Just Driving Home Who: Claire and Gabe When: Post pool party Where: In the car
After the party began winding down, Claire got out of the pool for the last time and started drying off. She pulled on her shorts shortly after and threw her book and tank top in her bag. She found Gabe a few minutes later, a smile on her face. "Are you ready to head out? Or did you want to stick around a bit later?" It was going to be a busy day tomorrow, with graduation and his party, but she knew Gabe could stay up and party with the best of them from time to time, so she wanted to make sure he was ready to leave rather than forcing him to.
Gabe climbed to his feet as he saw Claire heading over, about ready to go himself. It'd been a long day and the sun made him tired, plus he fully expected to see everyone in attendance tomorrow. "I'm ready," he said, saying goodbyes to those around him then walking over to meet her. "Anyone you need to say goodbye to, or are you ready to go?" he asked, pulling on his shirt. He'd done his best to keep his shoulder covered with a towel when he was out of the pool, and now that he was mostly dry it was easy to put clothes on.
"Nah. I think Madock is taking Jessalyn home, so, I'm all yours," Claire told him, slipping her bag over her shoulder. She had gotten some sun today, but unfortunately most of it was pink. She had never tanned very well, but thankfully she rarely burned either. "Did you have fun?" It seemed like he had. He certainly had enough friends to keep him occupied. Not that she minded. He spent most of the day with her, and she was glad people seemed to flock to him. He was cute, and popular, but he had a likability factor some jocks didn't.
"Great," he grinned, but decided not to make a joke about her being his. It was too fragile a situation at the moment. Maybe sometime in the future, but not right now. Gabe grabbed his towel and waved to Charlotte, then headed towards the gate with Claire. "Yeah, it was a blast," Gabe smiled. "It's nice to see everyone in a more relaxed atmosphere, to just hang out and talk. And swim. What about you?" They'd spent a good amount of time together, but they'd also had some time apart. He knew she'd sunned a little and read her book, but she'd also had time to chat with friends as well.
"Other than being thrown in the pool?" Claire shot him a pointed look, though it was one full of amusement. "I had fun." She didn't have as many friends as Gabe, so she really just read, or talked to Madock. It wasn't so bad though. She didn't need to be surrounded by people all the time to have fun. "Did anyone ask you about your shoulder?"
"You'd already been in!" Gabe laughed. It wasn't like she'd gone in fully clothed. Just...half way dry. "Lily did, so I told her what happened. I know I can trust her, I just hadn't gone out of my way to tell her," he said. Lily had always been like a little sister to him and he didn't want to worry her. He'd planned on telling her eventually, though it would have been nice to get past the first full moon, so he could claim he wasn't worried. "She's the only one..." Gabe said as they climbed in the car. "Though I should probably tell Madock if we're all gonna live together."
"It's the principle of the thing!" Claire protested, though it was a bit weak on her part. She had seen Lily and Gabe in the pool earlier, but hadn't known what they were talking about. She didn't mind if Gabe told people, as long as he trusted them not to tell other people. She didn't know Lily all that well, but if Gabe knew his secret was safe with her, than Claire wad fine with it. "Yeah, I think telling Madock would be a good idea. Eventually he would probably figure it out and then wonder why we didn't tell him, so..."
"How do you think he'd take it?" Gabe asked. He knew they'd still be friends, but what if Madock wasn't comfortable living with a bitten werewolf? What if he decided that he didn't want Gabe to date Claire? Gabe realized that Madock might be learning something like this eventually from his girlfriend, but it wasn't Gabe's place to say. He wanted to mention it to Claire, but thought he might ask Ransom first, just cause he didn't like giving away other's secrets.
"I don't think he'll freak out, if that's what you mean. Madock's got abilities too, and I don't think he would like it if people viewed him as different because of it. He knows you're smart enough not to put anyone in danger, including me." She certainly wouldn't tell Madock about being around Gabe on the full moon though. That might be a bit much. "You guys are friends, and I know he trusts you too, so I doubt telling him would cause any kind of problems," Claire said, wanting to reassure Gabe that it would be safe to tell Madock.
The difference was that Madock's abilities didn't turn him into a monster from time to time. Gabe and Madock had never talked a lot about what Madock could do, but Gabe knew it was similar to Claire's psychic abilities. Psychic abilities seemed human, at least in part. "Okay," Gabe said hopefully. "It's just a hard thing to bring up. And then he's gotta accept it and everything. But I don't think I can not tell him at this point." His fingers tapped on the steering wheel as he thought of that, and how he might go about it. "When do you think I should tell him?" It was a hard decision-- after the full moon or before?
