The Paths That Tie (Clementine x Violet)

<26>

It was a difficult task for Clementine to recall the last time she found herself walking the increasingly dreadful hallways that would eventually lead her to Lilly's office. It had been even longer since the last time she was exceedingly nervous to go. With the dance and Delta interaction right around the corner, understandably, Clementine had found herself to be on edge for the last few days.

Approaching the looming door labeled "Principal's suite", Clementine's focused gaze was suddenly interrupted by the sound of someone behind her.

Swiftly turning around, Clementine could see the surprise in her stalker's eyes as they seemed to be at a loss for breath from Clementine's sudden jerked movement. 

"Vice? You're back already? I thought you wouldn't make an appearance until next week?" Clementine gleefully asked, as she watched the recovering man in front of her.

"Well, I might have to leave again if you're going to try and give me a heart attack like that. I was going to scare you, but it seems like the tables turned on me quick!" The Vice Principal responded, as he seemed to eventually stabilize his breathing once more. 

The Vice Principal, known to Clementine as Luke, had known Lee for years prior to them working together at the same school district. From what Lee had recalled with Clementine, the two went to school together for a while before going their separate ways for a few years after graduating. Reuniting after coincidentally working at the same location, Clementine had grown closer to Luke due to his occasional dinner visits to the Everett household.

Before school had let out the year prior, Luke had informed Clementine of his late arrival for the upcoming school year due to a sudden family event known as: Parenthood.

"Actually, I'm just here making my daily stop to pick up paperwork and whatever little things need to be done around here. I'll be back next week officially with no sick days left for probably an eternity. What about you? On your way to see Principal Lilly?"

Nodding, Clementine's heart dropped as her reason for being there in the first place flooded back in her mind.

"You don't have to look like you've seen a ghost, you know? From what I heard she just wants to give you the form for the "apprentice's release"? I didn't quite understand it myself, but I guess that's what I get for not being here for so long. Little Jamie just had to come around and act like the world belonged to her." Luke joked, as he tried to brighten Clementine's facial expression.

Which, somewhat worked as Clementine seemed to snap out of her state of panic for just a sliver of a moment.

"Trust me...After this week, I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about when you're back. Do you even know about the boarding school students and how they've been?" Clementine asked, as she attempted to keep her mind occupied with the casual conversation she had found herself in. 

"I'm not sure if I should take that second part as a jab or not towards my position here. Regardless, I heard about them and their ...impact on the school thus far. Unlike how the principal and all the other staff here feels about it, I actually think it's a good thing."

"...You do?" Clementine Questioned, as she furrowed her brows with her curiosity peaked. 

"Well, yeah! Being open to people from different life styles can make a person more understanding of the differences, and become more inclusive to other people rather than what they know. Since, life is all about having new and fun experiences! If you live life surrounding yourself with the same kind of people with the same kind of life it can become boring and repetitive. I'm glad that these Boarding School students have disrupted the atmosphere and given a challenge to the other students here. I think it's been good for them too, given the fact that one of them has even become involved with the most well known group here..." Luke teased, as he elbowed Clementine.