A/N: well here's the next chap. please read and review, thanks.
"Miss get up, get up" Ruth yelled, shaking Clara. "Huh, what" Clara asked sheepishly. "It's already 8:00 miss" Ruth yelled. Clara jumped out of bed. "What, oh no" Clara said running to the bathroom. "Remember your eating dinner at the Griffins tonight" Ruth called to Clara. Clara frowned, she had forgotten about that.
She remembered that Ruth had told her not to wear her dirty clothes. She quickly grabbed her school bag and shoved her clothes into it. "Their" Clara smiled. She decided she better wear her best summer dress, to make it look as though she was going for a walk. "Ruth I'm going to the library again, but I'll be back before we leave for the Griffins" Clara informed her. Ruth eyed her with a suspicious look. "Okay, but be sure you're here by 7:00 sharp" Ruth warned her. "I will" Clara said cheerfully.
Clara ran to the distribution office as fast as she could go, she knew she was late, but being late was better than not being their at all. "Where have you been?" Jack questioned. "Woke up late" Clara said breathing hard. "Well next time wake up earlier" Jack yelled. "Here" Jack said giving her a pile of papers "I got your papers" he added. He looked at her and noticed that she was wearing a clean yellow dress. "Your going to sell papers like that," Jack asked smiling. "Huh" Clara questioned looking down. "Oh, I brought my other clothes, is their a bathroom or a changing room" Clara asked looking around. "Follow me" Jack said walking. Clara walked beside him. "We're we going" Clara asked. "You'll see" Jack grinned.
They walked a couple of blocks until they reached a building that had a sign that said Newsie Lodging House in big gold letters. "You can change inside" Jack said walking into the building. "Heya Jack, what is she doing here?" Racetrack asked looking at Clara. "She needs to change" Jack whispered. Mush ran down the stairs and stopped at the site of Clara. He whistled. Clara blushed. "Looking good," Mush yelled staring at her. "Thanks, I guess" Clara answered back. "Follow me" Jack said walking up the stairs. They creaked every time Clara and Jack walked. "So this is where you live," Clara asked spying a dead rat at the top of the stairs. "It might not be as nice as your place, but its home" Jack grinned. They walked into a room that had rows of bunk beds with their sheets all over the place. She noticed that their where also rows of sinks and stalls at the end of the room. Their where about three guys inside shaving or dressing. Clara blushed when she noticed that one of the guys didn't have his shirts on. "All of you out" Jack yelled. "What for Jack" a tall newsie asked. "Yeah Jack what for" the other two asked together. "Cause I say so" Jack yelled. They spotted Clara staring at them, with her cheeks red. "Who's the girl?" the tall one asked. "Her names Clara" Jack stated. The other two smiled and nodded. "Okay all of you out" Jack yelled again. They all marched out with Jack following behind them and closed the door. Clara looked around, she suddenly felt bad and ashamed. While she was sleeping in her nice warm bed, the newsies slept in a dump. Clara carefully took out her clothes and began to dress. She neatly put her dress into her bag.
Clara decided that she should tidy up the place a little. I mean even though you slept in a dump it didn't mean you had to live like it. She began making their beds and placing their dirty clothes into a pile in the corner. She found a pair of underwear under one of the beds. "ewww" Clara said screwing up her face. Clara looked around the room. "Hmmm it's not completely clean, but it's better" Clara thought to herself. "Are you done yet," Jack asked. "Geez girls take so long to change" Jack added. The other newsies nodded. Clara opened the door. "Okay, lets go sell papers" Clara said cheerfully. Jack stepped into the room. His eyes began to wander. "What did you do?" Jack asked shocked. "I cleaned, is that a problem" Clara asked. The three other newsies stepped in and looked as shock as Jack. "Okay, lets go" Clara stated climbing down the stairs. Jack stepped out of the room and followed Clara. "Why did you do that for" Jack asked curious. "It was dirty" Clara answered.
