"Greetings to a stranger"

•|23|•

H i

Clarissa's P.O.V

"What the hell", My voice sounded hoarse as I squinted my eyes to adjust to my surroundings.
"You're awake, finally", I whipped my head to see Zack standing there with a bottle of water, concern shown in his eyes.
"Are you okay", He asked gently, holding out the water for me to take. I gratefully took it and downed half of it, giving him a weak smile I kissed his cheek and assured him that I was.
"Good, I was so worried! You've been out for a few hours", a sigh of relief escaped his lips.
"Thank you Zack, I'm okay, I love you", I grinned, pinching his cheek. A scowl formed on his lips but soon cracked into a playful grin "Every girl loves me, they can't help but fall in love with me", he smirked arrogantly.
I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him,"I'm so tired", I yawned my eyelids closing.
"Goodnight sis", Zack placed a tender kiss on my forehead but before I could reply tiredness took over my body.

~•~

"Wake up honey!"
"You're going to be late for school!"
"Clarissa Melondy Hensworth!"
"Get out of bed this instant!"
I stirred in my sleep hoping that this person would stop talking.

Silence.

Finally! Thank Goodness, Let——

Splash

"Aaaaaahhhhhhh", I shrieked loudly, rolling off the bed, soaked in cold water. I looked up to see my mother smirking at me.
"Mommmmmmmm!!!!!!!", I screamed at the top of my lungs, regretting it after realizing the pounding headache that I have. Shooting daggers at her I untangled myself from the now wet sheet and went into the bathroom.
After taking a quick shower, I turned my closet upside down just to find something other than a sweat shirt to wear. A black ripped jeans came in my view with a black cropped top that had the writing "Princess" on it. I quickly changed into them and went to do my makeup.
I applied some mascara to enhance my lashes, Perfected my winged eyeliner and was about to apply some lip balm but something stopped me. My hand came in contact with a matte red lipstick, shrugging my shoulder, I thought why not.
"You're going to be late honey!", I heard mom shouting at me.
"I'm coming", I shouted, hurriedly putting on my black vans and checked myself out in the mirror.
"Damn, this jeans do hugs my butt perfectly", I smirked at myself, bouncing on my feet going downstairs.
"Wow are you okay?", Zack gaped at me.
"Yes I am", I replied but deep down I knew that I was not. I knew that I was just pretending. I knew that this was just a facade. The makeup, clothing, my smile, everything. Despite all these thoughts resurfacing, I pushed them back down and plastered another smile on my face.
"Let's go", I said, not particularly having an appetite.
"But I made breakfast", my mom pouted.
"I know, I'm so sorry mom, but I really just can't eat right now", I frowned apologetically.
"Fine!, at least eat an apple", she bargained.
With an exasperated sigh I took up the apple and waved at her goodbye.
I hopped onto Zack's motorcycle and he sped off.

~•~

"Thanks for the ride Zack, ready for your first day at hell hole?", I asked walking alongside him, already hearing people whisper.

"Hey isn't that the guy from yesterday?Wow so he's actually coming to this school now"

"Why is she with him?"

"I heard that he's Alec brother and they are both fighting over her"

"No way! For this trash?"

"She looks hot though, I'd totally bang that"

"Pig"

I rolled my eyes at the ridiculous comments that they made.

"I agree, this is hell hole", Zack curled up his lips in disgust, I let out a hearty laugh at that, then I felt a pair of eyes on me. Ever have this feeling where you just know that someone is looking at you without even looking to see if it's true?
And as if Zack read my mind, he said in a hushed voice," That jerk has been staring at you ever since we arrived, don't look"
I kept my head steady but my heart beat increasing, I just knew that it was him and it took everything in me not to fall apart then and there.
"Hello! Who is he to you?", A chirpy voice caught my attention. I looked at the girl in front of me looking at Zack, her cheeks turning into a reddish color, a timid smile formed on her lips.
"He's my b———"
"I'm her boyfriend"
I whipped my head around so fast that I thought that it was going to fall off. I looked at him with wide eyes, I gaped at him, my jaw hitting the floor.
"O—-Oh okay, I'm sorry", the girl stuttered, clearing embarrassed, she hurriedly walked away.
Before I could utter a word, Zack spun me around and I saw Alec standing at arms length, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes as I caught him eavesdropping but then his eyes turned ice cold. He just walked away, pulling Gretchen into his side, inside of me tore at the sight but I held it together.

~~~

"Mom, I'm go to the Ice Cream Parlor okay!", I shouted, already heading out.
"Okay! Be safe!", Her voice getting distant as I started walking off in the direction of the Parlor.
After walking for about five minutes, The Parlor came into view. Pushing the door, I made my way inside to order tons of ice cream.
"Hello, Welcome to Gracie's Ice Cream Parlor, what can I get you?", a lady probably in her mid forties asked with a kind smile.
"A sample of everything please", I smiled sheepishly which earned me a chuckle.
"You know, a guy came in earlier and ordered a sample of everything too, look at him over there, looks like he needs help", she laughed a hearty laugh, pointing in the direction of a booth in the corner. I looked closely and then my heart beat quickened.
"Cancel the order please", I waved off absent minded, already making my way to the booth.

What are you doing Clarissa?

But before I could stop myself, the boy gazed up at me.

"Hi"