A SECOND CHANCE

Chapter Two

After school, Thalia bade Claire goodbye cause her driver came to pick her up. Thalia offered to drop her off but Claire refused.

Outside the gate, other students kept going into their cars but Claire had to walk to the bus stop to get into a bus.

As she was going, she felt like someone was watching her, she turned back and saw Eric looking at her. But he diverted his attention from her and got into his car, which drove past her.

After getting a bus, Claire arrived home. Everyone was friendly around her and she greeted them all. She stayed in a local area which wasn't very developed, small houses, remote environment but at least they had water and electricity.

When she got inside, she greeted her mother and her mother smiled at her. Her mother's name was Issa.

"Wow.. my daughter looks good in her uniform" Issa said while smiling.

"Thank you"

"How was your first day?"

"It was nice though. But some of them are crazy. And there was this rude girl. It took all I had in me to restrain myself from slapping her hard" Claire responded

Issa frowned and said " Claire, I know you like defending yourself but please don't get into trouble"

" I know mum.. "

"You know how things got hard for me when your father died. I'm glad you got this scholarship at a prestigious school". Said Issa " Promise me you will ignore anyone who tried to provoke you? "

" Okay, I promise" she went and hugged her mother from behind " When I finish high school, I'll get into college, then get a job and buy you a house. Then you won't have to struggle and do many jobs".

Claire's father passed away due to a car accident when she was nine. It hurt her and her mother cause he was a good husband and a better father. Claire misses him and cries anytime she remembers him.

Ever since then, her mother did many part time jobs to cater for the two of them. Issa couldn't get a proper job because she didn't go to college and that's why she insisted that Claire concentrates on her studies. She even stopped Claire from working to support her.

The next day at school, Jennifer walked up to Claire with a forced smile.

"Hi" said Jennifer

"Hi" Claire responded

"I came to say sorry for yesterday".

"Why are you apologizing?" Claire asked

Jennifer got angry and almost snapped but she kept her cool "I just realized that I was rude".

"Okay"

Jennifer extended her hands to Claire "so friends?"

Claire looked at her but she didn't want to drag the conversation any longer so she shook Jennifer's hand "Friends".

"So I'll be hosting a party this weekend. You should come". Jennifer said.

"No thanks. I can't make it".

"Oh come on. I'll feel offended, take it as a celebration of our new friendship".

"I'll think about it" said Claire.

"Okay then. Get back to me when you've made your decision". Jennifer said and left.

Jennifer was going to the bathroom when she was blocked by Eric. They were in front of the bathroom.

Eric asked " well?"

" I did as you asked. I apologized and even invited her to the party".

" Good"

After he said that, he started going to his class but Jennifer stopped him by holding his arm.

"What?" Eric asked

"Eric.. please, can we get back together?"

Eric smiled and said " You know that's not possible. I don't date any girl twice or for long".

"Please Eric. I love you ".

"I don't do love".

He removed her hand from his elbow and walked away. He didn't care about the girls or even about playing them and breaking their hearts after all they were the ones who came at him. And that was why he was interested in Claire, the first girl to not show interest in him and he was prepared to reel her in. Mostly to satisfy his ego and make her fall for him and when he gets tired, he dumps her.

Claire told her mother about the party and her mother told her to go.

"It's not like you have any friends at home. It'll be good for you to make friends from your new school". Issa good her.

"But I'll feel out of place there, among all those rich kids".

" That doesn't make you any less better than them. All that matters is that you have a good heart and you'll see that favor will find you wherever you go".

Claire smiled " You and your motivational speeches".

" I'm just saying the truth".

Claire went to the party with Thalia. They were driven there by Thalia's driver. Jennifer rented an apartment so that they could use it for the party. Most of their classmates were in attendance but there were other people from other classes as well.

Jennifer was wearing a short black gown and had a head band on. Claire tried not to feel inferior but it was not easy. Everyone there was wearing really fashionable clothes and designer shoes while she was wearing an ordinary shirt, jeans and a pair of old sneakers.

Jennifer came to speak with her for a while before she left. Once again, the girls present at the party started screaming. Eric came in with his friends, they were dressed in similar but Eric had a jacket on.

As soon as he walked in, he made eye contact with Claire who immediately turned her face away from his direction. Thalia noticed that Eric looked at her friend.

"Is Eric looking at you?" She asked.

"He better not be" Claire responded.

"Do you think he likes you?"

"Hell no" Claire fired back. "And I don't care about him. Didn't you tell me he's a playboy, so I will never allow myself to become his toy".

"Mmmm.. good then" replied Thalia.

Claire was trying to get to the door so she could leave. She got bored of the party and they had started playing a game, drink or dare. She wasn't interested in watching or playing so she decided to leave. But someone bumped into her and their drink spilled on her clothes.

Claire grudgingly went to the bathroom to try to wipe off the stain. While she was at it, Eric came into the bathroom. He had followed her there. Claire looked up at him

"What are you doing here?" Claire asked him.

"This isn't your private bathroom Miss".

"Hmph".

"I'm Eric by the way" he stretched forth his hand "and you are?"

Claire looked at his hand and looked at him "none of your business".

"Ouch. That was impolite".

"Excuse me I'll be leaving now".

"Let me drop you home".

" What? Get out of my way".

Claire left the bathroom and went outside but Eric still followed her.

" Why are you following me? Are you a kidnapper? " Claire said

" Don't you know me? Eric Santiago?"

"I do. But I really don't care".

They went out to the road but there were no buses or cabs around.

Eric said "It's already late. You won't find a cab to take you home unless you want to sleep out here"

She ignores him.

"Just accept my offer".

" And why are you insisting? Do you want something in return?"

Eric laughed "Not all guys want something in return for good deeds. The truth is, I just want to be your friend. That's it".

" Why do I find this hard to believe? "

"Of course you will. I mean, the most handsome and most popular guy in school wants to be your friend" Eric said proudly while smiling.

But Claire didn't return the smile

She looked at the time on her phone. It was almost ten pm and her mother might start to get worried about her.

" Okay fine. You can take me home but just this once, only because I don't want my mom to get too worried about me".

Eric smiled "okay then. I'll bring my car".

Eric brought his car to where she was standing and she entered. She was surprised by how big the car was but she didn't think much about it because he came from a rich family.