire's.

"Because... He... I... I don't know. He knows stuff," Claire shrugged and Eve gave her a look that said 'well so do I', "he knows things that no one else does, things that doctors and researchers spend their whole lives looking for."

"Human ones." Eve rolled her eyes. "Anyway, Michael should be here soon. He's got a set tonight, I guess Oliver needs to bring business back." From the Daylighters who aren't totally convinced by Amelie's new rules.