Claire thought it over for a few moments before she looked over at Gabe. "I think maybe you should tell him after Sunday. That will give him plenty of time to get used to it until the next full moon. I really don't think he'll be scared, or concerned over it... maybe concerned for you, but I don't think it'll change anything regarding your friendship, or us living together." Though if she and Gabe became something, that might. She didn't really know.
Gabe nodded, thinking that might be a good idea. It was only a few days till the next full moon, which really didn't give Madock a lot of time to come to terms with Gabe's new found... abilities prior to seeing the worst of them. Not that he thought Madock should be there. He had only asked Claire because he needed someone to be there for him, and she was the closest. "Will you still be okay with that?" he asked. "Us all living together?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Claire asked after a moment's hesitation. "I know what we'll need to do when the full moon comes around. And it doesn't scare me, knowing what you are. I mean, as long as you're comfortable with us in the house, and knowing and everything... I don't see why it would be a problem."
Gabe smiled as he looked over at Claire, wondering if she was ignoring the situation he was speaking of or if it really made no difference to her. She'd known he was a werewolf before the option had even been considered, so he didn't expect her to have a problem with that. "I was thinking more about me liking you," he said. "And if that would bother you or not."
"Oh." Duh. That was the obvious thing, since she already knew he knew she didn't have issues with his curse. Still, it felt weird to hear him say he liked her out loud. Claire chewed on her lip for a second before she released a small laugh and shook her head. "No... it wouldn't bother me, Gabe. It doesn't bother me now." She glanced at him. "Would it... is it a good idea to live together?"
"Well, good," he said, his smile growing wider as she said it didn't bother her. He hadn't been all that sure about that a few hours ago. "I don't know," he admitted. "I mean, it doesn't bother me. I kinda like it, actually. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it. Since we don't really know, maybe we'll just have to see how it goes." It was hard to make decisions based on something that didn't really exist at the moment. If they were dating, then they could figure out if it was a good idea or not, but right now they weren't dating. They were just thinking about it.
"We'll see how it goes," Claire agreed with a small nod before glancing out her window again. She had been thinking about it all day, since he'd asked her out. She felt both anxiety over the fact, and... anticipation? Maybe that was it. It wasn't that she wasn't attracted to him, or that she never thought about him that way, because she did. But she was also aware of how things tended to work out for her, and they rarely ended well. Still, it was strange, because this afternoon when they were in the car together, her heart wasn't pounding like it was right now. "Either way, I think it would be fun... and I think I would feel better with you living with us than some strangers."
This was so weird for Gabe, different and new. He was used to knowing how things would go, comfortable with the dating scene and asking girls out, but Claire was a different story. He could hear the difference in her heartbeat, but that told him so little, and he wondered if this wouldn't be easier if he just acted on it. But then he cared enough about her to be careful, and that was new too. It was harder to throw caution to the wind when so much was riding on it. "I'd definitely rather live with you and Madock, than go pot luck in the dorms. Plus, it'll be fun. We can hang out whenever we want, cook dinner together, but still go to our rooms when we need to study. See? I've thought about studying," he teased.
Claire grinned. "Right. And your idea of studying would be shutting your door and listening to music or surfing the web. I think I've got to stick close to you when you're studying so I make sure that's exactly what you're doing." Claire stuck out her tongue and shook her head before laughing. "I promise not to be some kind of strict school marm on you... I know Madock probably thinks I'll post up a list of rules or something when we move in."
"I wouldn't mind you sticking close," he smirked, though by his definitely he'd probably get even less studying done than before. Gabe could be a good student when he put his mind to it; it was just forcing himself to focus that took work. "I don't see you as a school marm. And, I have to admit, a few rules would probably be good. I like things clean enough that that shouldn't be too big a problem from my end, and playing music late at night really will keep me up, unless I wear earplugs, but then I can't hear my alarm." This was something he was still figuring out how to work with, a 'perk' of being a werewolf that wasn't always a perk.
She nodded. "Okay. No playing music really late, unless you're awake at the time. That can be on the list." Claire stretched out her legs the best she could in the car. Being out in the sun all day took a lot out of her. "As long as you're clean, I don't really have many rules. I'm still trying to get used to the idea that you can hear and smell so much. The chlorine didn't bother you too much in the pool did it?" She hadn't even thought about it at the time. If Claire could smell it, then Gabe was probably overwhelmed by it.
