Author's Note: Hey Party Unicorns (This is what I call my readers). I really think Clover's not an actual bitch (pardon me for the language). A real bitch would choose popular friends over a klutz and a brainiac. But she hadn't. Still, she chose Sam and Alex.
And that's the goal of this story: To show that she's not a bitch, after all.
Anyway, this takes place during their senior year because I still think the Seasons before they were studying in Mali-U is still a lot better. And this also consists of crossovers of different episodes you might recognize. (Major parts of Matchmaker and Beauty Is Skin Deep included)
Before you continue, I beg you to please imagine these characters with their own voices so the fic would be better.
Disclaimer: I do not own Totally Spies. Only the amazing Marathon Media does.
The Tough One- Part 1
The Park 7:30 a.m.
"What's taking them so long?"
Clover glanced at her ticking watch before giving the quiet park of Beverly Hills a look. She was sitting alone on a bench, her butt almost cramping from staying there for what seems like eternity.
She was waiting for somebody to come. But ours had already passed, too long that the sun was beginning to burn and toast her perfectly cared skin, and not to admit boil her ravaging temper more.
"This is not the tanning I was expecting about...", she raised a hand to cover her eyes from the rays of light. From underneath her fingers, her aquamarine pupils turned to slits as she examined the blazing sun.
"Sam and Alex need to understand the difference between fashionably late and MIA." Clover complained, eyebrows diagonally meeting, "I mean hello! My butt is already hurting from sitting here."
She furiously dialed their numbers and sent them messages. Just in time, two figures were spotted running to her direction. When Clover recognized the faces, she flipped her phone shut and stood upright.
"And where have you been?" Clover's hands went side-to-side at her hips.
"Soccer practice!" Alex was panting
"Extra classes in Chemistry!" Sam said at the same time
Clover squinted suspiciously, "And then you coincidentally ran over each other on your way here? How great."
"Um..." Sam exchanged looks with Alex. There was something secretive that passed between their eyes.
Clover felt an ice slid her throat. Sam never says something unintelligent like the word 'Um'. And they never keep a secret from her, since best friends are never supposed to keep secrets from each other, no matter how drastic.
She crossed her arms in challenge, "Okay. Spit it out, guys."
"What do you mean?" Alex asked, "We're not chewing something."
"Ugh." Clover felt like wincing. "Not literally, but figuratively."
"Nothing." Sam smiled sweetly. The smile too artificial for Clover's taste.
"Well, fine. If you don't wanna say, I'm not going to push you." Clover gave up and just decided to wash the insecurity away, "What do you say we go shopping right now at the Groove? I'm craving for smoothies to cool up my mind after staying too long under the sun."
"Actually, Clover... we can't..." Alex was poking her fingers together and was being funny. She nudged Sam by the ribs to help her in explaining.
Sam threw daggers at Alex but went to make a speech, anyway. "The thing is... we just went here so that we could tell you that we're not available for today."
"Both of you...?" she muttered weakly
Sam looked down shyly, "Yeah- Alex and I"
Duh, Clover answered back in her mind. Of course.
"Can I come with you then?" Clover attempted.
"NO!" Both female chorused.
Recognizing how they raised their voice, Alex retreated back and spoke in hush, "I mean, no. We're only going to the library, you know. And Sam is going to help me do my Chemistry project. And we both know you're not compatible in libraries."
"Hey!" Clover demanded, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." Alex said with a hint of smile, in which the blonde finds annoying.
She was about to burst out another errand of words when Sam patted her shoulder, "We're going now."
"But-"
"See ya later." Alex didn't let her finish and waved a hand. She and Sam turned away. Together, they left the park and the sulking female. Clover watched them grew smaller and smaller in sight before leaving herself, feeling depressed.
Beverly Hills High 9:15 a.m.
"Talk about best friends forever"
Clover groaned. She was walking alone in the halls of Bev High, shoulders slumped and face out of color.
