The Wait for Santa
ENJOY.
"Hey, Clem?" Luke called.
"Oh...Hey Luke?" Clementine smiled.
"What are you doing, kiddo?" He sat beside her.
"Nothing..." Clementine gave a shrug. "I'm just thinking."
"What about?" Luke asked.
"My parents." Clementine replied sadly.
"Oh..." Luke said.
"On Christmas eve, my mom would always help me make cookies for Santa." Clementine smiled at the memory, "And I'd always try to go to "sleep" early so Santa would come and but, instead of sleeping I'd try to catch him when he came. I never did though..."
A short silence fell over them before Clementine broke it. "Luke?"
"Yeah?"
"What do you think happened to Santa?" Clementine asked, looking out the window.
"W-What?" Luke questioned.
"What do you think happened to him?" Clementine asked again.
"Oh...Umm...I...I don't know." Luke stammered, not knowing what he should tell her.
Nick decided to pipe in, "Santa's not-"
"Coming yet!" Luke said, shooting Nick a look.
"Of course not...Everyone's not asleep yet." Clementine rolled her eyes. "He's lucky his reindeer fly. Or else, he'd have to deal with the walkers.
"Maybe he is a walker." Nick said.
"Nick..." Luke said in a warning tone.
"Santa's magical." Clementine crossed her arms. "Walkers wouldn't be able to catch him."
"Don't mean he can't die." Nick said.
"He's not dead!" Clementine snapped before turning hopeful eyes to Luke. "Right Luke?"
"Y-Yeah. I...I mean, 'course not, Clem."
Satisfied with the answer, Clementine smiled. "Good."
"Why don't you go play with Sarah, Clem?" Luke suggested. "Before it gets too late."
"Alright." Clementine nodded. "Bye, Luke."
"See ya, kiddo." Luke replied.
Nick waited until she was gone before speaking, "Why didn't you just tell her Santa ain't real?"
"I wasn't gonna break the kid's heart like that, Nick." Luke said.
"Whatever." Nick said with a shake of his head.
"It's nine letters." Sarah said.
"Umm...Christmas!" Clementine exclaimed.
"Yeah." Sarah grinned, "How did you guess it that fast?"
Clem shrugged. "I dunno."
"Alright. Your turn to pick a word." Sarah said.
Clementine thought for a while before speaking, "Seven letters."
"A?" Sarah asked.
"Nope." Clementine replied.
"Umm...O?"
"Yep..." Clementine nodded. "Two Os."
"What about an E?" Sarah asked.
Clementine gave another nod. "Mm-hm."
"S?"
"Yes." Clementine said.
"Cookies?" Sarah guessed.
"You got it!" Clementine beamed.
"Now I want a cookie." Sarah sighed.
"Me too." Clementine agreed.
They were pulled away from their game by loud throat clearing behind two turned their attention to the doorway to see Carlos, "Girls..."
"Let me guess...It's two words." Clementine said, "Bed. Time."
"Actually, that's one word." Sarah pointed out.
"No it's not." Clementine argued. "Bed is one word. Time is another."
"Actually...You're both correct. It is one word." Carlos said causing Sarah to smile. "And it's also time for bed." And with those words, Sarah's smile was gone. Regardless, Carlos continued, "Night girls."
"I'm not tired." Clementine said with a pout.
"Me neither." Sarah said. "Wanna play tic-tac-toe?"
Clementine was surprised that Sarah wasn't immediately doing as her father told, but she was bored, so she replied with a quiet, "Sure."
"Hey, Sarah." Clementine called looking up from the game they were playing.
"Yes?" Sarah asked.
"Do you think Santa will come tonight?" Clementine questioned, sounding excited.
"Umm..." Sarah didn't know how to respond to that.
"I mean, we got a tree and everything. And I think I've been pretty good." Clementine ranted. "You too. We've both been good. And...And-"
"Clem..." Sarah muttered.
"Yeah?" Clementine urged her on.
Sarah bit her lip before speaking again, "Santa isn't coming."
