Studying The Star Crossed Lovers

❧Chapter 19☙

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving.  

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Claire had spent a week recovering in her bed when she was finally allowed to return to school.

"Do people know what has happened to me?" Asked Claire as she sat with Annie at the dining room table eating breakfast. 

"They think a mugger stabbed you."

"Seriously?"

"Yup. Also, rumors have been spread that you and James are together."

"Oh, God."  

Annie had spent the last few days at the Whiting house living quite happily with the family. She had still gone to school but she spent the rest of her time with Claire. Claire knew that her friend was hovering around her because she was scared that Claire would hurt herself again.

Claire didn't mind though. She liked not feeling lonely. She liked falling asleep curled up next to Annie. She liked waking up with the other side of the bed warm. 

"Have you spoken to James?" 

"Not yet." 

"You probably should." 

"I know. It's just I don't know what to say?" 

"Why don't you continue as normal and then address the marriage issue as it comes. Like neither of you have power over it so why let it affect your relationship?" 

While Annie made a good point Claire didn't know. James was now another thing her family had ruined for her. 

When Claire was younger she like a lot of young girls wanted to be a ballerina. Her nanny would take her to classes three times a week. She would watch ballet videos and practice the dances. Then she started getting good. That was when her parents took an interest in her hobby. 

They would make her dance for their friends. Her recitals became a public affair. Her mother constantly had her practice and ballet began to feel more like a chore than a thing she loved. It all came crashing down when at the age of twelve Claire threw away all her ballet things and swore never to go back to a class. 

James was like ballet now. She couldn't look at it the same as all she saw was her parents and all their expectations. Never the less, Claire got in the car with Annie and went to school. 

All-day Claire could feel the stares on her. People stopped her in the hallways and told her "Get well soon." or "Hope your feeling better." or they would ask what had happened with the mugger. She was the talk of the school. 

The first time she saw James since she was out of the hospital was when she passed him in the hall. Their eyes met. James smiled at the girl and nodded slightly as he walked past her. He winked at her before turning back around and continuing to his class. 

"Did he just wink at you?" Asked one of Claire's friends who she had been walking to class with. 

"I don't think so."

"No, he definitely did." The girl gasped and smacked her head. "Holy shit the rumors are true. You're dating him."

"No."

"Then why was he seen at the hospital with you."

"He was the one that found me after I was stabbed. He went to the hospital with me in the ambulance." 

"That is so sweet. He saved you." 

"Who saved Claire?" Asked another girl who had been overhearing the conversation. 

"James, he was the one that found her after the mugger stabbed her. He took her to the hospital and watched over her to make sure she was okay until her family arrived."

That was all it took. By lunchtime, the news had spread around the school that James had saved Claire's life. 

The information that the families had fought outside the hospital had only added to the stories. Now the most widely believed story was that James had come across Claire bleeding to death, he had then taken her to the hospital, and then when Claire's family arrived they tried to force him to leave her and when he refused he had fought them off in order to make sure Claire was safe. 

Claire sat outside with her friends as they all relaxed in the sun. The weather was nice for once and most of the school had gone outdoors to spend lunch with their friends. 

"Claire, why is James coming over here?" Said one of Claire's friends. Claire sat up and sure enough the boy was walking over. Annie raised an eyebrow at Claire. 

"I'm not sure." 

The boy reached the group while the friends sat in silence. He was very attractive Claire realized in that moment as the sun shone down on him. His jaw was sharp and a smirk was plastered on his face as he looked down at his girlfriend. 

"Can we help you?" 

"Claire, can we please talk over a coffee?"

"Of course, give me a moment." Said Claire as she gathered her things and wiped the stray pieces of grass off her uniform. 

The pair remained silent as they walked out of the school and got into James' car. It wasn't until James pulled out of the school that James put a hand on Claire's thigh. 

"How was being back at school?"

"Horrible. The rumors have gotten so out of hand and I've felt nauseous the whole day."

"Do you want to go home?"

"No. This is nice." Claire grabbed the hand that was resting on her thigh and kissed it lightly before holding his hand in her own. 

"I'm sorry I snapped at you at the hospital." Said Claire once they were sitting in a park with their coffee. 

"It's fine."

"No, I was mean to you even when we are stuck in this together." 

"Well thank you for the apology."

James kissed Claire lightly. He loved that girl. He didn't care that she snapped. She was tired and stressed and she was seriously injured. He wouldn't hold those words against her. 

"Can I tell people we are dating?" Asked James as he pulled Claire closer to him. 

"I suppose there is no reason to lie anymore." So when the pair returned to school they held hands as he led her back to her friends. They didn't care who saw or what they thought. 

It was in Claire's last class of the day when she was cornered by people Claire knew were part of the Dancy's gang.

"So you are James' now." Commented one of them as the boys stood there blocking her exit from the room.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Well if you ever need anything know that we have your back. No questions asked." 

"Oh," Claire let out a breath of relief. "Well thank you. That's very sweet." 

Claire knew James' boys were loyal but she didn't know they were so unquestioningly devoted. It felt nice knowing that she didn't have to be afraid of them anymore. Now she had double the protection at school and knowing her life she would probably need it.