Clem's POV

I was back.

Well, not exactly back back. I knew that it wasn't real. But still.

I was walking down a familiar dirt path in the woods, one that I've walked many, many times. To go hunting with Louis and Aasim, to find James, and even just when I wanted to get out of the school for some fresh air. Yeah, I knew that path well.

I couldn't help but notice that the sky was red. Not like blood red, but just slightly lighter than that. My favorite color. Its hue exuded a feeling of calmness, and I embraced the feeling with open arms. I'd been missing that lately.

There were no walkers; at least none that I can see. The birds were chirping, and the frogs croaking. I stopped and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. It's so peaceful.

I opened my eyes, somehow even more relaxed than before. I started to walk again, until I came to a river. With nothing else better to do, I decided to follow it.

As I made my way up the river, I saw something in the distance. I squinted, trying to see if it was really there or if my eyes were playing tricks on me. No, there really was a bridge there, the same one AJ and I used to fish at.

I moved closer, and movement catches my eye on the old bridge. Intimidatingly assuming that it's a walker, I sigh. "I can't even have some damn peace in my own dreams, huh, universe?"

I felt for my knife, only to find that my pockets were empty. That's a first, I thought. I scanned the ground around me for a weapon, then picked up a rock from beside my foot. This'll have to do.

However, as I kept going toward the bridge, I realized that it wasn't a walker. Whoever was on it had their feet dangling over the edge, and I'm pretty sure no walker would be smart enough to do that.

As I neared it, I heard a familiar tune that I used to sing to baby AJ:

"Row, row, row, your boat

Gently down the stream,

If you see a crocodile,

Don't forget to scream."

I could pick his voice out of a million. AJ!

My pace quickened, from a walk to a jog. Then, I was sprinting towards him, as fast as my legs would carry me.

I was just about to call out to him, when a thought stopped me in my tracks. What if this is a nightmare? What if AJ is just bait to reel me in, get me excited, and then something terrible comes to burst my bubble?

"You'll never know if you don't try," I whispered to myself. I continued to move toward the bridge, just slower.

I silently walked up onto the platform, now standing behind what looked like AJ. He sang another verse, swishing his legs back and forth. After observing him for a few seconds, my curiosity and longing for him got the best of me. "Whatcha doing there, goofball?"

He whipped his head around, a dangerous look in his eyes. However, when he saw me, they dropped the threatening glare and grew as big as saucers. "Clem!" He shouted, jumping up rushing into me. He tightly wrapped his small arms around my waist, actually knocking the wind out of me. "Oh, Clem!"

I awkwardly hugged back, squeezing him the best I could in my position. "AJ!"

He cuddled up to me, nuzzling his face into my stomach. "I've missed you so much!" Alvin Junior cried.

"I've missed you, too, goofball," I cooed back, pulling him closer to me. I could feel his body start to shake and all of his breaths begin to hitch. I moved one of my arms to the back of his neck and lightly scratched circles with my fingers, trying to avoid any tears. Soon after I started doing that, his breathing returned to normal and he loosened his grip.

AJ backed out of the hug and smiled up at me. "I am SO happy your back."

"Oh really?" I asked mischievously. "I know what else you are..."

"What?"

"Ticklish!" I shouted, and drove my hands under his armpits, just like I had a few hours ago (except with a different AJ).

Alvin Junior squealed, laughing. But he didn't try to run away like he usually did.

I finished tickling him, and he leaned back against the bridge's post to catch his breath. "I've missed the tickle monster," he told me. "I like it a lot better than real monsters."

"Me, too," I agreed.

"I'm am just SO happy your back," he repeated. "I've missed you. A lot. You don't even know."

"I know, kiddo," I remarked. "Believe me, I know."

"I really thought you were dead," AJ said, astonished. "But you're here now, so it's all okay. Right?"

I didn't answer. I turned and sat down on the edge of the bridge, letting my feet dangle over.

"Clem?"

I patted the spot next to me. "Come sit down."

AJ came and plopped down beside me, his short legs swinging next to mine. "What is it?" He asked suspiciously.

"I'm... I am dead," I reluctantly answered.

"What?"

"I'm not really here, AJ. This isn't real life-"

"Arahhhh!" He suddenly shouted, angrily standing up. "Another dream! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" The little boy furiously stomped to the other side of the bridge. "Ugh, just another stupid dream!"

"No, AJ, this isn't a dream!" I quickly explained, not wanting him to get too riled up. "It's just- it's- it's a visiting."

He stopped his fit, perplexed by the new word. "What's a vis-it-ing?" He asked, sounding it out.

"It's when I come by to see you for a little bit," I clarified.

He came and sat back down next to me quietly. AJ stared at the water below us, absorbing the information. "So you're not actually back?"

"No, goofball, I'm not," I sadly replied.

He huffed, sticking out his upper lip. "Oh."

"But, hey, remember when I would tell you about those dreams that I had with Lee?" I inquired.

"Yeah."

"Well, this is almost exactly like those," I said to him. "Lee would come see me every once in a while. Maybe I can do the same for you."

His pout went away, and he looked up to me with hopeful eyes. "Could you really?"

"I'll try my best," I promised.

We were both quiet for a moment, enjoying each other's company. Then, AJ hesitantly asked, "Where are you now?"

"What do you mean?"

"What happened to you? After you died?"

"Well," I started, unsure of how to explain it to him. "I'm in another place, with no walkers."

