Hey, y'all. I apologize for how long it's been. Hope this chapter ends up being okay.


Violet's Pov:

It's been two weeks since the whole getting expelled episode. Both Minnie and Sophie have been allowed back in school and I'm a bit surprised at the lack of a confrontation from Minerva. I haven't heard anything about her around the school which is weird, to say the least, since Minnie loves being the center of attention and gossip spreads like wildfire.

I'm not sure what happened during their ten days of being expelled from the school's premises, considering Sophie won't even mention her sister's name anymore. But I have a feeling Minerva's been on the low down ever since her sister basically disowned her.

I actually do feel bad for her. She and Sophie have always been close, or at least they used to be. Sophie was the last person that Minnie could really confide in, but after she went after me I guess Sophie had finally had enough of her bullshit. I'm not sure where their brother Tenn stands in the middle of all of it, but I'm sure he definitely knows there's tension between the two redheads. It makes me wonder if he's turned his back on Minnie as well, but I'd be stupid to ask. I was just glad to be alive and not stuck in the hospital after the whole ordeal, there was no way I would bring it up again.

But that was perfectly fine with me because lately, I've rarely been thinking about it. In fact, with Minnie so out of the picture now, I've barely had anything to bother me for almost a week straight. There was only one thing that was always on my mind now. I didn't notice the change at first because it was subtle, but I could clearly see it now. And the more I thought about it, the worse it became.

I didn't even realize it had happened, but the moment December sixteenth rolled around there was no going back. I had become completely lovestruck.

I think my nightly talks with Clem made the biggest difference. She was there every time I woke from a nightmare, whether it be over the phone or in person. But I found myself starting to calm down after everything I've been through and I didn't feel so afraid anymore. I wasn't completely in the clear, but at least I could walk around my own home now and not feel like someone was going to jump out of a doorway and attack me at any given minute. But once I made it past that, I started to realize just how over my head I was.

I mean, I've always been in love with Clem but something was different now. I could feel it in my heart every time she'd smile at me or I'd get a text from her or when she'd say I love you. It'd make my heart swell and I'd get lost in the feeling and it made it impossible to be away from her.

But she was my knight, it had become her job to watch over and protect me. In retrospect, if she was my knight I guess that'd make me her princess or queen or whatever, but I don't know if that's really my role. I honestly saw myself as her knight as well. But if I was her queen, I was totally falling for my knight in shining armor. My heart would get overwhelmed with affection to the point it'd feel like it would burst. There was no denying it, I was head over heels for the brunette, and I guess it showed.

Louis picked up on it first, mostly because he'll take any chance he can to tease me about my love for the girl. He and Sophie were as thick as thieves when it came to that. Any sign of affection I would show towards Clem and Louis couldn't help proclaiming how much he shipped it. Normally it'd end with him getting a glare in his direction and the middle finger from me, which would always cause Clem to giggle and it'd make my heart skip a beat to hear it. I couldn't get too mad though, it was actually pretty sweet of him. Even if he could be a bit much at times, Louis was still the best friend I've ever had.

And though I didn't feel any more confident, I guess I've gotten bolder about being open with my affection for the girl of my dreams. It's not like our relationship was a secret, we were open about it around our friends, and practically the whole school knew I was dating Mr. Everett's daughter. But Louis was right, he caught it even before me.

Moments where I'd subconsciously grab hold of the brunette's hand while we walked, not caring where we were. Or how I didn't care if everyone watched when my lips met hers in a kiss and it'd get her to blush. It makes me smile like an idiot after those moments and I didn't care who knew or watched because she had my complete attention. She was my girl and that made her my world. And she drove me crazy in every single way.

It wasn't too long after that when I realized just how bad it was. I found myself changing the way I did things on a daily basis. Suddenly my world made sense because she was at the heart of everything I did. I never understood how someone could make you do things you never felt possible, how someone could be your whole world, how it was impossible to think about being away from them. And yet here I was lost in that cliche. I'd never felt this way with Minnie, but I wish I could have been feeling this all of my life.

God, the things she made me do. I'd probably feel like a complete idiot if I wasn't completely clouded over with this newfound sensation. I'd fallen into writing out our names on the bathroom mirrors and the shower doors when they'ed fill with steam from the heat of the water when I'd take a shower. Then I'd draw a heart around my Clem plus Violet and place a handprint below our names. I don't know why I did, it just felt right. Like it gave more significance to the little sign of affection.

Water droplets would always slide down the glass from the base of the letters though, making uneven streaks through my writing until they joined up with enough droplets to reach the bottom of the shower door. It didn't matter much, however, because the steam would get to be too much and the door would once more fog over at the increased heat and my letters would slowly disappear among the condensation, prompting me to start over and draw it again every few minutes.

