“What is…” My voice trailed off as I took in the dreary atmosphere.

“Adela?!” Andrea screamed as she broke out of Greg’s grasp.

Andrea rushed over to me before placing me into a tight bear hug and raining kisses down on me. “Are you okay?! What happened?!”

“I-I’m okay!” I screamed, while trying to free myself of Andrea’s grasp. Her tears were staining my cheeks and her grip was hurting me.

I looked over to Greg, and as soon our eyes met, he made a complicated expression before looking away.

“Where were you?!” Andrea screamed as she held my face. Her blue eyes wet with tears. “Where were you?”

“I…” A bud of guilt was formed inside of my chest, and I was having a hard time coming up with words to say.

What happened while I was gone?

“Adela???”

I turned around to see Juliette standing in the doorway. She was covered head to toe in mud, dirt and grass. Her clothes and shoes were ripped and could barely be considered clothing anymore. She was breathing heavily and her eyes were wide open.

“Ju-“

Before I could finish my sentence, Juliette tackled me to the ground.

My back hit the floor with a *thud*

“Ow…” I closed my eyes momentarily due to the pain, but when I opened them I was face to face with Juliette.

Juliette gently caressed my face as she gazed into my eyes with her fuschia colored eyes that were overflowing with tears.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my lips were sealed when Juliette pressed her lips against mine.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I could taste her tears as well as the slight sweetness of her lips. My chest felt like it was on the verge of exploding, and my body refused to listen to my commands.

Juliette’s eyes were closed while tears spilled from her eyes. Her delicate eyelashes brushed against my skin, and her breath tickled my face

She slowly opened her eyes, revealing her dazzling fuschia eyes. She slowly separated her lips from mine, before she revealed a beautiful smile that lighted up the entire room. “Welcome home.”

*Thump*

Juliette’s eyes rolled into the back of her head before she collapsed onto me.

The rest of the day was a blur. Greg and Andrea panicking. The endless questions, the shocked expressions. Finding out that I couldn’t use aura either, and that I went missing for four days. How Juliette has been looking for me nonstop. Greg and Andrea arguing. It all seemed to fly by me.!And I found myself sitting alone in my room.

“Ouch.” I had to pinch myself to remind me that this was really happening.

“I guess I’ll have to wait to give her this flower.” I said aloud, as I gently placed the flower on my desk. “How does it sparkle, it’s not even bright in here?”

I face planted onto my mattress, inhaling a deep breath “I owe everyone an apology.”

*Knock knock*

“Yes.” I stood up to open the door, but before I got the chance the fire opened.

Greg sauntered into my room without a word. His head was hung and he silently walked over to my bed before sitting down.

Okay…

I didn’t really know what to do, so I sat down on my bed beside him.

I tried to sit a little bit away from Greg, but he was so heavy that my bed creacked and bowed, causing me to slide towards him.

There was a somber mood hanging in the air, and the still silence was evidence of me losing to its influence.

“I’m a failure.” Greg suddenly announced.

“Eh???” The words escaped my mouth unconsciously.

The soft sounds of hiccuping echoed inside of my room.

“I let you all down.” Tears ran down Greg’s face, and he tightened his fist to the point that the white of his knuckles showed. “I’m sorry.”

Woah wtf?! Is this actually happening?!

I sat on my bed awkwardly, listening to Greg ball his eyes out. I was feeling kind of bad for him, so I lightly rubbed his back.

“It’ll be alright..” I repeated over and over again, to soothe Greg. “Mmffgh!”

Greg suddenly wrapped me in a tight hug, burying my face into his musky armpit.

“You’re a good kid.” Greg said, sniffling.

Greg finally let me go, and I gasped for air. He began to gather himself and blew his nose on my sheets.

Great…

“Adela.” Greg said, as he coughed to clear throat.

“Yes..” I answered.

“What do you want to do with your life?” Greg asked, as he stared at me. His fuschia eyes wet with tears, but still full of mystery.

“Huh?” I responded.

“How do you see your future?” Greg asked, his eyes probing me for answers.

“I…” I haven’t thought about it that much. I’ve been so preoccupied with getting accustomed to my new home, that I kind of forgot about the outside world. “I...don’t know…”

“Would you like to stay here?” Greg asked, his brow furrowing. “Or do you have the desire to leave this cabin someday?”

I opened my mouth, but paused before I said anything.

I would… “I would like to see the world someday...”

It is a fantasy world after all. I think it would be wasteful to at least not explore it a little. Though, that may be the child in me saying that.

“Let me ask you something?” Greg said, his eyes turning even more serious. “Does your dream include Julie?”

“I mean.. if she wants to go with me..” I answered as best as I could. I didn’t think about Juliette in that scenario. But, I didn’t exclude her either. “Where is this-”

“I know that you care for Julie more than a sister.” Greg interjected. He raised his hand before I could respond. “I’m sure that you’re aware that she sees you as more than a brother as well.”

Greg stared at me silently, his eyes sharp and serious. He had a look on his face that told me that I should answer seriously.

“I.. do.. like her.” The words that I tried to bury deep inside of my heart, suddenly came forward.

I unintentionally covered my face, I couldn’t bring myself to look anywhere else.

“What do you plan to do about that?” Greg asked sharply.

I….

Memories that I promised to bury came to the surface. Memories involving people that I promised to forget once I came to Gaia.

My chest tightened and my heart started beating a mile a minute. My eyes started watering, and my mouth felt like it was filled with cotton. I wanted to say something, anything. But nothing came out. I couldn’t formulate a response, let alone a coherent thought.

”I want you to be happy Adela.” Greg said as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “But I also want Julie to be happy as well. If you’re not serious about her, then I would like you to make that clear to her.”

“..I..” The image of Juliette crying with a smile floated into mind. A bittersweet taste filled my mouth, and a complicated feeling rose inside of my chest. “I don’t want to lose her. But, what if-”

“Adela.” Greg cut me off. “She needs you. I know it may not seem that way now, but she does. More than you could ever know.”

Greg looked down, as if he was in deep contemplation.

“What does she need from me?” I asked anxiously. My feelings were in disarray, but I still had a desire to see it through.

“Many things. But as of right now.” Greg spoke, standing up in the process. “Love and understanding.”

“I..I can do that.. ” I looked up to see Greg scowling at me. “No.. I’ll do it!”

“Thank you.” Greg smiled.