Clara and Izzy are sitting at lunch, the former nibbling on some carrots Spencer packed for her and told her if she didn't eat them he'd ground her. She's sure it's an empty threat, but she doesn't want to add more stress to him since her grieving process is already giving him enough.
"You want to go to a movie on Sunday?" Izzy asks.
"Mm, I don't know." Clara mumbles. "I'd have to ask my dad. He's been... more overprotective than usual."
"I've noticed." Izzy says. "I know it's annoying, but I still think it's sweet. Better than a parent who doesn't care at all." She remarks.
"Sorry." Clara frowns.
"It's fine." Izzy chuckles.
"Hey, Iz." A few girls walk over. "You coming to the party on Saturday?"
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'll be there." Izzy smiles.
"Sweet. See you later." The girls walk off.
"I can never understand how you got so popular while the three of us remained losers." Clara remarks.
"Cheerleading." Izzy says. "You do nothing, debate club isn't as popular as Erin wanted, and Luke was in AV club. Nobody finds them cool."
"Yeah." Clara mumbles.
"You could try cheerleading. It's actually fun most of the time." Izzy says.
"I haven't been that peppy since I was, like, three." Clara says.
"You wanna come to the party this weekend?" Izzy asks.
"Mm, no, my dad would never let me." Clara says.
"Doesn't hurt to ask... or not ask." Izzy says. "You may not even have to ask if he has a case out of town."
"I'm good. Thanks, though." Clara says.
"Okay." Izzy nods.
+++
Clara is curled up on the couch, waiting to start the movie.
"Okay. Popcorn, a little bit of candy, we already had dinner. And water." Spencer says, giving his daughter the bowl of popcorn.
"I don't see why you couldn't grab some soda." Clara grumbles.
"Soda is not good for your brain or body." Spencer says.
"Neither is candy." Clara points out.
"Okay, well, you can't have both." Spencer says. "You got candy. Balance." Clara rolls her eyes.
He sits down, making himself comfortable and Clara starts the movie.
Not even ten minutes in, Spencer's phone goes off.
"No, no." He whispers, grabbing his phone and checking the message. "Shoot." He whispers.
"A case?" Clara asks, pausing the movie.
"Yeah." Spencer says.
"But it's our first movie night since the trip. It-- we were supposed to have the night together." Clara complains.
"I know. I know. Honey, I-I really wouldn't go, but Em says it's really bad and all hands on deck. I..." Spencer gives her a guilty look.
"No, go. It's important. You need to go. I get it." Clara says.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I will make it up to you, I promise." Spencer tells her.
"Mm-hmm." Clara nods.
"Do you wanna come with me? You're gonna spend the night at Penelope's anyway." Spencer says.
YOU ARE READING
never grow up, criminal minds
Fanfiction[ criminal minds -- seasons 1-15 ] Clara Reid Stand Alone: Never Grow Up I DO NOT own Criminal Minds, any of the show's characters or storylines. I ONLY own my OCs and their storylines.
