Clementine sat at the edge of the woods with a plastic lawnchair and five layers of bug spray. Feeling the chill of oncoming fall flitter through her hair. Brushing it out of the part she'd combed in that morning. Way too big grey sweater covering her knees as she sat cross legged. Uncomfortable with plastic digging into her thighs. She was content.

     She was finally able to smell out of the right side of her nose. After she'd stumbled into her dark home, and into the laundry room. Only getting a good look at her blood soaked tank top before seeing the maroon stained hem of her cardigan. She threw them in, pressing cold wash before dragging herself away. Still remembering how hard it was going up the stairs. Legs like cement, body filled with exaustion.

       Today was her fourth day alone.

      Her dad wouldn't be home until school started. Maybe even longer. It was always unpredictable. And she thought that him getting custody of her would be bliss. A new house. A place where she could just become a new person. Somewhere she could start over, and spend the time with her father that she'd always dreamed of. And so far? It's been highly disappointing.

      Although the home he'd built was beautiful. It was only enteraining for a week. Painting her room. Painting her bathroom. Trying her hand at a mural on her wall- and painting over that. She hadn't even left the confines since she moved in. And you can only swim so much.

     The only person she had back where she lived prior was her boyfriend. But the kiss riddled with saltyness from tears was the last she'd ever even contacted him. He'd told her in a text soon after that he couldn't deal with long distance. And he'd blocked her number. Of course she knew it wouldn't last. The fact that they dated for a month, and that he wasn't her type weighed heavy.

      With the mention of moving from Vermont to Paris for a job offer with her mom, she'd immediately accepted the latter. Her dad just further down South. Knowing bonjor wouldn't suffice for very long. And-besides, there's always plane tickets.

      She sensed that someone made their way into her backyard because she could hear the leaves crunching. Audrey making her way through to see her sitting all alone. Facing the woods like some picture you'd see on Tumblr. Her hopes being that Max wouldn't say something mean.

      "Clem!" She'd shouted, drawing her attention.

      Standing up at the voice she was quite joyful to actually see another human being. Only to be disappointed at the guy following behind her. Of course she'd not say anything about the party. Because Audrey and Max were best friends, and she wasn't going to ruin a possible good friendship with her.

     "Long time no see." Clementine smiled.

       Stopping right in front of her, she placed a hand at her side, "Well yeah. You kinda disappeared from the fire. I just thought you'd gotten tired."

     Max locked eyes with her, worry filled, and embarrassment ridden, as she shrugged, "True, my father was leaving soon anyway so I was going to wake up early the next day to spend time with him."

      "That's sweet." She warmly grinned, "I think it deserves a celebration. What do you think Maxy poo?"

      Raising a brow he looked discusted, "Don't call me that- and I don't care. You have the car here."

      Continuing on Audrey drug her feet through the grass, "He hit a deer. Won't get his car back until summer's over as punishment. It's why I have to drag him with me to things. I was just wondering if you'd like to go with us this time."

     Suddenly interested, Clem nodded, "Sure... But what are we doing exactly?"

     Grabbing her arm, Audrey grinned as she started to pull her along, Max walking a short distance behind them. "I'm gonna show everyone that rich girls can party too."

     Wondering what exactly she meant by that, she saw a silver Jeep from like, 2004 sitting in her driveway. With someone sitting in the front seat. A realization hit that she'd be sitting in the back with Max. Her heart falling as ways to say she didn't want to come swam in her head. It was awkward enough being five feet from him, but with other people, maybe he wouldn't be an asshole.

     Each of them got in, the boy sitting behind Audrey. Leaving Clementine behind the stranger. To which he introduced himself, "I'm Rob."

     "My lovely boyfriend." Audrey added as she peeled out of the driveway.

       A short glance over at the weird girl shown that she was sitting as close to the door as she could. As far away as she could from Max. Which he'd known and felt bad about. But also angry that she was being like that. It was as if she'd been afraid of him, and frankly, he couldn't blame her.

      "So. Cleme- ita," Audrey snickered at her own name abbreviation, "I bet you're wondering why I've put you in a car, and drove you away."

      "We're going to kill you." Rob turned in his seat biting back a fit of laughter.

      Max looked over as she tensed up. Noting that she blinked rapidly, he'd rolled his eyes, "He's joking calm down."

       She looked at him and scowled, "I knew that."

      Rob too glanced at Maxwell, "Yeah dude. Shut up, you're being a buzz kill."

         "Enough." Audrey stopped the tension, "I'm trying to be deep here and you're all killing my groove."

      Back hitting the cloth seat again, Rob put his hands up in defense. And the boy sitting in the back rolled his eyes. While the other girl continued to look out at the rollibg scenery.

      "Clementine. You've been living in a chlorine pool all your life. While we've swam in ponds with god knows what fish and bacteria. You've never grown up surrounded by nothing. Never seen the sunsets, haven't even felt how fun the festivals are."

       Suddenly the car jerked onto a road tunneled by trees, as she'd continued her speech, "I know for a fact that kids at school are totally gonna take advantage of that. You're naive."

      "If they'll even talk to you," Rob added, "You're different from what people have had growing up."

        The vehicle stopped in a makeshift parking lot, and Audrey turned around, "We're going to give you a rebirth. You'll be Country Clementine from here on out."

        "Rebirth?" She questioned as they'd all exited the car.

       Tossing a towel over the car, Audrey smiled, "We're going to give you a baptism."