Chapter 10: "Fun In The Sun"
Summer 14...
"This looks like a good spot!" Karen exclaimed as she dropped her beach bag down onto the sand and started pulling out an oversized colorful towel to lay out on. Meanwhile, Ann and Lumina propped their lounge chairs nearby underneath the large beach umbrella that had already been placed since the summer season started.
Deciding to work on her tan a little more, Celia spread her beach towel down next to Karen's. Reaching into her bag, she then pulled out a bottle of suntan lotion and started lathering up her exposed skin.
"We're gonna throw the Frisbee around!" Lumina suddenly exclaimed nearby, bringing the farmer's attention up to the younger girl. She was dressed in a purple one-piece bathing suit. "Want to join us?"
Celia smiled and shook her head. "Maybe later." She replied, watching as the teenager grinned and then jogged over to where Ann was waiting, who was clad in a turquoise sport-bikini top and matching floral girl board shorts.
"Mind if I borrow your lotion? I forgot mine." Karen sheepishly asked from beside her, who was wearing a white tube-top style bikini and a matching thong-like bottom.
"Sure!" Celia replied, handing the bottle over to the blonde before taking a moment to look at the beautiful ocean scenery around her. It truly was a beautiful afternoon. It was hot, but not humid and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Sighing in contentment, she then plopped onto her back and closed her eyes, letting the sun fully warm her body. She still felt a little self-conscious and shy about wearing the green string-bikini that Karen had given her, for the fact that she never wore that type of bathing suit before. All she'd ever worn in the past were one-piece bathing suits, so she still wasn't used to showing so much skin yet. Although secretly, wearing the bikini did make her feel more womanly inside.
Listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore and the seagulls cawing overhead, she sighed again, feeling totally relaxed for once. The past three days had been sort of a handful, not only in the emotional department, but with trying to keep up with her chores and entertain a hyper eighteen year old. Lumina had expressed how much she'd wanted to help her with her farm work, so she taught the girl how to properly take care of her animals and crops. Although clumsy at times, the teenager was determined to do a good job and was improving every day, especially with not dropping anymore of the eggs. Also then at night, the two would stay up late until nearly dawn and chat, which was the main reason why she herself felt so drained during the day.
And to top everything off, all she could think about was Gray. She hadn't seen or heard anything from him since their argument outside the Inn, and it was starting to worry her. Did he hate her now? Would he ever talk to her again? These plaguing questions constantly ran through her mind and made her heart and stomach ache.
'I'll head to the Blacksmith Shop first thing in the morning and apologize to him.' She absentmindedly thought, flipping over and letting the sun warm her back now. Never the one to hold a grudge against someone for so long, she usually was the first to make amends anyway. Like her grandmother used to tell her, "Forgiveness is divine, so let bygones be bygones."
Hearing the sudden sound of a dog barking in the distance, she squinted open her eyes and spotted a brown colored puppy running down the beach, chasing after a pink rubber ball that had obviously been thrown. Looking past the pup, she saw Jack and Mary making their way towards a vacant umbrella nearby to sit under. 'The object of Gray's affection…' Her mind cruelly reminded, causing a little pang of hurt to course through her. 'I wonder if he still loves her?' She quickly shook her head. 'Oh, what's it matter anyway if he does or not? It's not like he likes me or anything like that! We're just friends…' She then quietly sighed. 'Great. Now I feel even more depressed than I did before! Way to go, me!'
"Hey guys!" Karen exclaimed as the couple set up their beach blanket and picnic basket awhile. "You two actually found the time for once to take a break from working? Has the world gone mad or what?"
Mary giggled. "Well, my mom and dad wanted to rearrange the book categories in the Library this weekend, so it's closed until Monday morning." She explained while reaching into the basket and then pulled out a container of fresh blueberries to snack on.
"Plus having Marlin around to help with the extra workload, I'm able to finish earlier than usual now!" Jack added, smiling. "He's a really good worker!"
Celia looked away and frowned. 'Somehow I find that very hard to believe.' She mentally objected, remembering how lazy he acted when she worked at his sister's farm. 'He probably just doesn't want Jack to fire him, giving him the excuse to stay in this village longer…' She then realized, feeling annoyed.
"So how's your little farm going, Celia?" Mary suddenly questioned in curiosity.
Startled for a moment, she quickly sat up and faced the Librarian. "Really good actually," She beamed with a smile, unable to hide the pride within her tone. "The crops are doing well and so are my animals. I feel really blessed!" She then glanced down at the other girls' noticeably larger-looking belly. "How's your pregnancy going?" She then politely questioned.
