A/N:
Favorite, Review, and Follow.
Please enjoy.
Modern Period of The Walking Dead Game
High School AU
Chapter Thirty Eight: ILMBWIWY
Before arriving at school, Clem drove to a small cafe shop for a large cappuccino mocha and a bagel with creme cheese and jelly. The sweet lady, over the counter passed her the tall cup and bag of bagel.
"Thanks, Ms. Sarita. Enjoy your day!" Clem waved.
"Same to you!" She smiled genuinely at Clem.
Clem hopped back in her jeep, setting her cappuccino in the cup holder and brown bag on the passenger seat.
As she strapped her seat belt, she received a call. One glimpsed at the caller ID, she inhaled smoothly then exhaled calmly.
She picked up the phone. Placing it on her ear.
"What sup Mariana?"
"Can we get a lift?"
We as in Mariana and...him.
Clem's small circle broke apart like lost puzzle pieces.
Ava sobering from a recent break up. The girl doing her best to keep it together and stay positive.
Gabriel and Clem broken up because his anger gets the best of him. Being with him felt good but not magically. She would get hurt due to his outrage. And it was best to keep her distance. Even if he told her that she relieves him whenever he goes insane. She's can't help him if he can't help himself.
Clementine barely talked to Mariana. They share some classes together and would chat here and there about class work.
Now that her secret is out, her attitude changed. The sweet religious girl Clem knew, and love is someone who doesn't give a shit... about some things. Mariana would vape in the girl's bathroom and wear her headsets in class while the teacher teaching a lesson.
Don't think poorly on Mariana, she's still gets her work done and reach out to the Lord on Sundays with her Abuela. Getting in trouble is the last thing on her mind. She can't disappoint Abuela.
Clem made up her mind on moving pass the awful things that happened. They're still her friends. And friends do the dumbest shit. Even Clem.
"Sure. I'm on my way."
"Thanks. You're the best. We at Javier's place." She sounded relieved.
When she picked them up, Mariana and Gabe sat at the back.
"Sorry its last minute." Mariana leaned over. Clem snorted, turned around to eye Mariana.
"Anything for you guys." She said. Mariana kissed Clementine's cheek as a thank you.
"Thanks, Clem." The boy with a beanie muttered.
That left Clem happy. She sighed as she shifted the gear to drive.
"You're welcome, Gabriel." Clem smiled small and short. The jeep took off.
.
.
Clem shut her locker. Beside her was a half sleeping Louis.
For three nights, he worked at the teen bar. Clocking out very late. Didn't sleep as much because he was reviewing his notes for the first term test this week.
His forehead pressed against the cool lockers, his eyes closed as he drifted to sleep.
The smell of chocolate woke him up. He peeked down to see a cup under his nose.
"You can drink the whole thing." She handed it to him. A weak smile tugged his lips.
"Thanks, Fairy." He drank the warm liquid. Pleased how it tickled down his empty stomach. Not too sweet with sugar but chocolate.
Clem froze there with a beet red cheek. She heard him, right?! Loud and clear. Did he meant to call her that? Fairy!?
"Fairy!?" She squeaked out. Took Louis a second to transfer what she said. He cleared his throat, looking elsewhere.
"Um... I meant Shorty. Yeah. Yeah. Shorty." He stuttered awkwardly.
Swung her shoulders. Adoring the new nickname.
"Yeah... sure... um... Good luck today and tomorrow." She said. Without thinking, she side hugged him and left.
Louis turned around. Watching her go. Watching her curls bounce.
Hips swaying.
Strutting light as a fairy.
When she left, loneliness consumed him. He never felt like this since the first time he fell for the red head.
"Is there something on my cousin's back...or her ass?"
Louis's organs dropped. He almost spit the drink but swallowed it wrong and choked. Coughing harshly.
He broke his neck at a smirking AJ. Tennessee stood by AJ, giving Louis a look.
"AJ! QUIT! THAT!" Louis glared the teen and swiftly walked away.
.
.
Sarah saw James talking to Mariana by the water fountain. The Latina girl giggled, then left him. A smile plastered on his face as his eyes lingered on his crush.
Sarah sped towards him.
"James!" Sarah yanked his arm, dragging the love-struck teen.
"Oh! Hey, Sarah." He fixed his eyes on her. Keeping up with her fast legs.
"James! Are you crazy!?" She panicked. James gradually came to a stop.
"Um. About what?" Said with confusion in his face.
