Violentine- Forever and Always

Clem's Pov:

I twisted in my bed trying to get comfortable. The sheets were a mess after four hours of turning over and over. I was still getting used to living on my own in my new apartment. I missed Lee and AJ and having them right down the hall at my old house.

I was excited to be out on my own and have my own place and my own job. But the nights alone were hard to bear. I wasn't used to being the only one in the house and there was nothing to keep me company except the wind blowing in through the window that made the curtains move.

That's when I heard glass shatter on the wall in the apartment above mine. At first, I thought that I was dreaming, having been in and out of sleep. But my eyes widened when I heard the voice of a girl and it sounded like she'd been crying. The apartment had thin walls and you could often hear odd sounds and parts of conversations.

I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed because now I'm too worried to be sleeping. I had wondered if anyone else had heard the noise and I waited to hear footsteps out in the hall or up above. But nothing happened. I looked at my alarm clock and saw that it was almost three-thirty in the morning. Most people would be asleep at this time.

So I got up and headed towards the door. I took the elevator to the second floor, walked down the hall and I knocked upon her door. But I wasn't ready for what I was about to see. A blonde-haired girl walked out, her green eyes vibrant in the hallway light compared to the darkness of the room behind her. It looked a little like she had tear stains running down her cheeks but I wasn't certain. Though she looked a little odd wearing pajama shorts with a green sweater. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and I couldn't help but think she looked cute as she refused to look directly into my eyes.

Cute?

I blushed finding myself staring at her without saying a word. I quickly shook my head to clear my thoughts and I asked about the things I'd been hearing.

Shyly she said, "I think your ears are playing tricks on you." She had her sweater zipped up to her chin. "Thanks for caring miss, that's nice of you, but I have to go back in. Wish I could tell you about the noise but I didn't hear a thing." She said, "It must have been the wind."

I gave her a sympathetic look as her gaze drifted to the ground. I was going to protest but decided not to. I barely knew this girl, what if it really was nothing. So I nodded. "Okay. Have a good night."

I watched as she turned away to walk back into the dark room, but something caught my eye before she could close the door. Her sweater slid down a little and I could see the faint bluish, blackish, bruise around her neck. My eyes widened as the door closed in my face.

I was hesitant to knock again but it was late and I was tired. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me too, seeing as I haven't gotten a lot of sleep. So I left apartment two B and went back down to my room.

So I was laying on the floor of my room, cold concrete on my back. No, I just couldn't shake the feeling. I didn't want to intrude because I knew that I didn't have all the facts. But I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her. She had looked so innocent standing in the doorway of her apartment. I didn't understand how someone could be so cruel.

I looked at my phone screen as it lit up and I saw that it was now close to four. I sighed and rubbed my eyes. I was tired but I couldn't sleep. My mind swirled with thoughts. I didn't even know her name yet I had this strong urge to protect this girl from what was troubling her.

I stood up and threw my phone on my bed before heading to the kitchen. Might as well get up for the day and make some coffee.

I waited for the coffee to brew as I stared outside. The sun would be rising soon. I figured I'd go to the roof this morning and enjoy my coffee outside so I could watch the sunrise. The coffee maker beeped and I poured myself a cup of coffee. The black liquid swirled in with the cream and sugar that I had already put into the mug.

I was about to head to the roof when I realized that I had left my phone in my room. So I sat the cup down on the counter and walked into my bedroom to get my phone. But as I entered my room I could hear the sound of arguing coming from the floor above. My eyes widened and my mind immediately went to the blonde-haired girl. I quickly grabbed my phone and took the elevator to the second floor. Walked down the hall and I knocked upon her door. She opened up and I asked about the things that I'd been hearing.

She said, "I think your ears are playing tricks on you." She had her sweater zipped up to her chin. "Thanks for caring miss, that's nice of you, but I have to go back in. Wish I could tell you about the noise but I didn't hear a thing." She said, "It must have been the wind."

I gave her a quizzical look. I knew those shouts had come from this apartment but I still had no evidence that anything had happened to her or who had done it. So I sighed and left her again. I was hesitant to go but I had bothered this poor girl long enough.

I went back to my room and grabbed my coffee then I took the elevator to the roof. It was quiet still, the city not yet awake. I sat my phone down on a table and opened up my music app. I scrolled down to the song "Lean On Me." I hit play and it reminded me of the girl on the second floor. And now I had a new purpose for playing it. So that she knows that she can lean on me. And when she hears the words I hope she knows she'll be okay. I hummed the words to myself and took a sip of my coffee, knowing exactly what I'd say next time I saw her.

That's when I heard the door to the roof open. I turned and I had a look of shock on my face. It was the blonde-haired girl from apartment two B. She still wore the mismatched outfit from before, sweater zipped up to her chin. But now she had a gray blanket draped over her shoulders. Her eyes looked bloodshot from crying, but she quickly wiped her eyes once she caught sight of me.

"S-sorry. I-I didn't think anyone would be out here." She turned to leave but I found myself stopping her.

"Wait." I reached out and grabbed her hand out of instinct. We both blushed at the contact and I let go as soon as I realized what I had done.

It was silent for a minute as neither of us dared to speak. But I was surprised when I heard the sound of her quiet voice. "Thank you. Not many people care like you do."

I was stunned at her words, but my shocked expression soon turned into a smile. "Of course. No problem." Then it grew silent again. I rocked back and forth on my heels, nervous about what I wanted to say. I sighed as I couldn't stall anymore. I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm sorry if I've been a bit much. And I know we just met but I promise I'm not playing tricks on you, you're always welcome to come in. You could stay here for an hour or two if you ever need a friend."

I was nervous for her response but I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw a small smile tug at her lips. "Thanks for caring miss, that's nice of you."

I smiled and sat my coffee down on the concrete ledge of the roof. The sun was rising in front of us and I could see the golden light shine in her bright green eyes. "We can talk about the noise when you're ready, but until then I'll say it must have been the wind." And I winked at her.

I heard her chuckle and it was the cutest thing that I had ever heard. It was nice to hear her laugh and I couldn't wait to make her laugh again. "My names Clementine." I introduced myself, excited to finally get to know this girl.

"I'm Violet."