Chapter One: A Special Visit
My life became sweeter ever since Claire entered my life. It has been three years now and we became so close within those years. Every Thursday I would visit the library and borrow a book. Then I walk over to her place to read the book with her. Mostly, she would read the book to me while I listen to her voice. I love to listen to her voice. It is so calm and smooth. I can listen to her voice for hours. Alright, I think I am going overboard with this. It is not like I am in love with her. No, I am not… right?
Anyway, I would always find her feeding her animals or watering her crops. For a city girl, she sure did a pretty good job with the abandon farm. I learned a lot about her throughout the years. What I have learned is that she comes from a rich family in the city and her mother died giving birth to her and her twin brother. Yes, she has a twin brother which I haven't met or even got his name. All I know that he send her letters and that's it.
"Hey Claire, I found an interesting book for us to read. It has action, romance, and comedy." I said, walking towards her. She was in her barn, brushing her cow Regina. "It's called Demon Prince and the Angel. I just read the summary and it is pretty interesting."
"That is great Gray. I am just almost done here." She said, giving me a smile. "Regina got sick last night and I just gave her medicine." She then raced her fingers through the cow's hair and started to sing. "You will get better if you stay in with love. The rain will disappear and the sun will rose from above. I am here when you are sad. I will always find a way to make you glad." Regina licked her face and she giggled. "I love you too Regina. You just take a break for now."
"I remember that you two didn't get along." I teased. "She ate all of your shoes and tried to run you over."
"She was the first cow I ever bought and when we didn't get along I thought I wasn't cut out for this. But I knew that giving up won't get me anywhere so I tried everything to get her trust. Eventually, she gave me her trust and love." She replied, smiling. "I am done with my chores. Do you want to get something to eat before we read that book?"
"Sure, where you want to go?" I asked, blushing. Did she ask me on a date? No, she just asked me to eat somewhere.
"Well, it is summer and Kai is back from his voyage. I think it is best to have lunch at his restaurant. I really love his ice cream sundae. He always adds more chocolate syrup on mines." She said with glee. She then grabbed my hand and pulled me away. "Come on Gray, let's get something to eat. I'm starving."
"Alright Claire… You don't need to drag me." I complained. "I can walk on my own you know. Kai is not going anywhere." As we walked through town, everyone was looking at us. Of course they were after all we were still holding hands. At first, I thought of pulling my hand away but I love feeling her hand. It felt right, it felt perfect. "Hey Claire, there is something I want to tell you. It is very important."
"Okay Gray, what is it?" She said, staring at me. I paused and I blushed very red. I was also shaking like crazy. "Gray? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am fine." I said. I wasn't fine. I was nervous out of my mind. "Claire, I… I will… I…"
"HEY CLAIRE!" A voice screamed. We turned and found Karen. Great, I was so close. Who am I kidding? I didn't even finish my sentence or make any sense. I am in trouble. "Hey Claire, have you heard?"
"What?" She said.
"You know I am here too." I added.
"Sorry Gray but the Firework Festival. The Mayor decided to have a ball dance at the Town Square. There will be lights and gowns. Isn't it wonderful?" Karen explained, twirling around with excitement. "You should totally come. Also, it will be the first time I will ever see you in something girlie."
"Really? The Firework Festival is a few nights away." She said, blushing. She was blushing and I have never seen her blush before. She looks so cute and dare I say it, beautiful. "And you know that I am not into those types of thing. I love my overalls."
"Come on, you look like a boy ever since you got here." Karen teased.
"Thanks for the compliment Karen." Claire said sarcastically. Well, Karen has a point. I have never seen Claire in a dress before or even care of beauty. I guess this is one of those things I find her attractive. Still, it wouldn't hurt to see her in a dress.
"But you have to come, even Gray is going, right Gray?" Karen asked, giving me a mischievous smile. "You should totally take Clare to the ball after all you two look like a cute couple."
"What? Why am I dragged into this?" I asked, crossing my arms and looking away. "It is not like anyone wants to go with me. I mean…"
"That is not true. Any girl will be lucky to be with you Gray." Claire complimented, smiling at me. "And I will be happy to go with you Gray, if you want?"
"Really? Thanks Claire." I said. Great, I feel like an idiot. I am supposed to ask her out. Well, at least I am going with her.
"Gray, you are turning red. You must be very happy." Karen teased. "You know that Claire will always be with you."
"Whatever…" I said, hiding my blush under my cap.