"You need to stay away from...her!" With that tone in her voice, James took a couple of steps back. Sarah never acted like this before to him. He knows she's a very careful girl but... She can be dramatic.
"I'm not following." His dark brow jerked up.
"She's dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"I-I overheard that she... she has sex for drugs."
Lies.
The Asian teen scoffed. Fist balling. He shut his eyes and did some deep breaths.
He's not believing her words. Mariana is nothing like that.
"Mariana would never do that. Why are you making things up?"
"James-"
"No. Stop. I must go...to my test. See ya." He whispered as he walked passed her.
Sarah painfully stared at her friend. She believes in those rumors. Mariana is bad news. Mariana is not a sweet girl that everyone thinks. She smokes, goes to parties, and thinks her sins will wash away by visiting church.
Mariana is a wannabe.
Definitely keeping watch on James. He doesn't need to be tainted by girls like her. He's a great person.
.
.
Marlon planned to have a small celebration for finishing the first term on Wednesday.
Of course, Duck and Ava dragged little Clementine. The curly haired girl tried pretending to sleep in bed, but Ava ripped the covers off and Duck tossed Clem over his shoulder.
Lee and Carley watched them force her to the bathroom to shower. It was quite... interesting.
At the small teen bar, Louis and Minerva sung a duet.
"What time you coming out?
We started losing light
I'll never make it right
If you don't want me 'round
I'm so excited for the night
All we need's my bike and your enormous house
You said someday we might
When I'm closer to your height
'Til then, we'll knock around and see
If you're all I need~"
Minerva winked at Violet, smiling at her flushed pink blondie. She gripped on the microphone and pointed at her.
"Don't you see me? I
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
And don't you need me? I
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
On this night, and in this light
I think I'm falling (I think I'm falling), I'm falling for you
And maybe you, change your mind"
Ruby swayed side to side on the booth chair. Aasim glanced at her.
"You like this song?" He whispered to her. Ruby blinked. She looked at Aasim, nodding with a smile on her face.
"Hell yeah. Love the nineteen seventy-five songs. But most of all, I love when Louis and Minerva do covers." She gazed at the two on the stage.
"Yeah. They're awesome." He looked back at the two singing.
Louis fluttered the keys. He leaned close to his microphone. Opened his mouth to sing his part.
"I'm caught on your coat again
You said, Oh no, it's fine'
I read between the lines and touched your leg again (again)
I'll take it one day at a time
Soon you will be mine, oh
But I want you now (I want you now)
When the smoke is in your eyes, you look so alive
Do you fancy sitting down with me? Maybe
'Cause you're all I need
According to your heart
My place is not deliberate
Feeling of your arms
I don't want to be your friend
I want to kiss your neck"
Clementine rolled her amber eyes hard when he sung that part. He had some nerve to cup his neck.
AND looked straight at her.
"You have so much balls." She muttered as she squinted her eyes. Plotting for his death.
Pushing that aside, the lyrics made her blush. She covered her mouth as she stared at the boy. Why did it felt like he was singing for her? Her face lit up when she smiled behind her palm.
Everyone around them disappeared. Only them two in the room.
Usually, he would have his eyes on the talented ginger.
Not this time. Louis looking at Clementine.
"Don't you see me? I
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
And don't you need me? I
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
On this night, and in this light
I think I'm falling (I think I'm falling), I'm falling for you
And maybe you, change your mind"
When they finished, Minerva sat with Violet. Violet felt giddy as Minerva buried her neck with nonstop kisses.
The blonde pushed her girl back. Cupping her face to stare at her beautiful face. Loving every freckle, that one dimple, natural pink pouty lips, and elf nose.
"Chill out babe! Making me horny~!" Violet quickly pecked Minerva's lips. Teasing the ginger.
"That's the point." Minerva whispered in her ear. Violet chuckled as she winked at her audience, love making the group gross out.
Louis sat next to Clementine. He elbowed the table, cheek on his hand. He took a drink from the center of the table. He glanced at Clem, noticing no cup around her.
"You're not drinking?" He asked her. She shook her head.
"I'm taking a ...break!" She peeped. Louis's brows raised.
"Don't want daddy to see you drunk again?" He smirked with his chin up. Clem pinched his thigh.
"Ow!" He yelped. Clem giggled.
"No... And yes."
"No and yes? What does that mean?" He rubbed his thigh. She smiled wickedly, patting his knee.
