Undercover: Book 1 — Chapter Thirty-One

Next week was Prom and everyone was freaking out. Girls were booking nail salons and hair salons to the max. For anyone not going, it would seem a bit extreme, but to me it was exciting. The atmosphere was great, people smiling and still getting asked. There wasn’t anything besides happiness with the whole situation. I couldn’t help but adore it. The most surprising promposal was Michael asking Tori in the middle of the hallway. Something even more surprising was her saying yes.

"So, where are we going shopping?" Jasmin asked as she took a bite of her fry. Most people were spending this time eating extremely light or not eating at all due to the chance at fitting in their dresses. Well, we didn’t follow that typical pattern as we sat with a huge container of fries with chili and cheese.

"Well, I asked Sarah and she was able to get us in for a fitting at some designer place about an hour away. Interested in trying it?" I suggested and they both nodded eagerly.

“We’re gonna be the hottest ones there,” Tori said smiling and I agreed.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. If you’re ready, we can go," Tori said and we threw out our food and headed to the store.

***

After hours at Lenny’s, the store that held nothing but designer dresses, we finally decided to head back to my place for a girl’s night.

“I can’t believe you got a Vera,” I gushed, and Tori smiled excitedly.

“I can’t believe I did either.” she said, glancing in her bag to make sure it was still there.

“We’re totally going to walk in that place like queens,” I added with a smile.

Jasmin nodded in agreement. “I still have to grab my stuff, and I have a bag of junk food at my place, too. Mind dropping me off? I’ll just drive over when I’m done showering and stuff.”

Tori seconded the statement, wanting to go home and shower. I easily agreed, rambling something about how I’d get the place all ready.

When I arrived home, I felt my body freeze. A familiar white car was parked in the driveway. That familiar car belonged to only one person and that didn’t mean anything good.

I parked next to the car before sliding out of my own. My bags were held tightly in my hand as I entered the house as quietly as possible.

"Clover, it's so nice of you to join me," my mother said with no emotion in her voice.

"Hello, Mom," I said, sitting down across from her in the living room. "What are you doing home?" I asked nervously. I knew what was coming.

"I just wanted to see my daughter," she said, staring at me with no emotion.

"Really?" I asked dryly.

"No, I'm here to talk about your boyfriend," she said, putting air quotes with her fingers as she said boyfriend.

"Oh, about Andrew..." I said, trailing off nervously

"This is the same boy who put your career at risk and this is the same boy who put you in a cell that you did not deserve to be in," my mother said, disgust obvious in her voice.

"Listen Mo—"

"Does he make you happy?" she asked, cutting me off as I prepared to stand up for him.

"What?" I asked, surprised.

"Does this Andrew boy make you happy?" she asked, and I felt slightly confused about the question. She didn’t care, right?

I looked at her closely before I nodded. "Yes, he makes me very happy,” I said honestly with a small smile.

"Good. I would like to meet this boy in person tomorrow," my mother said.

“Really?” I asked, unsure.

She nodded. “Yes, I want to be more involved in your personal life. I want to be your mom again.”

I felt my heart clench at the thought of having a mother figure in my life again who wasn’t just on my payroll.

"Clover?" my mom said, moving over to sit next to me as she put her hand on my lap.

"Yes?" I asked, immediately noticing her serious look.

"You do know I have missed you and I do not and never will blame you for Aria's death. Your father may, but I never will. I talked to a therapist and I have come to realize over the past few weeks that even though I lost Aria, I still have another beautiful daughter who has an amazing career and is going somewhere far in life." She gave me a sincere look. “You’re already grown up now, but you still have a long life ahead of you that I’m ready to be a part of.”

"Thank you," I whispered, giving her a hug. She was surprised when I first wrapped my arms around her, but after her minute of shock, she hugged me tightly back.

"How long are you gonna be here for?" I asked her, releasing her from the hug.

"Till you graduate school," my mother said with a smile.

"What about your businesses?" I asked, unable to grasp the idea.

"Who cares about my business right now?” she said with a shrug. “All I care about is seeing my baby girl graduate. I have assistants and workers for that. I need to try and be a better mother for you." She stood up. “What are you doing tonight?"

"Well, I was gonna have Tori and my other friend, Jasmin, sleepover to have a girls’ night, but I can cancel it,” I said.

"No, no, and no. Don't let your old mother ruin your night," she said, shaking her head.

"We will have a day to ourselves soon then," I said.

"For sure." She smiled and walked over to the kitchen.

Just as she left the room, the front door burst open. "Now, the party don't start till I walk in!" Tori yelled. She was wearing a pair of sunglasses that said 2013 and a black Michael Jackson-like hat. She was holding a speaker in her hand that was playing Kesha.

"No, don't stop the partayyyyy!" Jasmin yelled walking in as Tori changed the song. We blasted the music so loud that I'm positive the neighbors could hear it. I smiled at my crazy friends and joined in to their dancing. That’s exactly how we started our girls’ night, the cliché dancing around in our pjs and singing with brushes.

Around nine o’clock, a knock on the door paused our party for a minute. "I'll get it," my mom said, walking into the room and causing the girls to freeze.

"Mrs, Thompson," Tori said, standing straighter.

"Oh, please, you have known me since you were in elementary school, call me Valerie," my mother said and Tori nodded.

"Your mom’s home and you’re on good terms again?" Tori asked, surprised, and I nodded with a smile.

“I’m so happy for you, Clo.” She hugged me and I mumbled a thanks.

We looked around the corner to see who was at the door and in front of my mom was a police officer.

"Clover, the officer and the neighbor would like to know if you girls can quiet down a little," my mother said.

"Sorry for partying rockin’," Jasmin and Tori said in sync, bursting out laughing.

My mom snorted in laughter, but quickly covered it with a cough.

"It's fine. Have a nice night," the officer said and the neighbor gave a tight smile before walking back into her house.

"I always knew that neighbor had something against us," my mom said, shaking her head. "I ordered pizza, it should be here soon." She went back into the other room.

"Well, now that she killed our vibe. Movie time?" Jasmin asked and we nodded, preparing for a Twilight marathon.

"Oh, my gosh, Edward, why must you be so hot, but so cruel? How can you leave her?" Jasmin yelled at the TV.

"No, good riddance. Look at Jacob. Holy body,” Tori said, fanning herself.

"Hey, Tori, you have a little drool," I said and she wiped her chin and glared at the fact that nothing was there.

"No, Bella, you’re an Idiot. Why would you choose Edward?” Tori complained, throwing popcorn at the flat screen.

"Because Edward is a hot vampire!" I said with a duh tone.

"Thank you!" Jasmin said, holding up her hand and giving me a high five.

"Jacob, baby, don't worry, I'll totally marry you,” Tori said, sighing dreamily.

"What about Michael?" Jasmin asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Oh, yeah. He'll live by himself," Tori said, waving her hand in a uncaring matter.

"Yeah, if Robert ever came up to me asking me to marry him, I would take the offer in heart beat and drop Zach like he's hot," Jasmin said, snapping her fingers.

"I wouldn't drop Andrew," I said, popping a piece of popcorn in my mouth.

Tori and Jasmin gave me a look.

"Okay, I totally would. I mean Robert is sexy, but so is Taylor. I just can't choose." I shook my head with a sigh.

"I knew you weren’t that innocent. Andrew, Michael, and Zach may be hot, but they can't even be compared to Robert and Taylor," Jasmin said.

Tori and I nodded in agreement. I smiled at my two friends, who continued to talk about the matter and knew this was the right choice. A girls’ night is the best type of night.