"W-What do you mean?" Clementine asked.
"He's not coming Clementine." Sarah repeated.
"B-But he has to. W-We're not on the naughty list...At least I don't think we are..." Clementine said.
"It's not about the list Clem..." Sarah replied.
"Then why isn't he coming?" Clementine asked, confused.
"Because..." Sarah sighed. It was hard to tell her friend this, but Clementine deserved to know. "Santa isn't real."
Clementine's eyes widened. "That's not true."
"It is." Sarah said.
Clementine shook her head in disbelief. "Nu-uh."
"My dad told me a few years ago..." Sarah explained. "I saw him putting the presents under the tree... I asked him why he was doing that."
"And he told you Santa wasn't real?" Clementine asked in shock.
"Yeah." Sarah replied.
"So...My parents were lying?" Clementine asked sadly.
"I guess..." Sarah shrugged. "But everyone's parents were lying."
"I can't believe it..." Clementine said, pushing herself up to her feet.
"Where are you going?" Sarah asked.
"I'll be back." Clementine replied.
"Alright. Hurry up." Sarah said. "It's your move."
Clem nodded, rushing off.
"Clementine?" Kenny called noticing the small girl, who was looking around under the tree.
Clementine jumped, quickly whipping around to face the man.
"What are you doing up, darlin'?"
"Checking to see if Santa came." She admitted.
"Santa?" Kenny asked.
Clementine nodded. "Yes."
"How long has it been since you've heard about Santa?" Kenny asked.
"Kenny." Sarita said.
"It has been a long time, but it's also been a long time since I've seen a Christmas tree." Clementine pointed out.
"Guess that's true." Kenny sighed. Seeing Clementine so excited reminded him of how Duck used to get on Christmas eve. It made his heart clench, yet warmed it at the same time to see Clementine so eager.
He noticed the girl's expression fall and she let out a sad sigh.
"You okay, hon?" Kenny asked in concern.
"He didn't come..." Clementine said disappointingly. She knew Sarah probably wasn't lying, but a little part of her just wanted to keep believing.
Nick looked up from the cards he was holding, "That's because Santa ain't-"
Luke quickly cut his friend off as Kenny sent him a glare. "He'll probably come later, Clem."
"You don't think the walkers really got him, do you?" Clementine asked.
"'Course not, Clem." Luke replied. "Everyone has to be sleeping, right?"
"Yeah." Clementine nodded before her eyes widened. "Hurry up and go to sleep!" She ordered much to the adults' amusement.
"Clementine,"
"Go! Go! Go!" She continued, "Hurry before he passes us."
Luke chuckled, "We were planning to hit the hay soon, Clem."
"Really?"
"Yeah." He gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. "So get back to bed, alright."
"Okay." Clementine agreed. "You don't think I'm on the naughty list, do you?"
"Naw, Clem." Luke smiled. "You're way too helpful to be on the naughty list."
Clementine grinned as Luke ruffled her hat before pushing her towards the steps. "Go on."
"Nice job Vanilla Ice, you almost blow it." Kenny spat once the little girl was gone.
"But Santa's not real. I don't get why y'all don't just tell her." Nick replied.
"She a kid. You're gonna break her heart man." Luke said, agreeing with Kenny for once.
"It's gonna get broken anyway." Nick shrugged. "Besides, hearing Santa ain't real is nothing compared to everything she's been through."
"More the reason to not tell her, dumb-ass." Kenny snapped.
"If that what you think. Keep lying to the kid." Nick said.
"We ain't lying to her, we're letting he believe in something." Kenny snapped.
"Yeah...Something stupid." Nick responded. "And it's gonna backfire on y'all."
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked when her friend came back into the room.
"Yeah..." Clementine replied sitting down near Sarah.
She really want to know if Sarah was right. She didn't want to believe that her parents would lie to her, but that would explain why her dad would stay up late on Christmas and why she could never catch Santa in his act.
"Clementine." Sarah called, pulling the younger girl out of her thoughts.
"Huh?"
"It's your move." Sarah reminded.
