Chapter Eighteen: The Unbreakable Bond
The leaves' colours changed from green to shades of red, orange, and yellow as some leaves began to fall down. Autumn has arrived on Sodor as now the holidaymakers are now returning home as school started again. However, something else changed for the better.
…
The alarm went off in Cara's bedroom as she began to groan and moan. There, she felt her way to alarm as she tapped it gently. Once that was off, she opened bee milky blue eyes and began to yawn and stretched her arms wide. When she was fully awake, she heard her mother calling her for breakfast. Cara didn't waste a moment as she placed her slippers on and got her way to the kitchen.
As she went to have her delicious waffles for breakfast, Rayne asked her daughter, "How do you feel about going back to school?"
"To be honest. I feel nervous.", Cara replied.
"I understand, sweetie, but I'm sure school will go well, Rayne tried to assure her daughter, and she pecked her daughter's cheek.
"I hope so.", said Cara as she looked to her right "I hope I don't get bullied again."
…
Meanwhile, at Tidmouth Sheds, all but James began to open their eyes when their fireman put coal to start the fire. All the engines yawned as they got ready. Once they were ready, all felt energetic and ready to seize the day, "Good morning, everyone!", Thomas cried.
Everyone but James greeted back as they were ready for the day. All the engines went on the turntable to get out to be on the railway. Once everyone set, James began opening his eyes as he mumbled, "Ugh! Is it morning already?"
Right in front of him was the turntable as Thomas departed last from the turntable. When James saw it, he got confused as he closed his eyes before opening them again, "Wait? Am I seeing or just dreaming?"
However, when he opened his eyes, he saw the same thing, except Thomas was long gone. This surprised James, "Wait… am I… actually seeing?"
To test and confirm himself, he slowly made his way out of the berth and queued the workman to turn the turntable. As he saw the turntable moving, tears escaped his eyes as he realised, "I can see. I can see!"
There, he exclaimed in joy, "I can see again!"
With that, he whistled loudly as he made his way to Knapford Station, "I can see! I can see!"
…
At Knapford Station, The Fat Controller watched as Gordon pulled the express when suddenly, he got a surprise visitor, "James? What are you doing here? You are supposed to be at Knapford Yards with Edward."
"But Sir… I can see again!", James exclaimed as tears escaped his eyes.
The Fat Controller was amazed about it, "James… I don't know what to say, but I'm so glad to hear that
With that, The Fat Controller shed a tear as he was delighted that James the Red Engine got his eyes back after weeks of therapy. Not long after, Dr. Clarity arrived as she met The Fat Controller, "Good morning Bertram and… James? What are you doing here?"
When James saw the blonde-haired woman, he immediately recognised her as his therapist due to her familiar voice, "Clarity. I just wanted to say. Thank you for everything."
Dr. Clarity was surprised about this before she smiled, "You're welcome, James."
However, James wasn't finished, "Since now I can see, do I still need you?"
Dr. Clarity shook her head, "No. Since your eyes are back, you no longer need my help, and even if you go blind again, I'm sure you'll be capable on my railway."
James smiled before he looked at The Fat Controller, "Sir? May I pull coaches again, please?"
The Fat Controller was surprised about this question as he thought, "Well. I'm afraid everyone has been assigned to pull coaches, but…"
With that, The Fat Controller told James what he could do for the entire day. James liked the idea as he smiled, "I think it's a splendid idea."
There, James happily tooted his whistle as he went on his way to Knapford Yards. As he left, The Fat Controller shed another tear. Dr. Clarity smiled at the red engine, "I must say. He had come a long way.", she commented as she nodded her head.
"He did, indeed.", The Fat Controller hummed as the two watched the long gone James.
…
A while later, Cara attended Mr. Echo's class for English. As she went to her classroom using her white cane, she felt a tap on the shoulder. This started her as she turned around, "Cara? Can we talk?", spoke a familiar voice.
This got Cara anxious as she knew who it belonged to, "S-sure Samuel…"
There, she heard three separate footsteps right in front of her. She felt anxious and scared as she felt overwhelmed. Would she be bullied again? To her surprise, Joseph said something she would never expect, "I'm… sorry, Cara.", he mumbled as he held his fists.
