Undercover: Book 3 — Chapter 54

"Thanks for stopping by Claire. See you next week," Dr. Felix, my therapist said, shaking my hand as I stood up from the couch. I thanked her before leaving her office then the building.

It'd been two weeks since the incident. Over that time I'd been to his funeral and I'd officially moved out of the boys’ university with help from Caiden. I haven't spoken to any of my friends since then. Nathan and Mia have tried calling me every day, but I think they're finally getting the hint I wasn't going to answer. Yes, I knew it was bad I was pushing my friends away, but I couldn't help it. I didn't want to hear all of their BS about it not being my fault. I didn't want to blame myself, but no matter what Dr. Felix said I couldn't help it. I didn't get there in time. I could have stopped him, I could have save him, but I didn't.

Stop thinking.

I clenched the wheel tighter and continued to drive to school. Trying to distract myself with the music I realized I had class in thirty minutes. You know there's nothing worse than going to the school next door to where my best friend took his life. At times I even wonder if I never went up there and watched it all would I have moved on faster. Would I still be depressed?

I pulled up at the school and parked. I quickly fixed my makeup in the mirror making sure I showed no signs that I was previously crying. I stepped out of my car and gasped when arms wrapped around my waist.

"Nathan put me down,” I hissed smacking his hands, but he didn't let me go.

"You've been ignoring all of our calls for weeks.” Nathan frowned his hands still on my waist even after he turned me to face him. "Claire-bear I've missed you."

"I need space, Nathan,” I said pushing on his chest, but he kept his hands firmly on my waist.

"I won't let you push me away. I know you, Claire. You'll push everyone away until you're alone to wallow in your tears. Just like you did when Liam left,” he said and I looked away from him. Nathan was right. It was what I did. I mean after all I've learned that was what I was best at.

There's nothing easier than pushing everyone away from you. You don't have to deal with the pitiful looks, the long speeches, you don't have to deal with reality.

"Nate I can't deal with it. I'm trying to fix myself. I see a therapist now for my depression! I'm trying okay!" I almost yelled at him and his look of pity started to show.

"I love you, you know that right?" he said, his hands cupping my cheeks now. “Mia and I will forever and always be by your side no matter how hard you try to push us away. I'm glad you're getting help. What you saw was tragedy. Not many people could be sane after seeing that. And I don't want you for one minute to feel alone through all of this Claire-bear."

"I love you too, Nathan,” I mumbled putting my head on his chest embracing the hug he pulled me in to.

"I don't know how you are so strong,” he mumbled, setting his head on top of mine.

“That's the thing though. I'm not strong, inside I'm just a broken girl.”

"I think you need to talk to Caiden,” he said after a few minutes.

"And I think that's a terrible idea. I haven't spoken to him since the day he dropped me off at my house," I said, pulling away.

"Hasn't he tried calling you at all?" Nathan asked me with a frown and I shrugged.

"A few times,” I said, pulling my purse higher on my shoulder. "Listen I have class. I'll talk to you after. You better go over by your school before a teacher sees you." I gave him a quick hug before heading toward the building my class was in.

"You better call me missy or else!" he yelled after I was across the parking lot. For the first time in weeks a small smile slipped on my face. I'll admit it, I missed my best friend.

I walked into the classroom that only had about ten girls in it at most and took a seat in the front. I remember how strange it was to be in such a small class, but some girl immediately cleared it all up. I thought back to our conversation.

"Claire right?" The strawberry blonde asked me and I nodded. "You look confused. Need help with something?” she asked me and I almost scowled. Couldn't she see that I just wanted to be alone when I sat away from everyone else?

"No, not really. I'm just curious, why isn't there very many girls here?" I asked curiously and she laughed.

"You do know this is like an Ivy League school right? It's hard to get in here which is why we were all surprised when you joined out of nowhere. Not many people make it in here,” she told me, flipping her hair over her right shoulder.

"But I heard the boys university had tons of guys,” I said and she simply shrugged.

"As much as I hate to say it, if a family was deciding between their son and daughter to take over their family business, they would most likely choose the son. Almost every guy over there is taking over some family company,” she said rolling her eyes. She looked at the time and gasped. She unbuttoned her blouse a little making her cleavage show a little. She pulled her skirt up a little and frowned when she looked at me.

