Survival Love: A Gabentine Story

Chapter 8 "Helping Out":

Clem's POV:
I walked over to the fence as there was a pretty good portion of it was already done. I walked over to the woman that Marlon pointed to as I then saw her turn around and notice me. She put down her tools and walked towards me so she could introduce herself. "Oh hi there! You must be the new girl that everyone is talking about." She said as she held out her hand for me to shake as I did the same. "Wait, people already know about us? About me?" I asked as we finished shaking hands. "Yeah, you and that kid is all anyone has talked about since last night. My name is Erika Warren. And I already know your name is Clementine." She said. "Yep that's me. So I assume this big ass fence is to keep out the walkers?" I asked as she nodded. "Yeah. Both walkers and Bandits." She then said to me.
"So what can I help with?" I asked her getting back on the matter at hand. "Oh yes right. Help me lift up these boards as I nail them in place." She said as I nodded and lifted the board into its proper position. She then proceeded to put in the nail and smack it with the hammer into the board. "So how has your stay been here so far?" She asked me as she put in the other nail on the other side of the board. "Actually pretty good. Everyone has been extremely nice except for fucking Louis though." I answered her as the hammer connected to the nail. "Yeah he can be a handful especially with us girls. But hopefully you'll get used to it if you are staying here that is." She said as we moved on the the next board. "Yeah we're staying. We've been on the road for so long we need somewhere to live and be safe." I said to her. "Well that's good to hear." She responded.
We continue to work on the fence for about an hour or so as we did a pretty damn good job with it. We spent the time working and talking at the same time as we were now pretty good friends. The last time I had a real friend was... Gabe. As we were finishing up, Marlon then walked over to me and said, "Hey Clementine. Can you do me another favor?" "Sure what do you need?" I asked him. "Well my best friend is currently loading up our storage unit with the supplies we find and I thought he could use some help." He said. "Well why don't you help him? After all he is your best friend right?" I asked him with a slight frown. "Well I would except I have to deal with finishing the crops. So could you please give me a hand with this and help him?" I asked sounding like he was begging. "OK fine." I responded as I've then went off towards the storage unit. I went inside as I saw a man in a blue jacket with the sleeves cut off drop one of the boxes of supplies. "Aww Goddamnit!!!" He exclaimed in frustration. I ran over to him and helped pick up the spilled supplies. "Here let me help you with that." I said giving him a hand. "Oh thank you so my...." The boys said as he looked up at me and gasped. "Cle... Clementine?! Is that really you after all these years?!" He asked as I was confused at first until I got a good look at them. After a good look it didn't take me long to realize who I was in front of as I let out a gasp as well.
"Gabe?!" I said about to tear up. "Yeah Clem. It's me." He said as I then shed tears of joy. "Oh my fucking God!! Gabe!!!" I said jumping at him and wrapping my arms around his body as he did the same to mine. "I thought you were dead! I'm so happy you're ok." I said crying my tears of joy onto his jacket. "Right back at you Clementine. I never thought that I would see you again. I'm happy you're here." He said as we then heard Marlon walk in and say, "All right guys how's it going in...." We quickly stopped hugging and just stared at him in awkwardness. "Well you two got along quicker than I thought. Do you guys happen to know each other at all?" Marlon then asked the two of us. "Yeah we were friends. Best friends even a long time ago." Gabe answered to him. "Well that's good to know I guess. How about Erika and I go finish this while the two of you go catch up." Marlon offered as I replied, "That would be great. Thank you so much Marlon." "No problem." He said as Gabe and I left to go catch up while Marlon finished stocking the supplies for Gabe. Honestly the fact that he is back in my life and just alive in general makes me feel so much safer and more trusting in this place and makes me so much happier overall.