Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or any its characters
A/N: Hello everyone, here is the 9th chapter as promised: where Clementine and the others decide to throw a party before they rescue Omar, Aasim and Louis from the raiders...and where both Violet and Clem decide to reveal rather painful and shocking secrets of their pasts.
Please sit back and enjoy the few surprising twists to this chapter.
Reviews and comments will be appreciated
Chapter 9: Hootenanny and Confessions
After they departed from James' barn and double backed through the woods, Clementine and AJ had eventually made their back to the school and entered the Admin building.
"I've never met anyone like James before." AJ softly stated as he recounted to his mother on how he had never met anyone whom was like their enigmatic friend/savior before as they walked down the hallway that led to the dorms.
I mean, he's tough...but not like you though. He doesn't like killing monsters...but he's not scared of them either. He's cool." The six year old boy automatically added, showing that he deeply respected James, even though he still couldn't understand his bizarre principals against killing walkers with Clementine listening as they walked down the corridor and bumped into Ruby, whom was carrying two pillows in her arms for some strange reason.
"Hey Clem. Willy told me about the plan. How'd things go with that...guy?" The redhead stated as she informed Clem on how Willy told her all about their crazy plan to save Aasim, Omar and Louis from the raiders and asked if she and AJ were able to convince their mysterious friend/savior to help them.
"James. It took a bit of convincing, but he's agreed to help us." Clementine answered truthfully as she revealed James' name to Ruby and stated that he had agreed to assist them in rescuing the three captured teenage boys.
"Y'know, if somebody'd told me we were gonna sneak onto a boat in a herd of walkers...I'd have to call them crazy." Ruby casually stated as she admitted to the African American teenage girl that she found the general idea of their rescue plan to be incredibly insane.
"What're you gonna do with those?" AJ softy asked as he noticed the pillows Ruby was carrying and was curious to what she planned to do with them.
"Oh...Well, I wanted to throw one last hootenanny before the big fight." The redhead hesitantly answered, stating on how she had wanted to throw one last shindig before they went through with their crazy rescue mission.
"Swear?" The six old boy softly asked while turning to his mentor/guardian with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Huh?" Ruby asked with an equally puzzled look as she was slightly confused by AJ's bizarre question.
"It sounds like a swear." AJ softly answered, stating how he thought that she just used a new swear word.
"What the hell's a 'hootenanny'?" Clem asked bluntly and plainly, showing that not even she knew what a 'hootenanny' was with AJ chuckling softly after hearing his mother's choice of words.
"Oh, its just another way for saying 'party'." Ruby answered, as she finally realized that AJ was simply confused: as he clearly never heard the word 'hootenanny' before and revealed that it was just another word for 'party'.
"I know that it sounds strange, throwing a party. But people need something to lift their spirits right about now." She softly added, admitting that she knew it felt strange for wanting to throw a party before they actually rescued their friends...and explained on how they needed something to help cheer them up: as Willy was still upset at the loss of Mitch and angry at Tenn for his best friend's untimely death when he and Violet returned to the school.
"...This could be our last chance." Clementine stated as she instinctively understood why Ruby wanted to throw a party: as their rescue plan was practically a one way trip...and how this party would be their only chance to have fun.
"I wanted to make some tea for everyone. Could I borrow your little heater?" The school nurse softly replied while asking Clem if she could borrow her heater so she could make tea for the party with her friend nodding her head 'yes'.
"What can I do?" AJ immediately asked with an enthusiastic smile on his face, showing that he wanted to help with the party.
"We need to pretty up the old music room. Could you make us something colorful to hang up?" Ruby answered with a soft smile, stating how she and the others were planning on setting the party up in the music room and asked AJ if he could make some decorations for them to hang up on the walls.
"Okay! I'll be an artist." The six year old answered excitedly before rushing right into his and Clem's room while Ruby and his mother shared an amused smile at his enthusiasm before Clementine also stepped inside their dorm room, where she spotted her son sitting right behind his art desk.
"I'm gonna help make the deck...the decker..." AJ started off before stuttering as he attempted to pronounce what he was working on.
"The decorations." Clem stated as she helped her boy pronounce the word he was struggling to say.
"Decorations for the party." He repeated with a similar smile on his face, which the young teenage girl mirrored as she stood behind him as he got out a coloring pencil.
"Okay. I'll grab the heater." Clementine softly replied, stating that she would get the heater to give to Ruby, so she could make tea for everyone to drink during the party.
Although, before she went to grab the coffee heater, Clem had placed the Beet-Nick figurine on the desk in front of AJ to see.
"Ohh, what's his name?" AJ asked as he curious about the name of the new toy that his mentor/guardian had found as they looked outside James' barn.
"Beet-Nick." Clem answered plainly as she revealed the name of beet like toy to her son, who giggled softly after learning its ridiculous name.
"That's funny." AJ stated with a big smile on his face.
"Do you even get what the joke is?" The young African American teenage girl asked, wondering if her son even understood how Beet-Nick earned his name in the first place.
"Nope." He answered while giggling softly and shaking his head 'no'.
After she placed the Beet-Nick action figure on her boy's table for him to look at while he worked, Clementine had placed the windchime she also collected from James' barn with her other keepsakes on the bookshelf before walking across the room and picking up the handheld coffee heater that she had placed on the dresser drawer.
"I'm done Clem. Come see!" AJ stated as he excitedly informed his mentor/guardian that he was all finished working on the decorations for the upcoming party.
"Okay, I'm comin'." She replied as she casually walked back towards her son's art table, which was the exact moment he had placed his coloring pencil down and showed his mother what he had been working on: a drawing on her holding a 'purple sword' and two boys standing beside her floating over the raiders boat, which was on fire and the words 'Goodbye boat!' written across over it.
"Wow, AJ...I love it. Pretty soon, you'll be just as good an artist as Tenn." Clem stated with a soft smile on her face as she admired the drawing her son had just made and complimented him on his artistic/drawing skills: especially since she was deeply amused at how he drew her wielding a sword.
"I dunno. He's really good." AJ replied while smiling at his mentor/guardian's kind words...which slowly faded and changed into a frown as a rather somber thought entered his mind.
"Something wrong?" Clem softly asked noticing the sudden saddened look on her son's face as he glanced away and sat in silence.
"AJ?" She softly asked again as she was deeply concerned about her boy's sudden change of behavior...and would be deeply taken back by the answer.
"...I was just thinking about stuff while I was drawing." AJ answered softly and somberly as he pulled away from the desk and walked over to the dresser drawer.
"...There are three kind of eyes Clem." He softly added while pointing out to his mother on how there were three kinds of 'eyes' that resided in the messed up world they and their friends lived in.
"Oh, yeah?" Clementine softly asked as she walked up to her boy.
"There are live people eyes: we got those. Then there are monster eyes: that usually look like dirty water and sometimes aren't even wet. And then...there are alive people eyes right as you kill them...like what you did to Abel." AJ answered as he explained what he meant by 'three kinds of eyes' to his mentor/guardian: how they and their friends had ordinary human eyes, how walkers had dead soulless eyes and...how people's eyes became dilated as they died; which he noticed when he witnessed Clem putting Abel out of his misery at his behest.
"...His...His eyes looked like you blew out a candle." He softly stated as he recounted the look of shock in the middle aged raider's eyes the moment his mother impaled her hunting knife through his head...and witnessed the life swiftly fade away when she pulled the blade out.
"...He...He was a bad guy. I know that I shouldn't feel like this...but I hated him so much." AJ softly added, stating that even he was glad that Abel was dead; especially since he assisted Lilly and the rest of their group in hunting and capturing random innocent kids to become soldiers against their will...he couldn't help but feel bad for the way he died; even though he deserved.
