I have been given the permission to continue this story! Please continue to support it! And i'm sorry for all the non-Lynn/Bunbun smut that happens here, but I had to let some other people get in the way in order to keep the story going.
Enjoy~!
::::::::
Luke had always invited the workers to dinner on the first night of picking to celebrate the start of the season. This year, though, Luke had opted for a quiet family dinner instead, and now he, Ryoko, Amara, and Mitch sat around the kitchen table in silence.
On the chalkboard beside the refrigerator, Ryoko had written down the phone messages for Luke. It used to be that Ira would see them, take care of them, and erase them. In the weeks since the woman had been gone, they had collected and stayed there, glaring at everyone all day long. Now the neglected board listed calls from Rafeku, Rin, and Wachovia.
Next to Amara, Honey Bbe had his short little legs on her friend Mitch's calf and was trying to jump up and sniff her crotch. Amara tugged him gently by the tail.
"Get in your place, Honey. Go on, get in your place." Honey Babe stared up at her mournfully for a second, then pranced over to the corner by the olive green stone and lay down, tapping his paws in a gesture of contained restlessness.
Mitch, though, wore a wrinkled nose and a frown and held her hands tight over her skirt. Why she'd brought skirts to wear to the farm was anyone's guess. Amara shot glances at her over Ryoko's signature rib eye steak, feeling uncomfortable. She hadn't asked Mitch to come in the fist place. But here Mitch was, wrinkling her nose and obviously judging. Judging Amara's room, her dogs, her house's out-of-date kitchen. Amara tucked a forkful of sweet corn in her mouth, wondering why she still cared so badly about what Mitch thought. It had been this way since they hit puberty and drifted about. Amara had always wanted Mitch to be her friend, and she had no idea why.
Amara looked at her guardian, who had been jabbering excitedly with Ryoko through the whole dinner. Then at Mitch, who sat with her legs crossed and her wrists resting at the edge of the table like a china doll, occupying Ira and yawning occasionally. Amara pulled her elbows to her side. From the corner, Honey Babe let out a tiny squeaky sympathetic howl. Everyone chewed loudly.
Exhausted from the day, which was always one of the most challenging of the year, Amara snaked a finger shyly across the table and patted her guardian's fingers Since her 'older sister' had gone, Amara noticed the ways it mattered that Ira wasn't around, and today-with all that Ira would have been doing to help get the season moving-had been a major day for that. The big was Amara missed her other guardian were expected. The little ways were hard for their own reasons, because they took her by surprise. Amara knew Luke felt that way too. Luke turned his head to her and smiled, his dark skin crinkling slightly. "Did you bring the old bottles down to the cider house?"
Amara shook her head. "Not yet." Actually, she'd done extra chores in other areas to avoid the cider house. So far, she'd managed to avoid scar completely. Which, on a small farm, was actually quite a feat.
"When are they saying..." Amara looked away from Luke, to Ryoko. "...that...Frost might hit?"
"They're not," Ryoko said. "Your guardian is saying the end of the next week. No sense worrying over something that may not happen."
"You're right," Amara muttered back. But Luke was good t what he did. He never spoke idly. Amara read about farmers setting fires to keep their trees warm, fighting a losing battle against Mother Nature. The universes wouldn't be that cruel, would it?
"Um, this steak's really good," Mitch offered. Amara had always noticed she liked to pretend nothing was wrong, ever.
Ryoko looked at her suspiciously. "And you've hardly touched a bite."
"Oh, you know, i'm not into AL sauce," Mitch said. "And i'm becoming a vegetarian. Well, i'm trying to stop eating meat when it's raw." Amara looked down at her own bloody steak. She too had lost her appetite.
Ryoko looked from Mitch to Amara, her white eyes flashing behind the dull square glasses she wore. "...Right. Why don't you two go for a walk? We even have some new workers today. Men, dropping in at the most random times. They're young, though, and I think they have a good sense of humor. Go say hi or something."
Mitch shrugged, but Amara blushed. She didn't want to show Mitch her pathetic sate in front of guys. But she wasn't about to back off. Amara gave Ryoko one of her famous grimace smiles and trailed after Mitch onto the porch, then down the grass and along the driveway. The fields were empty since most of the workers had quit for dinner. The dogs tapped out after them. Amara eyed Mitch sideways from time to time. She was pretty enough to knock down doors. And it kind of made it hard not to want to be friends with her. But she was also cold and uptight. Amara couldn't imagine living her life all buttoned up the way Mitch's was. But for the moment she looked at Mitch with envy. Amara felt the weight of the orchard's problems like stones on her chest sometimes, and now was one of those times. Mitch didn't have to worry about things like that.
Amara fiddled with the brain in her hair, taking comfort in the cool cotton of her filmy white shirt and the hemp capris her sister had bout her at Squash Blossom in Atlanta. The orchard spread out beyond the porch, looking as bright green and healthy as it ever had. But with its trees so small and so exposed, it was hard to ignore that it was also delicate. And that was what scared Amara the most.