She can't stop thinking about her two best friends. Their quick departure was just curiously questionable. If they were really keeping a secret from her then it's very unlikely since Alex can easily spit out deprived secrets. But if that so, then Alex's flaw can be her advantage. She'd be able to know it nicely, if she would just ask her.
But then, what if Sam and Alex just want to avoid her?
Though that's impossible, Clover thought. I mean hello, I'm Miss Popularity in this school! Everybody likes to hang out with me.
And speaking of, a student who admires her fashion sense approached her, "Hey Clover, what do you think of my outfit for today? Can you suggest a fashion trend for me?" she asked.
She was in a very stressing state that she didn't even give the lady a second glance as she say, "Avoid black color as much as possible. And did you know that you look a total terror?"
At the end of her sentence, the female burst into tears, cried and ran away, leaving Clover wonder her own predicament.
Not to mention Bev High's Ice Queen too, said her mind.
Clover sighed and went forward, marching on. She was in such a bad mood that when her eyes set on David, she instantly brightened up.
Maybe David could help me ease my problems, thought Clover.
Fixing her clothes, she flashed at his side and tapped his shoulder.
"Oh." David looked at her in surprise, "Hey, Clover."
"Hiii David." She batted her eyelashes rather flirtatiously, "So are you free today? Can we go see a movie or something?"
David scratched the back of his head, looking lost. "Sorry, but I can't go out with you today."
Clover felt like a stone cracking, "Why not?"
"Well…" David tried to find the rights words to say, "I'm going out with Mandy today. She asked me first."
"Mandy?" She said, her voice weak. She wanted to curl up and hide forever.
"Yeah." David shrugged. He forced a smile before greeting her goodbye, "I need to go. See ya."
Lips parted open in shock, Clover watched, for the second time that day, as somebody walked away from her.
Once he was gone, she leaned against the wall with her back and slid down a bit. Clover covered her face with her hands, a question floating her thoughts. What was happening? Why has everything gone bizarro?
Clover's House 12:34 a.m.
It was the middle of the night, yet the blonde was still wide awake. She kept on tossing and turning on her bed, unable to block out the bashes her mind was constantly bringing up.
You're so stupid Clover, her mind was saying. Nobody wants you anymore.
Clover screamed into her pillow. That's not true!
Then prove it, her mind countered.
Clover sprang up her bed and went to grab her phone. She clicked Sam's contact number and called her.
I'm going to have her confess, thought Clover. But before the screen showed her the dialing process, it was already turned down, knowing that Sam has ended the call.
"Ugh!" Her insides were boiling. She threw her phone across the room. It hit the wall with a bang and bounced back to the carpeted floor, now as broken as her heart it.
It's official, Clover slumped back to her bed, feeling tired and exhausted. For the first time in years, her tears were coming from the corners of her eyes. She never cried, not even when boys dumped her. She learned to be brave after going through several break-ups. Among the girls, Clover was known for being the toughest.
So she let them ran across her cheeks, in hope that it'll make her feelings better.
Clover has to admit that she doesn't want to leave her best friends, even though she felt relentlessly betrayed. Sam and Alex were the only ones who could bear her attitude ever since she started at Bev High.
And with Sam's witty comments and Alex's hilarious moments- for Clover, they make the best company ever.
So if they can't accept me… Clover thought as she closed her eyes. Change is the only possible way to regain our friendship back again.
For the next few weeks, Clover downgraded from fame to lame.
She set aside her habit of being a vegetarian and started eating foods regularly which she never favored to fill her stomach- meat, junk foods, soft drinks and anything unhealthy for the human body.
Her fashion sense was flunking too. Where her closet was always filled with fancy clothes, now they're all plain shirts and denims. All garments unapproved and disgusted by international and famous fashion designers. If they found out she discriminated the laws of fashion, they wouldn't be so proud of Clover.
Dating boys were diminished from her to-do list, too. She never called nor dated somebody in her contacts lists for the past days, even though she receives 5 messages of I Miss You each day. Clover turned them down as fast as she does with school books.
With all the changed mannerisms and interests, it seems like the new person is not the usual Clover everyone knows anymore. Her best friends were too astounded to comprehend the fact when they saw the shift in her.