"So you're okay?"

"Sort of."

"Can I go there, too?" He asked.

"I don't think so, goofball," I said. "I'm not 100% sure you would end up with me, anyway."

"Okay," AJ sighed, disappointed.

"I need you to keep an eye on everyone else back at the school, anyway," I said, trying to cheer him up. "By the way, how are things back there?"

"Everything is going alright," AJ replied. "Everybody else made it out alive. And all the raiders are dead. Well, all of them except Minnie." He frowned. "She lives at the school with us now."

"I'm glad you guys made it out safe," I noted. "Is Minnie nice to you?"

"I haven't talked to her yet," he told me bluntly. "She keeps stealing Tenn away from me, though, and it's really annoying."

"AJ, I need you to do something for me when you go back," I said in a firm voice.

"What?"

"As soon as you get back, I want you to try your very best to become friends with her," I instructed him.

"What? No, Clem, please don't make me!" He whined.

"I'm making you," I declared sternly. "She's part of your family now, AJ, whether you like it or not."

"But she's part of the reason you're not with us anymore!" Alvin argued.

"Do it, AJ. Please, just try."

He clenched his fist, looking up to the sky and groaning. "Fine," he finally agreed. "I don't know if Louis is gonna like me doing that, though. He's still really mad at Minnie, too."

"So try to get Louis to become friends with her. You two can do it together."

"But what if he says no, that he doesn't want to be friends with her?"

I tossed the rock that I had been holding in the river. It made a small splash, some of the water landing on my cheeks. "Don't actually tell him to become friends with her; say you want to go talk to her, but you're to scared to do it alone. Don't tell him why, either, just say you really feel like you need to do it. I doubt he would leave you to do it alone if you asked him."

"Okay." He rested his head on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around him. "Is there anything else you want me to tell him? Or anybody else?"

"Tell Louis..." I tried to think of something that I wanted my past lover to hear. I never did get the chance to thank him for being there with me when I died. "Tell Louis I said thanks, for singing me away."

"What does that mean?" AJ asked curiously.

"None of your beeswax," I said, playfully booping his nose. "Gotcha."

He tapped his finger on my nose. "Gotcha back." He smiled at me, but there was a hint of sadness in his expression that poked at my heart. I pulled him into another embrace, rocking back and forth slowly as I held him.

However, in the middle of our embosom, my fingers started to tingle, and so did my toes. I pulled out of the hug and held my hands out in front of me. My fingers fingers were violently shaking.

"Clem?" AJ grabbed one of my wrists, pulling my hand close to inspect it. "What's happening?"

"I think it's time for me to go, kiddo," I guessed. I stood up, and so did he. "I'll see you soon," I promised AJ. "I love you, goof-"

AJ rushed into me, knocking me down. He wrapped his arms around me, and I did the same to him. "Stay!" He cried.

"I wish I could, but I have to go-"

"No! Stay! Please, don't go!" Alvin Junior begged.

I glanced down at my legs, only to find that my feet were missing. My calves slowly faded away, until they were completely gone. My thighs were next.

"I love you, AJ," I said hurriedly. "I'll be back, I swear I will. Don't worry." The whole bottom half of me had disappeared now.

"Clem! Don't leave me!"

"Stay safe..."

Next thing I knew, the world went black.

0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

" , should I change out the washcloth?"

My eyes slowly fluttered open to a room that I had never been in before. I was laying on a really uncomfortable bed, and there was a wet rag on my head. Across from me, Ruby was washing her hands in the sink with her back to me. There was a first aid kit on the counter, and a medicine cabinet above that. On one of the walls there was one of those charts with all of the letters that start off big and get smaller, the ones that you use to take eye sight tests. I must be in the nurse's office, I determined.

Slowly, I tried to sit up, but as soon as I lifted my head, a pounding headache came at me, hard. "Aww," I audibly groaned.

Ruby turned around, startled by my moan. She hurried to the side of the bed, and then eased me back down. "Now, now, take it easy. Don't try to get up yet."

I pressed my hand against my forehead, squeezing my eyes shut because of the pain. "My head," I muttered.

"I know," Ruby said soothingly, "Don't worry, will get medicine for it." The red head stood up and went to the doorway, calling out into the hall, "She's awake, !"

"I'm coming!" The nurse shouted back. I heard clicks of heals against the floor in the distance, before they came closer and were in the same room. The door shut, and I could hear someone rummaging in the medicine cabinet.

"Her headache has set in," Ruby told her.

"I knew it would," said. She plucked a bottle of pills from the cabinet, then filled a glass with water from the sink. She clicked-clacked over to me, and I could feel her as she hovered over the bed. "Open up," she gently ordered. I obeyed. A pill plopped into my mouth, and then she pressed the glass to my lips and lightly tipped it. I swallowed as the water flowed down my throat.

"There we are," cooed. "Those should kick in any second."

Within the first thirty seconds of me taking the medicine, my headache completely vanished.

I opened my eyes, removing my hand from my head.

"Feel better?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah," I said, "much better."

"Yup, those pills are miracle workers," chimed. She turned to Ruby, saying, "I have to go talk to the headmaster for a little bit, but you stay in here and watch Clementine until I get back. Okay?"

"Yes, ma'am," replied Ruby.

"Okay, I'll try and be quick. Now you just rest for a minute, alright?" She said, wagging a finger at me. "Doctor's orders."

