When Summer Becomes Winter

Chapter 1: Being A Teenager Has More Downs Than Ups

Spring 5

"Are you sure this water's safe, Clara?" I looked up from my rippled legs to my cousin's distressed face while laughing in amusement and rolling my eyes in annoyance.

"I'm sure it's safe. You may feel a few fish swim around your legs and nibble your toes." I replied while snickering. My cousin stood pondering for a moment before lifting the skirts of her dress, slipping her left foot out of one of her pink designer heels, and pulling off her white, silky stocking, dipping her big toe in the cool water.

"You promise this water's fine." She said sternly as I groaned in agitation.

"It's fine, Leann! Don't make me push you in!" I exclaimed, causing her brows to furrow in concern.

"That's usually Roy who would do something like that." She scolded with a frown. I sighed loudly, looking down at my reflection again in the cerulean water while reflecting on myself as well. Being a teenager was awkwardly difficult. Especially since it felt like I was always being compared to my cousin!

Perfect, prim, and proper Leann! The one who never has a bad hair day, never has a wrinkle in any of her outfits, never makes bad grades, is physically beautiful, and has perfect posture! I do love my cousin, sure! But the attention that she gets is exhausting! I'm a de Sainte-Coquille too! I deserve some recognition, even if I am a little different from the norm, right?

I didn't have another moment to ponder about it anymore after hearing my mother's voice boom out in worry.

"Clara! Where are you?!?" I sighed in annoyance. My mother worried about me way too much. I pulled my legs out of the water and slipped my boots on. Leann pulled her stocking back on and strapped her heels back on her foot. I always wondered how she could walk in those things; my feet hurt just looking at them. Nonetheless, I trailed my way home as she clip-clopped her way back to the manor.

-

I walked through the front door as my father looked away from his conversation with Barrett and towards me.

"Your mother is looking for you." He said, causing me to sigh and place my hands on my hips.

"I know, I know." I began, annoyed, "She doesn't need to worry about me. I'm fifteen years old, and I can take care of myself... mostly." I finished, causing my dad to chuckle.

"She's your mother! She's going to worry about you, no matter what!" Dad exclaimed as Barrett nodded his head.

"Yeah. It's the job requirements of being a mom. I'm sure you'll understand someday when you become a mother!" Barrett replied with a small smile, causing my dad to become nervous.

"Alright, let's not jump to that." Dad's voice was stern, causing me to blink at them a couple of times before mom stepped through the front door, making a huge sigh of relief upon seeing me.

"Thank the stars that you're alright." Her long, pale blue-gray hair seemed to become more gray than blue from all the unnecessary worry over me. Honestly, though, I wished she didn't worry about me so much. Worrying is one thing, but my mom's worry was overbearingly smothering.

"I was just with Leann." I reassured her with a sigh of annoyance; she smiled in delight.

"That's good to hear." She chirped with contentment, knowing that she could ask Leann to see if it was true or not and knowing that I wouldn't risk lying. However, no matter what my dad and Barrett say, I don't think I'll ever worry as much as my mom! Plus, there wasn't any point for her to worry anymore! It wasn't like I was going into the dungeons! Though, secretly, I did go into the dungeons to get a little workout—nothing major; the monsters are pretty weak in the dungeons, anyway.

-

Spring 6

The morning ray of sunshine splashed my face with warmth, giving me a sense of woe as I squinted my eyes open; a small, lethargic groan escaped my mouth. It was a Friday, and that meant, you guessed it. School. At least I'd have a day off tomorrow for relaxation and fun.

Fortunately, though, every time I woke up, it was six in the morning, which gave me plenty of time to do a few things, like tend to the crops, take care of my monsters, and talk to my friends before school began—things I usually did before our class. I hoisted myself from my bed to my dresser and pulled out an outfit for the day. A simple coral blouse and a pair of brown shorts. I looked at myself in my vanity mirror and sighed. I still looked the same as when I was ten.

The only difference between then and now was that I had developed a bit of curves, though I didn't particularly like how flat-chested I was. It was probably because I was so athletic, which made me envy my cousin, who had a perfect round bosom! I grumbled to myself, remembering everything about Leann was perfect!

I slipped my boots on my feet, bid my parents farewell, and bounded out the front door and onto the field, greeting my strawberries, pink turnips, and pink melons! Even if I am a tomboy, I do have a sliver of girly interests!

After tending to my crops, I rushed to the academy to meet up with my best friend, Leonel.

He was almost always at school first, mostly because his father is a teacher here at the academy! Leonel seemed to enjoy helping his dad out with his lessons, which I think is very sweet. He can be strong-minded like his father, but he's mostly shy, like his mother.

Many passersby have often asked me why Leonel, of all the kids in my class, is my best friend. It's a very simple answer, really! His dad and my dad are both very close friends; so are my mother and his mother! And they always have been, even when my dad left to protect Alvarna!

I stood behind Leonel, watching him pull out some iron, speckled skin, and so on from his dad's tote. He seemed to be lost in thought, so I cleared my throat to make my presence known; this caused him to jump slightly in surprise as he turned his body towards me. He began to sway slightly. Something he did when he was happy or excited.

"H-hey Clara!" He began, his face turning a light pink, "I uh...didn't hear you come in...what's up?" I shrugged.

"Oh, you know, same old, same old! Worrisome mom, girly cousin, an uncle who hates being called uncle." I said nonchalantly as Leonel chuckled, causing me to return his laugh.

"Sounds troublesome! On the plus side, though, at least your mom, dad, and family love and accept you."

"Hey! Your family loves you too!" I scolded, placing my hands on my hips as he sighed in a defeated way.

"But I don't think dad really accepts me; I'm too much like my mom. Plus...well...I'm always mistaken for a girl! I think he'd rather have a masculine son than a wimpy loser like me."

"Hey!" I began in a scolding tone, "That wimpy loser you're talking about...is my best friend!" He gave a sweet smile and began to chuckle.

"Thanks, Clara!" it was silent for a moment before I broke it to bid him farewell.

"I'll see you again at nine, 'kay?" Leonel just smiled at me and nodded his head once, watching me run out the front doors of the school. I squinted my eyes and looked left and right before heading off to Trieste Forest to fight some monsters.