*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐖𝐎: 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 ˚୨୧⋆｡
CLEM WAS SETTLING IN. Anastasia stumbled upon her old desk while rummaging through storage and decided to pass it on to Clementine. The Katz girl sat at her computer, scrolling through upcoming events, feeling like she had been cooped up in her room all day. She realized she had only texted Robby once in the past week. As she browsed, she came across an ad for the local country club. Anxious thoughts raced through her mind as she bit her lip. The cost wasn't too high, but she hesitated because she wasn't sure about wearing a swimsuit. It reminded her of her old self-harm scars from a year ago.
She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Her gaze fell upon her scars, and she embraced them as her battle wounds. With a shaky sigh, she mustered the courage to face the world. Swiveling in her wheely chair, she made her way downstairs, where she found Anastasia engrossed in a heated argument with the TV. Catching sight of Clementine, Anastasia turned her head. "Hey, Clem, what's up?" she asked her. Clementine nervously fidgeting with her nails, "Um... I was wondering if I could go to this country club... it doesn't cost much..."
Anastasia playfully waved her hand, sending popcorn flying through the air, attempting to catch it in her mouth. With a triumphant catch, she happily munched on her popcorn. "Oh, yeah... I'm a member. Just say you're my guest. They adore me," she assured Clementine, who nodded in agreement.
She paused, noticing the unusual quietness in the room, and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Where's Tyler?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. Anastasia turned her attention towards her, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Oh, yeah. He's at a bro sleepover," she replied, her voice dropping to a fake, exaggeratedly deep and manly tone. The absurdity of the moment struck them both, and they burst into laughter, their joyful sounds filling the room. "Okay," she replied, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, satisfied with the humorous explanation.
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ONCE CLEM ARRIVED, she was allowed in immediately. She clutched her bag tightly, holding it close as she looked around with a lost puppy expression, her eyes searching for familiarity. As she walked, her gaze fixated on the pool, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips when she spotted Robby. Lost in her thoughts, she failed to watch where she was going and accidentally bumped into a girl.
Startled, she quickly looked up, her eyes meeting those of a blonde girl accompanied by another girl. "Oh, shit. I'm so sorry," Clementine blurted out, her voice filled with genuine remorse. Her face flushed with embarrassment, she wore a flustered look, hoping the apology would be enough to make amends.
The blonde's lips curled into a warm smile, radiating a welcoming energy. "Don't worry about it, sweetie. You're new here, right? I haven't seen you around before," she stated, her friend beside her nodding in agreement. "Oh yeah, you're Anastasia Katz's niece, aren't you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Clementine affirmed with a nod, a soft hum escaping her lips. The blonde's eyebrows shot up, her eyes widening with excitement. "That's so cool! Your aunt runs the absolute best restaurant in town," she exclaimed, her admiration evident in her voice.
Clementine cleared her throat, her voice filled with curiosity. "I'm Clementine. And you guys are...?" she trailed off, eager to learn their names.
Tory's bright smile lit up her face as she responded, "I'm Tory." The warmth in her voice was contagious, instantly making Clementine feel at ease. Turning to the girl beside her, Aisha, Clementine couldn't help but notice her friendly demeanor. "And I'm Aisha," she chimed in, her voice carrying a sense of camaraderie. Clementine felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized she had stumbled upon two kind and welcoming individuals.
She glanced over at Robby once more, her heart sinking as she saw him with Sam. A pang of jealousy pricked at her stomach, but she fought to maintain a smile on her face. Nervously, she scratched her arm, the scars hidden beneath her sleeve catching Tory's observant eye. Though Tory noticed, she chose not to mention it, instead diverting the conversation to a more positive note. "Love your swimsuit!" she exclaimed, offering a compliment to lift Clementine's spirits. "Thanks," Clementine replied, a hint of gratitude in her voice.
Tory's eyes sparkled with joy as she nodded, her smile radiating warmth. "You're welcome," she said, her voice filled with genuine kindness. "Well, I'm gonna go grab some drinks for us. Wanna join us?" she asked, her excitement palpable.
Clementine's lips curled into a gentle smile as she shook her head, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mystery. "No, thanks," she replied, her voice soft and laced with anticipation. "I gotta find someone."
As Tory and Aisha walked away, their laughter fading into the background, Clementine's gaze locked onto Robby. Time seemed to slow down as she watched him engage in conversation with Sam. The air was charged with a mix of curiosity and longing, urging her to take a step closer.
Clementine's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her veins. With her bag held tightly against her side, she maneuvered through the sea of people in the crowded food court, determined to reach Robby. Each step brought her closer to him, and her anticipation grew with every passing moment.
As she descended the stairs, her eyes remained locked on Robby, who was engaged in conversation with Sam. Clementine couldn't help but admire his easy charm and the way he interacted with others. It only fueled her desire to approach him and share a moment together.
Finally, the distance between them closed, and Clementine found herself standing before Robby. Time seemed to stand still as their eyes met, an unspoken connection forming between them. A smile slowly spread across Robby's lips, mirroring the warmth that filled Clementine's heart. The sight of his genuine happiness sent a rush of joy through her, causing a soft blush to grace her cheeks.
In that fleeting moment, Clementine couldn't help but feel a surge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this encounter would be the start of something beautiful.
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CLEMENTINE TOOK A DIP IN THE POOL WHILE ROBBY TANNED. Clementine and Robby exchanged a brief moment of reconciliation before Clementine dipped herself into the cool water of the pool. She swam laps tirelessly, feeling the exertion in her muscles. But then, something unexpected happened. As Clementine submerged her head in the water, a rush of memories flooded her mind, transporting her back to her childhood.
