𝟭𝟬. ❛ CONFESSIONS ❜

          𝓝EW 𝓔DITION'S members sat in the studio bored to death, listening to Ralph sing. Clara tried to ignore the obvious tension in the room between all the boys and Ralph, but it was impossible.

          "Would you love me? When nights are cold? Would you love me? When I grow old?" Ralph sang a sweet tune, glancing at Clara.

The Monet girl pretended not to notice the pleading emotion in his voice. Her heart ached for him but she couldn't give him what he wanted.

"Would you care? Well, babe, it's not easy! Take me by surprise." Ralph cried out.

Bobby rolled his eyes, Ronnie looked like a wounded puppy, and Ricky was irritated.

"Man, when they gone let us hit the mic?" Mike questioned, repeatedly tossing a dice in the air and catching it out of clear boredom.

"Don't look at me. Talk to him. But I know I'm singing lead on at least one song." Bobby tilted his head forward towards the manager, sighing.

"What's the reason for these vocal rehearsals five days a week? So they can sit in there and be Janet and Michael, while the rest of us sit back here and be Tito and Jermaine?" Ricky complained.

"Shoot, we ain't even that. More like Randy." Ronnie vocalized, leaning his face on his hand as he continued to watch Ralph in the booth.

"It's not fair. Brooke would've never did something like this." Clara stated.

"I miss my uncle, man." Ronnie looked sad, his mouth dropping into a frown. Clara leaned next to him, putting her head on his shoulder.

"Don't we all," Mike mumbled grumpily. "If he gone make us sit in here everyday, then he needs to give us something to do." Ricky groaned.

"I know something we can do. Roll up out of here, find some females. There's supposed to be a real big mall in Glendale." Bobby suggested.

Clara was about to protest, but the boys had already agreed to his escape plan. She shook her head, annoyed at their lack of common sense.

They all got up and left the studio room. Ralph continued to sing as their security got up to follow the boys out and keep them out of trouble.

"Where's everyone going?" Gary watched them all leave, his mouth open in surprise.

"It's your fault, Gary," Clara shook her head, having no choice but to put her attention back on Ralph who happened to be singing his heart out.

"I'm lost. . in love! And it's true!" Ralph stared her down. She sat there silent until his song was over and it was her turn to practice.

"Alright. Start with the vocals for Ready or Not. Then we'll go from there." Gary instructed.

"Kay," Clara grabbed the headphones and mic from Ralph, sitting in his previous spot.

He left the booth and sat on the couch, his eyes trained on the girl as she prepared.

The beat began to play, Clara hummed along with it, trying to find her rhythm.

"I'll give you the sun, the rain, the moon, the stars and the mountains. I'll give you the world. . . and all that you reach for." She sang.

"Boy I'll love you more than you could know, and that's for sure! I'll climb the highest cliff, cross the farthest sea! Nothing could discourage me!" Clara closed her eyes to avoid his tense gaze.

"And I pray that you will be, always there for me, forever more! Ooohh! Ready or not!" She hummed, riding the beat for a few seconds after.

"I'll give you everything. . and more! All that I've got ( is yours ) I'll give you everything. All that you're looking for. I'll give you my heart, my soul, my love—" The girl stopped, letting out a sneeze.

"How was that?" Clara asked. "It was perfect. You actually did enough for tonight. I'll let my two special stars off early now since the others left. We can finish tomorrow with everyone present." Gary said.

"Really?" Clara was surprised. This was the first time Gary ever let them leave their mandatory vocal lessons early. It was refreshing.

"Yeah, go, before I change my mind." The white man jokingly stated. Clara put the equipment down and ran out of the studio with Ralph following.

"Yo, wait up!" Ralph ran to catch up to her. She stopped next to him and sighed.

"Don't start." Clara put her hand over his mouth, making sure he wasn't about to say something to expose their current situation out in the open.

"Damn, chill, ight? It's not about that. Why did the guys up and leave like that?" Ralph curiously asked, hoping they weren't still mad at him.

"They were bored. Gary's being unfair and not giving them shit to do." Clara stated, but she knew there was something else behind their anger.

"Man, we been in the studio all day long. I just wanna go hangout with the guys." Ralph said.

"Same. Did I tell you Zena called for you?" Clara had just remembered a small detail.

Ralph's face fell. He scratched his head and started to act all nonchalant about it.

"You don't have to pretend like you don't still have feelings for her. She was your first everything. I'm not dumb so just keep it real with me." Clara stated, mad at herself for even bringing it up.

