It was a long day at work for both of our dear protagonists. Clementine spent most of her day waiting on street corners and trying to get hired. After a long while of waiting and nothing happening she looked up at the clock, hoping it was close enough to the end of her shift that she could clock out early. Luckily it was 5:25
"Five minutes. Close enough"
Clem secured her bag on her shoulder once again as she made her way back home so she could start getting ready. It wasn't a very far walk but she couldn't help but let her mind wander
Oh god… I have to face my family tonight…
What if I just didn't show up? They won't notice I'm not there right?
I could just spend the evening taking some me time
But I did promise Theo that I would come and I'm sure that he already told mom
Alistar's going isn't he? He'll probably talk about last night so even if theo didn't tell her she'll find out tonight anyway
Fine. I guess I should go then
She shook her head, getting out of her thoughts. As she looked up she realized that she had arrived home. She unlocked the door and headed to her room to pick out a suitable outfit
"We could go with a classy black dress but that would be too much. It's just a family dinner. We also have a cute red dress… Nope. Also too much. Do I have anything casual? Hm… Oh! Here we go. A nice black skirt and a white blouse"
She takes her outfit out of the closet and sets it down on her bed before grabbing a towel and heading to the bathroom for a shower
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After her shower she wrapped her towel around her before heading back to her room to change
She looked over at the clock on her night stand "6:30. Not bad. I should go"
Clemmie grabs her purse, making sure to fill up a flask just in case before tucking it away in her purse and heading out
She hummed a song she heard at the bar the night before, soon arriving at her mother's house. She stepped up to the door, contemplating if she should just turn around and go home. Before she had the opportunity to do so she heard a familiar voice behind her
"Oh hey Clem. Fancy seeing you here" Alistar smiled
"At my house?"
"...Yes. Anywho, what are you waiting for? Knock on the door"
"Do I have to?"
"If you wont then I will" Alistar gets in front of her and knocks on the door
Almost immediately the door opens with Theo on the other side "Hey! You guys made it!"
"Of course! You know I would never miss out on seeing you and mama Fran!" Alistar lets himself inside, going to the kitchen to try and find fran
Theodore looks over at his sister "I'm surprised that you made it"
"I did promise you that I would come tonight. You know I never break my promises"
"I know. I just didn't expect you to say yes when I asked"
"Yeah neither did I-"
"Well what are you doing? Come on in. You're no stranger"
She walks past him, immediately taken into a hug by her mother "Clementine! When I heard you were back I almost didn't believe it! How are you my dear?"
"Hey mom. I got back a few days ago"
"And you didn't come to see us?" Fran looked up at her, being a few inches shorter
"I wanted to get on my feet before coming by to say hi"
"You're certainly doing great for yourself" Alistar winks at her
She gave him a death glare and he chuckled "What? You have been"
"SHUT your MOUTh Alistar Matthew McCormack"
"Okay, okay. I'm just sayin" he puts his hands up in defense
Theo gives an awkward glance between the two before breaking the silence "So dinner?"
Frans face lights up "Oh! I have some lasagne in the oven" she runs to get the lasagne out before it burns something
Theo and clem look over at each other as Ali goes to sit down at the table "Thank you for coming tonight Clem"
"Thank you for inviting me"
They had a very lovely dinner with mostly small talk until Theo decided to speak up "So, what are you doing these days?"
Clem looked up at him "Me?" he nodded "Oh, well I'm… an entertainer...of sorts"
Ali tries hard to hold back a laugh. She kicks him from under the table
"Oh? Well I know James is needing someone to do his son's birthday party. Maybe I should tell him to give you a call"
That made alistar laugh "I wouldn't"
"Why not?" Theo asked with a puzzled look
He looks over at Clem and sees her sinking in her seat "She's not very good at her job. I was at a gig of hers and the host looked very bored"
She gets a relieved look before shooting daggers at him "Hey! He loved my entertainment, thank you!"
"That's not what I saw-" he gets cut off by clem hitting his arm "Ow- rude"
"Can we talk about something other than my job please?"
��Sure. Have you met anyone yet? Or maybe you've reconnected with someone?" Fran asked, looking up at her daughter
"Besides Ali? Nah. There aren't really interesting people in town. Actually that's a lie. I did meet a girl. Her name is Dorothy. She's letting me stay at her place with her and her roomate Betty"
Theo recognizes the names but can't figure out where. He gets lost in thought for a second before figuring out why he knows the two girls. He immediately gets a very grossed out look on his face "Ew-"
"What?" Clem realizes "Oh-"
They all sit in an awkward silence for a moment before Alistair breaks the silence "So would you guys like to head to a nice bar downtown? I know a really cool one that just opened up-"
"I'm good dear. I'm trying to quit drinking" Fran puts her hand up dismissively
"And I really should get back home. I have work tomorrow" Clemmie adds
"Oh c'mon Clem! You haven't seen us in 7 years! Come and get a drink with us. Please?" Her brother asks
She sits in thought for a moment before deciding to give in "Fine. But only a few drinks"
The boys cheer as they all grab their coats and head out to the bar