"Damn it, where is it?"
Chase yanked open the drawers in his kitchen and rummaged through their contents, sending scraps of paper flying through the air. Reaching further into one of the drawers, he recoiled as he felt a sharp sting in his finger. Nicked by a paring knife. He wrapped the wound in a dish towel before glancing at a slip of paper in the sink. There. The ticket he purchased from Ozzy was still intact. Smudged and soggy but intact. It wasn't too late. He still had enough time to pack his bags, run to the docks, and catch Pascal for a ride to...wherever. No need to say goodbye to anyone. Not even Akari. He berated himself for not sticking to his initial plan of getting the hell out of Castanet.
He pocketed the ticket and went to his room. His luggage still sat mostly untouched next to the closet. He never bothered to unpack. He could call up Cain right now and have all of his stuff on Pascal's ship in a few minutes. He could...
He plopped down on the bed and rubbed his face. Chase never felt bothered by being what most people would call a selfish person. That was the point of keeping everyone at a distance. If he never got close to anyone, it wouldn't matter if he only looked out for himself. But now he felt crushed by the guilt and rightfully so. Akari was his friend. They had gotten close. Maybe too close. To him, she was more than a friend but he knew she would never feel the same way. When he saw Akari numb and in disbelief on the cliffside after Owen tried to kill himself, he knew this one thing for certain: She truly cared about Owen and she didn't have room in her heart for Chase or anyone else. And he felt so incredibly stupid for admitting his feelings for her. She probably felt sorry for him.
So the only thing left to do was to leave. Forget Akari and Castanet Island and start over somewhere else.
Knock, knock.
He stood up. His heart sped up. Was it her? Please don't let it be her.
He sprinted to the front door and looked through the peephole. He spotted a wispy blonde cowlick. He opened the door.
"Gill? What the hell are you doing here?"
Gill wrinkled his nose. "Believe me. I asked myself the same question. I expected to see you at the reception."
"No...I have something to take care of.'"
Gill looked past Chase's shoulder into his living room. Chase's house was always eerily quiet and impeccably clean, almost sterile, as if it were more a hotel than a home. "Well, I'll let you get to it. But I have a question for you."
"What?"
"Do you think Akari is...well enough to go on this trip with me?"
Chase blinked. "Well enough? If you're talking about her head injury, I think that's cleared up..."
"No, I mean emotionally well. She and Luke ran off and then you, Kathy, and Selena. She returned and seemed miserable the entire time. She insisted she was fine but I have my doubts."
Chase paused. How much did Gill know? He figured he shouldn't mention the whole ordeal with Owen at the Garmon Mine District. Not that it wouldn't get out anyway The whole village would know by tomorrow morning. "Why are you asking me?"
Gill rolled his eyes. "For goodness' sake... Akari appears to be the only friend you have here. Which is quite unusual for you. So, I assume you two must be close. Of course, I would ask for your opinion."
A smile tugged at Chase's lips. He and Gill weren't so different—he'd finally met his match when it came to refusing to tolerate any nonsense. Still, how was he supposed to answer that? He remembered berating Akari for putting on a tough-girl act when she was clearly in denial of how much Owen's suicide attempt affected her. But maybe he was wrong. Maybe it wasn't an act. She wasn't the same sad, pitiful girl he met months ago. She was stronger.
"She...yeah. Yeah, I think she can do it."
Gill raised an eyebrow. "You do?"
"I just gave you my opinion. Now you question it?"
Gill opened his mouth to respond but then shook his head in frustration. "Very well. Will you be coming with us? I pray that isn't the case but I should at least prepare myself."
"Well, lucky for you, no. I have things to do. So..." Chase gestured toward his walkway. Gill sighed.
"I'll never know what she sees in you."
As soon as Gill turned away, Chase closed the door and thumped his head back against it. So Akari was really going through with her plan to find out what happened to her. He knew that she was still expecting him to go. And yet he was determined to go through with his own plan of leaving without a word. Gill had a point. He had no idea what Akari saw in him. He went back to his room to carry his suitcases to the front door and then the phone rang. He flinched. Way too many jump scares today. The Owen situation must have rattled him more than he thought. His hand hovered over the phone as he went to answer it. He couldn't remember the last time someone called him. Who even had his number?
"Hello?"
A small, saccharine voice came from the other end. "Uh, hi, Chase."
"Maya?"
"Yeah! I, um, wanted to check on you."
"Check on me?"
"You didn't come back with Akari, Kathy and Selena...so I was wondering if you were okay."
Silence. He used to get a twisted satisfaction from teasing Maya, even being outright cruel at times. But now, when it would've been the perfect chance to mock her for being a stalker, he actually felt... touched? By the same girl who had grated on his last nerve for years.
"Chase?"
"Huh? Yeah. I'm good."
"Good! I mean, Akari was looking pretty sad. So, I was just wondering."
He thought back to how Gill mentioned Akari looking miserable at the reception, and now Maya had confirmed it. If he just disappeared without saying goodbye, would that make things worse for her? No way. Akari was fine long before she ever met Chase. Or so he convinced himself to believe. She had Kathy and Selena to look out for her.
