It's a bet.

Michael sat in his seat waiting for the pep rally to start. He had no idea what to expect. She said that things would go well but would they really. Michael leaned back up against the bleacher and waited for the rally to start. He looked at his friends to see what they may be feeling. To them it was just any old pep rally but to him it was different. Michael got to see what it was like for Claire to be there. This time he would actually pay attention to what he was doing. It was odd.

Soon the pep rally began and he watched as the cheer leaders did their dance and he watched as Claire approached the stand. She started to talk and then she started doing something that totally threw him off guard. She could write and sing and do it well? What was with this girl. It's like she had it all and didn't even know it. Was she really that ignorant? He knew the song she was singing, Skyscraper wasn't his favorite song but it must have been hers. She put so much into the song and he could feel it. This was truly extraordinary. He felt something, like his heart hurt. He felt bad for what he was going to do. Michael closed his eyes then thought about whether or not the money was worth it then he remembered. He is doing it for his passion not hers. Even though she did some cool things it didn't matter to him anymore. His mission was clear.

As he watched Claire run out of the gym he noticed something. She moved herself with this song. Michael got up with everyone and started moving toward home. All he could think about was Claire, was she OK? As he kept walking he noticed her car. Slowly he came to a stop and walked over seeing her in it. He saw her head in her hands and saw that something in her life made that song even more effective. Michael looked at her for a moment making sure whether or not he should leave her or not. After a breath or so he knocked on the window. "You are really good."
 
Claire kept her head down in her hands, and everyone seemed to be oblivious anyway. Claire would drive right now, but her vision is a little blurry from tears. Claire really didn't want to get into a car accident, she couldn't have that. At least everyone had a good time at the pep rally, or at least it seemed that way. Claire had to clear all of her thoughts from her head, she seriously had a million of them running around all at once.

Hearing a tapping on her window made her jump a little, she turned her gaze the other way as he spoke. "Thank you." Claire nodded after but didn't maintain eye contact, she started the car deciding it was time to go now. "See you around." Claire added before going to leave, but inconveniently the stupid car wasn't backing up. Claire tried again but instead it only made an ugly sound, she thought it was acting strange this morning but didn't see this coming. Very inconvenient for her too. Claire rolled her eyes before picking up her purse, she took out her compact to look at her eyes. Red and watery, she blinked a few times before putting makeup under her eyes to clean up a little so they'd appear to be much better.

Claire glanced over to Michael before going back to her purse, she took out her phone and called a tow truck company. They said they would pick up her car and then she could get it in the morning once it was fixed, she shook her head since today was just not her day. Claire got out of her car and looked at the hood, she sighed at the smoke coming from it. Oh well the money wasn't an issue, but it was just frustrating.
 
Michael frowned as she watched her phone the tow company. He hated when stuff like this happens. Money was always an issue in his life and it never really bothered him that he really didn't have any. That is why the 30 dollars meant something to him. The only time he really got money in his life was his birthday or Christmas. When he got money it wasn't much. Maybe a dollar or two, maybe a five or a ten. Sadly, he had never really received anything about a twenty. That's one of the reasons he doesn't have a car. Sure he could see the school from his house but it was still a half a mile away.

Michael looked at Claire sympathetically and shrugged. He watched as she opened the hood and smoke had come out. Michael's mom had taught him about cars before just doing it to add some hope that he may own a car. Slowly he shook his head and looked at her. "I know some things about cars but not much." Michael looked over the car, trying to see what may have been wrong with it. "Maybe its the radiator." He pulled out a bottle of water and pulled off a small cap then he slipped it in his pocket. Trying not to get the water everywhere, he poured water into the radiator to see if that would help.
 
Claire shook her head and put her hand on her forehead, she wondered where he knew this from considering it was wrong. "Never do that again. Pouring water into the radiator is not the smartest of ideas." Claire said with a sigh, she just hoped that didn't crack the block. "It's not that. The Solenoid is blown." Claire said with her arms crossed, she wasn't stupid. "I'm not clueless you know. I wouldn't have called a tow truck for nothing." Claire said with a roll of her eyes, she didn't see why everyone treated her as if she was clueless and helpless. Claire really wasn't, she knew her cars well and how to fix them. Though this was a problem she would let professionals handle since she didn't want to bother with it. Claire had always been into cars, she loved mostly the classics though. Anything from a Ford Model T to a 1968 Mustang Bullitt Fastback. They were all amazing.

With a look at her phone she scrolled through her contacts to see which friend she could have take her home, she wouldn't have a problem finding anyone since they would all just jump at the chance to take Claire home. Though she decided she'll walk instead, she put her phone back in her purse and looked at the car before leaning against the side to wait on a tow truck. Claire didn't want to have to deal with annoying people, but that wasn't the only reason she wanted to walk. It was a pretty nice day out, so why not enjoy it then.
 
(Sorry for not posting as much, I've been losing track of time.)

Michael put his hand on the back of his neck embarrassed about what he did. The fact that she knew more than him about cars astonished him. A girl who was smart, pretty, was popular, and knew things about cars. It's like every guys dream wrapped in one. He admired her Ford Model T, but he really didn't care about cars in general. Sure they helped get around but he felt that a walk was good enough anyway. After thinking about it Michael did feel a tad sad for her, she had to get the car repaired and then she maybe wouldn't have a car for a couple of days. Michael put his hands in his pockets and looked up at the sky. It was a nice day out, which made it better for him to walk home.

Then it hit him, what he brought her home? " Hey, maybe my mom could take you home, all we have to do is walk a mile or so."
 
Claire got put her hand on her car thinking about just having them junk yard it, she has noticed that it's been having many problems lately. It would probably just be easier and not to mention safer if she got a new one. Claire grabbed her purse out of her car, she also grabbed her bag with her clothes in it considering she was still in her cheerleading uniform and she didn't want to leave her clothes in there. Claire got the keys out of the car and locked the door, she would have them tow it then later she would pick up her things. When Michael suggested she let his mom drive her she thought about it, she thought it would be better than walking all the way home. "Okay." Claire agreed with a nod, she was sure that he wouldn't be as annoying as other kids were. Whenever Claire had to get a ride before she could drive they constantly tried to hang out with her, and it was very annoying.

(It's okay.)
 
Michael fixed his backpack on his back and put his hands in his pockets. He looked at the road thinking about which route he should take today. There was two ways he could take. The first route he took was when it was rainy and usually snowing, it was a somewhat fast way to school and it was all by sidewalk. Either that or he could take the way be the field. It was the fastest way to go and he got to go through the soccer field. Quickly, Michael made up his mind and headed toward the soccer field waiting for her to follow. "So, tell me about yourself."
 
Claire followed Michael and just watched the ground as they walked, she picked her head up when he spoke. "My name is Claire." Claire responded with a smirk, she looked ahead of her before looking back to him. "What would you like to know?" Claire asked since there was a lot to her, so she didn't want to tell him everything. Claire would most likely tell him anything he asked though, she was a pretty open person but nobody just ever bothered asking her. Also there were just some things he didn't need to know, she wasn't going to tell him her secrets. Probably wouldn't either unless she knew she could trust him, but right now that was a no.