Chapter 5

Clarice sat on the bed, strumming lazily on what was once Jono’s mint condition guitar. There was a huge dent in the side, and two of the strings had broken. She sighed and placed it carefully on the floor. Then she realized she was getting rainwater all over the bed. “Serves him right,” she muttered, squeezing some water onto the blanket.

“Hope you plan on cleaning that up, chica.” Clarice gasped and looked up. Angelo stood at the door, his arms behind his back. With something of a frown on her face, she teleported away. Well, that’s what she meant to do. “Not this time, Clarice,” he said softly. A green face peeked between the older boy’s legs. “Leech is sorry, lady.” “My little insurance plan,” Angelo added, patting the boy’s head. “Stay right outside until we’re done, kid. We might need an ambulance afterwards.” Leech nodded as he closed the door behind him.

Clarice turned away from him, clearly upset. “I don’t feel like talking to you right now.” “You came to my room,” Angelo pointed out. “You must have wanted something.” “To stay away from you,” she replied. “I figured this would be the last place you looked.” “But you knew I’d come here sooner or later, chica. Admit it. You don’t like this anymore than I do.” “Like what?” she asked coldly, staring at him. “The fact that you don’t love me?”

He sighed. She wanted to be difficult. “I never said that.” “Didn’t you?” “No!” he nearly shouted. After a short pause, he went on. “Clarice, I said I didn’t love you the way you love me. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you at all.” She didn’t say anything. Angelo ran a hand through his hair. “Either way, no one’s leaving this room until we’ve settled this. So if you plan on keeping your mouth shut, prepare to be here a long time.” When she didn’t reply, he sat down on the edge of the bed. Without a moment’s hesitation, Clarice moved to the other bed.

Leech pressed his ear to the door. “Leech hears silence, Paige.” Paige sighed. “Well, at least Angelo had the right idea. I just hope Clarice doesn’t kill him.” *No chance of that, Sunshine.* She turned to see Jono behind her. “How do you know?” Jono blinked. *Whether they know it or not, each loves the other too much for that. They just have to admit it first.* “Hope you’re right,” Paige whispered, turning back to the door.

“Would you mind not staring at me?” Clarice asked. “It’s considered rude in some places.” Angelo smirked. “My room, my rules. Besides, maybe I like staring at you.” “And why is that?” she asked. He shrugged. “Maybe I like you.” She snorted. He turned away and leaned back against his pillow, ignoring the damp spot on the bed. “Suit yourself, Blinkie.”

“Don’t call me that.” Angelo closed his eyes. “Why not? You never minded before. In fact, you thought it was cute, not unlike you.” “That was when we were still best friends,” she pointed out. He pretended to be in shock. “You mean we’re not anymore?” Clarice grumbled and turned away.

Angelo sat up. “Look, Clarice. No relationship is perfect. This is our first fight, and you’re blowing it way out of proportion.” “It is not just a fight, Angelo!” she shouted. “This is the first and only time I’ve been in love! You have no idea how I feel right now!” He wasn’t impressed. “Probably like you just lost your best friend in the whole world. Oh, but what would I know about it? I’m only your former best friend.” “Shut up,” she muttered.

“Well, that’s mature,” Angelo countered. “Maybe you’ll break out the mama jokes next.” Clarice closed her eyes and counted to ten. It didn’t work. She grabbed Angelo by the front of his shirt and yanked him off the bed. “This isn’t funny,” she said through clenched teeth. “Do I look like I’m laughing?” he asked. “Stop making fun of me!” “I will, the minute you stop acting like this is all my fault.” “You’re saying it isn’t?”

Angelo detached her hands from his shirt. “We’ve been over this way too many times, chica. I told you before. I can’t be involved with you like that.” “Is it because of Torres?” she asked. Angelo paused and looked at her. “She wants me dead. Not exactly a healthy relationship.” “But do you love her?” He thought for a moment. “I thought I did. Until I met you.”

“Yeah, right. You already said you’re not in love with me.” “I didn’t have to be. I was in love with Torres, and you know how that turned out. The same thing’s happening to us.” “I’m not Torres, Angelo,” Clarice said. “Really? You sure seem like you want me dead right now.” He sat on his bed, looking at the floor. “I was being sincere when I told you I loved you, Clarice. But that doesn’t mean we can be a couple.”

“How would you know?” she asked. “You never even gave us a chance!” He sighed. “I’ve already lost my best friend. I don’t want to lose my little sister, too.” Clarice smacked his arm. “Angelo, I’m not a little kid anymore! Can’t you see that?!” “Can’t you see that the way you look doesn’t change anything?” he asked. “You’ll always be that scared little girl that I saved from the Phalanx to me.”

“Then maybe you’re the one that needs to let go,” she said, sitting beside him. “If it helps, I’m scared out of my mind right now. But it doesn’t change the fact that I still love you.” “So you really want me to give this thing a chance?” She nodded, gently kissing his cheek. “If you love me as much as you say you do, let me prove how much I love you. Let me be happy, Angelo. Let me be happy with you.”

*Do you hear anything?* Paige shook her head. “Nothing, Jono.” The door suddenly opened, and Paige fell into the room. “Hola, chica.” She looked up to see Angelo and Clarice. “Hi, guys,” she said weakly. They stepped over her, heading down the hall. Paige noticed that they were holding hands. “Well, at least they’re friends again.” “Leech did good?” Leech asked. “Yes, sweetie,” Paige replied, hugging him. “Leech did great.”

Epilogue

“So you two are really together, huh?” Jubilee asked. “Not officially,” Angelo replied. “Yeah, it’s more like a trial period,” Clarice agreed. Jubilee smirked. “So the trial includes stitting in his lap?” Clarice blushed bright red. “My lap has no complaints, Lee, so mind your own business,” Angelo snapped.

“Don’t they look cute together?” Paige asked. “Yeah, cute,” Ev muttered. “Aw, does someone feel left out?” she asked, elbowing him. “You’re one to talk,” Ev shot back. “I’ve got a better chance with Monet than you do with Jono.” Paige laughed wildly. “Ev, your chances with M are one in a million!” “Which makes your chances with Jono pretty much non-existant,” Monet replied, a smile on her face.

Paige stopped laughing. “HEY!” “Slow on the uptake, Hayseed?” Jubilee snickered. “Can’t we just watch the movie?” Paige muttered, turning back to the TV. “Agreed,” Monet said, even though she could care less about the movie. She was more interested in what Everett was thinking at the moment...

The End.