Lost in your grip

Chapter 39 | Painful Memories

We got to the beach. "Ohmygod it's beautiful." Brody said. I placed my feet in the sand. "Ugh my god it's so warm." I said. Louis smiled. "Come on." He said as he grabbed my hand. We set up a spot. I sat next to Louis. "So where do you want to live?" I asked. "Hmm, Big Bear, CA." He said. "Big Bear?" I asked. "Yeah, it's a lot of nature stuff like trees and log cabins." He said. "Oooo sounds cool, I love nature." I said with a smile. "Only thing is, there's bears." He laughed. "Oooo let me guess, are they big bears?" I asked with sarcasm. "Definitely." He said. I rolled my eyes. Marlon and Brody were in the water. "C'mon y'all!" She yelled. Louis and I smiled at each other. We got up and he grabbed my hand. We went to the water. I was talking to Brody till water hit me in the face. I wipe my face and I look over to see Louis, laughing at me. "Oh you asked for it." I said as him and I splashed each other. Brody and Marlon joined the little fight. We all started laughing. Louis came to me and hugged me. Brody ran to her phone and took a picture for her Snapchat. "#goals" She said. "You did not just use a hash tag." I giggled. She smiled as Marlon grabbed her and kissed her. "Seriously who the hell takes their phone in the ocean?" I asked as I crossed my arms. I felt a hand grab my face. I was now facing Louis. "This moment, it's worth it." He said. I smiled. I leaned in and kissed him.

I hope this moment never ends. He's my everything and I won't let anyone take him from me.

We got out of the water and ate lunch. "Oh my god, Louis?" A voice said. "Ashley?" He said as he got up. Isn't Ashley his ex? Fuck this bitch. "I haven't seen you since our break up." She said. I got up and grabbed Louis' hand, showing her that he's mine. "Where have you been?" She asked. "Georgia. I moved and made new friends." He said. She makes eye contact with me. "Who is she?" She asked. "I'm his girlfriend, if I were you I would leave before I beat your ass." I said in an angry tone. "Easy, I'm just saying hi, I don't want him anyways." She said in a defensive tone. "Good because I'm not the type who shares." I said. "Who's this dude babe?" A guy asked. "My ex." She said. "So this is the no life?" He asked. "Fuck off white boy." Louis snarled. Marlon walked over and stood next to Louis. "Aye man, you fuck with him, you fuck with all of us." He said. "Guys enough, they aren't worth it. Let's just go." I said as I felt my blood boil. We started to walk away. "I heard you're adopted Everett." Ashley said. I stopped and turned around. "Keep my name out of your mouth." I said. "You fought my cousin, Sarah." She said. "It's sad your parents didn't want you, maybe that's why she died and your dad left you." She said. I tackled her. Louis and Marlon ran over to me. "Don't talk about my momma bitch, don't act like you know me!" I yelled as I punched her. Her boyfriend grabbed me. "Let go of me fuck face." I snarled. Louis punched him. "Don't touch her." He said. He went to hit Louis but Marlon tackled him. "Go home." Marlon said as he got up. Brody grabbed me. "Come on Clem, she isn't worth it, remember." She said. I got up and we left. I broke down in the car. "Clem, your mom sacrificed herself for you. She's a hero. Your dad fucked up but he wants to make it right. Don't listen to her, she's just tryna hurt you." Louis said. I wiped my tears and we got back to my dads house. "Woah, what happened?" Vi asked. Brody explained everything to her. My dad hugged me. "I'm so sorry darling." He said. I started crying. "She..." I mumbled. "I know..." He said. I let go and took a shower. When I finished, I went to my room. I got into comfy clothes and I locked the door. I sat on the bed. I didn't turn on my light. I just sat in the dark.