"Well, I know that Cliff will go with Ana. Ellie and Doctor Trent have a little thing going. Plus, there is a certain glasses guy I was desperate want to go with." Claire teased. "I wonder if he will say yes to me."
"HELL NO CLAIRE, RICK IS MINE!" Karen snapped. Then there was a paused.
"See, Karen is dying to go with Rick." Claire teased some more. She did this only to move the spotlight away from me. I was happy that she did. I wasn't ready to even confess to her. I want to but I don't have the right words to tell her. This sucks.
"I AM NOT DYING TO GO OUT WITH RICK!" Karen screamed, blushing.
"Well, see you later Karen and I will go to this ball." Claire said, grabbing me by the shoulder and pulling me away. "Tell Rick that you love him."
"BE QUIET CLAIRE!" Karen screamed.
"You were kidding about Rick and all." I asked.
"Yeah, Karen always had a thing with Rick. There was a time we almost got into a fight because she found me with Rick one evening. He treated me to lunch and all." She explained. "Rick was only giving me pointers of taking care of chickens that's all."
"So you don't like him."
"I do but don't worry, you are important too." She teased. I didn't know what that mean. "Besides, we are going to the Firework Festival anyway."
"So it is a date?" I asked. "You really want to go with me?" She turned to me and blushed.
"Yes, it is." Claire replied, blushing even more. "And I would love to go with you. You are the only person I trust my life with here in Mineral Town." Those words stirred inside my head crazily and gave me a warmth feeling within my heart. I was happy, so happy that I wanted to scream. She trusted me that much. I wonder if she trusts me with her heart. We made it to the restaurant and as we entered, we found Kai with a grin. "Hey Kai…"
"CLAIRE!" Kai cheered, racing towards her side and grabbing her hand. He then kissed it lightly and all I wanted to do is smack him on the face. "You look beautiful as always my dear Claire." He then turned to me. "Hey Gray, how are you?"
"Great…" I replied, rolling my eyes at him.
"So you are having my famous Ice cream Sundae." Kai said.
"Of course but also a pizza… Gray and I are celebrating." She replied. Celebrating? I am now confused. Why are you celebrating? What are we celebrating?
"What is the occasion?" Kai asked.
"Well, this is the third anniversary that Gray and I became best friends." She explained. "Before, I was just a newcomer and he was a crazy blacksmith but on this exact time and day he was actually nice to me. He even brought me here and introduced me to you and we ate pizza together. It was the best day of my life."
"That's right. How can I forget?" Kai said. I was amazed. "Gray was depressed that he yelled at you and he was trying to find a way to apologize so he brought you here and had lunch." She remembered all that. It made me happy because our friendship was important to her. But what happen if it becomes too important to the point that she only sees me as a friend. "It will be ready soon. So have a seat."
"Wow Claire, I didn't know you remember that." I said. "It is not important. I mean… We shouldn't celebrate because of me being your friend and all."
"Gray, I was alone when I came to Mineral Town. Since I grew up with my father and brother, I wasn't ladylike. I even mess up in ballroom dances and well I wasn't cut out for that life." She explained. "I kept messing up and felt like I don't belong in the lavish rich life I was given."
"That is why you came here? To escape from that life?" I asked.
"Not really… My brother told me that it is best for me to find my own place. I kept praying for a sign until I came across a TV ad about this abandon farm. I thought that maybe a life of a farmer may be my place since I love to get my hands dirty." She said. "My brother thought it was a good idea to explore and experience new things so he supported my efforts with the farming. He even convinced my father about me coming here. So I moved here and tried my very best to be a farmer."
"I believe you are doing great." I said, smiling at her. "You are great with animals, crops, and also you are not a bad cook."
"Thanks Gray…. But when I got here, I didn't know anyone at all. I don't have experience having friends and I didn't know how to get friends." She said, letting out a sigh. "So I kept myself busy at the farm and kept myself away from the townspeople." She then let out a blush. "Then one day, I came in the Blacksmith Shop and saw you. You were working so hard and I wanted to be like you. Even when your grandfather was scolding you, you kept at it and it gave me determination."
"Really?" I said. "You work harder than me."
"You were my motivation and well, I wanted to know you more." She confessed, fiddling with her long golden hair. "So I was looking everywhere for you but I couldn't find you. People told me that you are usually at the library which I ended up going to. You weren't there but Soul Blade was there."
"Wait, you were looking for me on that day? The day that we first met?" I asked.
"Yes…"
"Here is your sundae sugar." Kai said, giving her a glass cup with delicious ice cream. "So what are you two talking about?" She took a bite of her ice cream sundae and moan with delight.
