"Are you insane?!" Antonio half-yelled at me. I pretended not to hear him as I ate my birthday cake. After Archie was done with his call, he told everyone we were dating and though my parents weren't so thrilled about it, everyone was cool with it.
"You can't go from being in love with Jason to being Archie's girlfriend."
"I can and that's what I'm doing." I said nonchalantly.
"Claire, you can't do that."
"Why? Archie likes me to bits and I think he's totally lovable, hence, we're dating. And don't forget we already told our parents and they are okay with it."
"Your Dad wasn't okay with it, he knows you should be with Jason, he's just being nice."
"Which I expect you to be too. Archie is a great guy and Jason is far from my reach anyway. To be honest, I don't think I would have any feelings for Jason if not for that soul mate bullshit."
"Bullshit?! Is this why you shut me out? Because you're harbouring crazy thoughts like this?" Antonio was pissed, I knew that but I wasn't going to let him talk me out of my decision.
"Let it go, please. You're not changing my mind and you should be on my side here."
"I am on your side, you're the one going against yourself." I put down my cake and got off my bed.
"I don't believe in that soulmate stuff and I'm happy with Archie. Besides, I'm moving to Paris..."
"Where you'll be homeschooled so you can finish highschool and apply to college, at the same time you'd join Nessa's agency and get famous. I know that, just as I know that the two years you're to be apart from Jason which was initially meant for you and Jason to discover how to stand up for your emotions is going to get ruined while you're dating lover boy."
"Whatever. Can you stop stressing over that matter? You just said I'd get famous, isn't that something to be proud of?" He paced around my room for a few seconds before sighing.
"You're right, it is something to be proud of. But I'm not giving up, I believe in soul mates and I believe you're going to break up with lover boy and get back with Jason."
"Have it your way. Are we cool now?" He grinned slightly.
"Yes, we are." A knock on the door interrupted whatever Antonio wanted to say.
"That's James and Tessa. You're the only one they trust around here." He announced before he opened the door and left. James came in with Tessa, holding hands.
"Hey guys, I'm sorry it took..." James came forward and circled his arms around my waist.
"What happened to you? You promised me you wouldn't go into a coma again."
"Yeah, I'm sorry, I had no control over that. It was an accident and it might be weird to say but I'm glad it happened, it was justice for Mom."
"Dad said something about that, it doesn't make it feel any better though." I smiled and put my arms around him.
"I know, I'm sorry but I promise you that's the last one."
"I'm glad you're okay." Tessa said in a low voice, hugging herself. Was she cold or just shy?
"Thanks Tessa. I heard about Catherine, I'm sorry for your loss." Her eyes watered immediately and she took a long deep breath. James let go of me to go hold her hand in a reassuring way; they looked so used to each other. It kind of made me jealous because James wasn't by my side when I mourned Mom but there he was comforting Tessa. It could be just because he was a kid then and I'm overthinking it, I don't know.
"Dad's in jail." James suddenly spoke up.
"Yes, Claire can you help us get him out of there? He's all we have." Honestly, I didn't like the sound of that, especially since James didn't correct her on that.
"Don't worry about it, we already agreed to drop charges against him and get him out of jail."
"Really?"
"He's getting out of jail?" They asked in unison, big smiles on their faces.
"Yes, he is." James left Tessa's side to hug me again.
"Claire! Thank you, thank you!"
"But Dad has a condition for letting him out." Their faces fell.
"What condition?"
"James stays with us."
"No!" Tessa rushed forward and grabbed James away from me, holding his hand tightly. "He's my brother, he's my family; you can't take him away from me." What the...?
"Hey, whoa! Calm down. He's my brother too but I'm on your side here, I'm standing by you and trying to talk my Dad out of it." Her grip on him lessened and she looked guiltily at the floor.
"I'm sorry, I just got scared."
"That's fine, it's okay. I'll still talk to my Dad about it. I don't like it but I know James wants to be with you too, so I have to accept it." James grinned up at me without saying anything.
"I know my Dad was awful, James told me everything that happened, but I don't think he's a bad person. He was awful to me at first but once he got a little past the hurt of losing my Mom, he changed completely."
"I know and that's why I'm asking my Dad to give him another chance." They both looked at each other and smiled. I hate to admit but they deserved each other. Maybe James and I weren't that close because we're so far apart in age, I had no idea but I knew for a fact that they belonged with each other.
"Why didn't you ever tell me that Frank's your biological Dad?" I blurted, asking the one question I've been meaning to ask ever since I got to know the truth.
"Mom told me not to. She said it'll only make you hate her and miss your Dad more, so I had to be nice and play along." Really? Is that what you tell a kid? More importantly, she cared about how I felt? Shocker.
"Well, it's weird, but I can't do anything abo..." Another knock on the door. Were they going to let the birthday girl sleep?
"Claire? You up?" That was Dad's voice.
"We should head to bed now. Good night."
"Yeah, good night Claire."
"'Night guys." I opened the door for them and they went out while Dad came in.
"Good night, Dad."
"Good night, Mr Wagner." They both said in unison and ran off before Dad could reply.
"Tessa looks happier." Dad commented as I closed the door behind him.
"Yeah, I told her we're letting Frank out."
"Oh." Was all he said and I knew he still wasn't ready for that conversation.
"Are you guys going to let me get some sleep tonight? The fact that I've been sleeping for two weeks doesn't mean I'm that rested." He chuckled and we walked to my balcony and stood side by side.
"Sorry, I just wanted to check up on you and know if you had a great day." It was my turn to chuckle.
"I just turned sixteen and my parents threw me a big surprise party, my day was awesome. But..." I drawled, resting my elbows on the rail. Dad copied me.
"But what?"
"A car, really? Dad, I can't even drive yet." He laughed nervously.
"I know but getting you only a camera seemed too small a gift."
"I love the camera, it's more than enough. Did you forget that I grew up with parents who couldn't afford to buy my box of cookies so I could go on a school trip? It doesn't take much to impress me."
"You remember that."
"Of course! It was right before you left. You know, I thought it was because of that you left, I was so mad at myself..."
"Claire..."
"I know, it's not and I'm relieved. I also know that you're really here because of Jason."
"True but it's mostly because Antonio said you don't believe in soul mates." That snitch!
"It's not that I don't believe it, I mean you and Mom have a beautiful relationship but I don't want to get my hopes up only to get disappointed. Trust me Dad, I know what I'm doing." I locked our elbows and rested my head on his shoulder. "My wish tonight was that everything would fall into place and I know it will, in its own time. Just like you and Mom, after so many years, you're finally getting married. I'm proud of you, champ." He chuckled lightly.
"Those are my words. I'm proud of you, Claire, you make being your Dad so easy. And though I looked forward to shooing boys off and stuff, you beat me to it. I can't ask for a better daughter."
"Thanks, Dad. I don't say it enough but I love you, an awful lot."
"I love you too."