Chapter 10: Break

As fall continued, the leaves on the tress started changing colors. It was that time where all the trees were various shades of red, orange, and yellow, and they had yet to lose their leaves. It was always so beautiful. I loved this time of year.

Late one afternoon, I had finished my work early, thanks to the help of some sprites. Together, we went back to the Sprite Tree. I sat down by the edge of the Goddess Pond and the little sprites followed.

"The sunset makes all the colors on the leaves seem a bit brighter, don't you think?" I asked. The sprites all bobbed their heads in agreement, chattering about which colors were their favorites. It made me smile.

"Jill?" one sprite asked, tiny hands tugging at the end of my shirt.

"Hm?" I answered dreamily, my mind lost in the autumn splendor.

"When will the Harvest Goddess return?" the sprite asked. All the other sprites nodded, wanting to know the answer. "We miss her."

Their eyes looked up at me expectantly. I couldn't bear to disappoint them. "I… I don't know, guys," I replied honestly. "But I'm not giving up just yet! And neither should you!"

"Yeah, you're right, Jill!" the sprites cheered.

"I'm trying my hardest, really I am. I've been working every single day; even festivals! But it's not enough, and I just don't understand it!" I cried out. The sprites looked at me sympathetically. "But I'm going to keep trying anyways!" I said, determined.

"Keep trying what, exactly?" came a deeper voice, obviously not a sprite. Squealing, the sprites glittered and disappeared.

I stood up quickly, turning around to face the intruder. "Skye," I said quietly.

"Good evening, my fair Jill," he smiled, "What brings you here tonight?"

"Just admiring the beauty of the Goddess Pond, that's all," I said quickly. In an attempt to avoid giving away the Harvest Sprites, I asked, "Why are you here?"

"I come here every night, same as you, to admire the pond's beauty," Skye replied casually. He stepped closer to me. "It seems I got lucky tonight. I may admire your beauty as well."

Harden my heart…

I stepped away from him, wandering in the direction of the Sprite Tree.

"So who were you talking to earlier?" Skye questioned, suddenly beside me. How does he do that?

"No one!" I answered, a little too quickly. He eyed me suspiciously. "I was just talking out loud."

He sighed, looking at me with something that looked like concern. "You really do work too hard, Jill. A girl as beautiful as you should have a man taking care of her," Skye said, reaching up to stroke my cheek. My face burned at his touch.

Harden my heart…

I pulled away from him. A slight frown appeared on his face as he slowly dropped his arm. "I can handle myself. I have for most of my life," I said pointedly.

"I see," Skye muttered. I walked back to the pond and sat down by the edge. Skye followed and sat down beside me, a little closer than I felt comfortable with.

Harden my heart…

"Do you believe that the Harvest Goddess actually lives here?" I blurted out. Blushing, I covered my mouth. "I'm sorry, that was stupid." I quickly averted my gaze back to the pond.

Skye chuckled. "No, I thought it was cute. And I've never really thought about it. It's possible I guess. But I have to believe in magic, now don't I?" He winked. I laughed before I could stop myself. Skye smiled at my response. "But you know, Jill, if the Harvest Goddess did exist, she would never show up around you."

"What? Why?!" I asked, worried. He smiled again.

"Because you are far more beautiful than any goddess, Jill, and she knows it," Skye said softly.

Harden my heart…

"I-I should go," I said, jumping up.

"Jill, wait!" Skye said, standing up in front of me. I stood with my back to the Goddess Pond, Skye blocking my way out. "I'm sorry. I just don't know how to act around you. You're so different, but… but I think I like it."

Harden my heart…

"Jill, I," Skye began, stepping closer to me. I instinctively stepped back, but it was a mistake. There was no ground beneath my foot, and I fell backwards into the pond. "Jill!" Skye shouted, trying to catch me, but I was just out of his reach. My back slammed into the water, forcing the air out of my lungs. While the fall air had been comfortably cool, the pond water was freezing. I gasped in panic, getting more water than air, and fell deeper into the water. My chest throbbed, my throat burned, and I struggled to resurface.

