"Where were you all these years?" Claire asked quietly. She and Jill sat on the floor. They had been talking and reminiscing for hours.
Jill sighed deeply. "After your parents," she swallowed. "...died, my family just said that they decided to move. It was in the middle of the night, and I didn't even get to say good-bye to you." Tears welled up in her amethyst eyes.
"Aw, Jill." Claire said with a smile. "You were always the one who cried over anything."
Jill giggled. "Oh really? You were always the tomboy. Never lost the overalls huh?"
Claire grinned. "Nope. Never lost the ponytail?" They both laughed. After it became 10:00, Jill said that she had to leave. "I live just down the road, near Mineral Town," she explained, tightening her brown ponytail. "I'll see you every day. I really missed you all these years," she added, looking down. Claire smiled.
"I missed you too." They hugged and Claire watched as her best friend for her whole life walked out the door. I never forgot how much I missed her, she thought, forcing herself not to cry.
As she began to get ready for bed, snuggling next to her dog, Ruddy, and cat, Misty, she remembered something.
"I forgot my hoe at Lumina's mansion!" Claire yelled with a groan. After all her visiting around town, she had misplaced her tool at a rich girl's grandmother's mansion. She warily got out of bed.
As she walked, Claire realized how pretty Forget-Me-Not Valley looked at night. The lamps glowed a beautiful colour, and the moon was bright and full.
At the mansion, Claire saw the gigantic fountain, which was illuminated red. She stared at it in awe, walking closer to it. Claire hated water, but it was almost as if it was calling to her. She dipped her hand in it, and sighed with pleasure because of the coolness.
Suddenly, Claire felt herself losing balance, and toppling into the water. It was deep, at least twice her size.
Oh my God! Claire thought. I can't swim! She tried to scream, but it was no use. It couldn't be heard.
She began flailing her ams, trying to float up, but it didn't work. She started to sink down. Claire hugged herself, and blinked her wide eyes, trying to keep them from stinging.
Mom, Dad...
Claire could hear screaming above the surface.
"Stop thief!" A girl called. Claire saw a body dart across the fountain. The person stopped, walked back, and peered into the water. Claire finally shut her eyes, finding herself losing nearly all her air. Losing all hope. She was never this weak.
She heard splash beside her, and two arms wrapping around her cold body, pulling her out.