She hadn’t eaten in ten hours, hadn’t slept in nearly twenty-four; these things had been on the forefront of her mind since she entered the store and grabbed herself a quick sandwich. The weather was fairly nice today, just the perfect amount of warmth, the sun beaming on her person as she took a seat on a nearby bench and began to devour her meal. Lost in thoughts all her own, she hadn’t noticed the crowd gather around the corner until she had finally gotten up to discard her leftovers.
For a moment, she debated heading on over, but then a thought crossed her mind. What if someone was hurt? It was that thought that caused Clara’s feet to move on their own accord, and though she considered herself a to be a decent height, she inched a little closer so she could get a better look.
The next moment, she realized, was one that she would NEVER have been prepared for. The first thing that happened was the assault of that scent, the one that belonged specifically to him, on her senses. The second was his voice. She’d know that voice anywhere. No matter how many years spent apart, they’d had nearly three more to compensate—and how could she forget? Even despite having wanted to for two years.
Slowly, she’d gathered the courage to turn in his direction, hoping that it would be a mere coincidence. Her stomach churned, plummeting as she finally turned to see that it was him. Clara opened her mouth to say something, but the words fell short; her heart was beating faster than she’d like to admit, her adrenaline running, and panic flowing deep within her person.
it was funny, she told herself back then that she was okay with all of the decisions that were made because there was a great chance that they wouldn’t be seeing each other for the remainder of their lives. Now, she simply felt… stupid—it was plain and simple—because here he was a ghost that she swore she’d rid herself of—whether in her dreams, head, or in her words. But, thing was this time, he wasn’t a figment of her imagination. This was Theo, her Theo, and he didn’t even know it was her standing beside him yet as he inquired something that really didn’t matter anymore in such a casual tone.
“Theo…,” When the words finally came out, they were croaked, weak, as if someone had wrapped their hands around her throat. “What are you doing here?”
If anyone who knew him, was asked about Theo Glass, he would most likely be described as selfish, ignorant, arrogant, perhaps. Though devoted to his family. One thing no one knew, not even those closest to him, was how afraid he truly was of those who raised him. True, his parents were proud, wanted the best for him. But they were intimidating, pushy, at worst, and controlled his life as much as he disliked the notion.
The worst thing they forced him into was his engagement with his ex-fianceé, the time in his life that caused him both pain, and heart-break. He never believed the latter. Never believed that a forced marriage could promote a true love. He never let himself fall. Perhaps that was his mistake. The lawyer moved to Lanford in hopes of forgetting that part of his life, and yet crowded around that.. thing, whatever it may have been, Theo felt odd.
Mostly because whoever had come to stand besides him, hadn't answered him, and he wasn't a patient man. He turned towards who it was, and it was as though the world had stopped. A double-take was almost needed, to make sure what he was seeing was correct. The woman besides him had been besides him for years. He never gave in to the feelings he knew he needed to have, and yet here, standing next to her, he was confused. Theo had always thought that if anything, if he ever saw her again, he'd dismiss it immediately.
But he was glued to the spot. As if someone had purposely laced the ground with a glue that only he couldn't escape. It seemed neither of them could muster up a voice until Clara, herself spoke his name. Theo closed his mouth, seemingly hung open with shock, and swallowed, trying to regain himself. "Clara, I.. I live here. Have done for.. nearly three years now." He didn't need to remind her of the time. "Why are-- why are you here?"
