Yet again, I have forgotten to update, for which I'll apologize. I'm going to try to update another time this week.
I went to my room that evening somewhat angry with myself as I knew I had hurt Eveline. I mentally cursed myself for not realizing how my actions would hurt her delicate soul.
"What is the matter, Cogsworth?" I heard Lumiere ask.
"Would it hurt you to knock?" I asked exasperatedly asked.
"Sorry…" he stepped out of my room and knocked. I rolled my eyes as I let him in. "Are you alright, mon ami?"
"I suppose so. I am frustrated with myself, that is all." I recounted my dream and the conversation that followed.
"Do you love her?"
"I—is it not too soon to say such a thing?"
"Perhaps or perhaps you are just too scared to say the truth…hence the dream."
I took a deep breath, "But how do I know?"
"Do you?" Lumiere asked, ignoring my question.
I sat in silence briefly to think it over. As I thought, I realized my biggest desire was to protect her and make her happy. There was nothing I would not do to keep her safe and smiling. I grinned at the realization, "Oui, mon ami, I truly do."
"Good! You should inform her when you feel the time is right…"
"And how exactly will I know that?"
"You just will, Cogsworth." I smiled at my friend. No matter how rude and immature and terribly obnoxious he got, he was always my friend. He was a good friend.
"Merci, Lumiere."
The next morning, I walked around doing my daily check on the servants when I heard yelling. "Sorry for caring!"
"Why can I not make my own decisions? Did you forget that I can handle myself? Did you forget that I'm older than you? What is it?" I walked into the room to see Eveline looking very exasperated. She had clearly spent a great deal of time crying. Clarisse immediately left the room upon my entering. "I'm sorry…I'll return to working…" Eveline apologized, picking up a plate.
I placed my hand on her arm, "Eveline…"
"I'll be fine…continue working…" I ignored her instruction and pulled her into a hug, "What happened?"
"I have no clue. One minute we were fine…she asked me about last night…she said she was worried. I told her what happened and she started yelling at me. She told me that I need to get in touch with myself and stop beating around the bush…I don't even know what she was talking about, which I calmly expressed and she just kept yelling at me and I asked her why she gets so worked up about my personal affairs and she yelled 'sorry for caring.' I don't know what to do, Cogsworth…"
"Have you asked about her life again?"
"I was planning on it…but she started yelling at me…please, go back to work…" I gently kissed her cheek before complying to her wishes.
Eveline~
At that point, I had no clue how to react. Clarisse came back with tear-filled eyes. She picked up a broom and started to sweep the floor.
"Can we please calmly discuss what's going on between us, Clare?" I requested gently, pulling the broom out of her hands.
"What is there to discuss? I'm a terrible sister that doesn't deserve someone as awesome as you? I think that's already clear… It's also quite clear that I can't act my age."
I pulled her into a hug and sat her down, "Please, tell me what's going on inside your head…"
"I was talking to a couple of the other girls my age and they were complaining about never getting to enjoy their teenage years…which I agreed with, so we decided to go back to being fifteen…it wasn't that difficult because I don't know what it's like to be older than fifteen…I'm sorry, Eveline…I just…I'm jealous, that's all."
"Why did you go to such measures to get to be a teenager?"
"Because I thought causing drama was the only way to become a true girl…"
I pushed her hair behind her ear and gently replied, "That's the problem, Clare. What's better? Becoming a girl or becoming a woman?
"Becoming a woman…" she answered, "which is what I just realized by…sorry, I might have been eavesdropping…"
"That's alright…as long as you don't make a habit out of it…" I replied with a grin.
She finally smiled, "When I realized how truly I've been hurting you and how you were willing to continue working despite being clearly in need of a…friend…I admire you greatly, Eveline…and Ev?"
"Yes, Clarisse?"
"I really miss you," she finished as she sobbed into my shoulder.
"I've missed you too, Clare…" I kissed her hair.