"Listen, Chase. I guess it's no secret that I like you a lot." Her voice took a more somber tone. "But if you like Akari, I'm okay with that."
He started to laugh but stopped himself. He had to admire her gumption. "Maya, you never had a chance...I mean, I have no idea what you're talking about. She's just a friend."
"Oh! Well, I guess I should stop listening to gossip, then."
"Yeah, you should."
Another pause. "I have to go. I'll see you later," she said.
"Yep."
She hung up. He kept the phone to his ear and looked up at the ceiling. "Okay," he said. "If you give me another sign, I'll believe."
Chase glanced at the village phone directory on his nightstand and dialed the number for Horn Ranch. He paced the room while it rang. It seemed like ages before someone picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Hana. This is Chase. Is Cain there?"
"Oh, hi. Chase. Cain isn't feeling well at the moment. Is there anything I can help you with?"
And there it was.
He kicked the wall and winced, hoping Hana didn't hear. "No. Thanks, anyway."
"Ok. Ha-"
He slammed the phone down before she could finish. Screw it. Sign or not, he was determined to go through with his plan. This time, nothing would stand in his way. He flicked off the lights and drew the blinds shut, then opened the door and glanced back one last time before shutting it behind him. He didn't need his stuff. He could buy whatever he needed elsewhere. He reached into his pocket to make sure the ticket was still there and headed down the dirt path towards town. He hated that he had to go past Akari's farm to get there. Hopefully, they were all still celebrating at the reception.
The storm clouds from earlier had dissipated and abundant sunshine poured over the land. The raindrops from the trees and shrubbery glistened in the sunlight. He glanced back at Marimba Farm. Quiet. Anissa, Taylor and her parents must've have still been at the church so that was a good sign. He tried to occupy his mind with anything other than Akari but the more he resisted, the more he thought of her. Chase couldn't wrap his head around the fact that Owen had tried to kill himself. He hated the guy, couldn't stand him, but he never saw this coming. Was Owen really going to go through with it, or was he just using it as a weapon against her? The second thought troubled him even more—it felt all too familiar.
When his parents died, Colleen and Jake took him in. Raising a child who had lost his mom, dad, and unborn sister—and someone who had spent years in foster care—wasn't going to be easy. He was a monster of a kid, consumed by anger and grief, determined to make everyone share his pain. The only time he found any solace was during weekends in the kitchen cooking with Yolanda. But for the rest of the week, Colleen and Jake were at a loss on how to handle him. One day, in a moment of frustration, Jake exploded, telling Chase to get out of his house. That's when Chase snapped and threatened to blow his brains out just to get back at them.
He never understood why Colleen and Jake forgave him for that. Although they did, their relationship never fully recovered. He was grateful to them and even kept in touch sporadically during his travels, but they weren't close. Deep down, he knew it was his fault for making their lives hell. It happened several years ago, but Chase realized he was no better than Owen. He too used guilt to make the people who hurt him feel worse. Akari could do better than having him in her life.
He wasn't the same out-of-control little kid. Over time, he learned to control his angry outbursts. And the best way to control it was to stay away from people unless it was necessary.
He quickened his pace as he approached Akari's farmland. Many of her plants had snapped at the stems and buds and leaves were scattered across the soil from the storm. He wondered how Akari would manage on the farm now that he was leaving. He knew that much of her success had come from him. But it was a temporary situation anyway. He fully expected to go back to work at the bar and she would just have to figure it out. Glancing at her house, he was surprised to see the curtains drawn back and a light on inside. Was she home? He slowed down, tempted to check. But no, he couldn't let himself get distracted. He ducked his head and made it past unscathed. Almost there...
As he entered town, music and laughter drifted from the church grounds. He remembered promising Akari he would rejoin them after making up a lame excuse about needing to take care of something. She was probably still waiting—or, if she was as smart as he knew she was, she had already figured out he wasn't coming back. He felt like a coward. He stepped over the shattered glass near the tailor's shop, noting the darkness inside. Memories flooded back of how beautiful she had looked in that dress, and then he thought of the night she kissed him by the river...
He paused in front of the newly renovated bar, where a banner reading "Grand Re-Opening Soon" flapped in the wind against the windowpanes. He knew Hayden would be calling soon to offer him his old position back. There would likely be a larger kitchen with upgraded equipment, a fully stocked fridge and pantry brimming with ingredients—a chef's dream come true. He thought back to when Akari had come to the bar to tell him she was back together with Owen and how cruel he had been to her in response. Had he ever truly apologized for that? He shook his head and continued on.
The pier loomed in the near distance. Chase couldn't recall seeing Pascal or Ozzy at the wedding, and the absence of the ship at the dock was a bad sign. He jogged to the Fishery and pushed open the door, immediately greeted by the sharp scent of raw fish. It had been several weeks since his last visit. On one side of the room stood a rack of fishing poles—some basic, others more advanced—while the opposite side featured a display of trinkets and souvenirs: seashells, old maps, sea-themed figurines and compasses. Behind the front counter, a variety of baits sat alongside tanks housing real fish and hermit crabs. It didn't seem like anyone was there. Chase rang the bell at the counter. "Hello?"
