Adopted by Scarlett Johansson

19.

It was beginning to get dark and distraught Scarlett drove around New York. She had been looking for Clara for over four hours but to no avail. Colin had finished work by now and he had also gone into the city to look for Clara.

It had started to rain in the meantime. Scarlett parked her car in a parking lot and she got out. With quick steps she walked through the streets of New York. Every passerby she spoke to but no one knew where Clara was.

Distraught, Scarlett walked through the city. There were few people on the streets. It began to rain harder and harder. Across the street an elderly man walked with an umbrella. Scarlett walked over to it.

'Sir, have you perhaps seen a girl, blond hair, around fourteen years old.' Questioningly, she looked at the man. The man pondered. 'Fifteen minutes ago I saw a girl. I asked her where her parents were. She seemed startled and she ran into an alleyway here three blocks away.' The man pointed to the entrance of a small alley.

'Thank you! Scarlett followed the man's directions and she ran into the street. Scarlett stopped in front of the alley the older man was talking about.

"Clara?

Scarlett walked doubtfully into the alley. It was grimly dark in there. Maybe she should have called Colin. Scarlett grabbed her phone and she shone the flashlight from her phone into the alley. In the corner she saw Clara sitting there.

"Clara!

Scarlett ran over to the girl and she got down on her knees. 'Are you okay? Scarlett asked. Clara nodded. Scarlett put her arm around Clara. 'I was so worried about you.' Said Scarlett. Clara didn't respond. 'Clara, say something.' Said Scarlett worriedly.

'I'm only disappointing you. You'd better take me back to the orphanage. It's better for everyone.' Said Clara softly. Scarlett was startled, 'Absolutely not. Rose and Colin can't live without you anymore and I certainly can't. I was so worried about you when you were gone.'

'Really? Clara asked. Scarlett nodded. 'You're part of our family. You can't just run away. If there's anything you have to come to me and we'll talk about it.' Said Scarlett. Clara started to cry. 'Hey, I understand it's hard but you don't have to do it alone.'

Scarlett pulled Clara against her. She was all cold and wet from the rain. 'Clara, why did you run away?' Scarlett asked. She swept Clara's blonde locks away from her face. 'Because I'm too bad for you.' Sobbed Clara. 'Who said that to you?' Asked Scarlett frowning. 'Myself.' Answered Clara. 'Why do you think that?' Asked Scarlett, 'Because I do. Never before has there been anyone who wanted to adopt me. I ruin everything. I don't understand anything in American math classes.'

'So that's what this is about.' Suddenly Scarlett understood. 'I didn't understand anything. The teacher did explain it to me but then when I had to get started I still didn't understand. I'm disappointing everyone.' Sobbed Clara. 'That's not true. Why didn't you just tell me then we could have looked at the assignments together.' Said Scarlett.

'Because I'm never going to understand anyway.' Replied Clara. 'That's not true. You're creating a block in your head right now. You have it so bad in your head that you're not going to understand that you don't want to understand it anymore either.' Explained Scarlett. 'It's not just about the assignments for me. This life is not for me. There was never anyone for me and now suddenly I have so many people around me.' Sigh Clara.

'Every child deserves this life Clara. You have to get used to it and I know you are scared but I am here to help you. I've been looking for you for four hours. I'm sitting here in the pouring rain because I love you very much.' Said Scarlett. 'Do you really love me?' Asked Clara. Scarlett nodded. 'I really do love you very much Claar. I hate to think of anything happening to you.'

Clara remained silent. 'Are you coming home with me?' Scarlett let go of Clara. Clara didn't respond. Somehow she really wanted to go with Scarlett but at the same time she was afraid. Afraid of the future. 'If you really don't want to it's no big deal. Then I'll go alone.' Said Scarlett softly. Scarlett got up and she walked away.

'Wait! Clara stood up. Scarlett couldn't leave without her. Where else was she going to go? She didn't want to be left alone on the street. Scarlett turned around. 'I'm sorry. You're the first person to love me. I just need to get used to it. 'I know that. Come here. Scarlett spread her arms and Clara gave her a hug.

'Shall we go home? I've gotten cold.' Said Scarlett, 'Otherwise I will.' Clara grabbed Scarlett's hand and they walked back to the car together. Meanwhile, Scarlett called Colin to report that Clara had been found.

After walking for ten minutes they arrived at the car and quickly got in. "Was Colin looking for me too? Asked Clara. Scarlett nodded. 'I'm sorry Scarlett. When we get home in a little while I'll apologize to Colin too. I didn't know you were so worried.' Said Clara. 'It's okay Claar. We'll go home and have dinner now. I'm dying of hunger.'