Chapter Seven
-Marlin-
I walked home from the village as the summer sun beat down and wiped a large bead of sweat off my forehead. Before crossing the bridge, I spotted Celia farther down the river picking flowers. We never spent our days off together, but it was time for a change.
"Hey, Celia. What are you doing?" I looked down at her crouching body, smiling face, and bundle of moondrops, "Oh, er, that was a dumb question. How about how are you doing?"
She chuckled, "Oh, Marlin," and stood, "I'm great, it turned out to be a beautiful day, didn't it? I thought our first day of summer was going to be a rainy one for awhile."
I nodded, "That is something to be thankful for." I shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.
"So what are you doing over here?" Her chestnut eyes shimmered with joy.
"Actually, I, uh, wanted to see you," I could feel my face grow warm with my embarrassing proclamation.
"What for?" She laughed, grinned and began walking up the hill, towards the house.
I argued internally for the right words, "Seeing you..." I looked intently at her, trying to show her that my words meant something, "Seeing you makes me happy."
It seemed to startle her, "Oh. I didn't know that," she thought, "You know, I enjoy seeing you too, Marlin." Every time she said my name, I felt my heart flutter.
"Here, let me carry those," I reached for the basket of flowers, grabbing the handle. She let go.
"Thanks," she stated sweetly.
"Celia, will you go on a walk with me?" I blurted.
"Of course, if you want to," she put delicately, "You've never asked me to do anything before."
"Well... You've never asked me to do anything either." I breathed softly.
"So, where are we going?"
"I thought maybe we could walk towards the waterfall. Maybe pick some different flowers. I-I know Gemsoil grow there."
"Mmhmm," she nodded, "It sounds fun."
I tried awkwardly to keep up the conversation on our walk.
"So have you spoke to Jill anymore?" Celia prodded. She tended to talk about Jill frequently. I wasn't sure if they had become good friends or not; they both seemed to be opposites to me- a moron and a goddess.
"No, why?"
"Just wondering," she smiled, "I think you two would get along really well. It'd be good for you. You'd have a nice wife, and a farm, and you'd live close to all of us still, and maybe you could have a family of your own and-"
"I don't think she's my type." I interrupted.
"Well, what kind of girl do you like?" She seemed frustrated. "You're not getting any younger, you know. We both should be on our own eventually! Auntie Vesta can't take care of us forever."
"I don't know," I sighed. "I would like... someone like you, I suppose..." I admitted quietly.
She was taken aback, and we walked in silence.
"Marlin, is there something wrong? You've been acting, well, weird today." She looked concerned as we sat near the water's edge, piling more flowers into the basket.
I looked away, watching the waterfall gurgle and spit.
Her hand laid atop mine, "Really, Marlin, what is it?"
Her face was close to mine; I fought the urge to kiss it, "There.. was something I wanted to talk to you about. But.." I felt my cheeks blush again, "I don't know what you'll think of it. Or of me."
"You can tell me anything, you know." She said seriously, "You're one of my closest friends. I care a lot about you."
I held her small, delicate hand in my own, placing my other, more calloused, rough, and bulky one over top of it, cradling it gently, "Celia... I care a lot about you too. I, uh... I love you."
"I love you too, Marlin," she was calm and cheerful, but unflustered.
I wasn't sure she understood, "No, I mean, I want you to be my wife."
She paused, and looked up at me, deeply confused.
I took a deep breath, "Celia, will you marry me?"
She stood, and backed away, pulling from my touch, "W-what do you mean?"
"What I said, I want to be with you." I felt my heart plummet, as I also stood.
She looked downward, "Marlin, I.. I'm not sure I feel that way about you.. I mean, I really care about you, I love you in that sense. But..." She met my eyes, there was no feeling in them, "I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression. But.. I don't-"
"No, I understand."
"Marlin," she began, "I-I'm sorry. I.. I've actually been seeing someone... I hope we can still be as close as we were."
"Of course," I said quietly. Although deep down, I knew things would never be the same between us.
