My Chosen Mate

Chapter 10: Breakfast of Champions

(Clara’s P.O.V.)

Aubrey and I stay up late talking. I can tell that something’s wrong with her, but I can’t figure out what. She’s jumpy and clearly is trying hard not to tell me something.

Does this have to do with the guy at the mall? Does she realize that I saw them together?

After an hour of her checking her phone every ten minutes, I finally cave.

“Okay. What’s up?”

“Huh?” She asks as she shoots her head up from her phone.

I give her an incredulous look. “You haven’t been yourself all night. And you keep checking your phone. Who are you waiting for to text you?”

Aubrey’s eyes dart to her door before coming back to me. “No one. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I sigh. “Look Bre. I’m gonna be honest. I saw you talking to that kid from the mall. Do you like him? Are you secretly dating him?”

My heart clenches at the thought. But is it from the thought of her dating someone without telling me or him being with anyone but me? I don’t know.

“What?!” Aubrey practically yells at me. “No. God no. I didn’t know him. You should just forget about him. I already have.”

I raise my eyebrow at her. That was a pretty extreme reaction for a guy she’s ‘already forgotten about’.

She takes a deep breath before looking down at her lap. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell like that. My dad and I just had a long talk today and I’m a bit worn out. Can we just go to bed?”

“Yeah.” I say as I give her a small smile.

Her dad, as awesome as he is, can be a bit extreme at times. He’s constantly giving her speeches without actually listening to anything she has to say.

“How about we go to Murphy’s tomorrow? My treat. I swiped a twenty out of Clarise’s purse before I left.”

Aubrey leans over and turns off her lamp before laying on her side to face me. “Sounds perfect.”

We lay in comfortable silence for a while. I think Aubrey fell asleep until she speaks again.

“Clara?”

“Yeah?”

“You know you’re my best friend and I’d do anything for you, right?” Aubrey sounds nervous as she asks this.

“Yes, Bre.” I grab her hand and squeeze it. “Of course. I’d do anything for you too.”

With that sentiment, I close my eyes and let sleep take me.

* * * *

The next morning, I walk down the stairs with my eyes half-closed. Luckily, I didn’t have any nightmares last night, but I still feel like I didn’t get any sleep. I almost feel like I’m starting to come down with a cold or something.

I let the smell of pancakes pull me into the kitchen. Amanda is already setting a plate down on the island for me by the time I hop up on a barstool. Yum. Breakfast of champions.

“Thanks, Amanda. This is great.” I mumble around a mouthful of food.

She sets down a glass of orange juice in front of me. “Of course, honey. You know how much I like to cook.”

I give her a sleepy smile before glaring at the juice in front of me with disdain.

Aubrey rolls her eyes at me. “Mom. Don’t be mean. You know Clara can’t function without coffee.”

“You know how I feel about people your age drinking coffee. It’s not good for you.” Amanda says as she sips from her own mug.

Aubrey points at her accusingly with her fork. “What about you? You’re drinking it.”

She simply shrugs. “It’s too late for me.”

“Oh please.” I scoff. “You could pass for 25 and we all know it.”

Aubrey snorts at me. She knows what I’m doing.

Amanda rests her palms on the counter before narrowing her eyes at me. “Sweet talker.”

I flash her a grin before fluttering my eyelashes at her. “Does that mean you’ll give me what I want?”

She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Fine. But only one cup. You don’t need any more than that.”

I quickly fist pump the air while sticking my tongue out at Aubrey. She’s never been able to convince her mom to let her have coffee the way I have. That’s why I promised her the trip to Murphy’s last night.

“So.” Amanda starts as she pushes the mug towards me. “Anything new going on? Do anything fun? Meet anyone interesting?”

My mind immediately jumps to the guy from the mall. I really wish I would’ve gotten his name so I didn’t constantly refer to him as ‘guy from the mall’ in my head anymore.

I couldn’t deny the strong pull I felt towards him. I was hoping I would see him at school or something. Maybe he’s a new student and he’s starting late into the semester?

“Mom.” Aubrey complains, breaking me out of my inner thoughts.

“What? I can’t ask questions?” Amanda asks as she holds her hands up in mock surrender.

“Not if they’re going to be those ones. C’mon, Clara.” Aubrey stands up and puts her dishes in the dishwasher. “Let’s go see what trouble we can get into today.”

I chuckle as I follow her lead and take care of my dishes. “Thanks for breakfast, Amanda!” I yell over my shoulder as Aubrey pulls me up to her room to get dressed.

I guess she needs coffee as much as I do.