Under Age and Undercover: A Hannah Clark Novel (under edit)

Wake up Call

Here's the last update of the night. Enjoy!

“Hannah, hurry up!” Monique called to me from the kitchen. “I have to help you pick out an outfit. Come out here and eat something.” I got up and walked to the floor length mirror that hung behind my door, taken aback by how tired I looked. Huge bruise-like bags hung under my eyes, and my hair hung limply and messily down to my shoulders. I quickly ran a brush through my hair and splashed water on my face, refusing to look at myself again before going out to breakfast. Apparently weird dreams have a nasty effect on me in the morning. “Well it’s about time you”- Monique stopped short as she took in my appearance.

“Holy shit, Hannah! What happened to you?” I shrugged my shoulders and slumped into one of the bar stools surrounding the kitchen island. “You look worse than the time we snuck out to the movies at midnight and didn’t get back until like 5.” Monique concluded as she finally took her eyes off of my face. “Coffee?” I nodded my thanks as she offered me a cup of her signature iced mochas. Monique knew very well that I can’t drink hot coffee- it’s just gross. What I loved about Monique was that she knew when something is better left to be discussed later, especially when she’s known someone for as long as myself. She would never pressure you to explain anything on the spot.

As I took a sip of my coffee and the smells of vanilla and chocolate registered in my still sleep-dazed mind I realized how hungry I was. Maybe that was why I had been dreaming about pink elephants and tuna sandwiches. Shane slid over a plate of warm pancakes topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, and I instantly forgot how tired I looked and felt when I first woke up. I looked up once I had finished almost half my plate to see Shane watching me, trying and failing to hold back his laughter.

“What?” I asked, drinking some more of my mocha. He failed in hiding his amusement then and laughed outright.

“You looked just like a four year old on Christmas morning when I passed you the plate!” he exclaimed in between fits of laughter. “Though I must say, you do look much more awake than you did when you first walked out here.” I glared at him teasingly, then smiled and said

“Chocolate pancakes do tend to make my day a little brighter. Thanks Monique!” She

returned my smile and went back to eating her plate of pancakes as Shane laughed yet again. Ignoring him I eagerly finished my breakfast and cleaned up my dishes, then on my way back to my room announced I would be taking a shower. “Is Matterson still asleep?” I asked.

 “Yeah,” Shane answered, “I’m sure you’ll hear when he wakes up.” I nodded in agreement remembering with clarity the motion detector posted outside his door, and continued to my room to take a shower.

Walking out of the bathroom wearing a terry-cloth robe and my favorite fuzzy slippers I was taken by surprise to see Monique completely dressed and ready minus the towel draped

around her hair like a turban, leafing through my closet like a madman. “Mon? What the hell are you doing?” I asked somewhat breathlessly as I sat on the edge of my bed.

“Trying to find you the perfect outfit for today.” She said matter-of-factly. “Ah!” She exclaimed while pulling out a grey, pin-striped skirt and business coat. “Go put this on and I’ll pick out the accessories.” I rolled my eyes but complied, knowing all too well that the result of me arguing with her could only end badly. I walked back into my room, wearing a grossly stiff suit to find random lace and beads lying all across my bed and desk.

“Uh, Mon?” I asked tentatively, unsure if I should be mad or scared.

“I know, I know,” She said from inside my closet. “The suit was just so boring! It needs color.” As she explained the mess that once was my hotel room she emerged from the closet holding a beautiful turquoise broach made of glass beads and strips of metallic fabric.

“Do you like it?” She asked, holding it out for me to examine. I took it and turned it over taking in every detail, trying to remember buying it on our spree our first day in town.