Chapter 11 Karaoke or not

*

"Hey?!" Chloe hollered at me as soon as I entered the backseat of the car strapping the seat belt around me.

"Hi!" I answered in a low tone looking through the window as she drove out of the school premises.

"Okay Claudia, that's a little took weird. Are you okay?" She asked staring at me through the rare glass.

"You know that you've been weird since yesterday and it doesn't feel good. Maybe I should talk to Mom and Dad about you!" She said but the more she spoke to me the more I got lost in my thoughts.

"Yeah. Maybe it will help!" I snapped calmly

"No! That's not the response I expected, you were meant to flutter you know! Okay, let's just get you home safe." She said already giving up on the argument if it was one.

I entered my room and bolted the door as soon as we arrived. I sunk into my bed staring at the ceiling lights and fan with my hands interlocked behind my head. turned on my side and took out my phone, maybe I should text or call Lacey but would she even want to sleep with me if my stance remains on not going for the karaoke night? I had been exhausted from everything today, not even Davis's thought was cheering me up. I mean, he was already spreading an ugly story about me. You know it would have been better if he said that I usually pass the night at the pope's house; it may be better than having sex with my neighbor on the balcony. Like what in the world have I done to this guy to make me feel this terrible? I curse the day I set my eyes on Davis's sinful beauty. The thought of him is like a sin that I like to commit. As soon as I closed my eyes, I got a buzz from my phone I raised my head abruptly to take a peep. It was a text from Tiffany.

*What's up Claude, are ready for tonight?*

I stared at the text for nearly two minutes trying to decide my best reply, the last time I tried it turned out bad with Lacey and this is another person I wouldn't want to hurt.

*Not at all. Go ahead without me!*

I hit send. My heart was racing a bit, she might just flare up like Lacey. The three dots appeared which got me nervously out of state

*No will do, come around 5. Wanna show you something and I think you'd like it.*

She replied then another text popped

*Claude, you're safe alright?*

That was thoughtful but enough of everyone thinking that I was in greater danger than they were. I decided to text back.

*Okay! Still not going!!!*

I hit send. She only sent smiley emojis, she must be thinking that I'm only kidding when I'm serious. What else would I do to make Lacey realize that sometimes it's not easy to be outspoken like her? I drafted a text instead and hit send, maybe she'd reply or just ignore me. Either way, I tried to do something.

There was a knock on my door, Chloe was calling my name repeatedly as though I was at an audition. I tucked my phone into my bag and reached for the door, lunch was calling. I made my way downstairs heading straight into the kitchen, I stopped at the counter instead as she dished out the food. It looked salivating and delicious. I began to eat when she interrupted me instantly.

"Could you at least tell me about this entire charade because I don't get it!" She demanded

"You might wanna drop it already!" I snapped

"Not until you tell me! I may be the most terrible sister you have got but trust me, Claudia, I was once a teenager." 
 "It's just that...I've been having these mood swings here and there. School projects, friends and enemies..." I explained nonchalantly

"Enemies? Holy God! You shouldn't keep enemies, love your neighbors as thyself Claudia." She cautioned

"Okay!!! But you're beginning to sound just like Mom, are you getting married soon 'cause I don't get it?!" I teased her as she rolled her eyes away and continued eating

"Well, you sound just like Dad when you talk about getting married!" She snapped and spoke for a little while but then I longed to ask if I could go to Tiffany and the karaoke, I could just try my luck. I wiped my mouth and drank some water then cleared my throat too.

"Chloe?" I called as she looked up to meet my innocent but curious gaze.

"Er! I wanted you to ask if I could go over to Tiffany's at 5. We've got karaoke night by 6 and I promise to be home before 7...latest 7.30 please?"

"I bet you already know my answer. NO! Stay home, study, meditate, and have a good rest, is that fair enough?" She asked staring at my disappointed face, she knew that I would not like that and she did it still.

"Hell no Chloe, it's a student thing. Everyone's gonna be there, even Lacey. Teachers too!" I tried to explain to her hit she was already nodding negatively keeping her phone on the counter's smooth silver surface.

"Claudia, it's karaoke. You haven't told Mom or Dad so how do I get to be the one to permit you? If I let you go then it's going to be a huge problem." She explained her point

"Come on Chloe, I barely have around people and it makes me frustrated. It's only a sing-song event and nothing more. Please, Chloe?"

"No Claudia I can't, Mom would hang me up on the wall." She walked over to the sink to do the dishes.

"How about just Tiffany's?" I asked coolly

"I doubt!"

"What do you doubt?"

"It's nothing but Mom is just too skeptical about the Watkins and I hope you understand."

"Please?" I begged again

"Okay fine. Just an hour Claude!" She finally gave in as I embraced her tightly. She was wondering why I had reacted that way.

"You're simply the best!" I added running back to my room.