Private Finished back where we began

Hal breathed out a quiet sigh as he reached a familiar clearing in the forest. The sun had barely just set but the trees were already shielding them away from the last remaining rays of sun, leaving the forest in darkness. The lake was quiet and still that evening.

He made his way to a the edge of the water, looking into his own reflection. The gold ear peircing glinted from his reflection and a feeling of unfamiliarity came over him. He'd long changed his wardrobe weeks ago — He had pulled out the trinkets and accessories he'd hoarded over the years and opened the gifts he'd received from a couple of friends. Looking at it now, it didn't feel wrong, but it was strange to look at himself looking less unkempt. It felt refreshing, if he had to be honest. It was like he was a new person.

He wasn't sure what came over him then, but the last thing he remembered was having something close to a breakdown. (Close but not quite so). He remembered deciding that he needed to get away from everyone and focus on school and work. He barely noticed weeks had passed him by and that he had avoided everyone so perfectly he could probably let himself think they've moved on without him. But that was fine, Hal assured himself. He didn't have to pressure himself on that part of his life. Today, he decided he could let himself unwind because he deserved it.

Hal picked up a pebble and tossed it over the lake's surface. His thoughts were lost in the ripples of the water, just barely aware of his surroundings.


@Claire

[[ I forgot to put this thread on the watch list :'| ]]



All it really took was a voice to pull him out of his reverie. A voice so familiar it brought on a new train of thought to distract him. But he didn't turn around, No, not yet. He hadn't head her voice for a while, and he almost wished she didn't have to be there now.

And yet here she was, calling him so familiarly like she used to. After a moment of silence, he looked back at the girl that called for him. His eyes widened at the sigth of her, actually standing there next to the oak tree. The last glimmers of the sun reflected off her hair and her eyes. "Claire," he breathed out. Softly, as if any louder, he could disrupt the stillness of the forest.

He studied her expression for a moment; he couldn't read people very well but he could feel a slight tension in the air. Hal tore his gaze away, afraid he could find something in her eyes that he didn't want to see. He rolled his shoulders back, attempting to look casual despite himself. "It's... been a while, hasn't it?" Not good enough. He gave her a hesitant smile, still avoiding her gaze. "Didn't expect I'd run into you here."

@Claire

Hal didn't miss the change from her tone when Claire spoke. He only managed to stop himself from visibly flinching from it. He'd know Claire to be expressive, but he couldn't have imagined hearing her voice turn that low after he'd last seen her. Was she angry? Possibly. Was he at fault? Maybe. He didn't do anything wrong, he tried to tell himself again.

Her scoff pulled his attention back to her, meeting her eyes with a similar hard look, "Yeah, sorry. Last I checked, the forest on the island wasn't that small for two people to run into each other for sure." Hal pulled a smile, or at least tried to. It was hard knowing Claire didn't share the same sentiment. "But hey, here we are. Isn't that nice?"

There was a similar snap in his voice, yet his sounded more controlled than Claire like he was still holding something back. Whatever it was, he would rather not dwell on it. Had he really forgotten? After all, he'd avoided the woods for a long while knowing this was practically her turf. What excuse did he have? Obviously, none.

Hal didn't move--he refused to back down despite the fact he was also just trying to keep himself steady. He was feeling slight tremors but he kept them at bay by clenching his fists to his side. Was he scared? That must be one way to put it. He couldn't really hear much other than the echo of his heartbeat to his ears. He couldn't pick up on Claire's voice shaking.

You're more of a weasel, and no one likes those. It felt like a stab in the gut. Why would she say that? It used to be good to see you. Used to? What happened? When did that change? He had been nervous of seeing Claire after all this time, but this was much worse than he had imagined it to be. He expected her to avoid his gaze but not to this extent. Emotions kept flooding his thoughts. The fear that had built up over the days, doubt about being ever ready to see her, frustration for his wrong choices that lead up to this. And then there was anger.

"Just because you belong to the forest, doesn't mean it belongs to you," he snapped. He had said it before he could stop himself, and now he couldn't even try. He felt a familiar crackle around him--the slight static that always followed after his outbursts--but he paid no mind to it, "You can't kick me out whenever you please. Just what is your deal? Do you have a problem with me?" He didn't want to face the idea that he already knew what it was.