Strengths and Weaknesses (CURRENTLY BEING EDITED)

Chapter 12

As soon as I heard those words, tears were threatening to spill. One of the most important people in my life is dead and is hopefully, in a better place. But then I thought of my aunt. How could I manage to tell her? How will she take it? At this juncture, my grandma would pass out once I tell her. I need someone to talk to; someone who can sustain me, a shoulder I can cry on. Then I thought of only one person: Claude. Remy, Samira, even my grandfather can't comfort me, because of  unknown reasons. Claude is the only person, who throughout my childhood, knows my family history and its customs backwards. And, even though our relationship is not in a good condition right now, I suppose he will still care enough to talk to me. I put the phone on its charger and went to my bedroom to change. Once I entered the room and saw the mess, I recalled earlier today and cleaned up. Afterwards, I changed into clean clothes: black shirt with short shorts and black vans; For jewery, I put on a silver necklace and for the hair, I put it in a ponytail with layered headbands. I sighed as I looked in the mirror: an adolescent, a young lady whose eyes had dark circles under them, hands who had callises basically engraved on them, and her face full of fatigue. Checking myself once more, I grabbed my handbag and headed for the door. Once I step outsidfe, I closed the door behind me, making sure its locked. I look across the street to find that Claude wasn't there, only things remaining were the guitar he was holding and a rocking chair my grandma gave to his family as a gift for Christmas. I walk acros the street, making sure no cars were coming. As I step on the concrete stairs, I heard a barking in the distance. I shrugged and continued walking, but only to hear the barking to increase and loud. I jumped, tripping and hurting my head, before I blacked out. 

I groaned as I was shaken awake to endure the hallucinationms and pain. "Clarissa? Clarissa, sre you okay? Oh my god let me help you up.", Claude said, as my state of blurry vision dissipated. He helped me up and brushed off the dust off my sides. Why was Claude helping me, even after the fact that I blamed all the things on him AND broke up with him. "Th-Thanks. You didn't have to help me up, you know." I stammered, and Claude nodded sincerely. He led me inside the house and helped me seat down on a reclined chair. I winced as my bottom hit the cushion, and Claude stared with alarm. "I am going to get you some Tylenol and water, just stay tight, okay?". I nodded and he walked quickly inside the kitchen. I sighed once his body figure was out of sight and reached into my handbag  for the letter I wrote to him and the letter from my grandmother a few years ago. When he came back, he brought the pain killer and water. Claude handed them to me and mouthed thank you before drinking the water. I drank the water in three gulps and handed Claude both the letters and the water. He looked at me in confusion then put the glass cup down on the coffee table before reading them. My letter said: 

Dear Claude, 

I am writing thisd letter to you to apologize for my horrible actions you have endured. And, although you will never be able to forgive me again, just know that I will always care for you as we go on with our lives.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                          Clarissa

Once he finished reading the letter, Claude gave me a monotonous look and I grew worried. "Clarissa, you wanna know something?", he implied, andd I nodded. Claude came closer and leaned in to give me a passionate kiss. He wrapped his arm around me and inhaled my scent; I laughed and did the same. "So, I guess we are back to dating again?", I said, and he nodded. He nuzzled his nose to mine and kissed my forehead. "I guess we are, but I am NOT messing up again. I promise and pledge to protect and care for you 'till death due us part.", Claude said, and I kissed him. "How 'bout we go to the diner beside the beach for the night? Sleepover at my house. That okay?", I imply, and Claude nodded eagerly. " Leggo. Let me just get my wallet.", Claude said and I nodded. He went into his room and came back a moment later not just with his wallet in hand but also with hand-made handbag with my name engraved on it with my favorite colors. He handed it to me and said, "Look inside. I made it while our break was happenin', so I was going to charm you with my skills. Since you came here asking for acceptance to your apology, I didn't have to- What I am trying to say is that I made this for YOU. Only YOU.", he emphasized, and I jumped up and kissed him. "I love you so much, words cannot describe how much I missed you!", I said and remembered the date. As Claude was trying to lift me up, I stopped him and said," We gotta go. Hungry." He nodded and we walked out to the beautiful night, mumbling words of love to each other. It was a happy night.