Chapter 19- Catch Me When I Fall

- Louis' POV

I awoke early in the morning, rubbing my eyes with my free hand, still holding Clem with my other arm. My weary mind struggles to remember the night before, but at last I remember her silent sobbing and my trying to calm her down. I yawn from tiredness as my back is sore and it's rather chilly out. James was on the other end of the camp with AJ, packing things and engaging in conversation with him. I look next to me to see Clem leaning her head against my shoulder, hands still in her lap, holding her hat. I gently shake her in an attempt to wake her, as we have a long day ahead of us, walking back to the school. "Clem. Hey, Clem, it's time to go now." I whisper to her as she groans and adjusts, still half asleep. "Clem, we have to go now." She exhales deeply, turning back to face me, seemingly not knowing exactly where she was. I blushed at the sight of her, sleeping peacefully next to me, completely off guard. Finally she opens her eyes, squinting from the sun before looking directly at me. "Morning, Clem." I say, smiling at her. She sits up, yawning before... "Wait... What happened last night?" Her eyebrows furrow as she puts her hat on, looking at me in confusion. "You were... Having a nightmare. I guess we must've fallen asleep hugging each other." This statement makes her blush furiously, looking down, supposedly searching for something in an attempt to make it less awkward.

Once everyone was ready, we headed off towards the school to get medical help for AJ, and possibly convince the others to let them stay. I know, everything with Marlon. It's hard to forgive someone after something like that, but... What other choice was there, really? He betrayed us, pointed the gun at her, then at me and everyone else. He was my best friend, but he messed up. If there was a way to move past that, with him still alive, I'd have chosen that. I guess I'll never know. For now though, I need to help AJ and Clem. I was at war with myself, in my mind. I just couldn't forget what happened, but at the same time we're all survivors, we all need to make it through. I don't know what it is about her, but she makes me feel like I've never felt before. Such strong emotions and when I saw her crying last night, sobbing, alone, I had to do something.

Lost in thought, debating in my mind, I notice something bright up ahead tied to a tree. They were the traps! We finally made it! As we reached near the gate, James said his farewell and went on his way, leaving AJ, Clem and I by ourselves. Willy was on watch, and when he saw us he went to get someone. We stood by the gate, waiting for someone. At this point, AJ had been wanting to be by Clem, so she was the one carrying him. She swayed on her feet a little, her arms slightly trembling. I look over to her in confusion as I see her fighting to stay up. I see her start to go down and I catch her when her knees hit the dirt, making her let out a pained moan. "Clem, are you okay?" I asked her, concerned because she had seemed fine earlier. "I'm okay, I just..." She's cut off as the gate opens, revealing Violet coming to pick up AJ from Clem's weakened arms. "Clem, what... What happened??" Violet gasps at the sight of AJ, pale and weak. "Shrapnel from a bullet. He's got a fever." Clem says back, her voice still holding worry and concern for him. "I'll get him inside, and get Ruby, okay? Then we need to talk later." She said as she carried AJ inside, alerting the others as I gripped her arm tightly. "Clem, are you okay?" I asked sternly as her vision kind of blurred. "I'm okay, I just... I.. Just..." She fell unconscious, her head falling opposite of me as I wrapped my arm around her quickly before she hit the ground, proceeding to pick her up. Whatever the reason, something was wrong.

Everyone looked on as I carried her to the dorms, bringing her inside and opening the door to their old room. I set her down gently on the bed, covering her with the blanket and checking her temperature. She seemed fine... A few minutes later, maybe 5, she shifted and woke again. She tried to sit up, but I made sure she didn't as it would only worsen her condition. "What happened?" She asked me as I held her hand. "You blacked out at the gates, so I carried you in here. I don't know why. I mean, are you okay?" I asked for the third time. "Yes, I'm okay now. Just when Lilly kicked me and all that, it must've... I don't know. It just hurt. Plus all the travelling and not eating, I guess it was just too much to handle." She rubbed her head. "Can I check something maybe?" I asked her, making her lift an eyebrow. "I guess..." She replied, still uncertain. "Where did she kick you?". "She kicked my ribcage. Why?" She asked, feeling the soreness. I turned more to face her, sitting on the edge of the bed, and I put one hand on her stomach. "Louis, what're you doing?" Clem was slightly nervous as I did this, that's where it supposedly hurt. "I'm checking to see if it's broken." I replied, applying a small amount of pressure on the wound. She was uncomfortable, but it didn't really seem to hurt. I applied a bit more, which made her grimace. More and more until... "Ah! F*ck!" She half jolted up in pain, making me feel bad. "Sh*t Clem, sorry..." I removed my hand from her stomach, now placing it beside me on the bed. "I don't think it's broken, but it's definitely bruised." I said, alleviating a bit of her anxiety.

Yeah it's probably really corny and such, but I'm trying to make it more original. So like... Hope you enjoy!!