Author's Note: Thanks everyone for the support- the more reviews I get, the sooner I update!
To reply to one of my reviews from drunken. lotus: remember, Angela is doing this because she wants her college tuition paid off. However, this could change at the end of the story and could very well be a solution. You will find all those details out much later though!
So yeah, on with the story! Thank you for checking out my video as well, I'm glad you guys liked it. =]
Chapter 6
Angela's P.O.V.
It took a few more days for my tomatoes to ripen, but finally I had plenty of the red, plump vegetable to make a batch of tomato juice. Taking an empty glass jug, I poured it in and sealed it with a lid. (This is more realistic than putting a glass of juice in her backpack.) I smiled triumphantly. Maybe this will turn Gill around and make him want to be friends. I didn't think he was that impossible, seeing as Luna did seem to have a thing for him. I sighed. Would it be foolish if I had a thing for him, too? Would it be safe?
The consequences suddenly became more apparent. Maybe it was because I was really enjoying my life here. Away from worries about college and living big, people here were actually honored for their trade, what they were good at and enjoyed doing. Above all, they seemed happy. That was definitely NOT something seen in the city everyday. When I thought about my time being up here, or being caught and leaving early, my heart sank.
Therefore, getting too involved with someone and putting my emotions at risk is not worth getting sent home. I nodded to myself.
"Just be strong, Angela, and enjoy your friends and the beautiful island!" I concluded.
An idea struck me just then, one that I would discuss with my brother the next time we spoke. Maybe he would let me stay with him here after one year! I paused. Was that worth giving up college and my over-achieving image, though; to just stay here and help on a farm? I was still confused on that one.
By the time I had pondered all of these things, I found myself in front of the Town Hall. What now?
"How do I do this casually? "Hey Gill, I had some extra tomatoes, so I thought, you know, maybe you'd want some juice"… "How's it going? Want some tomato juice? Really? Totally a coincidence that this is your favorite and I happened to walk into your workplace with it!" Ugh.
I know! I'm sure he would be happy to know that I just got the third rainbow! Yes, that would work.
I confidently walked into the Town Hall, eager to see his face when he saw the juice, only to see Luna already with…tomato juice? Was the Goddess out to get me for taking too long to revive the rainbows or something?
"H-hey everybody. I thought maybe you all would want something to quench your thirst on a hot day like today!" I looked around. Elli was the first to speak up.
"Thanks, Axel! I'm not a fan of tomato juice, but Gill is! He'd love some more!" she said cheerfully.
I glanced over at his desk, Luna standing in front of it. It seemed she had beaten me to it. And she didn't even make it herself! I snorted.
"Hey Luna, looks like we thought similarly!" I tried not to make her mad. She just seemed like the type of person who would get upset over someone taking the attention off of her, as much as I liked her as a friend. She stared at the pitcher in my hand.
"It's alright , Axel, because mine was made with love." She winked at Gill and he seemed baffled as to what to do. He clearly wasn't used to being flirted with. I tried not to giggle.
"Heh, well then, I guess mine won't compare." I sighed. Maybe this was a dumb idea.
Then, for the first time since I had entered, Gill spoke. "I would still like to try some of yours too, just in case." He gave a light smile.
My face lit up. So he was done being a jerk!…for now. I smiled back, and sat the pitcher on his desk, beside Luna's.
"I thought you'd like to know that I got the third rainbow yesterday. Only two more to go!" I said happily. He smiled and was about to say something, when suddenly Luna leaned in and whispered something in his ear. He gave her a funny expression.
"Well, see you guys later. Enjoy the tomato juice, Gill! I hope you'll consider coming next week!" She waved and walked out the door.
I awkwardly stood there, wondering what she whispered to him. Thankfully, Elli interjected.
"That's right! Do you know about the trip next week, Axel?" she asked me.
"Nope, no idea. What's going on?" I replied.
"Selena invited the 'younger group' of the village to Toucan Island for a mini vacation. Everyone can go, but most of the older folks have to stay here so there is some business going on. She does it every summer, and anyone can come. Do you think you would want to go?" she informed me.
I thought quickly about this. The beach, swimsuits, and lots of people equal not such a good idea.
"I'll think about it. I don't know if I can leave the ranch and all…" I tried to make an excuse.
"Oh, pooh! You and Gill both work too hard. He refuses to go, too. If you change your mind, you're more than welcome." She stated.
"I can go to the beach any time I want- being there with a bunch of loud, immature people won't make it any better." Gill added.
"Gill, not everyone is immature! I think you would be surprised at how much you have in common with them!" Elli refuted. I secretly longed to go, but as myself. If only I could just wear a wig and say that I was a random islander…
"Would you go if Axel went? You two are similar in work ethic!" Elli asked him. I gulped. I didn't think Gill and I were close enough to assume something like that.
He just stared at her, seeming to be thinking. "No." he responded. I saw that answer coming, anyway. I figured he was just trying to be difficult with Elli.
"Well, I had better go, I'll catch you guys later!" I said to get out of the awkward situation.
"Axel-" Gill started. I turned to look at him.
"Pink underwear?" he raised an eyebrow. So that's what Luna had whispered to him! I made a mental note to address that.
"I-it- it's my EX-girlfriend's- she- we didn't- ….oh, forget it!" I said, flustered. Why did I emphasize "ex" girlfriend? Why would he care whether I had a girlfriend or not?
He merely chuckled, resuming his work. "Carry on," he said before I hurried out the door.
Chase's P.O.V.
A few days had passed since my 'incident', as I like to address it. I had finally come to a conclusion to resolve the problem of my sexuality- denial. I did not think anything about Axel that was out of line between two males, and there was nothing weird about noticing a guy's softness, or cute tousled hair, or big, brown eyes-
"Chase!" I jumped at hearing my name, burning my finger on the frying pan.
