When Summer Becomes Winter

Chapter 7: The Day After the Party

Summer 4

I blinked a few times, regaining my focus before I realized that I was in my room. Was Leonel's gift a...dream? I rose out of bed and clenched my teeth; my inner thighs were slightly tender, and I had some mild throbbing in my area, so there was no way that it was a dream.

A quick knock was heard from my bedroom door as my mother opened the door with a smile.

"I know it was late when you came home last night, so I never got to ask how the party went." She stated, I smiled and nodded.

"It-it was great!" I replied as she kissed my forehead.

"It was nice of you to help clean up afterward, and it was nice of Leonel to walk you home, too!" I blushed a bit, remembering our awkward walk back to the farmhouse. I gave a yawn as my mother smiled.

"Get dressed for the day." She said, the door following her on her way out, "You can spend time with your friends if you want before school!"

I looked at the clock, 6 AM. I had Mr. Barrett's class today, so I had a lot of time to hang out with someone before school! I hopped out of bed and pulled a turquoise-colored mini dress, slipping it on along with my high-top sneakers. I decided that today would be a different day for me, so I added a simple white belt and a diamond necklace, gently applying a bit of make-up to improve my overall appearance.

I grabbed my school stuff and raced out the door, bidding my parents farewell.

-

I walked into the west side of town from Cherry Blossom Square. The streets were empty like a ghost town...except Jake; of course, he always came out early to work, bidding me the:

"Good morning, young human lady. I hope you and Orland are getting along well?" He asked as I smiled, nodding my head. The stories of how Jake hated humans made me wonder if he really ever was prejudiced against humans before! It didn't make sense to me since he was half-human! It kind of makes you wonder if his mother did something cruel to him. But that didn't matter now; he had changed, and he was better towards everyone in town! Even if he does have that natural bitter tone. I know where Orland gets his voice from.

Even so, Jake and Cecilia were an amazing couple and good parents! I watched Jake walk further away, taking the long way towards Tanya's shop. He may be cold, but he has such a big heart!

Cecilia was next to walk out of the inn; she smiled at me with such warmth that I couldn't help but smile back. I just adored her smile, along with her soft green eyes that gave me feelings of laying in a soft meadow.

"Good morning, Miss Clara! How are you?" she asked, as my smile grew bigger.

"I'm doing fine! I was thinking about visiting the family for a few hours before school starts. How are you, Ceci?" I asked as her smile also grew bigger.

"Well, in that case, we can walk together! And I'm doing well; how's your mom been?" She asked as we started walking to the manor. I know that she once served my mom before she and dad got married, and they were good friends.

"She's doing great!" I exclaimed, "She wants to visit the family sometime this week." I said as Cecilia smiled and nodded her head.

"I'll prepare her welcome." She said as we walked into the manor.

"Good morning, Sirs, Madame, Miss." Ceci said in a greeting as Max and Leann gasped in delight.

"Oh! Ceci! You seem to have brought us a gift! The best gift ever!" Max exclaimed as he and Leann hurried down the stairs.

"I do adore it when my niece and sister come for a visit!" He exclaimed.

"I love it when anyone in the family visits! But I especially love it when Clara visits!" Leann exclaimed, hugging me tightly. I blushed a bit. I'm not sure why she would love my visits. Leann and I had nothing in common! In fact, she had more in common with her other cousins! However, their visits were rare. Kind of like Sera and Serena's relatives from Yue's side.

-

I flipped through my notes during Mr. Barrett's lessons. I was trying to find that woodworking topic we were discussing last time since he wanted to finish up the lesson.

Ah! I found them! I got out my pencil and began to jot down the notes he already had on the board, basically discussing the different types of chisels and their use for each project.

I had that sensation that I was being watched as I raised my head and looked around. It was just Leonel; his face was a bright apple red as he looked away from me and back towards his notes. I suddenly remembered and blushed as well, looking back down at my notes.

Maybe that gift wasn't such a good idea. What if he accidentally lets it slip? Then the whole school will know, and knowing one of the adults will overhear! I mean, it was just a one-night stand! Nothing more will ever come from it!

-

I didn't even get the rest of the notes on the board as the bell rang, Mr. Barrett reminding us of our workshop class next week. I blinked a few times and gathered my books. I wanted to hurry out as fast as I could. I didn't want to see Leonel's face right now. I felt a little...uncomfortable around him. Hopefully, that will subside, and we'll go back to talking again!

I started rushing towards the farmhouse as fast as I could.

"Clara!" Mr. Barrett exclaimed as I stopped in my tracks. Was I in trouble?

"Y-yeah?" I asked nervously as he rushed towards me, a smile plastered on his face.

"I just wanted to say thanks. For planning that party for Leonel. He acted like he had a good time." He said as I blushed and nodded. If only he knew.

"Yeah, it's no problem." I said as I quickly rushed to my house.

I opened the front door of the farmhouse. Mom looked up from her novel with a smile on her face.

"Welcome back, Clara!" She exclaimed. "How was school?"

"Uh, it was fine." I said, shrugging as my dad walked down the stairs.

"You have that woodworking workshop next week, right?" He asked as I nodded.

"Yeah." I replied as my dad smiled at me.

"C'mon, I actually have a few woodworking tools. We can practice a bit outside." He said as I nodded.

-

"And if you do it this way...Uh, Clara?" Dad asked, shaking my shoulder slightly as I jumped. He gave me a small smile.

"A lot on your mind?" he asked as I looked down, blushing.

"A bit..." I answered as he nodded, leaning against the bench, trying to start a conversation he brought up.

"I heard Serena won the swimming race."

"Uh-huh." I said, nodding my head and smiling a bit. He smiled back.

"Your mom and I are going to visit a bit with your grandfather and your aunt, uncle, and cousin sometime this week. Do you wanna come?" I looked at him with a smile, shaking my head.

"Nah. I visit them every day. Besides, I'm sure I'll have a lot of homework to do. And not to mention this." I gestured to the woodworking as he nodded.

"We can practice later." He said, leading me back into the house. I rushed up the stairs into my room and flopped on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Still wondering why I thought giving that gift was a good idea!

I mean, I knew I felt sorry for him, but was it worth it? Blinking once again, I went into a flashback of when I was a little girl. Around the age of five, my poor mother trying to keep up with me; I giggled. Remembering that I was such a hyperactive child.

I blinked once again before closing my eyes, falling to a small slumber—just a nap really, hoping that I was going to wake from this long, long dream of confusion.