"Oh..." Clementine muttered, picking up the pencil. "Sorry."
"Are you bored? Want to play something else?" Sarah asked.
"Uh-uh." Clementine shook her head. "Let's just...go to bed now."
"Okay..." Sarah agreed, standing up.
The two hopped into their bed and pulled the blanket over themselves.
"Goodnight Clem."
"Night." Clementine mumbled. Was what Sarah was saying true. Was Santa really just made up?
She'd just have to see for herself.
"We're heading off to bed." Kenny announced, dropping the cards he was holding.
"Night." Luke replied.
"Don't stay too long." Sarita said kindly and with that, they were off.
"Hey Nick?" Luke turned to Nick who was sitting across from him.
"What?"
Luke smirked before asking, "Wanna play go fish?"
Nick huffed, but accepted the cards.
Clementine had the urge to get up and check under the tree. She just needed to see. To check if maybe Santa came. Sarah might of said he wasn't real. Maybe even Carlos said it, but that didn't prove anything. She knew some people just didn't believe and Santa. Even some of the older kids at her school didn't believe in him. And maybe Sarah was just naughty the year she mentioned and her dad felt bad that she didn't get any presents.
She'd just have to stay up all night. Yeah. "That way, I can see for myself if he's real or not."
She thought the task of catching Santa would be a lot easier if she could get outside, but how was she going to do that?
Looking around she spotted a window.
"Bingo."
"Go fish."
Nick let out a groan. "Luke, lets play something else."
"Like what?"
"I...I don't know." He placed the cards down. "Something other than go fish, we've been playing it for a fucking hour."
"Fine." Luke nodded, grinning. "Wanna play 'old maid'?"
"No!"
"Hey Walter."
"Good afternoon, gentleman, or would it be early morning."
"Where are you off to?"
"I uh...I have some matters to attend to."
He enjoyed watching the stars. He used to do it with Matthew all the time.
A noise behind him grabbed his attention as he heard the shuffling of feet on the grass. He quickly whipped around, looking over the edge of the porch, he was surprised to find little Clementine. The girl was hopping in place, trying her best to reach the window above her, but was unsuccessful. "Shit." She swore, much to the teacher's surprise. She looked so innocent, it was strange to hear such a word come from her mouth. "Clementine?" He called.
"O-Oh...Hi. Walter." Clementine gave a nervous wave. "I didn't know you'd be out here."
"I didn't expect you to still be awake."
"Yeah..." Clementine nodded. 'Think fast'. She decided to change the subject. "Are you...okay?"
"Yeah...I'm just...just thinking about Matthew. I miss him. You know?"
"Yeah..." Clementine lowered her gaze. "I...I miss my parents...It's weird knowing it's Christmas...and they're not around." She continued, "I've spent two years without them...but I just really miss them today."
"It's alright to miss people, Clementine. We all miss our loved one." Walter said, sympathetic. "Matthew and I...Sometimes we would come out here and watch the stars together...It's...strange not having him around."
"I'm sorry, Walter." She didn't know what else to say.
It was quiet for a while before Walter spoke again, "What are you doing out here anyway?"
"Huh?"
"What are you doing out here?" He asked.
"N-Nothing..." Clementine stuttered. "I, uh...I just couldn't sleep."
"Something keep you up?"
"...No."
"Something's on your mind. I can tell." Walter said. "What is it?"
"It's nothing..." Clementine repeated. "Don't worry."
"It doesn't seem like nothing." Putting out the cigarette he was smoking, he crouched to her height, "You can tell me Clementine."
"It's no big deal. Really. I...I was just... thinking." She didn't want to seem childish by bringing up Santa Claus.
"Okay..." He offered the child one of his hands. "It's cold. Lets get you back inside."
Clementine hesitated for a moment before accepting his hand. "Alright."
"Clem?" Luke called, when he saw the girl entering the lodge with Walter.
"Yes?" Was the child's response.
"What are you still doing up?" Luke asked. "How'd you get outside?"
The girl gave a small shrug.
