A/N:

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Modern Period of The Walking Dead Game

High School AU


Chapter Five: Bruises


The next day, Clementine and Ava woken up from their deep sleep. Neither of them inched out of bed or complain about the noises Ava's parents made. Ava knew her mother, Christa, had to fly to France in a couple of hours. The adults didn't bother the girls at all and knew they were dead from that party they went to.

The sun rays peeked through the window curtains as the afternoon breeze felt amazing on their skin. Feeling heavy in a peaceful way, both knew they had to get rid of the alcohol in their system.

Ava slowly got up and left the room. Clem didn't dare move. Thinking hurts. Wiggling her arms and legs hurts. Looking at the floor aches. She shut her eyes. Sighing through her nostrils.

Is this what death feels like? Clem thought.

The door opened, and Ava rubbed her head.

"Have a safe trip mom!" Ava shouted. She shut the door and dropped a water bottle on Clem's back. Clem hummed.

"Get up and drink it." Ava mumbled before flopping her bottom on the bed. The bed bounced, causing Clem to groan. She got up slowly and drink the water. Her hair naturally twisted at the roots and ends giving an odd curl pattern.

Ava's hair wild than ever. She had on a sports bra and cheeky shorts. Clem struggled last night putting on her pjs. She just threw on her large Ts and let her underwear show its glory.

"Do I look like shit?" Clem blurted as she pushed her hair back. Ava checked her friend out.

"Yup. And I feel like shit." The two clink their plastic bottles. After feeling better, the two went to the kitchen, eating Greek yogurt and bread.

"Your dad taking your mom to the airport?" Clem noticed how the house was quiet and empty. Ava nodded with the plastic spoon in her mouth. She was busy fiddling her thumbs on her phone. She dropped the spoon from her mouth and spoken.

"She'll be back before Thanksgiving week. Then stay till New Year." She mentioned. Clem finished her yogurt and bread. It really helped wash away the migraine.

Ava trashed Clem's and her garbage.

The girls chilled at the living room, watching the news. Carley was on, speaking with a serious tone, informing the viewers about a crooked man finally put behind bars from robbing stores.

Clem turned the channel to some morning baseball views. Ava crawled over to her and laid against Clem's chest. Clem rubbed Ava's head, caressing her back to sleep. She didn't sleep, only shut her eyes.

While watching baseball views, Clementine kept thinking back to party. Ava kept her safe no matter what. Gabriel watched over her like a hawk too. Yet, he still turned up with Clementine. Duck offered her unknown beverages bringing her out of her shell and let go of her troubles in her head. She so thankful to have close friends like them.

Ava gasped and took the opportunity to blow raspberries on Clem's upper boob. Clem narrowed her eyes. She pushed Ava off her.

"Okay. No way you're slobbering all over me."

"Oh yeah. Someone might...choke me!" A pillow smacked Ava's face.

.

.

Clementine came back home very late and saw Chuck sitting on his porch talking to one of the neighbors. She waved at him as he waved back at her with a sweet smile on his face. Sam barked at her saying hi.

Finally, inside, she went up to her room emptying her duffel bag. A knock at the door interrupted her. She turned to see Lee.

"Hey sweet pea." He greeted. Clem smiled.

"Hey Lee. How was your day?"

"Same ol', same ol'. I just went out of town with Kenny and Katja."

"Oh. For what?" Clem tossed her dirty clothes in the laundry basket. Lee leaned against the door frame, crossing his arms.

"Hmmm. Nothing too special. Just looking around." A stern look scrunched on her face. She didn't understand. Not going to push it any further, she let Lee slide.

"Okay. When will Carley come back?"

"She called me saying she'll be out of town for a few days. She's visiting her parents." Clementine nodded. Lee didn't say much so he left Clem alone.

The phone on the bed rung. Someone was face timing her. She answered the call and saw Mariana's beauty mark and her eye. This kills Clementine. Gabe and Mariana have a weird thing setting the camera on bits or parts of their faces.

"Hey! How was the party?" She asked.

"Very interesting."

"Thank God. I prayed all night for all of you guys safety. Papá got upset with Gabriel last night." Clem's brows leveled. She hoped he didn't get in trouble for drinking under age.

"What? What happened?" Clem knew Gabriel can tolerate alcohol better than her. He drove Ava's car carefully. What could possibly happen?

