Lost In My Thoughts | Clouis

Chapter 1: Finding My Way Home

Art by Chaa.Chan/chaaistheanswer on Instagram

First chapter of the story I've been working on for a really long time. I had a lot of help & encouragement with this story, from special people in my life. And I'm happy to say that I am ready to share it!

Anyways, Enjoy~ 🌹

~~~

It had to have been the hottest day ever in Atlanta.
Wiping the sweat off her forehead, provided by the blazing heat. Clementine clutches her weapon, and a new wave of anxiety starts to take over. Fearing her hiding spot would be found. Cautiously, she peeks through the wooden door.

"Ready or not, here I come!" A voice called out.

She observed him walking around the yard, weapon in hand too. He peeked around corners and checked behind the bushes. Good. He has no clue where she hid. Losing interest in the bushes, he proceeded to inspect the shed instead. Descending from the ladder, Clementine makes a beeline to the shrubbery.

"You can't hide forever!" The voice called out again, coming closer to the Shrubs. Ragged breaths can be heard, not realizing it was her damn breathing. Her foe must have heard it too, their footsteps moving faster than before.

Who would have thought a game of "Ninjas" could be this nerve-wracking?

"Sneak attack!" She yelled, jumping from the bushes. The boy lets out a yelp, appalled by the sudden jumpscare. Laughter fills the air, swords clashing together. Clementine figures this was the happiest day of her life, being here playing "ninjas" with her best friend.

"Louis!"

The boy turned around to the familiar voice that belonged to Mr. Marsh, the father of Clementine.

"Your parents are here!" Ed shouted, leaving the door open for them.

Great timing, Louis thought. He turns his attention back to Clementine, only to find a sword coming his way... knocking him off his feet.

"I win!" She cheered, raising her weapon in triumph. 

"You cheated!" Louis argued, brushing dirt off his knees "I was distracted, that doesn't count!"

"Keep your eyes on your opponent," she teased, offering her hand.

"Kids, I'm not going to repeat myself. Inside!" Ed shouted once again.

Examining her mannerism, Louis can tell Clem was not ready for the day to end. And in all honesty, neither was he. Walking into the house, they noticed how much of a bigger mess they had made in the living room.

"Holy shit..." he murmured.

"Hey! Watch the swears." Ed scolded, before heading out the front door.

"Sorry, Mr. Marsh," he said. Better think about it and not say it next time.

The kids commenced putting away the scattered toys all around the room. Picking up a Disco broccoli toy, Clementine faces Louis.

"I still can't believe you're leaving today."

"I can't either," he says, dropping the toys into a box. It has been what, a month? Since he had overheard the news about moving to another state. It completely shattered him. They were always on the move, never settling in.

"I'm sorry, really." letting out a heavy sigh, he proceeded to put away the last bits of toys.

"This sucks..." She begins, kicking the rug from beneath her sandals, "It won't be the same without you, Lou."

"I know, Clemmy." He fidgets with his fingers, a sign of nervousness. "But my parents said there's no other choice. They need my dad in another state now."

"That's not fair. Not for us! For you!" She argued, crossing her arms while pouting.

Louis could not bear to see her upset. Avoiding her gaze, he finds a butterfly resting on a plant near the window, flipping its majestic wings. He should be used to this by now. Saying goodbye to old friends & moving from one state to another. But this was different. This was Clementine, the one person who truly understood him and saw through his theatrical attitude. His first real friend.

"Being with you today made things easier." He states, "Watching Disco Broccoli, playing ninjas, everything!"

She finally looks at him to see a toothy smile, his missing tooth visible. That smile could warm up anyone's heart & make anyone's day better. She sure is going to miss it. And him.

"But, no matter where I go...you'll always be my friend." he slowly makes his way towards her, and the atmosphere around them thickens. She lets out a gasp, feeling his arms wrapped around her. A newfound feeling flared up in her chest. It was bliss, warmth, and comfort. A part of Clementine would never let him go, to continue with their day of fun and goofing around. But another part of her knew it would be selfish to prevent him from leaving. She couldn't keep him away from his family. That would not be polite of her.

"Pinky promise?"

"Of course," he promised, wrapping his finger around hers.
Heading outside, Clementine and Louis found his parents parked in front of Marsh's front yard. His father was having an animated talk on the phone, while his wife was chatting with Clem's parents.

"Come now boy, we haven't got all day." The grown man insisted, spotting his son at the doorway.

"Please, let me say goodbye to Clementine first..." Louis pleaded, not in a rush like his father was. Reluctantly, the grown man allows it.

Within a blur, Louis found himself engulfed in a bear hug. Butterflies began to swell up from his stomach to his heart. Saying goodbye to each other was not on their agenda today. When he broke the news to her, she took it hard. Another person was ripped from her life, and how many more from now?
Perhaps somewhere in the future, they will meet again. Catch up and rekindle their old flame, and make new memories with one another. Living the rest of their lives together.

Or... they will never meet each other again and go their separate ways. Become acquainted with other people and forget each other's existence.

Great.

"I hate goodbyes," Clementine murmured.

"Me too."

"I'll miss you, Belouga." Tears spilled from her eyes, resuming to embrace him.

"I'll miss you too."

Reluctantly, she lets him go. Judging by his expression, he wasn't expecting her to be the first one to let go. "Hold on a second," a voice said, stopping Louis in his tracks. He turned around to see Ed & Diana coming towards him...both embracing him tightly. It knocked the wind out of him, but he appreciated it.

"Here. Take this, hon." Diana said, handing over a sheet of paper to him.

"Make sure you stay in contact with us, okay?" Ed instructed.

Beaming at them, he stuffs the paper into his pocket, "You got it, I'll make sure I won't lose it!"

"You better not, or I'll haunt you in your sleep!" Said, Clementine. Louis raised an eyebrow at her, unsure of where she was going with this. "And do what...?" He questioned, suddenly afraid to know her answer. Plus, how can she haunt him? She's not a ghost!

She smiles, "And put a bug under your pillow."

"NO! Not Again!" he shrieks but fails to contain his laughter.

"LOUIS! We need to go. NOW." his father shouted.

"Y-Yes, sir."

Louis' father places his hand on his shoulder, signaling him to leave. His parents get into their expensive car, while he follows behind. Diana eyes a distraught Clementine and hugs her, whispering comforting words into her ear: "It's okay, baby girl" "I know, it's hard to say goodbye."

Hearing the car engine start, Clementine watches as Louis and his parents drive away, farther and farther from view. An empty feeling sinks into her & frankly only wanted to go to her room to be alone for a little while. Louis looks out the back window, tears slowly falling from his face. Watching his best friend being torn out of his life.

