She frowned, stepping closer. "I don't.. want you to go." *** He was sitting down, a frown on his face. "Hey."
He looked down at her, brushing her hair back before leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I don't want to leave." * * * She noticed his frown and came over, sitting next to him. "Hey, what's wrong?"
She frowned slightly. "Do you have to?" *** He shook his head slightly. "Is it true that you were just using me?"
He hesitated, looking over his shoulder. "I suppose I don't..." * * * She jerked her head back. "Using you? What do you mean?"
She tilted her head slightly, looking up at him. "You don't have to stay." *** He stood up, his expression trying to be strong but betraying him and showing his genuine hurt. "My dad said that he saw us that night. That I wasn't the only one you kissed.. He said you were using me because of my status."
He looked down at her thoughtfully, a frown crossing his lips. “Do you want me to?” *** Her frown deepened and she stood up. “You’re asking if I’m using you?” she asked, her voice sharp and cold.
She leaned forward and kissed him, her hands resting on his jaw. "Yes." *** "Yes," he replied, his gaze uncertain and sad.
He flushed deeply, his hands coming up to rest in her face. “Hm... okay...” *** She looked more angry than sad. “Of course not,” she said sharply, going back over to the balcony. She slung her legs over, before looking back at him. “I really thought you didn’t trust the rumors.”
She looked up at him with wide eyes. "I'm sorry." *** He shook his head quickly, approaching her and holding out his hands nervously. "Don't go over the balcony."
"Why are you sorry?" he asked dully. "I'm the one marrying a crazy lady." * * * She glared at him, turning and placing her hands on the stone to lower herself. "No, you know what?! I'm getting really tired of trusting that people are good despite what I've been taught and then getting fooled over and over again. Nomads are absentminded and a little thoughtless, sure, but we are not manipulators. We're not cruel. And even if we were manipulating you, could you blame us? Your family has made sure that we have no chance to thrive in this town. We have nothing. Your father burned down our homes and imprisoned my people. *squee!* this."
"Because we're kissing and I actually like it. And I'm supposed to care about Catalina's feelings I guess, but I don't." *** He looked hurt but gently grabbed her arm, his face serious. "If you go down there you will get captured, Clara, and I won't be able to save you like I did last time."
"She's not a bad person," Charlie said slowly. "I just don't like her." * * * She wrenched her arm away, still looking furious, but she glanced over her shoulder with a frown. "You knew that they were going to come after me and you still let me come here?!"
She nodded. "I get it.. Why did she replace me?" *** "I'm sorry, Clara. I.. There is no excuse for it. I understand if you don't come back to me again after this but you have to trust me so I can help you."
“You’re a little intimidating,” he teased, sitting on the edge of the bed. *** She hesitated, looking over the edge. Upon seeing no guards, she shook her head. “I think you’re lying,” she told him, beginning to descend. “I think you’re trying to keep me here. It won’t work.”
She sat beside him, tilting her head. "Is that why?" *** He looked panicked, watching her. "I'm serious!"
“I don’t know why,” he said with a shrug. “But I assume so.” *** She shook her head, making her way down quickly, gaining confidence as she moved.
He looked over at her, his eyes thoughtful. “Maybe she knows I want you nearby.” *** She got to the bottom, landing on the ground and looking back up for a moment. She seemed fine. After a moment, she turned to leave, moving quickly to the gate. She was almost there when the shot rang out. She staggered, slowing to a stop before falling to the ground, and a few guards emerged from the bushes, moving towards her body.
She flushed slightly, something that was unusual for her. "Maybe.." *** He flinched, whimpering slightly. His heart dropped and he tensed, looking incredibly uneasy.
He smiled at her shyly, brushing her hair back before kissing her again. * * * His father's hand rested on his shoulder. "Don't look, Ezekiel. It's just like squashing a bug." The guards picked up her body, draping it over their shoulders like a fireman's hold, and they headed into the building, with Clara hanging limply.
