Feeling This -Clouis-

2: Rare and Beautiful

Today's music: Saturn by Sleeping at Last

Today's picture: Louis holding a bruised Clementine

Four days later

*Clem's POV*

I go to adjust my hat, only to sigh to myself when I realize it's still not there. I've probably done that a thousand times since I lost it and it's driving me crazy. Not to mention the fact that I'm stuck in this bed until the end.

"You okay?" Louis asks, peeking up from the book in his hand. In one of the crates was chuck full of empty journals and notebooks. While we saved most for Aasim and his history book, everyone was given three to have whatever we wanted inside. I'm pretty sure the one that Louis is writing in is his new song book, but he refuses to let me see.

"I'm tired, Louis." I admit.

"Then get some sleep." Louis puts down the item in his hand, leaving it on the dresser behind him. He's been sitting in the chair next to me since I was well enough to be moved down here. "I'll blow out the candles."

"No," I grab his wrist to keep him from going anywhere. "I'm tired. I think tonight is the night."

"Clem..." He frowns deeply.

"It's gonna be my second goodbye to AJ, so please. Even if I start to feel okay, don't let anyone in but Ruby until she says that the infection is gone." I plead. "I can't keep giving farewells, I don't have much more left in me."

"We can give you more meds, we can-"

"Louis." I say firmly. "It's time for me to go. Now, will you please get the others?" He hangs his head, but does as he's told. Everyone comes in with fresh masks on their faces, filing into the room. Louis returns to his chair beside me and AJ immediately rushes for a hug, sitting on the matress by my leg once he recieves it. "Omar?"

"I'm here." He comes up to me, stopping by the bunkbed.

"Don't be afraid to lighten up a little. If you have ideas about how things should go, speak up. Let other people know when they're in the wrong." I tell him. "Willy?"

"You're a smart kid, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You have so much potential to do great things, you just have to be brave enough to try. I know that sometimes you get afraid to step up, but you're stronger than you think." 

"Aasim?"

"Keep writing. And please, don't ever stop. When you have kids, they're gonna need to know how things went down. That the world wasn't always like this. Never keep what you're feeling hidden. You never want to be laying on your deathbed or looking at someone's grave saying 'coulda, shoulda, woulda'. Let her know how you feel before it's too late. Keep an eye on Louis for me, okay?"

"Ruby?"

"You are capable of so much more than you realize. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because they are the things that lead to success. Let go of the past and keep moving forward. But don't get stuck in the future, because you never know what can happen. Focus on making right now the best that you can."

"Tennessee?"

"I know that life has been unfair to you. I can't imagine thinking you lost two sisters only to lose them all over again. You have good ideas and don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild, but make sure you come back down to earth. There's not always time for dreams and rainbows and sunshine in this world. But if you work hard enough, maybe life will get back to that, someday."