"I will," I promised. After she hurriedly left the room, I sat up fully on the bed. Still kind of drowsy, I rubbed my eyes. "How did I end up in here?"

"Well, our janitor, Lee, said that he saw you pass out by the vendin' machine yesterday, so he carried you here."

"Why are you here?" I asked, confused.

"Sometimes, if I wake up early enough, lets me help her take care of the kids. Also, though," she added, "I was worried about you."

Oh, right, I thought. Almost forgot I completely embarrassed myself in front of everyone.

She noticed my silence. "Is everythin' okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's fine," I assured her. "I've just been really stressed out lately, and I probably ate too much concession stand food."

"Are you sure?" Ruby questioned. "I don't mean to be nosy or anythin', but you were fine most of the night, until..." She puckered her lips, trying to remember when I started acting funny. "...Becca and Louis kissed." She raised a brow at me.

"Seeing that sorta stuff just really makes me sick to the stomach," I quickly lied.

"A-huh." Ruby put her hand on her hip, obviously not buying it. "Sureeeee."

"You wouldn't understand," I told her.

"Oh really? Try me."

"Um..." I fidgeted my thumbs, trying to think of a way to explain it. "Well..."

"You like him, don't you?" She guessed.

I could feel my cheeks heat up, and she smiled. "Maybe."

"Well, I think you are a much better match for him than Becca," she said, frowning at the other teen's name. "Excuse my language, but that girl can be a real bitch."

"How so?"

"She's just such a brat if you're not on her good side," Ruby told me. "To her friends, she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet; however, to anyone else, she's a snobby jerk."

"I did notice that yesterday she acted completely different around Louis than she did us," I commented.

"Yeah. That girl has, like, 15 different personalities."

"So what does Louis see in her?"

"I honestly have no idea," Ruby said. "I guess in front of him, she can be somewhat kind. And she's also a cheerleader, and as much as I hate to admit it, she actually does have musical talent. So those things probably have somethin' to do with why he likes her so much." She tilted her head, asking, "Why do you like him, anyway? I mean, no offense, but you just got here yesterday. There's no way you can already be that head over heals for him."

"Like I said before, it was a combination of things," I said, which was true. "He wasn't the only reason I got a little weird, but him and Becca were what set it off, I think."

"That makes more sense. Sort of."

"Could you not tell people?" I asked Ruby. "This is just my second day here, and I don't want to start any drama, or trouble, or anything else that's just a pain in the ass."

"Don't worry, sug," the other teen swore, "You're secret is safe with me."

Suddenly, the door swung open, and walked back in. "How are we feeling?" She inquired.

"Good," I answered.

"Good enough to go back to your room?"

"I think so."

"Okay then," said, then checked the time on her watch. "It's 7:15. Still 45 minutes until you've got to get to class."

Knock knock knock. We all turned to the door, where a kid who looked about Tenn's age was standing. He had his hand held up to his nose, and blood was seeping through his fingers and dripping onto the floor.

"Goodness gracious, Lamar!" exclaimed, pulling him in. "Did you get into another fight?"

"Yeah," Lamar admitted shamelessly.

"I think I better go," I stated, standing up and heading towards the door. "Thanks for taking care of me."

"Anytime," Ruby said.

"You're welcome," piped in, shoving toilet paper up the kid's nose.

"Oh, and by the way," I asked, "where can I find the janitor? I need to thank him for bringing me here."

"His closet is right next to the music room," Ruby informed me. Oh, right, that's where I first learned about Brody and Marlon's very physical relationship.

"Okay, thanks," I said, then left the room, off to find Lee.

0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

After stopping by my room to change clothes, I made it to the janitor's closet in no time. Turns out, when there aren't a gazillion kids crowding the hallways, you can actually make it your destination in less than five minutes. However, when I checked the door, it was locked. Of course he's not here right now, I thought, it's still 7 in the morning. I should have brought my phone or scrap book, something to keep me busy while I waited for him to arrive. I leaned against the door, mentally scolding myself for not coming prepared.

My eyes wandered the hallway, comparing how it looks now versus how it did in my other life. There weren't cuss words scribbled all over the walls, and the headmaster's portrait hadn't been tampered with. It was also a lot brighter, since the clean windows let in more sunlight than the dirty ones did. They were currently spilling in the sun's early morning orange; not a bad color to start the morning.

It almost reminded me of the color the red candles had cast on the music room on the night of our 'hootenanny'. The memory prompted me to look toward the room, which was, for once, empty. Now that I thought of it, I had never been in there by myself. Not even in the apocalyptic world. "Why not?" I said out loud, and stepped in.

The music room was the place that looked the closest to the way that I was used to it looking. Sure, there was not NEARLY as much dust, and there also weren't vines growing through the windows, but it was still pretty similar to the way it was. The piano was in the same spot, and the books were still stacked high in ridiculously tall towers. The filing cabinet was in the same place, too. So far, it was where I felt most at home.

There was one thing, though, that kept bugging me; the piano didn't have mine and Louis's carving. Back in my old world, I always liked seeing it, and being reminded of that night with him. But now every time that I looked over there, all I was reminded of was everything that I had lost.

I walked over to the instrument, my pathway barely illuminated by the sun's morning rays trying to fight their way through the curtains. I sat down at the bench, staring at the spot where our initials should have been. I let myself smile at the memory that I had here, when Louis made me blow on the strings, and when we kissed. However, I also let a single tear slide down my cheek, too, when I felt my heart long for him. "This sucks," I whispered to myself out loud. I traced a C and L with my finger on the wood, wishing it was really there.

