Before heading home, Nathaniel suggested they take a little detour — to a fast food restaurant.
"How I missed this," Clara groaned in delight, biting into her cheeseburger like it was the best thing on earth.
"What do you mean missed? We literally had this two days ago — right before your accident," Lily said, picking the lettuce and tomatoes out of her burger with a look of pure disgust. She had always hated veggies.
Clara froze mid-bite. Twodaysago? In her mind, it had been six years since she last had one of these. Six long, vegetarian years.
"So…" she said, waving the burger for emphasis, "two days is a lot of time to be without this masterpiece."
Nathaniel chuckled, shaking his head. "You act like you've been stranded on a desert island."
"Close enough," Clara muttered before taking another big bite.
Lily snorted. "You're so weird sometimes."
Clara ignored her, closing her eyes with a blissful sigh. How in the world did I ever give up this for tofu? She thought.
When she opened her eyes, Nathaniel was watching her, a small amused smile tugging at his lips.
"What?" she asked, wiping a smudge of ketchup from her mouth.
"Nothing," he said, still smiling. "Just… you look happy."
She blinked, surprised a little by the simple statement but not much because this was how Nathaniel had always been since they were kids.
"I am," she said softly, then quickly took another bite to hide her smile.
She really was. Who wouldn't be, when they were spending time with the people they cherished most?
But Clara should've known — peace never lasted.
Because just as they were about to leave, the door chimed, and in walked Laura, that same sickeningly sweet smile plastered on her face… with Jay right behind her.
Clara's hand froze around her drink. Of all people, and of all places.
How, was the question.
How did she know where they were, but looking at Jay she got her answer he most have told her after being told by Nathaniel.
"Oh, Clara!!" Laura exclaimed, dripping with fake concern.
Lily snorted, not buying an ounce of it.
"Are you… okay? I was so worried," Laura continued, her voice syrupy and insincere.
"Oh, so now you're worried? Where were you when she almost died? 'Worried,' my ass," Lily shot back, glaring daggers at her.
"You don't have to be so mean! I didn't know—you didn't exactly tell anyone," Laura said, feigning hurt.
"Doesn't matter," Lily mimicked, her tone sharp and mocking. "You say you're her friend, so at least try to care."
Nathaniel stepped in before Lily could actually throw hands — and before the entire restaurant turned to stare at them.
Clinging to Nathaniel's arm, Laura let out a shaky sob.
"I'm sorry… Clara, I didn't know! And now you're angry at me," she cried between fake hiccups.
No, she wasn't pretending to cry — not exactly. She was performing. And she was really good at it.
Clara stayed quiet, watching her. For the first time, she saw it clearly — how Laura's every word dripped with manipulation, how she twisted even silence into guilt. And now she was clinging to Nathaniel's arm.
Clara remembered all the Chinese novels she read and how Laura was exactly like the White lotus she hated.
How had she been so blind before?
Clara thought what she wanted was distance, to simply cut Laura off and move on. But that would be too easy. Too kind.
"I never said I was angry," Clara said softly, her expression faintly sad. "Just disappointed you didn't bother checking up on me."
Laura froze, eyes widening. For a split second, real surprise flickered across her face — as if she wanted Clara to be angry, wanted the reaction she could play off. She didn't even notice when Nathaniel gently untangled himself from her grip.
Then Laura quickly recovered, forcing a bright smile. "I knew you'd understand," she said lightly.
Clara's own smile didn't reach her eyes. Oh, I understand, she thought. More than you think.
This time, she wasn't going to be the fool who trusted her. Not again. Because deep down, Clara knew Laura's hatred ran deeper than jealousy — and she needed to find out why.