" W..what? " Clara's eyes widened and she shook her head frantically " No no no, you can't go with me, Carl. Argh! my parents are going to kill me."
If she goes with him now, then they'll know that she spent the night at his place. She hurriedly unbuckled the seatbelt and was about to open the car's door when he suddenly grabs her hand. " Carl,?" she sighed helplessly.
" Okay, I'll wait for you. " he chuckled and finally released her and she smiled gratefully at him.
" No, you should go to the clinic, I'll meet you there, " she replied and hurried out of the car after giving him a quick peck.
A few minutes later, she looked up at the sky which was slowly turning bright, and sighed in relief. Maybe they're not up yet. She could just lie that she came back late last night and get her sister to cover for her. ' hehehe'.
She skipped happily toward their house direction but then__ her eyes instantly widened and she paused in her tracks after nearing the house.
" There, she is." A woman shouted and the small crowd gathered in front of her house rushed toward her.
" Clara, who is that guy that played the prince last night?"
" He's so handsome..."
" Did he come from the city?"
" Clara, is he your boyfriend?"
" Yes, and did he really kiss you on stage?"
' Oh my God.' Clara's heart thumped rapidly as the neighbors attacked her with so many questions. Did they wake up very early because of her? ' Argh! that Carl, why does he have to appear in front of the whole town.' She glanced through the crowd and her eyes landed on her parents who were standing in front of the house with folded hands. She was totally done for.
" Mum, Dad." She hurried toward them and looked down while contemplating what to say next.
Her mother sighed helplessly and glanced toward her father. They were also at the play and had seen what happened last night.
" Come here," her father glared at the girl who was trying to hide behind her mother and instantly grab her hand then pulled her into the house.
"Clara, don't you think you have an explanation to do!?" her mother raised an eyebrow as they stood in the living room.
Her father nodded while his eyes were still fixed on her. " And where did you sleep last night?" he added.
' Argh!' Clara groaned inside and bit her lips while fidgeting rapidly with the hem of her blouse." M..Mum, Dad. I.. I "
" You what!? and where is your sister?" Her mother cut her off and wondered why they didn't return together.
'Huh? Lily?' Clara frowned and darted her eyes toward their room's door. Her sister did not also sleep at home? Where could she have gone?. She looked down and bit her lips, not daring to meet her parent's fierce gazes.
" Clara? won't you answer us?" Her father said agitatedly and grabbed her hand.
' Urgh, what do I do?' She wailed inside and slowly looked up. If she told them about Carl now, then they would instantly know that she slept at the hotel. She sighed helplessly and quickly came up with a lie. " Mum, Dad, we slept at M..Maya's house. She was__"
She did not get to finish her sentence when the door suddenly opened and Lily walked inside.
" Lily, what took you so long? Here's your bag." She handed the bag to her sister who instantly nodded with a smile and she sighed in relief.
" Mum, Dad, " Lily greeted softly and held Clara's hand then they went inside their room, leaving the baffled couple behind.
" Richard, don't you think these girls are acting weird? And Clara, what if she . ." The woman turned to her husband with a frown and he shook his head to stop her from completing her sentence.
" Don't worry Anna, she'll be fine, " he replied and then sighed heavily as their eyes lingered on the door that had just closed behind the girls.
_____
" Lily, where did you sleep last night?" Clara asked while locking the door to make sure their parent won't suddenly barge in.
" I was with Jack, he got drunk last night " Lily replied calmly and put down her glasses.
" What!?" Clara's eyes widened and she instantly covered her mouth then her eyes darted to the door.
" Don't worry Big Sis, nothing happened." Lily chuckled and watched as her sister sighed in relief.
" Lily, thank you." Clara suddenly hugged her with teary eyes and the girl smiled.
" It's alright Big Sis, anything for you." Lily hugged her back and sighed inside and after breaking out of the hug walked inside the bathroom.
Clara sighed happily and hurriedly changed her clothes as she had bathed in the hotel and wondered if Maya had already woke up.
" Lily, Maya suddenly fainted last night. we need to go see her at the clinic. have you eaten?" She said anxiously after her sister came out of the bathroom.
Lily's eyes lighten up a bit and she calmly shook her head with a chuckle then also put on her clothes and they both left the room.
" Girls, where are you off to__"
" Come back here..."
Their parents sighed helplessly as both girls suddenly came out and grabbed loaves of bread before dashing out of the house.
" Richard?"
" Don't worry...."
" Hmmm."
********
__ At The Clinic __
Clara held Lily's hand as they both walked inside the clinic, after passing by the waiting area where blue metallic benches were lined up, and walked past very few people that were mostly nurses in their blue uniforms.
They hurried through the hallway and passed by many doors while Lily calmly glanced at her sister who had on a worried expression.
" Don't worry Big Sis, she'll be fine, " the girl said in her usual soft voice and Clara sighed.
She was about to reply to her sister when they instantly spotted Carl in front of the door which leads to the room Maya was admitted.