"Why are you doing?" she asked and I raised an eyebrow and glanced around the room to see everyone doing the same thing as the blonde.

"What do you mean?" I asked, not even hiding my boredom. This was why I got along with guys easier.

"Mr. Keith will be here any minute,” she said after reapplying her makeup.

"Oh I must be in the wrong class. I thought this was Mr. Woods design class,” I said, starting to gather my books and she shook her head giggling.

"You're in the right class. We just all call him by his first name here,” she said smiling and I just stared blankly at her before nodding.

"Is there a reason you all are trying to make yourself look good for a teacher?" I asked and another girl pitched in. She had long, beautiful curled hair and had perfectly tanned skin; almost like Mia.

"Just wait till you see him Claire. This man is hot, single and straight."

"But you can't even have a relationship with him,” I said frowning and a few girls chucked.

"I just want sex."

"When I finish this class I can date him."

Different answers came from the girls and I shook my head at them. Either way they shouldn't be making themselves look like whores. They all are beautiful in their own way. If this man only liked the girls for their bodies then he wasn't worth it.

"Claire!" Kayla, the strawberry blonde said snapping her fingers in my face."Mr. Keith will be here in one minute. Get ready.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"C'mon Claire. At least give yourself a sexy look. I mean you somehow made your uniform look freaking adorable just finish it off. Mess up your hair or something,” she insisted, frowning. I messed up my blonde wavy hair a little and bit my lip. I almost laughed when she didn't realize I was pretty much mocking her.

"That'll do. I still suggest unbuttoning a few of these buttons and losing the bow tie, but whatever,” Kayla said, winking at me. The door opened and everyone's eyes turned to Mr. Keith.

He was indeed very handsome, but I knew to not get involved with him in any way. He was my teacher and I couldn't use any male to make me forget what happened.

"Kayla can you take a seat, please?" he asked and Kayla nodded taking the seat next to me. I rolled my eyes when she sent me another wink. I wiped my thumb across my teeth to make sure there was no lipstick on them before focusing on the teacher.

"I have a huge assignment for you all. Do you think you can all handle it?" he asked, showing off his charming smile.

"Of course,” a few girls shouted from the back with grins on their faces.

"I want you to design a wedding dress. I want you to draw it out and then actually make it. My new step sister will pick the dress that she likes the most and will wear it for her wedding."

"What else does the winner get?" Kayla asked him flirtatiously.

"I was getting there Kayla. The winner will receive a 10,000 check and an internship at her friends fashion company,” he announced and everyone gasped and started whispering excitedly. I'll admit that did sound great.

"Class quiet down now,” Mr. Keith said, leaning against his desk with his arms crossed on his chest. “I have all of her measurements here. After, you design the dress I will need a list of supplies from you so I know what I have to buy. Ladies please remember you are here in this class because you want go into the fashion industry. Well if you want to make it far you have to accept competition. That means take this seriously and work hard,” he said as he passed out the paper with all of the measurements.

"You have the rest of the class to work on this. I expect you to have your designs and lists at least ready for me by next week's class,” he said sternly.

"Oh my god! This is gonna be so cool! I'm almost positive I'll win this,” Kayla said, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. She looked at the picture of his sister and squealed so loud I'm sure Nathan could hear it from his school.

"This cannot be your sister!" she yelled and Mr. Keith raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"She's my new step sister,” he said nodding, and Kayla stood up and started jumping up and down.

"I'm making a wedding dress for the Tori Crystals!? Since when did she have any siblings?" she said almost accusingly like she didn't believe him.

"Since her mom got married to my father last year,” he said before asking her to take her seat again.

"Oh my god. Claire, can you believe this!?" Kayla asked holding up the picture and I stared at it blankly.

"I have no idea who that is,” I said seriously and she gasped again.

"She's like one of the hottest models right now from Victoria Secret! Her and her friend Clover are seriously like the definition of perfection,” she said, fanning herself.

"Oh that's cool I guess,” I said nodding, before pulling out a blank sheet of paper.

"That's not just cool that's freaking incredible! I can't even process this,” she said putting her head on the desk. I rolled my eyes before taking a look at the picture of her and trying to imagine her in the perfect dress. I didn't even realize my hand was already sketching something until I focused on the paper. The pencil moved with my hand as I made the smallest details in the dress. I took another glance at her picture and knew exactly what to do.