Another habit I found myself doing was sleeping with my phone next to me. I used to keep it on the nightstand that stood next to my bed, but now I find it laying next to my side as I'd drift off to sleep. I guess it made me feel closer to her when she wasn't with me. I'm not sure why I started doing that, but it gave me a sense of comfort knowing it was there. I guess having it being one of the main sources that I use to communicate with her also contributed to that factor.

I realize that always using my phone or pencil and paper isn't always the most convenient way for us to communicate, however. I'd kind of hoped that I'd be able to talk with her by now, or at the very least be able to say I love you, but I was still without a voice. So during the second half of my "school banishment," I started to consider the idea of learning sign language.

I felt nervous about that idea though, I don't want to be mute forever and I'm kind of worried that relying on a different type of "language", so to speak, will prompt me to never going back to using words. But when I talked it over with Clem she told me that she'd be happy to learn it right alongside me and that made me feel more confident in my decision.

Sophie was actually pretty good at sign language and Brody knew a little bit too. So they've been helping us out. Brody was ecstatic about getting to help and it took nearly twenty minutes to calm her down after I had pitched the idea to both her and Sophie.

I felt weird using my hands to communicate in this way though. I was so used to just writing everything out, it made it hard to resist doing that. But I knew I'd never get any better if I didn't practice. Before I only knew the sign for 'I love you', but now I knew how to say a couple of basic things thanks to my friends. Louis likes to joke around and just move his hands around in some stupidly graceful way and pretend he's using sign language when I'm actually trying to learn. It would usually end with me pulling back his fingers, threatening to break them until he'd shout out 'you win' and I'd get him to stop.

However, I was doing the exact opposite of practicing as my pencil connected with the thick paper of my sketchbook. I'd fallen into one of my lovesick quirks again as music played from the phone that lay next to me. Some song called, "She Drives Me crazy" blasting from its small speaker. And I found myself completely falling for its words as every love song that played from the radio or my phone was now about me and her. I'd get subconscious when a break-up song would play now, though. It made me feel like that would happen to us if I enjoyed those lyrics, but I tried not to dwell on that.

I was technically supposed to be doing homework. I had to draw some sketches for a class on Monday, but I found myself neglecting that responsibility and instead found myself flipping to the back of my sketchbook writing out little love notes all over the page. But I can't help but misbehave, I've got that feeling that I crave just thinking about the way she looks tonight.

Every time I'd finish a note or picture I'd grab my phone and take a picture of what I just wrote and send it to Clem. Each note containing some combination of pencil lead and a red sharpie. Usually used to emphasize a word or to color in the hearts that littered my page.

I send her a picture of my latest affectionate phrase, "You Complete My Heart" and it's not much longer before I get a response.

Clem: "I thought you were supposed to be working Vi?"

It's not the response I'd thought I'd get, but I know my girlfriend and I smile to myself. I know my little love notes are making her blush. It's her way of trying to hide the fact that I'm making her a mess right now by changing the subject. And even though I find that incredibly cute, I save her the embarrassment and answer her question.

Violet: "I am. But I love spending time with you more. And besides, it's only Friday. I have all weekend to get this done."

Clem: "That's sweet Vi. But if you get it done now we'll have more time to spend together tomorrow."

Even though I don't like the idea of stopping this and doing work, I know she's right. Plus getting to spend the whole day with her tomorrow without any distractions sounds pretty nice and it persuades me to cool my persistent romantic drive. But I see that I have a blank space for one last message and I smirk.

Violet: "Hold on, one last one."

And I quickly write out one last response. "I know what love is because of you." Running over the words love and you with my red sharpie before snapping a picture and sending it to my girlfriend.

And I get a reply that makes my heart melt. Clem stumbles over her words trying to think of what to say. She's flustered at my words and it's adorable knowing she's a blushing mess on the other side of that screen.

Clem: "I've gotta stop letting you do that."

I silently giggle at her words. I don't doubt that Clem will get me back sometime soon. I can usually turn her red just by making a heart with my hands or giving her a quick kiss when she least expects it, but Clem still has her moments where she turns things around and she reduces me to a blushing mess. The night she gave me Clover is a good example and I smile as I look over at the bear next to me. But a ding from my phone pulls me back and I look to see what my girlfriend has written to me.

Clem: "So are you excited for tomorrow?"

Violet: "Of course! I'm always excited to spend time with you, Clem. I love you."

Clem: "I love you too, flower."

And there it was. I couldn't deny the fact that my cheeks turned a slight shade of pink at the nickname. She loved to call me her flower and it was the thing that usually did me in. But the conversation ends there, however, and I take a glance at the clock seated next to me on the nightstand. It's almost eight o'clock so I sigh and focus on getting back to work. I actually want to finish this tonight so the rest of my weekend is totally free.

