A/N: This is an AU, takes place in high school. I didn't like AU's at first, but after reading several I started to love the idea of imagining how things might be if Violet and Clementine met each other under more real circumstances. This is Violentine. I originally meant this to be a one-shot but the more I wrote the more I wanted to write. It's much longer than I intended and I may do a part two if anyone is interested.
"I freaking hate that Everett girl!" Violet fumed from the back of the classroom to no one in particular.
"What?" Louis leaned in, "Clementine?"
"Yes, ClEmEnTiNe," Violet said in a mocking voice, "Even her name makes me sick, like, oooh, look at me, I'm soooo special, I was named after a fruit," Louis raised an eyebrow at her before looking at the brown haired girl sitting in the front row, hand raised ready to answer the teacher's question. "I hate her stupid face, I hate her stupid white sundress and her dumb pigtails."
"I think she's cute." Louis shrugged.
Brody leaned into the conversation. "Isn't she dating that Gabe guy anyway?"
"No," Louis answered, " they broke up weeks ago. Violet's just frustrated because she thinks Clementine's hot, but she's into dudes. Maybe I should ask her out?"
"You kids in the back, zip it." the teacher yelled. Violet slunk lower in her seat.
"You would ask that teacher's pet out Louis? Really? Look at her." Violet whispered gruffly. "Pick me pick me! I'm sooOOoo perfect." Violet cruelly imitated, raising her hand slightly. Clementine's head half turned at her words and she slowly dropped her hand into her lap.
"I think she heard you." Brody whispered.
"I don't care, good. Someone ought to tell her she's a suck up." Violet shrugged, "I mean, she's a year below us, she's only a Sophomore and she's in all of our freaking classes. I'm getting tired of staring at the back of her head all day, always raising her dumb hand, kissing all the teacher's butts."
"You just wish she was kissing your-," Louis started before Violet punched him in the arm.
"Ow!" he yelped.
"You two in the back, you're staying after for detention!" the teacher shouted.
"Thanks a lot." Louis grumbled.
"Big deal." Violet shrugged.
"As I was saying," the teacher began again, "Group reports are due in a month, partners are posted on the classroom door, please look at it on your way out. Partners are non negotiable so no asking for trades. Your growing up, sometimes you have to learn to work with people you don't get along with, deal with it." As soon as he finished talking the bell rang. "Louis and Violet, please stay behind." Brody frowned at her friends, waving at them as she headed out.
Violet stared angrily at Clementine as she neatly packed everything in her backpack and got up to leave. Clementine stopped at the door on her way out, waiting for the mass of students to move out of the way. Some students cheered as the found their name, others grumbled but when Clementine found her name, Violet saw her hand drop to the side and look back warily in Violet's direction before taking a deep breath and moving out of the classroom.
Violet's heart dropped, it couldn't be. She wanted to jump out of her seat and look at the list immediately but the teacher was standing over her and Louis, arms crossed. He set down a spray bottle and some rags. "Clean the desks, pick up the trash, straighten up the chairs." Without another word he moved back to his desk, sat down and began grading papers.
Louis and Violet got to work, cleaning up the classroom. "What are you doing after school Lou?" Violet asked.
"Going over to Marlon's house to play PlayStation I guess." Louis answered, "You?"
"No plans..." Violet admitted.
"Want to go to Marlon's with me?" Louis offered, "I'm sure we can get Brody to join as well." Violet shrugged, "Sure, Marlon's a jerk but it's better than going home." Louis looked sadly at his friend.
"Maybe after we play some games for a while, we can get some chicken nuggets for dinner, my treat." Louis said, causing Violet to smile. He sidled towards the classroom door, "You're going to need some cheering up after you see who your partner is for the report." Louis grinned a mischievous grin. Violet rushed to the door, scanning the list quickly trying to find her name, finally she found it.
"Violet and... Clementine." Violet huffed, "I knew it, freaking Everett."
"It might not be so bad, she knows you hate her," Louis chuckled, "she'll probably just do the whole report on her own and then you'll get credit or you could just admit you think she's hot and be done with the charade." Violet rolled her eyes and threw her rag in Louis's face.
The next day in class Violet, Brody and Louis were all sitting in their usual spots a the back of the room. Violet looked at Clementine's empty seat. She hadn't been at school all day. Violet couldn't remember Clementine ever missing a school day before.
"Everett's not here" Violet pointed out to her friends.
"And you care why?" Brody asked with a smirk. Louis and Brody shared knowing glances.
"She's my partner is all... we gotta get started on our report soon." Violet said, sinking into her chair. Just as the bell rang to signal the start of class, Clementine came in the room. Violet noticed she was dressed a lot more casually than normal, wearing jeans and a plain t-shirt. She was almost always wearing some sort of dress or frilly skirt. Violet's cheeks burned red as she realized how much attention she had paid to what Clementine wore. Maybe she did have a crush? She shook her head at her own thoughts. Clementine was also wearing a blue baseball cap, her short curly hair coming out the back in a poof of a ponytail.
The teacher stood up and started talking. Violet pulled out her notebook, ready to take notes, or doodle on the paper while she pretended to take notes at least.
"No hats in class Ms. Everett" the teacher said, Clementine sat still, seemingly unaware the teacher was speaking to her. Notebooks, textbooks, pens all remained in her unopened book bag. Violet stared at her in surprise, she had never seen her not paying attention in class before.