"Please repeat it.", Cara spoke.
"We are sorry, Cara.", Oscar replied as he tried not to cry.
Cara was surprised to hear this, "You mean it?", she asked curiously.
The three boys nodded their heads as they felt shaken, "We mean it, Cara. We don't have to be friends, but all we ask is if you accept the apology.", Samuel spoke.
Cara thought about it. They bullied her for years since she started school, and now they want to make up for it. However, she was taught that forgiveness was the key. So, she dropped her white cane and hugged the boys, "I-it's okay. I forgive you.", she replied as tears escaped her eyes.
The boys were surprised as they all whispered, "Thank you, Cara."
As they embraced for a hug, they heard familiar gigantic footsteps, "Looks like Mr. Echo is coming.", said Cara as the four kids headed to class.
Once the four kids went to their respective desks, Mr. Echo entered inside, "Good morning, class! It's good to see familiar faces after the holidays!"
"Good morning, Mr. Echo.", the students chimed.
"Now, since you all had a wonderful holiday, I wondered who would like to share their experiences? Anyone?"
All the students whispered to one another as many didn't want to get picked. However, Cara thought to herself. Perhaps this was her chance. Maybe her only opportunity to express who she is. She has enough confidence thanks to James, but she worries if she makes a fool of herself.
However, after thinking, she took a deep breath and raised her hand up, "I-I will, Mr. Echo.", she stuttered.
"Ah, Miss Anderson. I'm surprised you got something to share.", Mr. Echo commented as he smiled, "Please, come to the front and share your story."
With that, Cara hopped off her chair as she walked to the front of the class, and she took a deep breath, "I don't want to share about my holiday, but a friendship."
This puzzled the students as Mr. Echo silenced them, "You see. I'm blind, and I always wanted to have friends but couldn't make any because I was picked on or pitied by many."
The students went silent as Samuel, Oscar, and Joseph felt ashamed of their actions, "But… before the holiday came, I met a wonderful engine. His name is James, and he taught me a lot about how to be me. He helped me with my confidence, building my happiness and treated me the way I wanted to be treated."
All the students were surprised about Cara's friendship with James. Me. Echo was surprised too, but he couldn't help but smile at his student, "James accepted me the way I am. I may not see how you guys see it, but I see things differently. If I don't need help, please respect that, and if I struggle, it's okay to ask if I need help. All I wanted was to be treated fairly. I am still a person. I wanted to share this to dedicate to my friend, James, and teach you what it's like to be truly blind. Thank you."
After seconds of an awkward pause, the students began to clap and cheer as Cara was surprised by that response. Mr. Echo also clapped too, "I'm so happy to hear that, Miss Anderson. You should be proud."
As the students clapped, Cara couldn't help but let go of her fears and worries as she smiled. Tears escaped her eyes as she felt proud of herself. She knew she had come a long way as she grew. With that, her day went well for her, especially in her Music lesson with Mrs. Woodwind.
…
At Knapford Yards, James began to enjoy his day from seeing again. From seeing familiar faces to seeing the beauty of nature again, but only this time, he sees it differently. Edward noticed and smiled at his friend, "It's good that you can see again.", he stated.
"It is, but if I were blind, I would still be happy.", James smiled, "I can't wait to see Cara again."
"I bet she will be happy to see you again.", said Edward.
"I hope her school goes well, though.", James sighed as he remembered yesterday's conversation.
"I'm sure she will be fine. She's Cara after all.", Edward reminded her.
"Yes, she is.", James agreed happily.
With that, the two continued to shunt trucks as not long after, Thomas and Nia came to help the two get the job done. When James saw Thomas, he was overwhelmed with joy as he embraced Thomas and cried about seeing him again. Thomas was happy that the love of his life could see him again as Nia cheered for James. James' day couldn't be more perfect.
…
School bell rang as all the students rushed to the platform. Cara was the last one to exit. This time, she didn't feel scared or alone. She made conversation with a few girls, and they seemed to treat her fairly. Cara looked ahead and smiled, "I can't believe this. My first day of school went well."
