We pulled into the parking lot of the water park.
"Alright everyone, we have arrived." Louis said.
I got out of the car and looked at Violet.
"So why didn't you guys show me this before?" I asked.
"We were still trying to decide if you were worthy." Louis said.
"He's just being stupid." Violet said.
"I got that idea." I said.
"Hey!" Louis yelled
We walked through the entrance to the park.
"Hey Clem, have you been here before?" James asked.
I didn't answer. To be honest, I did but… it was when I was with my parents.
"Hey so Louis, why don't we tell Clem about what she needs to do?" Violet asked.
"Alright Clem. To be a full member of the Loser Club, you must swing on the rope of champions!" Louis said.
"He wants you to swing into the water." James said.
We walked to the edge of the water and Louis looked around before looking at a tree.
"There she is." Louis said.
We walked up to the tree and Louis began to climb it.
"Everyone, you know what to do." Louis said as he pulled the rope down.
"I don't think so." Violet said.
"Why?" Louis looked at Violet.
She just looked down.
"Oh… uh… right. James why don't you go?" Louis asked.
"Okay." James said as he took off his shirt and pulled down his pants, showing his swim trunks underneath.
I looked ta Violet.
"Why don't you wanna go?" I asked.
"Oh its just because I am not feeling well. I doubt jumping into cold water will help." Violet said.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, thanks. I am just a bit under the weather." Violet said.
We heard the splash and saw James quickly emerge from the water.
"AH that's cold!" James said.
"Then move your ass out of the water." Louis chuckled. "Time to show my skills."
Louis was already in his swim trunks and grabbed the rope.
"WOOHOO!" Louis yelled as he flew forward, letting go and falling into the river.
He quickly emerged as well.
"Woo! That's an eye opener!" Louis said. "Your turn Clem."
I looked down when Violet spoke.
"I'll be cheering you on." She said.
I nodded, walking up to the rope and getting out of my warm layers. I stood where the other two were and grabbed the rope.
James and Louis were back on the land, getting dressed when they looked at me.
"You got this Clem." Louis said.
James gave a thumbs up.
"Go Clem!" Violet said.
I held the rope tightly and jumped. I felt the lightly warm air as I flew into the air, letting go of the rope. That same feeling as when I jumped from the roof returned as I flew into the water. Suddenly, I felt wide awake as I felt my entire body tense up from the sudden cold night water. I emerged from the water and yelped.
"Oh my god! That's cold!" I said as I came back to the land.
Violet walked over with my clothes and I got dressed again.
"Clementine Everett, it is our pleasure to add you to the fold full time now." Louis said.
"Welcome." James said.
"And now time for the sacrifice." Violet said.
"What?" I asked.
Violet chuckled.
"I'm just fucking with you." Violet said.
We all chuckled.
Later
We were all sitting on the back of James' truck, staring at the stars. James sat at the edge, Louis was laying next to James, I sat at the back leaning against the back window, and Violet did the same next to me.
"This was fun." I said.
"Heh you should have been here when we first did this. Hey James, remember when Sophie and Minerva—"
"Louis." James said.
"Wha- oh shit." Louis and James looked back at us.
I looked at Violet and she seemed very upset.
"I told you two assholes to never bring her up."
"Who're they?" I asked as I looked at Louis.
He was pretending to slice his neck, mouthing 'don't!'
Violet hopped out of the truck and walked to the water.
"Vi, she just doesn't know." Louis said.
Vi said nothing as she continued walking. Louis sighed and looked at me.
"Me and my big mouth…" Louis said.
"Who are Sophie and Minerva?" I asked.
Louis and James looked at each other.
"Should we?" Louis asked.
"You said it." James said.
Louis sighed and looked at me.
"Minerva, Clem, was someone who used to be in our group with her twin sister, Sophie. Minerva and Violet were a thing, but… well… she wasn't the best to Violet. She would beat her." Louis said.
My eyes widened.
"What?"
"She was horrible to Violet. Sophie tried to talk to her, but she didn't listen." Louis said.
"What happened to them?" I asked.
"They moved. Last we heard, they are both up north in New York. It took a while for Violet to get back to where she is now, but… healing takes time." Louis said.
I looked in the direction that Violet went and jumped out of the back to follow her.
I walked down to the edge of the water and saw Violet was sitting at the edge of the land, the water flowing up to her feet.
"Louis, I swear to god, if you make one joke, I'm gonna—"
"It's me." I said.
Violet looked at me with irritation in her eyes from tears.
"Oh uh… sorry Clem." She said.
I walked up and sat down next to her.
"Louis told me." I said.
"I should have figured. He never could keep his mouth shut." Violet said.
"Is that why you're super shy?" I asked.
