seasonal change || graire ✔️

Chapter 12

~Jack's POV~

     I went to the docks and stared at the horizon. It's almost been seven months since Claire left. I missed her so badly. Though I understand her reason for leaving, that she wanted to be independent, I still didn't want her to leave. But I know for a fact that she would be so persistent, insisting that she would go to that town, so I just let her, even though I wanted to protest because I know how frail she can be when she encounter difficult problems.

     I sat on the edge of the platform, staring at the vast blue skies. It kind of reminds me when we were still kids and just innocently playing at the seaside. But I guess we can not be forever young. So even though how many times I wish that we could be just like that, even though how many times I pray for us to be so carefree like that, nothing will happen. Because people are destined to grow older.

I stood up and again turned back my gaze to the seas. However, I saw a boat coming to this direction, so I decided to remain for a while. I heard some faint yelling that got more louder as the boat nears the pier.

"Jack!" I heard a voice, same as Claire's, yelling my name.

"Jack!"

"Jack!"

I fixated my eyes on the approaching boat. Standing there was a familiar blonde-haired girl, screaming my name. It's been a long time since I've seen her. It's been a long time since I heard that wonderful voice. She hadn't called me these past seven months. She told me she would, but it seems that she forgot the promise she made. But, I don't care about that anymore. I'm just too happy to care if she fulfilled her vow to me or not.

"Jack..." she softly uttered as she set foot on the dock. "I'm back."

I smiled as I walked to her. "Claire, welcome home. It's been so long since I've seen you."

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have just left you. I thought I could be on my own. But no... I still need you. I still needed that brother of mine who never did anything but to support me in my decisions. Jack... I'm... I'm really..." she embraced me tightly, as I felt my shirt getting wet by her tears.

"Claire..."

She wiped her tears away and mustered up a smile, "I'm really sorry. I became so sentimental again." she chuckled. "Um... by the way, that is Kai. He's a friend that I met back there at Mineral Town. Kai, this is my brother, Jack."

"Nice to meet you, Kai."

"Pleasured to meet you, Jack." the tan-skinned ,man muttered in response. "You and Claire sure do look like twins. Um... by the way, I need to leave now, so I can get to my destination by tomorrow. Bye Claire! I wish we could see each other again."

"Bye Kai! I'll miss you..."

Then Kai drove his boat off. I just stared at Claire, whose presence comforted me at the same time confused me. I'm happy that she's here now but, why in a sudden? Maybe she didn't endure the life as a farmer? After all, she's just too lazy to tend crops and take care of livestock.

"Claire," I called out, voice all firm and serious. "Why did you go back home?"

"Why? Don't you miss me?"

"It's not that. I actually wanted you here beside me. What I mean is, why all of a sudden? What happened?"

"I'll tell you everything when we reach the house, I'll tell you everything there."

"Okay."

-_

       She sat on the sofa and cried as I stared at her, all serious. I heard everything that happened. She fell in love but feelings were never returned. And she lost her best friend who just happened to have feelings for her I thought so. I thought she couldn't deal with problems like this. That's why I didn't want her to leave.

"I'm really sorry if I hadn't listened to your protests before. I thought I can go on by myself. But I was an idiot for leaving your side. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry..." she kept on crying as I pulled her into a hug.

"Stop now, okay? I'm here already. And I promise to protect you and to just stay here by your side. Just don't cry, okay? I can't bear seeing you like that." I said, consoling her.

"Just... please do, Jack. I really need you." she then snuggled closer to my chest. I said nothing in response and embraced her more protectively.