"Seriously, why are you still awake?" Nick asked.
"Can't sleep." Clementine said simply, plopping down onto the couch when Walter released her hand. "What time is it?"
"Probably three something."
"Seriously?" She'd been outside longer than she thought.
"Yep, you better get to sleep." Luke said.
"What's the point?" She grumbled.
"What are you talking about? If you don't go to sleep, Santa ain't gonna come."
"Give it a rest Luke." She huffed. "Santa's not real." She was irritated having sat outside, in the cold, for nearly an hour only to have nothing happen.
Luke's eye widen in surprise. Nick however raised a brow and asked, "How do you know that?"
"Nick. C'mon, man." Luke sighed. "What makes you think that Clem?"
"Sarah told me." Clementine said.
"Sarah?"
"Yeah." She nodded. "She told me she caught her dad putting presents under her tree once and Carlos told her."
"Oh..."
"It's true, isn't it?" Clementine asked.
"...Yeah, kid. Santa ain't real." Luke admitted.
"Why'd my parents lie to me?" The girl pouted.
"They just, they probably didn't want to break your heart, kid." Luke said.
"Why'd people make him up in the first place?" She questioned, crossing her arms.
"Who knows." Nick shrugged.
"It's dumb." Clementine said.
"Clementine..." Luke muttered.
"Why are people so stupid?"
"I have no idea, Clem." Luke sighed.
"Actually, you know Santa Claus was based off a real person." Walter cut in.
"Was he really?" Clementine asked.
"Yeah." He smiled. "Saint Nicolas of Myra. He was famous for the gifts he would give to the poor."
"Like Santa gives...Supposedly gave gifts to people?"
"Yep." Walter nodded.
"I never knew that." Luke said.
"Neither did I." Nick mumbled.
"That was really kind of him." Clementine smiled.
"Yes, it was." Walter agreed.
"Where you going, kid?" Luke asked, noticing Clementine making her way towards the stairs.
"I think I'm going to go back to bed now." Clementine yawned. She already knew the truth, no point in staying up all night.
"Alright. Night Clem."
"Goodnight." She muttered.
"Sweet dreams Clementine." Walter called.
"Poor kid." Luke muttered. "She was so excited about Santa."
"I know...Never seen her like that before." Nick added.
"Wish I could do something for her."
"What do you mean?" Nick asked.
"I don't know...Just cheer her up somehow."
"Maybe it's better like this. She'd find out eventually anyway, besides Santa Claus not being real is a small disappointment these days."
"Sarita found an old teddy bear in the storage room about a week ago. If it's still there, maybe you could give it to her and say "Santa" left it." Walter suddenly said.
"That might actually work."
"You guys just gonna ignore me?" Nick asked, slightly annoyed that Luke wanted to continue that stupid Santa lie.
"You can put it right under the tree."
"Yeah...Thanks Walter."
"Of course," Walter smiled, "Well, I'm going off to bed goodnight, gentlemen."
"Goodnight."
"You think she'd like a teddy bear?" Luke asked.
Nick sighed, "Maybe?" He said. He knew Luke wasn't going to listen to him. So he had no other choice...If you can't beat them, join them.
Clementine's eyes fluttered open when she heard a faint noise. It sounded like a bell ringing. "S-Santa?" She muttered, sitting up and rubbing sleep out of her eyes. She turned to her sleeping friend. "Sarah?" She called giving her a shake. "Sarah, are you awake?"
Sarah groaned, swatting her hand away. "It's too early, Clem. Go back to sleep."
Clementine gave a pout before deciding to investigate on her own.
Slipping out of the room, she made her way down the stairs, just as the bells stopped.
"Who's there?" Clementine called, looking around, expecting to find someone or something. The living room was empty. She stood in confusion for a moment before she spotting a box under the Christmas tree. It wasn't a pretty box. Just a simple brown box, but Clementine knew it wasn't there before and for that reason it drew her in.
