So What Do We Do Now?

[Chapter 3 - part 2]

They made a whole list for groceries as well as for clothing. When that was done, they cleaned the kitchen together. Claire had put the used plates and cutlery in the dishwasher while Owen had collected the leftovers from Matthew and he had put them in the bag again. "I'll go get dressed," Owen said to Claire and walked to the laundry-room to grab his clothes out of the dryer. Then he went to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Claire went to her bedroom to take some clothes. She found some black jeans and a blue, rather old button down shirt. She also looked for some underwear and shoes. On the lowest shelf of her closet, she still had like five pair of shoes. Three pairs of high heels, gym shoes and a long forgotten pair of sneakers. She took the sneakers, because she was definitely not going to wear high heels. "Claire, the bathroom is yours if you want," Owen said. He entered the bedroom. Claire had already changed in her bedroom, but she still was going to use the bathroom. "You do have normal shoes," Owen said surprised when he saw what kind of shoes she was wearing. Claire had already entered the bathroom, but came back out. "I do," she said. "What do you think?" she showed off one of her feet. He laughed a little. "I was actually thinking that I've never seen Claire Dearing nor wearing jeans, nor sneakers," he answered. While smiling, she rolled with her eyes and went back inside. She closed the door and Owen waited for her in the hallway.

"Uuugh, I look like a mess," Claire said and finally came out of the bathroom. Owen was standing across the hall. "Why would you look like a mess?", Owen asked and came closer to her. She turned around and faced him. She sighed, because she was sure he wouldn't understand. "Do you see that I'm not wearing any makeup?", she asked a little annoyed. "I can see that, but who cares?", he answered. "I do," she shot back. "You can see like any freckle on my face, every imperfection. I even look like I haven't slept in days because my eyes look so small and it seems like I don't have any eyelashes," she said with a lot of annoyance. "Do you need to attract some guys or anything?", he asked being funny. She sighed. He pulled her closer to him and wrapped his arms around her. "So, do you?", he asked again with a smirk. "No, I don't," she answered shyly. She placed her hands on his shoulders. "I just..." "Embrace your natural beauty, Claire," Owen said, "you look beautiful." "Of course," she said with a sarcastic laugh and rolled with her eyes. Owen kissed her. "I mean it, you look beautiful," he whispered between two kisses. She blushed and smiled a bit. Their kissing ended in a hug. Owen rubbed with his hand over her lower back. "How are we actually going to the mall?", he asked. "I have an idea," Claire answered. She took his hand and pulled him along. Before they left the apartment, Claire took the bag with Matthew's stuff. She knocked on her neighbor's door and within a minute it opened. "Hi, Matthew," she said and gave the guy his bag back. He now was wearing a T-shirt. "You didn't had to give it back," Matthew responded, "but thanks." "I actually wanted to ask you one more favor," Claire said. Matthew leaned against the door, what gave the two a glimpse into his apartment. "You're already saying that for twenty years now, that 'one more favor'." It was clear, even for Owen who barely knew the guy, that he was joking. "Jimmy?", Claire suddenly asked looking behind Matthew. She seemed surprised. Owen saw the guy he had seen that morning. It was the guy with the British accent. He was now dressed as well. He came to the door. "Well, hello, Claire," he said. "I'm surprised to see you," she said. Jimmy laughed. "When I went back to the UK, I just realized that I had fallen in love," Jimmy said and looked at Matthew. Claire was even more surprised. "And you didn't tell me?", she asked Matthew. "You didn't tell me either," he said referring to Owen. She blushed. "Well, this is my boyfriend, Owen," she said. He smiled and took her hand in his. "Nice to finally officially meet you," Matthew said and shook Owen's hand. Jimmy did the same. "So, what was that favor you wanted to ask?" Claire looked at him confused. "Oh, yeah, can I borrow your car? Or do you need it?" Matthew looked at Jimmy. "We only need it this evening, around six," Jimmy answered. "So we can borrow it? For some shopping?" Claire was almost begging. "Yeah, you can, if you bring it back, in one piece, before six." Jimmy was already back inside. Probably getting the keys. And indeed, he came back with the keys. "Here you go," Jimmy said. Claire accepted them. "So, before six. We can do that." She looked at Owen. "We definitely can do that," he said. Claire thanked them again when they left for the elevator. "Who's that Jimmy guy?", Owen asked when the doors closed. "He used to live in my apartment," Claire explained. "He lived here for a year or two, but then he went back to the UK."