Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

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.

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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