Suddenly, I heard something hit the ground from behind me, followed by a hissed, "Fuck!"

I jumped up, instinctively in combat mode. I turned around ready to either fight, or run for my life. I'm probably going to have reflexes like that for the rest of my life, thanks to the apocalypse.

I turned to find Louis on all fours, a few feet in front of the door. He had dropped the candle he was holding holding on the floor, and was frantically trying to put out the flame before it caught the carpet on fire. He patted the ground with his hand, mumbling, "Shit, shit, shit!" I just stood there and watched, my survivor instincts not sure how to react to this.

Finally, Louis got everything put out, and sat on his knees, still bewildered from almost starting a fire. "That was close," he said, his eyes wide.

"Um, yeah," I responded, my body relaxing. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Not long," he stated. "Literally dropped the candle as soon as I walked in here."

"I can't believe I didn't hear you come in," I told him. "Didn't think someone like you could actually manage to be quiet."

"Well, I'll have you know," he quipped, "I'm basically a ninja. Skilled in the craft of martial arts."

I couldn't help but smile at his remark. That's not the first time I've heard that one. "Oh really, you too?" I asked, just like I did on the second day I had known him. "I thought I was the only one." This earned a chuckle out of him. "So, what are you doing out here this early?"

"Just wanted to get some practice in," he replied. "Plus, it's kind of cool walking around without any other kids." He picked up his candle, and came and sat down right next to me. My heart rate quickened as he sat, and it beat even faster when his knee settled against mine. He was wearing his trademark trench coat, and he did his little tug on it that he likes to do. " What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for the janitor, but I got a little distracted."

"Aw, I see." He set the candle on the piano, then dug around in his pockets. When he came out empty handed, he said, "I can barely see anything in here. You got a lighter?"

"Yeah, actually," I affirmed. I pulled out the butterfly lighter that I had in my pocket, which I only kept with me because I had that, too, in the apocalypse. I handed it him, and he lit the candle.

"That's better," he mused. He looked at me and grinned, tilting his head slightly to the side like a dog. However, after staring at me for a moment, his smile suddenly disappeared. He looked surprised, but at the same time, worried. "Oh, shit, were you crying?"

"What? No!" I swiftly fibbed.

"Don't lie to me," He said, frowning slightly. "I can see where the tears slid down your face." The pianist lightly touched his finger to a wet spot on my face, softly saying, "Right there."

I quickly turned to face forward, hastily wiping my tear stained cheeks. "It's is just still wet from washing it this morning, is all."

"Does this have something to do with whatever was wrong last night?" He questioned, not believing my lie.

I bit my bottom lip, not sure how to answer. But I did know that I didn't like not telling him the truth. I slowly nodded.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No, it's okay," I said. "I'll be fine."

He nodded, sending the signal that he understood. I was glad I didn't have to explain to him. After a few moments of silence, he asked, "Do you mind if I practice?"

"No, go ahead. Will it be okay if I listen?"

"I always play better with an audience," he replied cheerily, lightening the mood.

He started on a song that I didn't know, but it was pretty. I liked watching the way his fingers danced across the keys, sometimes to fast to keep up with. I almost leaned my head on his shoulder, the way I would've with the other Louis. But then I remembered that this Louis was taken.

I heard the janitor's closet open from the hall, and I was reminded why I came here in the first place. I jumped up from the bench, suddenly filled with a newfound excitement. It startled the dread locked teen, and he messed up his song. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"Gotta go see the janitor," I told him giddily, fast walking toward the door. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, Clem," he called, and I shut the door after I exited the room.

I could hear someone shuffling things around inside the janitors closet, and as I neared it, I made myself stop before I went inside. Don't get too over emotional, I told myself. He doesn't remember the walkers, just like everybody else.

I stood in the doorway of the closet, staring at the back of him as he read all of the labels on the bottles until he picked one out. Then, he turned around, and jumped a little at the sight of me.

"Lee," I breathed, literally unable to stop myself. My knees felt a bit weak, threatening to give out on me.

"Clementine," he said back.

I cleared my throat, regaining my posture. It was hard trying to keep myself from running up to him. "I came to say thank you. For carrying me to the nurses office."

"You're welcome."

I stared at him a moment longer, every bone in my body longing to run up and hug my old guardian. Finally, when the urge got too strong, I decided it was time for me to leave. "That's it, then." However, as I started to walk off, Lee spoke:

"Your file says that you lost eight years of your memory, and that you kept talking about a dream you had while you were in a coma."

I looked at him dubiously. "Yeah, that happened."

"What was that dream about?" He asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

"It was about zombies," I answered, not wanting to get into too much detail. I at least wanted HIM to think I was normal.

"Was I..." Lee looked to the ceiling and shifted his lips to one side, debating on whether or not to ask his question. "Was I there?"

His question froze me in place. I looked at him, slack jawed. I tried to speak, but no words would come out. I nodded to answer what he had asked. The janitor's eyes became glossy, and a smile spread across his lips. He let out a little laugh, delirious from something that I thought was too good to be true.

"Sweet pea?" Lee asked. "Is it really you?"

"You-you remember?" I stammered. He nodded his head yes, his smile growing wider. I couldn't help myself anymore. "Oh, Lee!" I cried, running into his arms. He picked me up off the ground and squeezed me tight, spinning in a little circle.

