JillxSkye: To Catch A Thief 22

Chapter 22 – Just Me

Days passed, but still no Skye. That pain in my stomach had returned once again, and it hadn't left since the night of Winter Thanksgiving, nearly two weeks ago. It fluctuated throughout each day, but it was always there. Some nights when I was too sick to sleep, I'd go to the Goddess Pond and just wait for him. I'd wait until I passed out and the Sprites would take me home.

I told my friends the next day about how I had never found Skye that night. They tried to reassure me that he would come around eventually. They told me not to give up hope. I nodded, pretending to believe them at first. Now I know that it's just not going to happen. I can't waste energy hoping that he's coming back; because he's not. He's truly left me alone. That's it. If I continue to hope, it'll only hurt me more in the end. And I've accepted it… well, at least I've tried.

As I was running around the Valley, chopping branches and smashing stones, trying to do anything to distract myself from the upcoming date, I heard someone call my name.

Turning, I saw it was Muffy, blonde curls flying wildly around her as she ran up to me. "Jill!" she cried, cheeks flushed. She held her hand up for a moment, signaling she needed to stop and try to catch her breath. "Oh, Jill I've been trying to catch you all day! Your endurance… is incredible…" She took a deep breath, brushing back her hair with her hands, before continuing, "Anyways! You know what tomorrow is, right?"

My jaw tightened, but I tried not to show it. "Winter 24th of course…" I replied as casually as possible, "Why?"

"Well, of course it's Winter 24th! But it's also the Starry Night Festival!" she exclaimed. I clenched my fists, arms twitching. She doesn't know any better… Don't do anything rash… She seemed to notice my sudden discomfort. "Look, Jill. I'm sorry about Skye," she began, "But it's such a wonderful holiday! You can't spend it alone! No one deserves to."

My heart slammed in my chest, threatening to burst and destroy me completely. The Starry Night Festival… No one deserves to spend it alone…

"…and even if you guys don't like each other like that, it would still be more fun that being alone," concluded Muffy.

I stared at her blankly, having missed the first part of whatever she just said. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" I asked monotonously.

"Well," she began, "I convinced Kai to come around for the festival. He really didn't want to at first since it's so cold, but he agreed when I told him it was for you. Besides, maybe there could be something there between you two, and the summer just wasn't long enough for you to find it! He's really nice and such a great cook; I'm sure you'd have a great time! It's better than being alone, for sure."

"No," I said simply.

"Wait, what?" Muffy blinked, surprised.

"I said, no," I repeated, grinding my teeth.

"But, Jill! I know that you're upset about Skye, but you can't let that control your life!" she said.

"It has nothing to do with Skye," I muttered, "I just don't want to celebrate the Starry Night Festival."

"You don't what to… that's ridiculous! It's the best holiday to spend with the people you love!" Muffy replied indignantly.

There. That was it. My heart completely shattered. "I SAID NO MUFFY!" I screamed before turning my back and sprinting away from her. I felt the tears preparing to form, but I forced them back.

"Jill! Wait! Jill! I'm sorry! Please, Jill!" Muffy voice called.

Her voice quickly fading away into background noise as I sprinted to… wait, where was I sprinting to? I stopped, observing my surrounding, and I found myself outside of Vesta's Farm. I wondered why I had come here, when I realized I wasn't where I had been planning to go quite yet. That place… No, I couldn't go yet. Not like this. Not because of Muffy. I had to go, but not yet. Taking a deep breath, I began the long run home.

*   *   *

My front door banged open as I stormed in, causing my pets to jump in surprise. I closed the door behind me, probably more roughly than it deserved. I wasn't outside anymore; no one was here but me, just me. With that, I sank to the floor, pressing against the door to support me. I felt like all my energy was gone. All I wanted to do was sit here and sulk, alone. The floor was just as cold as it was outside, but I could barely feel it.

The Starry Night Festival was tomorrow. I knew that. I knew it was important, special, and even romantic to some; but not to me. To me, just me, it was a day that I had to spend alone. It was a day that… I shook my head before I started to cry. I couldn't think about it now. It was a day that was not today, so I wouldn't worry about it today.

But tomorrow I would deal with it, by myself. I didn't deserve any more than just me.