"Hey Clov-" Sam stopped abruptly as she saw Clover boyishly sitting in on of the table of the school's cafeteria.
Alex's jaw dropped too.
Just to be sure, Sam examined the crowd first before returning her eyes to the stranger, "Who are you? And did you know that this is our table?"
Clover sniffed loudly through her nostrils, "It's Clover- once the Miss Popularity, duh."
"Oh my goodness Clover, what happened to you?" Alex asked.
"What…?" Clover droned on, acting like she heard nothing.
"What. Happened. To you." Sam repeated with emphasis. "Is this one of the new fashion trend or what?"
Clover sighed, "Hello- isn't it obvious? I'm now a friend you'll definitely like."
"What?" Confusion was written on both girls' faces.
But before the conversation resumed, Arnold suddenly stepped inside the group, saying, "Is that you, Clover? My! What a change! So does this supposed to mean that you'll already date nerd guys like me?" he blinked at her through his glasses hopefully.
Clover paused and examined Arnold, jumping her eyes up and down on him before responding, "How about no."
Arnold turned pink and embarrassingly left the trio.
"Clover!" Sam demanded, feeling sympathetic over Arnold, "That's so rude."
A pang of annoyance bit her nerves. "Well why won't you date him then, if you think that's nice?"
The words jolted Sam, making her lunge forward at Clover. Luckily, Alex was fast enough to stop the redhead from hurting the other.
"Get off me, Alex!" Sam screamed and thrashed.
"No, Alex. That's right, go help Sam, because since you two are real friends, right?" Clover stated while glaring at both of them
Sam growled and struggled free.
"Girls, stop this madness!" Alex told them. When her arms grew tired, she accidentally released Sam out of her grip.
The redhead slammed at Clover like a wild animal. The cheerleader fell off her chair and squealed loudly. Before they get scratches in their cheeks from the sharpness of their nails, they got distracted by the sudden jolt of the floor.
Nervous, Sam quietly forgot all of her grudges against the blonde and clung into her. "That doesn't sound good at all…"
Clover pried the redhead away, annoyed that she ruined her perfect hair, "What doesn't sound good is your attitude."
"Hey!" Sam pushed her, "Look who's talking. The self-centered-"
"Guilty!" Alex cut through the battle, "Fine- it's my stomach! Yogurt makes my stomach digestion bad."
Neither the door beneath did an almighty opening, disabling the girls any chance to say what they were going to say, and just screamed.
Through the open space, Clover said, "Bad timing, as always, Jer!"
She twisted in the free fall, so that she's facing the brunette, "And FYI, Alex! Yogurt is the dessert of vegetarians! You can't simply insult iiit!"
"But I thought you're not a vegetarian anymoooreeee!"
The girls braced themselves from the impact of their fall. First to hit the plush red of the sofa was Sam, followed by Alex and Clover.
Once everything is settled down, both girls continued their match with Alex sitting as the barrier in between.
"Oh my, what is happening here?" Jerry asked in confusion.
Alex spoke through clenched teeth as she parried away the girls from each other, "To be honest- I don't know either..."
Jerry cleared his throat, "Girls, we are here for WOOHP business, not for a cat fight."
Silence followed. Finally, Sam and Clover stopped. But they were still throwing daggers as their backs hit the sofa.
"Sorry Jerry." Alex apologized, "Just continue on to the details of our mission."
"That is much more appropriate. Now," Jerry coughed. Behind him, the screen flashed blue. There was a video playing a crime scene of bank robbery, "Last night, two banks were robbed. One in L.A. and one in Boston." Jerry informed them.
"Okay. Not to be rude or anything, but isn't that a bit lame-o and out of our league?" Clover said, anything but bored.
The old man raised a brow at the female, "Actually, the conflict just starts there. After the robbery, five people were taken hostages in a place currently unknown to the government but of course, known to us. So you two will have to go undercover and save these people once and for all."
"Excuse me- correct me if I'm wrong, but did I just hear you say the two of us?" asked Clover.
