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Chapter 7

Heartbreaking News

I had another restless night that night. I tossed and turned, waking up constantly. Again, I saw Cliff's face as he had been when he washed up on the beach. I dreamt I went to the Clinic to check on Cliff, and as soon as I entered he took his last breath. I dreamt that Claire and Gray got married. I dreamt that Ann got into a cat fight with me because she thought that I liked Cliff. I dreamt that Cliff hadn't rescued me from the rip, and I had died. Part of me thought it would have been better that way.

However, unlike the previous night, I woke up at eight o'clock. I was partly thankful for this. It meant I didn't have to wait too long before the Clinic opened. I had completely forgotten to stop by the Clinic at lunch yesterday like I had told Elli I would.

I hope Cliff's OK, I thought.

Just after nine o'clock, I headed down to the Clinic.

Please be OK. I repeated in my head. Please, please be OK.

Of course, he was fine. I arrived at the Clinic to find Elli helping Cliff stand up.

"Hi Mary!" said Elli. "You didn't come by yesterday."

"Oh, sorry, I got busy," I said, before turning to Cliff. "How are you feeling?"

"I-I'm f-f-fine," he stuttered. I smiled.

He's so cute when he stutters like that. I thought.

WAIT! WHAT AM I THINKING! Cute when he stutters like that? What? There is something wrong with me.

Cliff rubbed his head. Elli looked at him, concerned.

"H-headache," he explained. Elli and I were both looking at him; we were both worried. He didn't like the attention too much. He blushed and looked away.

"I sh-should get back to the ch-church," he said.

Elli didn't even need to ask me to accompany him. Without thinking, I offered to do so.

"Oh, t-thanks," he said.

We walked back to the church together. The silence bothered me, so I decided to say something.

"Thanks for saving me."

Cliff was silent.

"How did you know I was at the beach?"

"I h-heard you s-scream," he explained.

I smiled. We stopped in front of the church and turned to face each other.

"Thanks for w-walking me b-b-back," he said.

"No problem," I said. He smiled. I smiled back.

I want to kiss him.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!? I love Gray, not Cliff. I've loved Gray since I can remember. And I want to kiss Cliff. …Maybe I'm just relieved that he's alright. Yeah, that's it, I'm relieved.

"I…uh…I should go," I said, and then hurried off back to my library. I unlocked the door and sat down at the desk. I made sure I was alone, and then I put my head on my desk. I've loved Gray since I can remember, and then Cliff comes along, saves my life, and then I want to kiss him. No, I can't be in love with him. I've known him what, a week? It can't be love. No, it's just relief. Just relief, nothing more.

"MARY!" squealed a voice from outside. I moaned. Claire.

I faked a smile as she walked…well, skipped into the library.

"Oh my Goddess, Mary, I have the BEST news in the world!" she squealed. My heart sank. I knew what she was going to say.

"OK, so after you left last night, Gray's like 'I made this for you' and he handed me this cute gold locket…" She pulled the love heart locket out of her shirt. It was really big; I was surprised she didn't fall forward because of its weight. It couldn't possibly be real gold. In the centre was a keyhole.

"Anyway, so he gives me this locket, right, and then he hands me the key and tells me to open it. And so I unlock it, and, would you believe it, inside was the blue feather! THE BLUE FEATHER!"

My heart sunk even further. I knew this was going to happen, but it didn't stop it from hurting.

"So we're like planning a wedding for next week, and I can't wait. Can you believe it; I'm getting married to the sweetest, cutest, best guy ever to walk the earth!"

"Yeah, that's great," I said.

"I KNOW!" she squealed. "Oh my Goddess I'm sooooo excited! No longer shall I be Claire Farman. Next week, I will be Mrs. Claire Smith. Claire Smith…it sounds so great, doesn't it?"

I sighed. Mary Smith….how many times had I thought that that sounded great? And in just a week, it'll be Claire Smith, and I'll be Mary Books forever.

"I'll see you at the wedding!" said Claire joyfully before skipping back out the door.

I didn't bother trying to stop the tears from running down my cheeks. I heard the door open quietly and close again, but I payed no attention to it, until a shy voice spoke.

"M-Mary?"

I turned around. Cliff was standing there. I quickly wiped my tears.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I…well…I….wanted…I…I don't know," he stuttered. "I just…umm…felt like coming…it's quiet in the…library and…I thought…Are you OK?"

"Fine," I said. Cliff walked over and sat next to me.

"I'm fine," I repeated. "Really."

Cliff nodded, but obviously he didn't believe me. And who would? When people cry, they are normally not fine.

Cliff stared at me, concerned.

"Did you hear Claire and Gray are getting married?" I said. He shook his head.

"I used to love Gray" I sighed. "But now …he and Claire…"

"Oh."

We had a moment of silence. I was surprised that I had actually told Cliff. I had only known him a week, but I felt I could talk to him.

"I've never been in love," he said. I was also surprised to hear that he wasn't stuttering.

"Really?" I asked. "What about Ann?"

"Ann? I never really…you know…she…She never got my attention like that."

"Oh."

"Thanks again," I said. "You've saved me twice."

He shrugged. "I suppose I was j-just in the right place at the r-right time."

"You're stuttering again."

"Huh?"

"A few minutes ago you were talking without stuttering."

"Oh."

More silence followed.

"I like talking to you, Mary," he said. "I don't know…it's easier to talk to you than it is to anyone else…"

I smiled. "I like talking to you too."

"MARY!" called my mother from outside.

"I have to go," I said to Cliff. "Bye."

"Bye."

I went out to join my mum, and Cliff went back to the church.

That night was better than my last two. I remember having a dream; a good dream. But the moment I woke up I forgot what I had dreamt about.

I hope you are enjoying my story. I like writing it :D Review please! I love reviews!