"Extra read all about it dead body found in sewer," Jack yelled calling the headlines. Clara didn't feel like selling papers. She was worried about the dinner. Jack glanced over at her. "What's wrong" Jack asked. "Huh, oh nothing" Clara said forcing a smile. "Doesn't seem like nothing to me" Jack tried again. "It's nothing," she stated again. "Okay" Jack responded. They walked in silence. Jack waited for Clara to talk about it, but she just stared off into space. "I don't think were going to sell anymore papers today, lets head over to Tibby's" Jack suggested. "Okay" Clara said uneasily. "This time please try not to hurt anybody," Jack said sarcastically. They both laughed.
Tibby's was almost empty except for a few newsies sitting at a corner booth. "Two drinks" Jack called. They sat down at a booth far away from the other newsies. Tibby brought them their drink. Clara looked up and met Jacks gazing eyes. "What" Clara asked? "Nothing" Jack responded turning his gaze to the other newsies.
One of the newsies stood up and walked over to them. "Heya Jack" she greeted. "Hey Duchess" Jack smiled. "Hey" Duchess said to Clara. "Hi" Clara smiled. "What's your name" Duchess asked. "Clara" Clara responded. "So you're the girl everybody's been talking about, I hear your rich" Duchess smirked. "Um yeah" Clara whispered. Duchess turned to Jack. "Spot wants to see you," She announced. " Spot, what for" Jack asked suspiciously. Duchess shrugged. "Alright" Jack responded. Duchess returned to the other newsies. They all turned to look at Clara and started whispering. Jack got up "Want to take a visit to Brooklyn" he asked. "Sure" Clara said getting up.
"I've never been to Brooklyn" Clara said after a few minutes of silence. They started walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. "Hey, I want to show you something" Jack said walking over to the side of the bridge. He stopped and started yelling over the bridge. Clara could hear an eco. "Oh, wow, can I try" Clara said standing next to him. "Sure" Jack grinned. Clara leaned over and yelled a hello. She could hear her voice saying it over and over. "We better continue" Jack said walking away. Clara walked beside him. Inside she could feel her heart beating. She never felt this way before about anybody.
"Where do you think your going Kelly" a tall boy asked getting out of the water. "Who's the girl?" another boy asked frowning. Clara blushed, all the guys where in their undergarments. "Well if it ain't Jack be nimble Jack be quick?" a boy said looking down at them. "Spot I see you moved up in the world" Jack said spitting into his hand. Spot came down and spit into his hand and shook Jacks. Spot looked over at Clara and grinned. "Oh, Spot this is Clara, Clara this is Spot Conlons the leader of the Brooklyn newsies" Jack said scratching his head. Spot gave her a frown. "Clara, so you're the rich girl I'm hearing about" Spot smirked. Clara shot him an evil look. "So what if I'm rich," Clara snapped. Spot grinned "Jack, what is this some sort of joke" Spot asked. "No Joke" Jack said grinning. Spot turned to Clara "What are you selling papers for". "I'm helping a friend," Clara informed him. "A friend, hear that boys she's helping a friend" Spot smirked. The other newsie laughed. Clara did something that nobody would have down in their right mind; she took her hand and slapped him hard. Clara's expression changed in a heartbeat. She covered her mouth in shock "I'm so sorry" Clara said quickly. Spot, Jack and the other newsies glared at her. "Are you alright?" Clara asked touching his face. Spot pushed her hand away. Spot pulled his hand back to slap her, but then something unexpected happened Clara flinched, then fainted. Spot looked down at her still body. Jack ran towards her and started shaking her. "Clara wake up" Jack screamed. Spot kept staring a little shocked. Jack carried her into the Brooklyn Lodging house and placed her onto one of the beds. Spot and the other newsies followed. Spot could hear whispers going around saying he scared her to death. Spot turned around "She's not dead" he yelled. Silence filled the room, nobody moved or said anything. Spot turned to Jack "She's not dead right" Spot asked a little scared. "No, I don't think so, she probably fainted" Jack said looking at Clara's face. "Somebody go get David, he'll know" Jack yelled. A couple of the newsies ran towards the Manhattan Lodging House.
