Not Friends of Mineral Town

Summary: Friendship and romance. That's all Claire wanted when she moved to Mineral Town. But she finds herself friendless and unnoticed. Even if there is a hidden talent...

A/N Hi! I'm finally back! Thanks to ALL who have been reading and reviewing on my other two stories. Anyway please R&R! Thank you! )

I sighed as I watched the rain pour down on the window. I bumped along the train tracks, awaiting the arrival at this Mineral Town. I was going to try farming, but the nasty weather disagreed. Finally, the train stopped. I followed a line out onto the platform. I silently carried my luggage with me through the train station. I found myself on the country side. I checked my map, which was so wet it was hard to read. I heard a whine from my luggage. My puppy, Bubba, was getting wet too. I slowly patted him.

"It'll be okay boy." He licked my hand and I laughed softly. I kept walking down the road, following the map. I finally arrived at this farm.

It.

Was.

Horrible.

I wanted to scream. I paid, for THIS? I moved out, for THIS? I left the city, for THIS? The field was filled with garbage, weeds, stones, stumps, and broken sticks. There was a small, ugly, shack of a house, a teeny stable, one barn, a mill and chicken coop. The barn was bigger than my one- storied house! I wasn't going to live HERE! But I was so tired, and since it was pouring, the idea of walking around town until I found some help, wasn't very appealing. So I went to check out the house. I entered and flipped the light switch. It was small, consisting of only four rooms. A bed room which only had a dresser, bed, and small closet, a kitchen with an empty refrigerator and no cooking supplies or food, and a bathroom with a small shower, sink, and toilet, and a tiny room with absolutely nothing in it. I guessed it was probably supposed to be a den. It was dusty as smelled. I regardless unloaded my things into the bedroom, which gave it at least a little charm. I first unpacked two towels. I dried off Bubba, and then myself, as best I could. Then I unpacked Bubba's things and put him to sleep in his doggy bed. Then I put my sheets and comforter on the bed, and plopped my pillows on top. Then I put my DVD player on the dresser. I reminded myself to buy a TV and couch as soon as I got the time and money. I put my make- up and hair things on the dresser and dusted the mirror off. My blond hair was ruined thanks to the rain, and my clothes were sagging and wet. I then spread a lime green blanket on the floor until I got a carpet. I put my portable lamp on the dresser. I then went into the bathroom and changed into my pajamas. I put out bathing products and hung a towel. I would shower first thing in the morning and then go to find help. I returned to the bedroom and hung some posters. They had my favorite celebrities on them, and gave me comfort. I propped up a picture of my family on the dresser, and a picture of my boyfriend I chose to leave. Neither of us believed in long distance relationships, so that was just the end of it. I missed him though. Finally I put my purse on the dresser, which you can imagine was looking cluttered by now. (I don't travel lightly.) I put my cell phone on alarm for eight, and fell right to sleep on my squeaky bed.

The next morning, I awoke with a start. Where was I? Then I remembered. I was hoping it was all just some horrible nightmare, but it turned out to be true. I slowly tromped to the bathroom for a shower. Bubba was still asleep, that was good. I stripped off and climbed into the shower. I turned on the water. A gave a yelp. IT WAS FREEZING!!! I hopped out and waited for the water for warm up. When it finally did, I hopped in only to hear a knock on my door. I bit my lip. Now what was I going to do? I decided to answer it, because I really needed to ditch this place. I wrapped a towel around me like a dress and cracked the door open. It was a man that looked about my age, twenty- one. He was taller than me by a couple of inches, and had a baseball cap that read UMA. I also noticed how cute he was. He might just be perfect guy material, but I was getting ahead of myself. I opened the door all the way, forgetting about what I was wearing. He looked at me up and down, and blushed. He looked down at his feet. I suddenly remembered that I wasn't exactly sporting the newest, or most decent, fashion. He blushed and looked at my bare feet. Then he spoke.

"Uh... hi. I work pretty close to here and I heard a scream and wondered if help... was, uh, needed." I looked up. Aw, he was so red and embarrassed!

"Um, yeah. Sorry for screaming. It's just that my shower water was... very cold." I blushed even harder. He smiled for once.

"Oh." I could tell that he was trying to hold back laughter.

"Well, I'm Claire. Do you know where I can find the person who sold me this land?" He suddenly looked serious.

"You're not leaving already are you?" I looked at his baby blue eyes and reconsidered. If everyone was this nice, and I fixed the house up, maybe...

"Well, I'll have to think about it. This isn't exactly the 'refreshing farm life' I was expecting." He nodded.

"Well, I'm Gray. I'm training to become a blacksmith. I'm my grandfather's apprentice. Stop by if you need any tools or... well, just stop by!" He said, turning to leave. I stopped him.

"Gray?" He turned around.

"Yeah?"

"Did I really scream that loud?" He laughed. I did too.

"Yes, you really did." And he left, smiling. I closed the door and walked back to the bathroom. Hopping in the shower, I felt much cheerier.

A/N Yay for chapter one!!! I know it had a depressing beginning, but it will get better! Please review!! Thank you :-)