Hidden motive

"Whatever you say I still don't want to have a friend much less a dirty cleaner like you."

"We are both dirty though."

"I don't believe you," Louisa chirped loudly. "You are the dirtiest creature I have ever seen."

"I know you don't mean that." Clarissa faked a scowl.

"Oh, Clarissa. I have never handed a compliment I didn't mean."

"So you think I am ugly?"

"Only when you laugh. Maybe frown some more then I could change my mind."

"Then what about me? Could you change your mind about me as well?"

Louisa stayed stuck in her heels at that point and so did Clarissa except she had tilted her slender frame to look over Louisa's shoulder since Louisa appeared too stunned to do so herself.

"Ms. Samantha!" Clarissa shrieked. "What are you doing down this alley?"

Louisa, chewing the insides of her lips very much, could not have hated Clarissa's voice any more than she did in that moment.

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