"I do still like her, but it's nothing compared to what I feel for you, Clara. I mean it." Ralph had this charm to him. Even when he was being a dick he still had a way with words and expressions.

"Stop saying shit like that. Zena deserves better, but I know you wont let her go." Clara rolled her eyes as he pulled out his apartment key.

"Why would I let her go if I can't have you either?" Ralph replied, waiting.

"Just open the door. This conversation is over." Clara completely brushed over his question, wanting to go inside their apartment for the others.

Ralph sighed, not meaning to come off as rude, but it was just his way of being selfish. He knew she was right. He didn't deserve Zena or her.

He unlocked the door and opened it, letting Clara enter the apartment before him. As she brushed past him, her shoulder bumped his and she turned away from him without giving an apology.

The boys had music playing on the speaker and they were spread out all over the place. Mike and Ricky had girls at the table playing cards and Bobby had a girl sitting next to him on the couch.

"Hey guys," Clara came in with a cheery voice and smile. Everyone greeted her back.

"What y'all playing? Spades?" Ralph came in behind her, noticing the cards.

"Yeah, what's good," Mike greeted Ralph, being the only one to dap him up. The others ignored him and didn't shake his hand when he tried.

That alone made Clara's brain gears start to turn in wonder. The tension between the boys was so thick, she figured she could cut it with a knife.

The brown skinned girl was too mad at Ralph to feel bad. She sat down next to Ronnie on the couch. He was the only one that didn't have a girl all on him.

"I'm surprised you not sliding up in a groupies panties tonight. You too famous now?" Clara joked, a bit curious on why he was sitting alone.

"Nah, you know I'm never too famous." Ronnie grinned, making her burst out laughing.

"All jokes aside, I haven't been feeling any of these girls lately. Just focusing on me." The boy let her know the truth. Clara didn't believe it for a second, but she still nodded as he told her that.

"And why is that?" Clara questioned him. "Cause the girl I really love is into someone else." Ronnie told her, being intentional with his eyes.

Ronnie stared at Clara for what felt like hours before his eyes drifted over to Ralph. He didn't have to say too much for her to understand.

"What are you—" She stopped herself from asking the obvious when she realized.

A look of betrayal crossed Clara's face. She turned to Ralph and stood up, slapping him on the cheek in front of everyone. It was loud.

"Damn!" One of the random girls in the apartment shouted in shock.

"Get the fuck out!" Clara Monet yelled. All the girls in the apartment grabbed their things and ran out of there. They did not want any parts.

"Oh, shit," Ricky gasped. "C, chill out!" Mike ran to her, trying to intervene. Bobby and Ronnie both just sat there watching the scene unfold.

"Don't tell me to chill out, Mike. Why the fuck did you tell them, Ralph?" Clara scoffed.

"It wasn't like I wanted to tell them! They made me confess! Why are you mad at me?" Ralph was lost, his hand rubbing his face in pain.

"I don't understand why you guys feel like you have to know everything when it comes to me, but some things are not meant for y'all to know! If I want to tell y'all I will, but if I don't just let it go!"

The brown skinned girl had to let out a deep breath before she started talking again.

"My business is meant for me to tell, not for you to try and figure out. Yes, I fucked Ralph, but we will never be together. So stop icing him out and treating him like he stole something from me." Clara declared, breathless after speaking her mind.

"How can you still defend him knowing he's cheating on Zena with you?" Bobby piped up, his dislike for Ralph only growing stronger.

"I'm not defending him. But let's not act like you guys aren't mistreating him because of this situation. I don't get it. Why do y'all act like that because of me? Like I'm some kind of property that you can fight over and win?" Clara was fed up with them.

She missed how things used to be. They were all friends. Just innocent kids trying to make it out. It's like they lost the plot now that they grew up.

"We're sorry, okay?" Ronnie frowned. He didn't realize she felt that way, but now that he thought about it, they did always fight over her now.

"It won't happen again." Ricky promised. Mike, Ralph, and Ronnie all nodded at that. Bobby was more reluctant than the others but agreed.

             "We're supposed to be family. Put your feelings and your pride to the side. Our mission is to move our families out of the projects. Did y'all forget?" The girl raised a brow at them, worried.

             "No, we didn't forget." Bobby mumbled grumpily, forced to listen. Clara was the only one that got away with talking to him crazy.

             "Come here," Clara motioned for them all to do their huddle. They all joined her, standing in a circle as they each put one hand in and pulled back.

