Chapter 4

Clementine had spent over a year sending letters to Miss Acacia through Joe; he had told her that she needn't worry, he wouldn't read them. He couldn't care less what they talked about, just as long as she kept quiet about Jack. Clementine was quite sure he didn't want Acacia knowing how cruel he was to the boy she truly loved, that, and he didn't want her to find out who or where Jack was.

From her letters it was clear that Miss Acacia thought of Jack everyday; she had told Clementine all about her new life in Andalusia, and that she didn't blame her for what happened. Regardless, Clementine got the impression that Acacia wasn't as carefree and trusting as she once was; there was a carefulness in her letters, and Clementine was tempted to ask Joe whether it was apparent in his too.

She decided not to though; she didn't want to give him any reason to make him change his mind about her coming with him to Andalusia one day. In addition, Clementine just didn't want to talk to him more than necessary.

Truthfully, Joe confused her. The way he bullied Jack, how the others were too scared to disobey him, and they way he seemed to rule over them like some tyrant, made her disgusted. Then she would see him give the smallest, tenderest of smiles when he read his letters; no one else seemed to notice, or at least they knew better than to comment. He would take forever to write a response, sometimes Clementine would have to wait days before she could send hers with his.

Joe seemed to truly love Miss Acacia; she was the only one not subject to his scorn or indifference and Clementine couldn't help wonder why he couldn't show this side of himself more often.

She paused in her letter; should she mention it to Miss Acacia? No, she didn't want to get tangled up in this love triangle. But she was curious; what was Joe to Acacia? Were they merely friends or did she have feelings for him before she met Jack?

Clementine decided to ask; after all, Joe had only asked her not to mention Jack, and he wouldn't read her letters. She picked up her pen and began writing:

Dear Acacia,

The weather is quite cold in Edinburgh; Spain sounds wonderful, and I'm so happy you've become a dancer; I've always said you had the most lovely way of dancing and singing, no doubt you'll become famous someday! Things are quite boring here. School drags on and the dreary weather doesn't help. I spend most of my time studying or reading for fun; some days I play my violin and remember how we used to perform together in front of our parents. I wish you were here.

I wanted to ask you something, I do hope I'm not prying, but are you really still in love with that mystery boy? I only ask because I was wondering whether you and Joe were together; he seems quite fond of you, but I don't want to make assumptions. He's a very complex sort of person, and if you have feelings for him, I want to make sure he's the right person for you. You deserve only happiness after everything you've been through.

Your friend,

Clementine

"Here Joe." Clementine passed him her letter before recess; he took it quickly and stowed it in his coat pocket for later.

"Leave. The others are coming." Joe whispered harshly as students began to file out of the building; Clementine left swiftly and sat on the swings on the other side of the yard.

She glanced over to him now and then; she noticed Joe often seemed to be supervising the others, rather than actually doing any playing. He caught her eye and frowned before looking away.

"Hey, Big Ben!" A small group of kids had come over to where Jack was sitting on his own; he was playing with his hamster, a solemn look on his face.

The group closed in on him and one of the children snatched away his hamster.

"Give him back!" Jack demanded; he never stood up for himself, but now he was standing tall with his hands balled into fists.

One of the boys sneered. "Take him back!" He tossed the squealing hamster over Jack's head and the others began to play a monkey-in-the-middle sort of game.

"Please, you're hurting him!" Jack cried out as he raced back and forth trying to catch the hamster, but it was no use. He was too short and slower than the others; Clementine could see he was trying to hold back for fear of damaging his heart. One of the boys pushed Jack down and kicked him in the chest, dangerously close to the clock.

"How can they be so cruel?" Clementine asked herself; she couldn't bare to watch.

She thought of Miss Acacia and how heartbroken she'd be seeing her love in pain. She thought of her uncle and aunt, who broke their promise, who had a stubborn prejudice against people whose only crime was that they weren't from this country. Clementine felt her chest tighten and before she could stop herself, she began yelling at the group.

"Stop it!" She ran over and pushed down the boy who was kicking Jack; he fell to the ground with a surprised gasp. Clementine grabbed the hamster from the other boy; the children were gaping in surprise.

"Here. I'm so sorry." Clementine said gently as she cupped the little hamster in her hands and gave him back to Jack; he was looking as stunned as everyone else.

"You're all despicable, hurting a defenseless animal!" She turned to the group. "Cowards! Jack didn't do anything to any of you!"

"Hey, it's none of your business!" One of the girls retorted; she walked right up to Clementine and shoved her back a few steps.

"That doesn't mean I shouldn't help him." Clementine said. She turned away from the scowling girl and crouched down beside Jack.

Clementine pulled him to his feet. "Is your heart okay?"

"Yeah." Jack groaned a bit as he stood up; his rubbed his chest and grimaced. He looked at Clementine curiously with a tiny smile.

Clementine turned back to the others. "Leave him alone or you'll have to deal with me."

One of the boys grabbed a handful of mud and threw it right into Clementine's face; she was blinded temporarily and one of the kids pushed her down in a puddle. She wiped mud from her eyes as the kids laughed and jeered. Jack was staring wide eyed at the scene; if he was to jump in, he'd wreck his heart from the strain.

"Stop it! Leave her alone!" He cried out; the others ignored him and took turns throwing mud at Clementine, and soon her whole uniform was soaked and dirty. She didn't try to stop them; she felt she deserved every blow for not stepping in sooner to Jack's defense.

"What's going on here?" Joe's low voice rang out over the yard. The other kids stopped immediately to give him their full attention.

"She was trying to help Big Ben." A girl said nervously; Joe scanned them all and his gaze rested on Clementine for a minute.

"I said you could wind up Big Ben. I didn't say anything about messing with her." He jerked his head to Clementine who was still lying still on the ground. "Leave her alone. She won't be stepping in again."

One by one the kids left and went to other parts of the playground; Jack stood there glaring defiantly at Joe.

Clementine raised herself up slightly. "I won't Joe."

He turned to her quickly. "What did you say?" His voice was a mere hiss.

"I won't just let them pick on Jack. I should've helped sooner." She turned to Jack and smiled sadly. "I just hope you can forgive me."

Jack went over to her. "You never did anything to me."

"No, but I just stood by and didn't speak up when an innocent person was being hurt."

"I won't let you help me." Jack said stubbornly; Clementine stared up at him puzzled.

"What? I can't just stand by and do nothing anymore." She told him.

"I won't let you get hurt because of me." Jack said firmly; he turned to Joe. "Your problem is with me. I don't want her involved; it seems you think the same."

Joe sneered. "The only reason I stopped them is because I owe her."

"Owe me? For what?" Clementine wondered.

Jack stared Joe straight in the eyes before turning back to Clementine; he handed her a handkerchief.

"Thank you, but don't worry yourself. I'll be fine. Take care!" He smiled and waved before running back into the school.

Clementine stared at it briefly before using it to wiped off her face; it didn't do much, but she was thankful at the sentiment.

"Why did you interfere?" Joe asked roughly.

"Miss Acacia would've done the same. It's wrong how you and the others treat him and it was wrong of me to ignore it."

Joe was silent before scoffing. "I mean it; if you do that again, I won't send your letters anymore."

Clementine glared at him. "Fine. I just hope you realize what kind of person Jack is and what kind of person you are. If you do, than you'll see why Acacia loves him."

Joe pulled her up roughly. "Shut your mouth. You don't know anything. I only helped you because Miss Acacia cares about you." He pulled off his cravat and threw it in her face. "Clean yourself off. Try anything like that again and it's no more letters."

Joe stalked off leaving Clementine to clutch the cloth in confusion.