“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 63

***Clara’s POV:***

Maria still had a few more weeks left at the facility, her treatment an official success. She’d spent Thanksgiving in the facility, so the Taylors all celebrated their. This year, I went back to Glendale with Gloria and Casey as we spent Thanksgiving with his family. I even got to see my friends Christine and Terra. They updated on what was going on with the Grangers.

*“Girl!! It’s been total chaos at your father’s company since you left!”*

Terra stated as she ate her pasta. Christine nodded her head in agreement. Christine’s father was one of the professors at LexU. He’d informed her of all the chaos Jameson caused at the school the day he tried to get Clara removed.

*“Yeah it’s been pretty bad. Your dad wasn’t aware you transferred to Osha. He showed up right after the gala demanding you be removed. It was a mess! When he finally learned you transferred, he became the laughingstock.”*

Terra chimed back in.

*“Buuut…. that didn’t stop him from using his connections to get his hairbrained daughter into LexU.”*

Clara chuckled slightly; she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

*“Oh! And get this, her and Jason are supposed to be announcing their engagement at this year’s Bio-Summit.”*

The annual Bio-Summit is an event where all the top biochemical and pharmaceutical companies gather for awards and to announce new medical breakthroughs. My mother won several awards at this event in the past. No one from JGP has won since. Ethan had actually won the past two years for his breakthrough with nano technology in medicine and surgery and Jason want’s to use that as the time to propose…interesting. As if reading my mind, Terra responded.

*“Apparently they’ve maid some type of medicinal breakthrough that’s supposed to sure win of this year’s award.”*

*Hmm*.

I pondered what it could be that they discovered or created that made them feel so confident. Oh well, it didn’t matter, I was happy with what me and Ethan accomplished even if the whole world wasn’t aware. Changing the subject, Christine brought the topic back to me.

*“So, how’s Springsten and Osha been? I see you’re close with Ethan Taylor! No wonder he cursed them all out for you!”*

Terra’s eyes beamed at me as I blushed. Honestly, Ethan and I hadn’t known each other the night of the gala. Over the past few months however, a bunch of pics had been posted by Gloria, Casey, Owen, and Ethan’s family. Many of them showing us all either working in the lab, over each other’s houses, or hanging out. Many people would comment under the posts I was tagged in.

***\[OMG! Is there a new romance brewing between the Chairman and the world’s youngest bio genius!\]***

***\[Talk about a possible power couple!\]***

***\[Wait…I thought she was engaged to someone named Jason???\]***

***\[Not anymore! I heard he’s with her sister!\]***

***\[What! Trifling!\]***

***\[So, wait, he left biochemical genius for the less significant sister?\]***

***\[RIGHT!\]***

For the most, Clara ignored many of the comments on social media, none of that mattered to her. Still, it brought her joy knowing Sophie and Jason would be angry reading those type of comments. Smiling thoughtfully, Clara answered Christine.

*“It’s actually been amazing. A real life changer. Osha, that school is truly on another level! LexU really has to step their game up if they want to compete!”*

Terra and Christine listened on with bright eyes. Osha being a high tech school for biochemistry and pharmaceuticals had always been a top subject so hearing that the rumors were true wasn’t a surprise at all. Terra arched her eyebrow, a slight smirk on her face.

*“And Ethan Taylor? Are those rumors true?”*

Clara smiled slightly, her head tilted down as she stared into her glass of lemonade.

*“I’m not entirely sure what rumors you’re referring too, but it is true that we’re friends.”*

Both ladies looked at Clara with slight skepticism in their expressions.

*“Just friends huh?”*

Christine said with a mischievous grin.

*“Yup, just friends.”*

Deciding not to pry too much, Terra changed the subject. The rest of the lunch was filled with laughter and updates about their lives. Clara was glad she had a chance to see them over Thanksgiving break.

Now back in Springsten, Christmas break was approaching as midterms were right around the corner.

After lab, Clara texted Gloria that she would be heading to ETP.

***\[Cool beans! Let me know what time you’ll be finished so I can pick you up!\]***

***\[Sure thing!\]***

Clara hoped in a rideshare and made her way to ETP to check in on Maria. As she made her way to Maria’s room, she could hear a bunch of voices going back and forth.

*“I was just asking Ethan! No need to get bent out of shape!”*

Elizabeth was fussing with Ethan about something. As Clara walked into the room, she could see Ethan looking at his sister with irritation while Maria and Arla was trying to mediate the situation.

*“And all I said was that wasn’t what was important!”*

Arla tried to interject again.

*“Children! Please stop fussing! You’re upsetting Maria.”*

*“Mom! He started it!”*

*“What!”*

As usual, Corey and Owen just stood back laughing. Ethan and Elizabeth were fraternal twins; Ethan being born five minutes before her. Everyone was accustomed to the two of them always butting heads. Just then, Arla realized Clara was in the room. A look of embarrassment and irritation now on her face.

*“Will you two stop it! Clara is here! Do you want to embarrass yourselves in front of her.”*

Both Ethan and Elizabeth turned their heads in shock. Embarrassment fully on both of their faces. Corey, Owen, and Maria all burst out laughing. Clara couldn’t help but also chuckle, it was always cute to her when she saw Ethan acting like a typical brother. Maria suddenly popped her head over so she could see Clara.

*“Clara! How were your classes today?”*

Clara sat her bookbag down and walked over to Maria smiling.

*“It was lovely. Everyone’s getting ready for midterms so the usually panic.”*

Elizabeth walked over and hug Clara slightly chuckling.

*“Clara, you might be the only person I know that smiles and doesn’t panic when mentioning midterms.”*

Clara laughed out loud, it was true, she actually loved taking tests.

*“That’s because she’s a genius of course!”*

Corey chimed in. Arla suddenly walked up to Clara with a soft yet stern expression.

*“Clara, perhaps you can clarify for us. I’m sure you heard these two arguing.”*

She shot a look of irritation as Ethan and Liz.

*“Maria, will she be able to come home for Christmas?”*

Clara could see the gleam of hope in Arla’s eyes. She knew how much it meant to have her daughter home for the holidays. With a compassionate smile, Clara turned to Maria.

*“You’ll be happy to know Maria is officially cancer free and has been for over two months now. Yes, she can go home. I recommend within the next two days.”*

Cheers, smiles, and tears erupted throughout the room. Maria had a look of shock on her face as she hugged her siblings, though she could tell over the past few months that her health improved significantly, hearing it out loud, that she was cancer free. The words of how she felt were caught in her throat. Finally, she was cancer free!