A/N: UPDATE: MAY 23rd 2019 - I have re-edited this entire story and am finishing it 4 years later. Rewatching only Eclare scenes on YouTube inspired me to finish what I started which is one of the best memories from my teen years. Enjoy rereading.

Paparazzi

"Woah, Jessica Alba one hundred percent out dressed Holly J Sinclair at her party!" Jenna Middleton flipped through the latest pages of US Weekly.

"I can already see the look on her face with all those lip fillers." Clare Edwards giggled with mischief as her sunglasses clad eyes followed her hands to grab the margarita that the servant so kindly brought, decorated with a mini umbrella on the side.

She did a taste test and relished in approval as the brilliant and scorching California sun beamed on the two princesses' delicate exposed soon-to-be tanned skin. They lazily relaxed on snow white, chaise lounge beach chairs alongside the clear blue, underground pool.

"OMG! Selena Gomez is dating my future husband? Disney girls are sooo 2009!" Jenna scoffed dramatically, flipping to the next page. Clare rolled her eyes behind her tinted glasses.

"Get over it. He isn't all that. But hot damn..." Clare sat up as she flipped through the same layered tabloid. "Ian Harding definitely is. He might have THE most boring, average personality on Pretty Little Liars, but he's truly eye candy." She sighed longingly. "God Bless."

Jenna chuckled tilting her head at the photo spread in the magazine Clare held up. "Hmm." Jenna nodded her head in approval. Clare continued to flip through a few more pages until she got bored. There hadn't been a juicy story in weeks that she was interested in. And hook-up's and break-ups weren't as appealing to her as they were to Jenna.

Clare lay back down and closed her eyes. She wore one of her many designer bikinis; jewel embellished turquoise top and double string hip bottoms. While Jenna continued to skim through the tabloids, she flaunted a beautiful yellow, diamond studded one piece swim suit that left both sides of her upper body exposed at the waist.

Their spring semester cam to an end a week prior and the two seventeen-year old teenage girls eagerly continued to lounge just outside of Clare's multi-million dollar Calbasas mansion. This is had become ritual since they met at Mike Dallas' listening party two years ago. Mike was a profitable rapper being prospected for one of her fathers businesses and Dallas had his sights set on a young Clare. Jenna was apparently his girlfriend that he'd been dragging along who wasn't invited - at least not by Dallas himself.

Clare took Jenna under her wing and into her world, bonding over humiliating Dallas and bribing him that night to pay a huge settlement towards Jenna's family for breaking her heart or she'd out his secret rendezvous with Miles Hollingsworth I - son of billionaire oil tycoon - Miles Hollingsworth II.

Despite her fathers disapproval at making a scene at an important event, Jenna fell in love with the audaciousness that made Clare such a magnetic controversial icon. She had adapted to the lifestyle quickly and vowed to be there for Clare as gratitude.

Clare's newest Apple iPhone began chiming a new Katy Perry song, signaling someone was calling. The auburn haired beauty extended her arm into her tote bag on the ground and pulled it up to her ear.

"Clare speaking."

"Hey Clare, this is Declan Coyne."

Clare shot up and pulled the sun glasses over her head from her eyes causing a nosy Jenna to mouth 'who is it?'

"Hey Declan, What's up?" Clare imposed loudly yet casually to fulfill Jenna's inquisition. Declan Coyne was one of the many eligible bachelors drowning in wealth and privileged influence which is completely piggy-backed off of parental success - much like Clare.

"Everyone knows yesterday was my eighteenth. And as much as I enjoyed everyone's birthday tweets, It wasn't enough."

Clare covered the bottom of her phone, and whispered to Jenna. "Yesterday was his birthday. I think he's—"

"So, I want to celebrate it festively, invite only, and I'd love to have the wonderful Edwards there."

As if he could hear her, he finished her sentence. Clare was all too familiar with this. She knew Declan's publicist always sent out e-mail invitations or informal group texts. And to say she knew he maybe liked Clare - because he personally called her - was an understatement. He fancied her and had been pursuing her for the last three months.

Clare looked over at her best friend with a tentative look. "Can I bring a friend?"

"Of course! If they're with you, they're good. Just...don't bring a date."

