Desirable

~35. Jealous

"Dayyyum, Garcia!" 

Clementine laughs as Gabe gets out of his uncle's car. She eyes the boy's appearance with her arms crossed.

He wore a white button-up shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans. His brown hair was clearly combed and styled. An expensive watch was wrapped around his left wrist and his backpack was slung over one shoulder. It was his first day at a new school and he definitely overdressed. As he got closer, she was taken aback by a strong gust of cologne. 

She waves her hand in front of her face, trying to get rid of the overpowering smell. 

"Jesus Christ, go easy on the spray!"

"Tell me about it!" Javier calls from the car, "I almost suffocated in the car."

Gabe rolls his eyes and his face flushes red with embarrassment.

"It's not that bad! Just shut up," his voice lowers when he makes eye contact with a pretty girl who was walking past. Clem laughs.

"Have a good day, you two! Clem, make sure you embarrass him." Javier chuckles and winks at her.

"Will do," she smiles sweetly and waves before spinning around the leading Gabe inside. 

The bell rings, signalling homeroom had started. Clem glances at the boy and notices his wide eyes and cowering stance. She understood how he was feeling because she had been 'the new kid' before, however she didn't show it as obviously as he did. 

Now standing outside their homeroom class - Gabe was put in Clem's classes so he wouldn't be alone - she stands in front of him and offers him a warm smile. 

"You don't need to be so worried. I'm gonna introduce you to some really nice people and they will love you as I do. All you have to do is be yourself, you'll be fine." 

Gabe nods but his head is bowed and his eyes are glued to the floor. The corridors within the school are almost silent now, most students were in homeroom. Clementine felt awfully bad for him, she knew it was terrifying when starting at a brand new school. 

She sighs and steps closer to him, pulling him in for a supportive embrace. She wraps her arms around him and squeezes tight, resting her head under his chin. He returns the gesture by putting his arms around her shoulders, his eyes close as he takes a deep breath. He disguises it as just calm breathing, but he was actually admiring the essence of her hair. 

The smell was amazing; the kind of thing you'd travel months and months just to experience again. Truthfully, he missed Clementine a lot during their time away. But their parents were both busy and never found a good enough reason to reunite. If it weren't for Kate and Carley being best friends, Gabe would never have met Clem. It was a big reason as to why Kate was his favourite. 

"It'll be okay, Gabe. I promise you. Everyone is really nice," she smiles and gives his torso an extra reassuring squeeze. 

"I'd rather just be around you all day," he lets out a short quiet chuckle and slowly runs his hands up and down her back. 

Clem rolls her eyes, "You will be anyway, I'm basically your personal butler all week."

"Well, I won't be complaining." he laughs. " I've really missed you, Clem." his voice trails off into a whisper.

"I've missed-"

"What are you two doing out here? Stop hugging and come in!" 

Clementine pulls away from Gabe quicker than light, now making eye contact with Mr Moore. He was holding the classroom door open for them, with a big friendly grin on his face. He was by far her favourite teacher. She especially loved his colourful bowties that were different every day of the week.