Why, Hello Happiness.

Oh Hello Happiness, I'm Not Available At The Moment. [11]

Once Drake left, I felt a cold shiver run up my spine. Goosebumps were spiking up my arm, one by one like a growing cactus, while Clara just stared at me with an amused expression on her face. My wound was still killing me, and strangely, I could still feel Drake's warm touch sink into my skin. My black hair covered my face still, yet I knew Clara could see I was trying to avoid her.

I slowly lifted my head up, trying not to show I was terrified of what she might say. I brushed my hair out of my face, and stared at her in wonder of how she might react to my behavior. If I stare into her blazing eyes, will she know it's me for sure? Maybe. If she recognizes me, will she know it's who she thinks it is? Of course. Will she tell Drake that I'm a fraud and I really wasn't "moving." I have no clue.

After all that has happened, I figured it couldn't get any worse. I mean, what's worse than being abused all my life and nearly getting killed from time to time, finally running away from home, and almost getting raped. Would it really make a difference if Clara told Drake? He probably didn't believe me in the first place, so why should it matter?

Finally, after all of my thinking, I brushed the remaining of my hair out of my face and looked more deeply into Clara's eyes. She still wore the same amused expression I saw earlier, and quite frankly, it was beginning to bug me. What is so funny, anyway? For the first time, I saw her entire figure standing with one hand on her hip and one eyebrow raised. She was still as beautiful as ever, yet still looked like she could rip you to threads if she had the chance. Great....

I knew Clara was studying me by just looking into her eyes. Anyone could tell Clara obviously didn't believe a word I said. Her blue, piercing eyes said it all. Fine Clara, just say something already. I raised my eyebrows, hoping she'd be able to tell I wanted her to talk first. Clara's lips tightened into a smile and started to walk toward me. The shiver running down my spine was slowly increasing, each time she took one, gentle step.

Before I knew it, Clara was kneeling on her knees, only about one foot in front of me. Her smile had grown even wider, as I sensed her shoulders relaxed a little bit.

"Ehem." Clara mumbled, clearing her throat.

I raised my eyebrows at her, again, showing I wasn't going to speak until she did.

Obviously, she took the sign as she spoke. "How are you, Brianna?"

Crap

I nodded, not sure what to say. "How'd you know it was me?"

"Psh, how could I forget. Yer mama was almost my first murder. God knows I've hated that woman for years." Clara spoke in an incredibly angry tone.

"You knew my mom?" I asked.

"Of course I did. Who wouldn't know that awful, treacherous woman?" Clara spat.

"Well, how did you get to know her? By accident?" I shrugged, trying to make a conversation.

"Nah...." Clara sighed, taking in all of the breath she had. "By running away."

Clara ran away? I raised my eyebrows in shock. "You ran away?"

Clara laughed. "I sure did. Bout 3 years ago, actually."

I nodded in amazement. Wow, so she actually knew what I was going through.

Clara nodded with me. "So, when did you finally run away?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh...truthfully?" I mumbled, not sure whether I should tell her. '