Author's Note: Hiya! So, I made some small edits to chapter 13 after I realized that the transition between adult Claire and teenage Claire was a bit confusing. Enjoy!

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Adult Kai laid down on the beach calmly, his eyes cast out wistfully onto the ocean. The beach was a special place to him for many reasons, the most important one being that it was where he met Rick. He closed his eyes.

They had both been 5-years-old at the time, Kindergarten age. Kai had come to Mineral Town with his father and mother for reasons he couldn't remember. He had been super shy when they arrived, since he hadn't made any friends back at home, and was scared to interact with people. At the time of his arrival Rick and his family were having a picnic at the beach. It just so happened that the two boys made prolonged eye contact before Rick got up off of the picnic blanket, walked over, introduced himself, and asked Kai if he wanted to be friends.

It's strange how such strong friendships can be formed on such simplicity. But it worked. The two of them were practically inseparable; they went everywhere with one another and were fiercely loyal to each other. Nothing could have brought the two apart. That is, until Claire came along.

Adult Kai opened his eyes, feeling the ruthless sun begin to burn his face. Kai got up from the burning sand and walked over to his shack as his mind seemed to be going wild.

17-year-old Kai had come to Mineral Town alone, (as he'd done since he was 14), expecting the usual ecstatic welcome from Rick at the pier. So, it came as a great surprise to see Rick wasn't there. Immediately, Kai became worried that something happened to Rick.

Anxiously he scurried off of the pier, (he didn't bring much with him), and sprinted all the way to Rick's home. He practically skidded as he rocketed up towards the door, banging on it in a panic. That was when a confused Popuri opened the door tentatively, only to become extremely shy at the sight of Kai. (Popuri, who was the same age as Claire, had developed a crush on Kai when he had turned 14).

"Popuri, where's Rick? Is he alright?"

Popuri blinked, and carefully tucked a large clump of her pink hair behind her ear. "He's alright Kai. Why did you think he wasn't?"

Kai tilted his head to the side, even more puzzled than Popuri. "He wasn't at the pier to greet me. It's a huge tradition of ours," he said in a slightly irritated voice, catching Popuri off guard.

"Oh, I guess Rick didn't tell you. Dad had to take a call from a client all the way in Forget-Me-Not Valley, and he decided to take Rick with him. I'm so sorry. It was so sudden that Rick didn't have any time to you to tell you," Popuri said slowly in deep thought.

Kai relaxed greatly, knowing that Rick was ok. "When will he be back?" He asked eagerly.

"Kai, I don't know. It depends on how long they need to stick around with the client. I think her name was Pony, or something. I don't know. Rick has been writing to me, though. If he says anything about coming home I'll let you know."

Kai didn't like the idea of possibly spending an entire summer in Mineral Town without his best friend, but he couldn't do anything about it unless he was willing to go all the way to Forget-Me-Not Valley. He'd considered setting up a temporary shack of sorts there, but he decided against it since he didn't think he'd get much business.

For the majority of the summer, Kai wandered around town aimlessly, having little to do. He did spend an extended amount of time with Popuri and Lilla, mostly to get the latest news about Rick. It didn't take long for a specific person to be mentioned, however.

"Hmm, he's talking about that girl again," Popuri sighed as she read the latest letter. Lilla was in the middle of whipping up a stew, but she took a moment to turn back and smile at Popuri. "It's all he ever seems to talk about in these letters anymore."

"Well, when boys begin to like someone, they do that," Lilla laughed.

Kai's ears perked at this sudden mention. "Rick's been writing about a girl? That's very surprising."

Popuri glanced at Kai and rolled her eyes. "Yes, in fact he has. I guess I haven't really told you about it. Honestly, you should read for yourself," Popuri said with a hue of annoyance in her voice, grabbing a stack of Rick's previous letters and pulling about 75% of the letters making up that stack. "Here are all the letters that he's written with the mention of this girl. I can't remember her name."

Kai hesitate before snatching the top letter and reading. He eyes soaked in every word on the page. One by one, Kai read through every single letter, carefully noting his writing tendencies when he was talking about this girl, who he soon found out was named Claire. Finally, he read the latest letter.

Dear Popuri and Mom,

How are the both of you doing? I'm doing great, as always. Mostly that would have to do with the fact I've been spending so much time with Claire. She's such an amazing person. I think you guys would really like her. Did I mention that she loves chickens too?
I don't know, but we have a lot in common!

So, anything new going on at home? I can't wait for your latest letter!

Love,

Rick

Kai felt his chest constrict as he read the letter. Goddess, he was falling in love with this girl, this complete stranger. So much so, apparently, that he had never mentioned Kai in any of his letters, seemingly more concerned about this stranger than his best friend.

Kai was becoming the third wheel. He was being replaced. This girl hadn't even known Rick for as long as Kai had. Kai had been the one to be there for Rick through all of the tough times, and then this "female dog" decides to sweep in and act like Rick's all hers?

Kai stopped his train of thought, as he realized that Popuri and Lilla were both staring at him. "Is everything alright, Kai? You're looking livid right now?" Popuri observed.

Kai blinked. "I'm…good. I just feel a little stuffy in here, that's all," he told them slowly, excusing himself to go outside. He leaned against the door when he shut it, a storm of emotions raging within him.

He couldn't be certain of anything yet. Kai had to remember that Rick tended to give extremely high and excessive praises to people that he didn't feel anything for. Rick could come home and never speak of this girl again, the best-case scenario. Worst case…Kai didn't even want to think that far. His friend, his only friend was in a state of crisis, and Kai was prepared to do whatever it took to get his best friend out of it.