rome and clem

part twenty-five

it was impossible for rome to keep his eyes on the menu when a beautiful girl sat across from him.

her hair subconsciously straying in every which direction, eyes creasing in focus at the menu, sweeping back and forth as she read the words. rome found the wrinkles in her forehead so cute. and the way she'd pick at her fingernails with her teeth in deep thought could make him groan.

"rome! did you hear me?" clems giggle drew him from his thoughts.

he shook his head, "huh?"

she grinned, a blush flooding her cheeks. "did you pick something out yet?" she asked.

"um.." he trailed off, eyes roaming back to the menu for a moment then flickered back to clem.

she curiously watched him with a small smile.

"blueberry pancakes, obviously." he answered.

her head tilted back, laughter emitting from her lips. it was so heartwarming and approachable. rome didn't even feel it turning in his throat until the sound fell from his lips.

and he was laughing with her.
roman abernathy was laughing.

god, it felt great.

"same for me, then." she replied, smiling to herself and plopping the menu to the side. she pushed herself closer to the table and edged her elbows to lean in.

"what are you doing?" he asked, watching her for a moment as she just stared at him with a stable smile. "weirdo." he murmured.

she cracked with a laugh.

once the food arrived, they couldn't help laughing and smiling and sharing glimpses at each other. rome tried to ignore what he was feeling inside his chest, but he knew what it was. deep down, he knew. but maybe just for a little he could just let it go. forget it and forget everything that wasn't the girl in front of him.

"I have a random question." she said, chewing on a blueberry.

"okay. lay it on me." he answered, carefully sipping his piping hot coffee. he made a sour face just as it hit his tongue which caused clem to laugh uncontrollably. and when she laughed, he felt the same gurgling run up his throat, past his lips, and then he was laughing.

"what do you wanna do? like—when you grow up, for a career..what do you wanna be?" she asked, sincere curiosity showing.

rome watched her forehead crease for a moment. those tiny slick perfect lines made him smile. it made him feel strangely safe. her in his presence made him feel safe.

"to be honest..I don't know." he shook his head, sighing. embarrassed, he ran a hand over his face drowsily. "I know I sound like a stupid teenager, one who depends on their parents..but I promise I'm not. well at least I hope i'm not. I don't know. I dont want to be a slacker. but my grades are shit. so it's not like i'll get a scholarship and my mom won't be able to pay for college...which sucks because to get a good job nowadays you practically have to have a college degree. so, yeah. I guess I am one of those slackers who will end up in his basement. sorry to disappoint you." he chuckled dryly. grabbing his coffee and this time he didn't wince when the smoking hot steam fell between his lips.

a beat of silence. another.

"rome." she announced his name so heavenly, so meaningful. it meant so much, too much it hurt. "you could never disappoint me."

rome looked up from his coffee cup and to clem. her lips curled slightly and he felt the need to feel her lips. to feel them against his. why have they not kissed yet?

"I get what you mean, though. it's hard. life..I mean. why do we need jobs, anyways? why can't we just..live and be happy. life is so..precious and it's a one time thing. so why do we have to do so many things that we don't want to do because it's the norm or whatever. it's stupid..is what I think. go to school, go to college, get a job, get married, have kids, retire, then die. it's like some type of rule of life and it's stupid." she ranted, the creases on her forehead making another appearance.

"what about you?" rome asked, wanting to change the subject of the truth of life. so true it made him swivel in his seat uncomfortably.

clem lifted a shoulder and then suddenly something flashed onto her mind. her eyes widened and her lips parted just the tiniest. "ohmygod!" she said the slogan in a quick breath.

"w-what? what's wrong?" he suddenly became very anxious and worried. he was actually about to jump out of his chair and give her CPR. sure...that's a good excuse to feel her lips.

"the pictures, er, drawings on your wall!"

"okay. what about them?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

"you could become an artist, rome!" she said happily, smiling that smile of hers.

"clem..I don't think so.." he trailed off, laughing as he flushed up.

"well, I do. I believe in you. remember when I said you had real talent?" she asked and he nodded. "I meant it." she said softly.

rome smiled at her and he meant it when he smiled. he really wanted to kiss her.