chapter fifty-six:
❛ snakes on the plane ❜

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The air in the bar was thick with energy as Alison and Clementine stepped through the entrance, the rhythmic hum of the music vibrating beneath their feet. Barcelona's nightlife was in full swing, and the neon lights from the bar flashed across the sleek glass surfaces, casting an electric glow on the crowd. The chatter was a steady hum, a cacophony of voices blended with the beat of the music, creating an atmosphere that was both exhilarating and overwhelming.

Alison's heart raced as she scanned the room, her eyes darting to the clusters of people laughing, dancing, and chatting. She felt a knot of tension tighten in her chest. Her thoughts were spinning faster than she could keep up with, like an unstoppable roller coaster. The confusion she had been trying to shove down for days was now crashing into her, and she wasn't sure how to deal with it.

"Hey, are you okay?" Clementine asked, her voice breaking through Alison's haze. The slight concern in her tone made Alison blink, snapping her out of her spiraling thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Alison muttered, but the way she bit her lip gave away her anxiety. Clementine, ever perceptive, didn't buy it for a second.

"You sure? You've been... off tonight," Clementine remarked, tilting her head as she studied Alison's fidgety posture.

Alison shifted in her seat, her fingers nervously tapping on the table. "I don't know, Clem. I don't think I'm okay," she admitted, the weight of the words hanging in the air between them.

Clementine leaned forward, her gaze softening. "What's going on? Is it Eli?"

Alison hesitated, her throat tightening as the lump of emotions she'd been holding back threatened to spill. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. Her chest felt like it was being squeezed. "It's... it's everything. I love Eli, I really do. But..."

Clementine raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of curiosity and patience. "But?"

Alison's hands trembled as she ran them through her hair. "But I've been feeling... weird lately. I think I might have feelings for girls, too. Maybe. I don't know." Her voice cracked on the last part, and she let out a shaky breath. "And I don't know what that means. I love Eli so much, Clem, but now I'm questioning everything. It's like my mind and heart are in a tug-of-war, and I don't know what to do with it."

Clementine didn't flinch or pull back. Instead, she reached across the table and gently placed a hand on Alison's. "Alison, it's okay to be confused. Feelings don't always follow neat little lines. You're human, and it's natural to be uncertain sometimes."

"I don't want to hurt Eli," Alison said quickly, her eyes wide with worry. "I don't want him to think that I'm not serious about us. I-"

Clementine squeezed her hand, cutting her off gently. "I get it. But you don't have to choose right now. You don't have to have it all figured out at once. What you do need to do is be honest with Eli. Talk to him. Tell him what you're feeling, and I know he'll understand."

Alison bit her lip, still unsure. "What if I mess it up?"

"You won't," Clementine reassured her. "Eli's one of the most understanding people I know. He cares about you, Alison. He always has. And if there's anyone who'll listen and try to understand, it's him."

Alison took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts inside her head. She could feel her heart beating faster, her anxiety still there, but Clementine's steady confidence was starting to help.

Alison looked across the room and froze. There, standing by the bar, was Eli. He was deep in conversation with Demetri, both laughing about something-probably some nerdy joke that only they would get. His body language was open, warm, as always. But Alison couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, but this time, it felt different. There was a weight to the moment.

Clementine followed her gaze and gave Alison a subtle, encouraging smile. "He's right there," she said softly. "Go talk to him."

Alison's stomach twisted. "I don't know if I can," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the bar.

"Of course, you can," Clementine replied with a grin. "You've got this. Just take a deep breath, go up to him, and be real. Don't overthink it. You're allowed to be confused. But you owe it to him-and to yourself-to be honest."

Alison hesitated for a long moment, unsure of what to do. The intensity of her emotions seemed so overwhelming, but the pull toward Eli was undeniable. He was right there, and her body screamed at her to just go to him.

"I-okay," Alison said, standing up, her voice shaking with a mix of fear and determination.

Clementine leaned back in her chair, watching Alison with a supportive smile. "I'll be right here if you need me. Go get him."

