I'm Not Famous!

Jake

"You've been looking pretty sad. Something up?" Clara asks, munching on the popcorn as we wait for the movie to start.

Clara wore a black dress and a red jacket with white heels. Accidentally, we matched, as I was wearing a black shirt, red and white baseball jacket with white Jordan's.

"I'm..decent. I could've been better," I confess, sipping the soda.

"So I'm not helping? I mean- You didn't have to come-"

"Don't take it too personally," I start, looking at her with a slight smile, "You're doing fine, Babe,"

The nickname slipped out. It wasn't meant to come out but it did and it's out there and it's fine. Clara turns a deep red, looking away slightly but nodding. The movie starts, and we quickly grow quiet, satisfied with the conversation.

***

When the movie ended, I realized that Clara somehow was snuggled up under my arm, in my lap. I'm guessing during the movie she got scared, but me being too hooked, just invited her into my lap.
Real smooth, Jake. Reeeal smooth.

"You wanna get up now?" I ask, as she steps out of my lap. Her heels click as she nods,

"I was...thinking we could go out? Maybe to lunch?" She asks, running her hand through her hair.

I nod, "I'm down for that,"

She nods, smiling as we exit the theater. We pile into my limousine- She said her driver is doing something important, currently.

"So...why were you so..down?" She asks, looking at me curiously. I look up at her. Telling her everything would most likely help my mood, but not her view on me.

"I just...had a falling out with Pompel. It's not...that big of a deal," Looking at her expression, she looks like she relates. "Hanging out with you actually brightened my day a bit so...thanks," That also slips out. Why am I so vulnerable right now? I don't like it and it needs to stop before I reveal something I didn't want to.

"Really? That's good. You know, we could just go back to my place if you don't want to go,"

"No, really, I probably should go. I'm glad you care, though," My smile widens. Her genuinely caring about me really helped my mood, and I think it's impacting our relationship. In a good way, this time.

Why couldn't it help Poppy in some way- NOPE. We are not crying in front of Clara. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. That's not a thing we'll be doing.

So, taking a deep breath, I lightly lean on Clara. My head on her shoulder as I slowly wrap my arm around her waist. She glances at me for a moment, before wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me into a hug.

***

"When you said out, I didn't think you meant a bar," I mumble, awkwardly rubbing my arm.

"Yeah well...This is a discrete place to relax. Away from the photographers and stuff, you know?" She asks, smiling.

I nod, looking away nervously, "Yeah...but I'm not sure if I'm good with drinks. I don't really-"

"No no don't worry, I promise it'll be fine. We're at a bar, so the bartender can keep track of our drinks," She explains that the bartender and her are old friends, so they help each other a lot.

I nod, finally being persuaded. It doesn't ease my anxiety, but it cools a bit.

We take a seat at a table, Clara ordering a start of whiskey.

"That doesn't seem like a good starter. Shouldn't we start with something like beer?" I ask, sitting in the booth next to her. Normally I would be across from her, but my arm wants to be around her waist and I allow it to.

"Nah. If we start with a bang, we'll end with a bang and it'll all just be a Big Bang. Trust me," She smiles as the bartender pours us some shots, leaving the bottle there.

I look over at her, "I thought she was keeping track?"

"I did too.." She mumbles, watching as the bartender walks off, "Who cares! She'll probably be back,"
And with that, we down our drinks.

***

"Okay okay, It was probably a sign when she walked away to stop, but hey! You seem happy!" Clara smiles, leading me to her room.

"You...smell like lavender," I slur, my hands around her waist pulling her closer to me.

"Oh that's my soap. Okay, let's go up the stairs," She says slowly like I'm a child, and I almost feel insulted.

"'M not a baby," I mumble, my head burying into her shoulder.

Clara snickers, opening her door,
"Of course you're not,"

She turned to me, "Okay, Take off your-"
Before she could finish her sentence, my legs trip over each other and I trip. But for some reason, Clara didn't catch me and instead fell with me, me landing hard on top of her.

"Jake, are you okay..?" She asks, placing her arms on my shoulder. I look her up and down, putting my head in the crook of her neck, and slide my hand up her dress. She let out a whine, running her hands through my hair as she whispered something about hurrying up.

It wouldn't hurt to have some fun, would it?

***

Waking up, I'm greeted with a lovely headache. It's just such a wonderful headache, I couldn't turn my head without it hurting, but what was more concerning was Clara, laying besides me. My arms wrapped around her tightly.

And sadly, I can recall what I did. But I don't really regret it. Her grip on me is oddly comforting, and her bed is also really comfortable.

"...good morning.." She yawns, stretching. It gives me a good view of the marks I left, and the damage probably done.

"Morning,"

I have the urge to leave, but if I do I won't have anyone to go home to. I would be sitting on my couch, lazing around and missing Poppy. Honestly, this is way better in many ways.

My phone buzzes, a message from William,
Sir, There's another party your father's hosting for Halloween. The theme is a purple and black masquerade ball. Please call if there's something needed.

I consider, for a slight moment, bringing Poppy, but I doubt he'd like to go anywhere with me. He probably feels really uncomfortable and terrible around me. I won't force that on him. I would invite Clara, but I kind of just started talking to her again. But! I'm pretty sure Jenna doesn't miss this party.. and she just came back from her trip...So I quickly type in her number..

"Hello? Oh- I didn't expect a call from you," Her voice rings.

"Yep! Big bwo just wanted to inviwe his liwwle siswer wo whe bwall~" I say in a baby voice, sitting at the edge of Clara's bed. Clara leans her head on my shoulder, wrapping her arms tiredly around my waist.

"Yeah, I'll go with you. What mask are you thinking of wearing?" She asks.

"I was thinking of an old fashioned tux with a cat mask,"

"Venetian? I can dig that. We'll be twin cats then,"

"Wear a big dress, I kinda wanna stand out,"

"We always stand out. But whatever. Are you coming to my house, or?"

"Yeah yeah. I'll be by there at three,"

"Cool,"