              "Y'all ain't save me no food?" Ralph noticed all the empty food plates on the table.

              "Oh, we can't let the super star be hungry. I got some for you to eat." Ronnie grinned, opening his plate and holding up a chewed piece of chicken.

              "That's so messed up, Ron," Clara giggled, laughing along with the rest of the boys.

              "Man, y'all ain't worth shit." Ralph rolled his eyes, not in the mood for their jokes.

             "Aye, man, you a big star now, Rizz. We figured you was too busy to eat with some regular brothas like us, right?" Bobby cracked up.

              "Right, right," Mike agreed, laughing hard as hell at the faces Ralph was making.

𝓐 few hours had passed and Clara ended up in Ronnie's room. She sat in front of him on his bed, her legs in a criss cross position. The two of them had a lot to talk about. Especially since his confession.

          "Did you really mean it?" Clara blurted out, her mind and heart racing in anticipation.

          "What kind of question is that?" Ronnie stared at her, wondering. Was she really that dense? All the boys caught feelings for her at some point.

          "I'm serious, Ron," The girl mumbled under her breath this time, confused and nervous.

           "To answer your question from earlier, the reason we fight so much over you is because we all have feelings for you. It's hard not to fight about certain things when we all get jealous." Ronnie made another confession.

           The Monet couldn't even begin to wrap her head around what she heard. In her mind, she had imagined a reverse harem and she was the main character.

            "Why do boys romanticize every close connection in their lives? I honestly had no idea any of you felt that way, except for Ralph. He was the only one that kept his intentions and feelings real with me." Clara explained, hitting herself in the head twice.

            Ronnie's face flashed a hurt look before switching back to his regular facial expression.

            "You're right. We were wrong for not letting you know about our true intentions. But we thought it was pretty obvious." Ronnie scratched his head.

             "It probably was, now that I think about it. But I'm only sixteen. You guys are the only boys I have in my life besides my dad. I feel so stupid." Clara looked down at her lap, wondering how she could've missed the hints that the guys gave her. It was impossible.

            "I get it. Don't beat yourself up about it." Ronnie lifted her chin with his finger. He leaned towards the girl, placing a kiss on her forehead.

             Clara stiffened at that. She could feel her cheeks starting to warm up but didn't react.

           "I meant what I said earlier, Clara Monet. I know he was your first love, but I plan on being your last. I'll wait for you as long as it takes." The words left his lips in a soft whisper, soft enough to miss.

She heard him though. Every last word replayed in her mind. Again and again. The girl woke up the next morning in her own bed, distraught.

Clara dreamed about the conversation constantly. It haunted her thoughts. Every time she saw Ronnie those words played in her head. So much so that she found herself starting to avoid him.

Weeks passed. New Edition barely saw Clara Monet, despite living across the hall. If she was going to avoid Ronnie, she had to avoid them all.

As much as the girl missed them, she figured it was best to keep her distance. Even during practices, Clara zoned them out and ignored them, going back to her focused and selfish behavior.

The girl had a talk with Gary behind their backs, telling him she would resign if he didn't give the other boys more lines in the group.

Apparently, Ralph had a similar talk with the man which made him change his ways.

Currently, Clara sat in the studio watching the boys rehearse Mr. Telephone Man. Bobby was the lead singer in that song. Something he deserved.

"Mr. Telephone Man, there's something wrong with my line! When I dial my baby's number, I get a click every time!" The boys vocalized.

The brown skinned girl noticed how each of the boys glanced at her. It kind of annoyed her that every time someone sat in the booth, the song matched their current situation. She had been dodging all their calls and dodging them in real life, too.

"Aye, Mike, I need you to pick it up man. You're coming in flat." The producer reprimanded Mike. He gave the man an annoyed look.

"Aye, Ray, he can't help it. That's just how his voice sounds. He's always flat." Bobby joked and all the guys started laughing with him.

Mike didn't say anything, using his hand to shove Bobby away from him. Clara watched with a small grin on her face, but held back from laughing.

"Come on, man. Let's be professional. Mike, you think you can hit the notes for me?" The producer asked, taking his job serious and not playing.

"Yeah, yeah," Mike nodded. Clara smiled at him, knowing this was something he was meant to be doing. Not basketball or gang activities.

After the boys rehearsed a second time, it was Clara's turn to hop in the booth while they sat on the couch and watched her. She had been working on some new music that would take her far.

