4 Leaf Clover - ᴹˣᴹˣᴹˣᴹ

11.

*Just to preface, despite this story being based around realism and realistic situations, the law in this story is not entirely correct and has changed for the context of this story. Thanks!*

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Clover's shift had just been completed - the daytime was still cloudless and warm, and the sun had been radiating down all day causing Clover to dread the last few hours of his shift. Yet, he was exhausted and sitting outside of his shop. He didn't know how he was going to get home, Clover could calculate a bus that runs that way but he had never gotten on a bus in his life.

Clover realised he could stroll to Elio's station and remain there for him to conclude work. It was a 15-minute walk and Clover could recall the way because of the other day when Elio directed him to the shelter. Clover stood up, prepared to make his way there when a police car parked up on the curb before him. Clover halted to glance at it, he wasn't anticipating Finley to step out of the car.

"Can you get me a drink?" Finley asked him, standing at his car door.

Clover nodded quickly and diverted back to go inside his store. He selected a strawberry-flavoured water and paid for it with some leftover change he had. He moved back and passed it to Finley, scanning the tall man who drank it as if he was starving of thirst. Clover smiled a little bit when the water dribbled down Finley's neck and Finley launched forward attempting not to cough and jerk at the chilly water.

"Damn," Finley cussed, "It's cold,"

Despite the exclamation that would've accumulated the most horrendous stare from Clover's parents, Clover found himself chuckling quietly.

"Do they not feed you in the station?" Clover requested, his inquisitiveness consuming him.

"Yeah they do but I had a lot to do," Finley told him, "Some stupid teenagers trying to rob a bank, you know,"

"Really?" Clover asked, his surprise obvious, "Why?"

Finley shrugged and signalled for the younger boy to get in the car from the other side. Once both of them were situated, Finley started driving home from the metropolis. The music was subtle, identical to this morning and the windows were down a little to let refreshed air inside.

"I think they wanted the money," Finley said, "But mainly I think they were just trying to scare the public,"

"Do you know why?"

"Because teenagers are idiots," Finley shrugged, "Sometimes they don't need a reason,"

"I guess," Clover replied, thinking about it. He understood he wouldn't attempt anything radical like robbing a bank even if he was hopeless.

The drive was quiet after that, Finley asked some straightforward questions which Clover could respond with a few sentences. Clover could sense the difference in the atmosphere, it was pleasing this time around. He even enjoyed it when Finley would inquire something simple about his job or how his day went. Clover thought about what Finley said about Elio not finding him significant but now, he couldn't help but feel Finley stated it to merely be mean. After all, why was Finley being so approachable with him?

"What you doing once we get back in?" Finley questioned and Clover shrugged, it wasn't like he was allowed to do much.

"I might read a book," Clover said, watching Finley park in their secluded driveway.

"You know how to garden?" Finley asked him and as they glanced at each other, Clover shook his head, "Do you want to learn?"

"Are you asking me to help?"