"David, David" they yelled. "What" David asked coming out of the lodging house. "Hurry come, the girl is dead" one of them huffed. "No she's fainted" another corrected him. "Who fainted" David asked curious. "Just come," they urged. David followed them to the Brooklyn lodging house. "Good Davey you came" Jack said relieved. David looked at the figure on the bed. "Clara, what happened" David asked shocked. "She just dropped" Jack said calmly. David checked her pulse. "Well she's alive and breathing" David informed them. Spot sighed with relief. Clara suddenly opened her eyes and saw Jack and David Staring at her. She got up a little shock. "Where am I" Clara asked looking around the room. "Your in Brooklyn" Jack informed her. Suddenly it all started coming back to Clara. "Oh" Clara said grinning. Then it hit her, the dinner. "Oh no, what time is it" Clara asked franticly. "6:45" one of the newsies yelled. Clara jumped out of bed and started towards the door, but stumbled. Jack came to her aid "Where do you think your going" Jack asked curious. "I got to get home" Clara said scared. "You can't, your still a little wobbly" Jack informed her, helping her to her feet. "You don't understand I have to get home," Clara repeated. Jack stared at her "What's your hurry" Jack asked curious. "I just do" Clara stated. "That's not a good reason," Jack informed her. Clara decided that he wasn't going to let her leave, so she decided to run for it. "Hey" Jack yelled after her. "Sorry" Clara yelled back. Clara fell then quickly picked herself up, she didn't care she had to get home. Jack started running after her, but was stopped by Spot. "Let her go" Spot said. Jack pushed Spot aside and continued to run after her.
"Ruth" Clara yelled from the door. Ruth looked at her and noticed she was wearing the dirty clothes again. "Where are your other clothes, wait, tell me later hurry get ready, you'll be late" Ruth shouted. "What about father" Clara asked. "He said he'll meet you their" Ruth informed her. Clara sighed and ran upstairs. She quickly took a shower. She though about Jack, he worried about her. "I wonder" Clara thought. Ruth had already laid out her dress and shoes. Clara quickly got dressed and looked her self in the mirror. It was a plain black spaghetti strap dress. She really hated wearing a nice dress for Matt. He didn't deserve her. Ruth came in and did Clara's hair and make up. "How do I look?" Clara asked turning around. "Like your mother" Ruth explained. Clara smiled. By the time she was ready and done it was 7:30. "Oh no Father will be mad" Clara moaned. Ruth opened the front door to a waiting cab. "Be good" Ruth warned. "I will" Clara smiled. Jack spotted her in a distance. He frowned, she was wearing a dress and seemed like she was going somewhere important. "I wonder where she's going," he thought to himself. He followed the cab to a very big home. He spotted her getting out the cab. She waited a second before ringing the doorbell. "I wonder," he thought. Jack decided that he needed to know what they where doing inside so he jumped the wall and looked through a window. Inside he could see Clara talking to a lady.
