𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 | ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ ᵖᵉᵃ

T H R E E

« Lᴇ Dᴇʀɴɪᴇʀ Sᴘᴇᴄᴛᴀᴄʟᴇ D'ɪᴍᴀɢᴇs »

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               CLEMINTINE STAYED in the dilapidated Southside classroom late into the night, planning her tutoring lessons for the next day, which quickly turned into a full week's curriculum. When she finally left, the hallway lights suddenly cut out. She gripped her backpack strap, the space illuminated only by a dim light source far down the corridor. She heard low grunts. Carefully rounding the corner, her hand dug deep for her pepper spray. The sight of a boy being beaten prompted her to extract the spray and point it at the attackers. "Get off him or I'll shoot!" The threat was enough; the two boys sprinted away, leaving the battered victim without a glance.

     Clemintine knelt. "Jughead?" Concern laced her voice. He coughed, gasping for air, clutching his aching sides. "Shit. Come on. I'll get you home." She helped him up, retrieving his scattered belongings and tucking his famous beanie inside his bag.

     At FP Jones' trailer, Clemintine cleaned Jughead's wounds. She managed the scrapes on his sides and arms, but he winced when she moved to his face.
"Who were those guys?" she asked, knowing Jughead wouldn't seek a fight.

     Holding the ice pack she'd prepared, Jughead mumbled, "The Ghoulies. They're the Serpents' biggest rival." He kept it brief; she didn't need to be involved, and he knew she wouldn't press.

     "That's it," Clemintine declared, rising. "I'm going to school with you tomorrow."

     "To protect me?" Jughead scoffed in disbelief. "I'll be fine, Clemmie. You're already far behind with your own classes."

     Clemintine protested. "No, Jug. You're more important than that."

     Jughead looked her up and down. "No offense, but you're not much of a threat."

     Clemintine sat back down. "Fine. At least let me give you a ride to school, considering your bike is still there." Jughead accepted.

     She stayed another hour before he insisted she leave and get some rest.

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          "I'M GOING to call your name and I want you to stand," Clemintine said, sitting on the desk and swinging her legs, her note cards resting in her lap. The class groaned, making her smile.

     "Cait." The brunette from yesterday stood. "I'll ask you a question, and then you ask me one. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?"

     "Mint chocolate chip." Cait licked her lips. "What's yours?"

     "All." Cait nodded with approval and sat down.

     "Fangs." The familiar boy stood, adjusting his jacket collar. "Why are you named Fangs?"

     He turned, showing the snake embroidered on his back. "Plus, it sounds cool." He turned back. Clemintine's eyes registered disbelief, suggesting she didn't buy the story. "You wanna go out sometime?" He sat, confidently expecting a 'yes.'

     Clemintine shook her head. "I have a boyfriend." Fangs slumped, his confidence dissolving.

     "Ethan." A boy with silver spikes on his jacket shoulders and a short ponytail stood. "What do you like to do outside of school?"

     Ethan smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

     "I would. That's why I asked." Clemintine crossed her arms.

     Ethan glanced down, licking his lips. "I like to draw." Clemintine was satisfied. "Do you really have a boyfriend?"

     "I do. He's a football player." Ethan sat.