Quid Pro Quo

t w e l v e: there for you

Hi guys! Sorry for how late this chapter is, I started school a couple of weeks ago and it's been hard to find time to write but I hope you guys enjoy this!

Remember to vote, comment, and share!

Love you! Bye!

(don't forget to stream Norman Fucking Rockwell by Lana Del Rey!)
~

Clementine's boots scrapped on the concrete of the driveway as she hurried out of her house. She fumbled in her bag for her keys and scrambled into the front seat, jamming them into the ignition with a quick movement.

Nothing happened.

"What the...?" She mumbled, raising an eyebrow. The girl tried once more but to no avail.

Frustrated, she removed herself, slamming the car door on her way.

For a brief moment, she considered calling Louis, who would give her a ride in a heartbeat. However, she still harbored guilt from their most recent kiss. They hadn't spoken for days as a result. She missed him, everything about him. But she couldn't bring herself to hurt him once again with another dismissal of his advances. He was one of her best friends and she didn't want to lose him, but it would take time.

So for now, her mom would have to give her that ride.

~

Clem wanted to look at him, see his warm smile, one of his flirty winks. She wanted to feel his warmth as he sat next to her, but here she was, alone, listening to their teacher drone on in French. She envied her parents, who left on a trip after she and her brother were dropped off.

She wanted away. She wanted out. She wanted to be far from here.

Her attention was caught by a laugh on the other side of the room. It came from Louis, of course. He was chatting with the friends in this class who he had ditched to hang out with her. He made eye contact with her, nodding.

She looked away.

When the bell rang, she rushed out, ready to be home as soon as possible when she remembered she was without her car. The realization hit her hard as, a result of the November weather, the air was nipping with cold.

Nevertheless, she pulled out her headphones, ready to plug them in when a voice called from behind her.

"Clemmy!"

She internally groaned. She needed him as far away from her as possible to prevent another incident. Another mistake. Despite how much she wanted it.

"Hey Lou," she greeted, turning around. Her heart was beating faster by just looking at him. His freckles seemed more prominent, his jawline sharp and smile wide. He was intoxicating. "What's up?"

"Nothing, you just seemed kind of down." He shrugged. "Plus, we haven't really talked or... y' know, discussed what happened w-with Oliver and all that."

"That's not important-" Their conversation was cut short by her ringtone. She fished for her phone, holding up her finger to signal a halt to their conversation.

Louis watched as she moved further away from him with her arms crossed. She looked different then she had the last time they'd hung out, the bags under her eyes seeming heavier and heavier. Ever since she got back together with her cheating prick of a boyfriend, he had decided to give her space.

But god, did he hate it.

He was admiring her when suddenly, she became aggravated, shouting into the phone before abruptly hanging up.

"What's wrong?"

"My younger brother. He got himself into some shit and I need to pick him up."

"So what's the issue?"