A Passing Glance

This gets off to a slow start. The rest of the chapters start quickly. Please R&R! 

"Oh Popuri, don't cry." I tried desperately to comfort her from this unknown disaster. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she was crying a lake into my hanky. "It's okay." I tried again.

"N-no it-t is-sn't!" Popuri sobbed hysterically onto my shoulder. I didn't know what to say. Popuri and I had been best friends since we were little, and yet, I was at a loss of words. Darn.

My name is Ann Schults. Welcome to my life.

While Popuri continued to wail onto my shoulder, I let my mind wander. The Goddess Pond water was rippling in the breeze, and the shady oak we sat under was rustling.

"A-ann!" Popuri wailed. "My b-brother w-wants to g-get married t-to s-some girl from s-some…hic…other village and he doesn't want m-me anymore!" Popuri began some fresh wailing.

Popuri was the adopted daughter of Lillia, Rod, and her brother, Rick. Popuri would have, say, married Rick if he weren't her "half-bro", as she called him. I guess Popuri had come to think that Rick was her father more than Rod was.

But I wanted to think about my own life, where the hot farmer Lee was involved. Lee. Even the name sounded handsome. Lee and Ann Jackson. Beautiful. Puh… I wish. Lee didn't even know I liked him. He didn't seem very interested in any of the girls in Mineral Town. I glanced at Popuri. She was sobbing hysterically still, so I decided to let her cry it out.

Soon enough, she took my hand. "Come with me, Annie." She tugged on my arm gently. I followed with some reluctance. I did have a job, as though Popuri would ever figure that out!

She ended up dragging me to Poultry Farm. I groaned. Lilia was just too cheerful if you know what I mean.

"Helloooooooo Annie!" She cried, her dimples showing.

"Hi." I responded meekly. Popuri merely nodded.

"Come on, Annie! We need to go upstairs. Now!" She whisked me away, dragging me up the creaky wooden stairs to the attic that served as her bedroom. She pushed me onto the bed.

"What Popuri? I need to deliver something for Pa." I said impatiently.

"I think..Well…About Kai…" Her voice trailed off unexpectedly. I wondered if the shocked expression on my face gave away my surprise. Popuri never spoke about her 3-year boyfriend, Kai.

"What Popuri! What?" I didn't realize I was shaking her until she started shrieking.

"Sorry." I said, embarrassed.

"I think Kai is in a relationship with Karen." Popuri just walked away, tears streaming down her swollen face.

"Wait! Popuri, wait!" I called downstairs, running after her.

Halfway to the Goddess Pond, I saw Lee sitting by the side of the road.

"Goddess!" I swore. "Lee what's wrong?" He had a pained expression on his face.

"Twisted my arm…" He let out a string of swears.

"Let me help you!" I said bravely, helping him onto my arm.

"Gosh, I don't mean to trouble you, Pretty." I almost collapsed. Pretty? Me?

"M-me?" I asked, nervousness creeping over me.

"Well, yeah. I've been meaning to tell you for weeks now." He looked away. Lee likes me? I felt all the blood in my body rush to my face.

"Lee?" I asked. He looked up, brick red as well. "I like you a lot." I couldn't believe those words tripped out of my mouth!

Lee smiled gently. He leaned against me. He leaned closer.

"I don't like you Ann; I love you." And he leaned over far enough to kiss me. Passionately. Those few seconds were heaven down on earth, the feeling of a lifelong dream come true. I wish it could have lasted longer.

My mind was blank as I walked him to the Clinic. I spoke feverishly to Elli and Doc, and I waved good-bye to Lee.

And this is where all my troubles began.

Popuri sprung out of the bushes. "Annie, why did you kiss my man?" She shrieked pointing her finger at me.

"But you're going steady with Kai." I objected gingerly, knowing how easily upset she was.

"Am not!" She roared. "As of ten minutes ago, I'm so with Lee! He's my baby!"

"Look, Popuri-" I began, reaching my arm out sympathetically.

"Shut up!" She yelled. "It's either me or Lee! You'd better pick!" She slapped me across the face and stalked away, leaving a surprised, crying me.

I ran home, crying, knowing my life would never be the same again.