"Shy? SHY?!" Violet got up and looked at me. "I was beaten by a girl I thought I loved! I was bruised and cut by her whenever I did anything wrong. And when I told the principle, what did that fatass do? He didn't believe me because Minerva was an A student and I'm not. He then told Minerva that a rumor was being spread about her and guess who she took that anger out on!"
"Vi I—"
Violet took off her shirt, showing her bra.
"THIS! This is why I didn't want to do that stupid jump!" Violet said.
Her arms and shoulders had scars on them. Some were big and some were small.
Violet's eyes went from anger to tearful as she collapsed to her knees and cried.
I extended my hand and placed my hand on her shoulder.
"You know, I was a baby when I lost my parents. They went out to dinner and didn't come back. I only found out when I was two that my parents passed away.. I never got to say goodbye and even if I had the chance, I wouldn't have been able to. I never got to say goodbye to my parents. I had to learn everything from Carley and Lee. The thing that made me sad the most… is that I can't even remember their faces. Every time I think of my parents, Lee and Carley appear in my head. That's why I rarely call them my mom and dad, because when I do that, I feel like I will be losing the last bit of memory I have of them. I love Carley and Lee, but I would give anything, just to say hello or goodbye to my mom and dad." I said.
Violet looked at me.
"Clem…" Violet said.
"You and I are more alike than you think." I said.
Violet got up, put on her shirt and sat down next to me.
"I-I'm sorry that I shouted at you." Violet said. "I just, I needed that."
"It's okay…" I said.
Violet hugged me.
"Thank you Clem." Violet said.
I blushed as I hugged her back.
When we broke, I stared at Violet's eyes.
"Uh um Hey Clem, do you know astronomy?" Violet asked as she looked up at the sky.
I looked at her for a few more seconds before looking up at the sky as well.
"Somewhat."
"Know any constellations?" Violet asked.
"No."
"Well why don't we make some?" Violet suggested.
"Sure." I said.
"I see… a sword." Violet said.
"A sword?" I asked.
"Yeah, look." Violet pointed in a certain direction in the sky.
"I see it." I said.
"A sword represents someone who is brave an can overcome any obstacle, no matter the challenge." Violet said.
"Sounds like Carley." I said.
"She sounds like a strong person."
"She's a reporter at the news station. She is trying to get a promotion at the station." I said.
"Well then she wins that spot. Your turn." Violet said.
"I see… a bird."
"Huh… I think I see it." Violet said.
"A bird is free spirited. Willing to care for others possibly more than themselves." I said.
"Well that definitely sounds like you." Violet said.
"Me?" I asked.
"Yeah, you seem like someone who would do anything they could to save someone."
"Well… I guess." I said.
"Okay, let's make this the last one." Violet said.
"Okay." I said.
"I see… a heart." Violet said.
I looked at the sky and I think I managed to see it.
"I see it." I said.
"A heart is something that represents love. A heart is something that represents life. It is simply something that must be treasured." Violet said.
"Well… that reminds me of you." I said.
"Really?" Violet asked.
"Yeah, you've been a pretty good friend and remember when we accidentally exploded in chemistry?" I asked.
Violet chuckled.
"I remember. Ruby got so pissed that her hair got some of the stuff in it." She said.
We chuckled.
"Well we should get going." I said as I got up.
Violet nodded and got up as well. I began to move when I felt Violet grab my hand.
As I turned to look at her, I was met with her lips against mine.
For a second, we stood there kissing. I was the first to break apart and backed up.
"I—" Violet looked at me.
"Violet, I—"
"I-I'm so sorry, I just- I didn't think and—" Violet backed up.
It felt… nice. I walked up to her and placed my hands on her face and stared into her tearing up eyes. I slowly leaned in and kissed her.
We kissed for a few more seconds before breaking apart. I heard my watch beep and heard my watch go off. I looked at the time an saw it was ten.
"We should get going." I said.
"Y-Yeah." Violet said.
"I would like to keep this quiet." I said.
"Y-Yes of course." Violet said. "I uh… I—"
"I know. Me too." I said.
We walked back to the truck to see James and Louis laying on the bed of the truck when they saw us.
"Hey is everything okay?" Louis asked.
"Yeah… Clem and I talked and… I feel better." Violet said.
"Well shut, come one. We must return our darling Clementine before the clock strikes midnight." Louis said.
Later
We slowly pulled over next to my house. We didn't tell the others yet. We wanted to keep it to ourselves for now.
"And now… we have arrived." Louis whispered.
"I hope we can all hang out again soon." I said.
"Me too." Violet winked at me.
I got out of the car and snuck up to the front door.
I slowly unlocked and opened the door, looking back at the car as it drove off. I smiled before going back inside.
