Promise of dawn

Chapter 7: Percy

We talked for hours when we got to Clara’s house. The leaves that were once green in July are now yellow, orange and red in the cold of October.
        “It looks so cool at night.” Percy says in an amazed voice looking up at the bright, twinkling stars.
        “I know right!” Clara says.
        “Lol that actually rhymed!” Bethany says jokingly. “Awww! That rhymed!”
        “Oh come on Beth.” Clara says putting her hand out to me and I took it smiling.
        “I never said it was a bad thing!” Bethany says sweetly.
        “Lol.” Clara responds looking down because she just blushed.
        “So, you do youtube?” Bethany asks me. I can tell that she does YouTube too because no one would ask that way if they didn’t.
        “Yup! Blood Cube Gamer NR at your service!” I say jokingly.
        “Well you may consider joining us on one of our recordings?” Clara says sweetly, looking at me with her beautiful hazel eyes, which oddly enough had deep blue rims all the way around each one.
        “It would be my pleasure.” I reply with a smile.
        “Eeeek!!! I can’t wait!” Clara squeals.
        “Well, I hope my surprise guest agrees with this.” Bethany says suspiciously, looking at me through the corner of her eye.
        “Who, may I ask, is that?” Clara says crossing her arms and staring at her. We walk over to a short brick wall that was only about 2 feet tall and sit down on it.
        “My new BF! His name is Jason and he does YouTube too, I kinda invited him to do a video with us.” Bethany says with a huge smile on her face.
        “Wow… Congrats?” Clara and I say at the same time. We look at each other then continue staring at Bethany with curiosity.
        “I know right!” Bethany squeals jumping up and down.
        “Well. I think we could probably do Saturday?” Clara says looking at me.
        “I can do Saturday.” I say looking right back at her.
        “Okay! I’ll text Jason and see if he can do that.”, Bethany says taking a small green iPod from her front pocket. She turns around and texts him right away.
        “I think it will be fun. What game do you wanna play?” I say as I kick a piece of paper that sat on the ground.
        “We are going to play Mine Craft and maybe hide and seek or mayhem on the sky games server.” Clara says watching the piece of paper float around in the wind. I can’t help but notice that she looked sad in some way.
        “Whats wrong?” I ask looking at her. Oddly enough she smiles and I see tears forming in her eyes. Her chin twitched as I saw a single tear escape down her cheek and onto her neck from the place where she was trying to keep it.
        “Nothing. Uh... I'll be fine. Everything will be just fine.” She said pretending to yawn so she could wipe the tear away without me noticing, but I noticed.
        “You know that you can tell me anything, right?” I say looking at her. I just don't understand why she is trying to hide her problems from me. She knows I'm here for her and I am ready to help her but she just doesn't accept the help I am offering.
        “Yeah, I know...” She says looking down at her hands that were clasped softly in mine. “It's my parents. We've been fighting for a really long time, about a week I think. It's all my fault...” She adds dipping her head even lower and turning away. I released one of her hands and she quickly tried to wipe all the tears away, leaving her beautiful hazel eyes pink around the edges. The tip of her nose pink as well. Her eye lashes clumped together in wet bunches and eyes still soaked from the tears that once stained them. I thought for a moment, I know of one thing that might help.
        “Well, maybe you should get family counseling? It seems like you are becoming very affected emotionally.” I say with pure concern in my voice. I am really worried for her right now.
        “What's funny is that I've been thinking about that for a while. You saying it just makes me feel like it's the right thing to do. Thank you.” She says finally looking me in the eyes. She took her free hand and pulls me into a hug. “Thank you so much... and I'm sorry, I'm kinda making a scene.” She says as I wipe away another one of her tears that almost landed on her matte black rain coat that somewhat reminds me of Sherlock Holmes. I can't believe I forgot my jacket today, it's the middle of October and about 58 degrees out. HOW AM I NOT COLD!
        “It's alright and remember, you can tell me anything.” I respond, trying to be helpful.
        “So, have you been thinking about who or what you're going to be for Halloween?” She asks.
        “The grim reaper, you?” I say trying to pose as if I were holding a hoe. I can't believe she changed the topic. Maybe it's just to keep things easier on her mind. I know that one time she told me that she overthinks things a lot maybe that's why, so she just doesn't overthink it.
        “I'm thinking of doing like a ninja or maybe an angel. Which do you think I should do?” She asks me smiling and sitting up straight, holding my hands.
        “Ninja because it really suits you.” Honestly, I think she would look gorgeous in practically anything.
        “Again, I have to say, thank you. That really helped. I have been stuck on that one thing for like a month.” She chimes blushing. Her cheeks that were already pink from the cold, tuning them a light red.         
