Quid Pro Quo

f i v e: music

Hey guys!

This chapter is late but I'm sorry and I hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

Remember to vote, comment, and share!

Enjoy the song above (it's what he plays later ;) btw)

Love you!

Bye!

~

"But it's a carrier for flavors."

"Doesn't mean it's good."

"Then what, Clem?" Louis inquired with a smile as he opened the driver's side door of his car.

"Then waffles are better than pancakes." She giggled as she sat in the passenger seat, shrugging her backpack off her shoulder. "It's simple."

"Whatever you say." He turned the key in the ignition. "So today we're doing..."

"Calc." She popped off the cap of a chapstick, sliding it over her lips as she spoke. The flavor of the balm was proudly displayed on the side in bold black letters, which read 'Strawberries and Honey'.

"Aka the bane of my existence. It's harder than all the fucking rest."

"Well, you'll get better." She lightly punched his shoulder. "Plus, you got English down. I'm proud of you."

"Gee thanks, mom." She happily scoffed as he mocked, moving to turn on the news station on his radio.

Deep down, he was grateful for her praise, as she was typically the only one to give it these days. His father was rarely around, his friends were unbeknownst to his struggle, she was his only support system, the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

"Louis, it's a right up here." Clem interrupted, pointing to a street sign labeled 'Jackson'.

"Oh yeah, sorry."

~

Walking into Clementine's house was nothing like he expected. He assumed things would be quiet, her parents probably reading a book or watching some informative show on the TV while her brother worked relentlessly on his homework just as she had. Her smarts and persistent work ethic could only stem from such an environment, right?

Things were pretty much the exact opposite.

The only thing on the TV was some cartoon with dancing broccoli, but it could barely be heard over the eighties music blaring from the kitchen, where joyous laughter and conversation could be sensed. Even her dog seemed to be into it.

Clementine pulled on his arm, tugging him towards the stairs.

"I'll be upstairs!" She shouted down to her family, who likely didn't hear her. "Don't bother me."

As soon as her door was shut and the sounds were muffled, Louis chuckled.

"I love your family." He said.

"Let's just hope they don't get even louder." She began pulling books out of her bag spreading them out on her bed as Louis stood, looking around.

His lips tugged up in a smile as he viewed photos, most of her and Violet, some of her family. He gawked at awards and ribbons, all from academic events. But one thing caught his eye; a frame next to her bed, containing the same picture from Oliver's Instagram that always make his heart hurt. Looking at it now, after their falling out and what Violet had told him, Louis couldn't be more excited for the day when she and Oliver would be broken up and she'd finally realize he had been there all along, that is if it ever occurred.

"Lou," Clementine tapped on his shoulder, offering him a pencil as she knew he never had one.

"Thanks." They sat on the mattress, immediately diving into the work before them.