Preacher's Daughter: A Modern Clato Fanfic

Chapter 4

Cato smirked as he took a seat at the dinning room table. Just as he had predicted, these people were very much friendly and too, well, them for his taste. But there was something about the girl, Clove, that made him curious. She didn't seem as relaxed and comfortable in her own skin as her parents were. She wasn't wearing any makeup, maybe it had to do something with vanity. He still thought she was stunning. Something about her porcelain like face and freckles that danced across her cheekbones screamed beauty. 

She looked jumpy, like she was anticipating the moment someone could come out and attack her. When he looked at her and she him, Cato thought she look worried and frightened. 

Why did I have to wink at her? 

Cato was shocked at his own thoughts. He had never shown remorse for being charming to a girl. If charming was the correct word for it. She wasn't like the girls he typically would go for, which was what made the whole situation that more stranger. He had never classified a girl as beautiful before, just hot. 

Cato frowned at the thought that maybe this town was changing him already. 

His mother seemed to be enjoying her time in the home. Catherine and John sat down with the same smiles that had been on their lips since the moment they opened the front door. Cato questioned whether or not that hurt their faces. 

Just after John asked where they had moved to, Clove walked in the room. She glanced at Cato for a split second before averting her gaze and taking her seat at the table next to her mother. Cato kept his glance on her, still trying to figure out how she moved. How she spoke. Everything. 

Stop it! You're going all mushy in the head. 

Cato felt the need to answer the question. Maybe if he acted like a good son then maybe his mother would drive them back home. Ha. Probably not. 

"We moved from Miami," the blonde responded in a casually tone. His mother smirked, but it quickly faded when more words flooded from his lips. "And compared to Florida, this town is completely and utterly shitty." 

***

Clove's mouth almost fell wide open. Did he just swear? Did he just curse? 

Cato just sat there unfazed an acted like what he did wasn't a big deal. Cynthia gulped nervously and cast her son a glare. John and Catherine were both stunned, unable to move. The raven haired girl chewed on her bottom lip, eyes darting to and fro between each person in the room. 

She cleared her throat, causing everyone's head to snap to her. Clove gulped. 

"Well," she said, staring straight into Cato's blue orbs. "In Elmore City we do not say such words. We believe in a more civilized atmosphere. Frankly, I have never personally been to Miami but I am sure it is a lovely place. But I can also assure you, Cato, is it? Well I can assure you, Cato, that you will learn to love this town." 

Cato just snorted. "Yeah, it's Cato. And I can assure you Clove, that I am not going to 'learn to love this town,'" he quoted her previous words. "And from my understanding, isn't free speech something you religious folk support?" 

Clove could feel her stomach start to turn. How dare he speak like this in front of their elders? It made her sick, to be honest. 

"That might be so," she practically hissed, leaning back and folding her arms over her chest, something her mother would frown upon, "but I do believe cussing is considered a sin. I should know, because I actually attend mass every Sunday and I've read the Bible. According to people around here, you are not a person to do so." 

Cato mirrored her expression, and glared at her as well. It made Clove feel uncomfortable, but yet at the same time, turned on. 

What the heck am I thinking?

"Ha. Yeah, the perfect little Christian. But if I do say so myself, I'm appalled. Isn't spreading rumors considered a sin? Intruding on people's personal lives?" 

Clove awaited what he would say next whilst the adults in the room were too shocked about what their children were saying all they could do was watch. 

"But," the blonde boy went on, "I suppose what you've heard is probably true; most of it, anyway." 

Clove couldn't help but smirk. This was odd for her. She had never behaved in this manor before. "Then living here may be good for you," she stated. "Maybe you'll learn to get your disgusting act together. People like you don't belong here." 

"Now that's something we can agree on! That I should get the hell out!" the teenage boy shouted in reply, throwing his arms up in the air. 

"Oh! That's fantastic! I bet that's the only thing! You're like an entirely different species. Crass and unkempt!" 

"You better watch your tongue! Calling others names may result in you burning in Hell for all eternity!" 

"Even better! I can spend forever rotting with you!" she said sarcastically. 

"Well, if you hadn't insulted me!" 

"Well, if you hadn't sworn in my home!" 

"That's enough!" John finally cut the bickering pair off. "Clove Isabelle Sevina! We never raised you to be so foul and rude!" 

Cynthia added in on that. "And you!" she said sharply toward her son. "It's your fault we're in this mess to begin with! You best get your act together, Cato Alexander Hadley. Or I swear to you, you will burn in Hell. The next time you want to say something, I suggest you think for a moment and bite your tongue." 

The two teens huffed. 

"Well," Catherine said with a nervousness to her tone. "Who's ready to eat?" 

***

First Day Back At School Was Today. Yuck. Welcome back the stress!!

To be quite honest, it feels like I was never on break. Upsetting, I know. 

That's really all that I have to say, I think. Except I'm in a blah mood and really have no motivation to return to my own personal Hell tomorrow. People at my school annoy me.