▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐓 Carlisle with an unamused look as he checked her blood pressure. "I'm literally fine. You know that, right?"

     "I know. What happened?"

     Clementine sighed. "He stopped the van, Carlisle. And she saw it. I was right there. I would've been able to stop it. He just exposed himself."

     "I was hoping you wouldn't say that," Carlisle mumbled. "Alright. Come on, Jasper's in the office." Clementine stood and followed him only to stop when they saw Rosalie and Edward standing in the hallway.

     Rosalie paused her argument with Edward to look at her. "Clem, are you okay?"

     "I'm good."

     Rosalie continued her argument, speaking to Edward in hushed voices. ". . . fifteen kids that saw what happened."

      "What was I supposed to do, then?" Edward hissed. "Let her die?"

     "Clementine was right there." Rosalie replied. "She would've stopped it. This isn't just about you. It's about all of us."

     "I think we should take this to my office," Carlisle replied. The two vampires and Clementine turned to see Bella peering around the corner.

     "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Bella asked.

     "Rosalie, Clementine," Carlisle softly said, gently grasping Rosalie's arm and leading the two women away and to his office.

     Clementine was immediately met with Jasper who instantly wrapped his arms around her. Clementine hugged him back before giving him a quick kiss. "I'm okay."

     "I'm sorry. I should have ran to you—"

     "No." Clementine shook her head. "It's a good thing you didn't. That would've just made things worse. But I'm okay."

     "He's an idiot," Rosalie hissed.

     "He is," Clementine agreed. "But he did save her life."

     Edward walked in and immediately him and Rosalie began arguing. "Clementine was right there, she could've done the exact same thing."

     "She still would have broken a wrist or something." Edward argued.

     "But she can heal!" Rosalie snapped.

     "Hey, can I not be the topic of this argument? That would be great." Clementine shot them a sarcastic smile. "But Rosalie is right, what you did was stupid."

     "Why are you here?" Edward asked before looking at Carlisle. "Why is she here? This has nothing to do with her."

     "You're right, it doesn't." Clementine held out a hand to Jasper, feeling him tense up beside her. "It has to do with the fact that you just exposed yourself and your entire family to a human girl. A curious human girl at that who is without a doubt going to start asking questions. You know who she hangs out with, Edward? Me. That's who. So now you have put me in another position where I have to lie for you again. I should be honest with her the next time she asks me where you've disappeared to but I won't for your family's sake. Not for yours. For them."

     Edward shrugged. "Don't hang out with her then."

     Clementine humorlessly chuckled before she punched him. His skin cracked like marble, and she glared at him before grabbing her things. "I have to get to work." She walked out, leaving behind the surprised silence that echoed between the four vampires.

     She got to work, the anger prominent on her face. Beth, who was in the middle of carrying a tray of food with her right hand, rose a brow. "You look happy." She gave her customers their food before walking back over. "What's up?"

     Clementine shook her head. "My boyfriend's brother is a pain in my ass."

     "Ah, I get that. My brother-in-law makes me want to gouge my eyes out sometimes."

     Clementine chuckled and shook her head. "He's a dick."

     Beth smiled, grabbing two more plates of food. "All men are. They have one and think it's their right to act like one." She walked away and Clementine smiled, softly laughing to herself before grabbing her notepad.

When her shift was over, she went back to her apartment, tossing her keys on the table by the door and pulling her coat off. She entered the kitchen, opening her fridge and grabbing some of Esme's leftovers. She let it heat up before sitting on the couch, propping her feet up and turning on the television. She consumed the food greedily, having forgotten to pack herself food for her shift. A knock came on her door and she looked at the door before groaning. She stood, bringing her food with her, and opening the door. Jasper stood there and she turned and walked back to the couch, keeping the door open as a silent 'come in'.

     "How was work?" Jasper asked, walking around the couch and picking up her legs before sitting down, resting her legs on his lap.

     Clementine hummed. "The usual. How's your brother?"

     His lip quirked up in amusement. "Let's just say Natalie and Emmett told me to give you their praises." Clementine managed a smile before stuffing another mouthful of her food. "Of course, Rosalie advocated for you, said it was a 'well deserved hit'. She claims she would've done it herself, but you beat her to it."

