Meet me in the Emerald Forest

Chapter 28 Lukas

Clementine shutting me out was killing me. I was almost pushed over the edge when Caleb showed up at the house late last night and went straight for her room. I was so close to ripping his head off that I had to go for a run with Mateo just to keep it together. By the time I got back, Caleb was gone and I could hear Clementine snoring softly in her room. I sat down in the hallway and pressed my back against the wall beside her door, leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

I woke up early this morning and took a quick shower. I knocked on Clem's door but, as usual, there was no answer. I sighed and went downstairs to have the house staff make her some breakfast. I decided to skip breakfast at the center and morning training. Instead, I took the tray upstairs to Clem's room and knocked again.

"I have breakfast." I told her, but she didn't reply.

I sat down on the floor and picked at my food, not really having an appetite. After twenty minutes, I was too nauseous to eat anymore and she still hadn't come to the door. I could hear movement inside so I knew she was awake.

"I'm going to leave your breakfast out here and go out to handle some business. If you need anything...." My voice trailed off and I dropped my forehead against the door, "I'm here, Clem, I'll always be here." I whispered just loud enough for her to hear me.

I heard her sigh and knew she was just behind the door. I waited a second but there was no sign of her opening the door so I left, like I said I would. I went to my office and locked myself inside. A few hours later, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Luke?" Lily poked her head in with Garrick right behind her.

"Come on." I told them both.

Lily sat on the comfy sofa off to the side while Garrick stood behind her protectively.

"I'm sorry about everything that's going on." Lily frowned, looking genuine.

"It's not your fault." I assured her.

"I know, but I still feel bad that I can't do anything. I tried to convince her to talk to you but she's just so broken." Lily said,

The look on Lily's face made Bastian whimper in my head and my heart sink to the floor. I knew that whatever was bothering Clem was bad, but I had no idea that it was this bad.

"Will she ever tell me?" I asked, mostly talking to myself.

"I don't know, honestly."

"I just wish she would talk to me, about anything." I groaned in frustration.

"She will, I'm sure of that. She cares for you, Luke, she just needs some time. This has all been a lot." Lily's face perked up a bit as she tried to convince me.

"She definitely does care about you, man, we can all feel that." Garrick chimed in.

"Really?" I'm not going to lie, it felt good to hear that even if they were just buttering me up.

"Yeah, Caleb even said something to Mateo about it. They're doing really good, by the way, which is good for you, too. If Caleb is all in, then he'll say good things to Clem and she'll come around." Garrick grinned.

That added a little bit of cheer to my attitude. Just a little.

"Thanks, guys. Lily, will you check on Clem again today? I have a feeling she'll be shutting me out today, too." I asked and Lily nodded immediately.

"Absolutely, I don't even need to be asked. That girl is my sister." Lily teased, hopping up, "You should go check on your niece. She always cheers you up." She added before skipping out of the room.