Misconception

12: XOXO Ricky

Clementine's POV

That night Mom, Dad, Vinny and I all eat supper together and Dad questions Mom about how it went setting up everything for me to begin homeschooling. Their conversation drowns out as Vinny and I smirk at each other across the table. 

The next day is my first official day for homeschooling. My mom goes in to work a little later just to make sure I figure everything out with logging in and stuff. Once she's left for work I realize that I'm completely alone in the house. I try to ignore that fact by playing some music on my laptop in my headphones and just try to focus on my work. I jump when I hear loud knocking on the door. I pause my music and get up to answer it. My heart drops into my stomach when I open the door. It's Chris. Shivers run down my spine and I go to shut the door in his face but he puts up his hand to stop me.

"I need to talk to you."

He pleads. I try to push the door closed but he's too strong.

"I can't talk to you."

"Please, Clementine. I really want to apologize to you. The guys haven't talked to me since everything happened."

"I need to get back to my schoolwork, Chris."

I say, just wanting him to leave.

"It'll only take five minutes."

He pleads, motioning for me to join him on the porch. I sigh.

"Fine"

I slip on some shoes and grab my jacket, joining him on the porch. He sits on the top step and motions for me to join him. I sit beside him, but as far away from him as I can possibly get. He clears his throat.

"I'm really sorry for what happened, Clementine. I don't know what I was thinking. All I know is that I think you're really cute and I don't want to stop being friends with the guys because of my own stupidity."

I look down at my hands. I can't look at him without getting shivers.

"How do I know you mean what you say?"

I ask, quietly. 

"Because I value my friendship with the guys more than anything and I don't want to lose that. They're the only people I've got."

I look up into his eyes and I see genuine sadness. I sigh.

"I forgive you, Chris, but you're going to have to talk to Vinny."

A smile spreads across Chris's face and he holds out his pinky to me.

"I promise to be a respectful gentleman from here on out."

He says, motioning for me to link my pinky with his. I hesitantly link my pinky with his large one.

That night Vinny is the first to return home.

"Why is Chris texting me that he dropped by today and apologized?"

He says, bursting into my bedroom. I swallow nervously.

"He did..."

"What bullshit did he have to say to you?"

Vinny asks. I flinch when he curses. 

"He said he was really sorry and he doesn't want to lose you guys as friends and that you're the only people he has..."

Vinny paces my bedroom.

"What else did he say?"

He pushes.

"He said he promised not to do anything like that again. He pinky promised..."

Vinny stops pacing, knowing how much I value pinky promises.

"Clementine, Chris doesn't always keep his promises."

I just look down at my hands in my lap. Vinny walks over and sits on my bed. He tips my chin up so my gaze meets his.

"I'll go to his house and talk to him tonight, but if I feel even the slightest bit of doubt I'm not going to be friends with him anymore."

He says.

That night after supper Vinny leaves for Chris's. As I'm up in my room reading I hear my phone go off.

Ricky: What's this I hear about Chris stopping by to apologize?

Me: I think he was sincere. He seemed really sad.

Ricky: Vinny's going over to Chris's to talk?

Me: Yeah, he left like 10 minutes ago.

Ricky: Looks like I'm heading to Chris's. Don't want them beating each other to death with no one there to break them up.

Me: Let me know what happens?

Ricky: Sure thing, Clemmie.

At twelve in the morning I'm woken up to my phone going off. I pounce on it, anxious to know what's going on.

Ricky: They made up. I'm on my way with your brother. They went out and got drunk.

I stay up looking out my bedroom window for Ricky. When I see headlights I dart downstairs and open the door to find Ricky helping a drunk, wobbling Vinny on the porch. 

"I'll help him up to his room."

Ricky says, walking through the door with Vinny.

"Okay, please be quiet though. Our parents will probably be mad if they catch him like this."

I say, shutting the door. I follow them up the stairs to Vinny's room where Ricky flops Vinny on the bed. We quietly leave Vinny's room and shut the door. 

"Will you tell me what happened?"

I whisper. Ricky nods and follows me into my room and shuts my door. I sit on my bed.

"What happened?"

I ask. Ricky puts his hands in his pockets.

"When I got there it was like nothing had happened. They wanted to go out drinking and wanted me to drive."

"Will Vinny be okay?"

I look up into Ricky's eyes. Ricky sits next to me on my bed.

"He'll be okay. He'll probably have a headache in the morning."

"Do you think Chris meant what he said?"

I ask, looking over at Ricky. Ricky shrugs.

"It seemed like Vinny did. All we can do is wait and see I guess."

I hug my knees to my chest.

"You don't think Chris wants to hurt me, does he?"

"I don't think Vinny would be friends with him if he wanted to hurt you, Clem. Besides, if Chris lays a finger on you I'll personally kick his butt."

I giggle and rest my head on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Ricky."

"You're welcome, sweetie."

I lay down and rest my head in his lap.

"You're a really good friend to Vinny."

I mumble, sleepily. Ricky pets my head.

"Thanks, sweetie."

I feel my eyelids grow heavy and before I know it, I drift to sleep.

I wake in the morning to a note on my nightstand:

"Clementine, you fell asleep with your head on my lap, so I stayed for a few hours, watching you sleep peacefully and petting your hair. You're a pure, innocent and kind girl. Don't let anything change that. As for Chris, don't worry about it. I'll make sure everything stays under control. XOXO, Ricky"