"I'm still getting used to it myself," Gabe said. He wasn't yet at the point where he could completely forget about it, which was annoying, but he'd been told that eventually it would just become a way of life. This was the first time he'd been swimming since he'd been bitten and at first he'd thought the chlorine was that strong to everyone. "It was bad at first, but the longer we were there, the less it bothered me, once I realized it was just me thinking it was strong. Like, it wasn't bothering my eyes underwater or anything. Just the scent. But there were other things to smell, so eventually I forgot about it." But they did smell like chlorine now.
"My hair is probably going to smell like chlorine for days," Claire said, tugging a piece to her nose. Even if she washed it a dozen times... he would probably still be able to pick it out from the scent of vanilla or strawberries. "Won't it be cool? Being able to know who's around you just by how they smell? Hopefully they smell good," she added with a soft chuckle. "I wonder if all that stuff will kick in three fold after Sunday."
"I'll let you know," Gabe said with a little smile. "I expect it'll smell good again." He liked her shampoo, something he wouldn't have known if he didn't have such a good sense of smell. He just didn't want to say too much about it for fear it might creep her out a little. "I don't know if cool is the right word," he said with a little laugh. "If it's you, it's awesome, cause I like the way you smell. If it's Madock's dirty socks, not so cool. There's also some little things I can smell that I don't really understand. I don't know if it'll all make more sense after I change once, or if I'll still be just as confused." He knew that some girls smelled, well, delicious was the best way to put it. Not in a way that he wanted to eat them for dinner, but in a way that turned him on. Sometimes Claire did too, but when she did it was so much worse, since he actually wanted her.
Claire couldn't help but laugh, despite the flush on her cheeks from him admitting he liked the way she smelled. Before she could just brush it off with an eye roll or snort, but now that she knew he liked her... it had a different kind of effect. "Oh, believe me... even I can smell Madock's dirty socks, so I'm with you there. That'll be rule number two... Madock has to keep his dirty socks in the hamper at all times. But I think maybe things will make more sense once the first full moon comes and goes. Your instincts are going to kick in, you know? I think eventually things will become completely normal and natural for you, and you may not even realize it."
That little flush to her cheeks was cute, and something he hadn't been able to pull from her in quite some time. It was nice to know he was capable of it, even when he wasn't really trying. "Right now, it's like the instincts are kinda there, but I don't understand them. So I'm a little uncomfortable in my own skin," Gabe said as he pulled on to her street. He thought about circling the block, but then thought she would laugh at him. He just wasn't ready to leave her, though he would see her tomorrow. "I hope after the first full moon, it'll all click together. Like I've been separate, and then I'll be one." Pulling up to her house, he looked over at her with a smile. "Ready to walk tomorrow?" It was their last task as a high schooler. Hallelujah.
She didn't like that he wasn't comfortable, but she couldn't do much for him other than listen and try to help as much as she could. Claire was hoping once Sunday passed, he would feel much better. Glancing at her house, she checked Madock's window to see if his light was on or not. She couldn't really tell with the blinds down. He probably wasn't home anyway, if he was out with Jessalyn. Claire returned her attention to Gabe with a smile. "I'm more than ready. I think I'm more ready for jello shots though. It's our last official high school thing and I want to have some fun once it's over." Claire unbuckled her seat belt and leaned over the seats to hug him. "Thanks for everything today."
Gabe was looking forward to having a little fun himself. It'd been a while since he'd had a party, and this one was significant because it would be his last as a high schooler. And it was his first where Claire might see the attention he gave her as flirtatious rather than friendly. He wasn't sure which of the two he liked more. "I'm sure it'll be a blast. I've been getting ready for it all week, so all that's left is the party itself," he smiled. As she leaned over to hug him, he embraced her in return, his eyes shutting as he breathed in her scent. Even beneath the chlorine, he could smell her, and up close her heart beat was even more pronounced. "You're welcome," he said, slow to release her. "It was fun. I'm glad you came."
"Me too." For some reason she was unable to explain to herself, she was slow to pull away. But once she did, she smiled at him again and reached down to pick up her small beach bag. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Don't stay up too late or you'll oversleep." Claire pushed open her door to climb out. "'Night, Gabe."
His fingers slid down her arm, wanting to maintain that contact for as long as possible. Maybe, soon, he'd make a move, but he wanted to give her the night to sleep on it, to really accept what he'd told her. Maybe, tomorrow, he'd have the courage. Today had been a huge step! "Don't worry, I couldn't miss graduation if I wanted to," Gabe smiled. "Night, Claire." He waved as she walked up to her house, then waited until she was inside before he drove away.