Emperor of Annihilation

FORTY TWO

Two weeks later.

Clementine walks out of her dorm building with Autumn and Cameron following closely behind her. The threesome is chatting excitedly about something I can't quite make out.

I'm too busy staring at Clementine.

It's almost soothing to stare at something so innocent and uncorrupted. A breath of fresh air. There's an innate sadness to her that almost feels out of place, as if clouds aren't meant to linger when the sun is shining.

We haven't spoken since I cornered her during dinner and I've barely slept since. Her words play a loop in my brain, taunting me and terrifying me with the possibility that she'll never forgive me for all I've ever done.

She seemed resolute and unmoving, but still I can't let that stand.

I'll make her forgive me no matter what it takes.

I sent her a hundred bouquets in various colors throughout the week, following the rainbow to match her outfits. The next day, I discovered each one of them cut up in my room.

She's feisty, I'll give her that. I'm almost sure she got that trait from Lau. She was never like this before.

I exit my car where I was watching them and walk towards her, blurring out her only friends like they weren't there. She's the first to look up when I'm ways away, almost like she can sense me when I'm in her vicinity.

Her eyes sharpen and her features tighten like she's steeling herself for battle.

Her friends' gazes follow hers over to me, the words dying out abruptly on their lips when they spot me.

"Round two, Ambrose?" Autumn asks tonelessly, like she has no interest in the matter as per usual. I sent her a look that shut her up almost immediately and she huffed her chest out with an eye roll, grabbing Cameron by the arm and pulling him away.

If I didn't know Clementine so well, I would've missed the way the corners of her eyes crinkle like they do when she's putting up a front. If it wasn't for that mere factor, I'd fall for her unaffected act.

"I remember telling you to leave me alone."

"And I remember telling you that was as impossible as staying alive without oxygen."

She crosses her arms over her chest as she gives me a stern look. "You're comparing me to the importance of oxygen now?"

"That's because you're as important as oxygen, if not more."

"How romantic." She said with an eye roll. Then she turns to the direction of my car. "How long were you in there for?"

"The entire night." I answer honestly without missing a beat, catching a spark in her eyes. It was true. I missed out on sleep because of her. For her. I spent restless nights in there just so I could have a mind of peace knowing I had a perfect eye on her.