Across the Lake

Chapter 3: Silent Concerns

"They must've taken the car," Claire murmured, her voice tinged with worry as we both glanced around.

"Why wouldn't they tell us, though?" I asked, my mind racing with questions. I had a sinking feeling that something was off.

"Stay strong, I'm sure everything's okay," she reassured me, her words a gentle comfort as she pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you," I whispered, grateful for her strength. We both went inside for dinner, but the unease lingered.

"I was planning to read the rest of my book tonight, but I can come outside with you if you want," Claire offered, her smile warming me despite the tension.

"That would be lovely." I smiled back, my heart lifting at the thought of spending some quiet time together.

We walked around the lake, the cool night air brushing against my skin. Everything felt so calming, but I could sense the weight in Claire's silence. She was trying so hard to stay strong for me, but I knew her too well to not notice the cracks in her composure.

"Are you okay?" I asked, keeping my voice soft, as if asking would somehow make it easier for her to let her guard down.

Claire let out a nervous laugh, brushing it off. "Of course, there's nothing to be sad about." She flashed a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Don't be afraid to tell me when something's wrong," I said, my voice quiet but insistent.

"Totally!" she replied, her smile more genuine now, though there was still something in her eyes that worried me. We continued walking, the conversation lightening as we spotted Paige in the distance.

"Hey, Paige! I see you're also walking around," I called out, feeling a little better seeing her.

Paige turned toward us and smiled; her energy infectious. "Doing some midnight walking, nice to see you around."

Claire introduced herself to Paige, and the two began chatting, their easy conversation pulling me back into the moment. I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest as I realized how effortlessly they clicked.

"You always meet the right people," Claire said, looking at me with a playful glint in her eye.

"Don't act like you don't either," I teased back, and she rolled her eyes with a smile.

"You always know what to say to make me happy," she said, and I couldn't help but feel a deep joy in knowing I could make her feel that way.

"I'm really happy I can make you happy." We shared a hug, the bond between us stronger than ever. But just as we pulled apart, I noticed Paige wiping away a tear.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my heart sinking as I stepped closer to her.

"You two have such a bond me and my sibling don't have," Paige said, her voice soft, almost wistful.

Without thinking, I pulled her into a hug. "I'm sure someday things will turn around," I said, hoping to ease her pain. Claire nodded in agreement; her expression sympathetic.

"I really hope you're right about this," Paige whispered, wiping her eyes. "Thanks, you guys."

"You're a nice person. Good things happen to good people," I said, offering a smile. Paige returned it, the faintest hint of relief in her eyes.

"You know, you're right," she said softly. We walked back toward the cabin together, a quiet camaraderie between us. Paige lingered near the lake, while Claire grabbed her book and sat on the couch.

I retreated to my guitar, hoping to lose myself in the familiar comfort of music. But as my fingers strummed the strings, the weight of my parents' sudden disappearance grew heavier. Tears welled up, and I couldn't focus, the song turning into a blur of emotion.

Claire walked in, noticing the tears streaking down my face. She sat beside me, her expression full of concern. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked gently.

I paused, the guitar still in my hands. "I'm just... still worried," I admitted, trying to keep my voice steady.

Claire wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. "Try and stay strong. I know it's difficult, but you can count on me," she said softly.

"You're always so confident," I whispered, admiring her ability to remain composed when everything felt so uncertain.

She laughed; a sound full of warmth. "I want you to share that same confidence! Just knowing that things will be okay."

We held the moment in silence for a while, the weight of the unknown between us.

"Why would Mom act so strange, though?" I asked, the knot in my chest tightening. The thought had been gnawing at me since dinner.

Claire seemed to hesitate, then gave a small shrug. "She's probably just messing around, you know her," she said, trying to laugh it off.

"I guess you're right, she never lied to us." I forced a smile, though doubt still lingered in my mind.

"Exactly. You can keep playing guitar, I just wanted to check in on you," Claire said, standing up and walking out of the room.

I returned to my guitar, but the music didn't flow the same. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong.

After a while, I gave up trying to play and put the guitar away. I wandered into the living room, where Claire was still finishing her book.

"Are you almost done with your book?" I asked, hoping to distract myself from the anxiety creeping in.

Claire looked up from her pages and smiled. "After weeks, I can safely say yes."

I laughed, surprised. "That was a lengthy book! I don't know how you did it."

"It was a book I was passionate about. Romance books never fail," she said, grinning as she turned the page.

I left her to finish and went into the kitchen to grab a snack. The sense of unease still gnawed at me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened.

I tried to rest, but it was impossible. I went back into the kitchen for a drink, still restless. My mind kept going back to my parents' sudden disappearance. It wasn't like them to leave without telling us where they were going.

I grabbed my guitar again and went outside, the night air cool against my skin. I set up a chair by the lake, alone with my thoughts and my music. As I played, the song I had been humming earlier seemed to take on new meaning. I couldn't hold back the tears, each note a reflection of the anxiety that gripped me.

It was then I noticed Maya walking toward me. Her presence startled me, and I almost stopped playing.

"Sorry if I scared you," she said, laughing lightly as she took a seat beside me.

"No problem! Nice to see you're finally coming around," I said, wiping my face and offering her a small smile.

"I heard your guitar playing. You have talent!" she said, and I couldn't help but smile in return.

"I get told that a lot, I just never believe it," I admitted, a little embarrassed.

"You're absolutely crazy," she said, her disbelief obvious, and I was left speechless, overwhelmed with emotions.

"Anyways, get some rest! It's late," Maya said, standing up. "You've got a good night ahead of you."

"You're right, I should get going," I replied, grabbing my guitar and giving her a wave.

As I headed back inside, the weight of the night still hung over me, but for a moment, I felt a little lighter. The mystery surrounding my parents' disappearance still loomed, but the warmth of the people around me gave me a flicker of hope.