seasonal change || graire ✔️

Chapter 17

~Claire's POV~
     My brother and me decided to go to the pier early in the morning, before the dawn comes. I brought all important paraphernalias I have, therefore I had to bring two luggages and one handheld spacious bag. Jack helped me carry them, placing them inside the car. I hopped inside, as I turned the radio on, switching the station to our favorite. I wanted to spend the last minutes I have with him happily. I wanted to have memories with him that I'll treasure forever. So we jammed and jammed, until we reached the pier. And as he placed my bags down, he stared directly at my eyes.

"Don't promise me anything now," he told me, face serious. "I don't want to hope for nothing."

"I'm sorry," I chuckled, as I wrapped my arms around him. "But Jack, before I leave, I want to say these words I hadn't said to you the last time I left."

"What is it?"

"Thank you," I mumbled out. "Thank you for everything, Jack. Thank you for understanding my reasons for leaving. Thank you because you were always there for me, especially during the times that I am so frail, fragile. Thank you because you support me in everything I want to do, I want to venture, though it's against your will. And Jack, thank you for making me feel loved. I love you, bro. I'll definitely miss you." I tightened my embrace.

"Don't be so dramatic." he told me, messing my hair. "You're just freakingly stubborn, that's why I'm like that. And you're always being a crybaby that it annoys me. That's why."

"You're so harsh. You always treat me like that."

"Yeah yeah. Now go, you'll be late for your trip."

"Thanks!!"

     I walked away, shotting him a last glance. He was wearing a smile as I entered the inspection area. I felt my tears fall again but I quickly wiped it away. No one really can replace Jack as the best brother I knew. So understanding, so caring. Those traits he has that I love so much. I'll really miss that man so much.

     As I reached the docks, I saw Zack checking if the engine is fine. As he soon as he saw me, he wore a big smile. I can't help but to do the same. His smile is so genuine, so sincere. I feel myself being welcomed again. I hope that this continues. I hope that the relationship I had with the others will remain the same, especially with Ann, Popuri, and of course, Gray.

"Long time no see, Claire." he greeted warmly, as I gave him a smile.

"Long time no see, too, Zack."

"So let's go now?"

"Sure."

      Zack started the engine of the boat, as I settled my things down in a cabin.  I went outside, as the rising sun greeted me. I smiled, and stretched out my arms. The feelings I had back then, the emotions I felt, they all came back to me. How I missed this feeling! How I missed the feeling of going there. I smiled back at the skies, and just watched the sunrise.

      Noontime soon came, so I prepared my lunch. I ate up, preparing some for Zack, too, as a token of gratitude. I went to him, told him that I readied something for him, and he thanked me. I sauntered towards a deck and sat on it. I remembered when I first went there, I was really mad at Mayor Thomas, because he laughed at me when he learned I was deceived by the advertisement. But I guess not this time. I already know everything about the farm, and I know the challenges I'm going to face again. I know better now.

     Nighttime soon came. I entered the cabin and sat on my bed. I feel quite tired. Going to Mineral Town can really be exhausting, yet thrilling. I'm excited, the same time jittery and nervous. I placed my hand on my chest, and felt the heartbeat. I smiled again, as I laid down on my bed and covered myself with a blanket.

     The stars were still shining when we reached the town. I felt really nervous as I set foot on the shore. I thanked Zack, then went to the farm. I did not become surprised anymore as I saw the state the farm is in right now. I guess no one did really accept the challenge. Nothing really changed about it, so I entered the house and arranged my things there.

     I cleaned the house for a while, removing all the cobwebs and dust seen inside. I wiped the sweat falling from my face. Cleaning the house can be quite an exercise, huh? I waited for 6 AM to come before I went out of the house.

"Good morning! Are you the new farmer?" Mayor Thomas asked me, with a smile. His face soon changed as he realized who is the figure in front of him. "Claire!?"

"Hello, Mayor Thomas." I warmly greeted. "I'm the new farmer here. I see that no one has taken over the farm, huh?"

"Yeah. I'm really glad to see you here again, Ms. Claire Adams. Thank you for taking over this abandoned farm again. Well, as you said, no one accepted the challenge ever since you left, so the farm has been really in an awful state since then. The town and I are really grateful that you decided to take care of the farm again. So, if you need help, you can just ask me." he said. "I'll go now."

"Thank you, Mayor."

      I decided to spend my time clearing some weeds and debris for a while, until the time sets to 10:00 AM. I took a stroll around the town, going to the Supermarket to buy some onion  seeds to plant. And as I reached the place, I was greeted by Karen.

"Morning," she muttered out, glancing to my direction. Her face soon changed as she saw me. "C-Claire...? You're... back?" she asked.

"Hi Karen. Yes, I'm bac-" she suddenly hugged me, cutting me off.

"Wow!! It's great to see you here again. I'm really happy that you're back. I'm really happy..." she said. "So, going to buy some seeds? I'm going to tell Dad to give those for a free price."

"Uh... I'm just okay. Don't worry, I'll pay. Don't tell your dad anymore." I replied to her, waving my hands in front of my face. "I would like to purchase some onion seeds, and some of these tomato seeds." I took some bags of those and went to the counter to pay.

"Nice to see you again, Claire! Hope you'll be successful in you farm life." Jeff said, as I took the bags of seeds and put it inside my rucksack.

"Thanks, Jeff." I said as I left the shop.

     I headed towards the farm, but as I walked, I bumped into someone very familiar...

"Watch where you're going, will ya!?"

Gray Williams.