"Clem," he cooed in my ear. "My little sweet pea."

I started to cry again, but this time they were tears of happiness. We embraced for a long time, making up for all of the hugs we never got the chance to have. Something about this reunion was better than the other ones I had so far, though, for two reasons; A, this was fricken Lee. My hero, my savior, finally with me again. And B, this wasn't this world's Lee, it was the same one from before.

Lee set me down, and I backed out of the hug. So many questions, but so little time to ask.

"I have so many things I want to ask you," I said.

"Same for me, but now not the time to do it," he told me. "The kids are already starting to go to their classes." Lee pointed down the hallway, where some of the troubled youths were starting to make their way into their classrooms.

"But I've waited so long," I complained. "Please, can we just talk for a minute?"

"We've already waited this long," Lee said calmly, "What's a little longer?" I huffed, and the janitor smiled. "I promise, they'll be time. How about this afternoon, after school is over?"

"Okay," I sighed. "We'll meet here around, say, five?"

"Sounds like a plan," he confirmed.

"Stop fooling around and get to class!" I heard echo behind me. Lee and I both turned to see the headmaster marching down the halls, making sure that everybody went to where they were supposed to be.

"You better go," Lee whispered to me. "I'll see you tonight."

"Okay, I won't forget!" I said back in a hushed tone.

Then, while the dean got on to other kids, I slipped out of the closet, and started to make my way back to the main hallway.

0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

So, it turns out school is just as boring as I remember it. But then again, math, music appreciation, history, and science were never known as the "fun" classes. However, they weren't all that bad since I had something else to occupy my thoughts when a teacher was droning on for too long: Lee. Yeah, I was happy that he was back and that he remembered, but I just couldn't understand how. How did he remember, and why was he the only one that did? I spent all of my morning classes switching back and forth between learning and trying to make sense of this.

Soon enough, it was time for lunch. My brain was fried, and I was ready to take a break. My headache was starting to set in again, and I didn't want to speed up the process of it getting to me. So, I told myself to not think too hard about Lee, otherwise my head would start pounding again just like it had this morning.

I walked into the cafeteria, which was buzzing with chattering kids. There were several grades in there at once, and all the tables were almost completely filled up. I scanned the lunch room, wondering where I should sit. Sophie spotted me, shouting, "Hey, Clem!" I looked over to her, and she waved me over. I walked over to her table, where Violet, Minnie, Ruby, Mitch, Aasim, Gabe, Marlon, Brody, and Louis were all setting down there bags.

"Welcome to the cool kids' table!" Louis proudly announced. "Where we spell 'kids' with a z."

"I'm starving," Mitch voiced, patting his stomach. "I'm going to the taco line."

"I'm off to get some pizza!" Louis hollered, waltzing off in the opposite direction of Mitch. Marlon and Ruby followed him.

"I need to watch my carbs," Brody said to herself, then started walking toward the salad bar.

I glanced around the lunch room, looking at all of the options. There were just so many. It was really overwhelming. While everybody else went to go get food, I just stood there looking lost.

"I don't know what to get," I told Violet and Minnie, who were the only who hadn't left yet. "What's your favorite thing they have?"

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm craving some chicken nuggets," Violet said.

"You crave chicken nuggets, like, every day," Minnie remarked. She turned to me, saying, "If I wasn't here, that's all she would ever eat."

"I haven't had them since last Monday," Vi reasoned to her girlfriend, already moving toward the chicken nugget line.

"Fine," Minerva caved in. She followed her, and I did, too.

Apparently, lots of other people loved chicken nuggets just as much as my blonde friend, because the line was already suuuper long by the time we got there. My stomach growled, and I anxiously looked to the front of the line. Ugh, this is gonna be a while.

"So, Clem," Violet started as we settled in the line, "How are you feeling?"

"How am I feeling?" I questioned, confused.

"Well, y'know, all that stuff that happened yesterday, you weren't looking to great," Violet filled in.

"Ruby said you were sick," Minerva added. "Do you feel better today?"

"Oh! Yeah, I feel much better today," I claimed, silently thanking Ruby for covering for me.

"Good," Minnie said. "So, how are you liking your classes so far?"

"They're alright. They're just sooooo boring."

"What classes did you have this morning?" The red head asked.

"I had math, music appreciation, history, and then science."

Violet snorted , saying, "Those are all of the most boring classes."

"Believe me, I know," I said.

"At least your whole second half of the day will be a lot more fun!" Minerva piped in brightly. She's a lot better here than she was back in my other world, I thought to myself.

Our line was moving a lot quicker than I had expected it to, and at a steady pace. Soon, we were inside the kitchen where the lunch ladies where dishing out food. Violet and Minnie grabbed a green tray, and I did the same.

"Are you excited for basketball today?" Violet asked, holding her tray out for the lunch lady to put the nuggets on.

"Yeah, I guess," I answered. I held out my tray, and exactly ten pieces of chicken were dropped on to it. "But I'm kind of nervous, too."

"Why?" Minnie asked. "We all saw you shoot last night. The coach is going to love you!"

"I don't know, I guess it's just first practice jitters."

We passed the mashed potatoes, and I eagerly lifted my tray to ask for some. Another woman scooped some up and plopped it onto my tray, then poured some brown gravy on top. My mouth watered at the sight of it.

"You'll be fine," Violet assured me. "You'll make a great shooting guard."

