Adopted by Scarlett Johansson

59.

The holidays flew by and before Clara knew it, it was New Year's Eve. Rose was going to her father's today. Rose had celebrated both Christmases at Scarlett's and so it was only fair if she then went to her father's on New Year's Eve to celebrate with her father's side of the family.

'Are you sure you're okay with it?' Asked Scarlett, "Yes of course. Answered Clara. 'It's just a few people though. Lizzie, Robbie, Florence, Hailee, Chris, Sebastian, Mary-Kate and Ashley.' Scarlett summed up the group. 'That really sounds like a girls' night out.' Colin sighed dramatically. 'You still have Chris, Robbie and Seb.' Replied Scarlett comfortingly.

'Yeah okay. That's true. 'Hey, I'm going to go to the store for a bit to get some snacks. Should I bring anything special?' Colin asked. 'I put the shopping list on the table.' Said Scarlett, 'Top. I'll just go to the supermarket then. I'll be home in an hour.'

'Can I come with you to the store?' Asked Clara. 'Of course.' Answered Colin. Clara walked to the hallway and she grabbed her coat and shoes. Colin meanwhile grabbed the shopping list from the table. 'Are you paying close attention to der?' Asked Scarlett worriedly. 'Of course. Why? Asked Colin. 'Just. It's bound to be busy and I don't know how Clara will react to that after all the hassle of the last few weeks.'

'It's coming Scar. I'll keep a close eye on der.' Colin promised. He pulled Scarlett against him and he gave her a kiss. 'Iewl.' Clara came to stand in the doorway. Quickly Scarlett and Colin let go of each other. 'Shall we go then?' Colin asked. Clara nodded and they left towards the stores.

*

The supermarket was busy. Clara walked through the store with a shopping cart followed by Colin who kept looking at his shopping list to see what he needed. "What do we still need? Clara asked. 'Chips.' Replied Colin. 'I think I saw those on the rack over there.' Clara pointed to the other side of the store. 'Pff it would have been nice if Scar had put the list in a logical order.' Grumbled Colin. Clara chuckled.

'Hey Clara.' Clara turned around and behind her was Jack. 'Oh hey Jack.' She greeted him shyly. 'What's up? Asked Jack. 'Fine and with you? Curious, she looked at the boy. I'm fine. I'm with my brother doing some shopping for New Year's Eve. He told. Clara now saw a boy standing behind Jack who looked exactly like Jack. 'Oh nice. Me with my dad.'

'Yes, I saw him walking. I have to go. I'll see you back at school after the vacations.' Said Jack. 'Yes until then.' Clara said hello to the boy and quickly walked over to Colin. 'Your boyfriend? Grinning, Colin looked at her and Clara gave him a deadly look. 'Just a friend.'

A gentleman walked up to Colin. 'Sorry to bother you but there's quite a bit of paparazzi in front of the supermarket. I thought I'd mention it.' The gentleman looked kindly at Colin and Clara. 'Thank you for passing it on.' Colin thanked the man. The man walked away and desperately Clara looked at Colin. 'It's going to be all right Claar. I'm with you.' Colin reassured her.

After they had grabbed all the groceries they walked to the cash register to pay. When all the groceries were paid for Clara and Colin walked to the car followed by a number of photographers who were taking pictures of them.

There had been so many pictures taken of Clara in the past period that it was nothing new to her. Clara looked at Colin and encouragingly he grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. They arrived at the car. 'Go ahead and sit down.' Said Colin to her. Clara sat down in the car and Colin loaded the groceries. Clara looked out the window and she saw that pictures were still being taken of her. Clara grabbed a pair of sunglasses that were in the car and she put them on.

*

'Hey, you guys are back! Said Scarlett happily. Colin and Clara walked into the house with two large bags full of groceries. 'Sorry it took so long but it was ridiculously busy.' Said Colin. 'Yes always at New Year's Eve people go to the stores last minute. 'In the meantime I've just been getting the house in order so we can host our guests later.' Said Scarlett, 'What time is everyone coming?' Asked Colin. 'I said they are welcome from eight o'clock.'

Colin looked at the clock. It was half past four. 'What are we going to eat?' Asked Colin. 'You do have a lot of questions. What do you want to eat? Scarlett asked. She looked at Clara who had quietly sat down on the sofa. She stared at her phone.

'Clara, what do you want to eat?' Asked Scarlett, "What? Clara was startled and she quickly put her phone away. 'Who sent you a message?' Questioningly, Scarlett looked at her. 'What, nobody? It was nothing.' Replied Clara quickly. Inquisitively, Scarlett looked at Clara. She was hiding something.

'What do you want to eat? Scarlett pretended not to notice. 'It doesn't matter to me. Colin gets to choose.' Clara replied. Scarlett looked at Colin. 'I'm hungry for pizza!' Cried Colin. 'Then it'll be pizza.' Nodded Scarlett contentedly.