I'm really excited for tomorrow. I'm taking Clem to another one of my favorite places, and yes it was outdoors. For most of my life, the indoors has felt like a prison, trapped to the confines of my bedroom to avoid the wrath of my father. I relished each chance I would get to escape out my bedroom window and retreat to my own kind of world. One where I could let my fears and worries melt away and leave my baggage at home. Despite the fact that it'd usually be late at night, closer to early morning, when I'd find my escape. Just me and my imaginative map that would lead me to the wide-open space of the field.

Nothing but my favorite hoodie to keep me warm and possibly my journal to keep me busy, as I stood under the gaze of the stars. Their endless beauty held in place wondering which ones I'd choose to sketch into my own interpretation.

But now that we lived in my grandparent's house the field was too far away to walk to. What once would be a half-hour to forty-five-minute walk would now turn into a two-hour trek. But I still wanted the chance to embrace the beauty of nature with Clementine. The forest was pressed to the back of my grandparent's house and the hours I'd spend with Jackson and Grandpa out there exploring were still glued to my mind. I wanted to show her my world. I wanted to show her the wonders of the outside world the way I saw them. Because it was beautiful, just like her.

My excitement seemed to work against me though, once I finally laid down to get some sleep. I couldn't help but silently giggle to myself as I cuddled Clover closer to my chest. I couldn't sleep with how giddy I felt. I had it bad. Clem doesn't know it, but she drives me crazy.


I focused on putting one foot in front of the other as I tried to keep my balance across the decorative blocks. My right arm stretched out while my left hand held onto Clem's as she walked me across the stone formation. A low wall made out of decorative blocks that seemed to jut out from the grass hills that flanked each side of the walking trail, making the pathway below feel more like a gorge. The bricks stacked in a pattern with the ends leading up in a formation that resembled stairs before leveling out to form the top of the wall. The old stones, worn and darkened with the wear and tear of Mother Nature, dark green moss clinging to the sides of some of the blocks as if having been placed there to purposefully give the structure an aged look.

With about twenty feet worth of blockwork, it reminded me of the brick walls surrounding a castle. Something I was currently writing about in one of my stories for Clem. It brought back memories of me and my friends playing 'Hide and Survive' down by the stream. Hours spent building makeshift walls to keep out the so-called 'walkers' and possible bandits that could attack our base. I bet Clem would have liked playing the game with us. I bet she'd be good at it too.

I smiled to myself at having good memories flood my mind for once. I've honestly never felt this happy, just being here in this moment with her. It may be mid-December, but it couldn't be colder than forty-five degrees out. And with the sun shining down through the bare branches of the trees it felt like it could have been fifty out right now. It never felt like it snowed anymore in December. It was bitter and cold in November, but December always seemed to heat up to keep the snow away until after Christmas. Then it'd get cold once more and snow would hit us mid-February and early March. The weather was weird here.

But now the clear skies gave way for the blacktop of the pathway to be bathed in warmth. I could feel it on the back of my red Ericson hoodie as I crossed the top of the wall. Clem having to stretch her arm up to keep balance with me due to the increased height.

She had on her jean jacket and I honestly loved it when she wore it. I loved the way she looked in it, and the worn baseball cap she wore with it gave her a rugged, badass kind of look. Her jacket wasn't super warm however and I could see the collar of her gray sweatshirt stick out from where her jacket wasn't zipped up all the way. I thought she looked cute but tough at the same time, and a smile tugged at me as I stole a glance at her as she walked next to the wall, keeping her hand in mine. I can see her smile up at me out of the corner of my eye as she guided me on.

I had to keep myself from giggling so I wouldn't lose my balance. I felt like such a little kid right now and it felt like the best feeling in the world. In all honesty, I was such a little kid at heart. Just doing silly little things with Clem like this made me smile like an idiot. I still got excited over little things like when it'd snow outside, or going to get ice cream, or seeing a puppy, or even just watching an animated movie. I never really got to act like a kid growing up and that innocence was getting the chance to show itself now.

I don't exactly have very good memories of my childhood. I never really got to embrace the joy of being a kid, I was too busy wondering when the next time my dad was going to hit me would be. I had some pretty great memories of time spent with my friends though. I reprinted all of my pictures that had burned in the fire and placed them on my new wall, along with some new pictures of me and Clem. I liked to take a picture with her every time we did something fun. A way for me to capture and save all of the good memories. And I'd say this was definitely one of them as I stifled a laugh once more, trying not to fall off of the three-foot wall.

"Hey Vi, you're actually tall now." Clem joked with me as she stared up at me from the ground. I think Louis is starting to rub off on her.