"...I think there's something with me." He softly and somberly concluded as he confessed that he felt there was something wrong with him: due to all the negative/dark feelings/thoughts he felt inside of him.
"You know what AJ? Everything you're feeling is okay. It makes you a good person." Clementine softly replied as she knelt down and reassured her son that what he was feeling was normal: as it made him human.
"...But am I good? AJ softly asked, wondering if he was truly good a good person like his mother said: due to all the dark and negative thoughts/emotions he felt coursing inside him after witnessing Abel's death.
"I want to be better Clem. Where people know I'm good just by my face." He automatically added, stating that he truly wanted to be a good person and that he wanted other people to know as well by judging him just by his face, not his actions.
"You're the best, okay?" Clem stated replied as she informed AJ that he was fine the way he was and stated that he was the best person she ever knew.
"...I'm getting real smart." AJ softly stated as he walked across the room with his mentor/guardian glancing in his direction and chuckling softly as she stood up straight.
"Is that right?" Clementine asked with an amused grin on her face after hearing her boy claim that he had become wise ever since the fateful night Marlon murdered Brody after their encounter with Abel at the train station.
"Yes...because I'm always thinking all the time." He softy replied, confirming that he indeed become more wise due to always contemplating about things.
"Okay, what are you thinking about right now?" She softly asked, wondering what it was that her son was currently reflecting on...and would be deeply taken back by the answer.
"...You getting bit...And turning into a monster..." AJ somberly answered as revealed to his mother what he had been thinking about: when she would eventually get bitten by a walker...and turn into a zombie herself!
"...Oh." The young African American teenage girl muttered softly as she was deeply stunned by her son's words: how he always dreaded the day when she would get bitten!
"...Yeah. The older I get...the more I see it. And...I don't know why. What happens then? Anyone can get bitten. It doesn't matter if you're inside, outside or how careful you are." AJ softly added as he pointed out that either of them or their friends could get bitten and that it didn't matter how careful or well prepared they were.
"That's not happening." Clementine softly stated as she reminded her boy that the chances of her getting bitten were slim to none.
"But you don't know that." The six year old swiftly countered as he pointed out to his mother she couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen.
"...No. I don't. But it won't happen anytime soon." Clem softly and hesitantly replied as she painfully agreed that she couldn't promise that she wouldn't get bit while stating the odds of it happening were still unlikely.
"You don't know that either. You're just trying to be brave for me. It does something weird to my stomach...like I'm going to get the dookies." AJ immediately replied, claiming that she couldn't guarantee that either and stating that he knew she was just trying to be brave for his sake.
"AJ...I need to know that you remember what we talked about: what you're supposed to do if it happens." Clementine softly stated as she asked AJ if he remembered what they discussed: what he was supposed to do when she did get bit...which caused him to turn away while crossing his arms.
"Listen to me." She firmly added, which caused the six year old to glance back to his mentor/guardian.
"...If I get bit, you'll...?" The young teenage girl softly asked as she tested her boy, demanding to know what he was supposed to do if she did end up getting bit...and was met with dead silence as AJ looked at his mother with a deeply saddened expression on his face.
"AJ? What will you do?" Clem softly asked again as she brought her right hand up to cup her son's cheek as they looked into each other's eyes.
"...Shoot you. So you won't turn." AJ answered while whispering softly, stating that he would put her out of her misery...so she wouldn't suffer and reanimate as a zombie herself.
"...That's right." Clementine answered with a soft nod after her boy's answer.
"...But...But I don't wanna do it." He softly added while shaking his head 'no' as he didn't want to go through with having to shoot his mother if she did get bit.
"AJ, we agreed..." Clem attempted to say before her son swiftly cut her off.
"I don't care. I won't...I won't murder you." The six year old fiercely countered, showing he didn't care if it what was they agreed on and that he wouldn't shoot Clem in cold blood to end her suffering.
"...If you get bit...I want you to bite me too." AJ automatically added...as he somberly asked his mentor/guardian to bite him as well when she got bit...much to her great shock and surprise.
"What? You don't mean that." Clem asked while shaking her head as soon those deeply shocking and unexpected words came out of her son's mouth!
"I don't want to be alone...Please don't be mad. I can't live with you not with me, Clem." He swiftly countered, showing that he did mean it and stating he didn't want to live in their messed up world without his mother to guide him.
"...I know that we talked about it...But please don't make me..." AJ softly added, stating that he knew it was what they discussed and agreed on while begging the young teenage girl not to force him to go through with putting her out of her misery when she got bit.
"Alvin Junior, you know you're not supposed to talk like this. You're too strong and you're too brave." Clementine softly countered as she addressed AJ by his full name and claiming that he was stronger than he realized to survive and beat the world they lived in with or without her.
"...I don't think I am anymore about this." He softly replied, claiming that he wasn't strong enough to keep going and surviving without her while crossing his arm against his chest once again.
"You are, okay?" The young African American teenage girl softly countered as she informed her son that he was indeed strong enough to go keep fighting/surviving when she was eventually gone.
"...You can't break promises, AJ." She softly added as she noticed how abnormally silent her son had been and gently reminded him on how he couldn't break a promise to anyone, no matter how hard it was.
"...I know." AJ softly answered with somber eyes as he knew his mother's words were true while glancing away.
"You're not going to let this go, are you?" Clem softly asked...as she instinctively knew by the hesitant and conflicted look on her boy's face that he wasn't going to let his request to be bitten go.
"James said..." The six year old softly started off.
"Guess not." She softly muttered while scoffing and glancing up to the ceiling as her gut instinct was confirmed.
"...That we could be around when we're monsters. Like on the inside. If you got bit and then bit me too, then...we'd still be together. It'd just be...a different kind of together. Like that couple we saw back at the train station." AJ softly continued while bringing up James' strange belief that a small piece of their humanity still remained when they turned into walkers and stated on how they would still be together when they both turned: just like the married couple they had stumbled upon while searching the train station for supplies.
"Let's say that James is right: that monsters do have part of the person they once were inside them. The thing is...no one can prove that. And if no one can prove it...we're not going to risk our lives." Clem softly countered as she painfully revealed to her son that even though she respected James' beliefs about walkers still carrying a small fragment of their souls inside them...it didn't mean it was actually true.
"...Could I go on patrol for a bit? Before the party?" AJ softly replied as he asked his mother if he could patrol the halls while grabbing his revolver, which he had placed on his drawing table before tucking it underneath his jacket.
"Sure, go ahead. Be careful." Clementine answered while sighing softly as she approved her boy's request and reminded him to be careful before he left the room.
Although, as soon he opened the door and bolted out of their room, AJ had swiftly ran past Violet, whom stared slightly surprised as she watched the six old boy run off before stepping inside his and Clementine's bedroom and closing the door behind her.
"What's with AJ?" The blonde softly asked as she was deeply puzzled by AJ's strange behavior.
"He just...needs some space." Clem answered softly and plainly as she explained to her older girlfriend on how her son just needed some time alone.
"Could we talk about what happened today...with Minnie?" Violet softly stated while asking Clem if they could discuss about their unexpected...and unpleasant run-in with her former girlfriend.
"Yeah, sure. What's wrong?" Clementine softly replied...even though she instinctually knew what it was Violet wanted to talk about.