Mary smiled. "Good," She plainly stated. "Although it's getting to be a little tiresome with carrying the extra weight around and eating all the time! But I'm due in the early Fall, so I don't have that much longer to go! I can't wait!"
Smiling down at his wife, Jack planted a quick kiss atop her head. "I'm gonna go play Frisbee with the girls," He replied, motioning over to Ann and Lumina, who were tossing the red disk back and forth to each other while laughing. "Plus were gonna teach Chief here how to catch it, right boy?" He then exclaimed, earning an excited bark from the puppy, who was happily wagging his little tail by the farmer's feet. He then took off in a light jog, with Chief in tow.
An awkward silence fell upon the three woman for a moment. Mary then lightly cleared her throat. "So Celia, I've heard that you and Gray are starting to get really close?" She quietly inquired as she absentmindedly started picking at the fuzz upon her blanket.
Celia's face instantly went aflame from surprise. "W-Who said that?" She stuttered while instantly casting her gaze to the sand in front of her. Meanwhile, Karen just sent the embarrassed farmer a questionable expression before shaking her head and then resumed with lying back down to sunbathe.
"Oh, my mother and her friends gossip a lot…" Mary trailed off, still not meeting anyone's expression and looking slightly uncomfortable as she shifted her sitting position. "S-So, is it true?" She then innocently asked.
"Well, sort of I guess…" She trailed off in embarrassment, unable to take her eyes off from the sand. "It's been awhile since we last talked though." She purposely chose not to explain about their little argument only a few days ago.
"Hmm…" Mary mumbled quietly to herself as she reached into her bag and pulled out a book to read, seeming nonchalant all of a sudden.
Feeling extremely awkward with the conversation, Celia quickly got up from off of her beach towel. "I'm gonna go jump the waves for awhile. I'll see you guys later." She then quickly announced as she started briskly making her way towards the water, not bothering waiting for a response from either girl.
Upon reaching the surf, she realized that the water's temperature felt relatively cool, despite how hot it was outside. 'Well the sooner I get in, the quicker I'll get used it.' She mentally reasoned as she started wading out farther into the water while jumping some of the bigger waves that came tumbling her way. A grin slowly formed upon her face. 'I forgot how much fun this is!' She then mentally remarked, jumping another wave, completely forgetting about the awkward conversation only moments ago.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this…" Gray sourly mumbled, grudgingly following behind Cliff as they made their way towards the beach. Both men were clad in just their swimming trunks. "I just got done working in a hot, stifling workshop and here you are, dragging me down to a hot, sandy beach! I'd rather get a cold shower and then relax in my air-conditioned room!"
Cliff frowned at his stubborn best friend's attitude. "Well, then go in the water if you want to stay cool." He plainly remarked, pointing ahead to the glistening, lapping ocean. "Besides, all you've been doing for the past few days is hanging out in your room! You need some fresh air, man!"
"Whatever." Gray mumbled in annoyance, wiping the sweat from off of his forehead before readjusting his hat.
Spotting Ann in the distance, Cliff turned to face the Blacksmith. "I'm heading over there," He stated, thumbing behind him towards the red head. "You coming?"
Gray shook his head. "I'm grabbing lunch first." He replied as he started heading towards the brightly colored snack shack. "Besides, I don't want to be there whenever you decide to make-out with your new girlfriend!" He then called over his shoulder, smirking in amusement, knowing that his best friend was probably embarrassed and red as hell by now. Cliff had told him the other day that he'd finally found the courage to ask Ann out, so now the two were dating. Even though he didn't really express it, he was really happy for them. They were good for each other. Cliff was a decent guy and Ann was a sweet girl.
Reaching the snack shack, he took a seat at one of the outside bar stools and propped his arms atop the wooden counter. "Hey Kai." He plainly greeted, earning a huge grin from the purple bandana-wearing cook.
"Hey buddy! I haven't seen much of you this Summer! Where've you been?" Kai cheerfully exclaimed as he carefully put away the glass cup he'd been drying off with a dish towel.
"Working…" Gray trailed off in a mumble. "Mind if I order a slice of pizza and some grape soda?"
"Coming right up, my friend!" Kai announced, getting to work on preparing the Blacksmith's order. "So anyway, I was down at the bar the other night and I overheard that you apparently almost got into a fight with that new guy… um, Marvin or something?" He then questioned as he placed the slice of pizza inside the oven to bake.
Gray snorted. "His name's Marlin and yeah, if it weren't for Doug being there, I would've whooped his worthless ass." He stated with an annoyed frown upon his face.
Placing the cup of grape soda down onto the counter, Kai glanced off to the side for a quick moment. "Well, speak of the devil…!" He then quietly informed, grinning mischievously.
