9 The Cliff

"Where have you been?" Karl cool and collected but she know better, asked while taking the steps down to her.

Ah, she's tired. What a day! And she wanted to lay on her bed and think about all the weird things she saw today. Maybe while devouring a whole hot apple pie from Nanny's oven. She shivered.

"You're cold? And you didn't answer me yet Franchesca." His eyes scrutinizing.

"I went town Karl. Where else would i be? Than reading books and window shopping for things you don't allow of me." Damn she really is tired. She turned to the kitchen and knew he followed. Where is the apple pie?

"Really now, Rick. After all these years you still want dolls?" Now that expression she cant understand. She know angry Karl, impatient Karl, irritated Karl, serious Karl, but never a mixed one with sadness? She waved a hand to her face, a mannerism when she's lost, and it brought a more questioning look to his face.

"Karl, I just want a hot apple pie and my bed. I'm home now, unscathed from shopping and i really want my bed", she pleaded.

"Dad called" he announced. Studying her face.

"No, he wouldn't ask my whereabouts. No, he wouldn't want to talk to me even I was here. No, they dont know I exist. So what?" she retorted. Her feelings of rejection hurt so much its impossible to cover them up. They dont want her. She stopped waiting for them to want her.

"That's not true" Karl whispered.

"Of course it is! You wouldn't know because they only wanted you. You don't know how is it to be me!" Now she doesn't want that apple pie anymore. She turned her back to her brother and stormed to the stairs up to her room.

Not at all bothering if her brother followed her. She slammed the door behind and dropped herself to bed. What a day! Really! She wish she could go to sleep in an instant but she feels restless. Images of pixies and a goblin and a floating doppelganger of herself come to mind. The romance she read this morning long forgotten. A face of a dream boy and a full moon, and the sea. And a kiss. Ah! She could really need one hell of a mind blowing kiss now.

The anger she felt of her parents. Of her brother's limitations. When is this summer going to be over? Back in school she has one to many homeworks to care. She barely even combed her hair on exam weeks. Karl could barely bother her as her time left is on her paintings. Where is Marco?! Her bestfriend suddenly come to mind she jumped to get her mobile phone and speed dial.

"Hey baby what's up?" he answered on two rings. That is her Mar alright.

"Im stressed." But instead of the frustrated voice she expect of herself, she heard a sad and tired version of herself.

"What happened?"

But she couldn't tell him. She don't understand it herself. She never did not tell him everything. It started when she noticed of the boy in her dreams. That she cannot share to him THAT. But now she can't tell him what happened at the Carter's, the shop and the goblin too. She sighed. And heard him calling her name.

"Rick are you still there? I'll come get you"

"No." And she knew Mar would be taken aback if she can see him. When did she ever say no to him? "I just got home." She added quickly.

"And where could you have been without me?"

"I was in town getting books and supplies. Karl told me Dad called when I arrived." There. Mar wouldn't need to ask anything else. He knew her to really get upset on that.

"I see. Meet me at the cliff. I'll bring your pie." She smiled at that. Mar knows how to make her feel better.

"Really now. I just turned my back at Karl not a moment ago you know." She hesitated.

"I'll call him. He'll be pleased to have me babysitting you for awhile." He chuckled to her annoyance.

"Right. Going now."

She took time to get up. Walked to the bathroom and look at her reflection. Tangled brown curls at her shoulders. Sad gray eyes. She combed her hair and powdered her face and went out to get her apple pie.

*****

Cold wind whipped her hair up as she get out of her car. So much for combing her hair. Marco is already there, his car parked just beside hers. She welcome the moistened touch of the air. Only a few stars are visible. Ah it might rain again like last night she thought. Mar's headlights was up, clearly to give them illumination.

"Hey apple pie" he greeted with a smile. She smiled back. Glad to have a friend after a tough day. Glad to have him for all these years.

"I'm starving. I only had macaroons for the day" she said as she made way to his passenger seat. Mar handed him the pie and a fork.

"What were you up to? I thought you'd be painting" he examined her face. Oh he knew alright. About last night. And he is waiting for her to tell him. Irritation rose inside her but she held it back.

Instead, "I went to Mrs. Carter's. She handed me new books and macaroons." She said a little dryly.

"Another fantasy novel?"

"Romance."

"And you went reading the whole day?" his brows furrowed. As if he does not know that yes, she could go reading or painting the whole day.

"I told you I went to get some supplies, a few paints have ran out and I need new canvasses." She went on eating. She have a feeling Marco wants to know more than her sleeping in the rain last night. She thought of the nameless goblin that afternoon. He said they knew. That somebody had seen her. Who are they? And who is she? She wanted to know too. But the goblin said he will see her again. Hopefully soon.

"The story is refreshing to me. Mrs. Carter was right to hand me something apart from my usual reads. And the macaroons are fresh from France."

They were silent for a moment as she continued to devour her pie. She really is starving.

"Would you sleep over tonight?" he asked as she finished eating.

"I've already eaten" she chuckled.

"Ah should've blackmailed you to that, eh?" he smiled.

"Nah. I've lot to think about I think I'll paint the whole night." Mar looked at her questioningly and said, "You're not saying something." He looked hurt. She almost wanted to tell him but as she shut her eyes, she saw her dream prince's face! She opened her eyes too soon. What was that about?

"My ideas are best painted than told" she said, avoiding anymore intriguing questions from him. Is he her bestfriend or what? Why can't she trust him now?

She went out of the car and walked closer to the cliff. Her mind is full of questions, her mouth speaks another things. Perhaps it is wrong to have meet him tonight. She longed for the ease companionship she has with him. But her secrets held her back. This very cliff is a setting from last night's dream. How could she even think coming here with Marco is a good idea.

"You seem bothered and I want to know why." He said from behind her.

"I'm fine Mar. I'm just more restless than usual."

"Don't sleep under the rain. You woke up another person the day after" he said softly she almost never heard.

"Karl told you. Why?"

"Why not? Am I a stranger?"

"No. I am" but she never voiced that last answer. She is turning into a stranger. Who is she? Who is the blond version? Who is Mrs. Carter? Her lips tightened as she looked down at the sea crashing to the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. She has to find that goblin.