"I don't want 'daddy' to see me wasted again. AND Oh! By the way, can we change the date to Sunday night. I'm busy black Friday shopping and Saturday, I'm wrapping up gifts. Another reason why I can't drink." She clapped her hands together. Fluttering her lashes at him.
"With that leg? Grandmas will trample you." He joked. Tapped her knee with the new brace.
Her face dropped.
"Not!" She said, folding her arms. Duck squeezed between them.
"Last year, she punched a kid for a pair of boots." Duck thumbed at Clem as he told Louis what happened. Ava jumped in between Duck and Clem, interrupting the conversation.
"So, where's our slice of pie?" Ava leaned to Clementine's face. Clem narrowed her eyes. She reached beside her, taking out a bag contained with slice of pies in plastic containers.
"Fat ass." She handed one to Ava.
Brody peeked over Marlon. The word 'pie' alarmed her. The girl can be a blood hound whenever someone brings up food.
"What is that?" Her eyes glaring at Clem like a hawk.
"I brought pies for everyone-"
"SAY NO MORE! GIMME! GIMME!" Brody crawled over Marlon, Omar, Louis, and Duck. Then sat on Ava's lap like a child. The guys groaned from her hard elbows and knees digging on their thighs and chest.
"Brody the real fat ass." Omar said. Marlon smacked the back of his head.
"She sure is." Ava smacked Brody's ass. The auburn head girl paid no mind to them as she devoured her pie the moment Clem gave it to her.
Sophie glared at Ava's hand on Brody's lower back. The two chatting about how good Clem pie is.
The long-haired ginger couldn't take it. Seeing Louis friendly with Clem and Ava ignoring her. She should be the one talking to Louis and on Ava's lap.
Everything so unfair! She got up and ran off to the bathroom. Minerva pulled her lips away from Violet.
"I'll be back." She got up, following her sister's tail.
"Clem's pies better than Omar's." Mitch mumbled with the spoon in his mouth. Everyone agreed.
"What ya mean?!" He fisted the table.
"Guys. Chill out before he feeds us meatloaf. If ya know what I mean." Duck gestured his hand. The gang wrinkled their noses.
"Don't worry, Omar. Whacking it shouldn't be shamed. Right Aasim?" Willy turned to Aasim. Everyone eyed Aasim.
"What do you mean, 'right Aasim'?" He jerked his head back.
Everyone busted out laughing.
.
.
"I know there's someone out there who would love to listen to your music...And your voice."
Louis chuckled on his bed. Rewatching Clementine's Thanksgiving dinner with AJ and family on snapchat. She sent him pictures of the food and videos of AJ losing to their grandma in Just Dance.
He couldn't snap any pictures because he was busy eating out for Thanksgiving dinner with his family. Just his mother and father.
Boring and quiet.
Clem face-timed him late. Telling him about gearing up tomorrow morning for black Friday. Traditionally, she goes with AJ, Duck, Ava, and their parents. Bigger the squad, the better stuff they could fight for.
"You look so tired." Louis noticed her lashes falling drowsily. She sighed.
"I had so much to eat. I'm pregnant with Turkey and mash potatoes." She groaned. Slammed her face on the pillow then turned her head to look at the screen.
"I'm pregnant with ham and rice." He smacked his belly. He moved the camera to his hard stomach. She laughed.
Biting her bottom lip, preventing drool to creep down her chin.
"Bitch where? You're toner than me! Look!" She flashed him her cute gut.
Louis giggled. Forever saving this memory of her belly button.
"Nice mole."
"That's a beauty mark!"
"Yeah. Right." He rolled his eyes. Clem ran her hand back through her hair. She checked the time.
"We should sleep." She sighed.
"True."
"Can't wait to hear your song." She smiled. Louis dazed, nodding his head.
"Same. Don't get punch by a grandma or a toddler." He joked. Clem gasped.
"I'll flip a baby, if I have to." She glared at her phone. Louis's laughs made her smile in joy.
"Yeah. Yeah... Happy Thanksgiving."
"Happy Thanksgiving to you too." She whispered.
They ended the call.
.
.
Saturday.
Originally, Louis was going to use the school piano. He changed the location at him place because his parents were out of state for two days and his piano sounded better.
He picked up Clementine and made it at his place. He leaded her to the spotless kitchen. Everything in there, Clem wanted to poke but didn't want to end up paying millions for a replacement.
They sat on chairs eating ice cream on the island table while she explained her tragic fight with some kid for a huge Disco Broccoli plushie for AJ. The kid socked Clem right on the cheek and she flipped him in the cage full of bouncy balls.