Someone opened the front door. He turned around and his knees buckled when he saw who it was. "Akari! What are you doing here?"
Her eyes grew wide. She peered around the shop. "Um, more like, what are YOU doing here? I never expected to see you here."
He took a deep, unsteady breath.. This was not on the agenda. "You were supposed to be at the reception."
"I was. I left early. Toby forgot his gift here and I told him I'd pick it up for him since I was heading home.."
What the hell was he supposed to say to her? He felt like a kid caught sneaking out of the house. She frowned as she sensed his unease. "What's wrong with you? Why didn't you come back?"
Busted.
"I don't know," he said lamely.
"You don't know?"
A rustling in the back caught their attention. They immediately grew quiet as a familiar face entered the room. "Akari, Chase, what a surprise," Ozzy said. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "I thought everyone would be at the wedding. Not my thing, really. How can I help you?"
Akari smiled. "Good to see you, Ozzy. Toby told me he left his wedding gift here. I'm here to pick it up for him."
Ozzy slapped his forehead. "Of course he did. Let me snoop around his room and see if I can find it." He once again disappeared into the back room.
Akari turned to face Chase. She didn't look miserable. She looked like she could use two good days of uninterrupted sleep. "Look, I don't blame you for not coming back. I know I've kind of dragged you into all my drama. And I'm sorry for yelling at you...even though you kind of started it. But you showed up and it means a lot. So, thank you."
He remembered the night she showed up at his house, ready to fight for their friendship, despite all the times he'd been anything but a friend to her. She always treated him with kindness, just like Maya—though far less annoying. Maybe he would never be worthy of her affection, but how could he abandon her now? He stepped forward and hugged her. All the anxiety and doubts melted away in her embrace.
"What are you talking about? You just saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life. So, thank you."
There was so much to say but he just couldn't find the words. They broke apart as Ozzy walked back into the room, carrying a small box wrapped in silver and gold paper. He handed it to Akari. "There you go! Sorry it took so long. It was in his tackle box. Not quite sure why he'd put it there, but I digress."
"That's our Toby," Akari said. "Thanks, Ozzy."
Chase took the ticket out of his pocket, crumbled it in his fist, and tossed it in the wastebasket as the two of them headed out. A swarm of seagulls dived out of the way. She gave the box two gentle shakes. There was a faint clinking sound. "I wonder what's in here..."
"You break it, you buy it," he warned.
"Shut up."
He smiled. Same old Akari.
"What did you go to the Fishery for?" She asked, "And what mistake were you talking about?"
He wracked his mind for an excuse. Something told him that she would not take it well if he admitted the truth. "I was about to quit my career as a chef to become a fisherman. You came right on time. You legit saved my life."
She laughed. "You are so weird. That's a total lie."
"It's the truth, I swear."
She shook her head with a smile, and then the silence fell again. Neither of them wanted to bring up what happened earlier. Even though he liked Akari—and figured she felt the same, at least platonically—there was this weird tension hanging between them. She didn't know his past, and while he'd seen bits of what was going on in her life, she never really opened up. Not fully, anyway. Something was always left unsaid.
"So, uh, how was the reception? Was it awkward?" He asked, kicking a pebble across the stone path.
She shrugged. "Not really. Well, actually, yeah. But not because of me. Luke was, um, entertaining, to put it mildly. I think he did it to distract everyone from what happened with me. Which I appreciate but Selena was pissed. And so was Julius."
"I would've paid good money to see that."
"If we had cellphones, it would've went viral."
Another pause. A few villagers were making their way back from the reception. Calvin and Phoebe passed by—Calvin gave them a curt nod, while Phoebe offered a tight-lipped smile. Behind them, Yolanda and Mira appeared, shooting Chase and Akari a quick glance before averting their eyes. Akari sighed. "Might as well stamp the Scarlet Letter on my forehead."
"Hey, forget them. Their loss."
"Thanks. Anyway, it's settled. The trip with Gill? We're leaving in the morning." She stopped walking, and Chase followed suit. He considered mentioning Gill's concerns, wondering if it would make her reconsider. But he doubted it. If he knew anything about her by now, it was that she was stubborn as hell.
"Do you want to come? Kathy's going, but honestly... we're friends again, but it's still kind of weird after everything..." She let the sentence trail off.
Chase knew she could handle whatever came her way. She'd already proven that by rejecting Owen, even if the outcome led to his death. Whatever she uncovered on this trip, even if it hit hard, she'd find a way to deal with it. And he wasn't going anywhere.
"Just don't be late," he said. "You have a habit of being late."
The dull look in her eyes flickered, a hint of life sparking back into them.
"But who's going to take of your farm?"
She threw her hands in the air. "You and that damn Gill."