11 HOURS
GEOFFREY
"Ike is too important to me…"
Geoffrey's stomach was feeling uneasy. He sat down on a crate placing his head in his hands.
"…too important to me…"
Geoffrey shook his head.
"Ike…"
He held his head tighter, 'Damn him…'
"I love you Geoffrey…"
Violently, he got up and kicked the crate, breaking it. He was breathing heavily and walking like a madman. 'That liar…'
"Excuse me, but why are you so mad…?" a girl's voice said.
Geoffrey violently turned around and saw a little raven haired girl standing a good distance away from him. She was holding her hands together, looking worried.
"I…" Geoffrey couldn't and didn't want to speak to her.
Laura kept staring at him, her gaze making Geoffrey calm down.
"I'm sorry, do you need something?" he asked.
She nodded, "I would like to get into my tent. I need to retrieve something from inside."
Geoffrey was taken back, "…and how does this concern me?"
Laura smiled sweetly, "…you're in my way."
Geoffrey looked turned around and noticed that he was standing right in front of the entrance. Embarrassed, he took a few steps away, bowing. "Please excuse my rudeness."
Laura walked in smiling, "There's no need to."
Once she was inside, Geoffrey hit himself with his palm. 'Nice, Geoffrey…'
Laura was once again outside; she got behind him and tapped his shoulder. Geoffrey turned around.
"If you would like, I could make some tea for you. It's very relaxing…"
Geoffrey stared at her, "Thank you but no. I'm fine."
Laura nodded but her smile did not leave her face. "If you say so…"
They stared at each other for a while until Laura turned around and left.
Geoffrey stared at her until she was completely out of sight.
***
"Excuse me." Geoffrey said.
Shinon turned around, "Yeah?"
"Have you by any chance seen Lucia around here? I've looked for her everywhere but I haven't found her yet."
He shook his head, "No. But she might be hiding. Bastian just asked the same thing too."
Geoffrey nodded, "Thank you."
***
"Nephenee!" Geoffrey saw her approach at fast pace.
She ran passed him not even bothering to look at him. Geoffrey saw that she was on the verge of crying.
"Nephenee! Wait!" Geoffrey was almost pushed by Marcia as she and Mia chased after the halberdier. He frowned.
***
Things were weird around camp, Geoffrey decided, so he preferred to get away from it all. He was sitting on the ground, leaning on a tree. He looked at the setting sun through the spaces created by the leaves.
"Commander Geoffrey…?"
Geoffrey turned having recognized the voice.
"Oh, it's you." He stood up and faced her, "Is there something you need?"
"I've brought you this." Laura handed him a cup.
Geoffrey took it from her, "What is it?"
"It's the tea I offered to make. Even though you said no, I chose to make it anyway. You still look very troubled."
Geoffrey bowed his head, "Thank you…" he frowned, "…I'm sorry but I don't know your name…"
She smiled, "…it's Laura."
Geoffrey nodded and took a sip. "This is very tasty, Laura."
"I'm glad you like it. If you happen to want more, let me know." She turned to walk away.
"Wait, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Why are you being nice to me?"
Laura giggled, "Why wouldn't I be? We're comrades."
Geoffrey nodded, feeling somewhat idiotic. "Right, thank you…once more."
Laura bowed her head, "Your welcome."
"Wait!" Geoffrey cried out once more after she turned around. "I would like to ask you something else."
Laura stared at him.
"I hope you don't find me rude but I would like to ask your opinion on something."
Laura continued to stare, smiling.
"How do you know if someone loves you? Truly…?"
Laura blushed.
Geoffrey also blushed after hearing himself. "I mean, how do we know when someone isn't lying…?"
"Um…" Laura looked at him in the eyes, "I guess that we have to believe it when we hear it. After all, love is all about trust."
Geoffrey looked down, "Excuse me…I don't know what I'm saying anymore."
"It's okay…"
They stood there in silence.
Laura then spoke again, "May I know who it is that owns your heart?"
Geoffrey looked at her, "It is my childhood friend…"
Laura's eyes opened wide, "Really?"
Geoffrey stared at her, "…yes…"
"What a coincidence. I am in love my best friend too."
They smiled at each other. "I'm sure you two must be very happy together." Geoffrey said.
Laura's smiled disappeared from her face. Geoffrey, worried, got close to her.
"He doesn't actually know…"
"Why not?"
"…he thinks of me as a sister…" Laura said as her gaze dropped to stare at the ground.
Geoffrey put his arm around her shoulders, "I'm sure he just hasn't opened his eyes yet."
Laura smiled slightly, "I wish that were true…"
"I bet my armor that it is."
Laura was now smiling brightly again. "And I'm sure that your friend is deeply in love with you."
It was Geoffrey's smile that disappeared this time. "Sadly, I found out today that in fact she loves another man…" he drank the rest of the tea in one sip.
They were in silence once more but for a shorter time. Geoffrey hugged her a little tighter. "That tea was exceptionally good. May I be given some more."
"Of course, I just have to get some more leaves." Laura responded sweetly.
They walked back to her tent together, talking about their lives and their dreams. Both of them were laughing and chatting excitedly. Geoffrey still had his arm around her.
Laura walked into her tent as Geoffrey waited outside, whistling. Kieran was a good distance away from him, quite surprised at the sight.