Aryanna bustled into the room in great hurry. To help out in picking the movie they should watch to pass the time.
She set the snacks in her hand on the table with the rest and rested on the sofa next to Jalana. Aryanna tried to appear unbothered by Clara's presence as she sunk into the seat.
"What about this one?" Jalana asked Clara's opinion on the movie that popped up on the screen.
"We've watched that seven times," Clara cried out, her eyes pleaded with Jalana to be spared the torture of watching it again.
Aryanna watched the clock, her heart in her throat. All her life she's had to work hard for everything she had; her job, her house, her friend, nothing ever came easy for her.
It was a miracle when She Sebastian walked into her life, wishing to love her without asking for anything in return. A selfless love that came with a loving family and opened doors for her to make genuine friends.
Unfortunately, the feelings didn't last long. Despite knowing that Clara was married and was related to the Leerstrom's by blood, Aryanna felt Clara could displace her from her position. Take the sweet happiness that grazed her life and send her back to her life in the slums.
Aryanna scanned Clara from head to toe. Clara's wavy brown hair bounced around as she shared a laugh with Jalana, over a joke Aryanna didn't hear since she was lost in her thoughts. Clara's beautiful round grey eyes perused the numerous movies presented on their screen with interest.
Her smile, so inviting and irresistible. Clara donned a white flair knee-high dress with soft white flat shoes. Her look was simple but brought her simplicity in a classy elegant manner. She looked like money and not ab inch out of place in the mansion.
Aryanna dropped her gaze to her own body. The long blue shirt she paired with a black sweatpant held no comparison to Clara's outfit. She was the lady of the house but her guests beauty outshined her.
She leaned back into the sofa and wished the earth would open, swallow her whole and spare her from living through the rest of the day.
"Aryanna!" Jalana shook her to get her attention.
"Ye...Yes," she recovered her senses.
"I asked you if you're okay with this movie. Are you alright?" Jalana asked.
"I'm good. We can watch whatever you want," she hastily answered.
"Okay."
Aryanna picked a bowl of popcorn and munched on them as the movie started. Clara and Jalana picked up a bowl of hot steamed buns and milkshakes.
All of them settled in their seats to watch the movie. Clara felt restless, she could feel the silent tension rising between her and Aryanna and wasn't able to pinpoint the reason behind it. She tried to watch the movie but it puzzled her repeatedly pounding at her mind.
She stole glances of Aryanna from across the room. Wondering what she could've done to annoy her new friend and cousin-in-law.
As the movie progressed she and Jalana made commentary remarks on the characters and the plots. They had similar opinions and reactions to every scene that played out. The order in which they ate the snacks matched, almost as though they communicated telepathically about it.
Aryanna's bitter feelings of insecurity grew by the minutes that passed. The air around her felt hot, she barely knew a thing about the movie they were watching as her mind was occupied with Clara and Jalana's interaction.
"I can't believe this!" Jalana and Clara exclaimed in frustration.
Aryanna sat up and stared at the screen, a kissing scene was playing out. "How sweet," she commented.
"Have you been watching the movie at all, Aryanna. It's not sweet of her to kiss him, it's awful," Jalana slammed the bowl of crisps harshly onto the table and stormed out of the room.
Clara paused the movie and gave her attention to Aryanna. "Is everything alright, Arya?"
"Look I'm sorry if I think the kissing scene is sweet," Aryanna said, her tone harsher than ever.
"If you were paying attention to the movie you'd know that she isn't the lead and that only kissed the boy to steal him from the one he loves," Clara explained the movie to her. "Have I offended you in any way. I can't help but feel that you're angry with me," Clara expressed, her voice barely audible.
"I'm sorry about all of this," she apologized. Aryanna walked away without another word. She did not wish to be considered jealous and het common sense told her that she'd said more than enough.
She was too ashamed of her feelings to confide in Clara about them. The most dignified course of action was to accept her defeat in bonding with Jalana and retiring to her room.
Clara thought of pursuing Aryanna and urging the truth out of her but brushed off the idea. She helped clean up the table and took the dirty bowls and empty cups to the kitchen.
She returned to the living room to find Jalana on her phone by the sofa. Clara ambled forward and picked up her bag.
"I'll be on my way, little one," she made known.
"What?!" Jalana set down her phone. "You're leaving? But why?"
"I have something else to attend to."
"We're not even halfway through the movie," Jalana lashed out. "And you told me this morning that you were free today. So, why are you really leaving?"
"I don't want to inconvenience, Arya. I don't know what I've done to offend her but this is her home and I don't wish to make her uncomfortable," Clara said, she let out a deep sigh. "Perhaps she'll be more inclined to finish the movie with you if I'm not here."
"But I want you to stay. Having you here has helped me feel better, I haven't thought of Elisa or her pointing a gun to my head since you arrived. You must stay," Jalana cried out helplessly. Her mind replaying the scary moment when Elisa held her at gun point.
Jalana took deep breath, her body trembling with crippling fear running down her spine.
"Sebastian and aunt won't be happy if my visit displaces Aryanna. Say goodbye to her for me," Clara kissed Jalana's forehead and raced out before Jalana convinced her otherwise.
Jalana raised her eyes to the ceiling and blinked away the tears gathering at the bottom of her eyes.
She hastily hurried up the stairs to find Aryanna. Her body shuddering as she replaced the fear she felt with anger.
Jalana burst open Aryanna's bedroom door and stepped in. Aryanna rose from the bed, surprised by her presence and harsh entry.
"Clara left, are you happy now?" She aggressively asked, with a glare in her eyes and a angry look about her mouth.
Aryanna flinched.
"I don't know what your problem is but I'm surely questioning what my brother saw in you," Jalana snapped. "Don't ruin everyone else's day because you can't afford to be happy!"
She hurriedly left before Aryanna can let in a word and slummed the door shut behind her. Aryanna flinched once more, she sank down breathlessly, an uneasy sensation settled in her heart.