Devotion to Danger

Catching Up

{Clara’s POV}

We got home after visiting dad and picked up some steaks, chicken breasts, and veggies on the way home. We also grabbed a bag of potatoes, and Adrien grabbed a keg of beer, as well as some whiskeys, and wines. He said we were going to grill out, and he even grabbed a bag of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Making s’mores was one of my favorite things as a kid, I was honestly surprised that he remembered.

He said he was inviting some people we were friends with as kids that he remained close to. Devon Briggs and his sister Rachel, the black haired siblings with brown eyes and tanned skin. Leander and Scarlett Walton, the twins, they both have the most beautiful red hair, and blue eyes. Braxton Mayes, was a very old friend since we were all in diapers, he has brown hair, and brown eyes. Last but not least is Bridget Franks, she was my best friend as a child, her beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair, her kindness was unparalleled, though it’s been so long since I’ve seen any of them.

I felt awkward as I got ready, I pulled on a white lace dress, and a pair of white flats, letting my hair down from its usual ponytail and allowing it to flow down to my butt in its natural waves. I did a light makeup look, and put on some clear gloss. I smiled at myself in the mirror, but I couldn’t help but feel awkward. I sighed, gripping the vanity in my room hard until my knuckles were white. A soft knock on my door brought me from my thoughts. I turned seeing Adrien stepping through the door with Dimitri beside him.

“Hey, you ready yet?” He asked before stopping in the doorway and looking over me. “Wow.. Clara, you look beautiful!”

“I didn’t realize you were that pretty, who knew taking down your hair and putting on a little makeup could do so much!” Dimitri chuckled.

I walked over smiling up to both of them. “Thank you guys!” I chuckled. “I don’t think I’m feeling a party though.. are you sure I have to go out there? What if they all think I’m weird now because of the accent.. or they think I’m a snob..” I said, looking down and gripping my upper left arm with my right hand.

“She’s so cute!” Dimitri said, walking over and putting his arm around me. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as adorable as you Clara! If they give you any problems you call on me, and I’ll help you out!” He said, leading me out into the living room. “But if you stay in your room all night, they will think you’re stuck up!” He shrugged before letting me go. “Come on, all of your old friends are outside, they’re ready to see you and have a birthday party for you, since the last one got canceled!” He finished.

“Is he coming?” I asked, before really thinking about it.

Dimitri sighed before shrugging his shoulders. “I invited him, but he said he’s busy, Daniella is coming later, so maybe she’ll talk him into coming.”

I walked over to him, interlocking my arm with his. “You know, I’m glad my brother has someone like you, but I’m more glad I do, it’s like having two big brothers!” I smiled.

He chuckled before looking over at Adrien and smirking. “Alright, but I’m the better brother, right?”

I giggled looking over to Adrien. “No one could replace my Ducky, not even you Dimitri!”

Adrien smiled before walking to the back door. “Alright Bean, don’t be worried.. we’re right here, if you get overwhelmed or anxious, come to us, we’ll take care of you!”

With that we walked out onto the back porch. It was massive with a couch on one side, a fire pit build down into the porch on the other, and a large table with eight chairs near the fire pit.

Everyone was standing around with drinks in their hands as we walked out, all of their eyes turning to us.

Before I knew it long arms wrapped around my neck as the blonde hair pulled up into a pretty bun caught my attention. “I missed you so much!” Bridget cried out as she hugged me tightly.

I hugged her back. “I missed you too!”

She pulled back, her hands on both of my shoulders as she looked over me. “Look at you, you’ve grown up to be so pretty!” She smiled down at me.

She was taller than me but not by too much, whereas I’m 5’2, she’s about 5’6. “Look at you! You look the same, but so different at the same time! It’s like, I knew it was you, but it doesn’t look like you at the same time!” I chuckled.

“Clara..” I heard a deep voice as a man with brown hair that was slicked back, beautiful brown eyes, and tanned skin walked up beside me. He had a thick stubble across his face, the shadow of a beard. He smiled down at me, before taking my hand in his. “It’s been so long, it’s so good to see you again!” He said, his eyes holding mine.

I knew who he was immediately. “Braxton..” I smiled. “It’s great to see you too!”

“My turn!” A woman’s voice caught my attention as she pushed Braxton out of the way and pulled me into a hug. Her long black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and her brown eyes were accentuated by a dark Smokey eye look. “I missed you Clara!” She said, pulling me into a tight hug.

“I missed you too Racheal!” I laughed, hugging her back.

“What am I, chopped liver?” Devon said from behind her. She set me down and he immediately picked me up in his arms twirling me around like he used to when we were kids. His black hair was slicked back messily as if he didn’t really care if it stayed back. He had a well groomed beard on his chin, and his eyes were a deep, chocolate brown color. He set me back on my feet and smiled down at me. “I missed ya Bean!” He chuckled, he was one of the only ones in the group that ever called me that, and it was nice to hear him say it again.

Behind me the twins both pulled me into a hug. “I missed you too!” Scarlett said.

“Not as much as I did!” Leander chuckled, before they both let me go.

“It’s so nice to have the group back together! Things just haven’t been the same without you Bean!” Adrien added, as we all sat and began catching up.