Sunflowers, Bees and Honey

IV

"Of-bleeding-course you need to abduct housewives incase of a zombie apocalypse. Who else is gonna sew new clothes when the ones that already exist rot? Or do the laundry? Do you expect yourself to survive infection with clothes dirtier than the enemy? What about clean plates and weapons? Or shall you die from salmonella before the undead can even reach you?"

Clementine was leaning on her elbows, which were planted on the counter behind her while passionately trying to make James see the lack of common sense behind his thoughts.

He didn't bother dragging his eyes away from his food to give her an unconvinced look.

Persistent, she argued, "Can't you see the stupid logic behind your claims?"

Stubbornly, he stuffed a slice of watermelon into his mouth.

Watermelon that that she has ordered for him, by the way.

In the two weeks that followed their R-rated incident, Clementine and James re-adjusted their 'truce' to a friendlier one. They agreed that each can pick their own drinks (after a lengthy 'discussion' that is), and they both had a say when it came to the meal. Usually, they opted for something sweet yet healthy, like today's bowl of watermelons, with James complaining about how sugar made his teeth crawl like the dramatic princess he is (he gave her a look that could kill when she called him that). Moreover, they were only to talk while they were eating, and otherwise sit in a comfortable silence while the two of them did their own thing.

"Dor," Clementine sing-sung, "Princess peach doesn't want to admit that I'm right and is instead ignoring me."

Dorothy gave her an unimpressed stare, succumbed under the extremely convincing puppy-eye look she was being shot, and turned to James to say, "She's kinda right, but don't feel obligated to tell her that."

She received both a yell of betrayal and a smug smirk.

Did she also mention that throughout the two weeks, Dor started talking more to them as she acted in substitution to a tie breaker to their ridiculous debates? Clementine was actually happy that more words were traded between them.

Even when she scandalously backstabbed her akin to what just happened right now.

Huffing and puffing, Clementine got up and left them both to their mutual let's-annoy-Clementine mood, and instead started walking among the rectangular, lace dressed tables and delicately carved chairs. Each booth was a different pastel color, creating a rather heaven-like essence against the white wooden walls of Creamy Clouds. Quotes of positivity and pictures of nature were layered here and there similar to the frosting of a cake, and the ceiling had intricate gold and silver crystals hanging from them to bath the place in glitters of light. Stirring forward, she tried hiding the nervous tick in her steps.

She adopted the habit of making small talk with the diner's regulars, just like how she used to until her mental health took a toll for the worse. Chattering around cheerfully, she would play with the kids and ask the elders about how their aunts and colleagues were faring, remembering each by the name. Many considered her a friend after the first week. It didn't feel close to the draining joyous attitude she had to put up around everyone outside of this place nowadays, it just felt like her. None noticed the catch in her words today though, as she attempted distracting herself from tonight's inevitable conversation with her parents...

Finishing up her rounds, Clementine returned to the counter to find James giving her an odd survey. 

"What?" She questioned suspiciously (the last time he was giving her the same look, she had a bit of whipped cream on her bangs).