"This is so delicious Kai. You are the best." She praised.
"None of your business of what we are talking about." I said, glaring at him. Kai and I have been friends since we were kids but he seems to get everything. He got his dream job, adventure, and well he is not getting Claire.
"Gosh, someone is very touchy today. I am her friend too you know." Kai teased, sitting between us. "Oh Claire, I almost forgot to tell you. A ferry ship came today and there was a tourist that was looking for you. What was his name again?" He was putting more thought into it. "Oh yeah, his name is Claude."
"Claude… He is here." She said, standing up from her seat. "Do you know where he is?" Then the restaurant door opened and a tall man with spiky golden hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a white collar shirt with blue jeans. "Claude, you are here." She raced towards him and hugged him tightly. "I missed you so much."
"Claire, so this is where you are hiding. I was looking for you everywhere." He said, hugging her back. Who the hell is this? And why do I feel that I hate his guts? He pulled back from the hug and cupped her face. "You look great."
"I see someone wants to kill." Kai teased, poking me. "That rich guy is going to take Claire away from you. You must be very jealous."
"Shut up Kai…" I snapped.
"I know you love her idiot. It is so obvious." Kai said, scratching his head. "You chase away any guy that comes near her especially me. If you want her so bad why don't you tell her how you really feel instead of doing nothing?"
"I'm already going with her to the Firework Festival." I said. "So I am doing something." I turned my gaze back at them. She was smiling. The same smile I see when she is with me.
"You better propose to her quick before she gets snatch away." Kai teased.
"Shut it, I know. You don't need to remind me."
"What are you doing here?" Claire said. "You didn't even say anything about coming."
"I came for a business arrangement with the Mayor. Also, he invited me to the Firework Festival." He explained. "It gave me a good opportunity to visit you."
"I see, I wonder why it turned out to be a ball." She said, grabbing his hand. "Come and meet my friends." She brought him over and I try to restrain myself. "Gray… Kai… This is Claude. He is my twin brother."
"Hello, I am happy that my little sister has friends." He replied, smiling at us. I stared at them for a brief moment. They actually look very much alike especially with the blonde hair and all. I let out a sigh of relief. I have nothing to worry about. I can still get Claire without any drama.
"Twin brother?" Kai said, letting out a smile. "Wow, I never thought I will meet you."
"She talks about you a lot." I added.
"Kai owns this restaurant while Gray is a blacksmith. He is the best." She praised. "He made me this broach on my birthday." She unbuttons the first two buttons of her collar shirt and revealed a beautiful and elegant broach. "It is so pretty."
"It is very impressive. The designs of the broach are unique and well crafted. If you are interested, I would like to have one." Claude said.
"I am not that great. I am still an apprentice." I said. "But I will try my best to make you a nice one." She then grabbed my hand and smiled.
"Come on, don't put yourself down. You are a great blacksmith." She said. All I can do is blush. "You are the best in my eyes Gray."
"So you are Gray. She mentioned you a lot in her letters" Claude said, offering his hand to me. I grabbed it and shook it firmly. "She wrote to me that you helped her out with the farm."
"Well, she is a friend and I will do anything for her." I answered, blushing even more in front of him.
"I see… I am glad that she has you by her side. I was beginning to worry that the farm life wasn't for her. But I am grateful that she found her place." Claude said, letting go of my hand. It was an honor to meet her brother. I mean, if you want to confess to a girl you have to make sure that her brother doesn't want to kill you. So far, he is pretty cool. "Oh Claire, there is someone that is dying to meet you." He turned to the door. "JASON!" The door opened and a little boy entered the room. He had spiky golden hair with green eyes. "Come here son…" He slowly walked towards us. "Claire, you remember Jason."
"He has grown so much." Claire said. "You are cute just like your father."
"Aunt Claire…" The boy said, hugging her. "I missed you so much. I begged Dad if I can come along so I can see you. You are still very pretty."
"I missed you too." Claire said, blushing. "And you still have your father's charm. You will get any girl with that."
"We are going to be here for a couple of days and we are staying at the inn. I was wondering if Jason can stay with you." Claude asked. "He wanted to see your farm and I might be too busy with work. I don't want to leave him alone at the Inn so can he stay with you."
"Sure, I would love to have him." She replied.
"YEAH!" Jason cheered. "I AM LIVING WITH AUNT CLAIRE!" Then Kai brought a huge pizza.
"Your pizza is ready Claire." Kai said.
"Thanks… Now everyone can have a slice." She cheered.