Alison walked across the bar, her hands clammy, her heart pounding louder than the bass reverberating through the floor. She kept her eyes locked on Eli, who sat at a table by the bar chatting with Demetri, his laughter blending into the cacophony of voices and music. Clementine's words echoed in her mind: Be real. Be honest.

As she approached, Eli noticed her and smiled, his signature warm, inviting grin. It was the kind of smile that always made Alison feel safe, but tonight it only made her stomach churn with nerves. Demetri caught her expression and gave Eli a quick nudge. "Looks like I'll give you two some space," he said lightly, before disappearing into the crowd.

"Alison, hey," Eli greeted, his tone warm but curious. "What's up? You okay?"

Alison shifted on her feet, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "Hey. Can we, um, talk? Like, just us?"

Eli's brow furrowed slightly in concern, but he nodded. "Of course. Let's find a quieter spot." He gestured to a nearby booth tucked into a corner of the bar. They slipped into the booth, the din of the crowd a little more muffled here, but Alison's nerves remained a thunderstorm in her chest.

Eli leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, his eyes searching hers. "Okay, what's going on?"

Alison swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. The weight of her thoughts pressed down on her, and her voice came out shaky. "Eli, I... I've been feeling really confused lately. About myself. About us."

Eli's expression shifted, his brows knitting together in a mix of confusion and concern. "Confused how? Did I do something wrong?"

"No! No, you didn't do anything wrong," Alison said quickly, shaking her head. "It's not you-it's me. I'm... trying to figure out some things about myself." She took a deep breath, bracing herself. "I think I might have feelings for girls, too."

For a moment, Eli just stared at her, the words hanging heavy in the air between them. His smile faded, replaced by something unreadable-shock, maybe, or a kind of quiet disbelief. "Wait... you're saying you think you're... bi?"

"I think so," Alison admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't know for sure. I'm still trying to understand it, but it's been on my mind a lot lately, and I couldn't keep it from you."

Eli sat back slightly, his arms crossing as his jaw tensed. His reaction wasn't loud or dramatic, but Alison could tell he was wrestling with his emotions. "I mean... okay," he said slowly, his voice carefully neutral. "I appreciate you telling me, but... when did you start feeling this way? I thought we were good, Alison. I thought we were solid."

Alison felt her chest tighten. "We are solid, Eli. I love you. That hasn't changed. But the other day, when you were at one of the events for the Sekai Taikai, I went to the spa, and I met this girl, Bianca."

Eli's brow furrowed deeper. "Bianca?"

"She was really flirty," Alison continued, her words tumbling out in a rush. "And it caught me off guard because I didn't hate it. I didn't know what to do with that. It's not like I'm planning to act on anything or that I'm not committed to you. But it stirred something in me, something I didn't expect, and now I'm trying to make sense of it."

Eli was silent for a moment, his gaze dropping to the table. When he looked back up at her, there was a flicker of hurt in his eyes, even as he tried to sound understanding. "So, you're saying you felt something for this girl? And now you're questioning us?"

"No, I'm not questioning us," Alison said earnestly, leaning closer. "I'm questioning me. I'm not trying to hurt you, Eli, I swear. You're the most important person in my life, and I love you. But I also have to be honest about what I'm feeling, even if it's messy or confusing."

Eli nodded slowly, his jaw still tight. "Okay. I hear you. I get it. But I'd be lying if I said this didn't feel like it's coming out of nowhere. I mean... is this about me not being enough?"

Alison's eyes widened, her heart breaking at the pain in his voice. "No! Eli, no. This isn't about you. You're more than enough. You're everything. This is just... something I need to figure out about myself, and it doesn't take away from how much I care about you."

He looked down again, his fingers drumming against the table as he processed her words. When he finally spoke, his tone was softer but still laced with tension. "I'm not mad at you for being honest, Alison. I respect that. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little... thrown. I just... I don't know how to feel about this yet."

"I understand," Alison said quietly, tears pricking at her eyes. "I don't expect you to have all the answers right now. I don't either. I just... I didn't want to keep it from you. I want us to be okay, Eli."

Eli nodded again, his lips pressing into a thin line. "We'll figure it out. I just need some time to wrap my head around it."