"Ow- what Maya?" I said in frustration. Did I ever state how much she got on my nerves sometimes? Strangely enough, I still had this same feeling that was similar to when I was in Axel's presence. I just couldn't put my finger on it.
"Sorry! Are you alright?" she asked in a concerned manner.
"I'm fine, I've had worse," I replied. I recalled the one time Maya dropped those kabobs, making them fly across the room and not landing in a pleasant spot. I think she knew what I was thinking about, because she gave me an innocent smile.
"Hehe, well anyway, are you um, busy tonight?" Maya asked, leaning on the counter.
"I don't know, why?" I asked back.
"Well, I thought maybe we could hang out, like a date or something." She blushed.
Well, this was new. Usually we treated each other horribly. I had really thought that she hated me. I guess we had this strange attraction through teasing each other and being unnecessarily cruel.
That's when an idea hit me. This was how I would know if what I was feeling with Axel meant anything! I have a perfectly cute girl asking me on a date. I would try at all costs to enjoy myself so that I could forget about anything I was thinking before about him. It was genius!
"Sure. Want me to cook us something up?" I asked. Better to be safe than sorry.
"Why don't we cook together? It would be fun!" She suggested. I cringed. I couldn't say no.
"Uh- yeah, sure! Why not?" I said. She flung herself at me into a hug.
"Thank you, Chase! You never let me cook with you after I flipped that pancake at your face! I'm so excited to learn something new!" she exclaimed. Oh boy. This was going to be a long night.
After several hours of cooking, arguing, and me trying to stop her crying, we were semi-enjoying ourselves while nibbling on a piece of tiramisu.
"So, Chase, are you going to Toucan Island for mini vacation again this year?" Maya asked.
I swallowed. "Yeah, I guess so. It was pretty fun last year."
"Good! I can't wait to get in my swimsuit and play on the beach! I wonder if that new farmer will come, too?" She asked.
Oh goddess. Why did she say that? I was doing so well all evening! Beach, bathing suits, Axel in a bathing suit…
"STOP, CHASE! JUST STOP IT!" I mentally screamed. I must have had a weird look on my face.
"Chase, are you okay?" Maya asked, tilting her head, "You look kind of flushed. Tehee."
"Just warm in here. Yeah, I don't know if he will go or not…" I answered. As much as I hated to admit it, even on a date with a girl I was still being drawn to Axel.
Why was I so intrigued by him? Was it his awkward mannerisms that were so adorable, or the way his face lit up when something made him happy?
I could NOT have a reputation going around town that I was gay. Chase was not gay. Even so, I think I started to come to accept the fact that I was attracted to him in some weird way. I just needed to clarify why- and I intended to on vacation.
That's right, I had to find out if he was going!
"Maya, I have to go. Dinner was great; we'll do this again sometime." If I'm not gay.
She sighed dreamily, watching me hurry out of the Sundae Inn.
It was past sunset, and the fireflies were just starting to appear. I ran up to Axel's door, knocking three times. After no answer, I tried to see if the door was unlocked. It was, so I poked my head in. The TV was on- he must have been home. I was sure he wouldn't mind if I waited inside for him.
Angela's P.O.V.
I dried myself off, having had a lovely half-hour shower. Nothing felt better than washing all of the dirt and grime off after a long day's work on the farm. Waltzing out into my living room with my white, fluffy towel wrapped around me, I gasped when I saw Chase lounging on my couch, flipping through the TV channels.
"Chase?" I exclaimed. This was not good. Luckily, I had another towel for my hair and quickly draped it over my shoulders to get as much coverage as I could.
"What are you doing sitting on my couch?" I asked again. He just stared, mouth agape. I still had hope that he didn't notice anything, though, with my body entirely covered.
"I wanted to ask you something… uhh-" Why was he was beat-red? Didn't guys always see each other naked? What was so bad about being in a towel?
"Hold that thought- I'm putting my pajamas on." I quickly turned around and went into my room, put my vest back on, along with the baggiest t-shirt and pajama pants I owned. I re-entered the room and joined him on the couch.
"So uh, what's up?" I asked nervously.
"Have you heard about vacation next week?" he asked back.
"Oh! At Toucan Island. Yeah, but I don't think I'm going." I replied.
"Why not? This is an important week for everyone to you know, bond, and stuff, and you can't miss it!" he exclaimed.
"Ookay… I just have a lot of work to do on the ranch, I don't know if I can afford to miss a few days." I tried to explain. Now I kind of knew how Gill felt. Maybe if he went…
"But I'm going, and all of your friends are going, and I'm- I mean, we are really counting on you to be there! Besides, a break from work is good for you! We don't want you to collapse again, do we?" he smirked.
I sighed. Knowing Chase, he wouldn't give in. I guessed I could afford to go away for a few days. I had just harvested my crops, and I could pay someone at Brownie Ranch to come take care of my animals. And a nice, tropical island sounded oh-so-appealing right now.
I nodded. "Alright, fine. You've convinced me! I'll call Elli and tell her I'll go." I put my hands up in defeat. Chase beamed.
"Awesome! We're going to have so much fun, I promise!" I giggled. He was so giddy.
"I'll see you tomorrow then, at the dock at 9 A.M.!" he stood up.
"We're leaving tomorrow?" I didn't think it was that soon!
"Well, yeah. For three days. So get your bags packed!" with that, he ruffled my hair and ran out the door.
I had less time to prepare than I thought. Was this going to be fun, or three days from hell?
Author's Note: Please tell me what you thought! Thanks!