"That is quite right," Jerry adjusted his tie, "Sam and Alex will be the only one designated to handle this type of mission."
"What?" Clover felt like the world is spinning crazily under her feet, "B-but-"
"Did you ever look at yourself at the mirror this earlier morning?" Jerry said calmly, "I know that it's your habit every minute."
"No! But…"
"Then do so."
Clover hesitated for a while. She never checked herself at a mirror ever since she changed her behavior. Now, she's afraid of what might have she become. It may be only days or weeks, but for a girl like her, change in a day may be drastically a plot twist of a lifetime.
Slowly, Clover approached the mirror given to her by Jerry. She took it gently with a shaking hand and gulped. Embracing herself, she examined her reflection.
Clover's tension vanished away. In her eyes, she looked perfectly normal. Yes, she may be a fashion disaster right now having a mess of a blonde hair and a set of ugly clothes, but she's still in a good condition to go through missions.
"But I'm okay." She uttered weakly.
"I don't think so, Clover. You seem a bit, well… bigger than before. And we all knew we need somebody fit and healthy for the job." The old man sighed, "You stopped being a vegetarian, didn't you?"
Dumbfounded, Clover shook her head.
Sam seems to think that her acting was pathetic, "Well, why won't you go straight to the point, Jerry? With her fashion addiction and boy interests- you, Alex and I don't think she doesn't have what it takes to be a spy."
But I've changed! Clover wanted to cry. I am different now!
"That was a bit of a below the belt, Samantha. But perhaps, I agree with you." Jerry said as he nodded.
"Then fine!" it was the first time Clover spoke through their exchange of words and her vocals seems to strangle under the restriction of wanting to cry, "I quit! I don't even want this stupid mission anymore! It ruins my me time, my shopping and my dating and not to mention my manicured nails!" her voice cracked in the end
"I can't believe I've even let you read my diary or share you my clothes. I don't want to be a spy anymore and especially I don't want to be best friends with you!"
Tears were filling her eyes, but before they can spot it, Clover spun on her heel and headed for the door, "Goodbye."
Neither of them spoke once the blonde left the office. They didn't even need to anyway. The truth of what they feel has been told and the damage was done.
Beverly Hills High 1:57 p.m.
Back at Beverly Hills High, if possible, things got even worse as Clover arrived after coming back from a long travel after she quit at WOOHP. Clover was out of mood to take any classes, but since she unemployed herself, instead of taking missions, she's stuck in the middle of a boring snooze-fest of the Science Laboratory.
In Chemistry, Clover almost asked her seatmate, thinking it was Sam, about what substance should be mixed. Fortunately, it was Arnold, one of the brainiacs. Unfortunately, he was too distracted and mesmerized (Not to mention busy drooling! Clover thought in disgust) by his admiration for Clover's beauty that he told her the wrong combination.
In the end, Clover mixed the wrong substance, causing a mild explosion inside the lab.
"Class dismissed!" the old professor told the students, coughing and fanning the smoke away, "And you Clover- you'll have extra classes with me starting tomorrow for your disbelieving performance today."
Extra classes? Major nerd drooling over me? Talk about bad luck! Clover complained.
Before the area started to clear, Clover squealed and exited, bumping more test tubes on her way and henceforth blowing more things up.
After what all happened to her, Clover can't believe the unluckiness she receives. She never encountered a day like this. Even if it was the day the boy dumps her, which means something since it happened like a hundred times.
She was so looking forward going home and staying locked up in her room to listen to music. But even the person who dislikes her most- Mandy, took notice of the absence of her luck.
"Hey Cloverr, where's your best friends?" Mandy asked the blonde, an edge in her tone.
"And how about you, Mandy, where's your sidekicks? I heard they can't stand you that's why they left." Clover attempted a weak insult. She's not really into teasing her, but where else can she put her anger to?
Mandy didn't feel the harsh threat Clover mouthed, "Maybe you're talking about yourself. I mean look at you- so disgusting. Who did you hire as your personal hairstylist- a vacuum cleaner?"
