He is cleaning up his closet when he finds the blue scarf burning between the piles of clothes. It has survived the many moving-days in the past year because it is one of the few woolen pieces that do not make his neck itch. Now he remembers this was a present from Claire. She handed it to him with her chin up, a self-righteous expression on her face, and then walked towards Kat and Hannah to hand them their gifts with a smile on her face, which makes him think Claire believed this was the lesser present. Evan thinks he gave her a mug for Christmas once, so maybe she was crossed with him. Claire used to go all out with very personalized Christmas’ gifts, in their junior year she gave him an album with photos of him and Hannah, because, in her own words, he was a ‘hopeless romantic’ who liked corny things. It was true, of course. He wanted to have those things his parents did not have. A good family, a perfect life, no matter how his own childhood taught him those things were impossib

On Christmas, Claire prepares her lemon pie, and the five of them spend time at the table and playing cards afterwards, but then they are back to rehearsing for the next song cover.“So, we are preparing the next song for you, and Claire had this crazy idea that I should sing with her. But I think she changed her mind after rehearsing today and listening to me for the first time.”“Seriously, Evan?” “I am just documenting. Say hi.”Okay then. She smiles and waves her hand at the camera.“Hi everyone! Thank you for your support with the first cover. We hope you enjoy what we are preparing for you next.”Evan is satisfied with this, because he sets his phone aside and sits on the couch, facing her. “You have not opened my gift yet.”That morning she immediately wore the cardigan Halley and Henry gave her, and she quickly saved Julie’s handmade card saying it had to go to a new scrapbook, without doubts. The small box Evan gave her is on the night table, untouched, maybe because she i

“A creamy latte for you.” This semester Claire settles for Tuesday and Thursday mornings as her fixed study hours in the library. The first Tuesday Evan is at the door of her dorm, two cups of coffee in his hand. “Thank you.” She kisses him and grabs her latte. “You did not have to do this, don’t you have classes at eight?” “Actually, I am not good at waking up early.” He smirks. “This is a good incentive.” “Smooth talker.” The year started on a positive note because they won the first place in the radio contest. Some are surprised she can sing, the coordinator of the choir invited her to join them if she is interested. This time, Claire actually signed in for the Wednesday practices. The prize also helped her to buy a condenser microphone. It seems like a good idea, if she and Evan are going to continue doing the covers. People really liked that their version of Everything Has Changed, and she is already thinking about the next one, dragging him to learn a new song. Actually, s

Claire is so obvious that five seconds after she enters her room, Tessa sees right through her.“I thought you went to spend some sweet time with your boyfriend, why do you look like you swallowed a lemon?”“She is outside.”“Who?”“His ex-girlfriend. That narcissistic, double faced woman that pretended to be my friend.”“What? Why?”“Probably to try and prove she can have him back at her beck and call.”By now it is clear Tessa loves gossip, because she jolts out of bed and goes to the window trying to see Evan and Hannah. Claire does, too. But they are no longer there.“Well, if Evan is as smart as he seems to be, he won’t be cheating with that bitch. Didn’t you just spend the last twenty four hours having amazing, wild sex?”Claire glares at her, but then gives up and sighs. “He would not cheat on me with her anyway. But I still hate that she is here.”She knows she should not feel like this. She knows it is not like Evan is suddenly going back with Hannah. After all, they broke up

The night before it was easier to walk away from her father, furious as she was, and most importantly because she did not want Evan to be subjected to his judgment. Conciliations are more difficult than disagreements, which is why Claire is so apprehensive as they walk into the cafe where they are supposed to have breakfast together.She is also grateful that Evan is next to her, he did not have to do this, but his sole presence is encouraging her in ways she can't measure. “I’ll only greet your father before I go, but I am always just one call away, okay?” These words right before they enter the cafe work their magic to reassure her.“Ok, thank you. Evan, it's not the first time I’ve had a disagreement with him, I’ll be fine.”Her father still wears a severe expression on his face when they reach his table, but she is just pulling out a chair when he throws hostile words.“I invited my daughter, and I would like to talk to her without outsiders.”“Dad…”But Evan just smiles.“Of cou