The Gold and the Forest

VI

Chapter 6: Summer Green

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The two went to his house. They had walked in silence, both lost in thought. They had no reason for remaining together, but they could not bear to leave each other.

When Carl unlocked his door, he was met with Clan's mischievous grin, which melted off his face after he saw the frail girl behind Carl.

"Did you... kidnap a girl?"

"Clan." Carl looked like he had been slapped awake. "Uhh..."

Declan shoved Carl aside and introduced himself to Vivi. "I am pleased to be in your presence, my name is Declan, Carl's fantastic stepbrother."

Vivi offered a small smile. "Hi. My name is Vivien. Just call me Vivi."

"Where did you manage to kidnap a princess, you dumbass?" Declan muttered to Carl.

Carl made no comment and entered his house.

"Welcome to the, uh—beast's humble abode." Declan gestured for her to enter, which she did. She looked around, her eyes lighting up curiously, though she did not touch anything.

"So, are you...?" Declan whispered to Vivi as Carl disappeared into his room.

"Oh!" Vivi realized. "I'm his coworker. We were—well..."

"Wait a minute." Declan interrupted. "You look vaguely familiar."

Vivi stiffened.

Carl came back in a new t-shirt which did not have Frappuccino poured over it. He sensed the panic in Vivi's eyes and came over to rescue her before Declan interrogated out any crucial intel. To her surprise, he took her by the hand and walked her out the door.

Vivi heard Declan protest behind them as Carl closed the door.

Carl let out a sigh, joining her at the gate.

Their eyes met, and the winds sighed around them. The sun filtered through the trees, and Vivi watched the shades of green dance with uncertainty in his eyes.

Vivi blinked hard. "I'm sorry." She repeated her previous apologies. "I'll get you a new shirt. I was just... I was frustrated."

He did not speak, but she heard a breath leave his lips.

She glanced at him. "This... sucks."

He looked at her in surprise, like he wasn't expecting those words to leave her mouth.

"Can't we be friends?" She complained, startling him. "Can you say something else to me other than 'thanks', 'here', and 'sorry'?"

His feet shifted, like he was uncomfortable.

She frowned.

"No?" Her voice went soft. "Do you... do you want me to change my shift?"

"I don't... mind."

"You don't mind me changing my shifts?"

"I don't mind being with you."

She stopped. He had spoken less than 10 words and she was already stunned. She realized she was staring for too long and started nodding awkwardly. "Okay then... then start acting like you don't mind. Or else, I..."