"I'm glad that wasn't me...again. I saw stars circling around my head." He said. Clem pushed his chest.
"Shut up~. I didn't mean to flip you. I have fast reflexes." She stuffed a huge glob of ice cream in her mouth. Using the spoon to scrape up the excess on the corner of her lips.
"I see. How's the party cake flavor?" He asked her. She scooped the ice cream and held it in front of his mouth.
"Very sweet." She said. He opened his mouth, tasting the vanilla and sprinkles. The blue icing tasting exactly like the cake frosting.
"It is. Try cookies and cream." He dug his spoon in the glass bowl, raised the spoon up and poked her lips. She opened her mouth and intake the delicious treat. Her eyes rolled back.
"Best flavor in history!" She finished her ice cream as well as the boy. Louis collected the bowls and spoons, putting the dishes in the dish washer.
"Nah. Pecans and walnuts ice cream is the best." He flipped his dreads up and tied it into a pony tail. Leaving a few locks to frame his face.
"Eh. It's alright." She shrugged.
Clementine got up and the two made their way up stairs to his clean, fancy bedroom.
Louis shut the door behind her. He took her hand, leading her to piano. They sat down on the bench, he lighted a few candles that were on top of the piano, and then he started pressing random keys.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yeah. You hear that?" He leaned his head down to the piano. Clem copied his movement and listened.
"What am I supposed to hear?" She asked. Louis kept tapping the keys.
"The sound is off." He got up and checked the strings connected to the keys.
"When I give the signal play the A key." He ordered her. Clem looked down at the piano. All the keys looked alike. She looked back at him, confused.
"Yeah. Which one's the A key?"
"You know, the A key. Next to the B key, after the G key... You didn't taken any music classes yet?"
"I did! I took guitar lessons... in middle school." She pouted. Louis stretched his arm and pointing at the keys. Clem clicked on the key.
"Alrighty then. That definitely helped! Now press the pedals while I make some adjustments." He leaned to the back side of the piano.
Clem looked down and saw the pedals. Never knew pianos were so complicated. She started pressing the pedals with her feet.
"Great! That part's golden!-Quick, now blow on the strings!" He exclaimed, throwing her the thumbs up.
Clem scrunched her face. Extremely confuse at this point. Pianists are weird.
"I know, sounds weird, but blow on them. Cooling the temperature helps set them in harmony" He said sweetly with his charming smile.
The naive girl stood up, tilting over, blowing on the piano strings. He cupped his ear, listening to the strings as he picked it. She sat back down, eyeing Louis who sat next to her, amused by it all.
"Okay, great. That did nothing. Because that's not at all part of how you tune a piano."
"You're kidding?" She crossed her arms.
"But it was funny!" His face beamed.
"I can't believe I fell for that shit." She shook her head.
"It's good to see you like this." He said as he started fluttering his fingers over the keys, warming up his fingers. Then he slowed down the pace, playing the song she recognized from weeks ago. The song he was working on.
"What do you mean?"
"Smiling more. After everything you been through... You always amaze me." He smiled gentle. Eyes focusing on his fingers and the paper on the stand, written with hand written music note.
"Honestly, it's all thanks to great people around me... Like you." She scooted closer to him. Observing his hand movement on the keys.
"Me? No way!" He scoffed. Continuing playing the soft song.
"Don't mess with me Mister Knight. You did a lot. You always were there... You never stop bothering me. Always cheering me up in class. Calling me about my leg and homework. Helped me from that nose bleed. Saved me-try to save me when I fell. I never can't imagine someone else but you to come to my rescue...And send videos of songs to listen to." Clementine said. Her head was hung down, staring at her twiddling fingers on her lap. How corny did she sound just now? Her cheeks flushed pink.
Louis silenced the piano. Clementine picked up her head. Noticing a weird aura hovering around him.
The dread head inhale deeply. He looked at her. Right into her golden orbs. The only source that illuminated the room and enhanced her beautiful yellow eyes were the lit candles on the piano surface.
"So, hey...I'm gonna dig myself into a deep hole from which I'll never emerge. Cool, cool?" Clem nodded. Noting his fidgety behavior.
He sighed again. Brushing off the non-wrinkles on his shirt.
"Time to get serious."
Clementine cocked her head to the side. Almost fearing where this is leading too. She adjusted herself on the bench. Preparing for the worst.