"Whadda you want to do?" Mitch asked, clearly not having listened to Ryoko. If she had, Mitch was the kind of person who'd head there immediately.
The srare sound of a car pulling up made the dogs perk up their butterfly ears. A few moments later a white El Camino came chugging around the bend, blaring peppy music and leaving a stream of gray exhaust in its wake. Several people came to the front of the dorms to see what all the noise was about. The engine cut out, and then a man emerged from the driver's side, yelling at his companions to try to be heard over the music. Then he looked back at the people gathered around his car and smiled-a smile that was so reassuring, it caught Amara off guard. The man had a shock of neat, straight black hair, and large searching dark eyes that seemed to hold a hint of sorrow, even though he otherwise looked perfectly happy. He was young - no more than twenty-five with sun-kissed dark skin. "Hello there," he said to no one in particular. "We just signed up. I hope my stupid car hasn't caused you guys too much trouble."
Everyone else murmured, nodding at him, smiling at him, and some people even waved. The rest of the crown watched awe-struck as the other three came out. The first one to climb out of the small car and look on quietly from one workers to the next was a man whose face looked like a teen's, but eyes had aged. He was frail, thin, and tiny, with a few long strands of black hair in his otherwise short hair. He smoked something that resembled a pipe and had small, red, ruby lips. In all, he reminded Amara of a wise snow white. When his borwn eyes hit her, it studied her for a moment before turning to Mitch, then the next person. Everyone was juded for the same length of time.
The next person was a beautiful woman with long, curly eyelashes, wavy hair, and a straight nose. Once again, Amara felt the pang of jealousy she had felt when she had looked at Mitch and Satan. They lived in a different world, a world where they got more because they were pretty. The first thing the woman did was stretch, yawn, and look over the crowd in two seconds flat with sparkling grey eyes.
The last person to come out, cursing and growling, was a tall, pale man with white hair and red eyes who seemed to have make-up on. His body clinked whenever he moved from all the heavy loads of jewelery he had on, and he was wearing all black. He was thin, and his crimson yes narrowed at everyone when he looked over at them.
Peculiar guests. Amara waited for the fourth man.
Just then, another man emerged from the dorms; a god-like figure with golden hair and piercing purple eyes. He walked casually over to the newcomers and started helping them unload as if they were long time friends.
The man, Amara realized after studying him for a while, was their leaded. Even when he was silent, he as in command. She could tell by the way the other four looked at him. Like a magnet that attracted unconscious respect and dread wherever he went. His deep, honey like a voice rose above the others. t was in the curl of his lips and the angle of his jaw, his deliberate movements and his lazy smirk, how he moved in the world as if he possessed it, down to the last grain of sand. Before him, Amara was as hypnotized and helpless a a gazelle before the killing blow, paralyzed with awe. Where Amara tiptoed apologetically, the man strode, tall and proud and defiant. And when he laughed, he laughed as if he'd put a joke on the entire universe.
All this Amara noticed in the first four seconds she had seen him. Amara liked noticing these small things. She continued studying him until his purple eyes locked with hers. She started blushing furiously and looked away from him, trying to watch him from the corner of her eye without letting him notice. Without dropping his gaze, he whispered something to the small man, who nodded and started walking toward Amara.
"Hello," he said in a pleasant, soft voice. "Lynn tells me you're one of the people in charge." Ah. So his name was Lynn. "I just signed up a few days ago. Where should I go?"
The pretty girl stepped up behind him. "Oh?~ So she's Luke's sister?~ She's so cute! My name's Sh, what's yours?" Her voice was high and girly, typical. Amara glanced over at Mitch, trying to remember what her voice sounded like, but then found that she was gone. Amara looked back at the woman, putting on a forced smile.
"My name's Amara."
"Amara? Y, you should get a name like Amara. It's sweet and girly. It fits you."
'Y', or the small man, rolled his eyes and placed a hand on his pipe. "No, it fits you. You're completely gay."
Amara cleared her throat, then looked up at Y. "I heard there were four guys."
"Yes, that there is."
"So...um...who's the fourth guy?..."
Y looked at SH, then burst out laughing.
"SEE?"
SH only huffed and shoved a lock of hair behind her ear with her long fingernails. "That doesn't prove anything."
The white haired man showed up behind them, his eyes sweeping over Amara fiercely before eying Y as if he was crazy. "What's going on her? Are you guys going to have sex or something?"
SH looked at the man sheepishly. "No. She did say I looked pretty, though."
Red eyes turned to Amara, awed. "Tougher than you look, eh?"
Amara blushed.
Just then, the purple eyed man appeared, seemingly out of no where, glancing at Y. "Care to include me in your little joke?" He looked at Amara.
"..."
What was she suppose to say? Still watching her, the man raise an eyebrow. Amara felt uncomfortable, having him watch her like that, and it seemed like her tongue refused to leave the roof of her mouth. She felt like an ant transfixed by the gaze of the hot sun, unable to take a breath.
