Undercover: Book 3 — Chapter 58

"You know for someone who was kicked out of college you sure seemed to be okay," Tom said, standing by the seat in front of me and I gave him a small smile. “How are you?" he asked.

"I've been better," I replied honestly and he smiled.

"Hey, Tom?" I asked after a moment, he looked at me expectantly as if telling me to go on. “Where would you start if you wanted to make a change in the world?"

"It depends on what type of change you want to make,” he said and I looked at him for a moment not sure what to say. Tom seemed to notice my loss of words and continued. "I would say you should start from the beginning," he told me before sending me one last smile and leaving the small cafe.

"Start at the beginning, huh?" I whispered to myself before quickly standing up and rushing out of the small cafe.

"Woah, Claire? You okay?" a man asked when I ran into him, looking up I noticed it was West and pulled him into a hug.

"I'm fine, great actually," I told him with a fake smile.

"Well, it's been awhile since I've seen you. We should do something soon,” he suggested and I nodded.

"That sounds great. I really have somewhere to be right now, but just text me sometime. We can go get coffee or something,” I said holding up my coffee cup and shaking it a little as an example.

"Okay, see you soon," he said sending me a smile and I nodded.

"Yeah."

I walked over to my car and got into it, heading to the one place it all started, the place where everything began. About twenty minutes later I was there, standing in front of the large building that usually would have tons of boys crawling out of it. Tom said to go where it all started and this was it. I should have known that the second I stepped onto these school grounds my whole life would change. This is the place I met Kyle, Max, Tom, Nick, Caiden and even Eddie. Sure this wasn't a school for girls, but if I had the chance to do it all over again then I would.

"Claire-bear?" Nathan's familiar voice asked standing next to me and I didn't turn to look at him.

"People try to change the world all the time. What makes me think I can?" I asked aloud and he chuckled.

"What would you change?" Nathan asked and half smile appeared on my face as I took the familiar path the basketball courts and I could sense Nathan's hesitation.

"I would change the way everyone sees other people. I think it's time that everyone stops judging someone because they're wearing shoes with holes or a designer Michael Kors purse or whether someone's gay, bisexual or hell even pansexual. I'm tired of this world being so judgmental,” I said shaking my head, my fists clenching.

"The world will always judge people no matter what anyone does. You can't stop someone from expressing their opinion, Claire."

"I know, but I truly do want to show the world how wrong bullying it is. I want everyone to be put in every single situation. Of bullying. I want everyone to see the eyes of a bully and the eyes of someone who's innocent."

"Claire Martez, you truly do have a heart made of gold," Nate said smiling. If you ever do get the opportunity to make a change expect me to be with you every part of the way." He placed his arm over my shoulder as we walked.

"You know if you get caught here you'd be in a lot of trouble.” I didn't respond and only continued walking. As soon as I took a step onto the court, I paused and really looked at it. I examined the peeling green paint and the brown picnic table with words written all over it. I let my eyes skim over the tall hoops that were perfectly intact, so perfect anyone could do a slam dunk if wanted.

"This is where I met Edward Sterling," I stated loudly, not caring who would hear me. Nathan didn't say a word and only watched me as I looked up at the sky.

"And this is where I'll let him go,” I closed my eyes and let out a long breath I didn't know I was holding. Caiden was right. I needed to focus on getting my life back on track now. I needed to let him go. I love Eddie as my best friend and sure we had so many great times, but I don't think he would want me to live my life depressed and alone.

Nathan's arms wrapped around me just as my legs collapsed from underneath me. He kneeled to the ground and let me lean my whole body on him as he stroked my hair. This is something Caiden never got to do. He never had anyone to really be there for him after everything, he never got to face it all.

"I don't think I've ever seen someone mature so fast in my lifetime,” a man said and I slowly opened my eyes to see an elderly man standing there with glasses on the end of his nose.

"Excuse me?" Nathan asked the old man and he smiled shaking his head.

"Not even grown adults could do what you just did,” he stated and I stared at him.

"Do we know you?" I asked quietly and he shook his head.

"Probably not. I'm a new teacher here and I was taking a walk when I heard you talking. I should be yelling at you for being here but I can't bring myself to do so. You're Claire Martez aren't you?" he asked and I frowned but nodded.

"I'm Mr. Berman, but you can call me Cael. You want to make a change, huh?" he asked.

