Treat You Better // SM

3

Chapter 3

There was a knock at the apartment door, but Claire was still getting ready so Shawn opened it instead. Steven waltzed straight in, ignoring the other boy and sat down on the sofa watching TV. Claire walked out of her room, in a pale blue skirt, white top and white converse. Her blonde hair was braided and she'd put on a bit of makeup. Shawn tried not to stare at his roommate but she was beautiful. She walked up to Steven and his hand went straight to her hip, and then below, not even saying hello to his girlfriend before leaving the apartment.

Shawn rolled his eyes when they left, he didn't know what Claire saw in that asshole, who treated her like crap most of the time and left Shawn to pick up the pieces every night that Claire came home sobbing after Steven had said or done something horrible, yet again. She deserved so much better but couldn't see it and Shawn had given up trying.

Steven took Claire for ice cream, but forgot his wallet so she had to pay for them both. She didn't mind but it wasn't the first time it had happened and she didn't have much money anyway. The whole time he was flirting with the waitress but Claire didn't want to say anything in case it made him angry. When he drove them back to his apartment, he got out two beers and a cigarette. He offered both to Claire but she didn't smoke and wasn't in the mood for drinking.

"Whose party were you at the other day?" He asked her casually.

"Er, Andy's. He's in my history class."

Steven took a swig of his beer and put out his cigarette on Claire's arm. It burnt through her clothes and she winced in pain but didn't say anything to Steven.

"You took a lot of pictures with other boys."

Claire gulped, Steven could get angry quickly when he was jealous.

"They're my friends. We were just having a good time."

"You were just being a slag you mean?" Steven said.

"No! I didn't do anything, they're just friends," Claire explained honestly. She got on better with boys and had a lot of great friends who made her happy. Steven never saw it that way though.

"Don't fucking argue with me!"

Claire heard the slap before she felt it. The pain was burning her face and she could tell a red mark was already forming. She was in shock and so was Steven. She felt tears prick at her eyes and walked out of his apartment before he could see her cry.

He called after her but she kept walking until she was halfway down the pavement of his road. The tears fell freely when she realised that he'd picked her up and she had no way of getting home. She didn't even have any money for a taxi and it was too far to walk. There was no choice but to call Shawn. He picked up after the third ring and Claire broke down when she heard his familiar voice.

"Claire? What's up? I thought you were with Steven."

"C-Can you pick me up please?"