Broken

• Chapter 169 •

- CLEMENTINE -

"This is it..." mom sighs as we stand at my flight's gate. "You're gonna kill it in New York. Your dad would be so proud."

I laugh, "Yeah... He'd tell me not to talk to any boys and how I can get pregnant with a high-five."

We both laugh at the memory, "Yeah... Yeah, he would."

"CLEM-FUCKING-TINE!"

I sigh and roll my eyes as I glance back. Aya, Eric, Benji, and Emoni are making their way towards us.

"I hope you weren't planning on leaving without saying bye!" Aya snaps.

"I'll give you a moment," mom shakes her head.

"Aya... You're coming in a few days," I sigh.

She shrugs and pulls her phone out, "Yeah I know but I wanted to snap this because it's cute."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Pretend that you love me, okay... Three, two, one..."

I laugh and shove her, pulling her into my arms, "You're a great friend, Aya. I'm excited to get into a bunch of shit with you in New York."

She pouts and tears stream down her face. "Oh my God that was literally the cutest thing you've ever said! I swear it's not scripted, guys!" she says as she flips the camera over to her.

I roll my eyes, she smirks, "Bye babe. See you in a few."

Benji and Emoni make their way towards me. Benji sighs, "I'm gonna miss you, you little turd."

I grin. "I'm gonna miss you, too, Benji," I tell him as I wrap my arms around him.

"Facetime us every day," he whispers.

"I'll try."

I smile, flattered that they've all come to say bye to me. My throat tightens. "You take care of yourself, okay?" Emoni tells me, "I want you to call me if you need anything. And I do mean anything, especially if you need tips in the bedroom—"

"EMONI!" I snap. She laughs and shrugs, pulling me into her arms, "I love you, girlie."

I roll my eyes, "Eh. I tolerate you, too."

She flips me off as she makes her way towards mom, Aya, and Benji. Eric comes up to me, his face is pale.

"You sure you wanna go? It's never too late to back out. I will personally call Columbia and tell them to fuck off," he says.

I laugh, "I'm gonna miss you, too, Eric."

He huffs, "I just don't see why you couldn't stay here. There are great universities here—"

I smile sadly, "You sound just like him."

He freezes, then reciprocates my smile. "You're going to do great things, Minty," he tells me.

I grin, "Oh, I know."

He engulfs me in a bear hug, "Don't forget about me..." he mumbles. I snort, "That's cute. Couldn't if I wanted to. Love you, shithead."

He jerks against my body, "I still get goosebumps and a momentary shock every time you say it. I love you more, Minty."

He pulls back and kisses my forehead, "Take care."

I smile as I look at all of them. These people are my family... My home. A strange feeling clamps down on my heart, and I'm sad. Someone's missing, apart from dad. My heart splits apart, and I'm interrupted from my thoughts when mom stands in front of me.

I smile, "I love you, mom."

"I love you, too, sweetie. You take care of yourself, okay?" she smiles through her tears.

They call my flight number and I glance back. I look at them all one last time and pick up my bags, making my way towards the plane.

"Clementine!"

I glance back at mom, and she looks nervous. She sighs, winces and clears her throat before making her way towards me. "Listen... About Ashton..."

My heart falls and she pulls her lip between her teeth. "I saw him that night... He told me the truth before everything happened. I know I've paranoid you and made you have trust issues, but even through my anger I could tell that he cares for you."

She scoffs, "Strange... Coming from me, isn't it? But I just—I finally saw his true colours that night. After he'd been honest with me and went to try and save your life... He didn't even want me to come, in fear that I might be put in harms way. I didn't realize all of this until recently. I hadn't realized he saved your life twice... Took care of you when I didn't... I hadn't seen how completely happy you were until I saw how shattered you've been. Losing your dad was the most painful thing I've ever gone through, but I can't remember my life before him. He made this life worth-while. I don't want you going through life without that kind of love."

She shakes her head as tears well in her eyes, "He's not Derek, baby... He's your Brandon."

My heart thrashes violently against my ribcage as my stomach churns. Tears threaten to leave my eyes. I bite down on my lower lip and shake my head as my flight number calls for a final boarding call. I sniffle and pick up my bags, giving her a faint smile before making my way towards my flight.

"Clementine!"

I turn back to look at mom once again. She gives me a sad smile, "Don't talk to any boys..."