Looking over, Gray saw none other than Marlin making his way onto the beach, carrying a tackle box and fishing pole with him. Both of them made eye contact and glared at one another until the slacker farmer walked past the snack shack and headed towards the pier.
Still grinning, Kai's eyes widened in shock. "Wow, you two really have it in for each other, huh?" He questioned as he retrieved the pizza from the oven and then placed it down next to the soda. "What the heck has you two wanting to tear each other's throats out for anyway?"
"The ignorant prick doesn't know when to shut his damn mouth up!" Gray scoffed, taking a bite of his pizza.
"It also wouldn't be because of a certain new lady farmer now could it?" Kai slyly asked in a know-it-all tone with a devilish smirk upon his tanned face. When the Blacksmith's annoyed and questionable expression shot up to him, he chuckled. "Rumors travel fast in a small town like this. You should know that by now!"
Gray looked away as his face started turning slightly pink. "Yeah well, people need to start minding their own business around here for a change!" He grumbled in annoyance.
Kai chuckled. "Well I do know one thing; ignoring the girl you like isn't going to win her over." He stated, then bluntly added, "Yeah, I heard all about that rumor, too."
Gray just shook his head and huffed a sigh, clearly annoyed and somewhat embarrassed.
"Just put your pride aside and go apologize already." The cook urged with a friendly smile. "Besides, she's right over there, all by herself…" He then pointed out towards the ocean.
Turning to look in the direction of where Kai was pointing to, Gray's breath suddenly hitched within his throat upon seeing the bikini-clad brunette out in the water, apparently jumping the waves. He then looked down, feeling the guilt starting to creep back into him, like the day when he childishly stormed away from their argument outside the Inn. He felt ashamed of his attitude that day, especially towards her. 'I have to talk to her.' He mentally decided, taking a quick sip of his soda before laying a few gold pieces down onto the counter.
"Good luck, man!" Kai exclaimed, giving the thumbs-up sign.
"Thanks." Gray replied, smiling somewhat as he slid off the stool and then started making the trek across the beach.
After being knocked down by a surprisingly ginormous wave, Celia resurfaced from the water, all the while spluttering up sea water. 'Think I'll take a break for now…' She mentally stated, trying to ignore the burning sensation of having water up her nose. As she started wading closer to the shore, she spotted a familiar Blacksmith hesitantly approaching. Her heartbeat suddenly sped up and she started feeling nervous as she met him halfway upon the dry sand.
"Hey." He quietly greeted, meeting her eyes for a second before looking away.
She smiled shyly. "Hey." She replied back, taking a deep breath then sighing. "Listen Gray, I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean to get so smart with you and make it seem like I was taking Marlin's side."
Gray shook his head, then met her eyes. "You don't need to apologize for anything. I was the one who got smart with you. I'm really sorry, Celia." He sighed then mumbled, "I acted like a jealous jackass that day."
Celia's face instantly felt aflame. "Y-You were jealous?" She quietly stammered, feeling surprised yet happy inside.
His cheeks started turning red. "Sort of, yeah…" He mumbled in embarrassment, looking away as he pulled his hat lower to cover a little more of his face.
Celia nervously bit her lip, feeling her heart racing even more now. 'Does this mean that he likes me maybe?' She mentally wondered.
He looked up then and smiled shyly. "So… am I forgiven?" He then awkwardly asked, the blush still faint upon his cheeks.
"Hmm, let me think about it…" She playfully replied, crossing her arms over her chest and looking thoughtful for a moment. Feeling suddenly spontaneous, she then quickly reached up and grabbed his blue hat and took off running down the beach. "You're forgiven!" She then shouted over her shoulder, laughing in amusement.
Stunned for a moment, Gray blinked in surprise before taking off after her, all the while grinning. Since he was much faster, it didn't take long to catch up to her. When he did, he quickly grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her over his shoulders, then started heading for the water.
Shrieking in surprise and excitement, Celia started laughing and tried to fruitlessly squirm out of his grasp. "Don't you dare drop me or else…!" She playfully threatened in between giggles, placing his hat backwards upon his head.
"Or else what?" He playfully mocked back before suddenly dumping her into the water.
Quickly scrambling back to the surface, she saw that Gray was starting to turn back for the shore. "Oh no you don't!" She playfully shouted as she suddenly leapt upon his back, causing them to both fall down into the water.
Not too far away in the distance sitting on the dock, Marlin watched the pair with jealous eyes as he clenched his hands in anger. Unable to watch the flirtatious display any longer, he angrily gathered his tackle box and fishing pole and started stomping back towards the Inn, all the while passing the quiet Librarian, who was pretending to read her book, but in fact staring at the playful couple as well with a stony expression upon her face…