EDIT: Thank you for telling me about the repeated paragraph. I was up till two writing this and I guess I didn't double check much sorry. Oh god, oh man… are you guys angry? I hope not! I really don't know why I haven't been updating, but I'm back in the flow. I think it's cause I've started working now and I'm working on procrastinated summer hw and that game I've been talking about. Well anyway I hope you enjoy this new chapter and I assure you it's going to start being more recent like before! Sorry if it's a little short for you! Hope it's good… and sorry no Gill :'(

It had been a week and half since Chase's house had burnt down. His housed construction was starting. Even though he told her that he didn't want her too, Akari had decided to help him pay for the repairs. It was a heavy bill, totaling out to 1,200,000 G and even that was a mark down. Luke hadn't told her the real price. When he heard she was going to help pay, he apparently convinced his dad to lower the price. It was going to be difficult to pay off, but Akari was in a good part of her life. She finally managed to balance out all the people in her life. Chase, Luke and Gill all still didn't seem to like each other, but they weren't at least hating her right now. Luke and Chase especially didn't like each other. Gill had apparently always not liked them, so that was fine, but with Luke coming over daily and Chase currently living with her, they were always clashing heads. There was strong attitude there, and Akari didn't like it from either one of them. They were like teenage girls, but Bo had told her that they used to relatively get along. Maybe not friends, but polite acquaintances. So what the heck? Well, Chase was sarcastic, rude and a pessimist, while Luke was naive, happy and quite the optimist, so maybe these super different personalities clashing every day could just never happen.

Chase though was on Akari's farm team and she knew that eventually those two would have to get along. Chase was surprisingly a hard worker, probably springing from his guilt of imposing on her, but Akari didn't mind him living with her... almost. Akari wondered if her living with Chase was like a new married couple starting their life together, minus all the love and junk. It was great at first, as living with a close friend could be, but it was deteriorating. Their constant banter was at an all time high and they were always sarcastically getting on each others nerves. Chase was also an OCD maniac about cleaning. She remembered how organized and clean his house had been and he almost looked disgusted when he'd stayed over the first night, but he had almost successfully hidden his face. Every time she even thought about leaving something on a table or throwing some socks on the floor Chase goes all cross. Especially if she gets the kitchen even slightly dirty he gets so annoyed. It's like she was living with her mom all over again. She need air, fresh air.

"I need a girl-friend..." Akari sighed, resting her heavy head on her hand. Luke's eyes shot up from the crops and his eyes went large.

"Wh-wha?"

"You boys really suck. I need a girl," Akari stood up from the porch step, swiveling a water bottle with her wrist. She took a long gulp and let out a refreshed sigh, "Any girl really."

"But wha-" Luke dropped his watering pale and walked closer to her. Akari glanced at him and saw a strange expression covering his face. She didn't really understand it and set her bottle down. She walked towards Luke, meeting him halfway. Luke froze.

"Will you help me?" Akari smiled fondly at him. Luke's left foot stepped backwards as if to balance himself.

"To find'ya a girlfriend?!" Luke stared at her for a bit, with his eyes large and surprised. Akari tilted her head in confusion? Did Luke not want her to have a friend? Was he feeling left behind? Akari smiled, that was adorable.

"I'll still hang out with you even after we find whoever it is... but I'm lonely you know?"

Luke let go a rare, large frown. His eyebrows closed together and he looked utterly miserable. Akari didn't know he thought this much about it. "Really Luke. Really!"

"Ah," Luke breathed, his eyes looking as if they searched for something on the ground. Akari followed his gaze until he was looking at her once again. "I guess ya' can do whatever ya' like," Luke kicked the ground, "but I dunno if I wanna' help..."

Luke turned his back to her, his whole demeanor shrinking, he picked up his pale. "I'll get this all done, so you can go and find'a... a girlfriend." Luke poked a nearby eggplant. Akari could see his profile, he was pouting. Akari almost wanted to pet him on his head like some little puppy or something. She sauntered over to him and kneeled down as well. Luke flinched but remained in position. Akari put a strong hand over his shoulder and grinned.

"Come on, let's go! I'll finish this stupid farming later."

Akari grabbed his hand and stood up, helping him up as well, "You ready?"

Luke grabbed away his hand, looking almost frightened, but not at her. It was more of an inward kind of thing.

"I feel weird 'Kari. I think'a should go home..."

Akari felt worried at what was happening; Luke was acting so withdrawn. What was happening?

"Luke… What's wrong?"

Luke stopped moving and looked back towards her. He didn't want to tell her, in fact he didn't want to tell himself either, not that he understood it. It wasn't supposed to bother him this much. Akari wanted a girlfriend, he means, he didn't know Akari swung that way but they lived in a free country so… What was he hoping for if she had been straight anyway? Akari was still his best friend but his stomach felt hot and for some reason he felt cheated.

