Quid Pro Quo

s e v e n t e e n: 20/20 vision

Hey everybody!

Getting a chapter out almost a month late? Just my style.

By the way, I'm sorry for that. Getting back into school was harder than I thought.

I hope you guys enjoy nonetheless and PLEASE listen to the song above, Pleaser by Wallows, it's played later.

Love you!

Remember to vote, comment, and share!

Bye!

~

"...So maybe I had better leave..." Louis mumbled to himself, scribbling the words into a notebook. In his lap was his guitar, which he had been strumming for the better part of an hour. With a final twist of his pencil, he had finished writing his first song in years.

It was the morning of December 31st, his room lit only by the sunrise. He had made a habit of waking up early in order to work on his piece of music, which he had been doing nonstop for a little over a week. But now, as he read over the lyrics, he was reminded once again about Clementine.

They'd hadn't really hung out since Christmas. Besides the odd facetime call or text, nothing despite the opportunities she'd given him. This was only because he had been entirely focused on his music. But every single time he thought of her, yearned to simply be near her, he was fueled with inspiration. He wanted this song to be filled with his feelings, which he was so desperate to tell her that he was practically bursting at the seams. The only reason he hadn't yet was that he was just scared of how she would react, like perhaps he had been misreading every little flirtatious thing, as if every kiss was impulsive and based on nothing, and much more to cause his delusion.

Just as she was gracing his mind with her presence, his phone began ringing, her name appearing on the screen.

"Lou," She started, dragging out his nickname when he answered.

"Clemmy, what're you doing up?" Hearing her voice made him grin. He gripped his guitar tighter, excitement flashing straight through his veins.

"I could ask you the same, dork."

"I asked you first."

"Well, I've been thinking about tonight."

"And what's the verdict?"

"I'm not really in the mood for a party. Literally the thought of one right now makes me claustrophobic."

"That's fine, what do you wanna do instead?"

"Can we hang out at your house?"

"Yeah, whatever you want. That sounds like fun."

"It will be, we can make sure of it."

"Alright, Clem, get some sleep and I'll talk to you later."

"Fine, kisses!" She made several lip-smacking noises before the line went dead, leaving Louis buzzing.

So this might be it. The night with nobody around, no obstacles, nothing to prevent him from finally telling her.

The real question was if he was actually going to be able to do it.

~

Hours later, Clementine stood on Louis's front porch. She smoothed down her shirt, anxiety running down to her fingertips. She didn't really know why though, this was Louis, her best friend.

Someone she had come to care for so much in such a short amount of time than she ever thought imaginable. Someone she had felt things for that she hadn't felt for anyone else, even Oliver.