We were passing the fruit, and a familiar voice politely asked me, "Would you like an apple?" I looked to behind the counter where the voice was coming from, and my eyes met Sarita's. She smiled sweetly at me, and I returned the favor. Sarita was always nice to me, and Kenny. Even when we didn't deserve it.

"Sure," I said, holding up my tray for her to put the fruit on. "And by the way, you look very beautiful today.

She beamed at my complement, saying, "Oh! Thank you, sweetie."

I smiled at her one last time before leaving the kitchen to follow my friends back to the table. Once we arrived, every body else was already there, digging into their food. Minnie and Violet sat down next to each other, and Ruby patted a spot next to her. "Come sit here, Clem," she said, smirking. It was then that I noticed the spot she had saved for me was right next to Louis. When Ruby saw me realize this, she winked.

I sat down, eager to eat my food. I squirted out some ketchup out of one of those packets, and then dipped a chicken nugget into the sauce. I took a small, hesitant nibble of it, and couldn't keep in my moan of satisfaction. "Mhmm, these are really good!"

"Not as good as the pizza," Louis said through a mouth full of food. "If you think those are good, you would DIE for this pizza."

"I'll trade you a nugget for a little piece," I offered. He scratched his chin, considering my offer.

"Okay, deal," he agreed, and ripped off a little chunk of his slice. I handed him his nugget, and ate my little piece of pizza. It was as good as he had said it was.

"Oh my God, this IS good."

"I'll trade you my brownie for that fortune cookie," Ruby said to Aasim. He agreed, and they switched. Violet and Sophie traded oranges for grapes, and I traded half my mashed potatoes for half of Gabe's ice cream. Everybody traded with everybody, and food was being handed all around the table. Pretty soon, everyone had a little food from every line.

"Pleasure doing business with you guys," Louis chimed, happily eating his new meal.

We didn't talk for a little bit after that, all of us too busy eating.

While we ate, I couldn't help but notice that Gabe would not take his eyes off of Sophie. He put his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand, just gazing at her. Finally, he said just loud enough for her and the people sitting close to him to hear, "Sophie, I think you look very pretty today."

She stopped and looked at him in the middle of slurping a spaghetti noodle, her cheeks filled like a chipmunk's. The twin quickly chewed and swallowed her food, and wiped her messy mouth with a napkin. After she finished, she gave him a quizzical look, saying, "Um, thank you?"

Gabe grinned at her and laughed nervously. I could feel the tension from where I was sitting. Oh, yeah, I told him Sophie thought he was cute. Well, that was a mistake. Since I was partly to blame for the awkwardness between them, I felt obliged to help break it. "Which teacher do you guys like the best?" I asked no one in particular.

"Definitely the math teacher, ," Marlon said. "He's the teacher that never gets anyone in trouble."

, AKA Walter. I had him earlier, and he was really chill and laid back. However, he was also SUPER boring.

"That's my least favorite teacher. That dude is a total bore," Mitch countered, reading my mind. "I like coach David the best."

"Of course you do," Violet remarked. "You two have the same temper."

"Shut up, Vi," Mitch spat back at her.

Violet held up her hands in faux defense, smirking.

"Well, she may not really count as a teacher, but is my favorite," Ruby pitched in.

Suddenly, when Minnie was just starting to give her opinion, I heard an annoyed, "Ahem," from behind me. I turned around to see who it was, only to see Becca standing there, her arms crossed.

"Hey, Bec!" Louis said cheerfully.

"Hey, Louis. And everyone else. They let me out of lunch detention early."

"How did you manage to get them to do that?" Louis asked. He was really the only person who looked happy to see her.

Becca shrugged. " was the detention teacher today, and I told him that I was struggling with depression and that my friends were the only people who made me feel better."

"Of course he'd fall for that," Mitch mumbled.

"Now where do I sit?" Becca demanded. "Y'know, since Clementine is sitting where I usually sit." Louis's girlfriend glared at me, crossing her arms.

"Just pull up a chair," Violet suggested, annoyed.

"But there's no room!" Becca whined.

"Then go sit somewhere else," Sophie said through clenched teeth.

"No!" Becca exclaimed stubbornly. "I want to sit by my boyfriend."

"It's just for one day," Aasim said smoothly. "You'll be fine."

"Louis!" Becca cried, giving him her best puppy dog eyes.

Louis sighed, standing up with his tray. "Alright, I'll go sit with you somewhere else."

"But what about our friends? I know Minnie wants to sit by me. Right, Minnie?"

"I, um," Minnie stuttered. "I guess?"

"See?" Becca said to Louis.

Oh my God, grow up, I wanted to say to her, but didn't. Instead, I decided to make this whole situation easier. I stood up, put on my backpack, and grabbed my tray. "Here, Becca, you can sit in my seat."

"Oh, really, are you sure?" She queried.

"Yes, I'm sure," I affirmed, trying to hide my annoyance.

"Oh, that's so sweet of you, Clem!" She proclaimed, placing her hand on her heart as if she were shocked. Becca happily plopped down in the chair, clearly satisfied that she had won her battle.

"What about you?" Brody asked me. "Where will you sit?"

"I'll sit..." I scanned the lunchroom, looking for a group of strangers who might be accepting of me. However, in the far corner of the lunchroom, I actually spotted a familiar face, sitting all by herself. "I'll sit with Sarah," I told them. "Thanks for letting me sit with you guys today."

