Sew Me Up

Sneaking out and DMs

I breathe out a long sigh. Alexis always has to leave her mark. I tear up the note and put my phone in my bedside table drawer. I scuffle out of my room and wander into the kitchen and find something to eat, I haven't eaten all day.

The kitchen stays stocked even though Claire, nor the twins eat at home. I think about making an actual meal but settle for a bowl of ramen. While the water boils I hear the door open, my anxiety spikes and clings itself to my lungs.

I don't turn around to see who it is, but when I hear only one pair of heels clicking I know it must be Claire.

"How was the office today, Julia?" She asks me. I don't know if I should turn around, my anxiety has let go of my lungs and slipped back to its normal level.

"It was fine, I got started on the Ball, what kind of band would you want at the Ball?" I ask, only looking over my shoulder.

Claire has her back to me and is looking out of the windows. "Just bring in a decent DJ, that's what the girls will want," she says. "Okay," I mumble and turn back to water and see it boiling. I turn off the heat and pour the water into the bowl.

As I fold the top back on the bowl, Claire sneaks up behind me. "Julia," and I almost jump out of my skin. I turn around and find her leaning against the island counter. Claire has her arms crossed over her chest. She's wearing an outfit a lot less than extravagant. Claire is wearing a white blouse with her reading glasses clipped on her blouse. She wears black dress pants with red chunky heels.

Very similar to mine. "Yes, Claire," I say with no trace of panic in my voice.
Thank God, because there's plenty of it in my stomach. Does Claire know? Did Alexis tell her mother and try to make it seem like I was sleeping with Justin, which in turn would dent her reputation as an artist and person of interest?

I hold my breath as Claire opens her mouth, "Are the dresses finished?" she asks and I let go of my breath. "Yes," I say and in my head, I sink to my knees. "Show me," she says and begins to circle around the island. I rush back to my room and pull out my sketchbook. I come back out and see Claire sitting on the couch, looking quite uncomfortable. I ignore her expression and flip to the design of her dress, handing it to her.

Claire takes the sketchpad, slips on her glasses and looks at the design. She tilts her head side to side, trying to decide whether she like the design or not. Claire flipped the page to the next and looked at Emily's then flipped to Alexis's.

Claire does really look like a bird, stalking prey. Claire huffs and juts the sketchpad back at me. "I want copies of these designs and I want them sent to James to file them into the Family's Personal Collection." Claire shifts in her seat, "Do you think we need a new couch?" she asks.

I raise my eyebrows and blink, she asked me a direct question that didn't involve my designs, the company, or the girls. "Uh, maybe, I mean no one is usually to seat on it," I tell and hold my sketchpad against my thighs. "Hmm, alright," Claire says and stands. Claire's heels leave the room and I am left alone and I feel the air return to the room.

I shake my head. I have ramen waiting for me.

~*~*~*~

I wait until I see Claire's light go off and pull on a light hoodie and sneak out.
I have to go see Selena and tell her about what happened and try figure out how to get another phone that will not cost me an arm and a leg. I take the elevator down and rush out of the doors and into the night. I hail a cab and catch one surprisingly fast. As it pulls up to the curb I see two figures in the car. Someone's getting out. I see heels step out of the car and then hear an all too familiar voice. "I can't believe Mom took the Audi, I mean, how else are we supposed to get home?" Alexis whines. I immediately turn my head, pulling up my hood, and face toward the building. "Lexi, you were the one that decided to hop into a cab," Emily says gingerly, getting out of the cab. Alexis huffs and rolls her eyes, "Well-"
"There's no 'Well', Lexi, you got into a cab because Kendall and Gigi got in a cab and thought it would be easy," Emily says, now irritated.