"Hello dear" Mrs. Griffin greeted. "I'm very sorry I'm late," Clara said. "Don't worry about it dear" Mrs. Higgins smiled. Clara's father gave her a stern look. Clara looked away; she hated it when he gave her that look. Clara sat down in an empty seat across from Matt, but next to her father. Matt grinned at her. Clara frowned. Her father nudged her in the arm. Clara looked over at her father. He gave another stern look "please try to be nice," he whispered. Clara forced a smile. She could tell that they had waited for her to come before they served dinner by Mr. Griffin's attitude. "Bring the dinner," he growled. Then turned to Clara's father "Arthur, next time please tell your daughter to be on time" he snapped. Clara blushed with embarrassment. "I'm sure she has a good reason" Her father exclaimed. "Right, Clara" her father asked. "Uh huh, I mean yes," Clara quickly corrected. "Mind telling us the reason" Matt asked grinning. Clara shot him an evil look. "I was at the Library doing some reading and I lost track of time," Clara said convincingly. "See darling she was doing some reading" Mrs. Griffin said defending Clara. Mr. Griffin mumbled to himself. "Oh really, well I was at the library and I didn't see you" Matt said. She knew he was seeking revenge for the other day. "You at the library" Clara laughed. "I came to visit you and Ruth told me that you where at the library, so I thought I'd take a visit" Matt smirked. "Well I was there" Clara said defending herself. "Matt, honey if she said she was their she was there" Mrs. Griffin grinned. They ate their dinner in silence. Matt kept staring at Clara. "You look lovely tonight" Matt said breaking the silence. "Thank you" Clara forced out. "Yes very lovely" he added staring at her. Clara frowned " You don't look to bad yourself" She smirked. "I know" Matt said sarcastically. "Can I be excused" Clara asked getting up. "No you may not" Clara's father yelled. Clara sat back down. "You will get up when you are told to" he added. Silence fell over the room; only the sound of dishes being cleared was heard.
Jack stared at Clara through the window; he had heard everything that was being said.
Desert was served. "I made this myself," Mrs. Griffin said proudly. "It looks delicious" Clara said warmly. "I agree mother," Matt said still staring at Clara. Clara took a bite of the cherry pie. Clara's face brightened it tasted delicious. "It's an old family recipe," Mrs. Griffins continued. "Maybe you can teach me sometime" Clara said. "Well of course, all Griffin women need to know the recipe" Mrs. Griffin grinned. Clara frowned at the remark; she had no intention of becoming a Griffin. Matt grinned. " Arthur would you like to have a cigar," Mr. Griffin asked. "Sure, Clara you maybe excused" He said getting up. Mrs. Griffin decided it was time for her to get ready for bed. "I'll be upstairs if you need me," she announced. Clara got up and walked to the living room. Matt followed her. Clara sat down and stared at him. He sat down and put his arms around her. Jack got angry with this. He realized that he was getting jealous. What did the lady mean when she said Griffin women. Jack was so confused.
Clara got up and opened the door to the backyard. He followed her. Jack hid so that they couldn't see him, but he could see them. "Stop following me" Clara yelled. "You weren't at the library" Matt smirked. "Yes I was" Clara said defending herself. "The library's close today" Matt laughed. Clara frowned; she knew he had caught her. "If you knew that, then why didn't you say anything at dinner" Clara asked. "I could have, but I thought I'd save you the embarrassment" Matt said slyly. "Really, when did you start that" Clara laughed. "Just tell me where you where" Matt asked leaning in. "That's none of your business" Clara snapped. "I think it is" Matt smirked leaning in closer. He pulled her close and kissed her. Clara fought to get him off, but he just held her tighter. She stomped his foot. He released her. Clara slapped him "Jerk" Clara yelled. "I know you liked that" Matt smiled going back inside.
Clara walked to the far end of the garden and began to cry. She suddenly heard a rustling sound. "Who's their" Clara asked scared. Jack appeared. "Jack" Clara asked, "What are you doing here". "I followed you" Jack said casually. Clara began to wipe away her tears "I got something in my eye" she laughed. "I saw what happened" Jack informed her. Clara stopped "oh". "Who's the guy?" Jack asked. "He's my future husband" Clara said starting to cry again. Jack walked over to her and sat next to her. "What do you mean?" Jack continued to ask. She told him about the arrangement with her father and Mr. Higgins. "That's terrible" Jack said angrily. Jack put his arm around her. Clara looked and saw that Jack really did care. Jack leaned in closer and kissed her. Clara didn't stop him instead she kissed back. They didn't see Matt standing their watching them. Getting angrier by the second. He walked away decide ding he wouldn't do anything right know, but confront her later. "Clara it's time to go home" her father called. Clara pulled back and smiled at Jack. "Thanks for listening" Clara said getting up. Jack smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow" Clara said walking away. "Bye" Jack called. He watched her go into the house. He lay on the bench looking up at the stars.