"Too late, Jenna's my date." Clare teased.

"Miss Middleton's an exception." He chuckled in a way that made Clare tingle.

"And where's this event taking place?" Clare asked.

"Where else? At Club Element."

Clare bit her lip, a huge grin plastered on her face. "Expect us there tonight."

With that being final, she ended the call and put her phone to the side. She turned to face Jenna; eyes popped out excitedly, smile beaming exaggeratedly. It'd been a few weeks since she got into anything and Declan was her token to trouble.

"Finally we get a break!" Jenna squealed. "We're going to dominate this summer an-"

Jenna paused mid-sentence when Clare wagged her arms signaling her to stop as soon as she spotted her father, Randall Edwards through the glass windows walking into the kitchen with her step-mother from hell - Audra.

They've been married for two years now. From the start, Clare and Audra never saw eye to eye. Despite the bickering, snarky, and borderline disrespectful remarks towards each other, it seemed as though Clare had to fight for the attention of her father. He was always busy with work, agents calling him, meetings here and there, etc. and Audraalways happened to be always be right behind leaving Clare feeling like cellophane.

Clare never trusted Audras intentions with her father. Their union was questionable. They married within seven months of meeting and she always made over ambitious over claims of this great idea she had investors fighting over. She allegedly has made a fortune off of this golden idea.

Wonder why she doesn't have her own black card and is always asking daddy for his...

"Your dad looks...a little wary." Jenna commented pulling Clare from her thoughts. She looked up and watched her father shake his head. He had a firm fist planted on the marble kitchen island as Audra spoke animatedly with her hands.

She hoped they were having another one of their tense filled altercations about how she wanted to manage his business transactions since she is – in Audra's pretentious tone: "A certified accountant and a graduate from Banting University."

Clare got up and slid her newly fresh pedicured feet into her white flip flops. She motioned her head at Jenna to follow her.

Clare slid the glass door open stepping inside with Jenna right behind into the central air conditioned home. Audra's head quickly snapped up and immediately haulted the conversation.

"Hey daddy!" Clare greeted brightly as she jumped onto the stool, deliberately ignoring Audra's presence.

Her dad pulled up a weak smile from his gloomy state, but the sincere look in his eyes showed he was glad to see the face of his beautiful daughter. "Good afternoon Clare-bear." He replied lightly.

"Is everything okay, dad?" Clare tilted her head, and directed an accusing glance towards Audra.

"Of course. Things have just been a bit stressful with work." He said a little too loud.

Audra scoffed disbelievingly and rolled her eyes.

Clare smirked. "I completely understand daddy. Being married to a witch will have its repercussions." Clare batted her eyes shooting another look at Audra.

Audra opened her mouth ready to respond until Jenna interrupted. "Mr. Edwards...Clare and I were wondering I could sleep over tonight. There's a huge birthday party going on and we were planning on getting ready at my pl-"

"No." Audra deadpanned seriously.

"It's not your decision!" Clare spat rudely.

"Honey please, she's young. It wouldn't hurt for her to go." Randall said.

"You're always letting her do what she wants. The girl needs discipline. She'll live without a pointless party. Remember what we talked about..." Audra whispered, but to no avail because Clare was right in front of them, growing curious.

"What did you guys talk about?" Clare asked suspiciously, now beginning to think the little 'altercation' she thought they were having was about her. "Me?"

Randall shot his head up towards Clare with his mouth agape ready to say something, but hesitated. He sighed. "Fine. You can go to that party."

Clare and Jenna squealed in unison, while Audra huffed annoyed and disapprovingly.

"But, promise you two will behave." He narrowed his eyes at Clare. "Especially you, Clare. You've been quiet in the press for a few weeks. Business is steady because of that and we've had enough of your little hoodwinks, so one more and-"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you daddy!" She threw herself at him, embracing him in a huge hug. "I promise I'll behave." He gave her a kiss on the head before she let go and made her way back outside to the large patio by the pool.

"I don't believe for a second you're going to behave." Jenna grinned.

Clare turned her head back and giggled. "What daddy doesn't know won't hurt him." She winked.