The teacher stood for a moment before reaching down and pulling the hat off the girl's head, repeating himself, "No hats in class Ms. Everett." Clementine stood so quickly, and with such force that her desk clanged to the floor, nearly landing on the teacher's toes.
"Don't. Touch. My hat." Clementine growled. Violet's jaw dropped. The entire classroom was silent. Even the teacher froze in surprise. Students started pulling out phones, holding them up to record the events taking place.
"Please have a seat Ms. Everett" the teacher said seriously.
"I'll sit when you give me back my hat." Clementine took a step forward, hands clenched at her side.
"Ms. Everett," the teacher began warily, "I haven't had any issues with you all year, you've been an amazing student, top grades in the class, an excellent worker. That's why I'm going to give you one more chance, pick up your desk and sit down."
"How about I give you one more chance to give me back my hat before I take it back?" Clementine returned. Violet's eyes grew wide, Everett just got a lot more interesting. Maybe partnering up with her wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Out Ms. Everett! Out!" the teacher yelled, finger shakily pointed at the door.
"You mean I don't have to listen to you drawling on for an hour? How sad for me." Clementine threw back, kicking her chair over in anger. She turned towards the door, hesitated briefly, before turning back and jerking her hat out of the teachers hand before angrily stomping out of the room, door slamming behind her.
A deathly silence hung over everyone's head, in shock over what had just happened.
"Everyone turn to chapter 8 of your text books. Read it and answer the questions at the end. I want you to turn in your answers on my desk on the way out." the teacher said, voice shaking slightly. Violet pulled out her textbook, glancing around. Over half the class was typing furiously on their phones. It wouldn't be long before the entire school knew about Clementine's outburst.
"Holy crap," Louis said leaning towards Violet, smiling big. "She went crazy!"
"I feel bad for her..." Brody said frowning. "Something had to of been wrong, she's not normally like that." Violet nodded slightly, frowning as well.
"Now that I think about it, when Clementine started coming here this year, there were a lot of rumors about something happening at her old school." Louis said.
"They say she got kicked out of some fancy private school." Brody said. "I never believed it before, but maybe they're right."
"Who's they?" Violet asked, a little miffed that everyone was talking about Everett behind her back. Sure Violet talked about her behind her back, but... that was different... right? She only talked to her friends, she didn't spread rumors around the school. And that was when she thought she was a goody-two-shoes, now it was different.
"Ya know... they!" Brody said, vaguely waving her arms around. Violet 'hmmed' her response and started listening to the other students in the class.
"I heard she got kicked out of her old school for accidentally killing a kid in a fight"
"Someone told me that she slept with a teacher"
"They said that she slashed her principals tires and broke out the windshield with a baseball bat"
Violet grimaced at all the rumors flying around the room. The whole class was in an uproar, she looked at the front of the class. Clementine's desk still laid on the ground where she had knocked it. The teacher was sitting at his desk talking on the phone, oblivious to the class. Violet tried to focus in on what he was saying.
"It was her first offense yes, but considering her... record, maybe we should skip right to expulsion? At the very least suspension." he paused, Violet assumed he was listening to the person on the other end, "I sent her out of the room, what else was I supposed to do?" another pause, "Class will be over soon, we can round her up then, get with the guidance counselor, have a meeting to discuss our options. Thanks." He hung up the phone. Violet glared at her text book, expelled for yelling, for talking back? They wouldn't do that... would they? Violet sighed to herself, Everett had looked pretty threatening, especially for how small she actually was compared to the teacher. She had given off an aurora of strength that Violet had never seen from the usually timid girl. Violet hated to admit it to herself but she had found the whole thing sort of attractive. Her face warmed at the thought.
"I told you Brody," Louis was saying, staring at the blonde girl, "she has got it baaaad!"
"Stop it Louis!" Brody tried to come to Violet's defense but she couldn't stop from giggling.
"Mark my words," Louis said, "If Clementine, pardon my french, swings that way, Violet will have her properly romanced before the month is out!"
"Shut up Louis." Violet growled, avoiding eye contact with the boy just as the bell rang.
"Answers on the desk!" the teacher reminded as everyone stood to leave.
"Did you do the questions?" Violet asked, having completely forgotten, her book sitting on her desk untouched.
"Ummm, no." Louis said, "I doubt most of the class did."
"I did," Brody said, setting the paper on Violet's desk. "Just change up the wording."
"Brody to the rescue!" Louis cheered, pulling out his pen.
"You're a real life saver Brody, thanks." Violet said genuinely, "My grade in this class is on the edge of failing, I can't afford to mess up another assignment."
"Then you better go find your partner and get to work on that report!" Louis said, grabbing Brody's paper to copy as soon as Violet finished. "Maybe if you're lucky you won't just get an A+ paper, you'll also get an A+ girlfriend!"
"Really Lou?" Brody sighed.
"Not your best line buddy." Violet said, getting up and heading down the row.
"I know..." Louis replied, hanging his head in mock shame. Violet rolled her eyes hard and moved to leave, noticing Clementine's book bag sitting on the floor near her upturned desk and chair, still unopened. Violet reached down and picked it up, hoping she could find the girl before she left for the day. Most of the class had already filed out, Violet set her answer sheet on top of a very small pile on the teacher's desk. As she left the room, before she could even start thinking about where to go looking for Clementine, she saw her. She was sitting right next to the door, knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around them, hat pulled down over her eyes.
"Um... you forgot your bag." Violet said, holding it out awkwardly.
