A/N:

I wonder if anyone reading my story. Either way, I'm leaving even more chapters on here. :P

Please enjoy. Follow, Review, and Favorite. Thank you.


Modern Period of The Walking Dead Game

High School AU


Chapter Eight: Avoiding


On an early Saturday morning, Duck and Clementine walked around the neighborhood with Sam ahead of them. Duck hate mornings, but he wanted to hang out with Clem and Sam. Duck held the leash in his hand loosely. Trying not to hurt the canine by a tug. Watching the happy laid-back dog tugged his heart strings.

The two teens had on their pajamas and light weight sweaters. Too lazy to throw on anything else. Clem's fuzzy curls were tied up into a low side bun and a hat on her head with a 'D' on the center.

"I'm so sight for this amusement park next week." He brought up. Clem gave him a smug look.

"Need someone to hold your hand?" She suggested her hand to him. Duck jerked his head as his face scrunched up.

"No! I can't wait to try out the rides! I wan' to ride the rollercoasters, eat a funnel cake, and most of all...check out the summer babes." He said with arched brows. Clem started at him with a blank face.

She loves Duck. Like a brother. But whenever he talks about checking girls out or macking with one, Clem don't take him seriously.

Kenneth Jr sucks at picking up girls. Quote from Ava. And Clementine believes it.

Sure, Duck is attractive, has a sense of humor, and have a strong heart. But his grossness freaks girls out. Except for Clem and Ava.

When they were kids, they had sleepovers. One day, Duck pranked Clem with a fake snake in her dresser. She cried like a little bitch that day. But that little bitch had something for his ass that same day. Clem got him back by placing a dead bird under his pillow.

No one dared to ask her how she found a dead pigeon and had the guts to stuff it under Duck's pillow.

And the crying boy never got her back. He forfeited.

Clem scared him.

The older they get, Duck tries not to press Clem too much. Especially since she went to martial arts for seven years straight.

Thinking back, Clem took down Ericson's star musician, Louis Richard. Proof that she can take care of herself.

"Girls? Duck, you can't be serious?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"That you just want someone to satisfy your needs." Clem gestured her hands in a naughty jerking movement. Grey eyes widen. He flipped his head back, roaring out a laugh.

"Shit! You caught me! I'm still a growing boy, Clem. Growing boy with needs." He nudged her arm. Clem folded her arms. Feeling a bit chilly.

"Needs, huh?" She scoffed.

"Yeah. Don't ya... feel frustrated sometimes?..." He asked under his breath. As if someone else was around. But the neighborhood was quiet and empty. Only a few cars would pass them and vocal birds fluttering above.

"I-Me? Um..." Duck noticed her light caramel cheeks glowing pink. Cat got her tongue. He smirked. How can she dodge a question like that?

"Duh. Sometimes, I be thinking that you and Ava-" He gagged from a harsh punch in the gut. Her golden cat like eyes glared at him.

"Shut the hell up! Ava and I are far from... Ew!...Just ew!" Clem tried her best to shake that thought away. She couldn't imagine her long time best friend kissing up on her and going...Down. On her! A twist like pain troubled her belly. Already, feeling a nasty head ache.

"...Is this what you and Gabe be thinking of me?" She voiced innocently. Her brows furrowed made Duck feel bad. Scratching the back of his head, he awkwardly hugged Clem with his free arm.

"Naahhh...Just me."

"Duck..." His short friend growled. Duck chuckled.

"Don'cha change the subject. Answer the question. Do you be doing the nasty...or thinking 'bout it?" Look at the time. She thought. Clem snatched the dog leash from his hand.

"Run Sam! Run!" And the huge canine ran his might with Clem right behind. Duck stood there speechless. His friend thought she could run away from this.

"Hey! Clemmmmm!" The long-legged teen caught up to them within no time.

.

.

The young Cuban tan boy never felt alone because he had family surrounding him. Family meant the most to the Garcia family. To him.

Used to.

He watched his sister packing her belongings in her room. Old room. Each hour, the room space expanded and become less crowded.

Boxes stacked outside her bedroom for some time. Each box that Gabriel and his uncle carried were placed in trunk and back seat. Each stop, the Latino stared at the pile in the vehicle.

Slowly breaking him down.

"Gabriel, why not live with Abuela." Her back facing him. Gabe raised his head.

"Because...I can't leave." He said. Mariana turned to her older brother. Not understanding his choice.

"But we will be safe-"

"I can't leave family, Mariana. Even though, dad been shitty, doesn't mean I should run away. No matter what, dad...dad is family." Gabe said. Saying that gave a nasty taste in his mouth.

