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Day 231:

I found Travis with Katelyn earlier. It wasn't anything touchy-feely, but I bet if I hadn't accidentally intruded it would have been.

It has to happen.

Anyways, today is the fifth day since Garroth left. He's coming back in just two days... Yassss.
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Day 232:

Now that I think back on it, my conversation with Zoey must have been awkward for her. I think I was talking about Garroth way too much.

I just can't help it. It feels like it's been too long.

But he'll be back tomorrow. Some time.
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Day 233:

Garroth isn't back yet. I plan on staying up all night.

I need to see him immediately after he gets off the boat.

He better be here soon.
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Day 234:

Why?

He's. Not. Back.

What will I ever do with my life? Wait... Party. Partay.

Lord Aphmau put together a Welcome Home Party.

But... He didn't arrive. Lord Aphmau keeps reassuring me that everything's fine... But I don't know.

I just need to think positive.
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Day 235:

OMI OMI YISSS\_____ *a line was created where you dropped the marker*
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The journal slammed closed in your hands moments before you threw it across the room, where it safely landed on your bed.

You ran out your door at the sight of a small boat stopping at the docks. It was his boat.

A plank extended from the boat, and Garroth used it to walk onto the docks.

You sped down the docks and pummeled Garroth with a hug. He smiled and hugged you back, before letting go when you squeezed him maybe just a little too tight.

"Welcome home!" You said.

Garroth started walking towards the village. "See? I wasn't gone for too long." He replied with a big smile.

"Too long? You're a day late! I missed you!" You jumped happily down into the sand.

"I missed you too." Garroth said, making a turn towards his residence.

"Not enough to come back on time." You joked, although it had felt like torture when he didn't show up yesterday.

"It's not my fault that the boat ride took longer than expe-" Garroth stopped in his tracks.

You looked up. He was in front of his guard tower, and had found all of the decorations. Dark blue letters spelt "Welcome Home" across a front window. Confetti was spread all over the ground and in front of the double doors. One light blue balloon was tied around each door knob, both leaning towards the ground because of their lack of helium.

You jumped in front of him yelling, "Surprise!"

A wide opened mouth grin spread across his features. "You did this for me?"

"Not exactly..." You replied, letting Garroth inside. When he opened the door, he was bombarded with faces popping out from behind armor stands, out of jail cells, anything, you name it.

"Surprise!" They all said in unison.

***

Garroth took a drink out of his red solo cup. "Yeah. I actually enjoyed myself in Bright Port. Again ____, I'm sorry I was a day late. The water was pretty choppy out at sea."

"You don't need to apologize." You said nervously. The truth was he did. You were worried sick. He could have died and you wouldn't have known it. You had to miss him for an extra day.

"I guess that's good. Oh yeah. ____, do you remember Azura from Scaleswind?" Garroth asked, setting his cup down on a table.

"Wasn't she that blond chick?" You guessed casually. Oh boy did you remember her.

"Yeah, her. She's actually from Bright Port. She's a guard there. Me and her go way back. We were in Guard Training together a few years ago."

You nodded your head. "Sounds pretty cool." You disguised your feelings by gripping your cup tighter.

"She is. She let me stay with her for the-" Garroth counted on his fingers. "-three nights I was there. The rest of the time was traveling."

Maybe you could change the subject. You were starting to get a little jealous of this Azura person. "Were you able to get some more supplies from Bright Port?" You asked.

Garroth nodded his head. "Yeah. Azura was able to convince a lot of merchants to give Phoenix Drop some discounts. Azura has a lot of loops like that." Garroth was still on the same topic.

"... Sounds... Cool..." You repeated.

***

"-and I actually realized that Azura and I have a lot in common." Garroth paused.

"Sounds cool." You responded for the sixth time. He still hadn't noticed.

***

"I finally found someone who is evenly matched when sparring with me, so that's what we did a lot in our spare time." Garroth smiled.

"Sounds cool."

***

"-and there was this one time Azura totally scared this really stubborn merchant into dropping his prices."

"Sounds cool." You looked over your shoulder and looked at the other guests. They were having fun.

I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous. You constantly reminded yourself.

***

"Did you know that Azura is surprisingly good at-"

"Yeah. Actually Garroth, it's getting late." You glanced out the window. The sun had barely set.

"I guess people are starting to leave." Garroth agreed.

"I need to get to sleep. I was up all night last night waiting for you." Which was true. Also a good excuse to get away.

"I understand that. Do you want me to walk you home?" Garroth asked.

You pretended to yawn. "No, actually... Zoey is gonna." You lied. "She's spending the night."

"Oh, okay." Garroth waved at you. "I guess I'll see you later."

You started walking, but turned around to wave back. "Bye." You made sure your back was turned when you approached Zoey.

"Hey ____." She said.

"Hey Zoey. Uh, can you walk home with me?" You asked her, hoping she would agree. Otherwise you'd have to explain to Garroth why you were walking home alone.

"Sure." Zoey answered without hesitation. "Are you leaving so soon?"

You nodded. "Yeah." You said slowly. "I'm getting bored. Maybe we can just hang out at my place."

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Day 236:

Zoey is so nice. She decided to spend the night, even though I told her she didn't have to. But it was still fun.

She even got me out of the party early yesterday. It looked like she was even having fun too.

Today she has to babysit, so she's leaving my house early. I guess I can still talk to Garroth though.
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Day 237:

I can't talk to Garroth.

I thought he only talked about Azura at that party because he had just gotten back. I figured he was just sharing what he did because it was still fresh in his memory and he was excited, but nope.

He did it again. He talked about her so much it's infuriating.

Maybe he'll have gotten over her tomorrow. I'll give him another chance.
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Day 239:

Yesterday and today he talked about her.

I'm beginning to think I know more about her than anyone else does in this world.

I swear, if anyone just as says her name, I will snap.

And while I'm at it, anything that starts with the letter A is annoying.
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Day 240:

What is wrong with him?

I'm beginning to think Garroth has a crush on Azura.

Like he idolizes her or something.

Oh no. He has a crush on her, I know it.

This is terrible. I- I ...

Please say he doesn't.
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