Alison reached out, placing her hand over his, and for a moment, he let it stay there before gently pulling away. The space between them felt heavier than it had ever been before, and Alison couldn't shake the feeling that they'd crossed into unfamiliar territory-one they weren't quite sure how to navigate yet.

Clementine pushed her way through the crowd, her eyes scanning the bar lit by a hazy mix of neon and dim lighting. Conversations buzzed around her in a medley of different languages, the air thick with energy. She made her way to the counter, where the bartender was expertly juggling drink orders. She leaned casually against the bar, her fingers drumming on the smooth surface.

"A soda, please," she said, keeping her tone light.

The bartender gave her a quick nod and reached for a glass. Within seconds, he slid the drink in front of her with practiced ease. "Do you have a tab?" he asked, glancing at her expectantly.

Before Clementine could even open her mouth, a voice interrupted from her left, smooth and unmistakably smug.

"I got this round."

Clementine turned her head sharply, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Zara. The Iron Dragons fighter was leaning against the bar with her usual air of superiority, her manicured nails tapping the counter rhythmically.

"My sponsors are paying for this whole trip anyway," Zara added, her tone casual but loaded with arrogance. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, clearly relishing the moment.

Clementine raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a faint smirk as she let Zara's words hang in the air. "Did I ask?" she shot back, her voice sharp and cutting.

Zara's smirk only deepened, clearly undeterred. "You should take some photos while you're here," she said, her tone dripping with faux friendliness. "So you can remember your one trip to the big time."

Clementine let out a short laugh, shaking her head slightly as she turned to face Zara fully. She took a deliberate step closer, her voice dropping to a low, mocking drawl.

"Maybe I'll take a photo of you on the mat at the finals," she said, her gaze locking with Zara's, unflinching. "Knocked out. Next to all of your teeth."

Zara's smirk faltered ever so slightly, her confident facade cracking for a brief moment. Clementine, noticing this, leaned back with a satisfied expression, her work done.

Turning on her heel, Clementine started to walk away, her drink in hand. But just as she reached the edge of the bar, she stopped. She glanced back over her shoulder, her smile bright and taunting.

"Oh, and thanks for the drink," she said breezily, lifting her glass in a mock toast before taking a small, deliberate sip.

Without waiting for a response, she sauntered to the other side of the bar, her head held high. The faint buzz of satisfaction hummed through her as she found a quiet corner to settle in, her smirk lingering. The first round had already gone to her, and Zara's fuming expression was proof of it.

Clementine leaned casually against the bar, her drink resting lightly in her hand as she scanned the lively room. Her gaze landed on Alison, who was sitting with Eli at a nearby table. Alison held up her phone, laughing as she FaceTimed Moon and Yasmine. Even over the hum of the music and chatter, Clementine could hear faint bursts of conversation.

She watched as Eli, with his signature mischievous grin, suddenly snatched the phone out of Alison's hand and turned the camera toward the dance floor. Clementine followed his line of sight and froze. There was Demetri, her best friend's boyfriend, dancing-well, awkwardly attempting to dance-with another girl.

Clementine's eyes widened in horror. Yasmine is going to kill him.

Sure enough, Alison's face twisted in panic as she realized what Eli had done. She lunged for her phone, yanking it back just in time to end the call, cutting off whatever reaction Yasmine might have had. Alison smacked Eli on the back of the head, and even from where she stood, Clementine could see Eli laughing, seemingly unbothered.

Clementine couldn't help but chuckle at the chaos unfolding at their table, shaking her head as she sipped her drink. She was still laughing softly to herself when an arm draped around her shoulders.

Startled, she stiffened and turned her head to find Kwon standing far too close, his smirk as cocky as ever.

"Is your boyfriend better at kissing than he is at fighting?" he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Clementine's stomach twisted with disgust. She immediately shrugged his arm off, her movements sharp. "Excuse me?" she snapped, narrowing her eyes.

Before she could say more, her gaze darted down the bar, and her heart dropped when she saw Robby. He was standing a few feet away, his dark eyes locked on her. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, but there was something in his gaze-something she couldn't ignore.