~~~

9 years later

Reaching for it was pointless. It is up way too high and jumping for it would just create a bigger mess. In a huff, the young brunette grabbed hold of an old step stool and climbed up to get a better view of the shelves. Dust bunnies were everywhere, prompting her to blow at them. That was a HUGE mistake. Particles of dust were scattered all over the place, resulting in Clementine gagging on her breath.

After regaining herself, she grabs the box and places it on her desk. Opening the box up, she finds old pictures. Most of the photos were cringe-worthy.... not showing them to AJ. He would have a field day blasting her.

The picture that stood out to her the most was the one with her parents.

The memory of that day was still fresh in her mind. The sweet smell of pancakes in the morning, with orange juice on the side. Her dad's horrible jokes, the sound of her mother's laughter. A trip to Savannah. Sandra babysitting. Kisses on the cheek, and warm hugs. And those last words she heard from them...
"We love you, Clem. We'll be home soon."

We'll be home soon.

They'll be home soon...

"But you never came home..." Clementine uttered, creasing the photo.

"Clementine! Dinner is ready" a feminine voice called out.

"Coming!" She called out, placing the photos back into the box. Making her way downstairs, Clem spots her little brother watching cartoons (Disco Broccoli, as usual). Without warning, Clementine playfully ruffles his hair. He yelps, completely startled.

"Whatcha doing there, goofball?"

"Clem, you scared me! And don't call me that!" AJ swiped her hands away, preventing her from messing up his afro.

"Oh? Would you prefer to be called shitbird then?"

"Swear!" AJ points out, jumping up from the couch.

"Good looking out, kiddo. Clementine, watch your language" A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length dark hair walks into the room, plates in hand.

"Right, sorry." 

The smell of chicken stir fry filled the room, and it was like they were in heaven. Carley proceeds to set the table. Lee places the stir fry on the dining table. AJ is eager to get his hands on the food, reaching toward the boiling pan.

"Easy there, AJ," Lee says, pushing his hand away. "Let it cool down first, alright?" Slouching in his chair, the boy grew impatient. Though, can you blame him? Clementine had the immediate urge to dig in. However, burning her tongue was not on her agenda.

A few minutes later, Lee begins to service their plates. "NOW you can dig in," he states, watching AJ stuff his face in with the chicken.

"Slow down, AJ. You're going to choke." Carley warns.