"...The thing is...after seeing Minnie, I felt like it should've scared me...but it didn't. The person we ran into in the woods...that...that wasn't Minnie. Not really. The way she sounded and acted...the way she talked about Sophie and Lilly. I...I'm confused I guess." The older blonde started off softly as she explained to Clem on how she first thought that actually seeing Minnie again after spending a whole year thinking that she was dead would've frightened her...while somberly stating that the girl that they, Willy and AJ encountered in the forest wasn't the Minnie she and the others previously knew: as she defended Marlon in giving her and Sophie to Lilly and Abel and practically asked/begged them into surrendering themselves to the raiders when they returned from the Delta!
...We can still save Minnie. If we brough her back, we could try to..." Clem softly replied as she informed Violet that they could still save Minnie from the raiders before the blonde suddenly cut her off.
"Clem...you saw how she reacted when Lilly showed up. The raiders are her people now...and we are not." Violet softly countered as she pointed out to her younger girlfriend on how Minerva reacted when Lilly called out her name: how the pinkish redhead instinctually addressed the raven haired woman as her captain and leader...and how she referred to the raiders as her 'friends and family' instead of her captors.
"Minnie...The real Minnie...she's gone. She's been gone this whole time and I...I have to stop mourning her." She softly and somberly added, claiming that the Minnie that she, Tenn, Louis and the others once knew, who was once their friend...and who she loved had indeed died and that she needed to stop grieving for the redhead: as she was now loyal to Lilly and part of her crew.
"I won't let her take you or AJ. Or anybody else I care about." The older blonde solemnly stated, claiming that she wouldn't let Minerva take Clementine, her son and the rest of their friends away from her while softly glancing at the poster that AJ had made for the upcoming party with her younger girlfriend following in her gaze.
"Louis knows when to keep his head down." Clementine softly stated as she assured her older girlfriend that Louis, Omar and Aasim would be alright and that the older African American teenage boy knew when not to cause trouble.
"...Yeah. Shit...I hope so." Violet weakly replied as she deeply hoped that Clem was right that Louis wouldn't say or do anything that would seriously piss Lilly or the other members of her group/crew off.
"You know...when I first got here, I hated him. He was so much. You know, he'd just walk into a room and be all 'Look at me! Watch me perform!' It's so stupid." The blonde softly added while leaning back into the dresser drawer as she revealed to her younger girlfriend on how she initially disliked Louis when they first met at the school and how he would naturally try to be the center of attention by getting her, Marlon, Brody and the others to watch as he played for them on the piano in the music room with Clementine smiling softly.
"But then I realized, under all that he...he really cares about people and he doesn't just feel it...he says it. He'll tell you every goddamn day how much you mean to him. Shit, he'll probably sing about it." She softly added with a warm smile growing on her face, stating that despite his rather annoying and childish personality, Louis was practically the heart and soul of the school: as he would always cheer her, Ruby and the others up either by making them laugh or playing/singing songs.
"Especially if there's already a famous song with your name in it." Clem softly added with an equally warm smile on her face as she strongly agreed with her blonde girlfriend on how Louis would indeed sing a song to show how he felt towards someone: as he had played and sang 'Oh My Darling Clementine' for her after Marlon found and rescued her and AJ.
"...We've got to get him back." Violet stated softly, claiming that they needed to rescue Louis from the raiders.
"We will Vi. Louis, Omar, Aasim...we'll get them all back." Clementine softly replied as she assured her girlfriend that they would save all three teenage boys from Lilly and her crew.
"I, um, made you something while you and AJ were gone." The older blonde weakly stated as she reached into her right pants pocket and took out a pin, which she held in the palm of her hand upside down and offered it to her younger girlfriend, whom accepted the pin and smiled brightly...once she saw what was on painted on the opposite side.
"Stars?" The young African American teenage girl softly asked after seeing the pin that Violet made for her was of a starry night: which symbolized their romantic relationship.
"So you'll never forget that night." The blonde answered with a warm smile, showing she had made the pin to commemorate the night they had confessed their feelings for each other and kissed for the first time.
"I never will." Clem replied with an equally warm smile as she happily placed the pin on the right side of her jacket for everyone to see.
"Clem...on the night when we confessed how we truly felt about each other on the bell tower, I was...surprised that you had feelings for me. Then it got me thinking...there's something that I've always wanted to try with someone I cared about. And never have." Violet softly replied with a warm smile on her face as she thought back to the night when she and the young teenage girl confessed their romantic feelings for each other and kissed for the first time...and admitted that she always wanted to share a 'special experience' with someone she truly cared about.
"What is it?" Clementine asked, as she was deeply curious to what it was her girlfriend wanted to try with her...and would be greatly touched by the answer.
"...Have you ever danced with anyone?" The older blonde asked, wondering if the young African American teenage had ever danced with anyone before while rubbing the back of her head softly.
"Nope." She answered truthfully while shaking her head, stating that she had never danced with anyone before in her life.
"Do you...wanna? Just us, no one else around. I know that it seems weird...but its something that I've always wanted to try." Violet softly and hesitantly added as she asked her girlfriend for a private dance while holding out her right hand...which earned a warm hearted smile from Clem, as she gladly took Violet's hand in her own.
As soon as she clasped her hand, Violet happily mirrored the smile as she softly pulled Clementine in and gently placed her hands on her shoulders whilst the younger teenage girl gently placed her hands on her waist as they slowly rocked each other. Although, as they started to dance, the two girls couldn't help but glance away as they awkwardly danced in silence...which swiftly faded as they smiled tenderly at each other. As the two girlfriends continued to slowly dance together in complete content, Violet instinctively embraced Clementine and softly rested her head on her right shoulder with her eyes closed...and a huge smile slowly forming on her face; as she felt the warmth and love radiating off her younger girlfriend, whom also had an equally gentle smile on her face and tenderly kissed the older blonde's temple before they softly pulled away from the embrace.
"Thanks for the dance." Violet softly stated with a loving grin on her face as she had savored every second of their rather short but romantic moment together.
"Yeah well, we're getting better at being romantic." Clem replied with a similar loving smile as she tenderly kissed the blonde's forehead with Violet closing her eyes and smiling warmly at all the love and affection from the African American teenage girl.
"He he, yeah." The older blonde stated while chuckling softly as she strongly agreed with her younger girlfriend and gently captured her lips in a sweet and loving kiss, which Clementine happily returned with a similar passion before they softly pulled away with soft tender, loving grins on their faces.
"...Vi? There's something that I need to tell you and the others." Clem softy started off as she informed her older girlfriend that she had something to tell her, Ruby, Tenn and Willy.
"What is it Clem?" Violet asked as she was deeply curious to what it was her girlfriend needed to tell her and the rest of their friends.
"It's..." She attempted to say, before she was immediately cut off and she and Violet gasped in surprise as the door suddenly opened.
"Hey Clem!" AJ cried out as he entered the room and playfully tossed an old and dirty beach ball towards his mentor/guardian, whom easily caught it in her hands.
"Wow, where did you find a beach ball?" Clem asked with a soft smile on her face, along with Violet, whom was also deeply surprised by AJ's extremely rare find.
"It was in some garbage behind one of the dorms. I had to blow it up and...and it was kinda gross, but look! It works!" The six old boy answered truthfully, revealing to his mother that he had found the beach ball in the trash outside...and that he actually blew into the ball to inflate it, even though he knew it was filthy, which a soft and amused chuckle from Violet.
"I should get going. Ruby could probably use some help." The older blonde stated as she strongly felt that Ruby probably needed a hand in setting things up for the party before casually exiting Clem's and AJ's dorm room.
"It's cool right?" AJ asked while turning to his mother and wondering on what she thought of the old beach ball he found in the garbage.
"Its super cool." Clementine answered with a warm smile on her face.