For a moment, she faltered. She didn't want Robby to misunderstand, but the flicker of jealousy in his eyes sent a pang through her chest. Maybe she did want him to react. Maybe she needed him to care, to show her something.

Things had been a mess between them ever since she broke up with him. She had been scared-terrified, really. The thought that she might have been pregnant had consumed her, and instead of confiding in Robby, she had pushed him away. She hadn't known how to handle it, and breaking up with him had felt like the only way to protect herself.

But now, with Kwon standing right there and Robby watching, an idea struck her. She wasn't proud of it, but her emotions were tangled, and right now, all she wanted was to see if Robby still cared.

"So," Clementine said, her voice sharp as she turned her attention back to Kwon, "what are your intentions with me?"

Kwon's smirk widened. He leaned casually against the bar, clearly enjoying himself. "What? I'm just being friendly," he said, his tone dripping with faux innocence.

Clementine raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment. Then, slowly, deliberately, she glanced back at Robby. His expression had darkened, his jealousy unmistakable.

Without thinking, Clementine turned back to Kwon and grabbed his face, pressing her lips to his.

Kwon froze for a moment before leaning into the kiss, his hands finding her waist. He pulled her closer, kissing her with a fervor that was almost startling. Clementine kissed him back just as intensely, her fingers curling into his shirt as the kiss deepened.

Kwon's hands slid lower, his touch growing bolder, but Clementine didn't stop him-not yet. Her focus was divided, part of her caught in the moment, the other part aware of Robby standing just down the bar.

She risked another glance, her heart sinking when she saw the hurt etched across his face. Robby's fists were clenched at his sides, his shoulders tense, and his eyes burned with anger-and something else she couldn't quite name.

Clementine pulled back from Kwon, her lips tingling as she forced a smirk.

"I didn't know you could kiss like that," Kwon said, his voice low and teasing.

Clementine forced a laugh, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "There's a lot you don't know about me," she said coolly, though her voice felt hollow.

Kwon smirked again, leaning back against the bar as if he hadn't a care in the world. Clementine, however, couldn't stop herself from glancing at Robby again.

This time, he wasn't looking at her. He had turned away, disappearing into the crowd with his shoulders stiff and his head down.

A pang of regret hit her, sharp and unrelenting, but she shoved it down. She had made her move, and now she had to live with it.

For better or worse, the damage was done.

Clementine's heart was a wild, uncontrollable thing inside her chest as she stood in the elevator, staring blankly at the numbers lighting up as they ascended. The events of the night felt like a blur, too much noise and too many emotions rushing through her, and yet everything had come crashing down in a single, heart-shattering moment.

She wasn't sure how it had happened or when exactly the walls started closing in, but she knew-she just knew-that things were no longer the same. The walls of the elevator hummed softly, and she shifted uncomfortably, her chest tight and her head spinning with a mix of guilt, confusion, and frustration.

When the elevator doors opened with a soft chime, Clementine had been expecting her floor. But they didn't stop there. Instead, they opened onto the wrong floor, the one just above hers.

Her body stiffened instinctively as she stepped back. A twist of unease curled in her stomach. She was about to turn away, but her eyes caught a familiar figure stumbling out of a hotel room. Robby.

Her breath hitched in her throat as she watched him. He didn't seem like himself. His hair was tousled, messy like he'd just gotten out of bed, or worse, like he'd been up all night. His steps were uneven, and his eyes had that glazed, out-of-it look that she hated. The kind of look that said he was far from sober-far from aware of what was really happening around him.

Her heart dropped. It was like a sinking feeling in her stomach that she couldn't shake.

And then, there was Zara. She appeared from the same room, stepping into the hallway with that sly, confident smile that made Clementine's blood boil. Zara caught up to Robby, sliding a hand around his waist with that damn seductive, practiced grace of hers.

"Leaving so soon?" Zara purred, her voice low and teasing, as she leaned in and pressed a kiss to Robby's lips.