        “Let's go check on Bethany.”
        “Hey, Beth! What's takin’ so long!?” I shout across the playground.
        “He isn't responding!” Bethany says shouting as well.
        “Well, It's getting late maybe we should start heading back.” Clara says as she pulls me up from our hard, makeshift seat. “Beth! Come on, time to go!” Bethany groans and trots over to where we are standing. We walk to Clara's house and she sits us down in front of the fireplace which was in her dining room. The mantle was a beautiful cream with gold trim and detailing. All complimented by a beautiful mustard yellow room.
        “Hey, Percy do you mind putting a few logs into the grate?” Clara asks through the kitchen door. “The logs are right next to the fireplace.” I look over and there are 3 perfectly cut 1 foot oak logs. I take the black metal screen and put it to the side and take the logs one by one and place them into the grate that was sitting there, clearly designed to hold the logs in place.
        “Thank you!” Clara says. Apparently she heard me taking the screen out from in front of the fireplace.
        “Come here really quick.” I got up from my cushion and walked into the kitchen. “There are some newspapers on the bench, crinkle them up into balls and put them under the logs. Then the matches are on the mantle. You can light one and put it in the newspaper. Then put the screen back.” Clara clearly instructed as I grabbed a newspaper and did just as I was told.
Soon we had a fire and Clara brought in a pot and some cups. I could smell the sweet scent of camomile arising from the small tea kettle. “Percy, Sorry to ask you to do so much but do you mind grabbing that tray over there and putting it on the floor by the fire?” Clara asks pointing to a small, wooden tray that sat on a shelf in a glass bookshelf.
        “It's alright.” I say getting up to getting up to open one of the doors and carefully lifting the extremely intricate platter off of the shelf. Then I walk back over to the crackling hearth and noticed that there were feet that extended from the bottom of the tray. I moved the latches away from the feet and set the tray down. Clara then put the tea kettle and cups that were neatly stacked on the tray, just as I sat down. Clara sat down as well, right in between Bethany and I.
        “Oh! I almost forgot. Be right back.” She said standing up quickly and hopping to the kitchen.
        “Wonder what that's about.” Bethany says spreading out the cups, putting one cup on each saucer.
        “I almost forgot the honey and sugar.” Clara shouts through the kitchen. “Hmm. Apparently my parents are away on a vacation. IN THE BAHAMAS! I am so jelly now...” Clara adds with total jealousy in her voice. “Why do they get to go to a warm place and I'm stuck with you two! Oh, I know why...” Bethany and I look at each other, totally shocked. “Because I'd rather go to mars with you guys then I would go to the Bahamas with them.” She says as Bethany and I relax in our spots on the cushions, quite obviously in relief. Clara walked in and saw our heads back and smiles on our faces, she just laughed.
        “What? Did you really think that I would say that I wish I was in the Bahamas with my parents?” She says giggling.
        “Yes!” Bethany says quite loudly.
        “Why?” Clara says crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame that connects the kitchen to the dining room.
        “Because I would rather be in the Bahamas.” Bethany says.
        “Yes, but with your parents?” Clara says, coming to sit down in her place. She sets down a small glass jar with a grey matte metal lid and a clear crystalline container with sugar in it as well as three, small spoons.
        “Well...” Bethany quite obviously wasn't so sure about that one.
        “Alright, well sugar or honey?” She says putting a finger on each container in the same order as she said them.
        “Honey!” Bethany and I both shouted.
        “Wow... You really are my best friend and my best boyfriend...” Clara says trailing off. She un-twists the cap for the honey. Releasing a scent like no other. It was almost as if a million wild flowers grew inside the room. She then took each spoon and dipped it into the honey jar, taking out a teaspoon sized glob of honey. It had a transparent syrup and a lighter crystal like formation. She put each spoon into a cup.
        “Hold it. I forgot the food. You guys hungry or just want a snack?” Clara asks, slouching in forgetfulness.
        “Hungry. You know me better than that Clare.” I say. I made that new nickname for her because it's just shorter to say. Her name isn't long anyway but it's still fun to make nicknames for people.
        “Wha...” Bethany was checking her phone and wasn't listening.
        “Food or snack?” Clara says laughing. I love how she can just make a situation that wasn't preferable into something funny.
        “FOOD!!!” Bethany shouts. We all laugh uncontrollably.
        “Alright.” Clara says, clasping her hands. She picks up the tray, “Perc, do you mind folding up the legs?” I get up and put the legs up to their original positions. I like that nickname 'Perc', it sounds cool!
Clara walks into the kitchen and we all follow. She sets down the tray on the table and goes to turn on the lights but nothing happens.
