A/N:
Favorite, Review, and Follow.
Please enjoy.
Modern Period of The Walking Dead Game
High School AU
Chapter Twenty Four: The Everetts
Late September, Carley woke up to see Clem slumbering on the kitchen table. A pile of papers surrounded her. Her orange laptop opened with a pitch-black screen facing her. A hard cover history book covered with sticky notes and a pocket size dictionary shut with a pencil between the pages.
Carley lazily smiled at her hard-working daughter. She went over to her. Gently shaking the girl's shoulders to wake her.
Clem fluttered her eyes open. She jolted up, feeling the scattered papers for her phone. She took it out to see it was six in the morning. Quickly, she checked her lap top to see how far she gotten on her work. Sighing in relief, she slammed her forehead on the table.
"Would you like to stay home today? You have been killing yourself with all this work." Carley massaged Clementine's back. No doubt, the girl wanted to sleep right there.
She shook her head. Not ready to skip any days yet.
"Can't do that. I have to hand in this history report during the afternoon, let Mr. Larry check my rough draft essay, and..." Clem kept rambling on and on as she packed her stuff up. She left her bag on the chair.
Carley held her hand before she could go up to her room.
"Clem is there something wrong?" Carley asked. Clem bobbed her head.
"I'm tired... very tired." Clem rubbed the sleep off her eyes. Carley pulled away to get a good look at Clem.
"You seem a bit off, honey. It's has nothing to do with school." The woman assumed.
"Well, I'm dating Gabe." Clem started. Carley gasped in excitement.
"Oh really! Why didn't you told us?!" Carley said. She went over to the counter, prepping morning coffee. Clem scoffed. The teen folded her arms as she swung her hips to one side.
"You know the rules, Carley. Can't tell the parents after a month or three."
"That's no fun... Anyway, how's that going?"
The air around felt heavy. Due to Clementine silence, Carley grew worried. She turned to the girl.
"Is he having trouble with David again?"
With that said, the corner of Clem's eyes leaked out sad tears. Immediately, her mother hugged her. Swaying their bodies and shushing her in her ear.
"I know they have it rough over there. And since you're dating that boy, things will be even more complicated."
"Every time... I see him at school, I keep thi-thinking about his injuries from last week..." Her golden honey eyes shimmered as more tears came down her cheeks. Carley caught the tears with her thumb.
"Sweetie, it's okay. Being there for him is the best you can do. Lee and I will handle this. We'll talk to the Garcias." She smiled softly at Clem. Squeezing her arms to reassure the girl.
Clem stared at her for a bit. Hoping that her parents can get through to David. Clem hugged her mom.
"Thanks." She hummed. Carley kissed her head.
"Do you love him?" Carley smiled. Clem chuckled at that question.
"I really like Gabe. He's my precious friend y'know."
"Is he treating you right?"
"He's trying to. Since the incident...things are..." Clem looked away. Carley stroke Clem's curls behind her ear. Exposing her rose gold cupid arrow industrial bar and a pink stud on her ear lobe.
"Give him some time." She told her. Clem nodded her head.
"I will."
.
.
Carley took advantage on her off day. She stopped at the college to deliver his favorite container to fill his coffee in. Of course, she left after a breath taken make out.
On the first floor, she met Doug. The happy man rushed over to see her. His bag of straggling cords was dangling out.
Two adults decided to meet up at a bar. Soft music played in the background. Five flat screens played basketball, baseball, and some shows. The people around stayed to themselves and spoken a bit loud. Neither of them barely heard their neighbor. Everyone taking the time to listen, chat, joke around, and drink a few glasses.
Doug and Carley sat where the bar tender was. Doug ordered her a drink. She tried to offer him money, but he kindly turned it down.
While their drinks were being made, they started catching up. Doug told her about living in campus. Being away from his parents changed his lifestyle. College went by a breeze. He became more independent when he found a place of his own. Although, he focused on his studies, his social life sucked.
Carley sulked a bit. She laid her palm over his. Telling him if he wanted someone to hang out with, she'll be down. Doug noticed her smile never change since high school.
Carley smiled throughout her story during college, meeting Lee, her marriage, meeting his family at Macon, and lastly her trouble making adorable daughter, Clementine.
She skipped parts about how she's not fertile enough to produce and that Clementine is adopted. Thinking that he didn't need to know much about what's personal to her. Just want to keep everything mellow and happy.
