Her Step Brother

Show Time

Clarke was rushing, her mind in a frenzy. Where the hell were her shoes?

"Clarke! We're going to be late. Why aren't you ready?" Bellamy demanded.

"I can't find my shoes!" She finished her make up, her hair pulled up into a ponytail.

Bellamy sighed, pulling her sneakers from the edge of her bed. She grabbed them, shoving her feet into them. Grabbing her purse, she and Bellamy basically ran down the stairs.

"We're going to be late," Clarke called out.

"Take these." Marcus handed them both a coffee.

"Thank you!" Clarke called. Bellamy jumped in the passenger seat as she started the car, panicked. She hated being late.

She drove carefully but quickly to the hospital, parking where she was instructed. She held Bellamy's arm, using him to help her get through the crowds.

"Ckarke!" Mrs. Ashford, the woman in charge called. She was holding a clipboard, her cheeks already flushed from the heat. "Thank goodness I found you. I know you were supposed to man the bounce castle, but our face painting and crazy hair booth is completely empty. Apparently Valerie has food poisoning. You painted everything so well, can you take the booth over?"

"Yeah, of course," Clarke nodded. She really didn't mind. "Is Bellamy still on the rock climbing wall?"

"Juan is on it right now, but I can move him. Bellamy, you could help Clarke or I could we if Juan needs help. It's up to you."

"Mrs. Ashford!" A woman jogged over. "Who has the cotton candy?"

"I can handle cotton candy," Bellamy offered.

"Oh, you sweet boy. Come on, I'll set you up," Mrs. Ashford said. She fixed her tight red, bun, her grays showing. "Clarke, everything should be set up for you. I'll run by and check in a minute, we open in ten!"

Clarke made her way through the hectic set up, nodding and smilimg to the people she recognized from the working with them the last two weeks. She found the face painting both easily enough, she had painted the sign.

She sat down, turning the small fan on. She opened the plastic tubs, taking out the designs. She could probably paint any of them. She pulled out cups, brushes, and paints.

She was about to check her phone, but there was no need. She saw families walking through the maze of attractions, a few of them eyeing her booth. She put on a friendly smile, grinning when the first little girl walked over to her with he father.

"Can you paint a lady bug on her face?" The father asked.

"I absolutely can," Clarke smiled. "Come here pretty girl." She helped the girl sit on the stool, opening the paints. "What's your name?" She questioned, starting to paint.

"Bewwa," the girl spoke so softly.

"Bella?" Clarke gasped. "That's my favorite name!"

The girl giggled. "Reawwy?"

"Oh, absolutely," Clarke nodded, adding the finishing touches. "I wish my name was Bella." She added eyes, putting the brush down. "Okay, Miss Bella. Would you like to see your lady bug?"

The girl nodded happily. Clarke held up a mirror, allowing the girl to see.

"Wow," she smiled. "Thank you!"

Clarke smiled. "You are very welcome. Hey, want to know a secret?"

The girl nodded.

"We have a whole entire booth full of cotton candy." The girl gasped, looking at her father.