She couldn't help but hold her breath, her body still beneath the surface as the memories washed over her. In her mind's eye, she saw herself and Alison, giggling and playfully pushing each other in the pool. The joy of those moments resonated within her, but then, like a sharp sting, the memory shifted. Clementine recalled the painful scrape of her knees when she had fallen, the laughter abruptly silenced by the sound of Alison's parents arguing about the lack of supervision.
As the memory faded, Clementine remained seated on the pool floor, the weight of the past lingering in her thoughts. It was a bittersweet reminder of the innocence and the consequences that came with growing up.
Clementine stayed submerged in the water for what felt like an eternity, but surprisingly, she was unbothered by the passing time. Finally, she resurfaced, gasping for air as she brushed her hands through her damp hair. As she turned her head towards Robby, she noticed a look of pure terror on his face. The Manager was engaged in a conversation with him, causing Clementine to furrow her eyebrows in confusion. With determination, she swam towards the pool's edge, propelling herself out of the water with a sense of urgency.
Clementine approached the scene with a cautious expression, her eyes scanning the situation. She swiftly picked up her towel, wrapping it around herself to dry off. With a hint of concern in her voice, she questioned the manager, "Is something wrong, sir?" The manager held his phone out, seemingly contemplating calling 9-1-1. Calmly, he reassured Clementine, "Nothing to worry about, Miss Katz. Just... dealing with this troublemaker, removing them from the premises." As the manager spoke, Robby nervously licked his lips, catching Clementine's gaze.
Clementine stood her ground, crossing her arms defiantly. "Listen up," she declared firmly. "Robby here is my guest, and he's definitely not a delinquent." The manager hesitated, his hands hidden behind his back. Attempting to reason with her, he said, "Ma'am, I don't think you understand." Clementine dismissed his words with a wave of her hand. "No, it's you who doesn't understand," she asserted. "Robby is my guest, and that's final." With a nod of his head, the manager reluctantly walked away.
Clementine shot him a piercing glare as he retreated. She let out a deep sigh, releasing the tension in her shoulders, and lowered her arms. With a determined motion, she tossed her towel onto the chair and spread it out before taking a seat next to Robby. "I'm really sorry," Robby apologized, his voice filled with remorse. Clementine shook her head, offering reassurance. "Rob, you don't have to apologize. But do you have any idea what that was all about? Was he mistaking you for someone else?"
Robby let out a heavy sigh. "Uh, before I met you and the LaRussos... I was a completely different person. Me and my friends, we got involved in some illegal stuff that I deeply regret," he confessed, his voice filled with remorse. Clementine's face contorted into a frown. "Did... Did you hurt anyone?" she asked, her concern evident. Robby shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no. Nothing like that," he reassured her.
Understanding his past, Clementine nodded in understanding. "But that guy's words got to you, huh? You're thinking about leaving?" she huffed. "Hell no. Are you gonna let that scare you away? We all make mistakes, Rob. I mean, I've made plenty in my life, and I still mess up sometimes. It's part of being human."
Robby lips curled into a smile. "You're right."
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CLEMENTINE FELL ASLEEP FROM THE SUN SHINING ON HER. As Clementine slowly fluttered her eyes open, she felt a pang of confusion when she realized that Robby was no longer by her side. Wondering where he had disappeared to, she propped herself up and reached over to her bag. With anticipation, she retrieved her phone and held her breath as she unlocked the screen. And there it was, a text message from Robby, waiting to be read. The suspense was palpable as Clementine's eyes scanned the screen, eager to uncover what Robby had to say.
Robby: if you're wondering where i went, i had to go check on something. we'll catch up more another time :)
Clementine: okay :)
With a smile firmly fixed on her lips, Clementine let out a sigh and rose from the sun chair. She tossed her towel into her bag and held it close as she made her way out of the country club. As she walked, her eyes caught sight of Robby, his hand pressed against his head as if in pain. Her eyebrows furrowed with concern, and she approached him. "Are you okay?" her voice rang out, reaching his ears. Robby turned his head, only to find Sam looking at Clementine with a smirk on her lips. It was Clementine—the girl he couldn't seem to stop talking about.
Robby winced, his hand still pressed against his throbbing head. "Uh, yeah... I got into this intense scuffle with those guys I told you about. Can you believe it? They were stealing stuff from people," he explained, frustration evident in his voice. As Robby shared his story, Clementine's eyes widened in disbelief, her eyebrows shooting up towards her hairline.
Concern flooded her features, and she instinctively took a step closer to Robby, her hands reaching up to cup his face gently. With a focused gaze, she carefully examined his eyes, searching for any signs of a concussion. "Phew! Looks like you dodged a bullet there. No signs of a concussion, thank goodness. Just make sure to keep a close eye on it, okay?" she reassured him, her voice filled with genuine care and relief.
Sam playfully glanced at her mom, wiggling her eyebrows and flashing a mischievous smile. Robby couldn't help but notice, feeling a warm blush creep onto his cheeks. "I promise, I'll be fine. You go on home. I'll text you later," he reassured Clementine, his voice filled with sincerity. Clementine nodded, a hint of hesitation in her movements as she turned to walk away. But before she could get too far, Robby called out her name. "Clem?" he called, causing her to snap her head around, curiosity etched on her face. "Hey, how about going on a date with me this Friday?" he asked, a hopeful tone in his voice.
Clementine's lips curled into a smile, a playful glimmer in her eyes. "Sure... Pick me up at eight?" she suggested, her voice laced with a hint of anticipation. Robby couldn't help but mirror her smile, nodding enthusiastically. "Okay," he replied, his voice filled with excitement and a touch of nervousness. The prospect of their upcoming date filled the air with an electric energy, leaving them both eagerly counting down the days until Friday.
ash speaks!
finally got motivated!! i finished figuring out the season two plot and i'm excited for you guys to get to know clem:)))