"Sorry, it's just really tasty!" He beamed, taking a big bite of the chicken strip.

"You outdid yourself, Lee," said Clementine, Lee is one hell of a cook, and she was in absolute bliss.

"Thank you, sweet pea."

"So... how are you guys liking West Virginia?" Carley asked, seeking the opportunity to ask now before the big day.

The question caused both Clem & AJ to stop eating, gently placing their utensils down. There was now an awkward silence at the table. The big move was one thing, transferring to a new school was another story.

"Hard to say, the move was sudden."

"Well, why not take the time to explore it?" Lee suggested.

"I miss Richmond. It was nice, even before the- " AJ chimes in, before getting cut off.

"AJ." Clementine cannot bear to hear nor think about what happened at Richmond. So many scenarios went through her head... wondering how she could have prevented the incident. They should have been more careful. They were too reckless. "We can't dwell on it. We can only live with it."

"Hon, we can talk about it. I know this can be challenging, but maybe-"

"No!" Her sudden outburst startled the Everett family. Concerning expressions were now changed to stern looks.

"Clementine! We- we just want to help you. Both of you." Lee stated, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. The young brunette finally laid her eyes on him.

"I know... I'm sorry. It's just taking some time to adjust too."

"We completely understand. We'll try not to worry so much about it." Carley sighed, rubbing small circles on Clem's back. "You're going to be fine" Her lips held a faint smile and her golden eyes twinkled.

"Now, eat your supper. It'll get cold. I would hate for you to eat my delicious stir fry cold." Didn't need to tell AJ twice, considering he was currently stuffing his face in with the chicken.
Clem chews on her chicken, her face morphing into discomfort " Hmm...it looks like you undercooked some of the chicken, Lee."

That made Lee do a double take. "What now? I made sure that-"

"Kidding~ It's really good!" she winks.

He chuckles, "You little sneak."

~~~

"...But, right when Mrs. Craig was about to let us go, Rowley started blubbering about how he doesn't want Rock and Roll to ruin his 'brains'."

"Wait- can Rock and Roll ruin your brain?" AJ questioned, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"No, kiddo. Some people just aren't fans of Rock and Roll." She answered. AJ insisted on reading 'Diary Of A Wimpy Kid.' And she would be lying if she did not say this book helped her throughout her middle school years. 
"Oh, I like Rock and roll. It's Loud. But it's cool."

"I agree," Clem says, closing the book. "Alright, time for bed." Placing the book back on the bookshelf, she turns to a pouting AJ.

He shakes his head. "But I'm not tired'"

"Liar, you got bags underneath your eyes." knowing AJ, he would be out like a light if he were to stay up late. "We could play some games! Minecraft or Smash Bros! Please?!" AJ begged.
Grabbing his disco broccoli plushie, she moves it animatedly & proceeds to speak in a high-pitched voice. "Hey there, Alvin Junior! It's me, Disco Broccoli! While kicking your butt in Smash does sound appealing-"

He swipes at the toy, "Hey!" a smile finally appears on his face.
"It is bedtime! We have a big day in two days, don't we?" Her cartoony voice went to its original tone at that question.

"Yeah..."

Clem takes a seat on his bed, taking in the gloomy look he had. "...What if our first day is bad? Lee said we have to be on our best behavior there. But what if I mess up...?" Looking up at her with pleading eyes, he had hoped she would have the answers. Clementine always seemed to know what she was doing. However, that was far from the truth. She was scared shitless too, new environment, new faces, and new problems.

"We'll get through this, we're a team." Patting his Afro, the boy nods his head.

"Yeah, we are. I'll always have your back, Clem."

"And I'll have yours," She tucks in the blanket, placing Disco Broccoli next to him. Getting up from the bed, she heads towards the door. "Goodnight, AJ."

"Goodnight, Clem."

Switching the bedroom lights off, Clem exits the room & closes the door behind her. The lights illuminate from the foyer, indicating that Lee & Carley was still up and about. Clementine enters her room & switches on the lamp. Her room was your typical teenage room but had a comfortable vibe to it. Her walls are painted the color orange, with small curtains and lights hanging up. She plops down on her beanbag and scrolls through her phone.

Just then, she receives a text.

[Duck: 9:45 p.m.]
hey
ready for Monday??

[Clem: 9:47 p.m.]
fuck no...

[Duck: 9:48 p.m.]
c'mon! how bad can it be?

[Clem: 9:50 p.m.]
....
new environment.
getting weird ass looks.
anxiety.
not knowing where tf ur going.

[Duck: 9:51 p.m.]
say no more
points taken 💀