"Thanks for sitting with us," Louis said. "Maybe tomorrow we can work out a seating arrangement so EVERYONE can fit."

"Maybe," I stated. "I'll see you guys later."

As I walked off, I heard Ruby snap at Becca, "You're a real drama queen, you know that?"

Sarah's head was buried in a book, so she didn't realize me approaching her. She looked so innocent, sitting at the table all by herself. My old friend mindlessly chewed on her hair as she indulged herself in the story.

I sat my tray down across from her, and she still didn't look up from her book. I cleared my throat, and only then did she notice me. "Hello," I greeted.

"Oh! Um, hi," She said back. Sarah just stared at me, looking surprised that I was even there.

"I'm Clementine."

"I'm Sarah."

"What are you reading?"

"This really crazy story, called 'Alias Grace.' It's about this woman who's in jail for murdering people, but she says she can't remember killing anybody," Sarah informed me, her eyes sparkling like a little kid as she described it. "It's really good so far."

"Sounds interesting." She nodded, but didn't say anything else. This girl needs to learn how to hold a conversation, I thought. "How's your day been?"

"Good. How about yours?"

"It's going alright." Again, silence settled between us. I decided to just go ahead and use my conversation piece I had been saving just for Sarah. "So, your dad is a doctor, right?"

"Yeah," she confirmed. "How did you know?"

"He's my doctor. , right?"

"Yes."

"Did he ever mention to you someone getting in a coma?"

"Yeah, actually, I think he did."

"Well, that someone was me."

"Wow, really?!" She exclaimed, her eyes getting wide. I laughed at her reaction, and told her that yes, that was really me. "He said some glass got stuck inside of you. That must have hurt."

"It did. Look, here's wear it happened," I said, and pulled down the sleeve on my shoulder a little so she could see my scar.

"Eww," she groaned, and then covered her mouth. "Oh my gosh, sorry, that was rude!"

"It's fine," I assured her, but she was scowling, and she lightly smacked herself on the head.

"Rude, rude, rude," she scolded herself.

Well now I know why she got sent to Ericson. "It's fine, really," I claimed again. "It does look pretty weird, doesn't it?"

"You're already so beautiful, though, that it doesn't even made a difference."

I could feel my cheeks redden, and I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck. "Thanks, I guess."

"Oh, looks like everybody's packing up," Sarah observed. I turned around, and everybody was dumping their trays and heading toward the door.

"Alright, then, I guess it's time to go," I speculated. "It was nice meeting you."

"It was nice meeting you, too!" Sarah chimed. "Hey, we're friends now, right?"

She hasn't changed a bit. "Right," I confirmed. "I'll see you later, Sarah."

"Bye, Clem!"

0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

The rest of the school day went by much too slow for my liking. Sure, my last four classes were less boring, but time always goes by slower when you have something that you're looking forward to. I was also disappointed when I didn't get to test my basketball skills, because the coach wasn't there. I had been really excited to see what I could do. Eventually, though, the end of the day did come, and I was SO ready for it by the time it did. I spent the rest of the evening hanging out with the girls in our dorm, until finally five o'clock came.

I sat alone in the janitor's closet, scrolling through the pictures on my phone. Lee had left the door open for me this time so I wasn't just be standing awkwardly in the hallway.

I heard footsteps down the hall, and I got excited, hoping they would be Lee's. However, when I heard Becca's voice instead of his, all of my excitement vanished.

"Hurry," Becca was saying, and that's when I realized that there were two sets of feet instead of just one.

"I'm coming," someone else said. I didn't recognize who's voice it was.

I heard the music room's door open, and Becca giggled as they stepped inside.

I couldn't help myself. Once they were in, I stepped out of the closet, and curiously made my way over to the door. I quietly pushed it open, just barely, to get a peek of what was going on in there. I had to put my hand to over my mouth to stifle the gasp at what I saw.

Becca was up against the wall, and whoever she was with was violently kissing her neck. She moaned in satisfaction. Then, they started to kiss lip to lip, in a full on make out session.

"Oh. My. God," I whispered to myself. Was this really happening? Next thing I knew, her shirt was coming off, and I did NOT want to see any of that. I silently closed the door and slipped into the closet, still in shock of what just happened.

What did I just see? Ithought. Do I tell Louis? On one hand, if I were the one being cheated on, I would want to know. Plus, Becca's a snobby brat who does NOT deserve him. On the the other hand, though, Becca makes him happy. Why? I had no clue. But she did, and he would be heart broken if he found out she did this.

In the middle of me considering my choices, somebody knocked on the door. "Clem?" Lee asked, just loud enough for me to hear through the door.

"I'm here," I answered. He quietly came in, closing the door behind him. We greeted each other with another long embrace. After we were done, we both turned over mop buckets and had a seat on them, ready to finally have our questions answered.

"Okay, you go first," he started.

"Were those dreams I would have with you-on the train- were they real?" I inquired. "I mean, were you really there?"

"Of course," he answered. "They were real."

"I just had one of those with AJ," I told Lee. "We got to talk for a little bit, but then I started to disappear. Like, literally, my body began to fade away. How come that never happened to you?"

"It did. I just made sure I left before you could see it happen."

"I'll have to keep that in mind for the next time I see AJ," I said to myself. "Okay, now your turn. What do you want to know?"

"After I died, I came here. And if you're here, that means that you had to die, too... How did it happen?"

