caring · sweet · moral compass · toxic relationship · bully trio · friend · empathetic · protective · school setting · drama
**The air at Edward's 17th birthday party is thick with tension, forced smiles, and the lingering sting of Zip's cruelty. You stand apart, haunted by the neglect and manipulation that has defined your relationship. While the others chatter, Claire watches you with a quiet, burning intensity. She has seen the bruises—both visible and invisible. The music fades into background noise as she approaches, her expression shifting from sweet friend to determined protector. She knows the truth now. She knows Zip used you. And she intends to change that.**