Painful Smiles

Chapter Six - At least, they met.

Mrs. Beatrice and Mark looked confused. Who was this child yelling at exactly!

“What’s yours dear?” Mrs. Beatrice asked.

Michael glared at her before returning his glare back at her son. He pointed to the doll trying not to say more words. He would blabber if he spoke.

He noticed her calm reaction and cursed himself for being so loud. “Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s just a misunderstanding. The doll looked like…” Mrs. Peniel trailed. She looked at the doll carefully, it really looked exactly to the one she had bought. Size, color and style.

The salesgirl had told her it was very expensive and made from fine material, that only three of it’s kind were made. None had the same color. “Well, the doll looked like one he had” she finally said.

“And it was a gift I have a friend who I haven’t yet met” Michael added. “ Mine was a gift from a friend too” Mark smiled. He smiled back.

“That explains it. The toy had been “regifted” Mrs. Peniel said.

Mrs. Beatrice nodded as she stretched for her phone that buzzed. It was from Mr. Larabee.

“Okay, thank you” and she hung up.

“Boys, Clara would be coming with her dad to make with you a get well card” she announced.

“Cool” Mark exclaimed. And for the first time he stood up. “They’re the ones who gave me the toy” he told to Michael.

Clara. Michael made sure to remember her name.

“Okay, we'll be going" Mrs. Peniel pulled Michael out of the ward.

"Can't we just wait till I say "hello" to her?" he pleaded with his eyes.

"No, I've had enough. Let's go home to prepare. You're traveling tomorrow" she said with finality.

He looked down, feeling rejected. She went ahead of him going to call their driver. He was still looking down when he bumped into someone. "Hey, watching!" the person yelled. It was a girl.

"Easy Clara" a man had said and had held the girl's hands. Michael glanced at the girl as she rubbed her head.

"I'm… sorry..." Michael gasped as he realized that she was the girl in the picture. He normally wouldn't have apologized but he had to this time.

She made a short "hmm" and went into the hospital.

He followed her. What a bad first impression he just made. She had work a pink gown, short sleeved over some cute black shoes. Her head was tied to two pigtails.

She quickly cornered to the room of the boy he had accused of stealing his toy.

"Hey Mark, guess who's here?" she cheered. Mark smiled, "Yeah, Queen Clara. Descendant of Barbie" her rolled his eyes.

"Hi, Clarina. Hello, Mr. Larabee. I didn't know you both were so close already. Thanks for coming" Mrs. Beatrice thanked.

“Its okay. I hereby instill in you quick recovery and good health” Clara declared as she went in to Mark for a hug. Their parents laughed at them. Mark face went a bit red but then he subdued it.

Michael face went red too. But not for shyness. Was he jealous? He just wished he could push Mark away from Clara.

“Okay, pose for a picture. We have to make a card” she released from the hug and brought out her camera, she realized her dad was with it. As she turned to get it from her dad her eyes met with Michael’s.

She hadn’t met him so didn’t know who he was. She just saw a cute boy staring at her. As her normal attitude, she waved in the “Barbie style”. Michael cheeks flashed red – and this time for shyness.

He eventually waved back. At least, they met. And waved. He felt accomplished. “How should I pose?” Mark said calling her attention. She dragged her eyes from Michael and faced Mark.

“Pose like a sick kid” she stuck her tongue at him. He hit her lightly and she giggled. Michael felt a finger of jealousy. How close was she and that boy anyway.

“What are you doing here?” Mrs. Peniel whispered to Michael, her face was forming to a frown. He immediately dashed outside. He knew his nanny would begin shouting.

And It would be mad embarrassing if Clara hears his nanny shouting on him. “I asked what you were doing? Why did you go back to the boys room?” she narrowed her eyes.

“Nothing!” he shouted and slammed his car door. Now he would be heading for France. Where he barely knew anyone.

He’d have to strike a deal with his dad, he had to come back and meet Clara again. He just had to.

He didn’t show it much but the girl made a huge impact in his life. He knew taking blood from her at her young age was risky.

He hoped to repay it in the future. Nurse Audrey had said that her family didn’t bother take her actions to court because they couldn’t afford all the stuffs it came with.

He knew it was hurtful not to be able to defend your family. He would help her get over everything. Be her rich and possessive friend if she want. He promised.

“Your dad said that since it holidays you could make friends with some kids before school’s resumption. He also added that you can pick any school you’d want to have your junior year in” Mrs. Peniel grinned at him. Like it was good news. He wanted to stay there at US, how about that!

The driver picked up speed after dropping his phone. “Your father is waiting for you at the jet!”.

“Which jet?” Mrs. Peniel and Michael asked sin Unison.

“Oh, well, he bought a private jet recently. He actually wanted to buy it as your mom’s gift but he bought it in your name so…” the driver bit his lips. That was to be a secret. His father had wanted to surprise his son with a private jet in his name.

Mrs. Peniel smiled with her eyes. The things money can do.

Michael frowned, why waste money!