Never Had A Chance

5.0 No cameras catch my pageant smile.

3 years ago.

CLARISSA AMELIA DRAKE'S POV:

I handed my keys to Madelyn, giving her a tight-lipped smile before leaving her to lock my car up. I walked straight towards my family, who had gathered in a circle outside. Like I was told to do, I stood next to my brother's friend, Lucas. We walked into the establishment the same way we would walk tomorrow at the ceremony.

Looking at the group of people, I suddenly felt uncomfortable. Every female in this bridal party had a reason to hate me.

Hayle feared I was back to take Linc from her, and Linc never hesitates to show her. He settled.

Jessica, the bride's youngest sister, was my former friend; I burned my bridge with her after she learned I had applied to the early admissions for NYU. Apparently, she had wanted the spot.

Camila, the bride's best friend, had been collateral of a couple of Drake and Cavanaugh smack down's that last year of high school before I had peacefully bowed out. We were the cause of her being shipped out to a remote rehab, resulting in her redoing her senior year.

Last, the bride herself. Ashley Drummond, the only girlfriend I can remember my brother ever having. The day she had cornered me during my first year of high school left a sour taste in my mouth. After the verbal assault, I made sure she remembered my last name. While I wasn't pretty, people did fear me; everyone knew that I held power. I left her no mercy, resulting in her becoming a social outcast for her whole high school life.

I shouldn't even be in the bridal party upon looking around me, but I knew it was all Kaiden's doing. I was a monster in high school, but I would never join a fight unless someone else instigated the war. Tonight, standing with a group of women I badly hurt, it felt like returning to the scene of the crime. Except it felt like there was a gun to my head, and I had no other choice but to be here. Like I had something to prove.

With a lump in my throat and a glance towards my arranged dance partner, I pull on the best smile I can. I followed the instructions of my mother and walked into the building. I couldn't bring myself to show my movie-star smile like I would have in my headshots, so I worked the best closed-mouth smile I could.

Lucas sat next to me, his eyes watching my every move. I wasn't the same Clarissa Drake that my brother's friends remember. Most times, before the Lincoln incident, I was the life of the party. It didn't matter what I did. Kaiden and his friends always wanted me at the parties they went to. Who was I to complain? The girl that sat in front of his friends now was more reserved. I was careful with what I said and how I acted. I was a Drake, and I was damn well going to start acting like it.

While I had hoped that I would get through this dinner, drama-free. It was clear that the universe had another place. "So, Clarissa Drake, is it true you disappeared because you needed to check into an asylum?" Looking up from the table, I was met with the dark brown eyes of Jessica. While I expected to anger, maybe even a homicidal look, but all I could see was someone who looked genuinely concerned.

"Not really," I sighed, brushing my hair out of my face. Pointing towards the happy couple that everyone knew as the future of Harrison's business firm. Her face fell as she realized every rumour she had heard was true. "It's okay, though! I'm happy now, just trying to get through tonight and tomorrow."

"Well...if you ever want to catch up," Jessica smiled, leaning forward to grab the white napkin off of the table. Capturing the little pen that had my brother and future sister-in-law's names were engraved on it. She scribbled her number before passing me the pen and napkin. I gave her a tight-lipped smile before going back to staring at the table cloth. Wishing I was anywhere else but here.