Jenna's room

Clare dragged the black eye pencil one last time under her eye to compliment her large baby blue orbs. She covered the eyeliner and stepped back in a room she was always tranquil in, checking her appearance in the mirror. She had just finished putting on make-up which was soft and perfect as always.

Jenna walked back into her room pulling off the last pink hair roller from her long, bright blonde hair. She walked over to her dresser next to Clare and checked her hair.

"Looks good." Clare confirmed.

"I know." Jenna gloated staring hard at herself.

Clare blew her a mischievous kiss from the mirror before turning to unplug the flat iron.

There was a knock at the door and Jenna yelled for them to enter as she applied an enormous amount of blush.

In entered one of the housekeepers with a long plastic bag. "Miss Middleton, here are the two dresses you ordered earlier."

"Thanks Yula, just leave it on my bed." Jenna ordered blandly.

"Is there anything else I can do?" Yula asked with a thick Ukraine accent. The girls shook their heads, never possessing consideration to engage and look her way. With that response she bowed before exiting out of the room.

Clare skipped over and picked up her dress. "This look is everything, Jenna. I love it!" Clare laid the dress back down gently and untied the string around her waist, tossing off her silky white robe.

"I see that diet I have you on is paying off." Jenna commented on Clare's half naked body and she looked back at her thankfully.

In minutes the lightly sequined peach dress was hugging her body flawlessly. This dress was a fashion dream for Clare. The hem was flow-y, high in the front and slightly lower from the back right above the knees. It had cut out sides, revealing her sun-kissed skinned. The top part was halter like and tied at the back. Sweet as sugar, yet sexy as...well just plain sexy.

"Do you think he invited Penn Badgley? Because if he did I'm so doing a double hook-up." Clare said.

She walked to Jenna's body length mirror and twirled around in her cocktail dress. She slipped on white lengthy heels which cheated her short height.

"Probably." Jenna answered.

Clare felt glamorous, absolutely priceless. Her short hair was curled in bouncy layers, and she loved the way her legs looked. She hoped everyone at the party tonight envied her and wanted her all together.

They always did.

"Hottie! Declan's so going to take you to the bathroom and it better be clean." Jenna purred, sneaking up behind Clare watching looking her in the mirror. "And if he doesn't, I will." She joked before turning around to retrieve her dress and put it on.

Clare smiled at herself, displaying her perfect white teeth. This is what drew her to Jenna as a friend. Sure, she was ruthless and that could explain why other in-circle influencers avoided her. But, Jenna always made Clare feel like she was important, beautiful, and incomparable. She was always there for her. They both balanced each other's queen-bee complexes and with Clare by her side, Jenna was always in no matter how much she was hated. They also shared wealth, youth, and an appetite to live dangerously in anyway the luxury life allowed them.

"Our plans are already starting." Clare clapped excitedly. "What do we have planned for tonight? Blackmailing and exposing? I could go for some light-core party favors." Clare wiggled her eyebrows.

"Hmmm well...don't go topless tonight. Save that for another time." Jenna assured jokingly. Clare slapped her playfully. "I guess just go with it like we usually do. Just take some of this and the night will follow." Jenna pulled out a plastic baggie of pills.

Clare's phone suddenly starts ringing and she walks over to the bed to check the notification.

From Zane: Mini Sinclair is here! Better watch it, u know she was always after Dex C. He has a thing for redheads!

The Holly J Sinclair.

The feud between them had everything to do with business between their fathers. Clare knew nothing about the issues pertaining to her fathers corporation Edwards Industries but, she was loyal to blood. Having gone to countless meetings with her dad and interning at Wilhelmina Studios in New York this past Winter, she understood that business was business as usual. But, for reasons unbeknownst, Holly J made it her life goal to antagonize Clare all over social media; and Clare was infamous for handling her business.

"What?" Jenna widened her eyes and turned around from looking in the mirror.

"That ginger-faced heathen Holly J... she's there!"

Jenna shook her head disapprovingly. "No, no. Here, take this." Clare swallowed two pills with Jenna. "We've got to get going. She's been on the cover of Teen Vogue for the past two months. She's not going to keep ruining perfectly fine paper." Jenna grabbed her purse and Clare's as well. "Trust me Clare, tonight is all about us. Not another high class skank!"

