not fathom, the Furies demanded blood, and they would get it no
matter how it was shed.
?You?re really not seeing Lucas?? Claire asked with care. Helen
snapped out of her morose reverie.
?Seeing him? Every time I look at him I want to tear my eyes
out,? Helen replied honestly.
?There! Right there! That?s what I don?t get,? Claire exclaimed.
?You have never hated anyone before, not even Gretchen who?s
been nasty to you since fifth grade. You just walked away from her
like it was nothing, and you used to be just as close to her as you
were to me. But this thing with you and Lucas? It?s eating you up!
You have been so angry since he moved here. I don?t understand it
at all. It?s like the only explanation that makes sense is what everyone?s
been saying.? Claire stopped herself abruptly.
?What is everyone saying?? Helen asked, pulling up short. They
had been jogging at a slow pace to begin with, but Helen needed to
get a straight answer. She forced Claire to stop and look at her.
?What are they saying?? she repeated. Claire sighed and got it over
with.
?That you and Lucas met randomly on the beach right before
school started and slept together. Then he lied to you and said he
was just on vacation so he wouldn?t have to call you. That?s why
you flipped out when you saw him in the hallway, because he used
you and you were in love with him.?
?Wow. That?s pretty dramatic,? Helen said, feeling detached.
?Yeah, but is it true?? Claire said, her eyes pleading. Helen sighed
and put her arm around Claire, leading her to a walk.
?First of all, Lucas and I never even met before that day in the
hallway, let alone slept together. Secondly, I would have told you if
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