"Ha ha! Back!" The six old boy exclaimed with a huge smile on his face as he flapped his arms excitedly and asked his mentor/guardian to toss the ball back to him, which she happily did...even though he missed and laughed out loud when it bounced off his chest.
"You're terrible." Clem stated while playfully shaking head at how her son had missed the beach ball.
"Hey!" AJ countered while placing his hands on his hips while feigning to feel 'insulted' at his mother calling him a lousy catcher before he picked the ball up and tossed it back to Clem, whom easily caught in her hands and bounced it back to her son, who bounced it back towards her.
After they had played with the ball for two whole minutes, Clementine had placed it on the floor and knelt down while spreading her arms wide open for a hug, which earned a bright smile from her son as he happily obliged and embraced his mentor/guardian as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you Clem." AJ stated softly with the bright smile still on his face as his mother held him protectively in her arms as he rested his head underneath her chin and against her chest.
"I love you back kiddo." The African American teenage girl softly replied with an equally warm smile on her face before they pulled away from the embrace.
"Okay, we better get ready to go. Sounds like they need us in the music room." She softly added as she fairly guessed that Violet, Ruby, Tenn and Willy were no doubtingly waiting for them.
"Okay." AJ casually replied as he grabbed the poster that he made for the party on his drawing table before he and Clem exited their room with the young teenage girl closing the door behind them.
As soon as they stepped out of their room, Clementine and AJ walked down the hallway and entered the music room: where they spotted Ruby and Tenn walking past each other and the scar faced boy placing a green, red and purple colored jar with a candle inside on a vacant table while Violet was setting up an old vintage gramophone.
"Looks like things are getting together." Clem stated casually while handing Ruby her handheld coffee maker, which she gladly accepted.
"Yeah well, we still need to figure out lighting, music and...something to write on that banner." The redhead replied in all modesty while stating on how they would need to decide on which colored jar they would use for room lighting, music they would listen to and whatever they wanted to draw/paint on the blank banner they had laid out on the floor.
"If we're gonna die...we should have some fun first." Clementine replied.
"Music? But Louis isn't here." AJ softly asked as he slightly confused on how they were supposed listen to music during the party while pointing out on how they didn't have Louis to sing and play any songs for them on his piano.
"See that? It's like Louis in a box. C'mon, I'll show you how it works." Violet answered as she gestured to the gramophone she had finished setting up and playfully stated on how it was practically a handheld musical version of the older African American teenage boy.
"We pulled out the headmaster's old gramophone so we could play some records. We don't have much of a selection...but what we found should do." Ruby stated as she revealed to Clementine on how she and Violet had found the former headmaster's old record player so they could listen to music...whilst painfully admitting that they didn't have that many genres to choose from.
"Do you guys have any classicals?" Clem softly asked, wondering if the headmaster had any records that played any classic music.
"As a matter of fact...we do." The school nurse replied with a soft grin as she happily announced that they did have some classical records while Violet explained to AJ on how a record player worked.
"It wouldn't be much of a party without some kind of mood lighting. I've been going back and forth between colors for ages. Green is calming...but some purple might be nice." Ruby automatically added as she and Clem turned their attention to the three colored jars that Tenn had laid out on the table, explaining on how they would light the candles inside to pretty up the room...while struggling to decide on which colored jar would be best for the party.
"How about we decorate this room in...red?" The young African American teenage girl asked while recommending that the decorate the music room with the red candle.
"Sure thing. I'll make it happen." The redhead replied as she strongly trusted Clem's judgement in the decorations.
"So Ruby, are we using the banner for some kind of party theme?" Clementine asked as she was deeply curious on what the banner was for.
"Mmm, not quite. It's meant to be for something motivational, but I'd keep it short though...since there's not much room as you think. I was thinking something uplifting like, 'We're gonna get through!" Ruby answered softly as she explained to Clem on how the banner was meant for some sort of inspiring speech/message to keep their spirits up...especially for when they headed out to execute their daring siege on the raider's boat to rescue Louis, Omar and Aasim.
"AJ, why don't you come up with something?" Clem softly asked while turning to her boy and entrusting him to think of a message to write down on the banner.
"Really?" Ruby softly asked with raised eye brows, as she was genuinely surprised that Clem was letting AJ decide what they would decorate on the banner for the party!
"I have an idea. It'll be a surprise." The six year old boy swiftly stated as he informed the school nurse that he already had an idea for what they could put down on the banner and that she, Violet, Tenn and Willy would like it with the older blonde and his mother trading/sharing a gentle smile.
"...I promise not to swear all over it." He automatically added as he noticed the unsure look on Ruby's face and immediately gave her his word that he wouldn't curse all over the banner.
"Okay. We'll have Tenn break out his paint brush and write it out. This place is gonna look great." The redhead replied while assigning Tenn to write down whatever AJ had thought up for the party on the banner and proudly stated that the music room would look incredible once they had the decorations all set up.
"Oh, and Willy was asking for you. He's up in Violet's office, said that he had a surprise for the party, but he wanted to show it to you first." She automatically added as she informed Clem that Willy was in Violet's office and had some sort of 'secret surprise' that he wanted to show her, which immediately piqued her interest as the older blonde and Tenn were silently discussing on where they would hang the banner.
As soon as Ruby walked away to continue preparing things for the party, Clementine had softly turned to AJ and couldn't help but smile at her boy, whom was silently admiring the headmaster's vintage record player before exiting the music room and walking down the hallway. Once she entered the main foyer, Clem had walked up the staircase and entered her girlfriend's office, where she spotted Willy kneeling on the floor with a book in his hand and the components to a homemade explosive next to his knees.
"Hey Clem! Check it out. I found a bunch of old books on ships! There's some awesome stuff about fires at sea and explosions and stuff! The key is the boiler." The young brunette stated as he greeted the young teenage girl and revealed to her that he had found several books relating to naval ships and how to destroy them!
"What are you talking about?" Clem asked as she slightly baffled to what Willy was talking about...and would be deeply taken back by the answer.
"I have an idea about how to stop those assholes coming back to the school after we've rescued the others...and from hurting anyone else ever again. We're gonna blow up the boat." Willy answered with a strong and determined expression on his face as he explained to Clementine that he thought of a perfect way to prevent Lilly and her crew from ever returning to the school after they rescued Omar, Aasim and Louis and more importantly...so they would never hurt or kill another innocent soul ever again: they would destroy the S.S. Fitzgerald!
"It's the only way to make sure they don't come back. Besides, it feels right you know...for Mitch." He softly added, stating that destroying the boat was the only way to make that the raiders would never bother them in their lives ever again and claimed that it felt fitting: since they would be dealing some well deserved payback to avenge Mitch.
"I don't want to, uh, discourage you, but we're gonna be on the boat to rescue the others. Please...don't get us killed." Clementine softly stated, showing that she didn't have any problem with Willy's plan about blowing up the S.S. Fitzgerald...but was more concerned about the manmade explosive detonating too early while her and her team were on board the boat searching for the captured three teenage boys!
"What? No! I, mean...yeah...I still have a few details to work out, but don't worry. I'll make sure there's plenty of time for you to get off the boat before she explodes." The young brunette replied as he admitted that there were still a few minor flaws he still needed to work on; due to remembering the similar problems Mitch had with his own bomb and stated on how he would make sure that the bomb wouldn't detonate prematurely while Clem and her team were on board the S.S. Fitzgerald.
"Trust me. This will work. We'll be okay." He softly added, as he noticed the skeptical look on the young African American teenage girl's face and reassured her that his plan would work...which was the exact moment they both heard classical music playing from the music room.