Flashy, variegated lights jazzed all over the dark club. Layers of bodies crowded the colorfully lit dance floors, while others mingled around the bars and tables. Music pumped throughout the club, a thick smell of scandalous drama in the air.

"Darling!" A flaming voice chimed. Clare's face lit up when she saw her gorgeous gay friend Zane Park. He's one of the the youngest, talented fashion designers in L.A.

His designs are to die for!

"Zane, love!" Clare and Zane shared a cheek-to-cheek kiss before greeting Jenna the same way. "Congrats on your Forbes 30 under 30 mention. Jean Paul Gaultier has some serious competition. Just don't tell him! He wants to dress me for the Met next year."

Zane gasped ludicrously with a huge smile, thanking Clare. He placed his hands on his waist and winked at the girls suggestively when did a double take on their figures. "So, you two were the mysterious last minute clients demanding the hottest dresses I had? You little minxes you!" Zane pretended to claw them and they all laughed.

"You know us. We need to stay up to date 24/7 and you're our secret weapon." Clare nudged him lightly.

"Speaking of up to date, look at her top! She needs to crawl back onto the set of That 70's Show." Jenna exclaimed at some girl who passed by.

"Sweetie, that's nothing! Miss Party in the U.S.A over there looks like Lady Gaga's meat suit and Avril Lavigne's closet threw up on her! It is not cute." Zane bobbled his head.

As much as Clare wanted to critique everyone's lack of ability to compete with her or Jenna's sense of style, she just wanted to have fun.

I need something to get these pills active in my system. Then I can track down Holly J.

Clare mused as she spotted the mini bar where a security guards sat, scoping out any possible crimes being committed under their noses. Her eyes continued to scan the club as her head followed her eye motions until it landed on Declan, who wasn't alone.

Clare nudged Jenna on the side, halting her conversation with Zane and pointed Declan's way.

"Ohhh no!" Zane said. "Better get over there cowgirl."

Jenna crossed her arms and had a tentative look on her face. She already sensed Clare's insecurities and gripped Clare's hand. She stomped towards the bar confidently.

"What are you doing? We're underage and I really don't feel like getting questioned on my fake ID." Clare whispered in panic remembering her fathers words. She didn't want to walk right into an obvious situation and have it broadcasted in the next fifteen minutes.

"Stop being such a worry wart and just follow my lead. We need something to boost your confidence and those party favors we took."

Jenna did just that. She managed to slip a few tequila shots for the both of them after bribing the guards and the bartender with a couple hundreds.

They had enough for them to let loose and enough to stir up a night to remember.

Saturday afternoon

"What the hell is this?"

Randall forcefully slapped a few magazines and a newspaper on the kitchen island, air gusting some hair from Clare's face.

"Dad please...hangover." Clare palmed her forehead and squinted her eyes to shield the beaming sun rays shining through the windows.

"You promised me no trouble. Thousands of dollars I spend a year for you to get a fantastic education at Flintridge Preparatory and this is all you have to show for it?" He pointed at the photography shots.

"I'm a straight A student, dad. Relax." She rubbed her temples.

"You want me to relax? There are pictures everywhere of my seventeen-year old daughter with her tongue down a Coyne's throat. And not just any Coyne but Fiona Coyne? Not to mention your half naked wrangle with Holly J. Sinclair!" Randall laughed hysterically flipping through the magazine pages before closing it shut. "And to top it all off, you were on drugs and drinking... underage! "

Clare opened her mouth, but paused briefly when she heard a low snicker coming from across the island. Audra sat there pretending to look at her laptop screen. Clare sighed, feeling nauseous. "Drugs? Where did that come from?"

"Please. Do you know how many times the maid called about having to clean your careless mess of cocaine lines last year when I was away on business in Beijing?" Clare was silent and he continued. "I thought it was just a phase until Audra found these in your purse." He held up and dropped the same bag of ecstasy Jenna had last night.

Why were those in my bag? I must have swapped purses with Jenna again. And why was Audra snooping through my stuff?

"I was experimenting. It won't happen again."

He scoffed. "You're damn right about that. I'm tired of always handing out money to cover up your mess. I'm willing to do that for the wreckages that are my clients because it's how I can afford to give you everything you want but, I can't have my daughter going down that road. You've failed me once again, Clare. That's why your mother-"

"She's not my mom." Clare gritted.