His question took me by surprise. I know that I should've expected it, but I just thought his questions would focus more on everything that happened so far here. "Do you remember those bad people that I told you about, who captured my friends?"

"Mhm."

"Well, the leader of that group ended up being Lilly-"

"Lilly?!" Lee exclaimed. "You never told me that you had run into her!"

I held up my hand. "Let me finish. Anyway, she was keeping my friends in this boat. At some point, she drug AJ to the top of it, and that's when I busted out of the cells they were keeping us in and freed the rest of my friends. Then, when I went to go and rescue AJ, she shot me."

He was quiet while he fathomed this. I added, "Oh, and I also forgot to tell you that we planted a bomb on the boat. So after she shot me, I was blasted into the river, where I nearly drowned. Louis found me at some point, but I had already lost too much blood. So, yeah, that's how I left that hell hole."

Lee curled his hands into fists, wearing a glowering expression. "I knew I shouldn't have let that woman stay with us. I should have left her right there, on the side of the road." He shook his head disapprovingly. "First she took Carly, and now you? Oh, God, she's lucky I don't strangle her." He probably would actually kill her if I told him about some of the other things she did, I thought.

"Have you seen her here yet?"

"Every day," mumbled the janitor. "Clem, she's your basketball coach."

"WHAT?" I cried, and Lee shushed me. "She's going to be my coach?" I whispered in disbelief.

"She is," Lee informed me. "You know, sweet pea, if you're not ready to face her yet, you can take basketball out of your schedule."

"No, it's fine," I assured him, sighing. "She's not the same person she was in the apocalypse. Hopefully."

"Hopefully," Lee echoed. "Your turn."

"How did you end up here?" I asked. "I remember you telling me that you were a history professor. Why didn't you just go back to your old job?"

"Remember, right before the walkers, I had been arrested?"

"I think you told me something about that."

"When I came into this world, I was in prison. I stayed there for about a year, and then I was released. I tried to get another job as a teacher, but no one would take me due to my background. Ericson is the only place who would accept me."

"I'm sorry," I sympathized. "You deserve better than this, better than a job as a janitor."

"Hey, it's not all bad," Lee claimed. "This is a lot easier than trying to survive in a world full of walking dead people. Plus, if I didn't work here, I wouldn't have been reunited with you."

"I guess so."

We talked for a long time. After we were done with the questions, I told him about everything that had happened since he had died; all of it. It took hours. I cried some, and I laughed some, but it was good to finally share my whole story with someone (without them thinking I was crazy.)

After I was done, he told me his story in a lot more detail than before, but it was still a lot shorter than mine. He also told me that he and Carly had become friends somehow in this world, which prompted me to profusely tease him about the two of them becoming a couple. Although, when I playfully accused him of having a crush on her, he didn't deny it. I always thought that they would be good together, and it was a shame that Carly was killed back in my other universe. I was glad that they were getting another shot here.

Before long, it was 3 AM, and I could barely keep my eyes open. As much as I wanted to stay and talk, I had school tomorrow, and Lee had work.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Lee whispered, stepping out of the closet.

"See ya," I said back in a hushed voice.

He gave me a quick hug goodbye, then quietly walked down the hallway. I was just about to leave myself, when I heard a faint noise from the music room. All of a sudden, I was reminded of what I had witnessed hours earlier. There's no way they could still be going.

I walked over to the music room and silently pushed the door open a crack and peeked through. Becca and the mystery man were both sleeping, one of them snoring (though I couldn't tell which one). She slept cuddled up in his arms, his large t-shirt looking like the only thing she was wearing. He still had has boxers on, thank goodness, but that was it.

I glared at the pair, hoping Becca could somehow feel the hatred that I was sending toward her. How could she do this to Louis? How could anyone ever do anything like this to him?

I decided that he needed to know. It's his girlfriend, he has a right to know... right?

I pulled out my phone and quickly snapped a picture, just in case Louis wanted proof. Then I sneakily shut the door and tip toed away from that hallway.

As I made my way back toward my room, I was having second thoughts about telling Louis. I mean, yeah, Becca sucked and no one liked her, but for some reason she made him happy. I didn't want to end up with a heartbroken Louis. Ugh, what do I do?

I came to my room and slipped inside. All the girls were asleep. Sophie was on the top bunk, and Minnie and Violet shared the bed across from mine. They were in a spooning position, Violet's arm wrapped protectively around Minerva. I couldn't help but smile at the couple. I wish I still had that.

I flopped down on the bed, too tired to change clothes. I went to take off my hat, only to realize it wasn't there. Oh yeah, headmaster jack ass made me give it to him. Groggily rubbing my eyes, I made a mental note to try and get it back tomorrow.

As I lay there, the topic of Louis and Becca came swirling back into my brain. Should I tell him? Or do I keep it to myself?

"I'll sleep on it," I mumbled to myself, and then drifted off into my dreams.


AN: Have you guys heard of The Walking Dead Definitive Edition? Well, in the video Skybound made for it, it said that in it there was "unfinished digital bonus content." I am REALLY HOPING they're talking about a DLC or something. It would be really interesting to have a DLC of the boarding school kids before Clem and AJ, don't ya think? I want to know how Tenn got his burn, why some of the other kids were sent there, etc...

Anyway, hope you liked the chapter! Do you think Clem should tell Louis what she saw, or keep her mouth shut? You tell me! (Your opinions may or may not influence the next chapter...)

Let me know what you thought of this one!