"Okay, everybody. Get ready to boogie." Ruby cried out as she informed both Willy and Clementine that she, Violet an Tenn were all finished and the party was all set up.
"Well, we'd better head on downstairs." Clem stated casually while turning to Willy as she instinctively knew that her son and the rest of their friends were waiting for them before turning around to exit Violet's office.
"...And, uh, Clem?" The young brunette softly asked, which immediately earned Clem's attention.
"I'm sorry for before...about how I treated Tenn. I didn't mean to get so angry...I know what happened with Mitch wasn't his fault." He softly continued as he apologized for his hostile attitude towards Tenn and somberly realized that he didn't mean for his best friend to be killed after he naively ran out of cover during their battle against the raiders.
"That's nice Willy. But don't tell me...tell Tenn." Clementine softly stated, showing that she appreciated Willy's modesty while informing the young brunette that he should be apologizing to Tenn himself and not her before exiting Violet's office and walking down the steps to the foyer.
~Meanwhile back in the music room~
Shortly after Ruby had called out to inform Clementine and Willy that the party was ready, AJ had ran up to Violet and gave her a bright/playful smile as he started to dance to the soothing classical music playing on the gramophone, which earned an equally warm smile from the older blonde, who shook her head at how silly the six year old boy she became extremely fond of was being before glancing up just in time to see her younger girlfriend entering the music room. As AJ continued to dance to the soothing and relaxing music, Rosie had walked across the room up to Tenn and panted happily as he casually scratched the back of her head. As he scratched the Pit Bull's head, the scar faced boy glanced back up to see Willy walking up towards him with an apologetic look on his face and the bomb he had been working on in his hands with the words 'Fuck you raiders!' written across...and silently offered it to Tenn, whom couldn't help but smile softly in return: especially since he knew that Willy presenting him the bomb was his way of apologizing and that things between them were good before they sat down on the floor.
"Wow, this looks great Ruby." Clem stated as she naturally complimented her friend on doing a magnificent job in setting up the party: as the entire music room was covered in a light red glow emitting from the three same colored jars that Ruby and Violet had placed through out the room and couldn't help but smile brightly once she saw what her had Tenn write down on the banner: which was 'Surprise Dummies!'
"Couldn't have done it without ya. But just wait until you see what else I have planned. Go ahead and mingle. I'll let you know when its time." The redhead replied as she thanked Clementine for her kind words while revealing that she had a 'special surprise' planned for the party, which immediately piqued her interest.
"I guess I'll...mingle?" The young teenage girl softly stated as she did as Ruby suggested and decided to see what it was that Willy and Tenn were doing.
"Well, I see you two are working together." Clementine stated casually while placing her hands on her hips as she walked up to the two young teenage boys.
"Yeah. Willy asked me to help with his 'special project'." Tenn stated as he informed his surrogate older sister's girlfriend that Willy had asked him to assist him in putting the final touches to his bomb.
"That's good to hear. Is it ready?" The young African American teenage girl stated as she was glad to see the younger brunette and her girlfriend's surrogate younger brother working together and asked on the progress of the home made explosive, which was practically a dead knockoff to Mitch's.
"It's good to go Clem." Willy answered truthfully with a huge grin on his face as he happily informed Clem that the bomb was finished and ready for action.
"It'll work." Tenn automatically added, claiming that the home made explosive would work.
"Actually...I was thinking maybe we should name it, something cool. I mean... it deserves a name. All the best bombs have names." The young brunette softly and hesitantly stated as he informed his friends how he wanted to give his bomb a special name while pointing out on several historical bombs were given names.
"Yeah, we should definitely name it." Clem replied as she instinctively agreed with Willy on how they should give his bomb a unique name, much to his genuine surprise and great delight.
"I thought you'd make fun of me, but yeah! Let's name this fucker! Do you have any ideas?" He softly replied, stating on how he thought the young African American teenage girl would either laugh or dismiss his idea and asked if she had any suggestions on what they should name the bomb...and he would be deeply awed by the answer.
"...How about we name it...Mitch's Masterpiece?" Clementine softly answered as she suggested that they name the bomb after the combative brunette to honor his sacrifice and memory.
"...Yeah. I like that." Willy softly stated with a warm and gentle smile on his face, showing he liked the name that Clem suggested: especially since they would be naming it in honor of his best friend and brother.
"Mitch would've too." Ruby added with an equally soft grin on her face, stating how Mitch would've appreciated how they made and named a bomb in his honor.
"Okay, then its settled." Clem softly stated as they all agreed that they would dub the home made explosive in Mitch's memory before standing up and turning around to see AJ still dancing to the music playing on the gramophone and trading a soft smile with Violet, whom had been listening in on the conversation.
"I found them." Ruby playfully called out, informing her and everyone else that she found what she had been looking for: a blackish gray file box that she placed on the floor while sitting down herself.
"Okay Clementine, these here are our official Ericson's psych evaluations and probationary reports." The redhead softly added as she revealed to Clem that the folders stored in the box she had been searching for were the school's confidential psychiatric and personal files on her, Violet and the other students who attended the school before the dead came back to live.
"Okay..." The young African American teenage girl softly stated, even though she was deeply confused to why Ruby had been looking for hers and the others psych and probationary reports.
"I don't get it." AJ softly replied, showing that he was just as confused as his mentor/guardian.
"Well, these explain why all of us got sent to this school in the first place." Ruby softly answered as she explained to Clem and AJ on how the teachers and school's psychiatrist had written down files/personal notes that explained what she, Marlon, Mitch, and the other students did that caused their parents to ship them off to Ericson's as Willy and Tenn gathered around and sat down on the floor.
"And all the bad shit we did that kept them from sending us back home." Violet softly added as she explained to her girlfriend and her boy on how the teachers and school shrink had also kept files that listed every bad thing that she, Louis and the rest of their friends had done that prevented the school from sending them back home to their families early as she also sat down.
"So...what's the game?" Clementine softly asked as she and AJ softly down on the floor.
"Well, I figured since we're all going on this crazy mission together...you might as well know who we really are." The redhead answered softly as she revealed the reason why she had taken out hers and the others personal files: so Clem and AJ could know what kind of people she, Violet, Brody and the rest of their friends were before the world went to hell.
"So, I'll read what some of the adults thought about us...and you have to guess which one of us fits the bill." She automatically added as she explained the rules of the game they would be playing: how she would read the contents of the file she picked out from the box and that Clen would have to guess whose file she was reading with the young teenage girl softly nodding, showing that she understood the rules of the game perfectly and trading an amused grin with Violet.
"Hey, what about me?" AJ asked.
"You can guess too, little guy." Ruby instantly replied as she informed the six year old that he would be able to guess too, much to his delight.
"Okay, ready?" She softly asked, wondering if Clementine and AJ were ready to start playing.
"Yeah, go ahead. We're ready." Clem answered plainly with her son softly nodding in agreement.
"Alrighty, this is the first one. 'While otherwise a remarkable student, 'Blank' continued to be plagued by fits of anger, uncontrollable cursing and repeated physical altercations with the senior faculty'." The redhead started off as she opened the folder in her hands and began reading the contents: stating how the student written down in the file had been described by the teachers as an 'extraordinary student' but was prone to extreme anger, swearing and had been repeatedly reprimanded for getting into physical fights with the teachers and other school staff.
"Was that...Mitch?" AJ softly asked as he fairly guessed that the file Ruby was reading was Mitch's; due to the older brunette's combative and aggressive personality.
"Close, but it's not Mitch." Ruby answered with a soft grin while shaking her head 'no', stating that the file she was reading was not Mitch's file.
