Clementine's POV
Chris brings me back to my house and insists he comes inside to watch the drama ensue as I tell everyone that we're dating. I slowly walk into the house wanting very much to slam Chris in the door and to my disappointment, everyone has graduated from the basement to the living room, Delilah included.
"Hey, Chris, what's up?"
Vinny asks as he pauses the show they're watching. Ricky turns and looks at me with a confused look on his face. I look away, too sad to look at him knowing I'm about to hurt him.
"Clementine would like to tell you guys something."
Chris says, pushing his hand into the small of my back so I walk forward. I nervously clear my throat and look at anything but the people in the living room.
"We're d-dating..."
I basically whisper so quietly there's no way any of them heard me, except for the person that this doesn't affect at all. Delilah claps her hands together and stands up, seeming a little too thrilled at this information.
"Congrats you guys!"
She turns and looks at Vinny as she says,
"They're dating!"
Vinny and Ricky exchange confused glances as Delilah continues with her nonsense,
"And I was worried Chris would never be happy again after I broke his heart."
Chris wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to his side as he says with a smile,
"I've never been happier, besides, Clem's a keeper."
His remark must offend Delilah, but before she has a chance to say anything Vinny stands up and says,
"Clemmie, could I speak to you upstairs?"
I nod, relieved that my brother seems to still care about me, but as I begin to head for the stairs Chris grabs my wrist and stops me.
"Whatever you want to say to her you can say to me too."
Chris says, tucking me back up against his side. Vinny sighs and looks me in the eyes as he asks,
"What're you doing, Clem?"
Ricky stands beside Vinny and repeats,
"Yeah, what're you doing?"
I look down at my feet, unable to meet the eyes of the men in front of me. Suddenly I hear Ricky admit quietly,
"If this is because he caught us kissing, Clementine, it's not worth it..."
Everyone's gaze turns to look at Ricky as I feel Chris' grip tighten painfully on my hand. It takes everything not to yelp in pain as I muster up a response,
"I-It's n-not that..."
Chris' grip tightens, he wants a better reply.
"Ever since I met C-Chris I couldn't stop thinking about him..."
I lie. Ricky scoffs,
"What about when he tried to take advantage of you, Clementine?"
Ricky turns to look at Chris as Chris responds,
"What're you talking about, Ricky?"
I feel Chris let go of my hand and I turn as our eyes meet, and the look that's in his eyes as they meet mine terrifies me. I look down at my feet as I say,
"I don't know what you're talking about, Ricky..."
"Clementine..."
Ricky says. I look up and my eyes meet his blue ones. He searches my face for a second and he must find what he's looking for because he sighs before he leaves without telling anyone goodbye. Chris laughs as I feel my heart break.
That night as I'm back in the routine of crying myself to sleep, I hear my phone go off.
Ricky: I know that you were lying about you and Chris, Clementine. My only question is why? I basically told Vinny about us kissing, but Chris still seemed like he had some sort of power over you... I didn't like that one bit.
I breathe a sigh of relief. I thought Ricky wouldn't want anything to do with me if he thought I was with Chris, but I'm grateful that he saw right through the lie. I try to think of a response I can tell Ricky about Vinny and I, so I end up going with,
Me: He has a secret on Vinny that he's threatening to tell everyone if I don't comply...
Ricky: Vinny's my best friend, do you think it's anything I would know? I'm sorry Clem... That's so messed up. :(
Me: You don't know. It could ruin his life if people find out though...
Me: I just don't understand why Chris is doing this.
Ricky: Chris has always been jealous of Vinny, like crazy jealous...
Ricky: Does Vinny know that Chris knows this secret?
Me: No, and if he did I'm not sure what he'd do... I just know that everything would be chaos. I just feel so... alone.
Ricky: If I come over do you think I'd be able to sneak in your window without anyone seeing me?
My stomach fills with butterflies.
Me: Yes, I'll unlock it for you. :)
Ricky: Be there in 10. <3
Even though I knew Ricky was on his way, I still jump as I'm reading in bed when I hear a tap on my window. I rush over and help him to push it open. Once he's inside, he practically wraps his entire body around me in a hug.
"I'm so sorry this is happening to you."
He says, pressing his lips into the top of my head. It's like those words were the catalyst to my floodgates breaking, and suddenly my body is racked with sobs. Ricky is patient as he pets my hair. He eventually picks me up and carries me over to my bed. He gently lays me down and lies down beside me before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to him.
"Let it all out."
He says quietly, running his fingers through my hair, removing some tangles gently.
Eventually my tears run out, and as I sit up, wiping the remaining wetness from my eyes, I ask,
"Ricky, what am I gonna do?"
I watch a quiet thought flow through his eyes before he calmly replies,
"You play along."
He sits up and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear as he continues,
"You get close to Chris, get him to let his guard down, and then you find out his deepest, darkest secret and we'll use it to destroy him."
He cups my face gently in his hands and looks deeply into my eyes, before crashing his lips frantically against mine.
YOU ARE READING
Misconception
Hayran KurguA story in which a boy is infatuated with his stepsister... and so are his friends.