"Serious? Wow. You feeling okay?" She asked him. The boy shook his head. Briefly looking up at the ceiling then down to her.
"Not really. Nope...Mmm-mmm." He muttered.
Louis chuckled a bit. Nervous consuming the boy's thoughts and body.
Clementine patiently waited for him to get it together.
Louis counted in his head then opened his mouth to speak.
"Thanks for being here. Listening. Blowing on the strings... Laughing at my corny jokes...my cheesy corny jokes." He enhanced the last part. Clem smiled. Her dimples appearing on her cheeks.
"Everyone hears the jokes, the piano,...and after that, they stop listening. You didn't." He smiled softly.
His parents stopped listening to him a long time ago. Saying he complain too much and should be quiet and play the piano. Marlon and the other enjoyed his music but it wasn't the same. Even when Minerva showed up, sharing a great passion for music as he does. But whatever song he played or sing, it never got to her or anyone.
However, Clementine is different. His music reached her. His voice was heard.
There's always a time she would tell him to 'shut up'. He wouldn't. He couldn't help it. She had a rough time at the beginning and if his obnoxious, charismatic, goofy personality keeps her grinning ear to ear, then why stop.
All he wanted is to be surrounded by kind hearted people who sees him for him.
Sitting next to Clem right now, made him anxious and happy. She never questioned his other life. He assumed she learned about his past from others. He was scared to tell him. Thinking that she'll belittle him on his selfish flaws in the past.
All that didn't matter when he grew comfortable around her. He could be his self around her.
Clem felt the same way.
She gazed into his brown eyes. She took time thinking about it. And she felt it was right to gut out her feelings too.
"So, um...I like you a lot. Like, like you. As more than a friend."
The boy's eyes widened. No words said. Clem scoffed.
"No jokes. Nothing?"
"I-I wouldn't expect you...to...Holy shit...me? Like for real?!" His eyes squinted. Louis didn't believe her words at all. She had to be joking. He'll admit that she's funny. Seriousness written on her nervous face.
"You're serious..." He sat up straight.
Clem giggled. She placed her hand over his that was beside him. He looked down at her small hand over his. The blood running through his veins swum upwards to his face.
"Yes, you!...I like you, idiot!" She whispered at the end. She laced her fingers with his. He responded by entwining his fingers with hers. The small intimate gesture made her heart beat. Clem felt lighter than ever when she confessed again. How can someone like him make her feel this way? She literally, met the guy a few months ago.
"Figured out what to call the song."
"Let me guess... Fairy?" She rolled her eyes. Louis chuckled. She won't let that go. He thought.
"Very funny. I was thinking of 'Clementine'. Obviously. You know, because I like fruit... And~ I like you even more, so there." He smiled. Her heart pounding rapidly. Questioning what will become of them next.
Those dreams were signs alright.
"Oh jeez. This is... I'm... I'm really happy." Her cheeks tingling, body heated as if it's going to melt, and legs trembling. Very happy that their feelings are mutual.
"...Gotta admit. Of all the things I saw coming. You having a crush on me was not it... You choking me in public, yes... Declaration of crush, no~." He trailed the last word.
Clem's eyes drifted down. The sight of his lips were pulling her in.
Damn, this better not be a dream! She screamed in her head.
She leaned to him, capturing his lips with hers. Surprising the boy, although he briefly shut his eyes and kissed her back softly.
Not caring if things went too fast. They wanted this. So much. Finally, the weight off their shoulders.
He pulled back for a quick breath, but the girl latched onto his lips once again. Sighing out a satisfying moan. He smirked between the kiss. He tasted ice cream on her lips. And it was amazingly sweet.
The kiss was very innocent and welcoming.
They broke apart. Smiling like idiots in pre-love.
"... Can you play ... 'Clementine' again?" She stroked her curls behind her ears nervously. He smiled at her as he nodded.
"Of course."
While playing the peaceful song that expressed his feelings for her, she laid her head against his shoulder. Shutting her eyes, drifting into the music.
On the way back to her house, they were holding hands in the car listening to Lauv, 'I Like Me Better'.
He raised their entwined hand and pressed his lips over her palm.
"I like me better when I'm with you." He sang as he glanced at her.
She never stopped smiling. Overwhelmed with emotions. Hearing her heart running miles in her chest. Hoping it's not loud for him to hear because that would be embarrassing.
She pulled their hands to her and kissed his fingers and then the back of his palm.
"I like me better when I'm with you." She sung back to him. The two giggled.