"Hey, I've heard of you," Nathan said pointing his finger at him and he nodded.

"Yeah, how do you know that?" I asked softly, watching him with a bit of suspicion since he wasn't yelling at me for being her and he smiled.

"Let's just say I've been behind you for more than a few minutes. I would like to offer you an opportunity to speak to this school about what happened to the young man, Edward Sterling. I want you to speak to everyone and tell them how you met him. Share his story with the world that's how you'll make a change. "

"You're not the dean, you can't decide that," I said and he sent me a smile, looking down at my figure still sitting on the ground in Nathan's arms.

"You're right, but this school will be sold pretty soon and I do have a goal to make it something it was once before," He said looking up at one of the buildings.

"A co-ed school?" Nathan asked and Mr. Berman smiled.

"Yes, but that's not all. I want a new generation to begin, starting at my school. I think you can do that for me Claire Martez,” he said and I stared at him, waiting for him to be kidding. Was this man serious? Caiden's dad really is going to sell the school?

"What do you even know about Eddie?" I asked almost accusingly.

"Not much, but I have heard all about a woman named Claire Martez pretending to be a boy here for months and the tragic death of a boy.” I looked down at my hands, biting my lip. "I'm not asking you to do this anytime soon Claire. I haven't even bought the school yet, but believe me, when I do if you're interest you will be contacted,” he said seriously and I looked at him carefully.

"I am interested," I said without hesitation as I stood up. People didn't have to want to hear about him, they needed to hear his story, they needed to see who he was. They have to.

"Great, how about I contact you when I think it's a good time for you to come talk to them?" Mr. Berman asked, holding out his phone and I hesitated just giving my number out in case he was lying. "You can trust me, Claire. You can even do a background check on me if you want to."

"That's unnecessary," I said before grabbing his phone and adding his number, also mentally taking note of his number. "So you'll just contact me you're finally put in charge?”

"Yeah."

"Sounds good," I said, handing him his phone back.

Feels good.

Because now is the perfect time to quote an album.

It's always the right time.

"It was great talking to you, Ms. Martez.” He held out his hand and I shook it. "See you soon.” I nodded and watched as he walked away.

"That was weird," Nathan noted.

"It's a chance, a chance I need," I said, watching his figure walk away.

"Hey, what are you doing? It that a girl with you?!" a teacher yelled and a light smile appeared on my face as I looked at my best friend whose arms were still around me.

"Nah, it's just my boyfriend," Nathan yelled back and I lightly slapped his chest.

"Okay, you keep doing whatever you were doing then," the teacher yelled awkwardly from the distance before turning around.

"I guess I should go tell Caiden," I said frowning at an adorable smile appeared on Nate's face.

"Should I schedule my doctor's appointment now or later?" he joked, raising an eyebrow as I slipped out of his arms and stood up.

"Probably now,” I held out my hand and he grabbed it, lifting himself up causing me to almost stumble.

"You're so fat," I said scrunching up my nose in distaste and he started flexing.

"I am, huh?" I lightly pushed his shoulder and he frowned and rubbed it.

"That hurt."

"I didn't even punch you," I said looking at him incredulously and he smiled.

"I know.” He grabbed me and flipped me over his shoulder causing me to squeal.

"Nathaniel Marx! You have five seconds to put me down or else!"

"My full name isn't even Nathanial," he said pausing and I pounded on his back.

"Whatever. Just let me go you big ostrich!" He set me down on the ground and bent over.

"What's wrong?" I asked, confused, and he looked up at me and just burst out laughing and bending over again.

"Out of every animal, you went with an ostrich. Why are we friends again?" he asked and I put my arm around his shoulder and squeezing him against me before placing a sloppy, wet kiss on his cheek.

"I don't know. You must adore my hate for you,” I said and he rolled his eyes and pushed me away, wiping his cheek with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Yeah, that's it. Maybe next time do me a favor and don't leave your spit on my face. Thanks,” he said and I quickly pecked his cheek one more time before running toward my school.

"What a bitch,” he yelled and I stuck my tongue out before I slowed down my pace and continued the rest of the way walking. I didn’t know what I'd do if I ever lost Nathan too. He was my rock and although I do love Mia very much my friendship with Nathan was one hundred times stronger because of how long we've known each other. He made me truly believe that I could get through this, I could get through this.