CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Clara could feel her arms itch as the sleeves of her dress scraped against it. She wondered the sort of fabrics they used in making these beautiful yet uncomfortable dresses. Can’t clothing industries use soft clothing materials like that of sweatshirts, cotton trousers and the likes? To top it off, the dresses were freaking heavy! She hated going to parties especially parties with her parents. This particular one was an impromptu and not planned, who holds a party on a Monday evening? Oh, she knows. The Smiths. Unfortunately for her, she had gone home to pick up an old vase from her room.

“Sweetheart, I didn’t know you would be coming home today. That’s good. You have to go with me to the Smiths. Your father will meet up after work.”

“I'm not prepared to party. I just came to pick a vase up. I will be heading back right now.”

“Come on. It is important that you come along.” Her mum stopped in front of her and tuck her red hair behind her ears.

“No mum. It wasn’t important until you laid your eyes on me.”

“But it is now. Pretty, please. I promise not to sneak up on you at the shop for the rest of the week.”

Clara knew the promise was a shaky one but it sounded so nice to her ears to be fair. Also, there was no way she could refuse her mum. Now, here she sat in a place filled with noise and rich, stuck-up people. Everyone trying to show that they were rich enough to roll with the Smiths. Clara just wanted to eat the good food and find a place to lay her head. She sent a text to her friend on their group page.

C: Why aren’t you here Maddison? I feel like I’m going to lose it.

M: I managed to excuse myself, cramps are the new excuse.

J: Tell me what’s going on, let’s make jest of these people.

C: There’s a snotty man laying beside me. Expensive shoes and all that but no class.

M: Take a picture!

Clara couldn’t do that, that was far too extreme. She decided to take a risk and take her picture. She positioned herself to take his picture discretely. Suddenly, she felt her phone leave her hands. She panicked and jumped, her drink spilling. Luckily for her, the drink didn’t spill over her dress.

“What is wrong with you? Don’t you have someone else to pick on?”

“I am not picking on you. I’m helping you get a nice shot of the man.”

Many eyes turned towards them, even the snotty man looked at Clara. He shook his head and left the place. Clara was so embarrassed, she snatched her phone from Aiden and walked out of the party hall.

“Wait! Clara!” He called after her but she ignored him.

This was one main reason why Clara never liked to be around Aiden. He causes scenes that embarrasses her. She couldn’t quite remember details about the first the she met him but she couldn’t forget one particular day. She had been crying silently on one of the rooms, he entered into the room and asked her why she was in tears when people were enjoying a party. She mentioned something about being the only child and not liking it. She poured her heart out to him because she felt she could trust him. During the discussion, she mentioned having an unrequited crush on Nate, a boy that was at the party. Clara left the room to find everyone staring at her. Aiden had played everything she said, he had them recorded on his stupid little voice recorder. She had disliked him since then. Coupled with the fact that he knew how good he looked, he had acted rudely to a friend of hers that had crush on him. At that time, these were the most painful situations of her life. It didn’t mean much now that she thought about it.

“Clara!”

“Let me be, Aiden. I really am not in a mood for you or any of your plots this evening.”

“What then are you in the mood for? I was just helping you get a clean shot of the man. Was that not what you wanted?”

“No. I need asked for your help neither did I beg for you to cause a scene and embarrass bite the man and I!”

“Oops. So, why are you in the mood for? Something I can help you with?”

“Nope. Not that I will ever ask for your help.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“Try me.”

“Just go. Seriously.”

“Whatever! You are boring anyways.” He sauntered off and Aiden shook her head in disgust.

Clara was staring into the gigantic swimming pool that joined the whole corners of the Smith's monstrous house. It was a large pool that could accommodate tons of people. She pulled the strain of her shoes, sat by the edge if the pool and let the coolness of the water wash up her feet.

“Clara. Are you okay?” It was her dad.

Clara and her dad have a respectable relationship. He was more of the non-clingy one in her binding relationship with her parents. He was easygoing, loved to listen to her and shower her gifts. She could boldly say that he understood her more.

“Hey! You made it.”

“Of course. Your mum wouldn’t let me hear the end of it if I don’t “

“Yeah. Have you seen her?”

“Yes. We might be heading home soon. We have some issues to iron out.” He crouched beside her and ran his hands through her wavy curls.

“Ok. Remember when we used to come here when I was little?”

“And you had whine about not having any friends?”

“You would hang with me by the cool. That was until I met Maddison and later, Jane.”

“Yes. I’m glad you met them.”

“I’m glad too. What are we discussing when we get home?”

“Well, it isn’t my place to tell you, sweetie. Just a little patience, we will be home soon “ He scratched the back of his head.

“Just give me a to, then. I promise bit to let mum know of it. Cross my heart.”

Her dad chuckle before saying, “An important step in your life.” He rubbed her shoulders affectionately and tucked her hair away from falling over her face.

Clara looked into her dad's eyes and she could sense the uncertainty. The fear and the sad smile that followed with it.