A/n: hope you liked. Please review.
"Miss get up, get up" Ruth yelled, shaking Clara. "Huh, what" Clara asked sheepishly. "It's already 8:00 miss" Ruth yelled. Clara jumped out of bed. "What, oh no" Clara said running to the bathroom. "Remember your eating dinner at the Griffins tonight" Ruth called to Clara. Clara frowned, she had forgotten about that.
She remembered that Ruth had told her not to wear her dirty clothes. She quickly grabbed her school bag and shoved her clothes into it. "Their" Clara smiled. She decided she better wear her best summer dress, to make it look as though she was going for a walk. "Ruth I'm going to the library again, but I'll be back before we leave for the Griffins" Clara informed her. Ruth eyed her with a suspicious look. "Okay, but be sure you're here by 7:00 sharp" Ruth warned her. "I will" Clara said cheerfully.
Clara ran to the distribution office as fast as she could go, she knew she was late, but being late was better than not being their at all. "Where have you been?" Jack questioned. "Woke up late" Clara said breathing hard. "Well next time wake up earlier" Jack yelled. "Here" Jack said giving her a pile of papers "I got your papers" he added. He looked at her and noticed that she was wearing a clean yellow dress. "Your going to sell papers like that," Jack asked smiling. "Huh" Clara questioned looking down. "Oh, I brought my other clothes, is their a bathroom or a changing room" Clara asked looking around. "Follow me" Jack said walking. Clara walked beside him. "We're we going" Clara asked. "You'll see" Jack grinned.
They walked a couple of blocks until they reached a building that had a sign that said Newsie Lodging House in big gold letters. "You can change inside" Jack said walking into the building. "Heya Jack, what is she doing here?" Racetrack asked looking at Clara. "She needs to change" Jack whispered. Mush ran down the stairs and stopped at the site of Clara. He whistled. Clara blushed. "Looking good," Mush yelled staring at her. "Thanks, I guess" Clara answered back. "Follow me" Jack said walking up the stairs. They creaked every time Clara and Jack walked. "So this is where you live," Clara asked spying a dead rat at the top of the stairs. "It might not be as nice as your place, but its home" Jack grinned. They walked into a room that had rows of bunk beds with their sheets all over the place. She noticed that their where also rows of sinks and stalls at the end of the room. Their where about three guys inside shaving or dressing. Clara blushed when she noticed that one of the guys didn't have his shirts on. "All of you out" Jack yelled. "What for Jack" a tall newsie asked. "Yeah Jack what for" the other two asked together. "Cause I say so" Jack yelled. They spotted Clara staring at them, with her cheeks red. "Who's the girl?" the tall one asked. "Her names Clara" Jack stated. The other two smiled and nodded. "Okay all of you out" Jack yelled again. They all marched out with Jack following behind them and closed the door. Clara looked around, she suddenly felt bad and ashamed. While she was sleeping in her nice warm bed, the newsies slept in a dump. Clara carefully took out her clothes and began to dress. She neatly put her dress into her bag.
Clara decided that she should tidy up the place a little. I mean even though you slept in a dump it didn't mean you had to live like it. She began making their beds and placing their dirty clothes into a pile in the corner. She found a pair of underwear under one of the beds. "ewww" Clara said screwing up her face. Clara looked around the room. "Hmmm it's not completely clean, but it's better" Clara thought to herself. "Are you done yet," Jack asked. "Geez girls take so long to change" Jack added. The other newsies nodded. Clara opened the door. "Okay, lets go sell papers" Clara said cheerfully. Jack stepped into the room. His eyes began to wander. "What did you do?" Jack asked shocked. "I cleaned, is that a problem" Clara asked. The three other newsies stepped in and looked as shock as Jack. "Okay, lets go" Clara stated climbing down the stairs. Jack stepped out of the room and followed Clara. "Why did you do that for" Jack asked curious. "It was dirty" Clara answered.
