Chapter 4

Monday was a drag, as was every other day for Claudia. To add work onto her already boring schedule? Totally not what she’d planned for the week, but she had to deal with it.

She was dropped off at the mall by Daniel, and headed straight into work. As she changed in the locker room, Robin walked in. She quickly walked back out, apologising profusely.

“It’s fine, Robin. I don’t mind if you don’t,” Claudia said. She was almost changed, she only needed to change her shirt, and honestly didn’t mind if Robin saw.

Robin hesitantly walked back it. Her eyes lingered on Claudia, and she cursed herself internally. She moved her focus to her shoulder, which Daniel had grabbed the day before.

“God, Claudia. That bruise looks awful,” Robin said.

“Yeah, it hurts. It’s okay, though! Daniel’s just really heavy handed, he didn’t mean to hurt me. It was an accident.”

Robin didn’t believe her. She raised her brow, but didn’t want to pressure Claudia into telling her anything. Claudia pulled her shirt over her head, wincing as she did so, then put on her waist coat.

“What was it you wanted to talk to me about yesterday?” She asked, “Sorry I left, Daniel wasn’t in the best mood.”

“I’m starting to think he never is,” Robin said. “It wasn’t actually about work. It’s about us.”

“What do you mean us?”

“I think you know, Claudia. I’m so sorry I blew you off the way I did. I was dealing with… some things, and everything was really confusing me. I know I should have talked to you about it, but I didn’t know how. Honestly, I still don’t, but I’m sorry.”

“Robin, it’s fine. Everyone goes through confusing times. I understand you.”

Robin frowned. Claudia didn’t understand her. She thought no one did. She felt like a freak.

“Friends?”

“Yeah, friends.”

Robin and Claudia got back to work. It felt like nothing had ever happened between them, like they’d always been friends. They’d missed each other, so so much.

“You wanna hang out?” Robin asked when they finished their shift. Steve was working later than them that night.

Claudia thought about it. Daniel wouldn’t want her and Robin hanging out, and Claudia didn’t wanna know what he’d do. Maybe if they stayed in her house rather than going out.

“We can have a girls night at my house. My mom would love to see you, she still talks about you sometimes,” Claudia says.

“She does?”

“Yeah, she’s always loved you.”

“Alright, your house.”

——————————

They said their goodbyes to Steve and headed to Claudia’s house. There was a muddy area on the way. Claudia was usually fine walking over it, but it had rained that day. “I don’t wanna ruin my shoes,” she told Robin.

“You’re such a princess,” Robin said, “Get on my back.”

“What?”

“I said get on my back. Otherwise, you’ll have to get in the mud.”

“Fine.” Claudia hopped onto Robin’s back, who surprisingly held her up quite well. Robin let her down, right outside her door. “Thank you, knight in shining armour.”

Robin and Claudia walked in, and Claudia called out to her mom. “Mom! I have a surprise.”

Mrs Fuentes was in the kitchen. “What is it, honey?” She asked. The two girls walked into the kitchen, and Claudia’s mom instantly recognised Robin. “Robin! God, I thought I’d never see you again. What’s going on?”

“Nothing’s going on, mom. Me and Robin work together. We’re friends again.”

“Well, that’s great. I’m going out, cute date, but there’s food in the fridge if you wanna heat it up. I’ll see you girls later.”

“Bye, mom.”

“Bye, Mrs Fuentes.”

Mrs Fuentes left shortly after, and Robin and Claudia retreated to the couch. They talked for ages, catching each other up on the latest gossip from their very different groups in school, and eventually moving onto the topic of relationships.

Claudia told Robin everything about her and Daniel’s relationship, excluding the bad parts. “What about you, anyone special in your life?” She asked.

Robin paused. She felt her breath catch in her throat. The topic of relationships was never a positive one for her. “Um, no. I’ve never really had feelings for anyone. I guess relationships aren’t my thing,” Robin answered.

“Oh, don’t say that. I’m sure you’ll find a great guy some day.”

“Yeah. A great guy.”

——————————

Meanwhile, Steve had just finished his shift, and went out into the parking lot to see Daniel, using the payphone. He seemed angry. Steve was never one to stalk, but this was his friends boyfriend, and he wanted to make sure nothing was wrong with her.

He waited around the corner, trying his hardest to hear was was being said. Daniel had called Mrs Fuentes on the house phone earlier, just after Claudia and Robin had arrive, and Mrs Fuentes told him the two girls were together, not knowing about the warning Daniel had made to Claudia. Now, he was trying his best to get hold of Claudia, but couldn’t.

“Fucking bitch!” Daniel yelled, throwing down the phone. He didn’t bother to put it back before he stormed off to his car.

Steve followed, making sure to put the phone back properly, first. He followed Daniel – who was too stupid to notice – in his car, all the way to Claudia’s house. Waiting around the corner, Steve watched as Daniel pounded on the door, screaming profanities until Claudia opened the door.

When she opened it, he instantly pulled her out forcefully, causing her to visibly wince. Steve began walking over. Robin saw him, but didn’t say anything. She’d tried to intervene, but been pushed back, and warned by Claudia not to do anything. She didn’t want her getting hurt.

“I told you not to hang out with her, yet here you are? What do you not understand, Claudia? She’s gonna take you away from me!”

“It’s nothing like that, Daniel. We’re not like those people! I only like you.”

“Those people?”

“You know what I mean, Robin.”

Robin froze. Those people? It sounded almost demeaning, as if they had to separated from the rest of society. As if she had to be separated from the rest of society.

“You’re a fucking liar,” Daniel said, pushing Claudia onto the ground. She landed at Robin’s feet. “And you and your little friend here? Nothing but a pair of-“

“Hey, asshole,” Steve said. He barely gave Daniel time to turn around as he punched him to the ground. Daniel got up. He looked Steve in the eyes, as if he was ready to fight, but then just left, nudging his shoulder as he walked past.

“Me and you, Claudia. We’re done!” Daniel said.

“Thank God,” Claudia said, standing up with the help of Robin.

“Are you alright?” Steve asked.

“I am now that that relationships over. I’ve been waiting for him to end it, I was too scared to do it myself. And, Robin, don’t listen to him. He’s totally wrong.”

No, he wasn’t.