Chapter 105: Chapter 105

''Everything's going to be alright. Maybe not today, but eventually.'' - www.top10good.com

Claire's POV

Two days passed and I was still completing my backlog, taking extra classes to cope with those that I had missed. I bought myself a coffee maker, an induction cooker and utensils, and a mini fridge too. I stocked up on groceries and fixed myself simple meals whenever I wanted.

Melanie and Cindy dropped by every now and then to ask after me. I was such a mess, I don't know why they were so bothered about me.

I searched for internships nearby and even informed my professors that I was interested in an internship program. So when one of the assistant professors approached me and gave me a brochure, I was thankful.

A new hair salon was accepting trainee therapists. It wasn't very far away, within walking distance so I decided to apply. The pay was meagre but I didn't need money.

Thankfully irrespective of my lack of experience the salon accepted me on a two-week probationary period. The work was very hectic and demanding, and I had to be well versed with the treatments being offered. I had to know the ingredients in the products being used and had to help the therapists as they treated the clients. I didn't go there to make friends so I worked very hard. When the salon closed at 10 o'clock at night, I was so tired that I would drag myself back to my room and just sleep.

Stefan called me every day but I just ignored his calls. I didn't want to be reminded of Jason. No one from my family bothered me and I was thankful. I hadn't contacted aunt Emily as she was busy with Sandy.

My hard work paid off and I was accepted as a permanent trainee after my two-week probationary period. College work and salon work were too much for me and were taking a toll on my health but I ignored it completely. The hectic schedule kept me sane, my mind occupied.

On the weekends, I would spend time sleeping or in the library in the mornings and work overtime at the salon from the afternoon till 10 o'clock at night.

Melanie and Cindy came to coax me to go out with them, but I didn't want to go anywhere, I wasn't in the mood for any fun, so I kept on declining their offers.

Mom called me once to check on my health. I didn't tell her about Jason, nor did I tell her about my internship.

I had many missed calls from an unknown number, but I was not in the mood to check. Aunt Emily also called me a few times, but I ignored her calls too.

I did exceptionally well in my semester exams, topping the class. I was satisfied with myself. At work too I was recognized for my hard work and all the senior therapists wanted me as their assistant. I wasn't friends with anyone yet. I just couldn't open up to anyone. I kept to myself and minded my own business.

Some nights when I couldn't sleep, the memories of Jason would come flooding by and I would cry myself to sleep. He never contacted me or called me. He really must have been playing with the emotions of a fool like me.

I did not have any visitors nor did I have anyone to go to during weekends when the whole dorm would be buzzing with family members visiting or friends staying over. Melanie and Cindy were the only ones who visited me every day to check whether I was alive and whether I needed anything.

"Claire, do you want me to keep dinner for you?" offered Cindy as I declined. "You come in so late and then sleep on an empty stomach."

"No thanks, I eat something at the salon," I told them.

"No, you don't. They make you work inhumanly," said Melanie.

"Are you in need of money? Why do you work till so late?" asked Cindy.

"No, I just need to keep my mind occupied," I told her.

"Did your boyfriend ditch you?" asked Melanie cautiously.

I didn't know how to answer that so I just nodded my head. "Yes," I whispered.

They hugged me. "We're here if you wanna talk, okay?" said Melanie, and I nodded again. They left me and I realized what a fool I was. Jason hadn't even bothered to ask me to be his girlfriend, yet, I gave him my everything.

I overworked every day without a break till my body just dozed off once it touched the bed.

I didn't know how long I would survive this way, but I had no choice. I missed Stefan and wanted to go to him and hide at his place, but at the same time, I didn't want to burden him with my own problems.

After a month, one day I had a surprise visitor. After my classes when I returned to my room, I saw aunt Emily sitting on the chair in the corridor, right opposite my room. How long she had been waiting for me I had no idea.

"Claire?" she called when I stood before her like a statue. "Oh God, what have you done to yourself? What happened, honey?" she asked.

"Nothing, " I said. What was she talking about? What had I done to myself?

"Why don't you answer my calls?" she asked.

"I've been busy," I told her, unlocking my door.

"You're looking like a skeleton, dear. Have you been starving yourself?" she scolded me. I knew how I looked. I knew I was barely surviving, I just wanted to be able to go to mom and rest my head on her lap but I remembered what my father said before I left New York.

Don't disappoint me

So I tried to cope on my own. I couldn't make a fool of myself in front of my parents. I would eventually tell them but I didn't want to break dad's friendship with uncle Kevin.

"I'm okay, aunt Emily," I told her but my head swooned and I couldn't keep myself straight. I felt weak and suddenly everything blacked out and I could feel myself falling.