I managed to sneak my way through town without anyone seeing me. I didn't feel like dealing with Julia and Natalie's questions just yet.
I went straight to my chicken coop when I got to my ranch, desperate to feed my chickens. When I entered, they all seemed to stare at me accusingly. I rushed over to the feed dispenser and put the food in, then I distributed food out. The chickens immediately started eating, but seemed a bit cold towards me. I whispered apologies to them, hoping they would forgive me. I didn't see any eggs around so I left to go to the barn. After doing what I could do there, I went home. I needed to change clothes, and put on warmer ones. Today was the first day of winter, even though there wasn't any snow on the ground yet. But you could tell in the air it was coming.
I put on a heavier coat, seeing it was all I really had to stay warm. I didn't have any longer pants, which was actually stupid of me. I made a mental note to order some soon.
I took some pain medication, hoping to ease the ache in my shoulder. As I was leaving my ranch I glanced at my field. Then I suddenly felt even more stupid. Mark wouldn't need to help me at all! It was winter, so I didn't have any crops! Why didn't I realizes this before? I'd only need help with my animals. Vaughn probably thought I was slow.
I mentally kicked myself, multiple times. Then I sighed. At least I wouldn't have to ask Mark to help me at all. That was the only upside.
I mean, I liked Mark and all, but not in that way. And I was pretty sure he had a thing for me even though we barley talked. Maybe I could get to know him…and just be friends. Mark seemed like a really nice guy.
I shivered a little, then left my ranch. I made my way to see Julia, knowing she would probably be worried about me. I opened the door a bit and peaked inside. I saw Julia sitting at the counter holding a coffee mug. She glanced my way, and did a double take. Then she sprang up and rushed towards me, grabbing me in a hug.
"Where have you been!" She cried. I cringed at her grasp. She wasn't helping my back at all. I pushed her away, and she seemed to notice I was in pain. "What? What's wrong?"
"Sorry, I hurt my shoulder last night. It really hurts." I told her through clenched teeth.
She gently pulled me inside and shut the door. Then she glared at me.
"Sorry. But where the heck have you been? I was so worried! When you didn't show up for dinner I went by your house, but you weren't there! And not this morning either!" She jabbed her finger at me, accusingly.
I held up my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay! I'll let you know everything."
And so I did. She listened, growing more amused by the second. By the time I was finished, she had a huge grin on her face.
"Don't say anything." I warned. "I don't want to hear anything about Vaughn, and how this could lead to our wedding. You and Natalie are insane."
She smirked. "Okay, alright. I wont say anything, now. But expect Natalie to make a scene. She has been rooting for you two since you met. I, personally, am rooting for Mark. He's so sweet!"
"Too sweet." I muttered. She shot me a glare, but ignored my comment.
"Let's go find Natalie and fill her in. I'm sure she will be delighted!" Julia skipped to the door, throwing it open. I groaned and followed her out.
Julia was right. Natalie was delighted to hear my story. She wouldn't shut up about how "sweet" Vaughn was to let me stay with him. And should wouldn't stop implying we did something. I grew tired of arguing with her after a half hour.
"Nothing happened. So stop it." I snapped. She looked taken back, but smirked anyway.
"Okay fine. I believe you." She pretended to inspect her nails, which I knew weren't anything to really inspect. They were short and bitten. She claimed having long nails just wasn't 'her'. "So when are you going to ask him to the Starry Night Festival?"
I choked on the water I'd been drinking, and gaped at her. "Are you crazy? Vaughn doesn't go to those things, and I highly doubt he would go with me if he did! P-plus, why would I ask him?"
"Yeah!" Julia inputted. "She's gonna ask Mark."
I glared at her. "No I'm not. I might not even celebrate that festival."
"Why not?" Natalie whined. "I'm going with Pierre!"
I snorted. "Have fun with that. You'll end up changing his diapers and shaking a rattle at him the whole time."
Julia cracked up, and Natalie gave me a glare that could kill. I just laughed along with Julia.
"Well, Julia wont have fun either," Natalie argued. "Knowing Elliot, he'll end up reading math books to her under the stars."
Julia stopped laughing and shot her a look. "That's not true! He's actually really romantic!"
"What, when he's looking at you over his geeky glasses and says 'being with you is better than receiving all the Chemistry sets in the world…' "
Julia's face flushed deeply and she puffed out her cheeks. "Y-you take that back! He's never said that!"
"Maybe not that, but something similar." Natalie snickered.
They continued to yell insults back and forth until they both ended up laughing so hard, they were crying. I laughed with them, glad the spotlight wasn't on me anymore. After a while of chatting, I announced I was going to the café so eat, since I hadn't all day. They said they wanted to come, but couldn't since they had work to do. I teased them before leaving for the café.
I pushed the door open and found a table right away. It wasn't crowded, since the normal lunch time had passed. I sat and waited for a waiter to approach me. Instead, I noticed Mark coming instead. He sat across from me and smiled.
"I hope you don't mind me joining you?" He asked.
I smiled at him. Maybe this is my chance to make friends with him. Real friends. "Not at all."
A/N: Yay filler chapters :D This chapter is just full of nothing until the end, so sorry for not, you know, moving forward. Writers block :C
Review my fail please :D?
