Part Fifteen

Picking Claire up at her apartment for their date, Jerome escorted Claire to his car, opened the passenger door for her, closed it once she was inside and got into the driver’s seat, Jerome then started the engine and drove them down the streets of Redwater City until they arrived at the location Jerome had picked for their date, Redwater Beach where he surprised her with a picnic and together the would-be couple began their date on the beach.

"Jerome, this is the most amazing night," Claire Upton said to Jerome as she stared at the crashing waves and Jerome couldn't agree more.

"I'm so happy you're enjoying it," Jerome said, smiling back at her as they began to stroll across the beach, talking and laughing amongst each other and Jerome also reached for her hand, slipping her fingers into his.

"I've had more fun tonight than I've had in months," Claire said, leaning in closer to him. "It's like we're the only two people in the world on this beach."

"Me too," Jerome admitted.

"You know, I was pretty nervous about tonight," Claire confessed. "But being here… With you, it just feels... Right."

"Me too," Jerome said in agreement. "But now that we're here, all I can think is how much I want to keep doing this. Just... Being with you." Jerome added, causing Claire to look at him knowingly. "We should tell him," Jerome said finally, the unspoken words between them finally said out loud. "Nathan's my best friend, and I don't want to keep this from him."

"I don’t know… You think he'll understand?" Claire said with uncertainty.

"I hope so," Jerome said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But even if he doesn't, we can't hide this forever." Jerome continued, his voice steady. "And we'll tell him together, explain how we feel about each other."

"Okay," Claire murmured. "But what if he hates us?"

"Then we deal with it," Jerome said as he pulled Claire close. "We're not going to hide what we are, not from each other, and not from anyone else."

And upon saying so, Jerome leaned in and kissed her softly at first but it grew more passionate as Claire kissed him back. The only sound they could hear was the other’s heartbeat and the sound of the waves crashing on the shores but suddenly they heard the sounds of footsteps and they broke apart and saw Nathan approaching.

"Jerome? Claire?" Nathan said with a hint of anger in his voice. "What the hell is going on here?"

"Nathan, wait," Jerome called out and he noticed Nathan’s fists clenched at his sides. "Let us explain."

"You're with him? She’s with you?" Nathan spat, gesturing at Claire. "How could you do this to me?"

"Nathan, please, let's talk about this," Jerome said raising his hands in a calming gesture however Nathan seemed to ignore him, and shoved Jerome aside.

"Nathan, wait!" Claire called after him as he stormed off as he disappeared into the night.