Clementine had become a wild child. Born in America but raised abroad, she now had little regard for the expectations of high society. But her reckless ways eventually catch up with her when she is kicked out of college in New York City and forced t...
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Clementine had a red dress come in. Similar to the one she wore to the plaza, but even better. She meant to evoke the feeling go the first meeting. Both for herself, and perhaps him too.
She hadn't had contact with Zico since the mall, but she felt that he was going to be there in a very visceral fashion.
So when she took the red dress out of the box, and held it up to the light to see what it looked like in front of her. She knew it was the one.
Fully dressed and made up - though careful not to look to overdone - Clemeinte slid past her mother in the living room.
Her mother was reading some giant coffee table book, and looking up to see Clementine she was taken aback a moment. Taking her glasses off in her hand, she cocked her head to the side and asked:
"Are you sure you need to be this dress up for the club?"
Of course she was referring to the country club and Clementine giggled to herself that she was indeed going to a club but she had no idea about the dress code. But she knew she looked good and that outta be enough.
"I'll be fine,"Clementine said curtly, though this time she ask't sure what she was referring to.
"Okay, well, let me see you out." Her mother walked with Clementine to the door, and before letting her out of the house she took a good look inside Clementine's eyes.
"What?" Clementine asked a little too harshly.
"Nothing," her mother responded, "just checking." Then she waved her off like nothing was off. "Have a good time."
And just like that, Clementine was in the car.
Of course, the mothers arranged it so that she would have no way of escape, sending Mina's driver to pick her up.
Clementine was familiar with him, a nice old man. Suddenly, she had vivd flashbacks of Mina and herself as girls, fooling around with little cares. Getting into trouble with no consequences. Fooling around in the backseats of many big, black cars.
Mina was there at the front door to meet her, and it once gain felt like a carefully planned hostage situation. But she didn't care. She was about to break free.
"Wow," where the first words she said to her. "You look hot." Mouth slightly agape. "You're making me question myself."
Clementine laugh and gave her a quick hug. Mina was still in her robe, hair tied up in a towel, face mask on.
"No seriously, what am I going to wear now?" Mina repeat herself, as they made their way into the large house and to her bedroom.
They quickly passed Mina's mother, to whom Clementine gave a quick wave and nod, and a 'how are you Mrs. Campanhira?'
In her room, Clementine sat in a lounge chair as Mina applied her makeup carefully but still smudging her cat eye forcing her to re-do it.
"So? What was that phone call that you couldn't tell me until we were <<in person>>" Mina asked, focusing on the eyeliner, white simultaneously eyeing Clementine in the mirror.
Mina's servant offered them both drinks, and Clementine took a small sip of the bubbles, careful not to overdo it. But now anew wave of doubt washed over her, and she once again found herself doubting everything, and she had to restrain her urge to drink the whole glass quickly.
"I, um, have some plans after the party," Clementine began.
"Aren't you technically grounded?" Mina raised her eyebrows through the mirror.
"Yes, but that's why I need your help," Clementine retorted.
"Wait a second," Mina turned around on her chair to face her, "you want me to cover for you again? Clemy you know I would, but I honestly don't know if this is good for you."
Clementine was expecting this, and as she was getting ready to protest, Mina suddenly blurted, "I know what happened."
Clementine squinted her eyes at her, starting to feel the drink hit her head on an empty stomach.
"What do you mean?" Clementine asked though she knew what it was right away.
"New York...your school, your friends, you..." Mina looked guilty for having to say this, and Clementine wondered how long it was going to be kept a secret between them.
"But how?" Clementine asked, resigned.
"You know our mothers! They talk." Mina turned back to the mirror, but her eyes kept darting back to Clementine to gauge her reaction.
Clementine stared into the floor, "so that might explain it," she said.
"Explain what?"
"There was a guy I ran into, my father's colleague, and his son said something about it too. I didn't think anyone would know..."
Mina froze, and stared at Clementine.
Clementine knew this look.
"You didn't, did you?" Clementine asked, setting her drink down and getting up off the chair though she didn't know what for except that she felt an angry energy stirring in her. "You told people?!"
"I swear, it was only one person!" Mina exclaimed in self defence.
Clementine knew her friend liked to gossip, but not to this extent.
"I know we kind of lost touch over time, but I didn't think you'd do this." Clementine said honestly.
"Look, I'm really sorry, okay?" Mina, seeing that she was hurt, came up to her and placed her hands on Clementine's shoulders. "How can I make this up to you? Let me help you, please. I'll do anything."
"Anything? Don't say that." Clementine looked away.
"I'm serious. Let me help." Mina said, and Clementine knew she owed her that much.
