Clarissa felt so grateful, now that fate has given her a chance to meet her very own best friend, but her emotion was mixed with negativity, she felt frustrated and sad about him. Their impression toward each other definitely had changed, the usual talk they had when they were in the human world remained just a memory now.
"Where did you spend your vacation?" She asked, grin was on the face. "Somewhere across the world. In Europe." He answered, eyes staring at the floor the whole time since they'd talk. As if he wasn't even glad to meet her. Like his response the previous hour in the forest were just forcibly said, like it was all a lie. "What part of Europe? Was the place good?" She was eager to listen to his voice. "Yeah, it was good. Italy." He said in a low voice. "Italy's undeniably great. There are a lot of good places in there."
"So, how's your experience so far?" She couldn't really wait to say those questions at the same time. "We just had the whole month in Rome. With my other friends, humans. Old classmates in college and high school, if that's part of your question." He quickly said, no stop at all, like he was reading a sentence in a book. He took a quick look at Clarissa.
She couldn't handle the feeling. She wanted to blow right in front of him, didn't care whatever his reaction was it gonna be. "What's wrong, Alex?" She yelled, eyebrows met. "Why are we even like this? Something is wrong with you." She lowered down her voice saying the second sentence. He kept silent. "You've changed, Alex. You aren't even speaking." She almost whispered.
"It's not that," he finally spoke. "We went to Italy, to different places, just to forget about you." He looked at her now. "Forget about me?" She perplexingly asked. "Yes. Since I've heard the news that Jake and you will be marrying each other." He nodded his head emphasizing it. "You see, Rissa. The feeling's killing me. Softly. Slowly. I can't get you out of my mind in the past."
Those words hurt her inside. "And it's been a year, almost. I thought I was ready, and so I came back here in Grezsatly. But you suddenly appeared, and I could immediately recognize your beautiful face. I really thought I was ready. To forget about you. But then I was wrong." His statement had the most effective words, it came out like a giant hammer, breaking her heart.
And it crushed, broke into pieces. But it wasn't only caused by Alex, but also, herself. Whom she called a fool all her life. She almost cried when she listened to those words. "I should've showed up in front of you back in the woods. I'm a cold-hearted person, you don't deserve such a friend like me. I didn't care how you felt for me." She closed her eyes, trying to trap the tears covering her pupils. She had heard him get out of his chair, then she felt the warmth of his body, there was additional heat since he was a wolf. "I'm so sorry." He whispered to her ear. She realized, that it were the things she needed, to be complete.
"No," she held his hand. "I should be the one apologizing to you, Alex." She sobbed, scratching her nose afterwards. "I'm the one who let go of those words to you, Rissa. I'm the one who hurt you, not me." He shook his head, returning to his seat.
It was the then the precise time when the door was being opened, Cassie entering first followed by her father. They both watched as the young girl went to the kitchen to entertain them. "Hey there, Sandra." He greeted, grinning.
She smiled at him, then looked at Clarissa. "Are you crying, mommy?" She asked, turning her head a little when she sat on her lap. "No, not at all." She lied, shaking her head twice. Cassie smiled, then returned to her head's normal position. Jake joined them, sitting at the center of Clarissa and Alex. He was there to listen. "You're like a duplicate of your mom." He said as he gazed at Cassandra. "You got the eyes, still big. And big means gorgeous." He grinned, and he meant it. "Thank you, Alex." She hesitantly replied. "Good thing you inherited your mother." He glared at Jake while peeking at him. He didn't look back, just smiled at his daughter. "You have a schooling?" He asked. "Yeah, Vanessa teaches me and Andy."
"So, Vanessa's into teaching?" Alex now looked at Clarissa. "I guess so. She enjoys being one, though." She laughed a little. "Where have you hidden, Alex?" Jake finally spoke from his seat. "Me and my folks went to Rome. Had some kind of different fun in there, it was a memorable adventure." He quickly responded. "So, how's the human world?" He asked. "It's great. They're good." He wasn't sure what to answer, what kind of answer does he want, anyway.
"But, how's your status for now? Still single?" Clarissa curiously asked, wishing for one. "It's actually complicated. I have this one girl, her name is Annie. She's a human, and we were so close to each other ever since I've got there in the human world. She was kind, and most of all, beautiful and unique. She was always there by my side, every time I need her, she's right there. I was leaning on her, though. The thing is, we used to like each other." He stopped to see if he still has everyone's attention, because he was completely aware that he was almost narrating a story, quickly. "And what happened?" She immediately asked, eager to know the story. "I was the one who admitted the feeling. Just like what I did to you. Oh crap, I definitely wouldn't ever forget about that, would I? Going back to the story, she told me that she loves me too. But, then, it just didn't work out."
"Instead, we agreed to give time to each other to reassure ourselves if we really, really do love each other. So, that's what happened."
"What do you think? Do you officially love Annie?" Clarissa was grinning. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Yeah, the feeling is different. She completes my day." He shrugged his shoulders. Clarissa's happiness overflowed that she cheered. Even Jake, who also did grin and straightened his back, moved his body a little when he heard Alex's response.
"I'm so happy for you, Alex."
"Yeah, me too." He replied, smiling. "When are you going there to fetch that chic?" She frowned. "After I spend my time in my home. She could wait, I know her. And if she doesn't love me anymore, it's not my fault." He shrugged once again.
