Unaware

I N V I T A T I O N S

{Larry}

When I woke up this morning I thought I would check on Lau to see if he actually slept at all last night only to find him missing from his room.

"I really hope he's not in the tub again." I groan to myself heading downstairs to grab some juice before my continued to hunt for him. Once I hit the last stair I saw him, along with Claire sleeping soundly on the couch. I don't know why I started grinning so much but I couldn't help it. Shifting caught my attention as Claire started to wake up. She looked at Lau and pecked his nose before attempting to get up but he had grabbed her tenderly pulling her back into a tender shirtless embrace.

"Don't go." He whined groggily and she smiled.

"I'll be back, I promise."

"Hmmmmmm!" Laurent refused and snuggled her tightly causing her to squeal and giggle.

"Let go! You're gonna wake up Larry."

"Please just stay for five more minutes." Lau makes her look down at him running his fingers through her cotton candy colored locks, eyeing her with a look I never saw from him, comfort. He seemed relaxed and soft, the total opposite of the brother I was sharing an apartment with, he finally well rested and happy. I clear my throat loudly full aware that a was ruining a moment and Claire looks up at me smiling in Lau's embrace.

"Good morning Larry." She chimed.

"Good morning, morning Lau." I cheesed at him.

"Morning. The doorbell rang but I didn't get it, I was too sleepy." He says stretching his arm out almost hitting Claire in the head. I walk over noticing a small pile of envelopes on the ground.

"It was just the mail lady." I grumble, flipping through the large amount of mail.

"Anything good?"

"Nope, just bills and shit I don't- oh here's an invitation, actually three." I handed Lau and Claire one and open mine.

"Oh it's an invitation to Malla's Ball."

"Who's Malla?"

"Not who, Malla is a major and highly expensive clothing line that's throws one of these Balls every year and you can't attend if you aren't wearing a piece of their clothing, basically the people that gets these are a herd of individuals that could be future models for their seasonal line."

"I don't understand why would 'Malla' invite us, I mean I understand why you would go but not us."

"It's randomized, the CEO of Malla doesn't hand pick the attendees, only if the envelopes are........ Black and Gold." Claire continued to explain as she glanced down at the black and gold envelope.

"I guess we were hand picked then."

"But why!?"

"Does it matter Larry, lets just go we don't have anything better to do." Lau nudged me and frowned.

"OK, fine but that means we have to go shopping, and its too early to go, I still have to pick up Lylah and Lilo."

"Oh, about that. Lylah said she was coming over in a few minutes. She called when I got up touse the bathroom and told me to let you know she's coming at 9:00." Claire said making her way back to the couch

"Ok then that's great, this is going to be a good day."

***

Laurent and Larry wandered around the massive shopping center, trying on different suits in Malla's. Laurent had just finished his last selection of his suit and showed it to Larry.

"All good."

"Thanks." Laurent huffed fiddling with his fingers.

"Lau, why are you so nervous, is it because you'll finally see Claire in a really pretty dress because you like her?"

"Larry, cut it out. I told you that's not it."

"Then what, because if you don't like her-"

"I didn't say I didn't like her....."

"So......"

"I don't know what it is I just feel different when she's around after all that's happened to her she's able to smile and repress all of it and be strong and I like that about her."

"So you do like her?"

"Well......."

"You do!" Larry said excitedly grabbing the suits they had just paid for.

"Larry, stop it. You makes things more than what they are." Laurent huffed tearing his attention away from Larry to catch Claire walking towards them. Her smile quickly turns to a horrified frown a she stops walking and drops her bags.

"Claire, What's wrong?" She points in response to their worried question and they turn spotting the written in red on the display window of Malla's store.

Have fun at Malla Ball, I looked forward to seeing you, but you know my rules, run from me and death to them all.

A scream echoed through the mall and the group rushed to see the commotion. A little was hovering over hi seemed to be her mother shaking her to ease her. Larry caught a glimpse of a bracelet that was familiar to him and when he glanced down at his own wrist he knew exactly who the little girl was.

"Lilo!"

"Daddy help mommy! She's no waking up!" Lilo cried loudly. Larry flew down the stairs to aid his daughter and Claire and Laurent quickly follow.

"Baby what happened?"

"We was going over there when mommy say she no feel ok the a man give her some juice and she fall asleep right here. But she not waking up." Claire dialed for the ambulance and Laurent adjusted Lylah so he could do CPR. Larry looked around and saw the stares of concerned faces except for one. A hooded man stood at the top the escalators and thought his tears Larry still managed to see him, waving at him. Before walking anyway the man in black pointed at Lylah's purse which had a sticky note attached to it. Larry angrily snatched it and read it to himself knowing it held yet another grim message.

I know how much you hate me Larry, indeed I really do, but if Lilo finds out you killed Mommy, she'll come to hate you too. The clock is quickly ticking and you don't have much time, if you don't get her to the ER, Ms. Lylah will surely die.......