"Thanks," Clementine mumbled, reaching out and taking it from her, while staying seated on the ground.
"Are you... okay?" Violet asked, feeling stupid, but not wanting to leave her.
"I'm fine." Clementine responded curtly.
"The whole class was talking about... it. After you left." Violet stumbled trying to think of something say, only to stick her foot in her mouth.
"It's fine," Clementine said, looking up at her pointedly, eyes red and puffy, "I'm used to it." Clementine stood up, throwing her backpack on and walking quickly down the hall. People began pointing and talking in hushed tones as she passed.
"Hey, look Everett, I'm sorry," Violet said, hustling to catch up to her, dodging around gawking students, "I'm just a jerk, you can ask any of my friends. They can hardly stand to be around me since Minnie and I broke up."
"Minnie?" Clementine asked, keeping her eyes facing forward.
"Yeah, my girlfriend, well... Ex-girlfriend." Violet said and she didn't know why, but she kept going, "She graduated last year, went off to college, which was fine, we made it work. Then she joined this sorority, Delta something. Next thing you know, I get a text saying how she's outgrown me or some crap."
"A text?" Clementine asked, cutting her eyes over to glance at Violet without turning her head.
"A text!" Violet exclaimed. "We were together for almost a year and all I get is a freaking text!"
"That's pretty sucky." Clementine admitted, finally turning her head to face Violet.
"Yeah..." Violet frowned, "look, I really am sorry for trash talking about you. You don't deserve that. What you did today was... pretty cool." Clementine smiled at Violet, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Violet looked down, she knew that smile, it was a smile she had given many times, but it was a smile that ached her to see on Clementine's face.
As they neared the school exit, the school's secretary busted out of the office. "Ms. Everett, the principal needs to speak to you."
Clementine sighed as she slowed to a stop. "Ma'am, I need to pick up my little brother from school."
"Now, Ms. Everett." the secretary said, holding the office door open for the girl. Violet watched as Clementine followed in frustration, pulling her hat off as she went. Violet assumed she was trying to avoid any further confrontation.
Violet decided to wait for her, hoping she wouldn't be suspended. After waiting about twenty minutes, Clementine hurriedly pushed through the office door. Her eyes widened in surprise, finding Violet standing there waiting for her.
"I've gotta go," Clementine said apologetically, "I'm sorry, my brother, he's waiting for me, I'm super late." She headed out the door at a fast walk, placing the hat back on her head.
"Mind if I tag along?" Violet asked, catching up.
"Sure," Clementine nodded. "It'll be super boring, I have to get AJ, then I have to come back for track practice."
"I don't have anything else to do." Violet shrugged, "Besides, I want to know what they said."
"I figured." Clementine mumbled.
"I'm not going to go spreading it around the school like some dumb gossip girl, I'm concerned. I heard our teacher talking about expulsion on the phone." Violet explained. "I don't want you to leave when we just started getting along."
"Yeah, okay." Clementine said, seeming to believe her, "They gave me a week of in school suspension. No big deal. Just a slap on the wrist really. The counselor was in the meeting, she knows my... situation, so she convinced them to be lenient." Violet eyed her at the word "situation" maybe there was lot more to this Everett girl than she had thought. "Anyway, they made it clear that next time I wouldn't get off so easy. I'm not looking forward to asking Christa to sign my disciplinary plan..."
"Christa, you call your mom by her first name?" Violet smirked.
"She's my foster mom." Clementine explained as they reached the Elementary school. "AJ!" She cried as she spotted the boy, throwing her hands in the air to hug him in greeting. Violet assumed the boy was usually more enthusiastic, as it was he sauntered up slowly, allowing the hug but not returning it.
"My teacher needs to talk to you." AJ said, looking at his shoes. Violet saw someone standing under the school awning, looking at their watch and tapping their foot. Clementine growled in frustration before throwing on a smile and jogging towards the teacher.
"Hi, I'm so sorry I'm late!" Violet could hear Clementine yell from her spot on the sidewalk.
"Who are you?" AJ asked pointedly.
"Uh, Violet, I'm Violet." Violet explained, she scratched the back of her neck, "I'm friends with Everett."
"Everett?" AJ laughed, "Her name is Clem, if you were really her friend you would know that. Besides, she's never told me about you and she tells me everything." Violet raised her eyebrows at the little boy. She was never good around little kids. Minerva had a little brother that she got along with well enough, but he was a good bit older than AJ, and more or less kept to himself.
"Well, it's a new friendship." Violet explained, noticing the boy's shirt, "Oh man! I love Disco Broccoli! That was one of my all time favorite cartoons as a kid. Who's your favorite character?" AJ lit up with excitement at Violet recognizing his shirt. He opened his mouth to answer when Clementine ran back to them.
"AJ, biting? Again?! We have talked and talked about this, you are in first grade! You are way too old to be biting!" Clementine fumed, she grabbed his hand and started pulling him back towards the high school. "No TV or games tonight, got it?" AJ looked sadly at the sidewalk as he let Clementine drag him down the street.
"Do you think that's fair?" Violet asked, "I mean, after the day you had?" If looks could kill, Violet would have died instantly from the glare Clementine gave her. AJ perked up slightly at the comment.
"Did you have a bad day too Clem?" AJ asked, "Were you thinking about your mom and dad? That's why you're wearing your hat right?" Violet listened in curiously.
"We're not talking about me right now AJ, we're talking about you." Clementine said, still glaring daggers at Violet.