They're drinks came and the two talked for minutes to two hours. Reminiscing about their high school life. Being bullied because they were nerds with straight A's. Doug admired how far she gotten. Once that nerdy girl with braces, gummy wrist bands, baggy high-water jeans with a dad's button up flannel. Now look at her. Dressed in a blouse and a fitted skirt that hugged every curve. The heels on her small feet gave her that model stance whenever she stands still. More like striking a pose naturally.
The two suffered in high school. The girls would mess up her hair or pour milk on her or her projects. Doug would be dragged for his swirly appointments at the bathroom. Back then, he was a chubby kid. He kept his weight up in a good way for his age.
It got late, Carley promised the family she'll pick up Portuguese tonight. She hugged her old friend a good bye. Planned to meet up again next week.
.
.
Lee stuffed his paperwork and laptop in his messenger bag.
His class did the same or flew passed him with a quick bye or simply ignoring the human existence.
By the time the class empty the room, a blonde girl walked up to his desk.
He sighed to himself. Knowing who it is.
"Hey, Professor E." She smiled. Lee glanced at her for a second. Giving her a blank face before continuing to organize his bag.
"I had a hard time understanding today's topic. Is it possible that you have any spear time..."
"Molly. It's ten fifteen. It's very late and I'm sure your parents want you home." He said. She giggled as she leaned over his desk.
"I live on campus, Professor E." She whispered. Lee stood back.
"That's good for you. I must go home now. Or ask anyone in class for help. Take care." He turned on his heels and boned rush toward the door. She blocked him.
Lee didn't stop in time that he crushed her against the door. Molly hummed. Her eyes gazed into his features up close. Studying every detail she like about him.
Lee stepped back. The girl yanked his tie, closing the gap between them.
"Molly this is unacceptable!" His voice darkened. The girl shivered by his thundering voice.
"Professor E, relax." She cupped her palm on what define him as a man. Lee pushed her back harshly as he escaped the room. Molly chuckled. Leaned against the door frame.
"I promise you, some staff will know what you did in your office with your spouse!" She shouted.
Lee ignored her.
.
.
When the Everetts came home, they all washed up for dinner. Clem sat down last at the table. Carley and Lee grinning at the confused girl. Creeping the girl out. Her brows arched as she gave him innocent doe eyes.
"Yes?" Clem asked as she pour rice and vegetables on her plate.
"So... you and Gabriel."
"Leee~!"
"I didn't expect you guys to... you know. Date again. I thought that other kid had eyes for you..." Lee stumbled with his words. Clementine's brow arched.
"Who? Duck?"
"No. That nice kid that brought you home when you were...wasted." Lee shot her a look. Clem hung her head down for a second. Shooting him a shocking expression. The table wobbled from her smacking the table.
"What?! Louis!?" Carley giggled at Clem's reaction. Watching a flustered, red cheeks Clem amused her.
"Calm down, Sweetpea. I was joking. But the kid he was nice. And charming." Lee mentioned.
"Sweet and very handsome. He talked to us a bit and told us he has two classes with you. Saying...um... you guys are history-math buddies." Carley giggled. Lee chuckled. Clem dragged her hand over her face. Sinking in her chair as her parents humiliate her.
"Not anymore. He stopped talking to me." Clem mumbled. Using her fork to stab the rice and take a bite out of it.
"Oh. ... um. Have you tried talking to him? He's probably busy with school or something." Carley questioned Clem. Clem shrugged her shoulders.
"Clementine. If there's a problem, don't wait on someone else. He's probably shy to ask for help or whatever."
"What if he just doesn't want to be my friend?... Like...Things like that happen in school. It's no big deal." Clem picked on her food. Lee glanced at Carley.
"Oh okay, Sweetpea. If it bothers you, you handle it. Don't rely on others."
"Yeah, yeah.. Can we eat now?" She groaned. The adults chuckled.
While eating, Clem thought how Louis avoided her for two weeks. He never asked her for any help on history like she expected from him.
What did she do to him?
She remembered Brody saying to ask Aasim for any help. Maybe she knows something. Clem thought.
Going up to Louis seemed awkward. And he'll probably avoid her again. The boy moves fast with those long legs.
Louis definitely, not shy. He talks to everyone in school. Maybe in his sleep too.
"So... Did you kiss Gabe?"
With that said, Clementine pushed her plate to the side.
"I'm done eating. Good night." She left the laughing adults in the kitchen.
Too cute for her own good, her parents thought.
