Adopted by Scarlett Johansson

22.

"So Chris, where do we go first? Clara asked. She looked at Chris. He had on a cap and sunglasses to avoid being recognized. 'No idea. Rose you tell me.' Chris looked at Rose. 'We'll go to that store.' Rose pointed to a store further down the road. 'Fine. Let's go.'

Chris, Clara and Rose walked into the store. 'So what are we looking for?' Clara asked. She looked at Chris. 'Don't look at me. I have no idea.' Chris held up his hands in the air. 'Okay?' Frowned Clara. She walked over to a clothing rack and she looked at some dresses.

'Clara, what do you think of this?' Rose came running with the blouse she had put in the washing machine earlier today. Chris's phone rang. 'Sorry girls. I have to take this one.' Chris walked out of the store. Clara sighed when she saw the blouse. 'Rose, we're here for Chris.' She said. 'But we can buy something for you too. I brought my savings.' Rose held up her backpack. 'How much money do you have?' Asked Clara. 'Fifteen euros.' Said Rose proudly.

'Rose, I think it's very sweet of you but that's not enough money. Just put the blouse back.' Said Clara. Clara called out to another clothes rack. Rose turned and she walked away until her gaze suddenly fell on a bill by the cash register. 'Buy now pay later.' Rose read aloud.

Rose walked up to the saleswoman. 'Sorry ma'am but is it true what this sign says?' Asked Rose. 'Yes it is. People often get paid later. It's called credit.' Told the saleswoman. Rose's eyes began to glow. She could take the sweater for Clara! If she had enough pocket money she could pay the saleswoman back.

Rose grabbed the blouse and she put it in her bag. 'Come Rosie, we're going. I don't feel like it anymore.' Clara came running up to Rose. 'Okay.' Rose and Clara walked toward the exit. Just as they passed the gates the alarm went off. Surprised, Clara and Rose turned around and to their surprise, the woman walking behind them was addressed.

"Hey, are you guys done shopping yet? Asked Chris. 'Yes actually.' Confessed Clara. 'Great. Let's go then.' Said Chris. He was already about to walk away but Clara stopped him. 'Didn't you want to buy something?' She asked. 'Me? No. Come let's go. He beckoned to Rose to give him a hand and they walked back to the car.

*

After a drive of about half an hour, they arrived home. 'Thanks Chris. It was very pleasant.' Said Rose. 'Yes, it was nice.' Nodded Clara. 'It was my pleasure ladies. Please give Scarlett and Colin my regards.' Chris said goodbye to the girls and he drove home.

'That was weird.' Said Clara. She unlocked the front door and they walked in. 'How so?' Asked Rose. 'We went shopping with Chris but he didn't even buy anything.' Explained Clara. 'Oh ehm yeah weird. You know Chris. He does weird things a lot.' Rose walked into the living room and Clara followed her.

'You know Rose I was just thinking. How am I ever going to tell Scarlett about the blouse?' Asked Clara aloud. 'You don't have to. Tada! Rose pulled from her bag the blouse. 'Rose, how did you manage to pay for that one? That blouse was heartbreakingly expensive.' Said Clara frowning. 'I didn't have to pay. The lady said I could pay later so I brought it for you.' Told Rose cheerfully.

'Oh Rose.'

'What is it? Concerned, Rose looked at her sister. 'You stole it.' Said Clara. 'Not at all. It's wrong to steal.' Answered Rose. 'Listen Rosie, I know you're trying to help me but you didn't pay for it.' Said Clara. 'That's called credit.' Answered Rose. 'Without a credit or debit card it's called shoplifting.' Sighing, Clara said. 'What? Rose was startled.

'Am I a criminal? Rose asked. Clara nodded. 'Clara, I'm scared. I don't want to go to jail.' Squealed Rose. 'Rose, that won't just happen. We have to bring that sweater back.' Said Clara. 'But how are we going to do that? Chris just left.' Said Rose. 'I don't know either.' Clara let herself fall backwards onto the sofa. She was at her wits' end.

'We could ask Lizzie.' Thought Rose. 'She's not at home. She's shooting for a movie.' Knew Clara. 'How do you know?' Asked Rose. 'She said that yesterday when we called.' Answered Clara. 'Maybe her sisters can take us.' Said Rose.

'Mary-Kate and Ashley? They're never going to do that.' Said Clara. 'We can ask. Then do you want Mom to find out tonight what we did?' Asked Rose. 'What you did.' Clara corrected her. 'It's just as much your fault because you had the responsibility over me.' Said Rose. Clara sighed. 'Fine. I'll call Ashley and Mary-Kate.'