"I'm sorry Clem, I really am." AJ frowned, Violet thought he did look sorry, but maybe he just had a really good puppy dog face. "That bully was picking on Tenn again! He was making fun of his scar." Violet's eyes widened at the name.
"Tenn? Like, Tennessee?" She asked.
"Yeah," AJ nodded, "He's older than me, but not as tough, I try and protect him."
"Well stop." Clementine said harshly, "Go get a teacher or something, you can't keep biting people. We'll have to talk about this more later." She sighed, rubbing the side of her head with her finger tips. They had just arrived at the track, the rest of the team was already in the field stretching. Clementine swore under her breath.
"Who knew Ms. Everett had such a potty mouth?" Violet said smiling, "I'm just learning so much about you today." Clementine raised her middle finger at the girl without looking at her, Violet broke into a huge grin. Clementine sat AJ down on the stadium bleachers.
"AJ, I'm super late, I still have to change." Clementine reached into her bag and pulled out some crackers and a juice box, setting it down in front of him. "Here, eat your snack and then do your homework. Reading and math facts. Your flash cards and book are in the front pocket of your book bag. I love you goofball." Clementine said giving him a quick kiss on the forehead, he winced at her sign of affection, before she turned towards Violet, "You don't have to stay Violet, AJ is okay alone. Track is super boring to watch."
She shrugged, "I don't have anywhere else to be."
"Alright, suit yourself" Clementine said, walking backwards towards the locker room.
Violet noticed that the rest of the team had already started running now. "Um, aren't you worried about the Coach kicking you off the team? Everyone else has started."
Clementine gave her a cocky smile, "No, I'm not worried about that." and then she turned and ran into the locker room to change. Violet shook her head at the brunette. She couldn't believe she had wasted the entire year thinking she was a suck up when there was so much more to her.
"She's really fast." AJ said, spraying crackers as he talked. "She always wins." Violet raised an eyebrow at the boy.
"Always?" she asked.
"Always." he answered. The two sat in silence as AJ finished his snack. Right as he was finishing up his juice box Clementine came crashing through the locker room door, Hopping on one foot, trying to pull on her other shoe. Violet's face flushed at the sight of Clementine in her tank top and running shorts and she was still wearing that blue hat. Clementine caught Violet's gaze and shot her another cocky smile and wink. Violet rolled her eyes at the girl, as she stumbled across the field to where the Coach was standing. The Coach didn't look very happy with her. He was waving his arms in the air, pointing at his watch and then at the ground. Clementine dropped to the ground and started doing push ups.
"One for every minute she's late." AJ explained. Violet smiled at AJ, this must be a regular occurrence. Violet stared in awe as Clementine did her push ups, all the way up and down. Regular push ups too, not on her knees. Violet had never been the athletic type, she didn't even have any athletic friends, but dang could that girl do a push up. As soon as Clementine finished what must have been thirty push ups, she lept up and started running on a dirt trail that was near the paved track, it led off into the woods, Violet watched her until she was out of sight.
Violet's phone beeped, she unlocked it to see a text from Louis.
Lou: everything alright? You left fast after class, are you coming over?
Me: All good, thanks Lou. Nah, I'm hanging out with Everett
Lou: WHAT?
Me: shut it
Lou: I need details
Lou: Are you confessing your loooooove?
Me: bye
Violet put her phone to sleep, ignoring the beeps it kept emitting.
"Um, need some help there AJ?" Violet asked hesitantly.
"Reading is dumb." He said, glaring at the book.
"Reading is great once you get the hang of it." Violet said, moving down to sit on the bleacher next to the boy, "I hated reading when I was your age too, but now it's one of my favorite things. Books can let you fight fight dragons and visit other planets. Reading is the best."
AJ frowned, "This book isn't about fun stuff like that."
"Unfortunately you have to learn how to read stuff like," Violet picked up his book, "'Vegetables and you' before you can get to the good stuff. Here, I'll help you, let's read it together."
"Thanks!" AJ grinned as Violet opened the book, placing her finger underneath the first word, waiting patiently for AJ to read it before moving on to the next. By the time they finished the book and started working on the math flash cards Clementine emerged once again from the tree line and began running around the track. No other track members were anywhere in sight.
"13" AJ answered, looking at the flash card that read 6+7, that Violet was holding, "I said 13!" AJ repeated loudly. Violet had her eyes on Clementine, breathing heavy, face red with the effort, glistening with sweat. AJ waved his hand in front of Violet. "What are you doing?"
Violet snapped her attention back to AJ, embarrassed at her loss of concentration. "Yeah, that's right, how about this one?" They continued, going through the flash cards twice before the Coach dismissed the team. As Clementine walked towards them she pulled the hem of her tank top up to wipe at the sweat off her face. Violet struggled to not stare. Did she realize the effect she had on her? Violet was torn between believing Clementine was completely naive about her apparent infatuation and thinking that Clementine was teasing her mercilessly on purpose. She wasn't sure which, but she intended to find out.
"Did you get your homework done buddy?" Clementine asked as she headed towards the locker room.
"Yeah! Violet helped!" AJ grinned as Violet helped him pack up his book bag.
"She did?" Clementine smiled at him, before throwing Violet a smile, a smile that Violet noticed finally reached her eyes, "Thanks Vi." The nickname sent butterflies to her stomach, Violet only managed a small nod in response.
Violet and AJ walked down the bleacher steps and waited on the field right outside the locker room. When Clementine emerged she was back in her t-shirt and jeans. Hat, as sweaty as it was, was still on her head.