"Extra read all about it dead body found in sewer," Jack yelled calling the headlines. Clara didn't feel like selling papers. She was worried about the dinner. Jack glanced over at her. "What's wrong" Jack asked. "Huh, oh nothing" Clara said forcing a smile. "Doesn't seem like nothing to me" Jack tried again. "It's nothing," she stated again. "Okay" Jack responded. They walked in silence. Jack waited for Clara to talk about it, but she just stared off into space. "I don't think were going to sell anymore papers today, lets head over to Tibby's" Jack suggested. "Okay" Clara said uneasily. "This time please try not to hurt anybody," Jack said sarcastically. They both laughed.
Tibby's was almost empty except for a few newsies sitting at a corner booth. "Two drinks" Jack called. They sat down at a booth far away from the other newsies. Tibby brought them their drink. Clara looked up and met Jacks gazing eyes. "What" Clara asked? "Nothing" Jack responded turning his gaze to the other newsies.
One of the newsies stood up and walked over to them. "Heya Jack" she greeted. "Hey Duchess" Jack smiled. "Hey" Duchess said to Clara. "Hi" Clara smiled. "What's your name" Duchess asked. "Clara" Clara responded. "So you're the girl everybody's been talking about, I hear your rich" Duchess smirked. "Um yeah" Clara whispered. Duchess turned to Jack. "Spot wants to see you," She announced. " Spot, what for" Jack asked suspiciously. Duchess shrugged. "Alright" Jack responded. Duchess returned to the other newsies. They all turned to look at Clara and started whispering. Jack got up "Want to take a visit to Brooklyn" he asked. "Sure" Clara said getting up.
"I've never been to Brooklyn" Clara said after a few minutes of silence. They started walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. "Hey, I want to show you something" Jack said walking over to the side of the bridge. He stopped and started yelling over the bridge. Clara could hear an eco. "Oh, wow, can I try" Clara said standing next to him. "Sure" Jack grinned. Clara leaned over and yelled a hello. She could hear her voice saying it over and over. "We better continue" Jack said walking away. Clara walked beside him. Inside she could feel her heart beating. She never felt this way before about anybody.
"Where do you think your going Kelly" a tall boy asked getting out of the water. "Who's the girl?" another boy asked frowning. Clara blushed, all the guys where in their undergarments. "Well if it ain't Jack be nimble Jack be quick?" a boy said looking down at them. "Spot I see you moved up in the world" Jack said spitting into his hand. Spot came down and spit into his hand and shook Jacks. Spot looked over at Clara and grinned. "Oh, Spot this is Clara, Clara this is Spot Conlons the leader of the Brooklyn newsies" Jack said scratching his head. Spot gave her a frown. "Clara, so you're the rich girl I'm hearing about" Spot smirked. Clara shot him an evil look. "So what if I'm rich," Clara snapped. Spot grinned "Jack, what is this some sort of joke" Spot asked. "No Joke" Jack said grinning. Spot turned to Clara "What are you selling papers for". "I'm helping a friend," Clara informed him. "A friend, hear that boys she's helping a friend" Spot smirked. The other newsie laughed. Clara did something that nobody would have down in their right mind; she took her hand and slapped him hard. Clara's expression changed in a heartbeat. She covered her mouth in shock "I'm so sorry" Clara said quickly. Spot, Jack and the other newsies glared at her. "Are you alright?" Clara asked touching his face. Spot pushed her hand away. Spot pulled his hand back to slap her, but then something unexpected happened Clara flinched, then fainted. Spot looked down at her still body. Jack ran towards her and started shaking her. "Clara wake up" Jack screamed. Spot kept staring a little shocked. Jack carried her into the Brooklyn Lodging house and placed her onto one of the beds. Spot and the other newsies followed. Spot could hear whispers going around saying he scared her to death. Spot turned around "She's not dead" he yelled. Silence filled the room, nobody moved or said anything. Spot turned to Jack "She's not dead right" Spot asked a little scared. "No, I don't think so, she probably fainted" Jack said looking at Clara's face. "Somebody go get David, he'll know" Jack yelled. A couple of the newsies ran towards the Manhattan Lodging House.
