The Warrior & the Witch

Chapter 4

Friday came and Lou Ellen and Clarisse were going over the deal. Clarisse couldn't help but chuckle a bit at my exclamation, amused at my excited reaction. She patted my head and said playfully, "Yeah, yeah, princess, calm down. It's just one date. Let's see how it goes. But if this thing doesn't work out, you're not gonna cry on my shoulder, got it?" "Perfect! Go get ready, Will and Nico will be there in less than an hour." Lou Ellen chirped excitedly, this would be a good opportunity. Clarisse rolled her eyes and smirked at my excitement. "Alright, alright. I'll go get ready. But don't get too excited, princess. Just because we're going on this date doesn't mean I'm gonna play nice with your little friends." Lou Ellen giggled and gave her a playful push. "Oh, c'mon, Clarisse. You're gonna be on your best behavior. At least for tonight. And who knows, maybe you'll end up liking them." I teased, knowing that she's just putting on a tough facade. Clarisse rolled her eyes at her playful nudge but couldn't help the smirk that tugged at her lips. "Ugh, fine. But if they say something stupid or piss me off, all bets are off." The witch grinned back at her. "Fair enough. I can't promise they won't say something a little irritating, but just remember to reign in that infamous temper of yours, alright?"Clarisse huffed, rolling her eyes a second time, but there was a hint of fondness in her expression. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll keep my 'infamous temper' in check. No promises though." "Delightful, thats all I needed to hear." Lou Ellen sighed happily and placed a kiss on Clarisse's cheek. Clarisse playfully huffed at Lou Ellen's sarcastic remark but couldn't help the redness that spread across her cheeks as a result of the unexpected kiss. She grumbled, trying to hide her flustered expression. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it."Lou Ellen grinned cheekily at the redness in Clarisse's cheeks, knowing she had an affect on her. "Oh, come on, admit it, you love it." She teased, enjoying the playful banter between them. "Shut up." Clarisse rolled her eyes, trying to remain stern. "I don't love anything. Especially not your...stupid little kisses. I just tolerate them."Lou Ellen chuckled at Clarisse's stubborn response. "Sure, sure. You 'tolerate' them. That's why your cheeks turn bright red every time I do it." Lou Ellens eyes sparkled with excitement loving how she could rile her girlfriend up so much. "They do not!" Clarisse protested, her denial sounding half-hearted. "I just get...a little flushed from the heat. It's summer, you know." Lou Ellen smirked at Clarisse's flimsy explanation, clearly not buying it. "Right, right. It's summer that keeps you all flushed. Not the fact that you secretly love the way I kiss you." She teased, enjoying the effect her words had on Clarisse. Clarisse's cheeks reddened further at Lou Ellen's words. She tried to scoff defiantly, but her voice was a bit shaky. "You're delusional. I don't...love anything about your stupid little kisses." "Admit it! You love them! And you love me!" Lou Ellen spoke in a singsong tone. She knew it was true even if the girl didn't like to say it. Clarisse grumbled and crossed her arms in a stubborn stance. "I do not love anything! And I most definitely don't love you."

However, the redness on her cheeks and the defensive tone in her voice betrayed her tough act. For a moment the last bit of that dimmed Lou Ellens mood a bit. "Okay we're gonna be late if we dont get on our way now.""Right. Let's get going." Clarisse nodded, noticing the slight change in Lou Ellen's mood. She silently chastised herself for her bluntness, knowing it might have hurt her. "Hey." She said quietly, reaching out to touch Lou Ellen's arm. "You alright?"Lou Ellen forced a smile and nodded, trying to shake off the momentary sadness. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it." She said, her words betraying the hurt she felt. Clarisse raised an eyebrow, sensing the fake smile on Lou Ellen's face. "Bullshit." She muttered, not believing it for a second. "Don't give me that 'I'm fine'bullshit. I know you better than that.""Do you..do you not love me?" Lou Ellen muttered softly as her gaze reached her feet. Clarisse's eyes widened at the question, realizing the weight of her words now. "What? No! Of course I...I do love you, idiot." She grumbled, feeling a pang of guilt. "It's just..." She let out a sigh, still struggling to properly express her feelings. "I just...I'm not good at this whole expressing feelings thing." She admitted, her voice lowering to a soft tone. "I do love you. I really do. But I'm not good at saying it out loud, okay? It makes me feel...vulnerable."Lou Ellen's expression softened a bit, the hurt still lingering in her eyes. "But why do you have to make it so difficult? I just want to hear you say it, Clarisse. Just once. Without sounding forced."Clarisse groaned in frustration, a mix of annoyance and vulnerability clear in her voice. "Because it makes me uncomfortable, alright? I've never...I've never been good at this sort of thing. Feelings and emotions and...love.""It makes me feel exposed, like I'm showing a weakness that everyone can see." She continued, her words filled with a hint of defensiveness. "But I do love you, Lou Ellen. I really do. I just...I struggle to say it."Lou Ellen softened a bit more, her heart melting a bit at Clarisse's explanation. She could see the mixture of vulnerability and fear in Clarisse's eyes. "You know I'm not going to leave you because you're vulnerable, right? I just want to hear you say you love me."Clarisse's expression softened as well, her tough exterior cracking a bit. "I know that. It's just...it's not easy for me, alright? But I'll try, for you." She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "I love you, Lou Ellen. I mean it." "I love you Clarisse." Lou Ellen passionately kissed the girl before breaking away. "Let's head out now."Clarisse was taken a bit by surprise by the sudden passionate kiss, but she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "Yeah, let's go." She replied, her heart fluttering a bit in her chest. She followed Lou Ellen as they made their way out.