My Chosen Mate

Chapter 8: Just My Luck

(Clara’s P.O.V.)

I stare into space while cooking dinner. I still can’t believe that Aubrey lied to my face when I asked her where she went.

‘Oh I saw a cute purse in the window of a*****e when I went to throw the cups away. I just HAD to check it out.’ She said as she flipped her freshly dyed hair over her shoulder.

As far as I knew, Aubrey and I never kept secrets from each other. That’s what kept our friendship so strong. At least, I didn’t keep secrets from her. I told her everything from the boy that I had a crush on to my bra size. Why wouldn’t she just tell me that she was talking to the guy who knew about wolves? How did she know him? Was she secretly dating him?

Thinking all of those questions made my mind wander to the boy. His light brown hair, gorgeous chocolate eyes. That perfectly sculpted jaw line. How I could see under his shirt how toned he was and that he’d probably rip out of his shirt if he flexed just the right way…

My mind continued to wander until I heard,

“Jesus, Clara!”

I looked down to see the pan I was cooking chicken on being ripped from the stove. The smell of burnt chicken wafted into my nose as my mind snapped back to current events.

“Sorry. I guess I was kinda zoning out.” I said looking sheepishly at Clarise.

“Dammit that’s my money down the drain! What the hell is wrong with you??”

More like money that’s supposed to be used for me.

“I was lost in thought. But it should be fine! I’ll just cut off the burnt pieces and the twins will never know the difference!”

Clarise squinted her eyes at me. “You want to serve my girls ruined chicken because you couldn’t pay attention to what you were doing?? Hell no. You can go to your room without food. I’ll just order a pizza or something before you burn the f*****g house down.”

“Clarise. Please! I’ll pay attention I swear!”

“NO! I’m not wasting more money on groceries. I’d rather just get something I know they’ll eat. NOW GO!”

I roll my eyes and grab my backpack and jacket before I head towards the front door.

“I’ll be spending the night at Aubrey’s.” I yell before slamming the front door.

I knew it was a bad move to do on my part, but I just couldn’t help it. I wanted out. I wanted to be 18. To be able to make my own choices and not have to deal with crappy foster parents. Only two more months.

I go to text Aubrey to give her a heads up that I’m coming, and I see that my phone was at one percent.

“s**t. Just my luck.” I whisper to myself.

I try to unlock my phone and type my text as quick as possible, but right before I’m able to click send, my screen turns black. Oh well. I’ve shown up unannounced before and Aubrey’s dad has never cared. I think he feels bad about my situation and doesn’t mind sharing his home.

It also helps that he’s a social worker himself. He’s heard the rumors about Clarise and doesn’t exactly like her. He’s asked me many times about Clarise and the way she treats me, but most of the time I lie or omit parts of the truth. As much as I hate it there, I love the twins and it’s the best foster home I’ve been in. I’d rather just suck it up with the few shitty things she does than be moved into another home that could be potentially 10 times worse.

I walk up the front steps of Aubrey’s house and open the front door to the entry way. I never knock when I come into this house. The first few times I did, Aubrey’s mom, Amanda, pulled me inside with a hug and told me not to do that. The way she saw it, this house was my home too.

I loved the smell of this house. Even if no one was cooking, it always smelled of fresh baked goods and cleaning supplies. I took a deep breath to relax my nerves as I bent down to take my shoes off.

“Hey Aubrey! It’s me! Is it cool if I spend the night? Clarise is driving me crazy today!” I stand back up and open the door that leads to the living room.

“Must be that new diet she’s on because she’s been a real bit-” I stop mid-sentence as I see Aubrey, Amanda, and Jack, her dad, all staring at me with wide eyes like I just interrupted a conversation.

I raise an eyebrow. “Did I interrupt something?”

“No of course not!” Aubrey said as she jumped up and rushed over to me. “We were just talking about… ummm…”

“I was trying to get them to help me with ideas for dinners this week so that I can go shopping tomorrow.” Amanda stood up calmly and walked over to me. She engulfed me in a mom hug and I gladly accepted it and breathed in her scent. She smelled like fresh bread and Dawn dish soap.

“I.. uhh.. I didn’t realize that you were coming over.” Aubrey looked nervous as hell.

“Yeah well.” I held up my phone. “Dead battery. Can I borrow your charger?”

Aubrey just nodded her head and looked back at her dad before quickly whipping her head back to me and giving me a forced smile.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine! C’mon! Let’s go to my room!” Aubrey grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the stairs.

I swear I heard her mom chuckle and whisper, “you need to teach that girl to work on her poker face.” before I was fully out of earshot.