Misconception

4: Ill Intentions

Clementine's POV

As mom and dad leave, Vinny and I stand on our driveway waving to them. Once they're out of sight, Vinny and I walk back into the empty house.

"What do you wanna do today?"

Vinny asks as he sits on the couch. I think for awhile, but come up with nothing.

"I don't know, what do you wanna do?"

I ask, standing in front of the couch. He just shrugs.

"I might hang out with Ricky and the guys later."

He says. I sit beside him on the couch and ask,

"Can I come?"

Vinny just shakes his head.

"Pleeeeeease! I get scared when I'm alone, you know that."

I tell him. Vinny turns to look at me, taking my hand in his. As he looks into my eyes he says,

"You have to promise me that you'll stay by my side the whole time. Okay, little girl?"

I bite my lip as I nod happily.

As we pull up to Ricky's house, Vinny puts the car in park and looks over at me in the passenger's side.

"What do you have to do the whole time we're here?"

He asks me.

"Stay with you the whole time."

I answer with a smile.

Vinny knocks on Ricky's door which swings open to reveal Ricky, blue eyed as ever.

"Hey Vinny, hi Clem."

Ricky says, smiling down at me.

"Hey Rick, the other guys here yet?"

Vinny asks Ricky.

"Ryan's on his way, Chris's in the living room."

Ricky says, opening the door wider for us to enter. I notice Vinny's jaw clench at the mention of Chris.

"Can I talk to you for a second, Rick?"

Vinny asks as Ricky shuts the door. Ricky nods. As Vinny and Ricky head to the stairs to talk I follow, but am stopped by Vinny.

"Listen baby, I need to talk to Ricky alone."

Vinny says as he looks into my eyes with his hands rested on my shoulders.

"But you told me not to leave your side."

I say, looking up into his dark blue eyes.

"I know, but I need to talk to Ricky about something. I'm sorry little girl. Why don't you go outside for a little?"

Vinny suggests, his eyes flickering from me to Chris, who's sitting in the living room distracted by his phone. I bite my lip as I look at the floor.

"O-okay..."

I say. Vinny places a kiss on the top of my head.

"Thank you, love. I won't be too long."

Vinny says while turning back to Ricky. I hold my hands together as I turn towards the front door. I thought I saw a porch swing. As I step out onto the porch I can't help but wonder what Ricky and Vinny are talking about. I shiver as I take a seat on the swing, swinging back and forth gently. It's a little cold out. I zone out as I stare at my feet, absorbed in thoughts. I spring out of my thoughts as I hear the front door click open. My heart drops into my stomach as I see who it is and I freeze in place. It's Chris.

"Hey little Clementine."

Chris says as he takes a seat beside me on the porch swing for two.

"H-hi..."

I say nervously as I sit on my hands, shivering again. Chris looks at me with concern in his eyes.

"You cold, little girl?"

He asks me. I bite my lip and nod as I quietly say,

"Y-yes..."

From the corner of my eye I see Chris slip the black hoodie he was wearing off over his head.

"Could you lift your arms up for me, love?"

He asks, facing me.

"Why?"

I ask, confused, facing him now.

"So I can put this on you."

He says as he holds the hoodie out to me in his tattooed hands.

"O-okay..."

I say nervously, slowly lifting my arms up. Chris slowly slips the hoodie on over my head. Once the hoodie's on me mostly, Chris adjusts the hem of the hoodie at my waist, his fingers gently grazing my hips. My body shivers welcoming the heat from the hoodie that previously came from Chris's body.

"Thank you..."

I say shyly as Chris returns his hands to himself.

"No problem little one. I'm sorry for scaring you the other day baby. I didn't know I would frighten you."

He says.

"It's okay, I just had a nightmare about you is all..."

I admit, feeling bad.

"What did I do?"

He asks, draping an arm behind me on the swing.

"You were very tall and you were chasing me. It was like I couldn't outrun you no matter what."

I tell him, facing him now, feeling more comfortable in his presence. Chris chuckles a little.

"I am a pretty tall guy, but I would never chase you like that. I could never hurt you, baby girl."

He says as he tucks some of my loose hair behind my ear. I grin at him.

"You, on the other hand are very short. How tall are you anyways?"

He asks me.

"Four foot eleven. How tall are you?"

I ask him as I shift in my seat.

"Six foot one."

Chris says. I can see him think for a little.

"That makes me a little over a foot taller than you."

He says with a smirk. I can't help but giggle at how proud he is to have done the math.

"Stand up, I wanna see if it's true."

Chris says as he gets off the swing, causing it to sway back and forth. I attempt to get off the moving swing, but my feet won't touch the ground. I attempt to jump off the swing, but stumble as my feet hit the ground. Thankfully Chris is there to steady me. When he positions me in front of him, he looks down at me and says,

"I guess it is true."

I giggle.

"I really am sorry about the other day."

Chris says again.

"It's okay."

I say as I look up at him. He suddenly pulls me in for a hug, wrapping his arms around me. As Chris releases me from the hug he says,

"I suppose we should head back in, don't want your brother to freak out."

Confused, I look up at him.

"Why would he freak out?"

I ask.

"Let's just say he thinks I have ill intentions."

Chris says before turning to disappear into Ricky's house.