The Wrong Identity

We got into Claire's car and I made sure I buckled Paige up before I buckled myself up in the back of the car, I accidently caught Claires watchful gaze through the rear view mirror making me look away straight away. Her constant staring made me slightly uncomfortable but there was nothing I could do.

"would you guys like to listen to the radio?" Claire asks as we leave the driveway, I was about to respond when Paige's new found confidence piped up.

"could we listen to Heart radio?" Paige asks softly which indicated that she was still uncomfortable around these new people, which made two of us.

"Paige magic word" I lecture gently whilst I'm still looking out the window. "please" she said sweetly. 

"of course we can have heart radio on sweetheart" Claire responded changing the station making Paige smile while she bopped her head to the music.

"so what year are you in Paige?" Claire said, referring to school as she indicated to make a turn.

"I'm in year 1" she states proudly kicking her legs happily in the air due to her not being tall enough for her legs to reach the floor.

"What about you Aofie?" she questioned, I paused, my cheeks blushing with humiliation. 

"Im in year 9" I reply, I hated when somebody asked me that because I was held back in year 6 due to the teachers deciding I was struggling too much to be able to move up into secondary school.

"Aofie got to do year 6 two whole times!" bragged to Claire, although It wasn't something to brag about Paige didn't understand properly.

"Paige what have I told you about sharing other peoples business without their permission" I scold lightly and quietly not wanting Claire to hear.

"sweetheart thats nothing to be ashamed of, some people just need more time before taking the next step. Ive seen many children at my clinic who have repeated a year" Claire interrupts making me go even redder in the face.

"clinic?" I find my self asking. 

"I work as a child psychologist" she responded warmly. I stopped talking after that pretending that I was listening to music because really it had hit me, she was studying my behaviour. I now realise I need to be a lot more careful what I do around her, id rather not be analysed.    

It wasn't long until we arrived at the apartment complex, Claire parked the car just outside and turned the engine off. I was surprised when I saw her getting out the car. 

"you don't have to come in" I say embarrassed, our home compared to hers looks like poverty. Technically we do live in poverty but I didn't really care.

"Detective Lawrence said you girls had to be supverised when here, I'm sorry" she said sympathetically. I watched her look at the ran down building we lived in making me blush with embarssement. 

Paige took my hand as we took the lead and Claire trailed behind us. we were about to ascend the stairs when I heard Claire gasp.

"is that someones blood?" she gasped, I turned around to see her staring at the bottom step where I had fallen days prior. 

"Thats Aofie's blood" Paige told Claire before I could answer the question making me give a harsh glare in Paige's direction. 

"how far did you fall?" she asks me as we climbed the stairs, finally we made it to the top step, purposely ignoring her question. i couldn't be bothered with more questions today.

i open the door to our flat which is always unlocked due to someone breaking in a year ago and mum never fixing it. 

"Paige go pack your clothes and toothbrush i just need to grab a box from the storage room" i tell her in which her face morphs into panic