Clover crossed her arms, "As if!"
"Anyway, I think I should be thanking you instead, you know." said Mandy, dismissing the thought with a wave of a hand, "For looking so pathetic today so that I'll be driving solo on a hottie."
Clover gave Mandy a questioning look, "What do you mean?"
"Oh you don't know?" Mandy snorted, "Of course why would you know? Not only you're out of trend but also out of news about hotties."
"Yeah, yeah, just get on with it!"
"Tom Liason, one of the hottest models of Fab It magazine is going to transfer here at Bev High today. And I'll be the only one who can date him."
Clover growled through clenched teeth, "In your fakest dreams, Mandy!"
She raised a hand, ready to attack the demanding the queen. If only Sam and Alex were there, they'd be able to stop her antics as what they always do. But they weren't.
She's alone.
Clover saddened by thinking it, forcing her to hesitate for a moment until a firm hand clasped her wrist.
"Hey! What the-" she whipped her head to the stranger who held her back, expecting her best friends. But once she realized who it was, her lips parted open in shock and tremor while her brain hardwired, trying to figure out if the stranger was real.
"What's going on?" said the tall, handsome and dark model of Fab It magazine.
Clover's arm softened, but was still locked around his.
"Tom Liason?" Mandy looked like fainting on spot.
Clover found her voice back. Sweating, she tried to explain why she was aiming for Mandy, "I just found her hair beautiful, you know, and tried to touch-"
"Were you provoking her?" Tom turned to Mandy, embers glazing his hazel eyes.
Mandy sweat drops, "No, I wasn't. She was the first one who-"
"A liar and a great bully." Tom said, "That's not good."
Mandy was left speechless.
Tom dropped Clover's arm. She didn't notice that he was still holding her until he moved it. Before he walked away and went back to his own business, Tom went eye-to-eye with the blonde, "Nice fight you put out there. I only know a few people who can deal with that bravery. But it's not better to fight back physically. But still…"
Clover was blushing when she thought, but now that you're here, I think I want to develop World Peace and Love instead.
"See ya later, Blondey." Tom changed expression and winked only at the blonde. Finally, he marched away with his hands comfortably inside his pockets.
And when I thought this day couldn't get any worse, thought Clover, smiling for the first time that day.
Spies House 7:46 p.m.
Her atmosphere for the past hour was loneliness and not to mention boredomness. Since Clover's aim was to forget her old self, her usual past times of dating boys and shopping for clothes was cancelled. Everything she has done for her free time was things she's not really interested at- like, for example; cleaning the house and watching sports and documentary shows on the television.
"I don't know which is worse, me being Sam for cleaning the house and watching documentary shows or me being Alex for watching a sports event." Clover told herself and slumped back on the sofa. "Maybe I shouldn't have changed myself… Okay!" she grasped her hair, "What am I thinking?! If Tom likes me this way then I shouldn't complain."
Clover firmly stayed stagnant in her position until she spoke again to herself, "Great. Not only I'm an international model for losers but I'm also a weirdo for talking to myself… But what can I do! This snoozefest is the most boring party ever!"
She buried her face into her heart-shaped pillow and cried loudly. Just then, at the neighborhood, a pitched scream echoed through the streets. Clover bolted upright. She ran to the window and narrowed her eyes to the street below. The scream violently deafened her ears again. Then Clover recognized the source of the scream. From whom it came from.
It was coming from the house next door. It was Mandy's voice.
Well if you can her shout every day, who wouldn't remember how she can shatter one's eardrums, Clover snorted.
Since the victim was her rival, Clover thought twice before checking on her.
Should I save her…? I mean… Okay, fine. Whatever! Mandy owes me big time. Clover sighed.
She stormed her way out of the Spies' House and into the eerie street of Beverly Hills, silently thanking her ability to run free in one inch or more high heels. Once she was in front of Mandy's house, she banged her fist on the door.
"Mandy! Open up!"
Nobody was answering. Clover frowned and tried a different approach instead, "Hey Mandy, do you have a bad case of pimples or a bad hair day that's why you don't want to get out?!"