The silence dragged on.
Finally, Lynn gave a despairing sigh and glanced at SH, then the white-haired man.
"Will someone please teach this girl how to talk?"
A collective snicker rose from the group. Amara felt a reply suddenly spring unbidden her mouth and bit her lip - knowing that anything she had right now would not reflect well on her. She was better schooled than most at holding her tongue.
Finally, SH came to her rescue.
"She thought I looked like a girl."
Purple eyes twinkled in amusement, then shifted back to the girl. "Did you, now? We share similar beliefs."
SH looked devastated.
"I'm...I'm sorry," Amara mumbled.
"Aw! Don't get so down, it's fine~! It happens a lot!" With that, SH left, walking over to the white haired man and Y, who were having a fight of some kind.
The purple eyed man smirked at her, which made her heart pound. Up close, he was that much more handsome.
"My name's Lynn," he said, holding out a hand. She slowly reached hers up, then felt soft, comforting hands shake hers. When he let go, she could feel the warmth of his hand on hers like a phantom. "Nice to meet you, majesty."
She smiled shyly, rubbing the palms of her hand. "I'm Amara," she said softly. Nice to meet you."
::::::::
Mitch ran to her dorm, flushed with anger. She ran with all her might, praying that he had and hadn't seen her. She was split. Half of Mitch didn't want him to see her so she could just escape back to her room and the bliss of sleep. The other half of Mitch wanted...needed him to have seen her and come after her. Needed him to come tell her that he loved her, and what she had seen was a mistake.
Sure enough, footsteps thudded behind her. She slowed herself purposely, then completely dropped the act and started walking. Lynn caught up to her quickly, looking confused.
"Hey Gorgeous," he said, smiling at her. "What're you running away from?"
Mitch looked down at her hot pink toes. "I...just wanted to...run."
She could feel the burn of his eyes and she could imagine the worried look on his face. He reached over and lifted her chin, searching her light blue eyes for the real explanation. But Mitch knew she had spent too many years hiding to have her eyes show raw emotions. Though she was burning with hurt, happiness, and despair inside, her eyes were blank and bored. His eyes, though, continued to search hers. Either he was trying to break her little wall of fake boredom, or he had seen a flicker of emotion and was waiting for it to hit again.
Then, suddenly, he let go of her chin and backed away, not too far but not at all close either. He looked disappointed, but not at Mitch. She continued walking to her dorm, slowly, watching to see if he'd explain.
He didn't. He followed after her, hands in his pockets, casual smirk playing upon his face, and winking at the occasional lady walking by. That enraged Mitch. How could he flirt in front of her? She glared at him every time he did, and he ad caught her glares over fifteen times. But all he did was look at her inquisitively, unashamed, waiting for an explanation that never came. Then he'd press the small of her back and get her walking again. He'd talk to her softly, coaxing her, and he'd call her gorgeous, using words that made her heart and fury melt immediately, words that were gifts and stuck to her like sweet honey.
Words that meant nothing.
It was this, Lynn's lovely words and his knowledgeable glory that had made Mitch fall for him. His beauty had lasted for a long time, true, but beauty, no matter how rich, was only skin-deep. With him, his physical features only masked the darker, devious creature- demon he really was. The demon that spoke the truth and made Mitch feel clean, fresh, and unfearful of everything. He made her feel like she owned the world, and she needed, if not by everyone else, by him. He caressed her, his words deep and mysterious and beautiful. He spoke logic in music, brought up a completely original idea.
And he flirted with her too. Oh how he flirted. Implying love without saying it.
But then he did that for every girl in the world.
He still wanted to believe he loved her, that the looks he gave her meant something more than the looks he gave others. And she began remembering every sweet thing he did to her, a habit that turned almost stalkerish.
No, this wasn't like her. She had to stop. Now.
She halted, felt Lynn halt next to her, and turned her around, forcing her eyes to meet his. He responded with the same twinkle in his eyes.
She couldn't stand it. She had fought her urge long enough.
Reaching a hand out, she pulled his neck closer to hers and slammed their lips together, savoring the sweet taste of Lynn. He didn't respond, but he didn't push her away either. Taking this as a sign to continue, Mitch deepened the kiss, pressing herself against his body and enjoying the feeling of his strong muscles rub against her stomach. Then, breathless, she pushed herself away, looking at him for a response.
His eyes were normal, default, with their normal charm in them. He looked at Mitch, almost bored.
She stood back, startled. "Lynn, I-I-" She cleared her throat, stepping away from him and blindly reaching out at space. "I like you..."
She ran the rest of the way to the dorm, and flew in through the entrance. The only thing she could think about was the blank look Lynn had on when they had kissed.
:::::::
Bunbun stared through her window as the blond girl she had met earlier and Lynn seemingly made out, enraged for reasons she didn't bother to identify. She didn't like him. She had already guessed that he was a player. So why did it make her feel so numb to watch him kiss someone else?
Reality sucks.
