Claire's POV
I stared at Vanessa in shock. I quickly got off Rawl. I felt my cheeks turn red as I tried to look anywhere but at Vanessa.
"You two mind explaining what just happened?" She asked.
"Um…I…" I stuttered.
"She fell. I caught her. What were you saying the other time, darling?" Rawl asked and I couldn't be more grateful for him saving me.
Vanessa's eyes kept darting from me to her father and she smiled. "Oh, nothing."
"Claire," she called and I froze.
"Y…yes," I stammered.
"Why are you acting like a jelly? Come with me," she said, pulling my hand and I followed.
We got to my room and she closed the door.
I gulped as she turned to look at me. My heart raced with every step she took as she got closer to me.
"W…w…what are you doing?" I asked, scared.
She came closer and leaned in. I gulped and started counting the seconds I had left.
God please, not today. I don't want to die! I promise to be a good girl. I won't ever…
""Is something wrong with Richmond?" She asked and I stared in shock.
"Huh?" I muttered.
"He's acting weird lately. I don't understand him," she continued.
"You're worried about Richmond?" I asked.
"Yes," she said, looking at me as if I had grown horns.
"You're not bothered about your Dad and I…" I responded.
"What? No! Are you crazy?" She asked. "Dad said he was helping you up. Isn't that what happened or is there anything else I don't know?"
I mentally slapped myself for making her ask that question. "What? No! I just thought…nevermind. What did Richmond do?" I asked.
"He's acting weird. He keeps doing things that I don't ask him to and it's getting on my nerves," she complained.
"You should tell him," I answered.
"You think?" She asked.
"Yeah. I am sure," I insisted.
"What if I embarrass him?" She asked.
"He'll live," I answered and we laughed. She stayed until the evening and left.
*******
My door woke me up quite early that morning.
I got up sleepy to open the door, and I almost had a heart attack as Richmond stood at my door, looking at me sternly.
"Jesus!" I screamed.
"Hello, Demon. Did you meet the devil on your way here?" he asked, and I frowned.
"You startled me. Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked.
Richmond sighed, pushing past me into my room and lying on my bed.
"Um, excuse me, that's my bed, and I didn't tell you to lie on it," I warned.
Richmond stayed still, rubbing his hand over his face. "What's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"Vanessa rejected me," he replied, disappointment clinging to his voice.
"Oh, that's why you look dejected. I tried to warn you," I said softly and sat down beside him, placing my arm around his shoulder.
Richmond looked up at me, his eyes filled with sadness. "I know, I know. You warned me. But I had to try."
I hugged him tightly. "You'll be fine."
Richmond smiled weakly, and I could see the pain in his eyes. "Thanks, sis. But I doubt your concern. It looks fake. You can smile if you want to."
I let out a big smile, still trying to hide the laughter that was building.
If you laugh too much, I swear I'm going to kill you," he warned.
"So, brother. Tell me what happened. How did your crush reject you?" I asked, preparing to laugh to my heart's content.
"We were watching a series yesterday, and I kind of…," he said, looking at me.
"What?" I asked.
"I tried to kiss her," he blurted.
"You what?" I gasped.
"Oh no," I groaned.
Richmond sighed and continued. "Oh yes. I did, and she left. I texted her how I felt, and she… she said she only thinks of me as a brother."
"Ouch," I winced. "That's going to hurt a lot."
Richmond nodded, looking devastated. "Don't make this worse. I already feel like an idiot. Do you think it's because I rushed into it?"
I laughed, but immediately shut up when I noticed his glare. "Yeah, you're an idiot. And maybe it's because you're a little weird, Rich."
Richmond punched my arm playfully. "Hey, I'm not that weird!"
Just then, my phone rang. I picked it up to see Vanessa's name flashing on the screen. I answered, and Vanessa's bubbly voice came through the line.
"Hey, girl! I need you to come over!"
I looked at Richmond, who was still sitting on my bed with this down look on his face. "Why?"
"Something big happened," she squealed happily but I wasn't in the mood.
"I don't know, Van. I'm kind of busy right now," I said.
Vanessa's voice turned pleading. "Come on, Claire, I really need you now."
I sighed, feeling a bit torn. But Vanessa's enthusiasm was infectious. "I'll be there."
I hung up the phone, and turned my gaze to Richmond.
"You're going to Vanessa's?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, she wants to tell me about something."
Richmond's expression turned skeptical. "And you're just going to leave me here? Alone and heartbroken?"
I rolled my eyes. I wasn't going to deal with his drama. "You'll survive, Rich. Besides, I'm sure Vanessa wouldn't appreciate your...unique presence right now."
Richmond chuckled, looking a bit more cheerful. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. You're saying I'm weird again."
I grinned. "Maybe just a little, Rich."
Richmond laughed and stood up, heading for the door. "I'll leave you to your gossip session, sis. Have fun."
He left, and I got ready. I arrived at Vanessa's house, and she opened the door, flashing at me. "Hey, girl! I am so glad you're here."
I sat on the couch watching Vanessa giggle.
"What's up with you?" I asked.
Vanessa took a deep breath before launching into the story. "Josh asked me out on a date!"
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Josh? As in, the captain of the soccer team?"
Vanessa nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "The one and only! I know, it's crazy. All I did was like his post and he sent a message. We did flirt a little bit, and he asked me out on a date!"
My mouth opened in shock and I laughed. "That's amazing, Van! Congratulations!
Vanessa beamed, well-pleased. "Thanks, Claire! But I'm nervous too. What if I ruin it?"
I shook my head to reassure her. "You'll do great Van, just be yourself, and I'm very sure Josh will love you."
Just then, the doorbell rang. An inquisitive look crossed Vanessa's face.
"Are you expecting someone?" I asked.
"Nope. Dad won't be coming home today," Van replied.
She went to answer the door and I opened the bottle of water.
I had barely taken a sip when I heard Vanessa's angry voice yelling. "What do you want?"
" Won't you let your favorite uncle in?" a masculine voice answered.
"Like hell!" Vanessa shot back and slammed the door. I almost jumped out of my skin as she walked back in.
"What happened?" I asked.
She shook her head and sat beside me. "It's nothing important," she answered.
The door suddenly clicked, and footsteps followed. Van and I looked at each other and gulped.
I clutched tightly onto the bottle, and she grabbed a pillow.
"Hey, Van." the masculine voice spoke, and from the corner, a tall, lean, muscular figure appeared, and we immediately threw what we had at him.
He fell to the floor, and we screamed.