However, as she thought about it, she was startled by a familiar whistle and voice, "Here's James!"
Cara gasped in surprise, "James? James!"
There, she wasted no time as she hurried her way to see James. As she did so, she heard all the students talking to James as James greeted them back. However, once the students went to the coaches, Cara was the last one to stand as she looked at where James was by his voice. When James saw her, he smiled. Nothing changed Cara, "Cara. I'm so glad to see you again."
"You can see?", Cara gasped in joy.
James hummed, "Yes, and I wanted to thank you for everything."
"And I wanted to thank you too.", Cara responded as the two friends smiled at each other.
However, their moment would be ruined when Ryder spoke, "Alright, James. We have to go to Knapford."
James smiled as he told Cara to her how her day went in class at Knapford Station. With that, Cara navigated her way to one of the coaches and hopped inside. James looked behind and grinned before blowing a whistle, "All aboard to Knapford Station!"
…
At Knapford Station, Cara told James everything about her day and how everyone was now being more understanding of her. James couldn't help but tear up as he felt proud of her, "Cara. I just wanted to say. I'm proud of you. You found your courage."
"And you found your inner beauty.", Cara responded.
The two smiled before three boys appeared behind Cara. When James saw the three boys, he frowned, "Oh, it's you."
Cara got confused before she realised who he was referring to, "James. Samuel, Oscar, and Joseph really mean their apology."
"And the accident?", James asked as he raised his eyebrow with a slight frown.
"We wanted to say sorry, James.", Samuel spoke first.
"We didn't mean any harm.", Joseph sighed sadly.
"Yeah, we're sorry, James.", added Oscar.
James thought before he sighed, "I forgive you."
The boys sighed in relief before they thanked the red engine and left. James smiled at Cara as she turned her attention to James again, "See. You can change things, and you're right. You're more than capable.", said James softly.
Cara smiled as she hopped onto his running plate and hugged him. The two embraced as their friendship was unbreakable. The two enjoyed the hug as James was glad to see things again, while Cara was pleased that school went well for her. All the changes were for the better.
…
"They'd say you're both being fools.
You're breaking all the rules.
They can't understand.
The magic of your wonderland."
"Here's James!", James called out happily.
"James!", Cara cried in joy as she made her way out of the cottage to meet James.
"Mine, look how much you have grown!", James smiled.
"I only turned sixteen.", Cara chuckled as James grinned.
"Are you ready?", he asked.
Cara nodded, "Of course."
"When you're the best of friends
Sharing all that you discover
When these moments have passed
Will that friendship last?"
With that, Cara went to tell her mother she was going as she hugged her mother. Rayne told her to be safe as Cara listened. As Cara brought her lunch and guitar, Stella showed up and barked, "Oh Stella, you can come next time. I promise."
Stella whined before licking her owner's face as Cara hopped inside the cab. James blew his whistle as he smiled. There, the two went on their way to Blue Mountain Quarry to visit Skarloey and his friends. Cara was thrilled to see her friends again, as James was glad to see Cara again.
"Who can't say there's a way?
Oh, I hope.
I hope it never ends.
'Cause you're the best of friends."
As James and Cara rode past a meadow, a red butterfly flew with a white butterfly as they were playing around before landing on each flower to collect some nectar. Cara enjoyed the breeze as James looked behind and smiled. They've been friends for years, and nothing has broken their friendship apart. James and Cara will be best friends for infinity and beyond.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I really enjoyed this fanfiction so much as both James and Cara grow as a character! I love my OC so much, as she's inspirational and adorable! Nothing can break their friendship. I'm glad I made this fanfiction as I wanted to write this for so long!
Will I make more about James and Cara's friendship?
Of course!
Will I make more fanfictions?
Yes, I will!
Expect more fanfictions to come as I enjoy writing, and remember, Cara belongs to me as she's my OC! Please review this fanfiction, as I would love to hear some feedback! I worked so hard to make this come alive! This has to be one of my favourite fanfiction!
Anyways... I hope you guys enjoyed it!