But Robby didn't kiss her back. His lips barely moved, and his hands hung limply by his sides, like he was too far gone to even respond. He pulled away from Zara slowly, and Clementine's stomach churned in disgust.

She didn't know why-didn't know how-but the betrayal hit her like a punch to the gut. She watched Robby stagger away, his body slumped like a puppet with its strings cut.

But it wasn't just the fact that he was drunk. No, it was what he'd just done. Zara had kissed him, and from the way he stood there, like a broken, unfeeling shell, Clementine knew what had happened in that room.

Zara didn't even try to hide the fact. With a smug, satisfied grin on her face, she turned and made her way toward the elevator, her eyes catching Clementine's for a long, deliberate moment.

And then, Zara raised her hand, blowing a kiss in her direction, the smirk growing wider with the satisfaction of her victory.

The elevator doors slid closed, sealing her inside the metallic box, but the reality of the moment was too real for Clementine to ignore. Her legs gave out beneath her. She sank to the cold floor, her knees buckling as tears began to flow freely down her cheeks. She couldn't even stop them, couldn't even try to hold them back. It felt like the world was slipping out of focus, and the only thing she could hear was the sound of her own heart beating too fast, too loudly.

Robby just hooked up with Zara.

The words echoed in her head like a constant drum, getting louder and louder until she thought she might scream. But there was no strength left in her to do that. She just sat there, the floor beneath her uncomfortably cold, the ache in her chest suffocating. She thought she was going to break.

And then, as if the universe had decided to add insult to injury, the elevator doors opened again, and Kwon stepped inside. He stopped short when he saw her, frozen in shock as his eyes scanned her face. Clementine was still sitting on the floor, her hands trembling as she wiped at her tears, but it was no use. They kept coming.

"Clementine?" Kwon's voice was gentle, his concern evident. "What happened?"

Clementine looked up, but her vision was blurry. She didn't know how to respond, didn't know what to say. She felt small and lost, like she was trapped inside herself with no way out. Her breath was erratic, and her chest heaved with every sob.

Kwon's expression softened, and he stepped forward. He didn't say anything more, just extended a hand to her. Clementine stared at it, hesitant for a moment, before taking it.

He helped her to her feet, and she clung to him for a moment longer than necessary, like she was afraid of falling apart. He didn't push her away, didn't say anything. He just wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her out of the elevator.

They didn't stop at her floor. Instead, Kwon led her to his, and she followed numbly. She felt like a ghost, like she wasn't really there-like she was floating above herself, detached from everything.

Once they reached his room, Kwon pushed the door open and motioned for her to go inside. The space was dim, the soft glow of the lamps casting long shadows across the floor. It was quiet. Peaceful.

Clementine didn't sit. She just stood there, staring at the floor, her mind still spinning.

Kwon didn't force her to talk. He just sat beside her on the bed, waiting patiently for her to say something. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, the silence grew heavier, and Clementine's chest ached more with every passing second.

"Clementine," Kwon said softly after a while, "you don't have to explain. But I'm here. If you need someone."

Clementine wiped her face with the back of her hand, her throat tight with emotion. She hadn't been prepared for this, hadn't been prepared to feel so... alone. She couldn't think straight. Everything felt like it was slipping through her fingers.

Without thinking, Clementine reached out and grabbed Kwon's shirt, pulling him toward her. Her lips found his, urgent and frantic. She kissed him like it was the only thing that could stop the pain. Kwon's hands hesitated for a moment before they found her waist, pulling her closer.

The kiss deepened, intense and almost desperate, as if they were both trying to escape something.

Clementine's hands roamed, pushing Kwon's jacket off his shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. Kwon responded by pressing her against him, his hands sliding beneath her shirt, fingers brushing against her skin.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

GUYSSSSS HEHEHEHEHE I CANT BELIEVE I JUST DID THAT. KWON AND CLEMENTINE HOOKED UP!!!

THE ANGST YOU GUYS ARE GONNA GET THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS WILL BE INSANE BETWEEN CLEM AND ROBBY

KWONS DEATH WILL BE SUPER SAD FOR CLEM...

i dont know how to write smut so i didn't continue sorry guys😭😭😭

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!!