Mira's P.O.V.

The storm had rapidly become more intense, the waves more turbulent. What was a floating curtain of deep blue just moments before was now a shuddering black void-like expanse. It was hard to tell in the darkness of the overcast sky but it looked like the tide was coming in. "You should get going," Sebastian's deep voice broke my ocean watching trance. "the beach could flood pretty soon."

"You're right." I smiled, rubbing my arms from the night time chill in the air. Despite what he'd just said, Sebastian showed no intention of moving. "…Aren't you coming, too?"

"Nah," he put down the umbrella, the whispering of the rain engulfing his words as a tranquil light shone in his eyes. "I'll stay here for just a little longer."

"A-are you sure? The tide's coming in pretty quick now…"

"I'm sure." He flashed me an untroubled smile.

"Alright… Be safe, okay?" I turned around when I reached the sand and waved. "Bye, Sebastian! See you soon!"

I tirelessly sprinted up the beach toward town, the shifting clumps of wet sand beneath my feet slowing me in my tracks and tripping me every so often. I probably looked ridiculous, but I could only hope that Sebastian was still staring out at the sea and not at me doing my best penguin impression. I was soaked to the bone and freezing cold, more water droplets making my clothes cling to me even tighter every second. I stumbled as my shoes scuffed against the solid pavement when I finally reached Pelican Town, the light of the Saloon cutting through the oppressive sheets of rain water, a beacon of warmth amidst the storm. I was panting from my run up the beach but I pressed onwards in an exhausted jog toward the Saloon. I slammed through the door out of the storm, water flying off of my brow as I did. Heat instantly clung to my cold face. I breathed a sigh of relief as I stepped inside, making my way over to the corner of the bar. Shane was, of course, sat there as he always was. His eyes were listlessly fixed onto his drink.

"Hi, Shane!" I sat down on the bar stool next to him. He said nothing. He didn't even move.

"…Shane?" Are you—" the strong stench of beer invaded my nose. That wasn't his first drink… Nor his second or third, or even anywhere close. My heart dropped. Oh no… What happened, Shane…?

"Did… Did something happen at work?"

Silence. His eyes burned as he stared at the bubbles in his beer. I gently reached my hand toward his shoulder. "Shane, talk to me—"

"Don't…" he slapped my hand away sharply. My tear ducts started to sting.

"But… why?"

"Don't… Don't talk to me…" he clenched his fists, "get the hell away from me."

"But—"

"Just leave me the fuck alone!" The beer glass shattered on the floor as his glare stabbed into me like daggers. "You're a liar… You acted like you cared but it was all a lie! Then you come in here with that stupid fake smile on your face… What the fuck is your problem?!"

The Saloon fell silent. Not a single thought crossed my mind. Time stood still as I stood shaken in bewilderment, unable to avert my gaze from his rage-filled face. Even the jukebox ceased to play, or maybe I was just too stricken to hear it; too dumbfounded to process anything in this ineffable turn of events.

For the longest time – or so it felt – we stayed like that. Until finally, his face softened into emptiness and he averted his eyes. "…Go home, Mirabelle."

Mirabelle…?

Why did it hurt so much to hear my own name…?

I couldn't stand it any longer. I tried to speak but nothing came out but a pathetic whimper. Shane melted into a blur of brown and blue as streams of tears spilled over my eyelids.

What did I do wrong…?

I covered my face and turned away. I ran. I ran toward the door, pushing it open with all my might and running out into the rain once again.

Rain… Huh… My heart broke a little as that word flashed through my mind. I could only hear it in his voice anymore. Tears and rain streamed down my face, indistinguishable from each other. Nothing made sense anymore.

Finally, and with shallow breath, I stumbled into my farmhouse before throwing myself face-first onto my bed, screaming as I cried. My voice echoed through my wooden house – a reminder that I was alone. I couldn't understand. How could I just be tossed aside for no reason…? What reason was there to trust anymore?

It took a while but I'd started to calm down. My breathing slowed, as did my heart beat. I lay still for a while, emptily revisiting that night's events. Searching for what I could have done wrong. Finally, I sat up, reached for the thing closest to me and wiped my eyes. With my clear vision I glanced down at the soft object in my hands. A white t-shirt with a cartoon chicken on it… Shane's t-shirt. Shane. The bar. Mirabelle. The flood of tears broke again as I buried my face into my pillow.

I just don't understand.

Author's Note: So a bit of a shorter chapter today just to follow on from the last one. It's my birthday today so I don't have a lot of time but I wanted to update since it's been a little while. :3 As always, thanks for reading! ~Nyannygiri