"Hmm...you know what Ruby? I bet you're reading your own file." Clem stated with a soft grin on her face as she fairly suspected that the file Ruby just read was in fact her own...which caused the redhead to laugh out loud; confirming that it was indeed hers.
"Wow! How'd you guess that?" Willy asked, as he was deeply stunned/surprised at how Clementine could've known that Ruby had been reading her own file!
"I'm impressed." Violet stated with an amused grin on her face, as she was equally awed at how her younger girlfriend correctly guessed that Ruby had been reading her own personal file.
"Well, I mean...I can totally see it. Plus, the first time that Ruby and I met she was all, 'That little motherfucker!'" Clem answered in all modesty as she explained to everyone how she suspected the file Ruby was reading was hers: due to witnessing first hand how angry the redhead could be when they first met and how she angrily called AJ a 'little motherfucker' after he bit her when she snuck up behind him while playfully imitating Ruby's southern accent, which earned a burst of laughter from both the redhead and Willy.
"...I said I was sorry." AJ muttered softly while glancing at the floor and reminding his mother that he had apologized to Ruby for biting her.
"Yeah, you shoulda seen Ruby back in the early days. She was like a, uh...you ever seen those Tasmanian Devil cartoons when you were a kid?" Violet stated while chuckling softly as she informed Clem and AJ that Ruby was actually meaner when she was first arrived at the school and comparing her with the Tasmanian Devil.
"You mean Looney Tunes? Oh yeah, I used to watch that all the time, along with Tom and Jerry with my folks and Sandra, my baby sitter." The young African American teenage girl asked as she immediately knew what her girlfriend was referring to and stated that she had watched Looney Tunes and Tommy and Jerry when she was a little girl.
"Heh, you got good taste Clem. Anyway, that was our Ruby back then with a mean streak a mile long." The older blonde stated with a soft grin on her face after hearing the cartoons her girlfriend used to watch as a kid and revealing to Clementine and her boy that Ruby was the exact opposite when she and the others first met her: as she was rather hostile and unfriendly towards everyone around her...much to their deep surprise.
"He he, you guys don't need to worry. That was a long time ago." Ruby stated while chuckling softly as she assured Clem and AJ that she was no longer the angry/hostile girl that Violet spoke of and that her more violent days were behind her while giving them a playful wink.
"You guys wanna know why I got sent here?" Willy stated with a toothy grin on his face as he asked his friends if they wanted to know what he did get sent to Ericson's.
"Willy, please. No." Violet answered with a deeply depressed look on her face while closing her eyes and shaking her head as she begged the younger brunette not to tell them, especially Clem and AJ how he ended up at the school...which sadly fell upon deaf ears.
"Chronic masturbation." He blurted out with a proud smile on his face as he glanced towards Clem...who simply sat on the ground in awkward silence and looked at Willy with a speechless/mortified expression on her face whilst Ruby covered her face in the palm of her hand and shook her head as soon as those words came out of his mouth.
"Trust me. Nobody wanted to know that." Violet stated as she bluntly informed Willy that no one wanted to know that he ended up being shipped off to Ericson's for repeatedly screwing himself with an annoyed glare on her face...which caused the brunette to frown and glance down to the floor in shame and embarrassment.
"...What does that mean?" AJ softly asked with a deeply puzzled look on his face.
"Uh, uh. Don't you dare answer that." Clem stated while pointing her finger directly at Willy as she ordered him not to answer her son's question.
After detecting the seriousness in Clementine's voice, Willy immediately clammed up and glanced up to the ceiling. Unfortunately however, much to Clem's complete dismay, Tenn answered her boy's question as he leaned in and whispered something into his ear...which caused him to look at Willy with a deeply confused/baffled look on his face while she glanced to the floor and shook her head in disappointment.
"Uh, anyway...How about we change up the music?" Ruby weakly and awkwardly asked as she offered to play a different kind of record on the gramophone.
"Wonderful idea. Thank you Ruby." Violet answered plainly as she strongly agreed with the redhead's suggestion, along with Clem.
"Sure, we've heard enough of this. Throw some country on." The young African American teenage girl automatically stated while asking Ruby to play some Country music, as she could tell that everyone was tired of listening to Classical.
"Hell yeah!" Both Ruby and Willy exclaimed simultaneously with bright smiles on their faces as the young brunette stood and walked over to the record player, where he paused it, which caused the stylus to automatically rise so he could switch records before the needle lowered down and it began to play soothing country music. As the country record started to play, AJ and Clem couldn't help but smile and tilt their heads side to side as they listened to the relaxing rhythm of the music whilst Ruby silently went the folders in the box to continue their guessing game.
"...I didn't realize how many of us we lost." The redhead stated with a frown on her face as she mentally read the names of the other students whom attended/resided at the school labeled on the folders.
"...Do you remember that Justin guy?" Willy softly stated with an equally somber look on his face as he asked Tenn, Ruby and Violet if either of them remembered one their fellow classmates/friends named Justin.
"And Therissa. And Jasper. That one girl with the colored braces. And Joey, Maddie, Lamar." Tenn softly added as he brought up the names of six more of their friends.
"...Erin. Yeah...I used to make fun of her braces. Why did I do that?" Violet softly stated, as she immediately remembered the name of the girl her surrogate younger brother brought up: Erin and how she had teased her about her colored braces...and somberly wondered on why she had done it.
"...Alex. Dewey. Trey. Stephanie...Holy crap, how many of us died?" Willy softly added as he remembered four more of their former classmates and asked on how many of their friends they had lost the past eight years while glancing to Ruby.
"...34." The redhead somberly answered as she painfully revealed to her friends on they had lost 34 of their friends...which earned an equally somber look from Clementine after learning the number of friends Violet, Ruby, Louis and the others had lost before they ever met.
As Ruby continued to go through the files...she suddenly paused as she came upon a rather specific folder.
"Whose is it?" Clem asked as she noticed the saddened expression on the school's resident nurse and was curious to whose file she had found.
"...Louis." The redhead answered as she hesitantly revealed to her friends that the file she had stumbled upon belonged to Louis.
"...Shouldn't we read it?" Willy softly asked, wondering if they should or shouldn't read Louis's confidential file.
"...I could tell you why I was sent here instead. You know, as a consolation prize or whatever. You may hate me after, but since we're being open and all..." Violet softly answered as she reluctantly offered to share with everyone what she had done to get sent to Ericson's in the first place instead...much to their genuine surprise.
"I was hoping that you would tell me." Clementine stated with a soft grin on her face as she was deeply curious to learn what her older girlfriend had done to get shipped off to the school.
"...Well, I spent of a lot of time at my grandma's house growing up...with my dad being a useless drunk and my mom working three jobs. But after my grandpa died, grandma just kinda...shut down. Spent all day and night rocking in her little chair in the den. I'd sit there...at her feet as we both watched TV, mostly cartoons...since she never seemed to care. Sometimes, I could her hear crying...but I didn't look back. I'd just...feel really weird and turn up the volume, you know? Anyway...one day, she left the den and came back with another chair and a .22 rifle. She set the rifle butt on top of the chair, holding the barrel close to her chest. She had trouble reaching the trigger this way, but...she must've known it would happen...Because she took out this old really tacky, wooden backscratcher - the real long kind with the end shaped like a hand...and she, uh...used that to push the trigger. So...yeah. Bang, right? Her body folded up and just kept...rocking. My mom came to get me five hours later...I hadn't moved. She asked why I didn't call the police or an ambulance or anything. I just shrugged and told her it wasn't like grandma was going anywhere...and besides, I just wanted to finish my cartoons..." Violet softly started off as she revealed her childhood past to her friends and girlfriend: how she had spent most of her time at her grandmother's house watching TV with her grandma, due to mother working three jobs to provide for them and her father practically being a deadbeat...and how her grandma had fallen into a deep depression; after her husband passed away...and then ultimately and tragically killed herself with a .22 caliber hunting rifle and when Violet's mother had eventually arrived to pick her up and found her mother's dead body in the rocking chair, she asked Violet why she hadn't called 911...and how the blonde emotionlessly claimed that there was no point; since her grandmother was already dead...and that she just wanted to finish watching her cartoons.
