Preacher's Daughter: A Modern Clato Fanfic

Chapter 16

Clove didn't audition for the school play. She lied and told Madge that she needed to go to the bathroom, and after she got out of the auditorium, she made a beeline for the doors leading outside of the building. She could not believe what her father had done. Would he have thought to do such a thing if he really knew how much Clove loved the idea of playing Juliet? And if Cato was Romeo...

She tried to push the thought from her mind. What a foolish thing to think. Cato, as her Romeo? What a silly suggestion! There was no way someone of his character could pull off such a role! But yet, Clove had felt something when she read with him. She felt like they had good chemistry, and had some sort of connection that made her feel the way she did. 

"Clove!" She whirled around, only to see Cato running toward her, hiking his bag up over his shoulder. "Wait up!" 

"No last names this time?" she asked with raised eyebrows once he was closer to her. Cato let out a chuckle as he and Clove made their way out of the school together. "No, I guess not," he grinned, blue eyes twinkling. "I decided to be nice to you today. But that isn't the point. Why are you leaving?" 

The answer to what he was asking was in fact very simple, which was startling to Clove. "I don't want to do it anymore," she shrugged. "Not if it isn't Romeo and Juliet. That's the play I wanted to audition for, and if they want to change productions, then I'm not going to try out. It's as simple as that. 

"Plus you want a chance to kiss me," Cato said, a cocky look on his face. Clove rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile at the same time. She was praying that he wouldn't notice it.

They stopped at a tree at the front of the building, and Cato dropped his bag at his feet. "So," he started, leaning back against the bark and folding his arms over his chest. "What do we do now?"

Clove figured that Cato wouldn't audition, not if the school was putting on one of the scenes from the Bible. It was clear that he wanted nothing to do with any sort of religion, so that meant not going out for a role in a religious book such as the Bible.

Clove shrugged. Her eye once was drawn to something that was hanging around his neck. She had seen it before, what appeared to be a simple silver chain that he kept tucked into his shirt. It was barely noticeable, but Clove found herself aware of it every time she came in contact with the blonde. She didn't understand why he would hide it. Would it ruin his already too large ego to be caught with such a thing?

"What's that?" the words flooded out from her lips before she could stop them.

"What's what?" Cato asked, narrowing his crystal eyes. "That." Clove stood up on her toes and got closer to him, gripping onto the silver chain. "What is this?"

Cato's expression changed. He tensed up and tore away from her, scowl on his face. "Don't touch that," he snapped, making sure it was still tucked into his shirt.

Clove regretted her actions. She knew that she shouldn't have asked, but she couldn't help but feeling curious. Was it something that personal to him? Why did he hide it, then?

"Okay," Clove mumbled, heat rising up to her pale cheeks. "I'm sorry if I offended you." She bit down on her bottom lip, eyes focused on the grass below her.

She heard Cato let out a sigh. "It's alright," he said, trying to regain his composure. "Maybe some day, I'll show you. I'll tell you all about it, answer any questions you may have. Just, not now."

"That's understandable. I didn't mean to intrude. I apologize-"

Cato cut her off by putting finger to Clove's lips. The action made the girl weak in the knees, and her heart beat quickened. "Would you stop apologizing?" he whispered. "Gosh, for once I'd like to see you do something to someone else and not say you're sorry about it."

"But that would be rude," Clove countered.

"But it's not always your fault, Clover," Cato responded.

"It does't have to be my fault for me to be sorry." (A/N: If anyone gets this Fosters reference, I will be happy!)

"Whatever," was the boy's lame reply. "Anyway, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"Yeah," Clove laughed. "Unless you come sneaking into my room again."

"You know you liked it," Cato said smugly. The two burst out laughing, and headed their separate ways in the parking lot.

***

SORRY!!! It's been over a month, but I've been super busy lately. I honestly don't even know where to begin telling you things. 

For starters, @ClatoMaroonDiamonds tagged me to do a 10 Things That Make Me Happy Challenge, so here they are:

1.) Writing

2.) Reading

3.) My Family

4.) When People Like My Works

5.) My Friends

6.) Watching Blackhawks Hockey With My Family

7.) Listening To Music

8.) Goofing Off With My Sister

9.) Watching BookTube

10.) A Glass Of Iced Tea On A Hot Summer Day

And a huge thank you to those of you who have been messaging me! Especially those asking for advice. I don't think I'm even qualified for that sort of thing, but it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.