A dull splash registered in my ears, but I was a little distracted by the drowning thing. I was about to give up when I felt something wrap around me, pulling me up. I felt my body leaving the frigid water and returning to the fall air. Grass brushed my wet skin and a frantic voice called my name.

I finally started coughing, forcing out the misplaced water. I rolled onto my side and curled up in pain. Skye's hands were stroking my back, and he was speaking to me softly, calming me down. I coughed a few more times before I could breathe somewhat normally again. I struggled to sit up, and Skye's arms were there instantly, helping me.

"Why are you always falling around me?" Skye murmured, propping me up on his shoulder. I looked up at him and my words caught in my throat. Water dripped off the ends of his silver hair. He had shed his leopard-print jacket. The black shirt underneath revealed his toned arms and clung to his chest, accenting his lean muscles.

"Uh…" was my intelligent response.

Harden my heart…

"Are you okay, Jill?" Skye asked, eyes searching my face for any signs of pain.

"Fine," I replied weakly. I tried to stand up, and Skye immediately helped me to my feet. He kept his hands around my forearms, looking at me carefully. I shivered, half from the cold water sinking into my skin, half from his gaze.

"Here, Jill," Skye said, reaching down for his jacket, "Wear this."

"But," I began.

"Wear it. A gentleman would never let his lady freeze," he insisted. I pulled it on and Skye smiled. "It looks good on you." He reached out and held my cheek with his hand.

"Harden my heart…"

Skye looked at me quizzically. "What did you say?"

I hadn't realized I had spoken out loud. "Oh, uh, it… it was my mantra," I explained awkwardly.

"Harden my heart?" Skye repeated, confused, "What for?"

I hesitated. Sighing, I said, "For you. So I don't… I don't know. I just repeat it in my head when I'm around you."

Skye smiled knowingly. "I see." He slid his hand along my face until he reached my chin. Tilting it upward, he held my gaze with shining eyes. "Well then, my lovely Jill, it seems like I only have one option. I guess I'll just have to break your heart of stone." His eyes were shining with pure amusement.

My heart pounded in my chest. I could feel the blush burning my cheeks, my eyes wide with an emotion I couldn't name. Skye's hand was still clutching my chin, keeping me closer to him than I could handle. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, and I saw his other hand reaching up towards me.

I turned away from him, pushing his hand back. His eyebrows furrowed, and he frowned, clearly disappointed by my response. "I'd like to see you try," I said, narrowing my eyes. Skye's face lightened a little at my response. He chuckled, swiping his silver hair out of his eyes. Just that motion made my knees weak, but I held my ground, keeping my face straight.

"So it's a race then?" Skye asked, smiling seductively at me. I looked at him, confused. "A race," he continued, "To see whether you will catch me, or I will steal your heart first."

I nodded, a smile spreading on my face. I brushed past Skye, filled with renewed determination. I would catch him. I heard Skye's soft footsteps trailing close behind me as I walked home, but I never turned around.

"Keep the jacket," Skye said, whispering in my ear as I stopped at my house. His warm breath made my skin tingle. "I'll come get it when I need it." I opened my door and slipped inside, quickly closing it behind me. Pulling out my ponytail with a sigh, I took off Skye's jacket. I collapsed onto my bed, completely worn out; I fell asleep almost instantly.

* * *

Later that night I woke up, and the scent of Skye filled my nose. My eyes fluttered, and I mumbled sleepily. "Go back to sleep, Jill," a voice cooed. Skye's hand stroked my face gently, and I relaxed at his touch. "Thanks for my jacket. Goodnight, beautiful."

His hand disappeared, and I sat up in shock, scanning my house for the elusive thief. My door clicked shut and I scowled. How had he gotten in? I got up and relocked my door, sighing as I realized that it would do little against him. I flopped back onto my bed. This is going to be harder than I thought…