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Claudia laid in her bed and slowly opened her eyes. The room was bright with afternoon sun. Beautiful as it may be, it was killing her head. She reached to pull the covers over her head, but the movement made her arms ache. She couldn't remember what day it as or how long she had been sleeping but flashes of the last four days ran through her mind. She could see Shane holding her in the car, yelling at Mark while he drove. Then voices of the doctor rang in her ear as he told the group of Claudia's condition.
"She is lucky her ribs didn't puncture her lungs....we don't know what the long term effects will be.....her memory will be bad for a few days."
Claudia could see a shadowy figure sitting next to her at the hospital, holding her hand. She remembered saying good-bye to Mark as he left for Ireland but everything else was a blur. She tried sitting up but that made her head pound even harder.
"Claudia, lie down." Anna said as she entered the room. She quickly put the cup of tea down and tended to Claudia. "Just rest." Anna pulled the covers around Claudia and fluffed her pillow.
"I'm starving." Claudia said weakly.
"I would expect so, you haven't eaten much in the last four days." Anna handed Claudia the cup of tea.
"I don't remember too much of what happened." Claudia said as she took Anna's hand.
"The doctor said you wouldn't." Anna wiped the sweat from Claudia's forehead.
"Just tell me I was nice to Mark when I said good-bye." Claudia said trying to smile.
"Considering the amount of drugs you were on, yes, you were nice. He has called at least twice every day to see how you were." Anna stood up and closed the curtains to hide the bright sun. "You get some sleep, C. I'm going to tell the guys that you're feeling better."
"Anna, who sat next to my bed, holding my hand? All I can see are shadows.." Claudia closed her eyes as her head was beginning to hurt again.
"Sleep Claud, I'll check on you in a little bit." Anna pat Claudia's hand and gently opened the door.
"It was Shane." Claudia said softly. In her mind's eye, she could see Shane holding her hand, she could hear him crying, and she could feel his breath on her cheek as he placed his head on her pillow and slept.
"We were all worried about you, C. Rest." Anna stepped out the door as she slowly closed it. "It was Shane, Claudia, it was Shane." Anna said as she shut the door.
Claudia's heart skipped a beat as she closed her eyes, her last thoughts before drifting away of Shane.
"How is she?" Bryan asked as Anna stood in the hallway.
"She's better." Anna said as she looked down at the ground.
"What's wrong?" Bryan took Anna's hand and held it.
"Nothing." She quickly said and gave one of her melting smiles as she led Bryan to the couch.
"Heard that you have some good news for me?" Bryan asked as he put his arm around Anna.
"Yes, I do. I got my assignment for my teaching assistant job this year." Anna said as she shifted in her seat.
"Where?" Bryan asked, moving closer to Anna.
"Oh..just a little town...in Ireland....like....Sligo." Anna said as Bryan's eyes lit up.
"Sligo! You are going to be in Sligo? You are going to be just a few hours away from me. You are going to be..." Bryan grabbed Anna and began spinning her.
"Bryan, put me down!" Anna yelled.
"Baby, you are going to be close to me!" He screamed. Anna could do nothing but laugh at him. After finally putting her down, they sat and talked about the details of her new job.
But the whole time that Anna was talking to Bryan, she couldn't help but think about what it meant to be in Sligo for eight months. It would be eight months of close encounters with Shane, the man she was beginning to have unresolved feelings for. She tried to shake off the her thoughts as she looked into Bryan's eyes. But it was Shane's face that clouded the love she had for Bryan. Just being in the same room with Shane made her tremble with the thoughts she had about him. The thoughts she wanted to follow through with, thoughts that would destroy a friendship and love.
Kian came up behind Kori as she was sitting quietly on the blanket. She was in deep thought as she caught the scent of Kian behind her.
"No need to sneak up behind me, Mr. Egan." Kori turned around to see his shy grin.
"What are you doing, Kori?" Kian asked as he stood with his arms crossed.
"Enjoying the peace and quiet." She said as she turned to face the ocean in front of her. Kian stood quiet behind her as she tried to ignore him.
"Either take a seat or leave me alone." She said, but Kian didn't hesitate and sat down next to her.
"Are you still mad at me?" He asked.
"About what? Oh, that's right, for putting my friend in the hospital?!" She yelled.
"Still mad." Kian said as he smiled.
"Stop smiling at me. You were such a prat for starting that fight!" She hit him.
"Ow! Damn it, Kori, you are so violent." Kian said rubbing his arm. "I feel just as guilty for what happened to Claudia. But I wasn't the one who pushed her down on the ground and trampled her."
"Why? Why did you even start the fight?" Kori stared at Kian. She had seen a totally different Kian that night, one who would obviously do anything for her but his violence also scared her.
"I just didn't like seeing that guy touch you." Kian said looking away. He didn't know how to explain to Kori that he couldn't stand to see anyone with her, holding her and touching her.
"I am not yours to protect. Kian, I am sorry. But I am not." Kori quickly said as the words went through him like a knife.
"Why can't you be mine to protect?"He asked finally looking at her.
"I am not ready for a relationship. I have my acting and school..."
"I am so tired of hearing how you aren't ready!" Kian yelled as he stood up. "I see how you look at me. I see it in your eyes, Kori Masters."
"Kian, I never led you on this whole summer. I have been honest with you." Kori stood up and began folding the blanket.
"Your words meant nothing to me." Kian said as he stopped her from folding the blanket.
"Look at me." He pulled her closer to him. He had to know. "Tell me you don't have feelings for me." Kori looked away as Kian pulled her face towards him. "Tell me that you don't love me. Tell me that you..."
"I don't love you, Kian." Kori said as she stared at him. She didn't blink, she didn't move, she just stared right into his blue eyes and said it again. "I don't love you." Kian loosened his grip around her as he looked away.
"I am sorry, Ki..." Kian didn't give her a chance as he dropped his hands and turned away from her. He began walking towards the cabin. He saw it in her eyes, he saw the love she had for him. "Why didn't she say the words?" He quietly said to himself as his heart broke in a million pieces. Kori stood as she watched him walk away. A tear softly began to fall down her cheek.
"And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to...Kori Masters." Kori said softly.
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