She took slow steps towards the tree, dropping to her knees when she was close enough. Picking up the box under the tree, Clementine was surprised to find a little note with her name on it, "Because you believed..." She read. Believed what? She wondered, only one thought answer coming to her mind. "Santa?" She muttered, opening the box. Her eyes widened and a smile broke across her little face as she picked up the teddy bear.
"He is real..." She said, bring the teddy close to her chest.
"This is so stupid." Nick complained from where he stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"Just shut up and ring the bell." Luke said.
"How's this gonna wake her up?" Nick questioned.
"Just do it."
Nick sighed and gave the bell a shake, after a few moments when nothing seemed to be happening he called, "Luke-"
"S-Santa?" A tiny voice interrupted.
"She's coming." Luke said.
Nick looked down at the bell in his hand. Did that little thing seriously wake the kid up.
"Hide!" Luke hissed, grabbing his arm.
"What?" Before he could utter another word, Luke pulled him into th kitchen.
"Because you believed..." He heard the little girl read aloud as Clementine sat under the tree unaware of their presence.
They watched as she opened the box and beamed happily.
"He is real..."
Much to their surprised, she clutched the teddy bear close to her chest. Luke grinned happily, then looked over to Nick, who was wearing a small smile of his own. He had been worried it would be too childish for her, seeing how mature Clementine was. He was glad to see she enjoyed the gift.
Nick was surprised she had actually fallen for the "Santa" trick, kids were so gullible.
Luke felt extremely happy to see that Clementine had taken such a liking to that stuff animal. She hadn't put it down all day. He did a good job at boosting the little girl's spirits.
"Cool!" Sarah exclaimed. "Where did you get the teddy bear?"
"Santa." Clementine stuck her tongue out.
"Santa?" Sarah raised a brow. "But I told you Santa isn't-"
"Shhh..." Clementine shushed, leaning over and whispering something into her friend's ear.
Sarah's eyes widen. "No fair!" The teenager huffed.
"Don't worry, we can share him." Clementine said.
"Really?" Sarah brightened.
"Of course." Clementine said handing the bear over. "We're friends."
"He's so cute." She said, stroking his ear. "What's his name?"
"Name?"
"Yeah." Sarah nodded. "He has to have a name."
"Umm...Teddy...?" Clementine suggested awkwardly.
"No!" Sarah shook her head. "That's not original."
"I don't know...I'm not very good with names." Clementine shrugged. "What do you think Sarah?" Clementine said, allowing her friend to name "their" new teddy bear.
"We should name him Noel!" Sarah said.
"Noel?" Clementine asked.
"It means Christmas." Sarah explained.
Clementine smiled. "That's perfect."
Nick, who was sitting nearby, found himself unable to hold back a smile at the two girl's exchange. At least there was some innocence left in the world.
"Nick..."
Nick looked up from the book her was reading as the tiny voice pulled him out of his thoughts. There stood Clementine, holding onto her left arm as she shifted from foot to foot, in a shy manner.
"Clem?" Nick asked, but was taken aback when he felt her small arms wrap around his neck. What was wrong with her? "You okay, kid?"
"Mm-hm."
Right when he was going to ask her why she was hugging him, Nick's eyes widened as he felt a gentle peck on his check. "What was that for?" He asked, face flushing a bit.
"The teddy bear." Clementine smirked.
She knew? She knew all along and had put on a show... Guess the kid wasn't so gullible after-all.
"You knew?"
"Of course."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Luke seemed so happy..." She trailed off.
"You put on a show for Luke?" Nick finished.
"Pretty much." She whispered, pulling away from the hug. "I sat in the cold for an hour. And Santa didn't show up. I sort of figured at that point that Sarah was right."
"Oh."
"Anyway...Thank you." Clementine said.
"D-Don't mention it, kid." Placing a hand on her head he offered her a small smile. "Merry Christmas, Clem."
DONE! They aren't the best. But I hope you like them. I was actually nervous about posting these too, cuz I know they're not the greatest one-shot, plus they're hella late, but I worked up the courage.
Also...I might do a valentine's day one-shot...but I dunno. What do you guys think?
Thanks for reading!