Flashback to 10 years ago
"Clementine, honey!" Mom yelled. I ran down the stairs. "Yes Mommy?" I asked. "Would you like to make pancakes with me?" She asked. I gave her a confused look. "Mommy, you don't make pancakes at night." I said. She smiled. "Well that's what makes it fun." She said. I smiled and ran into the kitchen. "Okay honey, relax, I need to get the stool for you." She said. "Mommy?" I asked. "Yes dear?" She said. "When is daddy coming home?" I asked. She gave me a sad look. "I don't know baby.." She sighed. I made a sad face. "Let's make these pancakes." She said. We made the batter and I stuck my finger in. I licked the batter off of my finger. "Does it need anything else?" She asked. "Strawberries!" I shouted with joy. She smiled. "I love you mommy." I said as I hugged her. "I love you too baby." She said. I added strawberries to the mix and mom cooked them. Mom and I started to sing American Honey. Soon the pancakes were finished. "Alright Clem, go sit at the table." Mom said as she grabbed the orange juice out of the fridge. I climbed onto the chair and I sat at the table. She placed the plate full of pancakes in front of me along with the cup of orange juice. She sat next to me. "How is it?" She asked. "Fluffy and full of strawberries." I said as I had food in my mouth. "Oh honey, don't talk with your mouth full of food." She giggled. She wiped my face with her napkin. "Sorry." I said. She smiled. "You have daddy's eyes..." She sighed. I frowned and drank my orange juice. I started to cry. "Did...did daddy leave because of me?" I asked. She grew tears in her eyes. "No honey of course not." She said as she wiped my tears. There was a bang on the door. A man kicked the door in. Mom grabbed me. "This is for everything you've done!" He yelled. I got scared. He pointed a gun at me. "Please don't hurt my baby!" Mom yelled. I started to cry. "Mommy?" I asked. "Please don't take my baby! I'll do anything you want just don't hurt my baby!" She begged as she held me. I held onto her as my body shook in fear. I've never been so scared in my life. "Don't fucking move." The man said. I stuffed my face into her shirt. There was a loud noise and my shoulder started hurting badly. I started crying in pain. Mom was screaming as my blood started dripping onto the floor. He ran up the stairs. She ripped a piece of her shirt and held my shoulder. "Hold this honey, keep pressure there okay even if it hurts." She said. She kissed my forehead. "I need you to be brave for me baby girl." She added. I nodded as I wiped my face. "Clementine baby, I need you to call the police, that's 9-1-1." She said as she handed me her phone. She walked back over with a first aid box. I dialed the number she told me to dial. "911 what's your emergency?" The lady said. "My mommy said to call. A mean man came into my house and hurt me. He's taking our stuff." I said. "Okay what's your name honey?" She asked. "Clem....Clementine." I said as my voice trembled. "Okay Clementine, I need you to stay on the phone with me okay so the cops can get to you. How old are you?" She asked. "8." I said. The man came downstairs. He noticed that I moved. "I said not to move!" He yelled. He pointed the gun at me again. "Please, she's only 8! Please Lord don't take my baby!" Mom yelled as tears ran down her face. He shot the gun and mom jumped. "Mommy!" I screamed. She fell to the floor. I still had the lady on the phone. The man ran out of the house. I put the phone down and hugged mom. "Mommy! Mommy! Please wake up! Mommy! I need you!" I screamed as tears fell from my eyes. Blood soaked her shirt. She hugged me. "I love you so much Clementine. You are so smart and beautiful. You are the strongest girl I know. You don't need me. You can do anything. You'll become a fine young woman one day, I know that for sure....Lee and Carley will take care of you...I know they will, they love you as much as I do....be a good girl for mommy okay." She said. "I love you too mommy.." I said as I cried. Her arms fell and she closed her eyes. "Mommy?" I asked as I shook her motionless body. "Mommy?!" I screamed as I panicked. "Please don't go mommy..." I said. I grabbed the phone. "Hello?" I asked. "Clementine, what happened?" The lady asked. I know that she heard everything. "My mommy is dead..." I said as I cried. "Oh no... The cops are coming okay honey, where's your daddy?" She asked. "I don't have one..." I said. She sighed into the phone. I hung up. "I love you mommy...so much...I'll make you proud. I promise.." I said as I laid next to her, crying.

The present
I brought my knees to my chest and placed my arms on them. I put my head down and started crying. "I miss you mom.." I sobbed.

Mom, I don't know if you can hear me but...I miss you so much. It's been 10 years without you. I've done a lot of shit since you left. I met so many people but they left me behind. I've thought about killing myself to be with you but...I don't want to go...I met the love of my life. I promised you I would make you proud and suicide won't make you proud. I graduated for you...I'll do something, many more things that would have made you happy...my kids...they won't have a grandma...they'll have Carley but not you. I will make sure they remember what an amazing mother you were....

(Hey guys, sorry I didn't update yesterday, I went to see a movie with my dad. Anyways, I hope you guys like this chapter. Its a little depressing but life isn't easy. If you have any ideas, feel free to leave them in the comments. ~Cameron)