seasonal change || graire ✔️

Chapter 22

T R E N T

      I stood in front of my desk and stared at the table in front of me. My eyes weren't seeing things clear; they were brimming with tears. Tears that have been the result of me trying to get Claire back. It has been hard. She was taciturn to me for some reasons that I just don't understand. I want to say sorry to her, but shdm wouldn't just give me any kind of attention. And I have no idea of what to do now.

      I wiped my tears away as I heard Elli telling me there's a patient entering. It was Jeff, and his case was another stomachache again. I gave him the same prescribed medicine, and as he left the clinic, I decided to close it, since it's already 3:50 PM.

     After I gave Elli my last reminders, I decided to go to the Mineral Beach for a while. I just want to find answers, I just want to clear up my mind. I've been so confused, and I find everything happening right now a big mix-up. The time I met Claire, she instantly became my friend. She became special to me and I felt that I was that I was the same for her, too. But now, I just don't understand why. I don't understand why she seems to be so far from me, why she seems to be so distant from me. Was it because of something I did to her? Then what could be that thing? What could be the fucking thing that made her avoid me?

      The sun started to set down, but I still haven't got any answers to my questions. Those questions still confused the heck out of me. Was there something wrong that happened between the two of us? Have I done something wrong before? I probably did, but what is it? Why won't she tell me? Doesn't she want our friendship anymore. Doesn't she want me to be her friend? Because if I was the one to be asked, I would want everything to be okay. I want this whole confusion to end. I want everything to go back to the way it used to be. And I want to be her friend, again.

     I tried to reminisce everything that happened during the time we had our last talk. I was worried about her, so I called Ann, asking for Claire. When she talked to me, I invited her to the beach. But then, as I left the Clinic, Elli followed me. When she confessed to me at the beach, Claire was there, watching us, her face wet with tears. Then she ran away, and I was never able to talk to her after that. Yes, it was still clear as a crystal out there. And it was a painful memory. I wasn't able to comfort her. I wasn't by her side that time when she felt so much pain.

     I asked myself once again. Was that the thing that made everything like this? Was it the reason why she never talked to me again? Yes, I guess that was it. Maybe she thought that she wasn't that important because she saw me with Elli that time. Maybe she thought she wasn't really invited, that maybe I was forced. I want to clear things, I want to show her that it wasn't my intention. But the question is, how?

      I stood up from where I am sitting. As I glanced back at the beach, I noticed Zack coming from his work. The guy gave me a warm greeting.

"Hey Doc! What're ya doin' here at this time? Aren'cha supposed to be restin' by now?" his eyes were asking a question as he brought his cargoes on the ground.

"Nothing," I gave him a small smile. "Just thinking about things hard to understand."

"I see," he wore a sly smile, which confused the hell out of me. "I'm sure it's quite disconcerting, but you'll find your answers soon enough."

      He walked away, not saying any word to finish his seemingly unfinished statement. The waves rolled as Zack left my mind in a state of confusion. Just what is it? Just what the heck is Zack talking about? What answers is he talking about? It's confusing as hell, and his words seem to have another meaning that somehow has a connection with what's happening between me and Claire right now. What is he talking about? What is it that I want to hear from him that he did not say?

     Tousling my hair, I started walking down the dark streets only lighted by street lamps. I could hear the low howling of wolves in the forest, and the slight rustling of the leaves from the trees. As I reached my destination, I opened the doors and saw various townspeople drinking. Entering the Inn, I sat on a stool and ordered a wine for myself. I guess one drink wouldn't hurt, right?

      A glass of wine was served to me by Doug, as I stared at it as if it's some kind of an alien. Until now, everything seems to create a mix-up in my mind. Zack's words left some kind of impression in my heart. It disturbs me a lot, even until now. And Claire, I just don't understand what's happening to us right now. Maybe what Zack had told me was somehow connected to everything happening between me and her. Maybe he knew something about it.

     I wiped the tears falling down as soon as I felt it. I just can't be liked this. There's something I can still do, not only being like this. I requested for another glass of wine until I saw Ann coming down from the stairs.

    I saw her talking with Gray's grandfather, Saibara the old blacksmith, and the old man seems to be asking her for help. Straight up drinking the glass of wine, I listened to their conversation. The blacksmith was asking for Ann's help to guide his grandson. I've been hearing things that he's not in good terms with the blond due to the latter being volatile and temperamental to a fault. I decided to stop eavesdropping and take another glass again.

I was in the middle of another glass when she sat beside me. "Kinda rare to see you drinking. What's up?"

"Nothing much," I replied, as I finished another glass. "Just something confusing me."

"About Claire, am I right?" she asked, and all I can do was to sneer.

"Yeah. She was confusing as hell. I mean, before she left, we were okay. But then now, it's just... too different. She was too distant from me, that I can't reach her already."

"You did something wrong, then," she told me, as she poured a drink for me and even for herself. "Toast for you."

We shared a toast and I took a gulp. "Yeah, that's what I think, too. But what could it be? I have no idea, and she doesn't want to give me any idea about it."

"I know the answer, but I couldn't just tell it to you."

"Why?"

"Because it's better if you yourself finds it out. It's better if you yourself discovers it," she then gave me a pat. "Take a rest, Doctor Trent. Don't drink too much."

"Yeah. Thanks."

     I stood up, still confused about everything. But she's right, it's better if me myself knows everything about this firsthand. After paying, I left the Inn, and walked back to the Clinic.

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Sorry if I always seem to change the format of the point-of-views. 😂 Don't worry, I guess this might be the final form?

Anyways, thanks for the reads guys! I know I'm a turtle when it comes to updating, and thank you for still reading.💓

Don't forget to read, vote and comment! Love you all...

~sasakiarisu