Chapter 8


Is this happening?

"I-it is." Jill said hesitantly. "W-well…sorry, about the other day I mean." There was Gray in the corner, talking to her. "I-it's okay." Gray nodded, still unable to see his face through his cap, so she turned to face Ann.

She had just finished pouring Gray a mug, she looked a little disturbed but smiled and said "Okay Gray your gonna have to come sit over here by the bar if you want this!" Ann beamed at him, till he got up, his blue eyes shined out from his cap and penetrated Jill with surprise. They look like Claire's…except missing something…He sat next to Jill and took his drink from Ann. His face looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Oh, do you want anything Jill?" Ann asked and grinned. "U-um, maybe a Coke?" Jill stuttered. "Alrighty." Jill sat and stared oddly at Gray for what seemed like hours until he finally shot her a look. "Take a picture it'll last longer." He grumbled. "I w-would but I don't have a camera!" Jill started breaking into sweats. Oh goddess oh goddess oh goddess. What am I doing? Gray's brow furrowed. "That's, weird." Jill look around shakily for Ann who had went into the storage room to get Jill her Coke. "I-it is isn't it? I really didn't mean to say that…" Fix this you idiot! Ask him something, like "So you're a blacksmith?". "So I hear your grandfather works you pretty hard?" Gray clenched his jaw and look back down at his drink. Idiot! I'm such an idiot! Jill was contemplating her ways of escape when Ann walked back into the room with Jill's coke. "Here you go darlin'." Ann smiled handing Jill her drink. "Oh thanks…"

After about two minutes of the awkward sipping of their drinks, Ann had enough. "So Gray, what happened this time?" Ann asked leaning on her elbows. "Oh shut up Ann…" Gray almost whispered. Jill decided that now might be the time to leave, even though it was much sooner than she planned. Jill started to get up, and Gray looked at her. "S-so Jill, my sister works you pretty hard huh?" He said the phrase in the same voice he had first spoken in, the one that sounded broken and unsure. Jill didn't know why, but she smiled. "Hehe, a little, yeah. I gotta get going, but-" What's wrong with me? "Next time I'm in Mineral Town, I'd like to have a drink with you guys again." Jill thought for a split second that she saw Gray smirk. "I'd like that." Ann beamed, and Jill smiled back, while walking out the door.

By the time Jill got back to the ranch it was sunset. She walked to the house, and almost knocked. Then she remembered she lived there, and walked in. She jumped at the sight of Claire. She was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, face stern. "Where have you been?" She asked icily. "Uh-um, Mineral Town. I told you right?" Jill was shaking with the fear that she had done something wrong. Claire took notice of this and softened her gaze. "You did, sorry. It's just, I got worried with you being out so late…" Jill was even more shocked by this. There had been times when her people were mad at her for being out too late, but never had some one been worried. "It was fine, I was with Ann and Gray." She instantly regretted bringing up Gray, because Claire's eyes hardened a bit. "Did he cause you any trouble?" "N-no, not at all. I think I caused him a but of trouble though…" Claire's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Claire said, walking over to the kitchen table. "He seemed upset when he arrived…and I just made it worse babbling like an idiot…Do you know why it's so tough for him over there?" Claire's features tightened a bit, then softened into a grin. "Cause he's a pansy ass." She sat down at the table, and Jill followed. "When we were kids we were living in the city…he was never cut out for it…And when we came back here, well I guess he wasn't cut out for it either. He lacks all people skills, he's angsty, he's whiny, he's impulsive, he's-" "I think I get the point." Jill commented shakily sitting across from Claire. Claire sighed and continued. "We both worked for grams for a while, then I thought I'd buy the land here. I would've taken the piece of land in Mineral Town, but apparently that was being passed down to some kid who ended up being Jack. I had Gray work for me a bit, but he kind of hated me…I meant my best, but I guess he doesn't understand the importance of experience, cause he left well into the seconded year. Went to work for Gramps again, ha, that worked out well…" Claire laughed. "I'm off to bed, yes it's early. I have to puck some things up tomorrow. Night Jill." And with that Claire walked off into the hall. "Night…" Jill sighed. She was beginning to understand Gray more, but was feeling that something from Claire's story was missing…

Jill woke up fairly early the next day. She had time to cook herself breakfast. She was a little lonely eating alone though. While grabbing the milk she saw a note on the fridge:

Jill, I did all the work on the farm because I was up. But don't you think you're off the hook. I need you to go down to Van's shop today and purchase some items. Van's shop is in the Inner Inn on the second floor. You can't miss him he's that fat ass with the red shirt. (Jill snickered at that.) The items I need picked up are a new fishing pole, two books, three movies, and some meats. They're all pre-ordered so all you have to do is go and pick them up with my signature which will be at the end of this note. After you've brought the items home, just leave them in the living room and put the meat in the freezer, I want you to take the fishing pole and a bucket from the shed and head over to Kai's. He'll teach you how to fish. I want you to fish till 4:00 then go over to Van's to have the fish wrapped and shipped. Take 10% of the money and put the rest on the kitchen counter. Then you're off for the day, good luck.

-Claire Brooke

: Jill sighed, today was going to be a long one. But once she finished eating she grabbed the note and headed down to the Inner Inn.

The building was easy enough to find, considering there's not too many two story buildings in the Valley. She walked up to the door, almost knocked out of force of habit. Then remembered it was an Inn and walked inside. The woman at the desk greeted her warmly, she learned her name was Ruby. They parted and Jill headed upstairs. She was having trouble then she saw him…He was a fat ass in a rd shirt! It was impossible to miss his heavy breathing, and ridiculous clothes. He wore circle glasses, who wears circle glasses? Jill worked up the courage and walked up to him. "Hello, may I help you?" Asked the fat black haired man. "Uh-um, I'm Jill. I work for Claire Brooke, I'm hear to pick up some things." She said showing him the signature she had neatly ripped from the note so he wouldn't see the "fat ass" comment. Van examined the signature then smiled warmly. "I believe you, your items are right here." He said pointing to a large box, with three smaller boxes on top. They were neatly taped together for traveling purposes. Jill's eyes widened. Jill was a fairly week girl, but she could push it to the farm. She was just worried about how to get it down the stairs!

She pushed it to the stairs then looked at it solemnly. Just then a tan blonde young man appeared. He had just walked out of his room to see the frustrated "damsel in distress". "Need some help?" Asked the brown eyed boy. "I-if you could help me get it down the stairs that's be well appreciated." "Sure thing." Smiled the boy. "What's your name? I'm Rock." Jill thought that was an odd name. "I'm Jill."