Clarity

Chapter Three

Photo of Todd

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Clarke could not help but smile at the boy who was brave enough to flirt with her in front of her mother who was staring daggers at him from behind the booth.

            He was a member of the guard, well really he was a cadet but Clarke did not bother to correct him when he told her otherwise.

            His name was Todd and Clarke thought he was really nice. She also had to admire his bravery. No guys ever flirt with her. They were always too scared of her mom.

            The only problem was Clarke was not attracted to the only guy ever willing to flirt with her. It’s not that he was not cute. He was tall and skinny with brown eyes and hair. He was also really funny. The only problem was he reminded her to much of her friend Jasper.

            Not that she could tell him that. No one knew she was friends with Jaspers and Monty outside of class. They were not on her mom’s list of appropriate friends. This did not stop her from sneaking around to hand out with them. They had become like family to her. The brothers she was never going to have.

            “Hey I got to go?” Todd old Clarke. “The boss is calling.” He told her with a smile.

            “That’s too bad. It was nice to meet you.” She told him truly meaning it.

            If things were different she knew they could be friends.

            She watched after him as he walked across the room. He stopped to talk to some guy whose back was turned to her. He was about the same height as Todd. The only distinctive feature she could make out from the guy was his black slicked back hair. Clarke assumed this must be Todd’s boss.

            Her concentration was broken by a little blond girl she saw out of the corner of her eye. She turned her full attention to this girl who was standing quietly near her booth. She could not be older than ten. She was blond with brown eyes and slim, way to slim.

            The young girl was looking around the room. She obviously did not see Clarke looking at her. It was beyond obvious what this girl was up to. She was going to try to steal the left over rations. Clarke searched around the room panicked. She was searching to see if anyone else noticed the little girl. To Clarke’s horror someone did.

            A cadet from across the room was staring at her. She was waiting for the young girl to take something so she could arrest her. It was clear that young cadet wanted to impress her superior’s.

            Clarke quickly ran over and grabbed hold of the girl’s wrist before she could take anything.

            “What the hell are you doing?” Clarke forcefully asked the girl in a hushed voice.

            The young girl stared back at Clarke. Eyes wide, fear plastered all over her face. She struggled to pull away but Clarke only tightened around her wrists.

            “Please let me go. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” She pleaded.

            “Why even try to steal? You had more than enough tonight.” Clarke asked.

            “It’s not for me. I was going to bring it home for my mom. She is always so hungry. I’m sorry I did not think anyone would care. You throw it all out anyway. Please don’t turn me over to the guards.” The girl pleaded.