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Clementine
It's finally the next English lesson, meaning the pair could meet for the first tine and begin the project. Near her locker, Clem was eyeing the door in anticipation. Class was finished but she determined to see the boy that she only knew as Louis. Each student that walked out, she recognised already. That was until, an unknown boy strolled into the corridor.
Walking out of the English class room, Louis knew that there was a project and partner waiting for him. Marlon and filled him in on everything. His absence from last lesson prevented him from beginning the dreaded work. English literature was not his strong suit either. The pointless hospital appointments were partially to blame for that.
Louis was a tall boy, but had a slender figure - not that anyone noticed. His hair was styled in dreads, which was a signature for his looks. His cheekbones and nose was scattered with faint freckles on his dark skin. The tan combat boots on his feet showed his large feet size, linking to his height. He was clearly an attractive boy, but was alone most of the time.
Upon spotting him, Clem instantly knew that was her project partner. There was no denying, he was attractive. But, there was no time for admiring him as he was already walking her way. This was now her chance.
Stepping away from her locker, the petite girl was now blocking the dread heads route. He looked down, eyeing the random girl. After all, she was purposely blocking his way.
"Hey. You're Louis, right?" She asked, her tone sounding questioning. But, surprisingly, not threatening.
Louis's face showed a mixture of emotions - confusion, wariness and fear. His only response to the question was a small nod, leaning backwards slightly away from her.
"Great. We have an English project together. Here's my number." She spoke with confidence, tucking the paper into his non suspecting rough hand. "Text me when you're free, so we can start it." And with that, she strolled away. She acted like that never happened, while Louis was internally freaking out.
A random voice shouted, "Ew. Why's the hot new girl talking to him." But Louis ignored the venomous comment. But, there was no denying that it hurt to hear.
The encounter had Louis feeling dumbfounded. A girl that he didn't recognise had basically ambushed her, gave him her number and walked away like it never happened.
But, Clem was silently wondering why he never spoke, the entire time she was in front of him.
"Hey dude, you ok?" Marlon asked from nowhere, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder.
His reply was just a nod of the head, trying to recollect his thoughts. It was a very random act, since things like that didn't happen to Louis.
"Do you want any help or anything? Stuff like this can be hard for you. I can tell her about the situation, in private obviously." The blonde boy rambled.
Louis sighed while pocketing the piece of paper. He began to move his hands, saying 'No, I want to do this alone. I'm fed up of everyone treating me weirdly just because I can't talk. I'll be independent and do it alone.'
He understood what was signed. Marlon pulls his hands away, and into a surrender motion before saying "Okay man. I get it. Me and Vi are here though, if y'all need help." Which earned a smile from Louis, showing his appreciation.
Louis's reply to his best friend was in sign language.
Louis cannot talk, even if he wanted to. He's not mute by choice, as some of the harsh school kids would say.
His worst fear now was, how would this project with the new girl go?
Louis
The end of lunch was approaching, so Clem took an early leave from her empty table. Her lesson was gym, and happened to be on the other side of the school.
Turning a corner, she blindly stumbled into a hard being. Not hard enough to fall, but enough to be shocked at the encounter. Embarrassingly enough, it was actually Marlon.
The same blonde from English class on her first day.
"Oh, hey Clem. Where you off to in a hurry?" He spoked, sounding dazed from the sudden, and literal, run in.
Gathering her thoughts, she replied "Hi. Oh, I'm just going to gym lesson." Emphasis on her gym kit.
Pausing to think, Marlon's responded "Violet is in gym next, I'll tell her to play nice and be friendly with you." He looked around, checking for other student before continuing "She can be quite a hand full."
Clem giggled at the comment, noticing the humorous fear on his face when talking about his friend.
"Well thanks, I better go before I'm late." The petite girl announced, beginning to exit the area.
As she was walking away from the conversation, the mullet boy called her back again. "Clem?"
"Yeah?" Her tone sounding confused.
"With this project and Louis.. It's kinda, overwhelming for him. So, just be patient with him. Yeah?" He said, his voice full of concern.
Feeling confused, but not asking questions, Clem raised and eyebrow and replied simply "Sure." Before heading to gym.
The line 'overwhelming for him' made Clem think to herself. She had only ever spoke to the boy once, but he never uttered a word to her. Every logical explanation didn't make sense. Perhaps Violet will know?
Finally finding Violet in the changing rooms, she walks up to the blonde and introduces herself.
"Hi, Marlon told me you would be here. Can I use this locker? Is that okay?" She spoke, feeling slightly wary.
Pulling her gym top over her head, Violet replied with boredom "Yep, that's fine by me."
After getting the approval of the stranger, Clem began to get changed into her gym wear too. But, she couldn't help but overhear a not so pleasant conversation.
"That freaky kid gave the new girl heart eyes today, in the corridor. Did y'all see?!" One girl spoke.
Another replied, "Why would anyone even speak to him? Those dirty dreads need to be shaved."
The first girl said "He's probably got diseases, but can't tell anyone."
Listening in, Clementine soon gathered exactly what they were talking about. It wasn't hard to figure it out. However, the thing that unsettled her the most was the way the pathetic girls spoke about the boy. The whole time Clem had been at this new school, she never heard him cause any drama - or even talk. So, it made the bitter talk even more confusing to listen to.
One of the pathetic girls from the group came over the Clem as she was placing her shoes in the locker. It wasn't like Clem knew who she was, or even wanted to associate with someone like her.
"A piece of advice, stay away from the freaky kid." The tone she said it with was pure hatred, which is what alarmed the brunette girl most.
Slamming her locker closer, Clem turned and faced the taller unknown girl herself. "And why would I do that?" She retorted.
The taller girl had a look of distaste on her, sensing the attitude in Clem's voice. "Because it's social suicide being around a loser like that." It disgusted Clem to hear a person refer to someone else as 'that'.
Clementine had seen and heard enough. "How about you mind your own business, and let me decide that for myself. Are we done here?" She spat with so much displeasure, everyone in the room soon felt the tension.
Snarling back, the irrelevant girl spat, "It's your funeral." And walked away after that.
Finally alone in the locker room after that gross encounter, Violet then approached Clem. She obviously has something to say, so she waited for the blonde to speak first.
"I'm glad that you stuck up to Becky. She likes to push everyone around and needed to be put in her place." Violet said, clearly amused. She crossed her arms in front of her torso while continuing. "And for the record, I know that Louis would appreciate that too. Even if he wouldn't admit to it."
Just as quickly that she came over, Violet then left. That left Clementine alone with her thoughts and speculations.
At this point, nothing was certain or clear. But, one thing was and that is Louis has not been in contact yet regarding the English project.
Authors note
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