Clara realized her true power and relished in it. She was a flirt, she was seductive, and she was desired by most men she came across. It would be a rebrand from her innocent Candy Girl era, but she figured it was finally time for her to grow up anyways.

Sex sells. She studied albums for weeks. Her inspiration came from some of her favorite female artists and most of the top female artists.

Once she finally realized they all had one thing in common, she was convinced.

Clara put the headphones on her head, nodding up and down as the rhythm of the beat flowed.

"There. . . is nothing. . . I wouldn't do. . . for you! All that you want, I'll be all that you need. 'Cause boy, you know you got me. And I'll do. . .Anything!" She sang, spitting the lyrics out perfectly. The beat dropped after she said the first few lines.

The boys all watched her, nodding their heads at the way she sounded and the flow.

"Anything you wanna do, I am gonna try to. Boy, my body's just for you. Boy, my body's just for you! Heaven is your destination. You can drive us if you choose." Clara sang seductively.

            The boys in the studio whistled at her, their version of catcalling without saying words.

"That's all I need to record because I'll just be repeating those lyrics for the rest of the song." The girl told the producer, removing the headset.

She left the booth, ignoring all the eyes burning into her skin. Gary and the producer clapped, releasing them early for the day. They were done.

Clara was the first to walk out of the studio, heading outside to the car. Everyone else followed suit, including their two bodyguards.

"Great session! Let's get y'all some food. Bobby and Clara, y'all killed that." Khalil told them, hopping in the passenger seat. Jeff was driving.

             "Thanks," Clara smiled, noticing the boys start to race to the car and shook her head.

             "I got the window seat!" Bobby hopped in the car first and the other boys did the same.

              "Ron, move!" Ralph pushed Ronnie into the car and hopped in after him, leaving Clara and Mike being each other's rival for the last good spot.

             Mike tried to push past the guys and sit down. Ricky was the one to push him back, not letting him get the last good spot before Clara could.

            "Yo, scoot over. I'm not sitting in the middle this time." Mike tried to sit down again. Clara huffed and moved Mike, taking the middle seat.

             "I'll sit in the middle. Can y'all grow up and leave him alone?" Clara defended Mike. She could tell he was already irritated and wasn't in the mood.

             "Thank you, C. These niggas so childish. Scoot over man!" Mike tried to get in the car again, only for Ricky to lay back and take up more space.

            "Come on, man. Just get in, what's it matter?" Ronnie teased him. Clara just sat back and closed her eyes, ignoring the idiotic banter.

            "You know what? I'll catch a cab." Mike slammed the door. Jeff heard the door close and drove off, but he heard Mike scream and stopped the car.

            "Stop the car! You ran over my foot!" Mike shouted in pain. Jeff was the first one to get out of the car to check on Mike and so did the others.

             "Oh, my God, Mike!" Clara ran to his side, helping him stay off his hurt foot.

            "I never even saw you. I heard the door close and thought you got in." Jeff took off his shades, checking to make sure Mike's foot wasn't broken.

            Bobby poked his head out the roof of the car. He saw Mike leaning on Clara in pain and started to mock the injured boy for the whole situation.

            "Damn, Mike! Today just ain't your day! Aye, man, you sound like a lil bitch! Talm bout stop the car, stop the car!" Bobby laughed loudly.

             Before anyone could scold Bob for his actions, Mike rushed forward, spitting in his face. That made all the joy and happiness leave Bobby's face.

            "Now who's the bitch? Huh?" Mike seethed, his anger getting the best of him. It had been bubbling up from the start and everyone could tell.

            Clara's jaw dropped. Ralph, Ricky, and Ronnie all had their mouths open in shock as well.

           Bobby hopped out the car and tackled Mike onto the ground. They fought for a few seconds until Mike ended up on top of Bobby, choking him.

           "Mike, you're gonna kill him!" Clara kept her hand over her mouth as the whole thing went down. She just stood there, feeling hopeless for their future.

            The boys and security all stepped in. They could barely even stop Mike, but after a few minutes they were finally able to break up the vicious fight.

𝒐𝒐𝒐. AUTHORS NOTE * 𖤐 ༘ミ
clara's feelings are all over the place i know. bare with me yall it's going to get better lol. she's a teenager so i feel like it's normal for her not to know what she wants and who she wants. it'll get better with time.

question of the day, how yall feeling so far about the story? any thoughts on clara? any insight on how yall think she's feeling? who yall think she likes the most as of right now and it's really easy to miss!