Normally I'd roll my eyes at such a remark, but the little kid in me told me to stick out my tongue. The action got Clem to giggle and it made my heart speed up. It gave me butterflies to hear it. She's messing with my mind now as I completely forget what I'm doing and she's my entire focus. I catch the way her eyes shine in the sun, the amber color that I fell in love with the first day I met her. And I get lost in the feeling of butterflies and bliss and I can't believe how lucky I am that she's mine. There's not a thing I wouldn't do for her. That girl, she takes up all of my time. I spend every dollar, I spend every dime. She stole my heart and took over my mind. That's it, game over. She drives me crazy.

I was almost at the end of the wall and would have to walk down the makeshift steps. But I could barely register that thought with my attention so focused on the girl next to me. I know the next step I take has to be one to reach the lower level of bricks but I'm no longer watching where I place my feet. Not that I really had to, I knew how to go down steps. But when I reach the edge, I fail to see the cracks shifting through the stone. The aged stone is loose from its place in the formation of the wall and the corner crumbles under the pressure of my added weight and breaks off from the rest of the stone slab.

The sudden shift of the ground beneath my feet causes me to lose my balance. I can't regain my footing though and I fall back. I brace myself for the impact with the hard ground but it never comes. Instead, I feel someone catch me and I land in the arms of the girl of my dreams.

Clem uses the force from my fall and spins around with me in her arms. My hands instinctively wrap around her neck and I can't help but silently giggle at her antics. Clem has the biggest smile on her face at seeing me laugh. Her left arm tucked under my knees with her right gently supporting my back. I think she's really enjoying seeing me so happy for once.

I expect her to set me back down, but Clem continues to carry me bridal style as she walks with my hands clasped tightly around her neck. I'm not objecting though, as I enjoy the warmth of being held in her arms. And I'm pretty sure Clem is enjoying that sensation as well. Though honestly, I might fall asleep in her arms if she doesn't put me down soon.

I release my grip from her, freeing my hands, and attempt to sign something to her, hoping that I'm doing it right. "Aren't you going to put me down?"

Clem giggles at me and shakes her head. "Nope! You're stuck with me now."

I grin at her words, both in knowing that she understood me and because I'm enjoying being held in her embrace. I make a heart with my hands and direct it toward her and I see Clem's face turn the lightest shade of pink. I think my heart just melted at the sight and I giggle as she turns her head away slightly to try and hide her blush. "I love you too, Vi." She says back to me in a voice just above a whisper.

I feel bliss spread through my heart and my arms go back around her neck and I snuggle into her embrace, my head leaning against her shoulder. And if I close my eyes it almost feels like nothings changed at all, like this has been my reality from the start. It almost feels like I've been here before.

I can't explain how lucky I am that Clementine showed up in my life. She's got every quality from A all the way to Z. It's easy to see she's my perfect girl. She's got everything single thing that makes up my wildest dreams.

Sometimes I still can't quite believe she's holding on to me. I'll admit, having someone to love like this only existed in my prayers for a long time. I never felt like this with Minnie. But that's probably because she never really treated me like an equal. Back then I used to push my luck, I used to act real tough, I used to be known for the dumb things. I used to chase the rush, I used to kiss and run and all of it turned into nothing.

But being with Clementine was so much different. I'm lucky when she came around because it gave me a chance to take. Now she's got all of my heart, my soul, my wishes. All of my love, my hugs, my kisses. Everything that means anything at all, Clem was now a part of it. All of my life I've spent hoping that I could give someone such devotion. And now she's in every sweet memory I can recall. Clementine had a place in my heart like no other and it showed in everything I did.

I looked ahead and saw that we were almost at the end of the trail, having walked the complete path and ending up back where we had first started. I wondered if Clem was going to put me down but I guess she was determined to carry me the rest of the way. I also think I'm lighter than she expected, what with the time I practically didn't eat anything for three whole days.

"We made it!" Clem yelled in celebration. And I felt my feet hit the blacktop as she set me down. Then she raised her arms up. "Ta-da!"

I let out a silent chuckle and pulled out my phone to type out a message. "You're such a dork." And I pulled her hat down over her eyes.

Clem giggled as she reached up to fix her hat. "You're the one who's a dork." And she leaned forward and kissed the tip of my nose.

My face burned bright red as I hear her giggle at me and I turn shy as Clem reaches up and pushes my hair behind my ear. "You'll always be my flower."

I shyly smile at her and then my gaze drops to my phone. I hold it up and point at it showing Clem that I want to take a picture.

"Sure thing, Vi." She tells me and Clem leans down and takes a knee.

I smile and kneel down next to her. Clem wraps an arm around me and I flip my phone around and hold out my arm to snap the picture. Right when I go to take the picture, Clem leans in and kisses me on the cheek when I hit the button. I can't help but giggle and I see Clem beaming at what she just did. I look at the picture and smile, that was definitely going up on my wall.