She was deeply worried about all the new competition, and Helen
hadn?t even asked her how classes were go
ing so far. It sounded
like Claire had basically given up on her lifelong dream of graduating
at the top of the class, and Helen hadn?t noticed.
?I?ve been a terrible friend to you these past couple of days,
haven?t I?? Helen asked, suddenly disgusted with herself.
?I wouldn?t say terrible,? Claire said with a wry smile. ?But you
could do me a favor to make up for it if you like.?
?Anything,? Helen replied immediately.
?If you could keep Lucas awake and occupied the night before exams
. . .? Claire said, already holding up her arms to defend herself
from Helen?s pretend slaps. ?I don?t know why you?re fighting it,
Len. One, he?s frigging gorgeous. Two, he?s so frigging gorgeous
you need to count it twice. Three, he saw you fall down and left
practice to see if you were okay. That?s, like, devotion.?
Helen didn?t know how to respond. She couldn?t exactly explain
that Lucas had only come over to make sure she was okay because
several of his relatives were trying to kill her. The image of Kate lying
unconscious on the dirty ground flashed into Helen?s head and
her stomach fluttered. Like Kate, Claire was in danger just being
around her.
?I gotta pick up the pace,? Helen said urgently, and Claire
nodded.
?Show Lucas those legs are for more than drooling over and call
me later,? she said cheerfully before Helen sped off.
144/395
When Claire was out of sight, Helen sighed to herself, fighting
back a fit of guilt. She didn?t know what she would do if anyone
ever hurt Claire. The thought distracted her from reining in her