     Clementine smiled at that. "Of course she advocated for me, Rosalie loves me."

     "That she does." Jasper nodded. As soon as she was done with her food, putting the plate to the side, Jasper instantly pulled her closer. Clementine giggled, hooking her arms loosely around his neck. "I have to admit, that was attractive."

     Clementine's smile widened as she hummed. "Well, I'll have to do it more often." He leaned forwards and pressed a kiss to her lips. A sigh of satisfaction left her as she kissed him back. He pulled her closer until she was sitting on his lap, his hands trailing beneath her shirt and holding her sides. "I did just eat," Clementine mumbled against his lips. "I should probably wait thirty minutes before doing any . . . extravagant activities."

     "Whatever you want, darlin'."

      Clementine shook her head. "That wasn't fair. You know I can't resist when you say things like that." He only smiled in response before kissing her again.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐀 school field trip wasn't what Clementine wanted to do, but she didn't really have much choice. She turned in her permission slip before turning when she saw Alice, Jasper, and Edward approaching. She smiled at Alice and Jasper, greeting Jasper with a kiss. Alice shook her head. "Oh no, you're mine today." She hooked her arm in Clementine's causing the girl to laugh and glance at Jasper who only smiled in amusement.

     "Your friend is attempting, and failing, to ask Bella out." Edward commented.

     Clementine turned her head to see Mike standing in front of Bella. "Oh lord. I should probably go save her. Alice, save me a seat."

     Alice smiled. "Of course."

     Clementine removed her arm from Alice and made her way over to Bella and Mike. "Mike, leave the poor girl alone."

     Mike turned. "Glad to see your personality's still in tact."

     "Glad to see that you're still the same idiot."

     Mike placed a hand over his heart. "That hurts, Clem. Truly it does. Hey, so, do you--"

     "Don't even think about it." Clementine warned. "Jasper will kill you."

     Mike pursed his lips. "Right. Forgot about him."

     "You should ask Jessica," Bella suggested. "I know she wants to go with you."

     Their teacher, Mr. Molina, called out to them, telling them to get on the bus. Mike walked away first and Clementine glanced at Bella who mouthed a quick 'thank you'. Clementine chuckled before making her way on the bus, taking her seat beside Alice. "So, Clem, Jasper said your birthday's coming up."

     Clementine rose a brow. "You're joking right? Alice, I don't even know how old I am anymore. Also," she turned to face Jasper who was sitting behind them with Edward, "you remember my birthday?"

     "Of course I do, love."

     Clementine swooned, a wide smile blooming on her face before she looked at Alice again. "We're not throwing me a birthday party."

     Alice pouted. "What? Come on! I've been dying to throw a party and this is the perfect excuse."

     "It's not happening, Alice."

     Alice groaned. Jasper added, "I told you she wouldn't do it."

     They arrived at the greenhouse, Alice talking animatedly to Clementine who was smiling in amusement. Jasper and Edward were walking behind them and Jasper rolled his eyes. "Alice, can I have my girlfriend back?"

     Alice scoffed. "You hog her all the time. I haven't gotten any quality time since you whisked her away."

     Clementine laughed. "Alice, we will plan a movie night and I will fight my sleeping urges to stay up with you until the sun rises, how does that sound?"

     Alice narrowed her eyes. "I'm holding you to that."

     "Please do."

     Alice finally gave in and let Jasper take her place. She hooked her arm with his and with his free hand and he handed her a small flower. Clementine beamed, taking the flower and twirling it between her fingers. "Why thank you." She tucked the flower behind her ear before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

     The field trip slowly came to an end and Clementine, Alice, and Jasper made their way out towards the buses. Clementine spotted Edward and Bella talking, Bella seeming to be annoyed at something Edward was saying. Alice stepped towards the two, a kind smile on her face. "Hi." She looked at Bella. "Are you going to be riding with us?"

     "No, our bus is full." Edward answered, hitting his fist against the bus doors resulting in them being opened. Edward immediately climbed on followed by Alice. Clementine shot Bella an apologetic look before following after them, keeping Jasper's hand in hers.