Chapter 90
Lana saw Sienna scolding Amber and quickly stepped forward, handing the Bartholomew Bear to her. โMiss Amber, just now that little girl accidentally bumped into you, and her boat capsized as well."
โSo, the championship is still yours. Hereโs your prize.โ
Amber took the Bartholomew Bear, fighting back tears as she handed it to Sienna. โHere, itโs for you.โ
Sienna felt as if her heart was pierced by a thousand swords. Her eyes reddened slightly as she accepted the Bartholomew Bear and hugged Amber tightly.
โIโm sorry. I really, really love your gift, Amber,โ Sienna said.
Tears streamed down Amberโs cheeks as she began to sob softly, her voice full of grievance. โYouโre so mean, Sienna. I was scared of the water, but I still won you a prize, and you yelled at me.โ
As she spoke, Amber started crying even harder.
Sienna gently wiped away Amberโs tears. โIโm sorry. It was my fault. Give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?โ
Amberโs sobs gradually subsided as she nestled into Siennaโs embrace, her tear-stained cheeks now flushed a rosy pink.
Amber pouted and made her demand, โYou have to tuck me in tonight.โ She remembered clearly how Sienna used to put Vivian to bed every night.
โAlright, Iโll tuck you in,โ Sienna replied with a soft smile.
Amberโs heart swelled with joy, though she tried to play it cool. โThatโs more like it,โ she huffed.
โSienna, fancy meeting you here,โ Claire called out excitedly as she skipped over.
At first, she wasnโt sure if it was really Sienna, but when she saw Amber, she knew for certain it was her.
Sienna greeted her with a gentle smile, โHello.โ
Claire bubbled with excitement, bouncing over. โSienna, are you here to have fun too? What a coincidence. Sienna, when did you get here? What rides have you tried? Is that the Bartholomew Bear? Itโs so cute. Did you win it, Sienna?โ
Seeing Claire suddenly pop up made Amberโs blood boil. Who does she think she is, keeping after Sienna like that? How rude, she fumed.
โClaire, whatโs it to you? We donโt want to see you. Get lost," Amber glared at her furiously.
Claire didnโt even spare Amber a glance; her whole world revolved around her beloved idol, Sienna.
โSienna, there are desserts up ahead. With this scorching sun, we should totally get some smoothie. Letโs go together,โ said Claire.
Amber was seething, her fists clenched tight. Claire totally ignored her.
โClaire, stop keeping after my sister," Amber declared. She clutched Siennaโs arm tightly in a clear display of ownership.
Claire let out a disdainful snort, eyeing the little short-haired girl in front of her. โAmber, so what if I keep after Sienna? What can you do about it?โ
Amber was seeing red. โClaire, you are so shamelessโโ
Claire retorted playfully, โItโs none of your business. Sienna, letโs grab some smoothie together.โ
Amber was fuming, practically seeing red. โWeโre not eating. Letโs go,โ she snapped, tugging at Siennaโs arm to drag her away.
Claire quickly latched onto Siennaโs arm, batting her eyelashes. โSienna, I came here all by myself and donโt have any friends. Can I tag along with you? Please?
โLook how adorable I am. You wouldnโt have the heart to let poor little me wander around alone, would you? Sienna, pretty please?โ
Claireโs three friends, who had just gone to buy a bottle of water, were totally stunned. So what are we? they wondered.
Lana shook her head helplessly from behind. This little girl really knew how to turn on the charm. Even Lana found it endearing.
Amber saw Claire touch Sienna and instantly lost her temper. She shrieked, rushing over to yank Claireโs hand away.
Furiously, Amber roared, โClaire, who said you could touch her? Who gave you permission? You disgusting, shameless brat. Get away. Get lost. Donโt you dare hold her hand? Leave. Get out of here, right now.โ
Claire found Amberโs angry outburst amusing and reached out to poke her flushed cheek. โThen, I will poke you,โ Claire teased.
โAh,โ Amber shrieked, frantically rubbing her cheeks. โClaire, you nasty old witch, you ancient hag, youโve ruined my face. Now Iโm all dirty. Why did you have to touch me? I hate you, I hate you so much!โ
Amber, on the verge of a meltdown, collapsed into Siennaโs arms, her pretty eyes welling up with tears. โSienna, she poked my face,โ Amber whined, sounding utterly wronged.
Sienna gave a gentle smile and softly stroked Amberโs cheek. โThere now, itโs alright. Claire is your classmate after all. How could you start scolding her the moment you see her? Did you forget? You even hit her last time.โ
Amber remained silent while Claire smirked triumphantly. Yet inside, bitterness gnawed at her. Amber was so damn lucky to have a sister like Sienna. The green-eyed monster was eating Claire alive.
If only there was a way to make Sienna my family too? Claire thought wistfully.
โClaire, letโs get some smoothie together. Come on,โ Sienna suggested.
Amber dragged her feet as she followed Sienna, shooting Claire a glare. โUgh, why does she always have to look so smug? Sheโs seriously the worst,โ Amber grumbled to herself.
Sienna could tell that Claire had a pleasant personality and temperament. She thought to herself, Friends can really shape who you are. A close girlfriend can bring you happiness for a lifetime. Sometimes, a friend cares about you even more than family ever could.
โAwesome. Thanks so much, Sienna. Youโre so sweet,โ said Claire.
Fuming, Amber wedged herself right in the middle, making damn sure Claire didnโt get even the slightest chance to approach Sienna.
โSienna, this is the one. Their smoothie is to die for.โ Claire was enthusiastically introducing the different flavors when her three friends suddenly walked over.
โClaire, just now you-โ Before they could finish, Claire quickly cut them off and dragged them away.
โSienna, just give me a second. Iโll be right back,โ said Claire.
Claire pulled her friends aside, fished out some cash from her bag, and said, โSorry, canโt hang with you today. Hereโs 3,000 dollars each. Go have fun without me. And donโt come looking for me, got it?โ
Before her baffled friends could react, Claire was gone.
Turning back, they spotted Claire practically bouncing with joy as she dashed back into the smoothie shop.
โSienna, letโs keep going. Those were just my classmates. What a coincidence running into them here. I just went to say hi,โ said Claire.
Amber called out skeptically, โDonโt tell me you actually came with them to the amusement park?โ
Claire quickly retorted, โOf course not. I came here all by myself.โ
We werenโt together. Everyone arrived separately in their cars. So technically, I wasnโt lying, she wondered. Iโm really here alone.
Amber scoffed, clearly not buying Claireโs story. But the moment she tasted the fruit smoothie, her skepticism short-circuited. It tasted so good. The icy treat sent a refreshing chill through her.
Claire noticed Amberโs eyes crinkling with delight and knew the fruit smoothie had utterly conquered her.
Sheโs actually kinda cute when sheโs not baring her fangs at me, Claire thought to herself. โWait. If I became friends with Amber, wouldnโt that give me an excuse to visit her place every day?
Plus, I could get up close and personal with Sienna. What a genius I am. The brightest mind in history, past, present, and future. Amber, just you wait. Iโm going to win you over!