Still, the house remained as silent as the outside.
Clover felt annoyed. "Thanks for wasting my time!" she kicked the door before returning back to her house.
Maybe she's just shouting over something, or complaining over something like a ruined dress or a chipped mani, she thought. Slowly, the blonde shook her head and opened the door to their house. Or is it just the fact that I miss going into missions with Sam and Alex that's why my response to Mandy's scream was quick…
Clover racked her brain. "But my best friends want me away. So why push myself to join in?"
That's not a good point, her mind countered, Sometimes you three normally go in a fight. It's practically fine.
She suddenly remembered the incident wherein Sam and Alex found her diary that caused World War III.
"Ugh." Clover slammed the door behind her after she entered, "Complicated much?"
"What's complicated?"
"Nothing." she said, "It's just that-"
Clover stopped herself, realizing how on Earth somebody replied to her when she's alone. Thinking of a scary intruder, she released an ear-shattering scream and hid behind a wall. "Go away! I've had enough troubles for this day! If you go near me, I'll-… I'll poke you in the eye! I'm- I'm going to-"
"Going to what?" the stranger laughed amusingly.
How dare this guy make fun of me!
Something ruffled her unruly blonde hair, she can't see who it was against the darkness of the house so she backed away and aimed a kick.
"Ouch!" the guy complained. She can tell it's a male with the broadness of the voice, "Wow. Aren't you something…"
"Of course I am something else!" Clover demanded, "Now show your lame face before I call 911!"
There was a click of a switch. Lights flickered around the room and Clover gasped in surprise as it illuminated the stranger's face.
"Hey," Tom smiled easily, "Good defensive tactic you did to me."
Dumbfounded, Clover mentally slapped herself, "Wait a minute, how did you-"
"Easy." Tom didn't let her finish, "The door wasn't locked."
Now it was the time Clover must actually slap herself in the face for her carelessness, "If a criminal breaks in…" she whispered to herself then turned back to him, "It's nice having a visitor and all, but how did you know I was living here?"
"I saw you come out from this house." He simply said.
"And then you tried to give me a heart attack when I came back…" Clover completed the story, "Stalker much?"
She expected him to counter her opinion, but Tom even encouraged it. "It's possible." He inserted his hands inside his pockets and strolled around to examine the place, "I think I might be amazed at you, the way you stood up against popular girls, like that Mandy."
"I always get into a fight with her. Believe me." Clover plopped down on a sofa. Trust me; it's because I was a popular girl too and I don't want her to stand in my fame lane, before all of this junk change happened.
Tom sat right beside her. He looked like he believes her story; he's seen it anyway with his own pair of eyes. "I was thinking… maybe we should go see a movie together tomorrow?"
Clover reddened, "Me- you- see a movie together?" she blinked, "I mean sure, I'd love to."
"Does '10 Things I Love About You But Still Wanna Change' sounds good for you?" he suggested a movie
"Why not? That's like my total fave!" she smiled at him.
"Okay, then." Tom stood up and stretched his arms, "Well I need to be going, see you tomorrow."
Clover giggled in excitement.
She walked him over to the door, "I'll definitely be waiting, bye!"
"Goodbye."
After she eased the door close, Clover leaned back against the wood and sighed dreamily, feeling rather like she's on Cloud 9. Who cares if I had a bad day? She thought happily. I scored a hottie without even trying to flirt with one...
This actually took me two months because I repeated it. The first plot was miserable... So if you think this sucks, review me a constructive criticism. Then if you like it, then tell me so too. Be the reader that communicates with the author, not the silent one... Thanks!
Anyway, I'd have a poll:
What do you think is Clover's special ability/talent that made her potentially suitable of becoming a spy? Or simply, what do you think is her talent that made her a spy? If Sam is the brains and Alex is the athletic one, what do you think is Clover's?
I have my guess (and it's 100% accurate), since rewatching all TS episodes from Season 1 to Season 6, and since Clover's my favorite of the trio, so what is your guess?