Across the Lake

Chapter 4: Unspoken Truths

"Where did you go?" Claire asked, her voice sharp as my mom walked through the door. But my mom didn't answer. She just walked past us, her face unreadable.

I slowly stepped out of my room, feeling the heavy tension in the air as the conversation began.

"Where's Dad?" Claire asked, her voice trembling, a crack that she couldn't hide.

My mom's face crumpled, and she began to sob. Claire's expression went blank, and she turned away, retreating into herself.

"I'm going to go read a new book," she said quietly, her voice distant, as she walked toward the living room.

My mom stormed back into her room, slamming the door behind her. I felt a cold wave of dread wash over me. Something was terribly wrong, but I didn't know what.

A deep, unsettling feeling gnawed at my gut as I stood frozen, unsure of what to do.

I approached Claire, who was frantically shutting the book she had been reading, her fingers trembling slightly. She looked at me, her eyes searching mine, before speaking.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly, her concern evident.

"I just want to know what's going on," I replied, my voice breaking as tears began to fall. Claire wrapped an arm around me, trying to stay strong, though I could tell she was struggling too.

"Don't worry about it. Go hang out with your friends," she said, though her voice lacked its usual certainty. I could still feel that something was terribly wrong.

I got up, forcing myself to walk outside, while Claire sighed and stared after me, her expression unreadable.

I found Paige sitting by the lake, her gaze fixed on the water. I approached her, trying to hide the storm inside me.

"Hey," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Paige turned around, surprised. "Oh hey, you're out later than usual," she said, her tone casual, but there was something in her eyes that told me she could sense my unease.

"Oh, you know, I was having so much fun last night," I said, my teeth clenched, trying to mask the pain that was threatening to spill over.

"Hope you at least had fun!" Paige said with a lighthearted tone, but I could barely hold back the tears. I stood there, fighting to keep myself together.

"You look really stressed out," Paige said after a moment, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine, it's literally nothing," I lied, but the tears were unstoppable now, racing down my face.

Paige reached out, gently wiping the tears away, her concern written all over her face. "I think you're lying to me," she said, her voice soft.

I broke down in front of her, unable to hold it in any longer.

"Blaire, what's wrong?" she asked, kneeling beside me as I continued to sob, my heart feeling like it was shattering.

She seemed unsure of how to help, her hands hovering awkwardly. "Do you need something?" she asked, her voice panicked.

I tried to calm myself, wiping my eyes, forcing myself to stand. "I'm fine," I said, but my voice cracked, and I couldn't bring myself to believe it.

I walked away without another word, and Paige watched me with an expression full of worry. I didn't care where I was going anymore. I wandered aimlessly, my thoughts a chaotic mess. Hours seemed to pass before I found myself sitting at the base of a random tree, the sun beginning to set.

Then I heard footsteps, and Maya appeared, walking toward me.

"Why are you so upset?" she asked, her voice gentle.

I couldn't answer her, couldn't find the words. I just sat there, staring at the ground, feeling utterly broken.

"I'm guessing you need some time alone. I get it. I'll check back on you later," Maya said, her voice soft as she walked away.

I heard Claire calling my name, and before I knew it, she was running toward me. When she reached me, she wrapped me in a quick hug.

"I know this is tough," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I want you to know you can always talk to me."

I let out a shaky breath as I pulled away from her, trying to gather myself. "Did Mom at least tell you what happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Claire sighed; her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I don't honestly know yet," she said, the words heavy in the air.

We began walking back to the cabin, side by side, the weight of the unknown pressing down on us.

"I promise I'll let you know if she does," Claire added, her voice trying to offer some comfort.

"I always believe you," I said quietly, hoping she could feel the sincerity in my words. Claire looked at me, her face tight with unshed emotion, before looking away.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she walked toward the side of the cabin.

I went inside, but my gaze stayed on her for a moment, watching her walk around the cabin before disappearing inside.

I wanted to ask her more, but something told me that she was holding back, just like Mom.

"Are you okay?" I asked when Claire finally reentered the cabin, her expression guarded.

"Of course," she replied, her voice forced as she walked toward the living room. I didn't believe her, but I didn't press her. Instead, I retreated to my room, the uncertainty thick in the air.

I overheard my mom sobbing in her room, her cries echoing down the hallway. I grabbed my guitar, desperate to distract myself from the weight of everything. I played, letting the sound fill the room as I closed my eyes, trying to escape into the music.

In my mind, I imagined performing in front of a cheering crowd. The lights, the energy, the thrill of it all. For a moment, I felt lighter, as if everything would be okay.

I imagined my dad in the audience, smiling proudly, my mom and Claire cheering me on. It was the happiest moment I could envision, and for a fleeting second, I felt at peace.

That's when I heard Claire's soft footsteps behind me. I opened my eyes to find her standing in the doorway, looking at me with concern.

"I'm just checking in on you," she said, walking over to give me a tight hug. "I know things are uncertain, but don't let it bring you down, okay?"

Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke, and when she pulled away, I noticed the tension in her jaw, the way she bit her lip to hold back her own tears. As she left the room, I felt my heart break.

Seeing her like that, vulnerable and raw, was the last thing I wanted. She was always the strong one. The one who kept everything together. But now, even she was breaking.

Deep down, I knew something terrible had happened. My mom was too upset to tell us the truth. Claire knew it. I knew it. It was time to hear the truth from my mom herself.