Author's Note: I'm re-writing this (as you can see); I felt as though my previous versions were way too fast paced and there wasn't enough development. Though, when I wrote the original I was still pretty young (in high school), so, I was quite new to writing, though I had a plot for this and it's still the same plot, it wasn't planned nor thought out very well. As I've grown older I felt as though it needed improvement. Considering this is my favorite fanfic series that I've ever written, I definitely wanted to give it an update!

Also, I update more on AO3 (Archive of Our Own)! So, if you're interested in reading updated versions of "When Summer Becomes Winter", please look up Strawberry_Tales on AO3! I'll try to update on here (fanfiction) as well as wattpad (yes, this fanfic is on there as well) whenever I make changes. However, if you want to see them ahead of time (along with new chapters), look to AO3!

I'll also have some scenes that I drew in the fanfics as well (on AO3)! So, if you're interested in seeing them...AO3.

-End note-

Spring 5

"Are you sure this water's sanitary, Clara?" I looked up from my rippled legs to my cousin's fearful face while laughing and rolling my eyes.

"I'm sure it's safe. You may feel a few fish swim around your legs and nibble your toes." I replied, my cousin stood pondering for a moment before lifting the skirts of her dress, slipping her left foot out of one of her pink designer heels and pulling off her white, silky stocking, dipping her big toe in the cool water.

"You promise this water's safe." She said sternly as I groaned in agitation.

"It's fine, Leann! Don't make me push you in!" I exclaimed, causing her to furrow her brows in concern.

"That's usually Roy who would do something like that." She scolded with a frown. I sighed loudly, looking down at my reflection in the cool water while reflecting on myself as well. Being a teenager was awkwardly difficult. Especially since it felt like I was always being compared to my cousin!

Perfect, prim, and proper Leann! The one who never has a bad hair day, never has a wrinkle in her outfits, never makes bad grades, is physically beautiful, and has perfect posture! I do love my cousin, sure! But the attention she gets is exhausting! I'm a De Sainte-Coquille too! I deserve some recognition, even if I am a little different from the norm, right? I didn't have much time to ponder about it any more over my mother's voice booming out in worry.

"Clara! Where are you?!" I sighed in annoyance, my mother worried about me way too much; I pulled my legs out of the water and slipped my boots on, Leann pulled her stocking back on and strapped her heels back on her foot. I always wondered how she could walk in those things, my feet hurt just looking at them. Nonetheless, I trailed my way home as she clip-clopped her way back to the manor.

I walked through the front door as my father looked away from his conversation with Barrett and towards me.

"Your mother is looking for you." He said as I sighed, placing my hands on my hips.

"I know, I know." I began in annoyance, "She doesn't need to worry about me. I'm fifteen years old and I can take care of myself... mostly." I said as dad chuckled.

"She's your mother; she's going to worry about you, no matter what!" Dad exclaimed as Barrett nodded his head.

"Yeah. It's the job requirements of being a mom. I'm sure you'll understand someday when you become a mother!" Barrett replied as dad became nervous.

"Alright, let's not jump to that." Dad said I blinked at them a couple of times before mom stepped through the front door, making a huge sigh of relief upon seeing me.

"Thank the stars, you're alright." Her long pale blue-gray hair seemed to become more gray than blue from all the worry over me. Honestly, though, I wished she didn't worry over me so much. Worrying is one thing, but my mom's worry was overbearing.

"I was just with Leann." I reassured her; she sighed in relief again and smiled.

"That's good to hear." She chirped. No matter what my dad and Barrett say, I don't think I'll ever worry as much as my mom! Plus, there wasn't any point for her to worry! It wasn't like I was going into the dungeons anymore! Though, secretly, I did go into the dungeons to get a little workout, nothing major, the monsters are pretty weak in the dungeons, anyway.

Spring 6

The morning ray of sunshine splashed my face with warmth and agony as I squinted my eyes open. It was a Friday, and that meant, you guessed it. School. At least I'd have a day off tomorrow.

Fortunately every time I woke up, it was six in the morning which gave me plenty of time to do a few things, like tend to the crops, take care of my monsters, talk to my friends before school began, the usual. I hoisted myself from my bed to my dresser and pulled out an outfit. A crop top and a pair of shorts. The same thing I wore almost every day.

The only difference between then and now was that I had developed some curves, though I particularly didn't like how flat chested I was. It was probably because I was so athletic, which made me envy my cousin, who had a perfect round bosom! I grumbled, remembering everything about Leann was perfect!

I bid my parents farewell and skipped out the door and into the field, greeting my strawberries, pink turnips, and pink melons! What do you expect? Even if I am a tomboy, I'm still a girl! I loved those sorts of things!

After tending to my crops, I sped towards the academy, meeting up with my best friend, Leonel.

He was always at school first, mostly because his father was a teacher here, and he liked to help him out with his lessons, which I think is very sweet. He's strong minded like his father, but yet he's as shy as his mother.

You might be wondering why Leonel, of all the kids in my class, is my best friend. Simple! His father and my father are both very close friends; so are my mother and his mother! And they always have been, even when my dad left to protect Alvarna!

I watched Leonel pull some iron, speckled skin, and so on from his dad's tote. I cleared my throat, causing him to jump slightly and turn his body towards me.

"H-hey Clara!" He began, his face turning a light pink, "I uh...didn't hear you come in...what's up?" I shrugged.

"You know, same old, same old! Worrisome mom, girly cousin, an uncle who hates being called uncle." I said nonchalantly as Leonel gave a snicker. I laughed back.

"Sounds troublesome! At least your mom, dad, and family love and accept you."

"Hey! Your family loves you too!" I scolded, placing my hands on my hips as he sighed in a defeated way.

"But dad doesn't really accept me...I'm too much like my mom...plus...well...I'm always mistaken for a girl...I think he'd rather have some masculine son rather than a wimpy loser like me."

"Hey!" I began, "That wimpy loser you're talking about...is my best friend!" he gave a sweet smile and began to chuckle.

"Thanks, Clara!" it was silent for a moment before I broke it to bid him farewell

"I'll see you again at nine...'kay?" Leonel just smiled at me and nodded his head, watching me run out the front doors of the school; I squinted my eyes and looked left and right before heading off to Trieste Forest to fight some monsters.