"I love papa too... But...I don't want ma's faith."

"Mariana!" Gabe shouted. Causing the girl to shiver. Javier peeked through the door. He heard everything.

"Hey." He begun. Javi stepped in, closing the door behind him.

"Please don't get into this, tio." Mariana stuttered. Casually wiping rebellious tears away. Javier circled his arms around the small girl. Gabe just watched them. A sorrow feeling breaking down his solid face.

"Guys, I understand ya scared. I'm concern too about David's actions. Mariana, you made a brave decision to come live with tu Abuela. I don't blame you. Gabe is right, family shouldn't runaway when they need help. David loves you both equally. Don't let his bi-polar behavior get to you both."

"Why is dad allowing this anyway?" Gabe pointed out.

"Like Mariana said..." With that, the room grew quiet. The three continued to finish up getting most of her things to fit in two cars. Gabe had to use Kate's four door cooper.

The afternoon sun kissed the horizon when things were settled in the vehicles. David stepped outside to see his beautiful daughter. She nervously eyed him, scared from seeing his fist again.

Her body flinched when he snuggled her. Deep emotions stirred him up. He wasn't sure what he was feeling at that moment. Yet, he felt like he lost again. Again, to his brother, Javier.

Javier sat in his truck, avoiding eye contact with David.

"Mariana, please take care of ma'. Make it to school on time. Come visit us whenever you could. And...I love you. You're my sweet, sweet angel...Don't cry, Mari..." He couldn't rip his eyes away from her sobbing face. He carefully wiped her cheeks. Her hand brushed his and she stepped back.

"I-I...I'm sorry." She ran in the car with Gabriel. Gabe was in Kate car, watching everything. He opened the passenger door for Mariana. She slid in, slamming the door.

"Mariana..."

"Si?"

"Go hug dad..." He pleaded. She didn't argue. She went back out and ran up to the desperate man. Her arms latched around his mid torso. Rapidly, his arms held her tightly. Leaving no gaps between them.

Gabriel caught his uncle smiling at him. Gabe folded his lips and gave a thumbs up. Gabriel didn't want his little sister regretting anything. As good as she is, he knows Mariana has her moments to be heartless when she's petrified.

Evil scares her.

Though, she must face it. Mariana has this light inside her. Gabriel swears to God; his sister is the Garcia's only source of light. And if keeping her away from darkness itself, then he would rather let her to pursue her wishes.

"I love you too, dad." David smiled from ear to ear as his brows sunk low

.

.

Sunday came which means Duck's family seafood cookout day. The family woke up early, starting to prep the grill, fishes, tables, folding chairs, and extra party supplies outside on the patio.

Katja wore a nice blouse with a hat to compliment it, a loose shorts and sandals. Kenny wore his lucky hat, stripped shirt, shorts, and sneakers. The two worked around the patio as Duck sluggishly worked on the yard. He picked up a few garden tools by the plant area and set them up in the yard shed.

Duck didn't dress up casually like his folks. He just had on a pair of joggers and a purple tank top with a rubber duck on it. Everyone's aware that he's known to wear or have anything duck related.

"Ay Duck!" Hearing his father call, he came out the shred.

"Yeah?"

"Can you drive out to pick up six bags of ice, a case of water bottles, and sodas for ya kids." Duck gave his old man an okay. He ran in the house to grab his keys before he dipped.

In the car, a conceited smile wouldn't leave his face. Only if his father knew he be getting lit with adult poison. He started his car. Whipping it to the left to head the other way.

Whilst driving, his phone beeped. He answered the call and connected to his Bluetooth that he leaves in the car. He stuck the device on his ear.

"Yo, Gabe."

"Sup man. Are you guys setting the place up?" Gabe asked.

"Yeah. Can I come pick you and Mariana up? I need some help with a load of items I'm buying."

"Ugh...Mariana busy at Church with Abuela. I can come along." Duck sighed. Guess Mariana didn't want to come.

"Oh man. Mariana should stop by later then."

"I wish. Mariana staying with Abuela for some time now. I'm not sure if she going to be around as much." Hearing his low voice sadden Duck. He drove off, trying to reach Gabe's place faster.

"Okay... Give me seven minutes and I'll be there." Gabe grunted before hanging up. Duck easily ripped out the Bluetooth from his ear. What the heck is going on with Gabe and Mariana? He thought. He hoped they didn't have a huge fight or that...No. No way. That couldn't possibly happened...

The car stopped in front of Gabriel's place. He was waiting on the porch. As Gabe saw the car, he hurriedly went in. Duck looked at him. Actually, he gave him a good stare. Gabriel fasten his seat belt. Not noticing the stare, he was receiving until he sees the car not moving.