"Let's head out!" Clementine said clapping her hands together. "Violet, do you wanna come over and have dinner with us? Christa always works late."
"Yeah," Violet answered, trying not to sound too eager, "Sure, I mean, if you're not tired of me hanging around."
"No, it's nice to the have company." Clementine said as they started walking back down the sidewalk. "I'm going to sound like a real dork I know, but... I haven't had someone my age to talk to in a long time."
"What about Gabe? Didn't you two date for a while?" Violet looked sideways at Clementine, trying not to look to eager to know what had happened. Clementine looked at AJ, watching him kick a rock across the sidewalk before chasing it down and kicking it again, trying to gauge if he was out of ear shot.
"Gabe didn't really want to talk much... ya know?" Clementine looked at the ground as she answered.
"Hmmm," Violet replied, trying to read Clementine's face.
"He was always mad that I couldn't make it to all of his baseball games, I mean, I tried, I went to the ones that I could." Clementine went on, "He never wanted to go out on a date, he always just wanted to... stay in. It's not like I'm a prude! I mean, I just wasn't ready to... go all the way, does that make sense?" Clementine looked to Violet for validation. Violet nodded. "When I wasn't willing to be with him the way he wanted, he started hooking up with Becca. When I found out, he said it was my fault, which, maybe it was..."
Violet stopped in her tracks and grabbed Clementine by the upper arms. "No. Don't say that! It is not your fault that Gabe is a pig. If he really cared about you he would've been happy to wait until you were ready. And if he was such a jerk that he couldn't keep it in his pants he should have broken up with you before moving on. Not your fault, his." Clementine nodded slightly, still looking at the ground. They started walking again, picking up speed to catch back up to AJ.
"If you're looking for a nice guy," Violet started, "My friend Louis said he thinks you're cute. He may be loud and obnoxious, and he never shuts up, but he's a really good guy where it counts."
"Louis huh?" Clementine asked. "Is he tall guy with dreadlocks?"
"That's him." Violet said, her heart ached at the thought of Clementine with Louis, but she didn't want to see her with another jerk like Gabe either. If she couldn't be with Clementine then she wanted her to at least be with someone that she knew would treat her right.
"Yeah, he's pretty cute." Clementine said, looking at Violet for a reaction, "like, really cute..." Violet avoided eye contact, "but he's not as cute as you Vi." Violet tripped over her own shoes, Clementine giggled at her reaction and kept walking forward. Violet stood frozen momentarily before catching up. Was Clementine teasing her? Was she flirting? Were Violet's feelings that obvious? Or did Clementine honestly reciprocate them?
"Enough about me," Clementine said, looking serious, "Why don't you want to go home?"
Violet sputtered for a minute, unable to answer. Clementine had just said she was cute, giving her hope and then she comes out of left field with something like that. Violet didn't know how to respond.
"What do you mean?" Violet decided to try denial first, even though she knew Clementine was too smart to fall for it.
"Don't play dumb Vi, because I know you're not," Clementine sighed, watching AJ pick up a stick, trying to golf the rock around now as they turned into a neighborhood. "I've seen you getting into the car with Louis after school, riding the bus home with Brody, I don't know if I've ever seen you leave school alone. Now you've been following me around all day and I can't help but think that you just needed a reason to not go home..." Violet cringed at the sad look on Clementine's face. Violet would have been a lot more excited knowing how much attention Clementine had paid her had she not looked so dejected.
"You're right. I don't like going home, not until night at least." Violet decided to be honest, "but look, that has nothing to do with me hanging out with you okay? I mean, I was super impressed when you stormed out of class and I felt guilty for trash talking you, I just wanted to apologize at first. Then I felt worried about what the school would do to punish you and then, well, the more I was around you, the more I wanted to stay around you. Trust me, if all I wanted was to stay away from my own house, I'd have gone to Louis's or someone else's house like I always have. I came with you because... I wanted to."
"Well, this is where I call home." Clementine said as they approached a simple one story house. "And don't think you're getting out of your answer by the way. I still want to know why you don't want to go home." Clementine pulled her keys out of her book bag and unlocked the front door. AJ rushed in first, throwing his bag on the ground before flopping on the couch and grabbing at the remote.
"Uh-uh." Clementine chastised. "No TV, no games, no computer, no screens of any kind and no more biting." AJ frowned and threw down the remote. Maybe he had forgotten about the punishment or at least hoped that Clementine had forgotten about it.
"You're so mean, you-you stupid head!" AJ screamed, running out of the room and slamming the door when he got to what Violet assumed was his bedroom.
"I feel the love!" Clementine said jokingly, "Time to start dinner." Violet chuckled and looked around the room they were standing in. It was a big living room with an L shaped couch in front of the TV. Only an island divided the kitchen from the living room. A hallway led back to what Violet assumed led to at least AJ's bedroom. Violet followed Clementine into the kitchen as she picked up a recipe card on the counter, her eyes scanning over it quickly. "Ugh, this takes almost two hours to prepare and cook..."
Clementine swore under her breath again, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands. Violet could see how tired she was, not just physically, but emotionally.
"Can't you just throw some chicken nuggets in the microwave and call it a day?" Violet asked.
"I wish," Clementine said wearily, laying her torso on the counter, arms folded under her head, "Christa does all the shopping, she refuses to buy anything processed or GMO or I don't know what. All I know is her high standards in food end up meaning a lot more work for me."
