Things were complicated. Shane didn't realize how complicated they were until they were and he just stood there, watching her cry and looking like a big, goofy fool because he was well, just standing there. "I'll get that," he said, taking the plate and he looked back at the dining room table but didn't say a word. He would go up to her room - which made him smile a little because there was a time when he wouldn't, but well, this was different now, he guessed. Before it was all confusion and butterflies (because guys got those too) and now it was familiarity. Which was strange. She was still the new, mysterious girl except not. It was funny how time just passed.
He followed her up to her room and when they were inside, he set the plate down. Maybe he wasn't that hungry. And it wasn't because he was alone with her, it was because of what they were about to talk about. What he last remembered. Which was utter shit. He didn't want to think about it, but then again, it was all he could think about.
"My father," he started, looking at her, his voice a little calm and without the nervousness that was in there before. "He showed up. And I know that's my fault. I called him but that was when I didn't know what the hell was going on. I just wanted them to leave us alone, you know?"
Like, thanks Dad. You came late and then you tried to kill my friend, he thought. Unless his friend was dead. His heart sank a little.
Michael was his best friend. Shane would walk through fire for Michael and now Shane was stuck ... here. With Claire. While Claire was here, and that was great, it still didn't give him the answers he needed. It still didn't give him Michael. "I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened to Michael." And that was what was going to bother him. It was going to eat at him. To know that he could have done something different.
"I'm sorry," he said. He meant it. He didn't want to be at fault, but it kind of felt like he was. God, he felt like shit. He smelled far worse. The smoke was all over him, his skin was grimy and it was all just a reminder of what happened. Of what happened because of him probably.