Trigger Warning

Chapter Two: Clarissa's POV

I rolled out of bed at noon and did my full morning routine: skip breakfast, brush my teeth, curl my hair, do my makeup, and put on my outfit for the day.

Today's outfit: my uniform. Khakis and a blue polo. Oh, and my lovely name tag.

I pulled into Petco five minutes before my shift started, and sat in my seat for an additional three, absorbing myself into my own thoughts.

Anastasia was pregnant.

With Emmett's baby.

We're all three just juniors in high school.

Anastasia's source of income is solely selling her paintings on eBay.

I'm going to be a godmother.

I should be anyway, I mean I'm Anastasia's best friend. If that baby doesn't have Clarissa somewhere in the name I will be very offended.

I glanced down at the clock on my dashboard and sighed. I turned off my car, and headed into Petco, so I could surround myself with animals for the next six hours.

I walked into the store and immediately wanted to walk out. I saw the one person I never expected to see, ever.

"Clarissa!" She hollered. It was Danika Gregory, Calvin Gregory's adopted sister. She was a grade below us all, and was black. She shaved her head, and was very dark completed. She looked sort of like Lupita Nyong'o, but with a more voluptuous figure.

Danika was beautiful, and I admired how friendly and outgoing and just positive she was.

I ran up to her and gave her a quick hug, which she hurriedly ended.

I acted like I didn't notice, and pulled away. "What are you doing here?" I asked. She smiled, and held up a little baggie containing a goldfish.

"I think I'm going to name him Carlton," she said, putting the clear sack up to her face to observe the little guy. She put the bag back down, and smiled at me again.

I grabbed her wrist and took her back to the reptile section, where no one ever went. She seemed anxious, scared even.

"What are we doing?" she whispered as we passed the tanks with snakes and lizards. I just looked back at her and grinned, trying to remain secretive.

I stopped walking abruptly, and turned to face her. She looked inquisitively at me, and I just snickered.

"I just want to talk to you," I admitted. "I haven't gotten to speak to you since the--"

"Since the party, I know." Danika finished. "I've been busy,"

"Busy how? it's been nearly a month," I said. Danika just shrugged, and looked at me apologetically.

"Just please understand I can't stay long. I'm getting my little friend and leaving," Danika turned and walked quickly, but I caught up to her.

"Stop leaving," I whispered. She looked back at me and smiled again, this time even more sadly, and then looked around us.

We were alone. It was just me, her, and Henry the Turtle.

Danika placed a quick peck on my cheek and then left abruptly, leaving me standing in the middle of the aisle by myself.

Well, I had Henry the Turtle, but he wasn't much company. He tapped on the glass with his little turtle beak four times as I watched Danika maneuver herself through the aisles and out the door.