"I want chicken nuggets!" AJ yelled from the hallway, head poking around the corner.
"Let's do it," Clementine stood up straight, looking resolved before going into the fridge pulling out ingredients, "Let's make chicken nuggets!" AJ cheered.
"Make chicken nuggets? You can make chicken nuggets?" Violet asked dumbfounded. Clementine laughed, "I'm going to make you the best chicken nuggets you've ever tasted." AJ and Violet both cheered this time as Clementine set out bowls of flour, egg and milk mix, as well as a cutting board loaded with chicken. She pulled out some vegetable oil, usually reserved for baking, and poured it all into a small pan and set it on the stove to heat. AJ and Violet stood watching in awe of her cooking skills. After everything was set up, Clementine grabbed an apron off a hook inside the nearby pantry. Violet grinned at the Disco Broccoli and friends pattern on it.
"Nice." Violet said, smirking.
"Don't make fun," Clementine frowned, "I made this in Home Ec. last year. I need it to protect my clothes from the oil."
"Not making fun, I love Disco Broccoli, right AJ?" Violet said, turning and high fiving AJ.
Clementine grinned at them both before grabbing a large knife and cutting the chicken into small chicken nugget sized pieces.
"Do you want me to help with anything?" Violet asked, feeling rude just sitting there watching, but not really knowing what to do.
"Sure, want to cut the chicken or do the batter?" Clementine smiled.
"Whatever involves me not wearing an apron." Violet jeered.
"You know your teasing the girl with a knife, right?" Clementine threw back, holding the knife up menacingly.
"That wouldn't have scared me in the least until this afternoon, after your outburst though I now feel the need to apologize. I'm sorry. I looove your apron, it looks adorable on you. I'm just afraid it wouldn't look nearly as flattering on myself." Violet said with a smirk. Clementine merely glared before beckoning Violet over to her side of the counter.
"Ill let you do the batter. So, you take these chicken pieces I cut up, dip it in the flour mix, then in the milk mix and then back into the flour, roll them around and make sure they are all covered up, then set them on this plate until we're ready to cook them, got it?" Clementine instructed. Violet nodded, washed her hands and then set to work.
"While we're making dinner, you go take a shower AJ." Clementine ordered, she expected him to complain or throw a fit, but he was so excited about the prospect of chicken nuggets that he jumped up immediately. "Don't forget to grab a towel and wash rag!" She yelled after him.
By the time they finished cutting, battering and frying the chicken their hands were a mess and the kitchen was messier but they had a towering pile of chicken nuggets as a reward. The girls washed up as AJ ran in just in time. Squeaky clean and hair damp he grabbed ketchup from the fridge, taking it over to the table. Clementine pulled a few plates from the cabinet, handing one to each person. Clementine glanced in the pantry and fridge for something to eat with the nuggets. She pulled out a head of romaine lettuce. AJ and Violet both audibly groaned when they saw it.
"Don't ruin the nuggets!" AJ moaned. Violet joined in and they both chanted "Don't ruin the nuggets! Don't ruin the nuggets!"
"So what, you two are just going to eat a big plate of nuggets and that's it?" Clementine asked amused.
"Um, yes." Violet looked at Clementine like it was obvious.
"You're not supposed to team up against me." Clementine accused with narrowed eyes. Violet shrugged with a grin as she popped a chicken nugget in her mouth, her eyes grew wide and Clementine looked worried. "Is it too hot, did you burn yourself?" Violet held up a finger, motioning for Clementine to wait a moment as she finished chewing.
"Everett, is there anything you can't do?" Violet said amazed, shoving another chicken nugget in her mouth as AJ joined in, dunking his in a excessive amounts of ketchup. Clementine's cheeks reddened at the compliment, grateful to have her efforts appreciated.
While AJ and Violet ate, Clementine set about cooking a small chicken breast she had set aside for Christa, this one not deep fried. When that was done she chopped it up along with, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, romaine, etc. She mixed it all in a big bowl and set the chicken on top. Covering it with a lid Clementine placed it in the fridge. Some of the extra lettuce and veggies she sat on her own plate. With that done she began to clean up the mess of a kitchen.
"Everett, stop cleaning and come eat!" Violet yelled from the table, "I don't think I can stop myself from finishing them off and I know I can't stop AJ." Clementine walked over to the table, grabbed a small handful from the dwindling pile and set them on her plate.
"The rest is all yours." Clementine offered, pushing the plate back at the two.
"That's all you want?" Violet asked with an eyebrow raised, disbelief in her eyes.
"That's all I want." Clementine assured as she went back to cleaning.
The two continued to eat until the last nugget sat on the plate, Violet and AJ locked eyes, "Dibs!" AJ screamed as he grabbed the nugget and crammed it in his mouth.
"NooOOoo!" Violet cried in defeat.
"Come here AJ," Clementine said, chasing him down with a napkin. She wiped his face and hands. "Let's brush teeth, then you can play in your room for a bit before bed time. Be right back." Clementine and AJ walked out of the room and down the hallway.
Violet stood up, hands on her stomach, she hadn't eaten that much in a long time. She carried her and AJ's now empty plates to the kitchen sink. She looked around, the kitchen counters were spotless, the floor was swept, and Clementine's plate sat untouched. Violet sighed, all that remained to be taken care of was a few dirty pots left in the sink. Violet grabbed the rag and started scrubbing as Clementine came back into the room.