"...She shipped me off to Ericson the next day. I was eleven." She softly and somberly concluded, stating how her mother had sent her to Ericson's the following day for failing to report her grandmother's suicide while revealing that she was 11 years old when she first arrived at the school and met Marlon, Louis and the others.
"...I'm so sorry Violet. I can't imagine what that was like...what you went through." Clementine stated after learning the reason why older girlfriend's family had her sent to Ericson's and softly reached over and placed her left hand over her right knee, which earned a soft smile from the blonde.
"It's fine. We've been through a lot of shit. We're weren't good people Clementine...but it still doesn't mean that we should've been left here to die by the people that were supposed to be taking care of us." Violet softly replied, as she deeply appreciated her younger girlfriend's condolences while somberly admitting that she, Louis, Brody and the the rest of their friends weren't exactly at their best when they first arrived at the school...and how they didn't deserve to be abandoned by all the teachers (except for Ms. Martin) when the walkers first arrived.
"...You know, it's kinda funny that you thought I'd hate you once you told me why you were sent here. Because I...I have something I need to confess too." The young African American teenage girl softly and somberly stated...as she hesitantly admitted to her older girlfriend and friends that she had a confession she needed to get off her chest as well.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked as she, Willy and Tenn were deeply curious to what it was that Clementine wanted to share them.
"...I...I'd rather not say." Clem replied while glancing away with somber eyes.
"Clem, it's okay. You can tell us." Violet softly stated as she placed her hand over her girlfriend's and gave her a gentle smile, reassuring her that she could tell her and the rest of their friends what she wanted to tell them and after glancing back to Ruby, Willy and Tenn, whom also gave her a soft grin and nod that was all the reassurance Clem needed.
"...I know who it is that Lilly and her people are at war with." Clementine softly answered as she hesitantly revealed to her friends that she knew who it was that Lilly and her group were fighting against!
"What?" Willy, Tenn and Ruby asked at the same time as they glanced at each other in surprise as soon as those words left the young teenage girl's lips!
"Wait, Clem...You know who the raiders are at war with?" Violet asked with equally surprised eyes after hearing her younger girlfriend reveal that she knew the identity of the group who was at war with Lilly and her people!
"...Yeah." Clem answered while sighing softly and nodding her head with somber eyes, which the older blonde and the rest of their friends noticed.
"Clem, who is it that Lilly and her people are fighting?" The blonde softly asked as she, Ruby, Tenn and Willy were deeply curious to know whom it was that the raven haired woman and her community were at war with.
"...The people who are at war with Lilly and her group...they're known as the New Frontier." Clementine answered softly as she revealed the name of the group who was attacking Lilly and her crew's home.
"The New...Frontier?" Tenn softly asked with deeply confused eyes while turning to Willy, whom had an equally puzzled expression on his face as he never heard the name of the people that Clem just spoke of.
"Wait Clem...how do you know the name of the people at war with the raiders?" Ruby softly asked as she, Tenn, Willy and Violet were confused/curious to how the young African American teenage girl knew the identity of the group whom were attacking Lilly and her group's home...and they would be deeply taken back/stunned by the answer.
"Because...I used to be one of them." Clem answered somberly...as she painfully revealed to her friends and older girlfriend how she knew the people whom were at war with Lilly's crew and their community.
"What?!" Ruby, Tenn and Willy asked with shock filled eyes after hearing that truly...shocking and unexpected revelation!
"Clem...did you just say...that you used to be one them?" Violet asked with equally stunned eyes after hearing her younger girlfriend reveal how she knew the people who Lilly and her fellow raiders were fighting!
"...Yeah...I was. But not by choice." Clementine answered while nodding softly with somber eyes...as she had despised every second she had been affiliated with the butchers whom had hurt her and ruined/destroyed so many innocent lives.
"What do you mean?" Ruby softly asked as she, Willy, Tenn and especially Violet had detected the sadness in the young teenage girl's eyes and voice.
"...I was tricked into joining them by someone who pretended to be my friend." Clem answered softly as she revealed to her friends that she was deceived into joining the New Frontier by 'someone' who pretended to be her friend/ally.
"Clem? Tell us everything...from the beginning." Violet started off softly as she asked her young girlfriend to tell her, Tenn, Willy and Ruby how she ended up joining the New Frontier so they could understand better.
"...Three years ago when AJ and I were struggling to survive in the wilderness, trying to find food and shelter...I met a woman named Ava, who told me that she was part of a group of survivors and offered to introduce me and AJ, saying that they would welcome us with open arms. I was wary of Ava and wasn't sure if I could truly trust her...but I didn't have that many options: especially since AJ and I hadn't eaten anything for days. Once it was safe for us to travel, Ava took me and AJ to her group's campsite, where her group welcomed us and immediately offered us food to eat and water to drink. They even offered to teach me how to fight and to use guns better. At first, I thought I had actually found a place where AJ and I could call home...but as days went by, I soon discovered that Ava's group were not the good people they claimed to be." Clementine answered softly and truthfully as she revealed to her older girlfriend and friends the events that led to her meeting and joining the New Frontier: how she had met a mysterious woman named Ava, who was a supply runner for her group and offered to introduce her to her people...and how she reluctantly accepted the invitation: due to how poorly she and AJ were faring by themselves on the road/wilderness and how they hadn't eaten food for days.
"Well...what made you leave?" Willy softly asked as he, Tenn, Ruby and Violet listened as Clem reveal how she met/joined the New Frontier and were curious to what made her decide to leave.
"Tsk, I didn't leave. I was thrown out." The young teenage girl replied while scoffing at the brunette's question as she revealed to her friends that she didn't 'leave' the New Frontier willingly: she had been kicked out.
"Why were you thrown out?" Ruby softly asked as she, Willy, Violet and Tenn were curious to why Clementine had been kicked out of the group who had fed and sheltered her and AJ.
"After a week had passed after we were welcomed into the group, AJ became sick with a very terrible fever. I begged the camp doctor to do something, since he had medication in his tent that would've helped and treated AJ's symptoms...but the doctor turned out to be fuckin' useless: since he was a drug addict and the man in charge of the camp ordered him not to even bother, claiming that they needed to save their medicine for 'actual emergencies' and not to waste it on a little kid who had a 'cold'. I begged the doctor to give AJ something...but the officer just told me to be quiet and ordered the doctor to keep the medicine locked up in his tent. Once everyone else was busy keeping watch for walkers, I snuck into the doctor's tent and much to my luck...he forgot to put the medicine away and was so stoned that he didn't even notice me sneak in. I was able to find and give AJ the medication he needed...but I was caught and the leader of the camp threw me out for 'stealing from the group'...and they did the one thing that left me broken." Clem answered softly as she revealed to her friends the events that had led her to being exiled from the New Frontier: how AJ had contracted a severe fever and that the leader in charge of the camp had refused to allow the camp's assigned doctor to give AJ any of their medicine, as it was only meant for 'emergencies': which forced her to sneak into the doctor's tent and give her son the medication he needed to get better...and how she was caught and was banished from the camp for 'stealing' from them.
