“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 54

***Clara’s POV:***

Two weeks had passed since Clara moved to Springsten. Gloria’s father purchased a condo for the girls to live in while attending Osha for the next three years and today was the day they would move in.

As Gloria finished packing she let out a loud yelp as she stretched.

*“Ughh! I’m so glad I’m finished packing. I knew I should have hired a packing service.”*

Clara let out a light chuckle.

*“That’s just lazy.”*

*“Hey! That’s not lazy! That’s smart!”*

The girls shared a laugh as they closed up the remaining boxes in Gloria’s room.

Clara did a look around the large room to make sure nothing else was left. Satisfied, she also stretched.

*“Gloria, don’t take this the wrong way but man you have a lot of shit!”*

*Hahahaha!!!*

Gloria let out a loud laugh as she looked around her room, slight embarrassment on her face.

*“I know! When my dad moved us to Glendale so that he could complete his tenure at LexU I swear I didn’t have this much!”*

Clara laughed at her friend. The past few weeks had been so peaceful. Gloria’s parents welcomed her to their home with open arms always treating her like one of their own. It was the first time since her mother passed away that she felt the joy of parental love. It sadden a little that her own father couldn’t show that same emotion. After placing the remaining boxes in the foyer for the movers, Gloria’s phone rang.

Joy instantly popped on her face; it was Casey. Before he could say hello, Gloria squealed.

*“Casey!! I miss you!! Are you here yet?”*

Clara could hear Casey laughing on the other end, she couldn’t help but laugh too. Casey went on a summer vacation with his family, so they hadn’t seen each other in a few weeks. Gloria spent the entire time pouting but today he was arriving in Springsten.

*“I missed you too, and yeah I landed.”*

*“Why didn’t you tell me! I would have come and got you!”*

*“It’s okay. I know you guys were moving today. I’m headed to my hotel now and then I’ll meet you guys.”*

***Pouting.***

*“Okay. I’ll text you the address!”*

*“Cool. I love you.”*

*Blushing. “I love you too.”*

Clara smiled, she was happy her friends found each other and even more happy they found her.

Gloria’s parents walked into the foyer with boxes of donuts. Mrs. Rhinehorne had slight tears in her eyes.

*“I can’t believe you two are moving into your own apartment. Oh Gloria, I feel like it was only yesterday you were learning how to walk.”*

Gloria blushed and hugged her mother.

*“Awe, mom, don’t cry! I’m still your little girl!”*

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Mrs. Rhinehorne walked over to Clara.

*“And Clara, these past two years you’ve been like a daughter to us. I’m so proud of you!”*

Clara hugged Mrs. Rhinehorne tightly, tears welding up in her eyes. She felt as if her mother’s love was seeping through Mrs. Rhinehorne.

*“Oh, momma Whitney, thank you so much. You have no idea what that means for me to hear you say that.”*

Gloria and her dad began to tear up. Suddenly, there was loud laughter running towards them. Gloria’s twin brothers Luke and Liam came running into the foyer.

*“Waaiiiitttt!!!!”*

Both boys screamed as they ran with boxes in their hands.

*“This is for you!”*

Both boys said in unison to Gloria and Clara. Opening the boxes, the girls eyes began to water. The boys made small picture frames, and each frame had pictures taken during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Clara and Gloria hugged both of the boys.

*“Make sure you both come home.”*

That final word pierced Clara’s heart with warmth. Finally, she could feel at home.

After saying their final goodbyes, Clara and Gloria headed to their new condo.

*“Whoo-hoo!!! Clara are you ready! The new adventure starts now mama! You’re finally an adult, AND we gotta new mystery man on our hands.”*

Clara slightly blushed. She hadn’t heard from her mystery benefactor since the day of her flight, but she did hear from her friend Christine about some of what happened at the gala. She and Gloria had a good time laughing at that, but because Christine didn’t attend the gala, she wasn’t sure who the mystery person was.

*“I’m meeting up with Terra in a few weeks so I should have the full story.”*

That was the day after the gala, Clara knew she would be hearing from them soon.

The movers finished unpacking the condo swiftly leaving the girls time to unwind. While relaxing in their new living room, there was a sudden knock on the door.

*“I’ll get it.”*

Gloria popped up before Clara could move.

*“Ehhh!!!! Casey!!!”*

Casey picked Gloria up and hugged her tight. Planting a soft kiss on her lips, she beamed brightly.

*“Hey baby, did you miss me?”*

*“Did I miss you? Yes!”*

Casey laughed lightly as he made his way into the condo. Looking around before spotting Clara.

*“This is really nice! Now I’m sad I gotta live in the dorms.”*

Looking around, his eyes finally spotted Clara.

*“Clare-bear!”*

Casey bear hugged Clara spinning her in a circle. She couldn’t help but laugh, Casey was every bit a big brother.

*“Hey! Glad you’re here!”*

Gloria interjected.

*“Me too! I’m starving!”*

Both Clara and Casey laughed out loud.

*“You got a point, I’m a little hungry too. Y’all want some pizza; my treat.”*

Gloria instantly perked up.

*“Oh! I know a great pizza place not far from here, let’s go!”*

Gloria took everyone to Pizza Palace. After making their order, the three of them sat at a booth catching up. Casey showed the girls pictures from his family vacation.

*“OMG! It looks like everyone had so much fun!”*

Gloria gushed as she scrolled through the pictures.

*“Yeah, my mom said next vacation you gotta come.”*

Gloria blushed. She and Casey’s mom bonded over Christmas vacation. Casey suddenly looked at Clara with a mischievous smile.

*“So, I heard what happened at your step-sister’s little gala.”*

Clara laughed as she stuffed fries in her mouth.

*“Yup, apparently somebody made them look very foolish.”*

Casey looked at Clara with a puzzled expression.

*“Somebody? You mean, you don’t know?”*

Both Gloria and Clara looked confused.

*“Know what?”*

Gloria asked as she sprinkled garlic on her pizza.

*“It was Ethan Taylor.”*

***!!!!!!!!!!***

***WHAT!!!!!!!***

Clara could hardly believe her ears. ETHAN TAYLOR! Why?

*“I don’t understand. Are you saying Ethan Taylor ruined my sister’s gala? Why?”*

*“Well, because of you.”*

Clara and Gloria’s eyes bulged. Gloria practically choked on her soda.

*“Wait! Ethan Taylor knows Clara. Clara you know him?”*

*“What! No! I have no idea what’s goin on right now. Casey, are you sure?”*

Casey wiped his hands and reached for his phone. Pulling up a video, he widened his screen so both girls could. It was video from the gala. The scene was when Ethan confronted the Grangers.

Clara could hardly believe what she was seeing, there was Ethan Taylor, confronting her father on her behalf. But the most shocking part came next. The phone call. Clara looked on in shock as she remembered that exact conversation. Suddenly, Gloria spoke up.

*“Oh, my gosh. So, Ethan Taylor was the mysterious benefactor?”*

Clara was completely flabbergasted.