"David, David" they yelled. "What" David asked coming out of the lodging house. "Hurry come, the girl is dead" one of them huffed. "No she's fainted" another corrected him. "Who fainted" David asked curious. "Just come," they urged. David followed them to the Brooklyn lodging house. "Good Davey you came" Jack said relieved. David looked at the figure on the bed. "Clara, what happened" David asked shocked. "She just dropped" Jack said calmly. David checked her pulse. "Well she's alive and breathing" David informed them. Spot sighed with relief. Clara suddenly opened her eyes and saw Jack and David Staring at her. She got up a little shock. "Where am I" Clara asked looking around the room. "Your in Brooklyn" Jack informed her. Suddenly it all started coming back to Clara. "Oh" Clara said grinning. Then it hit her, the dinner. "Oh no, what time is it" Clara asked franticly. "6:45" one of the newsies yelled. Clara jumped out of bed and started towards the door, but stumbled. Jack came to her aid "Where do you think your going" Jack asked curious. "I got to get home" Clara said scared. "You can't, your still a little wobbly" Jack informed her, helping her to her feet. "You don't understand I have to get home," Clara repeated. Jack stared at her "What's your hurry" Jack asked curious. "I just do" Clara stated. "That's not a good reason," Jack informed her. Clara decided that he wasn't going to let her leave, so she decided to run for it. "Hey" Jack yelled after her. "Sorry" Clara yelled back. Clara fell then quickly picked herself up, she didn't care she had to get home. Jack started running after her, but was stopped by Spot. "Let her go" Spot said. Jack pushed Spot aside and continued to run after her.
"Ruth" Clara yelled from the door. Ruth looked at her and noticed she was wearing the dirty clothes again. "Where are your other clothes, wait, tell me later hurry get ready, you'll be late" Ruth shouted. "What about father" Clara asked. "He said he'll meet you their" Ruth informed her. Clara sighed and ran upstairs. She quickly took a shower. She though about Jack, he worried about her. "I wonder" Clara thought. Ruth had already laid out her dress and shoes. Clara quickly got dressed and looked her self in the mirror. It was a plain black spaghetti strap dress. She really hated wearing a nice dress for Matt. He didn't deserve her. Ruth came in and did Clara's hair and make up. "How do I look?" Clara asked turning around. "Like your mother" Ruth explained. Clara smiled. By the time she was ready and done it was 7:30. "Oh no Father will be mad" Clara moaned. Ruth opened the front door to a waiting cab. "Be good" Ruth warned. "I will" Clara smiled. Jack spotted her in a distance. He frowned, she was wearing a dress and seemed like she was going somewhere important. "I wonder where she's going," he thought to himself. He followed the cab to a very big home. He spotted her getting out the cab. She waited a second before ringing the doorbell. "I wonder," he thought. Jack decided that he needed to know what they where doing inside so he jumped the wall and looked through a window. Inside he could see Clara talking to a lady.
"Hello dear" Mrs. Griffin greeted. "I'm very sorry I'm late," Clara said. "Don't worry about it dear" Mrs. Higgins smiled. Clara's father gave her a stern look. Clara looked away; she hated it when he gave her that look. Clara sat down in an empty seat across from Matt, but next to her father. Matt grinned at her. Clara frowned. Her father nudged her in the arm. Clara looked over at her father. He gave another stern look "please try to be nice," he whispered. Clara forced a smile. She could tell that they had waited for her to come before they served dinner by Mr. Griffin's attitude. "Bring the dinner," he growled. Then turned to Clara's father "Arthur, next time please tell your daughter to be on time" he snapped. Clara blushed with embarrassment. "I'm sure she has a good reason" Her father exclaimed. "Right, Clara" her father asked. "Uh huh, I mean yes," Clara quickly corrected. "Mind telling us the reason" Matt asked grinning. Clara shot him an evil look. "I was at the Library doing some reading and I lost track of time," Clara said convincingly. "See darling she was doing some reading" Mrs. Griffin said defending Clara. Mr. Griffin mumbled to himself. "Oh really, well I was at the library and I didn't see you" Matt said. She knew he was seeking revenge for the other day. "You at the library" Clara laughed. "I came to visit you and Ruth told me that you where at the library, so I thought I'd take a visit" Matt smirked. "Well I was there" Clara said defending herself. "Matt, honey if she said she was their she was there" Mrs. Griffin grinned. They ate their dinner in silence. Matt kept staring at Clara. "You look lovely tonight" Matt said breaking the silence. "Thank you" Clara forced out. "Yes very lovely" he added staring at her. Clara frowned " You don't look to bad yourself" She smirked. "I know" Matt said sarcastically. "Can I be excused" Clara asked getting up. "No you may not" Clara's father yelled. Clara sat back down. "You will get up when you are told to" he added. Silence fell over the room; only the sound of dishes being cleared was heard.
