Painful Smiles

He was sure going to have a trauma that night. It wasn’t even one third of what he had thought would happen.

Claudia was now distracted by all the screams and rubbish happening around her. But then she felt a strong dive to her waist and a man’s private part pressing against her body.

Real goosebumps rose on her body.

She pushed Paul, who was already confused, aside and carried the man from her shoulders down to the ground. A perfect slam dunk.

Some older boys from Trevor’s house had come out to settle the situation.

“Swear never to touch a woman in your life” Claudia yelled as she twisted the man’s wrist. She was at advantage as he was drunk.

The main celebrant, Trevor, ran out to search for his girlfriend amidst the commotion and was shocked to see Claudia tackling his uncle on the ground.

“Swear or I’m going to make a 360 circle with your wrist” she threatened. The man just screamed like a woman and said nothing.

Trevor sighed but his eyes immediately lit up when he caught someone making a video of the whole thing.

It was bad. If the video trends then his uncle’s reputation, probably as well with his, would go down the drain.

“Excuse me, could you turn that off please?” he told the person. Claudia was now walking away with Paul on her back. The drunk man was rolling on the ground acting like a cry baby.

Drunkenness was really degrading.

Trevor made an attempt to run to Claudia but then his girlfriend, wrapped in a long black jacket ran to him crying.

“You can’t believe what happened to me. Those drunk men pushed me. My gown opened up and revealed my breasts. It was so embarrassing. You won’t believe” she kept on wailing.

He tried holding her but she just melted to the ground. Her brother, his best friend, came over so Trevor left her with him and ran to Claudia.

“Shouldn’t we take Clara along?” Paul asked, innocently.

“Did you see her anywhere?” she asked back.

“Excuse me?” Claudia heard it but kept on walking. “It is Trevor” Paul told her but she shut her ears to him.

“Wait. I’m sorry for all these today. My Uncle brought the alcohols. I’m so sorry” Trevor said amidst shaking his head.

Claudia rolled her eyes, “Your uncle is a piece of shit for bringing alcohol to a party full of minors”.

Trevor nodded, “Accepted. You’ve punished him already so please forget this”.

Claudia’s eyes widened. The man she beat up was Trevor’s uncle?

“Don’t feel bad. He won’t take this to court” Trevor added.

A scoff came from Paul, “You think she regrets?”

“I do regret, Paul. I regret not kicking his butt more. And dragging him along those grass” Claudia glared at the man still on the ground.

Trevor cleared his throat. “Thanks for attending anyway” and he left. A family meeting must happen tonight. His uncle had successfully embarrassed him in front of his junior.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

*****

Claudia stayed in bed the next day. Her dad came upstairs, banging on the door and screamed “No one misses Church in my house”. That day was a Sunday.

Claudia barely heard him, her head was heavy and her nerves shook.

Her arm was vibrating, the arm that had been cut. The arm she had used to throw down the drunk fool down.

The effect of her slam dunk was a perfect slam dunk from weakness to her. She could barely move.

“Who is being a bitch now by trying to miss church?” Clara gazed down at her. Claudia hadn’t even heard her come in.

She wanted to retort by reminding Clara that she didn’t actually went to church for any good reason apart from flirting with the boys there. But her lips were tired.

Clara noticed her lips vibrating and placed her hand on her forehead. “Oh, a fever? Serves you right. You think I didn’t hear of the drama at Trevor’s house. You embarrassed his girlfriend and she literally poured insults on me when she realized we were related. You’re such an embarrassment” Clara hit her head harshly.

A pang struck Claudia. Headache. Clara just activates that. Clara had thought Claudia was vegetable but a kick on her legs told her otherwise.

“Bastard” Claudia muttered as she gave her another one.

Clara’s screams made their father rush upstairs again. “Claudia what picked thing are you doing now?” he screamed. It hurt Claudia’s head a lot.

“I told her not to ask like she’s sick to moss church but then she said I should get out. When I said I’d tell you she kicked me” Clara’s wails become more intense.

Mr. Larabee rushed to Claudia and tapped her harshly on her shoulders, “Get up. Dress up now. Don’t play with me” he escorted Clara out of the room as she leaned on him acting like her leg was broken.

Claudia was so done. No one bothered listening to her side. Not like she could talk at her present situation.

She stayed on the bed, looking dead. Her body was becoming numb. No one came into the room. Not even her father again.

Then Claudia felt a hand on her neck. She opened her eyes slowly to see her mom.

“You have a fever don’t you? Why didn’t you tell your dad. He thought you were being rebellious?” she touched other parts of her neck.

Claudia just smiled. At least someone came to check, even though late.

“Stay home. Rest. We’ll bring you to a doctor when we come back” her mother assured. She left the room shortly.

Claudia smiled again. If it were Clara, they’d miss church to send her to a hospital. Had happened many times before.

Usually, Clara’s problems were just a drop of hot water, hit shoulder on a door, have pimple that she’d call an infectious rash.

Still Claudia swallowed it. Her mother came back with some drugs and a wet towel. Claudia’s face turned sour. Drugs were her worst nightmare, and she was theirs.

“Mom, dad said I should tell you to hurry up. We need to go now” Clara shouted. Claudia clenched her fists as Clara’s shouts creates more pangs in her head.

Clara then walked on. Claudia was confused. Why was there a bandage on her leg? Was her kick that painful or was that another drama? She was walking fine though.

“I am on my way” Mrs. Larabee glared at Clara who in turn ran away.

“Silly girl, what’s a bandage doing in her leg” she scoffed. Claudia smiled, finally her mother was seeing Clara’s stupidity.