Traveling Home

   Claire walked into Kingston's house dejectedly, her mind a mess. Throughout the ride home, she has been quiet which got the driver worried. He made several attempts to know what's going on with her but she would not say anything. The Claire he left to go get a mechanic wasn't the Claire he returned to. He was sure something was wrong. The cheerful Claire suddenly has a gloom on her face. It looked like the whole world was on her shoulder.

"What can possibly make a thirteen year old look so miserable?"

This question kept bugging him until they got to Kingston's residence.

  "Claire"

She turned to see her grandpa descending the staircase. The sight of him always put a smile on her face. She ran up to him and hugged him tightly. He is the only one treating her right in this place.

  "Are you okay?"

Claire nodded in response.

"Then why are you back so early?"

"Nothing really. I changed my mind"

Claire responded with a forced smile. She broke the hug and leaned on the rail.

Mr Kingston furrowed his brows as he stared at her intently. Something was off and he can tell.

  "Why do I feel you are hiding something from me?" He asked with an unreadable expression.

Claire sighed. She doesn't want to lie to him yet she doesn't want to tell him the truth either.

"Grandpa, you don't have to be worried about me. I am fine"

He looked away for a moment before looking back at her with a frown. His gaze was soft when it met hers

"It won't help if you bottle it up. I am here for you kiddo. No matter what happens."

Claire gave him a slight smile.

"I know grandpa, I will not hesitate to share my problems with you ."

  Mr Kingston smiled and ruffled her hair. Claire giggled and watched him go down the stairs. He was halfway down the stairs when Claire remembered she had not told him she was leaving right now.

"Grandpa, I am leaving"

 She shouted after him

He stopped and turned around 

"Why, you just arrived yesterday and you are leaving already."

Claire shrugged,

"It's nothing, I just changed my mind"

Her grandfather raised an eyebrow. His expression was not amused and neither was he suspicious but one thing Claire was sure is that he is displeased by the news

"I hope it has nothing to do with what happened earlier in the morning?"

Claire chuckled,"grandpa, you worry too much. I can assure you that it has nothing to do with that. I just felt like going home."

He narrowed his eyes slightly and Claire knew it was not over but he didn't push further.

"Okay then. If you are sure to leave, I won't stop you. When are you leaving and is your dad aware you are coming back home?" 

Claire rubbed the back of her head trying to come up with an excuse."um well he doesn't know. I feel I should not tell him."

"And why is that?"

  Mr Kingston could not help asking. Claire is someone he knows that would not take such a decision without consulting anybody. Or has she suddenly grown. She is thirteen and he believed that it was necessary to call home and tell them that Claire is coming back.

"Your Mom?"

"I did not inform her either"

She answered and fumbled with her fingers nervously.

"Well, I am calling to inform them you are returning home"

Mr Kingston said and searched through his pocket to get his phone. Claire watched him for a while and when it was clear to her that he was really going to call one of her parents, she stopped him.

"Grandpa, you know mom so well. Calling her will mean I will stay back and I don't want to. I really want to go home, please don't call any of them"

Mr Kingston sighed and pocketed his phone.

"Alright, you win. Just make sure to ring me when you get home"

Claire nodded and smiled,"I will"

"And don't forget that I love you and your grandma does the same."

"I will keep that in mind, Thanks grandpa"

She stated and raced upstairs to her room.

   "It looks like grandma and aunt is not around"

She thought as she opened her room door. 

  Stepping inside the room, she looked around searching for Susan. She had not thought much about her, maybe because her mind was occupied with other things and now that she is here in her room, Susan's way about bothers her. 

  The last time she saw her was before she dozed off in the car on their way to town.

"where could she be?" Claire wondered out loud, sighing.

"This wasn't how we planned today. Wherever you are, be safe."

Claire said softly and went for her teddy and grabbed her smaller suitcase then headed down stairs.

  The driver was surprised to see Claire carrying one of her suitcases. He was then convinced that there was a problem.

"We are leaving already?"

He asked, taking the suitcase from her hand.

Claire nodded and hopped into the car.

"Kindly help with my other suitcases."

She said politely.

"Anyone seeing those suitcase would think I am relocating."

She added, jokingly.

The driver smiled and headed inside to get her other suitcases.

  A few moments later, he was back with the suitcase with Mr Kingston trailing behind him.

  "Driver carefully Mr."

Mr Kingston warned the driver sternly then kissed his granddaughter goodbye.

"Don't forget to call like you promised"

"I won't, grandpa. See you soon"

With that, the driver started the car and drove off Kingston's resident.

  Mr Kingston sighed and went back inside.