Painful Smiles

“So should we give her more days of grounding?” Mrs. Larabee said amidst her lips trembling.

Mr. Larabee didn’t seem to have heard her as he whispered, “God help me not to hurt that girl”.

As expected, Claudia saw her parents were deeply shocked by the rumor. She had showed them the screenshot of the posts she had taken from Cecilia.

They also saw that Clara posted it on other day when she wasn’t supposed to be with a phone. Claudia wouldn’t have told on her but raising a case of abortion and immorality in her name was so unfair.

Clara later came down alongside Paul per their parents request. Claudia noticed she didn’t have a look of someone about to be buried six feet’s with scolding.

She looked rather like she had a plan to evade everything. Claudia was looking forward to the new lie.

“You both should only ask me why I posted it when I wasn’t allowed to be with a phone and don’t ask me why I lied because I didn’t” Clara started, folding her arms around her chest.

Paul rolled his eyes.

“What do you mean? How could your sister have gotten pregnant and we didn’t know? The one who goes to night parties is you, don’t forget” her mother yelled at her.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Oh yeah, did you ask how she was awake those nights to see me sneaking out? Did you ask how she got that wound reopened? Or what she usually do during dad’s “bring your family to work” days when she says she wasn’t coming? Do you know all those?” she listed them with her hands.

Claudia nearly face slammed for Clara’s poor attempt of accusing her. But she stopped when she saw her father’s gaze now staring suspiciously at her.

“Really?!” she screamed in her head. Just few obviously untrue words from Clara and he’s suspecting her.

“C’mon dad, Claudia gave you proof. Where’s your proof Clara?” Paul demanded immediately. He had heard how the injury reopened and knew all about his Claudia’s “staying at home to create her new inventions” so Clara’s lies were lies.

Mrs. Larabee shook her head, “Clara, you know I’ll have a hard time believing you. How could you even spill such to the media? Whether its true or not!”.

“Whether its true or not!”. Claudia was now frowning. How could it be true. It was in all ways false. Why was her parents like this?

“Mom. Claudia was harassed by one of Clara’s boyfriends. He was the one who led to the bleeding. Claudia didn’t say anything so Clara’s boyfriend won’t get in trouble but now, it had to be told” Paul informed.

Clara’s eyes widened. “Clara’s Boyfriends?” their father clenched his fists.

Claudia nodded. They should know in case they were thinking it was only Mark that was Clara’s boyfriend. He just had the official title.

Their parents threw a tantrum. Threatening to sue the boy to court. Clara was almost in tears. She could bear whatever humiliation she got at home but not at school!

For the records, the boy wasn’t her boyfriend. And she wasn’t really sure he was romantically interested in her.

It wasn’t the way Claudia hoped to have a revenge on Michael but it was happening anyway. Her parents drove them back to the school immediately.

The school’s principal lived in the building. Mr. Larabee had knocked furiously on his door and it seemed it would break.

Clara wished the ground would swallow her when the principal opened and saw them. He invited them to his couch and was taken aback when the reports began.

“Michael Louis. The French heir?” The Principal was perplexed. He began stuttering, “You would sue him? Claudia, are you sure he’s the one?”. Mrs. Larabee rose from slowly from the couch. Her right fingers nearly stretched to strangle the principal.

“What do you mean? She’s a teenager. Not a child. She knows who harmed her! Don’t tell me because he is a heir you’ll let it pass!”.

The Principal literally withdraw from her stretching hands. He gulped down saliva and began trying to call them down.

“Michael is barely a week here. He knows no one here. How could he just harass Claudia? Also, if I should say, Claudia is the one who have had records of fighting with boys. Well, in her junior days, but still, why would he attack you, Claudia?” he looked at Claudia.

“Clara must have sent him. He told me to stay away from Clara. Clara must have told him something” Claudia answers.

Clara shook her head, “I’m sorry. I had said you hurt me when you didn’t. Maybe that was what he acted on” she was now crying.

Mrs. Larabee scoffed, “Oh, so he’s acting overprotective boyfriend, eh? He’s crazy. If he is new, how could he bond with a girl like that. Are all the boys in your school this stupid?”.

Claudia nodded to her question and her mother’s face looked more disgusted.

“French heir? Like the one five years ago. They seem so confused” Mr. Larabee muttered looking seemingly lost in the conversation. Paul caught it and began wondering.

“Look, I’d investigate on this. He must have had a reason. I’ll look into it. I know Clara was a victim but I’d just hear both stories. Meet me tomorrow”.

The family nodded to the principal found their way out of their house. Tomorrow would be hot.

Clara could barely sleep. She was awake all through the night. Had parents had said nothing to her except that she should get ready for school the next day. Meaning they’d storm school.

Everyone would see how her parents embarrass her. Michael would know Claudia was his sister. Why did he have to do that? Was he really interested in her?

Clara covered her eyes from the sun rays as they tore into her eyes. She didn’t even know that she had slept for a bit. But her brain kept running.

A bang to her room door made her jump from bed. She was unwilling to open up till she heard Claudia’s voice.