Painful Smiles

Guilt flushed in on Michael and Wright just gave a side smile.

“Young miss, don’t you understand what a project means. It is your grades” the body guard roared.

“Let your boyfriend fight for his grades” he added. Michael placed his hands on his body guard’s chest to stop him from talking.

“Help her with her bag, we’ll meet in school tomorrow by five a. m. for the project” he turned and began leaving, his body guard behind him.

A smirk sprang up Claudia’s lips and she patted Wright on his shoulders. “I brought my bag to school and I can take it back, go home and rest so you’ll make it by five”. Wright smiled to show he understood.

“Where’s Clara anyway?” he asked before Claudia left.

“Two days grounding. Was caught sneaking out at night. Mom called the school and said she’s sick. They aren’t lying. She’s sick in the head” she winked.

Wright chuckled and waved a goodbye to her.

Tomorrow was going to be as peaceful as that day was. Claudia could feel it. No one asked her about Clara.

Like they forgot she was related to her. And like Clara was just a thorn everyone only noticed when she was around.

Claudia somewhat felt bad for her twin. Even her circle of friends didn’t care about her missing school.

Clara was banned from phones and couldn’t reach out so there was no way they knew why she was absent.

Just then, Claudia saw Mega walking towards her with some school notes.

“For Clara. She shouldn’t miss school to go to spas. I won’t be doing this again” she pushed the books to Claudia’s chest and stormed off.

Spas? Claudia scoffed. And she had thought the whole school forgot Clara. Of course the imp would have made an excuse.

She must not have known mom reported in sick for her. Now, it would look like a lie.

Could it be that infernal sister of hers had somehow gotten to a phone and lied that she went to the spa?

“So she could be such a shameless liar?”.

Claudia began wondering her next new lie when she doesn’t come to school the next day too. Maybe she had to stay at home cos of a skin reaction from her day at the spa. It sounded like a good one.

“And how did she get a phone?”. The little thief.

“Paul, I’m home!” Claudia announced as she got towards the door. She waited for some seconds before Paul came running out of the door to hug her. It felt rewarding.

“And how’s the hand?” her father, mixing cereal for Paul, asked. Claudia smiled, it was still new for her father to ask about her health but she was getting used to it.

“Fine. Thanks. You’re back early?”.

He shrugged, “Yeah”.

Her mother came in with a frown later.

“Your sister spent the whole day doodling and sleeping. Spared no time to read or even take a bath” it sounded like she was reporting to Claudia.

Claudia just stayed quiet. “I wonder if all her friends at school knew how dirty and irresponsible she was” their father chipped in.

Claudia remembered Mega’s notes for her twin and ran upstairs to Clara’s room to give them to her.

“I don’t think mum and dad knew about you phoning Mega” she tossed the books on her face when she opened the door.

“And I suppose you’ll tell?” Clara’s voice sounded bored.

Claudia walked into the room, “I would but then you’ll spend the rest of the day being yelled at. My eyes won’t bear it”.

Clara rolled her eyes and slammed the door shut.

“So, I wanted to say, I don’t know what you and the new guy Michael talked about but… there’s been rumor of him being a target of an assassination plan. You acting like his girlfriend won’t help you as you could get targeted at too” Claudia stated as a matter of fact.

“And you? Where did you hear that gibberish from? Why should I even listen to you!” Clara retorted.

Claudia looked so irritated, both by her sister’s stupidity and her raising her voice to question her.

“Well, then don’t. Don’t listen. I’m only saying it because we are blood related and so mom and dad won’t say I don’t talk to you. Play with him. Break Mark’s heart. Mess yourself up. If you want to also, stand in the way of my revenge against him. Have fun” she stormed out of her twin’s room.

Clara held herself from running after her sister. How dare she come into her room and spit lies about someone?

It was okay for her to hate him but to be this petty by spreading rumors of a possible assassination was too much. Too much to be her sister’s doing. She was anything but petty.

Her small phone rung again and she quickly locked up her door to answer it. If her parents, or her rival sister, find her only lead to the outside world, it will be bad for her.

“OMG, Michael? You called?” she was really surprised.

Michael stayed quiet at the other end of the phone. “Hello, Michael?” Clara asked again excitedly. He wanted to be sure she sounded okay.

“Why weren’t you in school today?” his voice was low.

Clara blushed, “Where you worried? I thought news got around. I went to the spa”. She waited for a response but none was forth coming. “Michael? Are you there?”.

A sound of a glass object being smashed to pieces jolted her. “Sorry, I’m at the kitchen, trying my luck” Michael finally replied.

She smiled, “A man that can cook. Sweet”.

“Fine. Is that really why you missed school though, for spa? I wondered whether you got injured by somebody or maybe your hand got worse?” his voice was lower.

“I’m okay. Just had to rush there. And who would hurt me, Claudia knows her limit. She’s just an insecure girl who bullies other people to pass away her pains, that’s all” she smirked.

The other line was quiet again. “Thanks for calling though” Clara added.

“Hmm. About Claudia? Do you know how she lost blood once. Her friend once said about her losing blood, something happened and I just wanted to know. Was she involved in an accident?” another smashing sound was heard from Michael’s side.

Clara ran her tongue around her mouth while thinking of her next response. Surely she wasn’t going to tell him the truth and make him feel like Claudia was a hero.

It would also sell out the fact that they were twins. And she was a devil since she forced the donation on Claudia and cut her wrist.

It had to end in two ways. Either she changed the topic. Or give a convincing lie.

Claudia wouldn’t just look good after it.