seasonal change || graire ✔️

Chapter 20

~Claire's POV~
    The bright glow of the sun woke me up as I squinted my eyes. I stood before the old grandfather clock and saw that it was already 8:00 AM. Oh crap, I overworked yesterday. I was too busy with my crops because they're already starting to bear fruit. Since I woke up late, I didn't bother to change my clothes and went outside of the farm already.

    Tying my hair into a high ponytail, I filled my watering can with water, and started to give my lovely crops a drink. Then after that, I moved on to harvesting some crops that are already ripe. And soon, I was done with the farmwork, since I still don't have livestocks to take care of. I'm still in the process of earning money, so I still couldn't buy one.

     When I found out that it's just 11:00 in the morning, I decided to collect some honey and herbs to sell. The gathering of items to sell wasn't easy, especially when you're unfamiliar of what they look and you don't know where to find them. And I consider myself lucky that I once resided in this town. Because I already know where to find the items I could sell, and I know how I can earn extra money.

     After I'm done putting everything that I found in the shipping bin, I took myself by feet to the hot springs, to take a short, relaxing bath. The idea of going to the springs seems to entice me, and so I've decided already. And as I reached the place, I wore a smile on my lips. Oh, how I loved the spring! The waters are so soothing, really. Removing every piece of clothing I wore, I settled myself into the waters, closing my eyes. It remained like that, until after thirty minutes I decided to get off the waters already.

    I was in the middle of changing when someone entered the springs. Instincts took over me as I covered myself with a towel hastily. As I looked at the person, I saw it was Gray, who was beet red and was shocked. He remained in his position until I yelled a loud...

"kYAAAAAH!!"

     The guy quickly went out of the springs as I quickly threw some pants in. My cheek color remained the same, not waning a bit. That... That was so embarrassing. I felt so ashamed. Now, how can I face him again? Ugh, this sucks.

    As I went out of the springs, I saw him there, standing, but avoiding my gaze. I looked away, too, my face burning a bright crimson. He entered the springs before I could even say any apology to him.

Huh, how can I really get your trust back, Gray Williams? I thought, before leaving the springs.

~Gray's POV~
    I entered the spring once the girl went out of it. As I slammed its door shut, I leaned against it, taking deep breaths. Did I just walk into her... changing into some clothes? Ugh, I'm sure I looked like a pervert staring at her body until she yelled. Ugh! This is so annoying. I was just supposed to take a nice bath here, but a nightmare already happened. Argh!

    I lost all the urge to take a bath in the hot springs, so I just went out and sat beside the Goddess' Spring. I stared at my reflection, and saw the young man I call myself. Little waves flow, making my reflection quite distorted. I kept on staring at it, as my mind had a single thought inside it.

Since when did I feel so alone?

    After all these years, I felt so alone. I've never had so much happiness after I found out that Claire has a crush on the Doctor. I've always felt so alone since that. And it's because I kept on pushing her away, thinking that she'll just hurt me. I was so afraid to be pained so much, but I didn't know that I was hurting her, too. Yeah, I hurt her, but when she left, she caused so much damage to me. Damage that I don't know if can still be repaired.

    I wanted to forgive her already, but there's a part in my heart that can not do so. It was deeply wounded the time she left me, and I can not go and risk once again. I'm too scared to have the same scar in my heart. The one she gave me is still in the process of healing, and I can't let myself have another one. It's too much to bear.

    I turned around, walking back to the town, when I saw...

"Gray..."