"You don't have to do that Vi, I was going to get to it right after I helped AJ brush his teeth. If I let him do it himself he never reaches the back. Here, let me do that." Clementine reached to take the rag from Violet's hand.
"No," Violet said, "I've got it."
"You're my guest, you shouldn't be doing the dishes." Clementine's hand was on top of Violet's, trying to pry the rag from her hand but Violet held tight, cheeks reddening at the contact.
"Please, let me do this for you." Violet pleaded. Clementine let go reluctantly. "Go. Eat your dinner. I've got this." Violet pushed her lightly away from the sink, Clementine allowing it, grabbed her plate and sat down at the empty table. Violet scrubbed every dish in the sink, lining them up on the dish drying rack neatly. As she turned around she noticed Clementine quickly drop her eyes down to her plate. Had she been staring at her while she was doing the dishes? Violet's heart fluttered at the thought.
"Did you get enough to eat?" Violet asked, feeling guilty for having eaten so much.
"Yeah, thanks. I haven't been super hungry today" Clementine said as she got up from the table, leaving her plate behind and sinking heavily onto the couch. Violet sank down next to her.
"Can I ask, about what happened at school today, why were you late, what was that outburst about in Literature?" Violet pulled a leg up underneath her as she turned to face Clementine. Clementine leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.
"Only if you tell me why you don't want to go home." Clementine returned.
"Fine, deal." Violet agreed, "You go first."
Clementine took a deep breath, keeping her eyes up. "I was late because I was at my parents graves, they died eight years ago today, I just lost track of time I guess. They were spending their anniversary in Savannah and died in a car crash on the way back home, someone said it was a drunk driver that did it. My dad gave me this hat on my 8th birthday, right before they died. It helps me feel closer to them. I like to wear it in memory of them on... this day, every year. I wear it whenever I feel overwhelmed too. I know that sounds dumb, but, it makes me feel better... I guess..." Violet reached out and grabbed Clementine's hand reassuringly, Clementine squeezed back, finally looking Violet in the eyes. "Your turn."
It was Violet's turn to take a deep breath, "There's not much to tell. My mom works multiple jobs to try and pay the bills. She's never home and when she is she's crying. I hate seeing her like that. My dad's a drunk. He just sits around at home all day, drinking away all of my mom's hard earned money. He usually passes out around dinner time. I don't like to come home before then, he yells a lot, he'll just go on and on about the stupidest stuff. He's never hit me, but sometimes throws things and it can get scary." Clementine tightened her grip on Violet's hand. "I used to stay with my grandma all the time before she... died.." Violet was going to stop there but the earnest look in Clementine's eyes urged her on, "My grandma shot herself in the chest with a shotgun while I was at her house watching cartoons. I didn't do anything about it either, I just sat there and kept watching cartoons until my mom came to pick me up."
Clementine pulled Violet into a tight embrace. Violet continued, "You probably think I'm weird now... or broken or something... My mom wanted to send me to some school for 'troubled youth' after it happened, but she couldn't afford it. So, here I am, walking around with normal human beings, just trying to pretend I belong."
"You're not broken Vi," Clementine said, pushing back from the embrace to look into the blonde girls eyes, "That was a traumatic experience, your brain went into defense mode to protect you, your grandma was selfish for exposing you to that." Violet gazed into Clementine's eyes, she wanted to kiss her, let her know how much she meant to her, but she didn't want to be another Gabe. She decided that she would let Clementine make the first move, she didn't want to push her into anything before she was ready.
The sound of a car could be heard in the driveway. Clementine jumped to her feet, "AJ, time to get in bed, I'll come tuck you in in a minute!" Clementine hustled around the room, straightening pillows and brushing stray crumbs off the counter. Keys were soon heard in the front door and Violet raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Christa opened the front door, Violet watched the tall lady enter, dressed in a blazer and dress pants.
"Hi Christa, this is my friend Violet," Clementine greeted, "How was your day?"
"It was super hectic, they keep assigning me new cases." Christa answered, removing her shoes at the door before walking in and smiling at Violet, "Hello Violet. I'm glad Clem is finally making a friend. Things were pretty rough for her at her last school." Clementine avoided meeting Violet's eyes.
Violet didn't know what to say, "Hello... ma'am."
"Your dinner is in the fridge. AJ did his homework, had his bath and brushed his teeth. He's ready for bed if you want to tuck him in." Clementine stated.
"Could you tuck him in for me tonight Clem? I'm going to eat my dinner in my room while I finish up some work." Christa asked.
"Of course." Clementine answered, Violet got the feeling that Clementine always tucked AJ and was asking out of courtesy or perhaps hope?
"Have you finished your homework?" Christa asked.
"Not yet, I was just abou-" Clementine started, only to be cut off.
"Clem, you know how important your studies are. You can't start slacking off halfway through the year. You need to get good grades, so you can get into a good college, so you can provide for yourself when you're grown up. You need to be a strong independent woman. You can't rely on anyone else to take care of you."
"Yes Christa, I'll keep my grades up." Clementine nodded.
"Good girl, remember keep those grades up and stay out of trouble or no more track." Christa opened the fridge and pulled out her bowl, opening the lid and peeking in. "Clem, this isn't the recipe I set out for today."
"I'm sorry Christa, AJ had a rough day at school, he wanted chicken nuggets, I wanted to try and cheer him up." Clementine explained.
"Now Clem, you know with my busy schedule I only have time to go grocery shopping once a week. If you don't follow the recipe for today then we may not have the ingredients we need for the recipe tomorrow or food could go to waste." Christa looked at Clementine chastisingly as Clementine looked down embarrassed, "Please follow the recipe."
