claire couldn’t stop laughing.

it’s not something she ever suspected she would be doing with shannon’s older brother, but here she is. she had always known shannon’s older brother as a quiet and secretive boy. she didn’t see much of him, only when he walked shannon too and from for birthday parties, and even as a child, claire had a small crush on you.

everyone had a crush on shannon lynch’s older brother. a mop of blonde hair and bright green eyes. claire would never admit it at nine years old, but she saw it too. but then claire went off to tommen and shannon went off to BCS, and naturally, claire didn’t think about you.

but then shannon moved to tommen. she met johnny, and claire had her best friend back.

which also meant she had you back. not often, but she had small conversations with you. quiet acknowledgements and conversations about shannon. you were just two people who fiercely cared for shannon, and wanted the best for her.

the whole reason she’s in this situation is, frankly, down to her brother. after an argument, claire had left the house and began to walk through town.

until a beat up blue car rolled up beside her. it was you, a cigarette hanging from your lips. you had told her to get in the car, because she was getting wet in the rain.

her heart fluttered, and she accepted.

you had driven around for a while, and it was… awkward. you made small talk, asking how shannon has been at school, and claire asked how school was for you, knowing full well that shannon had told her the day before that you was suspended. claire had mentioned needing to get some clothes for field hockey, and you had driven her.

but one thing had lead to another, and you were walking around the shop with her, holding the bags.

“we almost done here?” you ask, not bothering to hide the annoyance in your tone.

“nearly.” claire replies, smiling.

the two of you were total opposites. claire was sunshine, bright and smart with a happy family and a happy life. you were grumpy, burdened by addiction and the responsibility of raising your siblings.

but claire couldn’t help but feel a spark of something.

she tries on a hat, laughing. “what do you think?”

“looks… warm.” you reply.

claire laughs harder.