Chapter 3: Familiar Faces from Unusual Places

Claire's POV:

Paris was beautiful this time of year. What am I saying? Paris is beautiful all year round! My blonde hair was blowing all over my face as me and my friends made our way to the library.

"Are we really going to do this?" I ask them. "There are so many beautiful things we could do right now!"

"Come on Claire, you know you love it here!" Ann says, her braid waving in the wind. "In any case, it has to be better than the little school next to your dad's farm."

I freeze. "Yea," I say. No one knew that I'd lived on a farm, or that my dad had occupied one for so long. My old overalls had been packed into the bottom of my bag.

We head into the big library and check out old textbook, novels, French books, history books. Rounding a corner with a bunch of books, I stop and hear a few voices.

"Man this was such a good idea. We'll find a bunch of SMART cute girls here, whoa!"

I roll my eyes.

"See that girl? I think she's friends with that blonde girl in our class," the voice says.

"DUDE! Someone make a move on her, that way Kai will get closer to blondie. What's her name? Claire?"

Surprised, I stumble and drop all of my books to the floor. The guys jump.

"Claire!" a guy named Skye says, winking at me. "I apologize for these idiots." There were three of them. One was Skye, the weird rich thief who had a thing for flirting with everyone. The next boy was some guy named Vaughn, who wore a cowboy hat and was quite mysterious. The last one was…hiding from me? I could see his purple bandana peeking out though.

"Skye," I say. "Vaughn. Still lurking around hunting girls huh? Well sorry boys, I'm not interested in letting you weirdoes hurt my best friends and I sure as hell ain't dating you guys."

"Aww come on Claire, it's not even us who like you," Vaughn says.

"Yea, I'm more attracted to the ones that would consider me," Skye says, taking my hand. "Though you're still quite the beautiful maiden."

"Your flattery never does get old there Skye," I say, rolling my eyes. "So who is it that you're setting me up with this time huh?"

"Kai, come on out she doesn't bite, not even Skye! And everyone bites him." Vaughn coos.

"You are insane," the guy says, putting the book down. "I was wrapped in the cookbook that's all, plus no one introduced us."

Tanned skin, bandana, nice smile, pretty eyes. My eyes widen. It's…Kai?

"I'm Kai," he says, smiling widely.

"Claire," I say, fiddling with my overalls. Of course, the only time a cute guy could come into the village is when I'm sweaty from farming in these stupid clothes. "I've never seen you around before."

"Yea, I only come during the summer; I have this Snack Shack down by the beach. You should come and check it out if you have time."

"Oh, if you have a second, I'll be right over. I take really quick showers." Why was I saying that?!

He laughs. "Sure, I'll wait."

I run inside, showering quickly and pulling a comb through my hair. I fasten it into a ponytail with a ribbon and put on a floral dress. I walk back out, waving.

"You clean up well," he says, blushing.

I blush too. "Thanks," I say. "Now let's go see that snack shack of yours!"

"What's your favourite season?" he asks, as we head down to the shack.

"I love summer," I say honestly. "It's beautiful in so many ways. It can represent both a happy ending, and a wonderful beginning. I was born in the summer you know? Yea, July 3rd. I feel like there's so much to do, and not much stopping you during summer. Oh…I'm rambling. Sorry," I say.

"No, don't apologize. I'm happy to find someone who loves summer as much as I do!"

"Really?" I ask.

"Of course. So what do you want? Here I'll give you some stir fry, on me, you look beat."

"Oh," I say. "I guess so; farm work takes a lot out of you. Anyway, I can't just take it; I have to at least pay…"

"No way. We're friends now right? So that means I can treat you," he winks.

"Friends huh? Well friends eat together. Come on, if anything I'll split mine with you."

"No beans, I eat way too much. We'll just have to eat together."

"Won't you get fired?"

"I'm self-employed, and I'm the cook, so what I say goes!"

I laugh at him. "Fine, you win this time, but the next time we go out I'm treating you!"

I realize what I've said and blush frantically. He laughs. "It's a date then."

I bite my lip to keep from smiling. We ate the stir fry on the beach, looking out to the sea.

"HEY CLAIRE WHATCHA DOIN' OVER HERE?" Rock's voice yells.

I shake my head, sighing.

"Is that your boyfriend?" Kai asks sheepishly.

I burst out laughing. "THAT'S THE FUNNIEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD! THIS MORON? HECK NO!"

"What's so funny?" Rock asks, plonking down on the log between us.

Rock was the playboy of this Valley. He was always pulling stunts like pretending he could do everything, and that there was no need to even try. He flirted with EVERYONE.

"Nothing. Anyway, I'm…on a date. Could you…?"

"WITH KAI?" he asks. "I thought we had something!"

"What are you talking about? Aren't you dating Lumina?"

"Lumina is old news! It's our turn now!"

I sigh. "As much as I'd love to be your second fiddle, I'm taken," I say.

"You two are boyfriend and girlfriend already? PROVE IT!"

I blush. "Technically I don't have to prove anything to you."

"If you prove it, I'll leave the two of you alone!" Rock says.

Kai gets up, holding out a hand for me. I get up too.

"Are you sure?" I ask him. "We don't actually have to-"

"Unless you're not ready, I've sort of wanted to do this that entire time sitting next to you, hearing you talk about your life."

My eyes widen. Kai gets closer and closer to me, and I can feel the warmth of the setting sun as he presses his lips onto mine, and envelops me in a world of happiness.

"I have to go," I say quickly, running out of the library and back to my dorm before anyone could see the trail of tears slowly flowing down my face.