        “Hm. I guess the light bulbs burned out.” Clara says in a very questioning voice. “I guess I'll just light a few candles.” Clara walks into the dining room, to a wall with a magnificent painting of an angel guiding and protecting two young children. “Say a color.” She says through the door.
        “Orange and black.” I say back.
        “Ooo. Halloweeny!” Clara says in a joking manner. Bethany must have been checking her phone again because she just looked up in confusion. Clara opened a drawer from a long console table. She then came back with an arm full of candles, all colored orange and black, as well as a box of matches. She puts tall candles in their holders and wider ones on napkins so they don't drip all over the beautifully embroidered table cloth. The table looked like something from the Harry Potter hall of candles/food hall because of all the candles that were many different sizes scattered on the table.
        “So, any requests?” Clara asks while she lights a match and touches the yellowish, blue flame to each of the cotton wicks that stood tall atop the each of the candles. Soon the room was full with a warm glow.
        “You know my favorite.” Bethany says. Last time I checked her favorite food was mac n' cheese, but that was 8 years ago.
        “I like anything you make.” I say, I’ve had her food and IT’S AWESOME!
        “Hold on lemmi look in the fridge.” Clara says opening the refrigerator door, which looked like it took effort. “We have Leftovers, quite obviously from my parents because there is a bottle of champagne in here? Well that’s interesting. We can have chicken, pasta, salad, fish, and steak.”
        “What if we just eat out?” Bethany asks still with her eyes glued to her phone.
        “Nah, we can make chicken.” I say. I really like her chicken, it was the first meal I had that included rosemary!
        “Okay. What about if I make a chicken parmesan?” Clara asked peeking around the corner of the refrigerator door.
        “YES!!!” Bethany and I say at the same time.
        “Alright, I’ll start on the chicken. Perc, you wanna start the pasta then help me with the chicken, Beth, you can start the sauce. Ingredients are simple. Pasta is just water a salt. The sauce is cream, chicken stalk, parmesan cheese and my sauce herb mix that you know where it is.  Let’s get started!” Clara is a great chef, so we all did as we were told. I made the pasta and Bethany made a simple sauce. Clara took out the boneless chicken breasts and washed them. Then she made me cut them up into strips. Before we knew it, we had a chicken parmesan. The pasta I made piled on the plate with chicken strips which, Clara, grilled on a skillet and Bethany’s sauce poured all over it. It looked amazing and tasted AWESOME!
        “So, we made dinner and now we are stuck with nothing to do.” Clara says simply as we moved into the living room. Bethany ran for a sofa and Clara settled down on the floor. I just stood there, waiting for something which I had no clue to what I was waiting for.
        “Hey, what’s wrong?” Clara said propping herself up onto her elbows from the very ornate black and beige rug that she originally lay down on. Her hair that curled up into small circles as it lay on the dark background. The hair that was originally dark blonde during the spring and summer had become a medium brown that almost blended into the base color of the rug.
        “Uh… nothing.” I say trying to be convincing but I doubt she believed me. It’s almost as if she could read me, almost like I was an open book to her. If I was sad or concerned, she knew almost instantly. If I was happy then she would know.
        “Don’t believe him Clare, he’s just trying to hide again.” Bethany says again looking at her phone which she is holding above her head.
        “I know just the trick.” Clara got up and walks over to me. I have a sense of knowing that something is going to happen. She grabs my hand in hers, leans in and plants a small, yet simple kiss right on my cheek. I can’t help but smile, just a little.
        “I saw that.” Clara says already heading back to her place. When she laid back down I saw a smile on her face as well. I finally moved down to the carpet right next to Clara and held her hand tight in mine. She turns to me and I plant a return kiss right on her forehead.
        “Awwwwwwww!!! Sweet!!!” Bethany says as she takes a picture of us. Clara’s hair was wildly placed in small rings that lay flat on the rug. I pulled back just a few inches still with my eyes closed. Then I looked down and saw Clara’s eyes closed with a small smile placed on her face. She had a single tear fall right down her cheek and onto her arm which she was resting her head on. I look at Bethany and stick my tongue out at her and she takes another picture with a pout. Clara looks just like an angel from one of her drawings. I can’t think of any reason why Jaslynn would hate Clara so much. It just makes no sense. I wipe the tear away from her arm and fall asleep right next to her. Still holding her hand. Soon I feel Bethany put a blanket over us and she takes her former spot on the sofa and falls asleep.

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This was a really quick chapter. Please excuse
bad grammar, it has been a really long time
since I wrote last and I wanted to be sure
that my readers have something to read.
Thanks again!
           ~Aires