Broken

"Clementine..." his voice is gentle, as though he's reading my mind.

He searches my eyes, concern seeps through his features. I swallow the lump in my throat. I don't like this display of affection. I can take care of myself, I don't need his or anyone's help.

"I'm fine. I can take care of myself," my voice wavers towards the end, making me doubt myself. Can I? If he hadn't been there, I could be dead.

He steps towards me and tucks a hair strand from my face behind my ear, eyes still locked on mine. A shiver runs down my spine at his touch, I'm completely captivated.

He nods and caresses the side of my face. I subconsciously nuzzle my face into the palm of his hand, his touch spreads a surprising warmth across my entire body. "I know you can..." he says softly, "You just don't have to."

---

Being the daughter of a famous celebrity is a great thing, for most. For Clementine? Not so much.

Clementine Charmant has been hiding from the public eye since the tormenting events of her childhood. It's for her own safety and protection, her mother tells her. And it's true. She knows what he is, she knows who he is, and she knows what he's capable of.

She's content with her life in New York. For the most part. She has a good job... An awesome and loyal best friend who lives thousands of miles away... And a plan. A plan to breeze through senior year unobtrusively and start fresh at Columbia University after graduating.

When Clementine receives striking news that she would be moving back to LA for her senior year; to where her best friend is, to where everything happened, to where HE is... She is more than conflicted.

Will a year in the place she used to call home change her plans and life forever?