"Yes Christa, I'm sorry." Clementine nodded feebly.
"And Clem, please put your dishes in the dishwasher. I'm too exhausted to go around cleaning up after you after a long day." Christa added pointing at the table where a single plate resided. "Nice meeting you Violet." Christa said as she walked down the hall, carrying her food to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"I'm going to tuck AJ in." Clementine mumbled as she went down the same hall Christa had just disappeared down. Violet followed her with her eyes. What had just happened? Christa seemed nice enough at first, but the way she berated Clementine in front of her didn't sit well with her. Violet could just make out Clementine's voice singing AJ a lullaby and it warmed her heart. Violet had half a mind to tell Christa off the next time she encountered her, Clementine did more than her fair share in Violet's opinion.
"I need to get my homework done, want to do it together?" Clementine asked emerging from the hall and grabbing her book bag from the corner.
"Sure, Clem." Violet said, getting up and grabbing her book bag from the other side of the room.
Clementine dropped her bag on the kitchen table, books and pens rolling everywhere. "What did you call me?" A corner of her mouth turned up, "Did you just call me Clem?"
"Uh... I'm pretty sure I said Everett." Violet flushed, moving to the kitchen table and taking her books out of the bag.
"Okay Vi, whatever you say..." Clementine grinned before picking up her scattered pens and books. As both girls sat at the table across from one another, books and notebooks sitting in front of them, Violet looked nervously at her notebook, she wanted to say something but wasn't sure if she should. Making her mind up she sat down her pen and looked up at Clementine seriously.
"Thank you Clem, thank you for picking AJ up from school and taking care of him, thank you for cooking dinner and cleaning up the kitchen, thank you for everything." Violet said seriously.
"Violet, that's not something you need to thank me for." Clementine said looking confused.
"Maybe not," Violet admitted, "But the person who should of said it didn't, so I'm going to."
"Thanks Vi..." Clementine said appreciatively, heart pounding harder than before.
Doing their homework took a couple of hours, by the time they slammed their last book shut Clementine was yawning.
"No time to start our report tonight."Violet said, putting her books back in her bag.
"Guess you'll just have to come over again tomorrow." Clementine shrugged, fighting the smile on her face.
"You wouldn't mind? Me hanging around isn't cramping your style?" Violet asked.
Clementine raised an eyebrow, "No, you won't be 'cramping my style'. I've really enjoyed your company. I mean, as long as you weren't bored... helping me with AJ and going to practice can't be as fun as hanging out at Louis's house..."
"No..." Violet trailed off causing Clementine's smile to fade, "it's way better."
Clementine slapped her arm lightly, "Thanks. Oh I forgot!" Clementine started digging through her bag, pulling out two sheets of paper. Violet watched as she signed a name at the bottom of both sheets.
"Since when is your name Christa Thompson?" Violet smirked.
"Since Christa threatened to take me off the running team if I got into any trouble this year. I don't want AJ getting into trouble either. These are our disciplinary sheets from today." Clementine tucked the forged disciplinary papers back into her bag. "I'll give you a ride home."
"It's alright, I don't mind walking." Violet said.
"I'm not letting you walk home this late." Clementine grabbed a key ring off a hook on the wall, "Let's go!"
"Do you have your license?" Violet asked warily.
"Of course I do. I even have my own car," Clementine said proudly, Violet looked impressed, "That I wrecked," Violet's face dropped, "but I'm fixing it myself, with the help of my neighbor." Violet was still worried. "Christa's let me borrow her car before, she won't mind. What are you, chicken?"
Violet glared, "Real mature...Let's go."
As they pulled into Violet's driveway, she clung tightly to the handle above the door, terror in her eyes.
"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Clementine smiled as she put the put the car into park.
"I like you Clem, but you're a terrible driver." Violet shook the feeling back into her hands from gripping too tight. "Please text me when you get home so I know you made it safely." Clementine laughed. "You think I'm joking, but I'm serious, please text me when you get home or I will call the police."
"Fine." Clementine hmpfed as she pulled out her phone, Violet did the same and they both entered each others numbers into it.
"Goodnight," Violet waved as she opened the car door.
"Wait!" Clementine grabbed Violet's hand to keep her from leaving. "I just wanted to say thanks for making a crappy day a lot less crappy." Violet smiled warmly.
"Any time." Violet grinned, giving Clementine's hand a squeeze before exiting the car.
Clementine waited until Violet made it inside before leaving. When she got home she hung up her hat and took a quick shower. As she climbed into bed she plugged her phone into the charger, only to remember that she hadn't texted Violet.
Violet reached for her phone when it finally beeped, she was starting to get worried, she knew it shouldn't have taken Clementine that long to get home.
Clem: Sorry I forgot to text you!
Violet had started a reply when her phone started vibrating like crazy, she grinned as she received text after text.
Clem: I'm not used to checking in with people
Clem: I'm home safe now
Clem: if you couldn't tell
Clem: sorry if you're sleeping
Clem: I'll stop bothering you now
Clem: goodnight
Clem: I hope you didn't call the police
Clem: I had to take a shower
Clem: anyway
Clem: goodnight
Clem: ;)
When she thought the texts had really finished, she typed a reply, laid her phone down and closed her eyes.
Vi: No police this time, next time I won't be so forgiving. Goodnight 3
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please let me know if you're interested in a part 2.