"I just'a… I dunno. I just wished ya would'a told me sooner. We're best friends right?"

"What?"

Luke panicked, he hoped he didn't offend her, "No I'm totally for it, and in fact it's awesome!" Luke offered a large smile and this seemed to perk her up as well. The smile was fake nonetheless, a front he made for her. He still felt cheated, and felt the green of jealousy as well. "Let's a… Let's go find you a girlfriend?"

Akari was glad Luke had gotten over his little escapade. He may feel a little neglected but Akari need a girl to be her friend for once! She was sick of always boys, boys, boys! Sure she naturally got along better with them, and while that may have made trouble in her past, she had fun, but now she needed a girl best friend as well!

"Okay, so I've been thinking about this for a while," Akari laughed and blushed a little, it was embarrassing to admit she'd been dreaming about making best friends, but Luke only frowned again at the redness on her cheeks. "I think I'd want either Renee or Kathy!"

Akari saw Luke stiffen, but he let out a half-hearted laugh.

"You really don't have to come if it bothers you that much…"

Luke scratched his head and laughed weakly once more, "Nah! Nah! I'm totally good!"

"Well… okay."

Akari took the pale from Luke's hand and chucked it to the side, letting the water spill from its insides. "So I think Renee's nice 'cause she's smart," Akari opened the barn doors and the animals poured out. She shouted over the mooing of the cows, "And she's nice! And pretty!"

Akari skipped over to the chicken coop and opened the doors as well, "And Kathy's cool ya' know? She's got this aura of being really fun!" Akari ran back to Luke. "Does this sound stupid?"

"O-Of course not!" Luke immediately sputtered out. He felt so lazy, he just wanted to sit down and sleep. He was lacking his energy it seemed.

"Okay, good! Good… um… let's go?"

Luke nodded his head twice and Akari laughed again. "You have to help me out though 'cause I'll get nervous! I'm always nervous talking to girls for some weird reason!"Luke nodded again, but slower this time. He wanted to run home and get some of his pop's anti-heartburn medicine… he could use it. Maybe what his pop had was genetic or something?

Luke nodded again, but slower this time. He wanted to run home and get some of his pop's anti-heartburn medicine… he could really use it. Maybe what his pop had was genetic or something?

"Hey guys."

Akari felt a hand on her head and whipped around to see a tall orange haired man. Akari dislodged his hand and pushed it away hurriedly, "Ya' want to mess my hair up or something!?"

Luke hadn't even seen the guy approaching from behind Akari. Luke's frown deepened. Akari looked upset, but her eyes were still smiling, he could tell. She was happy to see him.

"What are you guys up too?" Chase questioned, ignoring Akari's question.

"I'm helping her get a…" Luke trailed off of his sentence.

"I'm finally gonna get a girl-friend. You boys suck," Akari crossed her arms and looked away, almost like a child. Chase gave away a small smile. Luke was surprised. Was Chase not surprised by this at all?! So Akari had told Chase but not him. Luke copied Akari's crossed arm.

"Akari it's fine that your unpopular, but maybe someone will take pity on you; I mean… that's why I'm friends with you," Chase laughed to himself and began to head inside Akari's house. Luke didn't really like it that Chase lived with Akari. He'd been working hard on Chase's house lately, unbeknown to him to get him back in his own home.

"I was the one who took pity idiot! Who's living in who's home again?!" Akari retorted but by this time Chase was already in the door. Akari hoped he heard her witty retort and so, as of right now, she was winning their banter war.

Akari turned back to Luke, "So let's get going?"

Luke nodded and so they started off towards the Horn Ranch. She was a step ahead of him and she was almost skipping. Their walk was silent, save for Akari's loud humming of "Country Home." Luke didn't really feel like talking and decided to play a game to himself which involved him keeping pace with the rhythm of Akari's song.

When they arrived at the ranch shop, Akari halted at the door. She was sure that Hannah or Renee or whoever was running the counter had seen her at the window and so she knew she couldn't stall much longer. Luke came up behind her and she looked back at him, her face uneasy.

Akari's face was red and she looked like she was about to break a sweat any second. Was she really this nervous? Her face made him feel all fluttery and light all over. He didn't want this. She should just go and do whatever with Renee…

"Should I really go in?" Akari whispered, her voice barely loud enough to be audible.

"Yah, yer awesome. She'll totally like'ya."

Luke gave her a large smile and a heavy pat (push) on her back, "Time'ta go!"

Akari faced front once again and opened the door. Hannah was behind the counter, but Renee was organizing some of the stock on the left. Akari quickly took in her surroundings as if she was on some kind of mission.

"H-hey Hannah! Hey Renee!"

Renee had already turned around from her stocking and smiled softly at Akari, bowing a bit, "Hello Akari. It's been some time." She turned to Luke as well, "Nice to see you as well." Luke responded graciously, even against his inner will.