"What did they do did?" Violet softly asked as she, Tenn, Ruby and Willy had detected the pain/sadness in her younger girlfriend's voice and the tears slowly building in the corner of her eyes...and would be left deeply stunned/shocked by the answer.
"...They ripped AJ out of my arms, saying that he would remain in the camp...and when I tried to resist, they gave me a choice: I could either walk away with my dignity...or they'd teach me a 'valuable life lesson' I'd never forget. I walked away. They let me say goodbye to AJ...and then I walked away." She answered softy while choking back sobs as she revealed to her older girlfriend and friends on how Ava and her group had forcefully pulled AJ out of her arms and gave her an ultimatum: she either walked away or they would kill her on the spot if she fought and tried to leave the camp with AJ!
"They did what?!" Willy and Tenn asked with shock filled eyes after hearing what Ava and her group had done to Clem and AJ!
"Oh, my god." Ruby softly muttered while bringing one hand to her mouth...while AJ simply glanced down to the floor in sadness with a single tear rolling down his cheek: as the fuzzy memories of that heartbreaking day never left his mind.
"...I never wanted anything to do with those 'people'. You believe me...don't you Violet?" Clem stated softly as she informed her friends that she never wanted anything to do with Ava and the New Frontier while turning to Violet and asking if she believed her...and was met with sympathetic eyes from her blonde girlfriend.
"Of course I do." Violet answered softly as she reached over and brought her right hand up to cup her younger girlfriend's cheek to anchor and comfort her.
"And so do we." Ruby softly added with equally sympathetic eyes, along with Tenn and Willy; showing that they believed Clem as well.
"Clem...we're so sorry for what those bastards did to you and AJ." The young brunette softly stated as Tenn placed a gentle hand on AJ's right shoulder to help comfort his best friend.
"Thank you Willy. But the truth is...me and AJ being separated was my fault. Especially since I should've told Ava to go fuck herself and that AJ and I were better off trying to survive on our own." Clem softly replied as she appreciated Willy condolences while stating that her being separated from AJ was her own fault: as she had blamed herself for not simply rejecting Ava's offer to meet and join her group, which would've prevented her from losing AJ in the first place.
"No Clem, what happened that night wasn't your fault. You did what you had to to save AJ." Violet softly countered while informing her younger girlfriend that her losing AJ that fateful night wasn't her fault: as she did what she had to to save her son's life and that the only ones to blame were Ava and the so called 'leader' in charge of the camp.
"You and AJ weren't doing great on your own. This, Ava woman and her group took advantage of that." Ruby softly added as she pointed out to Clem on how she AJ hadn't been doing great on their own in the wilderness: as they were starving from not eating anything in days and how Ava practically took advantage of their situation to lure the young African American teenage girl and her boy to her group with Willy and Tenn nodding in agreement.
"Thanks guys." Clementine stated with a soft grin as she appreciated her friends kind words and shared a gentle/tender smile with Violet, whom smiled back in return as she gently placed her hand over hers.
"Oh, I'm sorry guys. This was supposed to be fun. I guess I'm just not the 'game' type like Louis was, I guess." Ruby replied as she apologized to her friends, stating on how her 'guessing game' was supposed to be fun and entertaining...while softly lamenting on how her game making skills wasn't the same as Louis's.
"You mean is. We'll see him soon." Tenn automatically countered as he corrected Ruby, stating on how Louis was still alive and that they would be bringing him, Omar and Aasim back to the school tonight.
"Tenn's right." Violet stated as she instantly agreed with her surrogate younger brother on how they would be saving the three teenage boys from the raiders and bringing them back to the school.
"Hey, I...uhm, I've got an idea. Do you guys remember when Minnie would sing us 'Don't Be Afraid' when all of us used to get scared?" The scar faced boy hesitantly added as he informed his friends that he had an idea for the party and asked them if they remembered a song called 'Don't be Afraid' that Minnie used to sing to help lift their spirits and keep them together when they struggled to survive and stay alive when all the teachers (except for Ms. Martin) abandoned them.
"...Too bad I can't play it. Lou would've known how. He'd like that one." The older blonde softly answered, showing that she indeed remembered the song that Tenn spoke of while lamenting on how she couldn't play it: as she wasn't that good a pianist like Louis was and claimed on how the older African American teenage boy would've loved to play it.
"You could just sing it to us, like she used to. Your voice is really pretty." Tenn softly replied as he pointed out to his surrogate older sister that she could simply sing 'Don't Be Afraid' and stated on how she had a beautiful singing voice similar to Minnie's...which earned an amused smile from the blonde.
"...Okay, okay. Yeah...I, uh, I can do that." Violet stated with a bright/warm smile on her face while nodding softly as she agreed to her surrogate younger brother's request to sing for him and the rest of their friends.
As soon as she stood up and walked in the center of the music room, Violet couldn't help but shake her head softly before glancing to Clementine, whom gave her a gentle and loving smile, which gave her all the motivation she needed and smiled back the same way towards her younger girlfriend before she took a deep breathe to calm herself and began to sing.
Never mind the darkness
Never mind the storm
Never mind the blood red moon
The night will be over soon
The night will be over soon
Wash away the sorrow
Brush away the tears
Sing away your heavy heart
The night will be over soon
The night will be over soon.
Once Violet started to sing, Clem, AJ, Tenn, Willy and Ruby couldn't help but smile, as they initially began to like the song and deeply enjoyed listening to the blonde's angelic voice. But...as she continued to sing, the mood suddenly changed as everyone slowly and suddenly became sad: as Clementine softly pulled and held AJ close to her; as she noticed the somber/conflicted look on his face from their previous conversation and Willy had silently sat down net to Tenn and placed a soft/comforting hand on his shoulder...as he witnessed the scar faced boy gently wipe his shirt sleeve across his face and fighting the urge to cry while Ruby softly placed the box carrying their confidential files back on the shelve where she found them.
For every night goes quiet
And every moon grows blue
Beyond the dark, comes something new
The sun will be rising soon
The sun will be rising soon
The sun will be rising soon.
As soon as the song was over and Violet stopped singing, she had silently looked down to the floor before glancing up towards Clementine with a saddened look on her face...which the young African American teenage girl couldn't help but mirror: as they both noticed the pained/somber expressions on Ruby's, Willy's and Tenn's faces as they listened to her sing. Before Clem could even say anything, she immediately turned to AJ, whom had silently stood up after sensing that the song was nearly over and walked back towards his mother with one of the red colored jars with the candle shining brightly inside and they traded a silent look...before he took in a deep breath and blew the flame out, as the party was officially over. Shortly after AJ blew out the first candle, Ruby, Violet and Willy had blown out the rest while Willy had turned off the record player. Once the candles were extinguished and the gramophone plugged off, Clementine and her friends had wished the other a good night before they exited the music room, walked down the corridors and stepped inside their rooms to catch some sleep before the big event that would take place soon.
AN: There it is everyone, the 9th chapter to A World with You: A Violentine Story as promised! I would like to deeply apologize to my fellow Fanfic authors and viewers/followers for the 3 month delay. I meant to have this finished before Thanksgiving...but I'd been dealing with extremely stressful shifts at the hospital where I work, which had prevented me from focusing and ended up being over 13,800 words long. Plus...my father had thrown out his back last Sunday and he's been on bed rest since then. But he's recovering and doing much better. I should have the 10th chapter posted sometime either before Christmas or the beginning of 2024. Until next time, bye.