Jack stared at Clara through the window; he had heard everything that was being said.
Desert was served. "I made this myself," Mrs. Griffin said proudly. "It looks delicious" Clara said warmly. "I agree mother," Matt said still staring at Clara. Clara took a bite of the cherry pie. Clara's face brightened it tasted delicious. "It's an old family recipe," Mrs. Griffins continued. "Maybe you can teach me sometime" Clara said. "Well of course, all Griffin women need to know the recipe" Mrs. Griffin grinned. Clara frowned at the remark; she had no intention of becoming a Griffin. Matt grinned. " Arthur would you like to have a cigar," Mr. Griffin asked. "Sure, Clara you maybe excused" He said getting up. Mrs. Griffin decided it was time for her to get ready for bed. "I'll be upstairs if you need me," she announced. Clara got up and walked to the living room. Matt followed her. Clara sat down and stared at him. He sat down and put his arms around her. Jack got angry with this. He realized that he was getting jealous. What did the lady mean when she said Griffin women. Jack was so confused.
Clara got up and opened the door to the backyard. He followed her. Jack hid so that they couldn't see him, but he could see them. "Stop following me" Clara yelled. "You weren't at the library" Matt smirked. "Yes I was" Clara said defending herself. "The library's close today" Matt laughed. Clara frowned; she knew he had caught her. "If you knew that, then why didn't you say anything at dinner" Clara asked. "I could have, but I thought I'd save you the embarrassment" Matt said slyly. "Really, when did you start that" Clara laughed. "Just tell me where you where" Matt asked leaning in. "That's none of your business" Clara snapped. "I think it is" Matt smirked leaning in closer. He pulled her close and kissed her. Clara fought to get him off, but he just held her tighter. She stomped his foot. He released her. Clara slapped him "Jerk" Clara yelled. "I know you liked that" Matt smiled going back inside.
Clara walked to the far end of the garden and began to cry. She suddenly heard a rustling sound. "Who's their" Clara asked scared. Jack appeared. "Jack" Clara asked, "What are you doing here". "I followed you" Jack said casually. Clara began to wipe away her tears "I got something in my eye" she laughed. "I saw what happened" Jack informed her. Clara stopped "oh". "Who's the guy?" Jack asked. "He's my future husband" Clara said starting to cry again. Jack walked over to her and sat next to her. "What do you mean?" Jack continued to ask. She told him about the arrangement with her father and Mr. Higgins. "That's terrible" Jack said angrily. Jack put his arm around her. Clara looked and saw that Jack really did care. Jack leaned in closer and kissed her. Clara didn't stop him instead she kissed back. They didn't see Matt standing their watching them. Getting angrier by the second. He walked away decide ding he wouldn't do anything right know, but confront her later. "Clara it's time to go home" her father called. Clara pulled back and smiled at Jack. "Thanks for listening" Clara said getting up. Jack smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow" Clara said walking away. "Bye" Jack called. He watched her go into the house. He lay on the bench looking up at the stars.
A/n: hope you liked. Please review.