"Oh! Akari, Luke, how'ya doin? What can I get'ya?"

"Uh," Akari almost ran straight up to the counter, "I think I'll look around."

"Oh, alrighty! Just ring or go and bother Renee when ya need help Honey."

"Thanks."

Hannah turned and went into the back and Akari turned back to Luke, she cupped her hand around her mouth. "What now!?" she whispered. Luke laughed inwardly and smiled large. He automatically ruffled her hair. He didn't like it when Chase did it, but he could understand why he did so.

"Ya' need conversation."

Akari nodded and turned around, pretending to casually look around near Renee. Luke decided to leave them alone and went to the opposite side of the store. He glanced back toward them and heard small mumblings. Akari had managed to strike up a conversation. He knew she could do it; she was a really charismatic person after all. He knew maybe he should stay but he really didn't want to stay.

"I'mma… I'm gonna go 'Kari."

Akari turned around quickly, and waved, "Bye!"

She went back to Renee and Akari said something else and the two laughed. Luke felt sad. He wanted to replace Renee. He knew it shouldn't be like this, but he felt like he could start to dislike Renee for the first time in his life. He walked quickly out of the shop and before he knew it he was running back to Akari's farm. He had to finish the farm, he… yeah that was why he was running.

Chase was on the front steps eating a slice of pie. He ignored the man and went on to pick up the tossed aside pale. He went to the well and filled it up, he still had to finish watering the plants, but for some reason he didn't want to do. He didn't feel like helping out on the farm. He wanted to go chop down trees.

He could feel Chase watching him as he crouched down in the middle of the field. He put his head down and ignored him further, but Chase spoke up.

"You really shouldn't take a shit in the field. I mean, yeah fertilizer and all, but I think the cows got that covered. Humans eat a lot of garbage."

Luke stayed down.

"Hey Luke, what the heck is wrong with you?"

Luke thought it was strange for Chase to ask what was wrong with him. Chase of all people. He thought Chase and Luke internally and mutually agreed they didn't like each other?

"Luke, if you keep acting like this you're gonna bring Akari down too."

Unable to ignore the stupid peach haired guy, Luke stood up and stared at Chase. He had already stood up and walked over to him.

"Are ya really okay with this too?" Luke's fists tightened and he looked down. He was just now realizing how upset and angry he felt.

"With what?"

"Don't be stupid!" Luke frowned, "Akari's gonna get a girlfriend!"

Chase shot him an incredulous look, "So what? She needs to make a friend of her own gender. She hangs out with dudes way too often anyway." Chase looked at him on that lost part, but Luke mouth hung open a little.

"Wait… a… a friend?"

"Yeah. What the heck? What else could she mean with girl-frie-," Chase's eye went wide and his face cracked into a large smile, "W-wait! Don't tell me! Y-you… Oh my god!"

Chase's head fell as he erupted in laughter. He put his hands on his knees to support his body as it trembled from laughter. "Is that why!? Why you've been all pissy!? This is the best thing ever!" Chase stood up again but he threw his head back and laughed again, his hand on his forehead. Luke still couldn't believe he had been so stupid… he had just never heard girlfriend used like that. Everyone here usually used "gal-friend." It wasn't his fault! But even so he felt a smile light up on his face and it felt like a hundred pounds were brought of his chest. He felt so excited he wanted to even hug this jerk, but he was also super embarrassed.

"I-I'm going home!" Luke smiled. He threw away the pale, almost hitting Chase. Chase dodged it and watched as the giddy boy ran in the direction of his house. Chase was still laughing slightly when he saw Akari over the hill. He waved at her and began to walk in her direction.

"Chase! Did Luke come this way!? I let him leave but when he did he looked super unhappy. He had been all day!" Akari looked sad, "I should have talked to him more."

Chase waved his hand, "Don't worry about that idiot. We solved his problem."

Akari eyes went bright, "What was it?"

"When you said girl-friend, he thought you meant like lovers or something stupid."

Akari held down a laugh, "Oh my god… really?"

"I couldn't stop laughing either. In fact I kinda want to laugh all over again."

"Even so, why was he so upset by something like that?"

"Who knows what's in that idiots brain."

Chase escorted Akari inside their house, and Akari's head flew everywhere. Chase served her a piece of pie and left, leaving Akari to her thoughts.

She had become friends with Renee and they were supposed to meet up tonight, but why had Luke been so disturbed by the possibility of Akari liking liking Renee. He couldn't… no. No way, it's Luke… that kind of thing is impossible.

Right?

Tah-Dah! Luke is an idiot sometimes, but he's just not caught up with the times! Anyway, I'm already working on the next chapter so stay tuned and I've missed you guys and thank you for staying loyal!

~Foxliax