"Audra and I have decided to send you to your grandparents for the rest of the summer. "

Clare's eyes bulged. "What? This is unethical! We live in a democracy, don't I get a say in this? Daddy please, I'm so sorry. It will never happen again, I swear!"

"It's either that or Audra's reform school idea."

If Clare wasn't suffering from a massive MDMA induced hangover, she would have trampled Audra.

"This isn't the first time you've done something like this and this is crossing the line. Ecstasy, Clare? You're doing some serious damage to your health and my business. There's too much repeated history with your shenanigans." Randall hammered the nail.

"It's for the best, Clarebear. The farm will do you well. You're even going to be working there, too! A little hands on labor other than boys is just what you need." Audra added, completely amused by this.

Clare shot her head towards Audra, with an icy cold glare. "You." She accused. "You bitch! You did this. This is what you wanted all along!"

"That's enough!" Randall screamed.

Audra's face fell. Everything around Clare began spinning and gravity seemed to betray her as she slid off of the island stool. She was caught by her father before she got hurt. The mixed substances really had an effect on her as an aftermath but, the news now had an even bigger one.

I can't live on a farm the entire summer. I have plans, goals, and a tabloid mess to clean up! Please let this be a dream. I need my senses back.

Arizona

"Hey boys com' ere!" Grandma Edwards shouted as she walked with a slight limp towards the three boys building a new tool shed on the massive property she owned. They all looked up in unison, wiping their sweaty foreheads, obeying the boss they've grown to love like their own.

Arizona isn't all desert like everyone thinks. There is life to it. Just on the outskirts of the bicoastal Route 66 settled an expansive acre of farm land and a small town not too far off. It was't evergreen farming, but crops covered some parts. A rocky dirt road led up to the white, colonial style farmhouse where the owners lived. Alongside the farm beyond a man made fence roamed their raised horses in a beautiful tall grass field.

"What do you need boss?" A boy with slight baby like features asked.

"My Granddaughter's c'min here from California for the summer and imma need some helpin' 'round the old place. Think ya can do that for a raise?" She asked excitedly with hope.

"Of course! Anything for you." The other boy tilted his hat whom demonstrated built, athletic features.

Mrs. Edwards clasped her hands together. "Well then, Better get your young little buttocks workin' then. Yee doggy, my baby's comin' back!"

"Excuse me, but um...your granddaughter as in Clare Edwards?" The mysterious raven haired boy asked curiously. His face was frowned due to the open sun, but he awaited a response.

"Why of course! She's ma only one!" Mrs. Edwards beamed. She turned around ready to walk away, until realization dawned on her and turned again, staring into intense emeralds.

"You remembered her..." She grinned.

The young boy curled up a smirk. "Of course. How could I ever forget?"

Back in L.A

Clare managed to regain little control of herself and pushed herself against her father in a tight, hopeful and pleading hug. "I promise I can fix this. I'll go to therapy twice a week in stead of every two weeks, I'll attend AA meetings, clean up my act and drown myself in fashion journalism by taking that internship at QuikSilver for Envy Mag Paige Michalchuk offered me. Don't do this to me daddy, please." She stared at her father with her big saddened blue eyes. It was an arrow to the heart for any parent and he was a millisecond away from caving in to cancel her flight.

"Randall, the Sinclair's are pressing charges. Apparently Holly J. was injured during her fight with your daughter and she threw chemicals on her?" Audra looked up from the laptop screen.

"That's filled with hyperbole!" Clare defended nervously. "All I did was throw a bald margarita drink on her hair. It's just tequila...and a splash of...Leg hair removal cream."

"Clare Diana Edwards." Her father squeezed his eyes with one hand mentally afflicted

"A lawsuit during the midst of this deal is going to hurt the terms and closing offer. " Audra quickly intervened as she scrolled down the bright screen where she gathered the information.

Randall snapped out of the spell from his daughter and shot her a seriously angry look. "The decision is final."

The authors notes in later chapters might be left the same from when i wrote them years ago. I'm just adding that it's updated. Hope this first chapter is better that before and gives a better, realistic insight on Clares life.