Unbroken

Claire

"I swear to God Blake, I will swat you!" I give my boyfriend a warning look, catching him in the act of trying to snap a picture of me as I scanned the books at the bookstore.

"What? You look adorable! So concentrated. It's cute and funny!"

I purse my lips and go back to looking at the books, sliding my fingers over the spines as I hum softly to myself. Just as I begin to think maybe Blake is starting to behave, the flash goes off and he curses, almost dropping his phone as his face turns a bright red and I burst into giggles. "It's called karma Blake."

"Oh hush," he mumbles, obviously embarrassed as he shoves his phone into his pocket. I finally find the book I'm looking for-Thirteen Reasons Why-and pluck it from the shelf, turning and placing a kiss on Blake's lips.

"I love you. No matter how much of a dork you are."

He laughs and pulls lightly on a strand of my black hair. "Thanks Claire, that means a lot."

I roll my eyes and stick my tongue out at him, going back to the front to pay for my book. "I'm going to the pool after this with Megan. Chase will be there too."

"What about Sam?" Blake is following behind me, and it's clear he's gotten used to his prosthetic leg. That doesn't mean he likes it though.

"No, Sam would rather go surfing, but he's going to stay home." I shrug and sling my backpack back over my shoulders. It has my wallet, my sunblock, and a towel. "You should go hang out with him!"

"I probably will. The apartment isn't as fun when you're not there." He pouts slightly and I laugh at him.

Ever since high school ended, Blake and I have been living in an apartment together, getting by on what we both make while I work at the Freddy's across the street from the apartment and he works at the bookstore.

"Well, you won't be there alone. Sam said he'd stop by there to get a book and he'd stay there. Just have fun. Do whatever guys do when girls are gone."

"You mean miss the girls?" He peers at me with a goofy smile, and I laugh as I give him a soft kiss.

"You won't miss me much. I won't be gone long."

"Alright. Bye Claire."

***

Megan and I had just gotten off the lazy river when we went back to our seats and I heard my phone ringing. I dry my hands off and lay on my stomach on the plastic lounge chair next to Megan and answer my phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Claire! Remember me? Your favorite cousin!"

I feel the color drain from my face and I blow out a barely audible sigh. "What do you want Makayla?"

"I need a place to stay. Mom and dad are leaving town for the summer for some 'alone time' and they don't want me home alone. So I'm coming to your place! Aren't you excited?"

"I don't live in the house with my parents anymore Makayla. I live in an apartment with my boyfriend."

"Claire please! I need a place to stay or they said they'd send me to summer camp!"

"It would be good for you Makayla. You're too pampered. You'll get fresh air!"

"Claire pretty please! I'll do anything!"

I stop for a second to think that through. "Anything huh?"

"Yes!"

"Fine. I'll be home in an hour or so. Then you can come over okay?"

"Thank you Claire," Makayla says in a sing-song voice and she hangs up. I groan and shove my phone back into my pocket and look up to see that both Chase and Megan are utterly confused.

"My cousin. Meg, you might remember her. Makayla? The sixteen year old? Yeah, she needs a place to stay, so I have to give her one." I rub my temples as I close my eyes.

"I never really liked your cousin. I mean, I only met her twice, but she doesn't seem like a good person. I'm sorry, but its true." Megan gives me a sympathetic look as I sit up.

"Back to the lazy river?"

"Yup," Megan grins and stands, grabbing Chase's hand and pulling him to his feet, which is pretty comical since he is like a giant next to Megan.

"Alright fine. I'll let you drag me on it. But you owe me."

"Fine. Come on. The ground is hot."

I could've sworn I heard Chase whisper, "like you," to Megan. Cocky bastard.

***

I had just gotten out of the shower when I heard the knock. I wrapped myself in a towel and went downstairs, opening up the door to a grinning Makayla. Her platinum blonde hair fell in silky waves to the middle of her back, her blue eyes sparkling. She definitely had work done on her teeth since the last time I saw her; they're perfect. "Claire! Well this is an odd way to welcome me."

"Shut up. You're room is the one at the end of the hall. The one on the left."

"Thanks!" She then dashes to the hall, disappearing into the room on the left while I head back into the bathroom and slip on Blake's t-shirt and a pair of my shorts. I hang my towel back up and slink back out of the bathroom and find Blake and Sam on the couch watching a baseball game and I plop down between them.

"Is that my shirt?" Blake eyes me with amusement and I nod. "It looks better on you than it ever did on me."

"Thank you." I grin and kiss his cheek and he wraps an arm around my shoulders. "And I want to give you a heads up. My cousin Makayla is staying here for the summer. She can be a bit...bitchy."

"If you're worried about me leaving you, I won't." He kisses my forehead and I knew one thing.

I didn't have to worry about Makayla taking Blake from me.