Chapter 7- We Should Talk

- Clementine's POV

I watched with my arms crossed as Louis walked over to the dead- again corpse, loosening the snare. It toppled over head- first onto the ground, a snapping sound echoing out into the forest as its neck broke from the pressure. He then dragged it over to the side, and fixed the snare. "Hey, AJ, could you maybe go check on Aasim for me? Just go help him hunt or something, okay?" I asked as he nodded and walked over to Aasim. "So, what did you want to talk about?" I lied, trying not to let on that I was uncomfortable. I didn't regret that night, or hate him for getting so close. I wanted to punch myself because I liked it. I got a tingly feeling in my stomach, even though I was bawling my eyes out. I liked him. It was comforting when he held me. I was happy when he held me and that made me mad, because I knew he probably didn't feel the same. More so, I can't get attached to another person. They always end up dying one way or another... I thought to myself, completely zoned out as I realized he was standing there, staring at me. He probably said something and I didn't clue in. Great job, Clementine... I sighed in my own frustration as I looked back at him, waiting for him to repeat himself.

"It's... It's about last night." He said calmly, but I could tell he was nervous. I already knew what this was about, but I didn't want to let on that I knew. Honestly, I kinda wanted to ignore it. "Okay, uh... Well, I mean... I-I'm sorry, I guess..." I mumbled as I looked down at my feet. "For what?" Louis questioned, stepping closer, clearly confused that I was the one apologizing. "I kinda... I fell asleep on you. I'm sorry. It must've been really awkward." I grimaced as I said the words. Chances are, he'd either get really mad or he'd be apologetic. Or he'd laugh it off and continue being... Louis. I wasn't actually sorry. It was the best sleep I'd had in a long time, but for his sake, I apologized. "I'm the one who should be sorry, Clem. I asked you the question in the first place, and then I came in and invaded your personal space." He said. We were both almost at a whisper at this point in time, since the others were not too far away, still within eyesight. "Louis, it's... It's okay. I-I'm happy you came in. You made me feel better and.... I actually had a good sleep." I got the courage to say these words, even though the tension was almost suffocating us. He nodded slightly. He was definitely blushing. No doubt about it, if I said one more flattering thing, he'd become a tomato. Just then, Aasim and AJ both walked up to us. Aasim flat out ignored us, shoving his way between the two of us to get to the road. "I'll bring these back to the school. You three go check on Brody and Violet." He grunted in a visibly annoyed tone.

As we walked, the thickening tension took over us. Even AJ slowed his pace, walking a few steps behind us, knowing something was wrong. I sighed in frustration. I think everyone could agree that the silence was more than deafening. "Look, Louis, if I'd have known that it would be this awkward-" I started, but he cut me off. "Clementine, don't worry about it. I was happy to comfort you, I still am. I just thought you'd react differently is all." I raised my eyebrow, now looking at him. My curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask. "What do you mean you thought I'd react differently?" I questioned him. He inhaled loudly before saying: "I honestly thought you'd hate me for it. We met like, a day ago. I guess it wasn't awkward for me because I did it before. I was the one who carried you in when you were in that car wreck. I mean, I thought you'd flat out hate me for asking the question in the first place. Then I thought you'd despise me for hugging you last night, for comforting you. But when you said you didn't mind, that you actually liked it, I was just too shocked to put into words." I widened my eyes as he explained to me. That's why the hug felt so familiar... I thought as I kept walking, my cheeks turning a warm hue of pink as I remembered that night. I glanced over at him, and he glanced at me. We both shared a smile and looked into each others eyes for a moment, before walking out into the open.

As we approached the fishing shack, I felt something... Off. It just didn't seem right to me. I looked around, trying to shake the feeling, but even just the heavy air pulled me back to my caution. "Where's Vi and Brody?" I asked, the feeling in my gut growing more and more uneasy. "They should be here by now..." Louis trailed off, looking around him. "Clem, look." AJ caught our attention as he walked somewhat slowly to a walker that lay dead on the ground. "Monster." He whispered to himself, getting a better look at the corpse. We approached the reanimated body that lay sprawled out on the ground, getting a closer look at the fishing spear that was stabbed into its skull, between its eyes. "Vi wouldn't have just left this out in the open." Louis stated, standing next to me, the concern on his face growing. "Wait... Isn't that one of our spears?" He examined the long fishing spear that cut perfectly between the walker's eyes, with extreme precision. Something's not right... My thoughts took hold of me as I looked around, my hand instinctively readying itself on my blade. Louis walked silently over to the door of the shack, looking back at me. "Clem, lock's busted." He showed me the lock that was broken and shivered as intrusive thoughts persuaded his mind. He was very unnerved now. Afraid, even. But so was I. We weren't alone...

I hope you enjoy this story and thanks for reading!