Page 22 of Out of the Dark

"Yeah, that’s fine. Just don’t forget to text me that info, please."

"You got it, lover boy."

Less than a minute after we hang up, he’s texted me the contact information, and I’m doing research. I could’ve looked for someone myself, but Shane always seems to know the best of the best in this city, so if it helps Claire, it’ll be worth it.

It’s not that I think she’s some broken thing that needs fixing, though. She’s fragile, sure, but not in a weak way. More like something delicate that’s been battered and bruised by the harsh realities of life. Yet she’s still fighting, making a life for herself despite whatever she left behind. I know what it’s like to be in her shoes, at least in the sense of needing to fight my way to a better life, but even when I felt entirely alone, I at least had Shane and his parents. Claire doesn’t seem to haveanybody.

That evening, I’m mindlessly scrolling on my laptop a couple hours after dinner when Claire’s voice breaks thesilence.

"Hi."

I jump, startled by her presence. "Hey, I didn’t even hear you come in here," I laugh, amused by my own reaction. It’s not often I’m caught off guard.

"Sorry," she says, trying to hide her amused grin. "I’m used to trying to be quiet when I walk."

The way she phrases that gives me pause—why would she activelytryto make her presence unheard?—but I don’t mention it.

"No need to be sorry. Is there something you wanted to talk about?" I can tell by the way she’s hovering at the edge of the room and fidgeting with the hem of her oversized sweater that she’s nervous and came in here with a purpose.

"I’d like to try out college if your offer still stands."

Her eyes flit to mine before falling away again, as if she’s embarrassed or awaiting some sort of negative reaction. "That’s a great idea." I give her a bright smile to let her know I genuinely mean it. "Have you looked at any classes yet?"

She shakes her head. "I didn’t know where to look."

"I think you can just look up the course catalog. Either way, we’ll have to get your application in, though there shouldn’t be an issue with applying this late to the community college. Do you need help with that?"

"Yes. I don’t have a laptop, and my phone is just a cheap pre-paid one."Hmm, that might need to change…

"Do you have your legal documents with you?"

She nods.

"Go get those and let’s get this filled out, then."

She grins and scampers down the hallway before returning a few minutes later.

We spend the next hour navigating the online enrollmentsystem for the closest community college, and while a normal person might be annoyed by the tedious filling in of boxes, Claire lights up with every new page.

I’m still sitting in the same spot, but she’s been standing despite my repeated offers for her to pull up a chair. She hovers over my shoulder, accidentally brushing up against my arm more than once, and it makes my skin break out in goosebumps. She’s so close, I could reach out and pull her into my lap in an instant, really feel her against me instead of these soft, accidental touches.

Stop it, Mark.Jesus.

After filling out the application, we scroll through the catalogue of courses for the spring semester, noting any of the ones she’s interested in.

She settles on taking two evening classes, English Composition and Intro to Psychology, which will be enough to keep her occupied but not overwhelm her.

I create a reminder on my phone to help her actually enroll in the courses once she gets officially accepted, which will likely only be a few days at most.

As soon as we’ve completed everything we’re able to, she looks at me with a massive grin, practically bouncing on her feet as she stands beside me. "It’s only two weeks away!"

I smile back, a warmth blossoming in my chest.She’s fucking adorable, I think. I shake the thought away and replace it with a more appropriate one.She’s excited, and I’m happy to see her smiling about something. That’s all.

Claire goes to bed soon after, and I suddenly feel the need to preoccupy myself. I head to my office, the one place that’s my escape in the apartment after she’s moved in because I know it’s the only place I’m certain to be alone.

It’s not that I want to be away from Claire; it’s that I want to be around her too much. The magnetism between us is something I can’t shake. Being near her, seeing her open up or watching her slowly find pieces of herself she’s lost… it throws me off balance.

"I probably just need to get some of this pent-up energy out of my system," I mutter to myself as I brush aside the papers on my desk to set my laptop down. It’s been a few weeks now since I’ve gone to the club, which is highly unusual for me. Normally, it’s my way of blowing off steam—no strings, no complications. But now, the idea just doesn’t hold the same appeal, and I’m willing to bet it has something to do with the sweet, petite blonde staying in my guest room.

---