Chapter 8

Author's Note: So I've decided to move my notes up here, since it's more effective and easier to do. :)

If any of y'all read the Graire story that's also currently in progress, you'd know that I didn't die and I was gone in Florida for two weeks-

One weeks I spent at volleyball nationals in Miami and (bragging starts) my team is officially second in the whole USA! (end bragging) and then I went on a real vacation in another area of Florida for a little over a week.

But I promise I'm back, and I'll continue to write this story and the Graire one. I hope you enjoy this chapter!I jumped when Skye said that, knocking him off of me and startling him. "I, uh, um, I think it's time that I go home… And it's been great, we should do this again sometime…"


Skye stood up and brushed himself off, since when I'd pushed him he'd gotten maybe two specks of dirt on his ostentatious jacket. The horror. "Did I go too fast? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, Jill. And I'd love to do this again, it was- no, you are- marvelous. All I ask is that you allow me the privilege of walking you home, babe." I smiled and eagerly took his outstretched hand, happier than he knew that he wasn't rushing me into saying anything.

Sure, this could definitely develop into more. But it's better to wait too long to say it than to jump the gun, right? I mean… I don't want to lie to myself or Skye. All too soon, we were at my familiar front door and I was suddenly more tired than I'd realized earlier. Not to mention how late it was, all of the night's excitement had really worn me out. "Night, Skye," I said, quickly giving him a goodnight hug and kiss.

The silver-haired boy smiled and ruffled my hair, kissed me back, and made sure I was safely inside before leaving to return to wherever he stayed during the daytime. I went to bed and awoke the next morning feeling more refreshed than usual. Something inside of me felt so right this particular morning, and I smiled because so far only I knew why. (I'd tell the girls later, of course, but for now it was just our little secret.) Even the farm work, which was usually exhausting and backbreaking, felt like a breeze. Had I really been missing such an important part of my life?

After breezing through work and cleaning up, I practically skipped all the way to Vesta's farm where I found Celia. We went to her room, and she immediately asked, "So… What happened?!"

I paused for dramatic effect, but even I couldn't stay quiet for more than a few seconds. "Well I hope you know I was never really frozen… It was kind of an act…"

"Jill!" Celia said, in shock. "It was so weird! I couldn't move at all!"

I laughed, glad that Celia wasn't mad, just surprised. "I mean I wasn't frozen last night, but I have been before. It is weird, but last night I had to pretend I was just so Marlin and Vesta wouldn't get more suspicious than they already were."

Celia nodded, understanding completely. "So what happened when you left? I'm assuming- actually, hoping- that you didn't just walk home alone and go to sleep…"

I smiled. "Welllll…." Celia was practically bouncing, which was quite odd looking considering we were both seated on her bed. "I walked part of the way home alone. And then a voice in the trees told me to go to the pond, you know, near the big tree with the sprites and the flowers that glow at night?" Celia nodded quickly. "Okay well he was there. And we hugged… A lot." I giggled, just now realizing how we spent the majority of our time at the pond clinging to each other.

Celia smiled wide. "That's great! That's so sweet… I must admit, he is quite handsome. And cunning." I smiled, wondering if I should tell her the rest. She's your best friend, of course you should tell her. She told you every detail about her and Marlin…

I waited a minute and said, "Well, there's more. Then… We were talking and he said he wouldn't be gone so much anymore. And I maybe kind of admitted I liked him… A lot… And…" Celia's jaw had dropped to the floor at this point, and I figured it'd be downright cruel to be suspenseful. "And we kissed and it was perfect!"

Celia squealed incredibly loudly, but I was expecting it and maybe even squealed back. We hugged and I couldn't not smile, and maybe when we were hugging this was pushed out of my mouth- "And he said he loves me!"

Celia let go and stepped back. "Love? That's huge! Jill, what did you say?!" I blushed, recalling my less-than-suave reply.

"Um, I kind of said I had to get home. I mean, I don't think I've ever felt love and it's was too early to tell now. I mean maybe he falls hard and fast but I'm waiting. If I know for sure I love him, I'll say it." Celia nodded and agreed that I shouldn't say "I love you" back, because I might hurt him if I don't mean it. But really, who knows?

I stayed with Celia for a little while, and decided that maybe I didn't want to share the details of last night with every girl in town. Geez, Jill, you make it sound like you guys had hot, passionate sex or something. "Oh!" Celia said, stiffening her back so that she was taller. "Did you hear the news?"

Clearly, I hadn't. "News about what? That's pretty vague…"

Celia giggled. "Of course. You and Nami are always so literal… Anyway, construction is done on the path through the hill by our farm. It's really easy to get to the next nearest town, Mineral Town, by taking that path. And vice versa. I'd imagine we get many more visitors in the next few days, since everyone on both sides was excited for this."

I smiled, because I would never turn down an opportunity to make more friends- when I wasn't hard at work, of course. Farming came first, then the friends I'd already made. I wonder where Skye fit in? "That reminds me," I said, "I need to go and water my plants for a second time, since it's pretty hot out. See you later!"

"Bye Jill! Tell me if anything else happens!" I nodded and left, still cheerful on my way back to the farm, wondering if I'd get a visit from a thief that night.

When I arrived at my farm, I was quite surprised to see a group of people standing outside of my front door. I wasn't expecting visitors, and so when I went to unlock my front door, I said, "Um, hello? What are you guys doing here?"

As if choreographed, all of the people- all boys, I noticed- seemed to turn their heads at the same time. I quickly scanned the crowd to see a dark haired boy in a lab coat, a strawberry blonde with a hat, a nerdy looking boy with long orange hair, a lonely looking boy with a brunette ponytail, and a darker skinned boy who seemed to like purple. The purple-clad boy spoke first. "We're from Mineral Town and we wanted to say hi! Is it true you're single?" At this, the nerdy boy hit the back of his head.

"Way to be welcoming, Kai…" He muttered. "We just wanted to say hi to everyone. What's your name?"

I raised an eyebrow. From what I could tell, this Kai boy was a flirt. "I'm Jill. Who are all of you…?"

In some order, this is what I heard-

"Trent. I'm a doctor," said the dark haired boy in a lab coat. He seemed serious and focused.

"Grey," mumbled the boy with the hat. He didn't seem to want to be here at all, and it's a wonder he hadn't overheated from the long sleeved getup he was wearing.

"I'm Rick, pleasure to meet you!" Exclaimed the orange haired boy- who was nerdy, but at least friendly and trying to be inviting.

"I'm Cliff…" The ponytailed boy's voice was so soft I could barely hear it, and he seemed to be very shy and unsure of himself.

"Um, well, it's really nice to meet all of you. I have to do some work, though, so I'll see all of you later," I began to say, and most of the boys left.

To my surprise, Trent stayed. "I'd like to help, if you need it," he said, and I shrugged.

"Sure. I'm assuming you know how to water plants?" I giggled and the doctor nodded, and went to work after I filled the watering can for him. Those Mineral Town boys all seem a little bit odd. Nice, but odd… Oh, I hope I get to see Skye tonight!