Mariana back the camera away to show Clem a mark on her forearm.

"Papá struck me...a fe-few days ago...I didn't tell Gabriel about it. I didn't want him and papa to fight again. I just don't like all this violence under this roof. I-I wish... I miss ma so much..." She wept tears. Clem's lips trembled. She didn't know what to say. All she wanted to do is hug the poor girl.

"I didn't mean to make you worry. I needed someone to ta-talk to." She dried her tears. Clem frowned.

"Would you like to...hangout for a while?"

"Y-yes, please."

Mariana hung up the call first. Clem's heart nearly broke in half. She rapidly changed into sweats and a loose flannel. She tied up her hair into a messy bun. No need to bother it, as it gets curly through out the day.

She grabbed her phone and marched down the stairs.

"Hey, Lee can I use the car for a bit." Lee spotted in the kitchen, typing away on his laptop. On the right-hand corner, he checked the time. Nine twenty-five PM.

"Make it back before ten thirty." He said.

"Okay." She took his car keys along with her house keys. Going in the SUV, she signed. She can't believe Mariana dealing with this shit again. This just like what happened in middle school.

Clementine backed the car up and zoomed off. She made it to the Garcia's place within ten minutes. Mariana crept out the door with Gabriel behind her. Both hopped in the car before Clem pressed on the gas heading to a random ass park.

They got out of the car, walking towards the benches. Clem looked at the siblings. Gabriel wore a blink face as his sister's face was full of sorrow. They sat on the benches, not saying nothing.

Clem examined the bruises on Mariana's arm. In a blink of the eye, she noticed Gabriel's arms and cheek bruised.

"Shit. I can't believe he's...back at it again." Clem hugged the siblings. Gabriel shrugged.

"That hijo de puta (mother fucker) going to pay for what he done to Mariana." Gabriel cussed. Mariana blinked with tears rolling down her cheeks. She shook her head. Not wanting Gabriel to interfere even more.

"Please don't. We're hurt enough." She said. Gabriel stood up. Pacing back and forth. His breathing uneven due to his raging thoughts.

"Mariana! That fucker could had...If I never saw that mark..."

"I was protecting Kate!"

"Don't!" He shouted.

"Pero ella es familia (But she's family)!" She cried. Gabriel shook his head. Not wanting to hear his sister. Clem got up and stopped Gabe from pacing. Anger took over him. But that all pushed aside when Clem pointed at Mariana weeping on the bench silently. Gabe bit his lip. Sat next to his sister and held her in his arms.

"But you mean so much. So much to me than Kate is. You're the only one I can care for...The only one I can't live without. Mariana...I love you...Fuck..." A tear rolled down his cheek. Gabe wiped her face with his thumb. Clem watched the two comfort each other. They couldn't do that at home because Gabriel always acts strong and distance. Pulling the two away from the tension in the house, gave them more privacy. Even if Clementine is there as their company.

"I miss ma." She whispered.

"Me too...Thanks Clem." Gabriel wiped his eyes. A shy smile appeared on Clem's tan's face. She hugged the siblings again. Wanting to spread her own love and comfort them. Mariana was thankful to have a friend like Clementine.

.

.

Clem came back home after that. Mariana and Gabriel sorted things out by talking it over. Even though they disagreed with some things, they still had to work it out together. Like Gabriel said, Mariana is the only one he cares for. And he meant that. He'll defend his little sister. As an older brother, he protects and fights. Even if it's his own blood. His father.

Clementine couldn't relate to them. But she been through their pain since middle school. She didn't get involve until Mariana had scars on her arm. Mariana didn't have anyone to talk to because she was known as a "naïve, wannabe nun" in middle school. Mariana always look at the bright side of things. Believes in hope and loyalty. The kids thought that she was weird because she didn't play tag with them or gossip about boy bands. Mariana stayed in her studies and isolated from kid drama. She was already dealing with child and domestic abuse.

Clem got close to her when dating Gabriel. And when she noticed a broken heart Mariana, she comforted her as much as the girl needed.

Mariana is strong. So is Gabriel. She knows they will get through the drama within their family. Clementine sick from seeing the siblings fighting someone who raised them, suppose to protect them, and teach them as they grow.

The girl called her best friend, Ava. But the phone sent her straight to voice mail. She sighed. She just called it a night.