"W-What?"

"Gabriel, I wouldn't want my father nor Clem's to pop in here seeing your face beat." Gabe shrugged his shoulders.

"Chill bro. It's healing up."

"My pa has twenty-twenty vision, Gabe. Don't forget, he saw this before." Duck warned. Gabe heavily sighed. He didn't join Duck to be scolded. He just wanted to leave the house.

.

.

"Hey, Clementine. Have you heard from Ava?" Rebecca called the teen from her car. Clementine ran up to her. Sticking her head through the window to hug the black woman.

"Nope. I couldn't get in contact with her. I was hoping AJ could reach her before we head to her place." Clem told her. Rebecca frowned before fixing her face.

"Oh. I see...AJ tried reaching her and couldn't get a hold of her." Rebecca sighed while turning off her car. Her son, Alvin Jr, or AJ came out the car with a huge smile on his face. The fifth teen years old boy ran up, sinking his face on Clem's neck.

"Hey." He smiled.

"Hey, Goofball." She greeted back. As they drifted apart, Rebecca came out the car to go inside to greet Lee.

"How's your summer been?" Eyeing his huge afro. The young teen's fro gotten huge the years that Ava took him to the barber to get a taper cut to fit his handsome face. He kept a decent height to it. No longer that baby face kid that everyone knew and loved.

AJ is now even more intelligent, handsome, serious whenever it's the time to be, and fearless.

"Clem, how many times are you going to ask me that?" AJ rolled his eyes with a smug look on his face. AJ, Clem's cousin, came over with his mother to visit the Everette family.

"Till August ends." She shrugged. AJ shook his head. AJ found Clem interesting when he first met her at the age of six. AJ will always be goofy or sensitive little boy to Clementine. He looks up to her. She was always there when he needs her.

The two sat on the kitchen table chairs and glanced at their parent grabbing beer cans and bottles from the pantry. The teens shook their heads.

"Please tell me why Rebecca keeps her drinks here." Clem asked. Resting her chin on her hand. Lee chuckled at Rebecca's annoyed expression.

"It's because dad doesn't drink so she has to hide them here." AJ innocently announced. Rebecca glared at the boy. He just winked at her. She shook her head.

Alvin, AJ's father, is part of the force with Christa. Whenever he's home, Rebecca had to follow certain rules as he had to follow hers. And drinking is one rule Rebecca had to follow. As long he's not around, she does as she pleases.

If her husband keeps tossing his shoes anywhere in their bedroom or asking for a fifth plate at dinner, she wouldn't be drinking.

"You two are trouble. Don't tell-"

"Dad-Uncle Alvin. We know." They said. Lee organized the drinks in two coolers. Clem got up and glanced at the bottles. Some were recognizable, and others seen tasty. Lee stepped beside her. Watched her timid eyes shift elsewhere.

"Are you planning to drink again?" His large arms were cross over his chest and brow raised. Clem mocked his stance. With a smug on her face.

Lee and Carley never allow underage drinking. Especially when they caught her and Ava tipsy last year from his special wine.

"Why would you think that, Lee? I've been a good girl for months." She pouted. On the side of that, she did drink occasionally at family parties. Drunk Kenny or Gabriel's family would accidentally hand her a cup. But she wouldn't tell Lee or Carley about that.

"Good girl my ass. I heard about that 'party' a few days ago with Ava." Oh shit! Clem thought. Rebecca always throwing fire at Clem. Ever since Clem turned thirteen, Rebecca and her always clash. Lee always between the two when they tried to make a point about certain topics or insulting each other with light jokes. Most of the time, Rebecca wins the arguments.

They tell her to 'stay in a child's place'.

Golden amber eyes widen. A strong voice roared.

"WHAT!?"

"Damn..." AJ laughed. His head went back from a light smack on his forehead by his mother.

"Um...AJ. Lets go pick up Ava! Lets go!" Clem ran out with the car keys. AJ flew right behind her. Lee couldn't keep up either way. AJ blocked Lee's path way with kitchen chairs.

"Damn those kids." He growled. Rebecca giggled. She patted her brother's shoulder.

"I was lying but she made herself get caught." She smirked behind her hand. Lee huffed deeply. Teenagers. He thought.

"Don't tell-"

"Carley, I know. Just don't tell Alvin about these." She gestured her head at the coolers. Lee rolled his eyes. He'll talk to Clem later tonight. Now he must deal with the coolers and his sister's complaints and nagging throughout the car ride.

By himself.