Chapter Eleven

It was autumn 3rd, the music festival. Mary was nervous as she paced around the library, wringing her hands. She plays the organ every year and every year she worries about making mistakes. She especially thought she'd mess up this year because her thoughts keep referring back to her new blacksmith boyfriend.

The day flew by and before she knew it, Mary was standing outside the church, watching as Gray walked up the road with his grandpa happily waving at her. She smiled and waved nervously back.

When she told him about her nervousness, he just laughed and said she'd be fine, she always does fine, and why would it be any different this year? Mary sighed. Perhaps he was right.

The two pushed the church doors open, revealing half the town waiting around. All the girls who were playing instruments sat up front. Mary left Gray to join them.

Mary sat down next to Elli who was giggling away with Ann. Mary sat alone, feeling excluded until Karen plopped down next to her and gave her a friendly smile.

"Hey, Mary! I haven't seen you around lately. Spending time at the library?"

Mary nodded, looking at Karen. She and Karen were sort of friends, speaking to each other now and then. Mary was just glad she had someone to sit next to. The two struck up conversation, talking about this and that.

The church doors burst open and a blonde head appeared. "I'm sorry I'm late, but we can begin now!" Claire burst out.

Carter nodded and motioned for the girls to take their places. Mary was so grateful to have her back to the audience. She pulled her hair back in a simple ponytail before sitting at the old bench with her fingers placed on the keys. Carter went to sit down with the townspeople, who all had made it to the church on time.

Claire was holding the ocarina, playing decently, Elli and Ann were doing nicely on their flutes, and Karen's voice sang out clear and beautiful over the people. Everything was going fine.

When the song came to a close and Mary played the last few notes, the townspeople erupted into applause. Mary blushed and kept her back turned till she felt a tug on her sleeve and was forced to turn around and curtsey.

Gray was walking Mary home when Claire popped in front of them, as if from nowhere. "Hi there!"

She glanced down at the couples' hands, which were intertwined. Mary's face was red.

"Uh, well. Do you mind if I walk with you?" Claire smiled, but her eyes were hard.

Gray looked at her as if she was crazy. "Why?"

"You know what? I'll walk Mary home. You just run along now, Gray." Claire flashed a smile at him, ignoring his question.

The two didn't want to be rude, so Gray pecked Mary on the cheek before turning down the road to walk with his grandpa.

The sun had set, and it was late. Mary's watch told her it was eleven.

"Mary. I noticed you and Gray…?"

Mary nodded. "Yesterday we… we became a couple."

"I see." There was a pause as the girls began to walk.

"Are you jealous?" Mary asked.

Claire glared up at her in surprise. "Jealous of you? No, no. I just thought Gray liked me, you know. I was going to ask him out and all… but you sort of… took him from me. I'm sorry, this is kind of rude. Gray was going to be my boyfriend, I'm sure he liked me, and I adore him. I just…" She babbled.

"Gray asked me out. If he still liked you he wouldn't do that."

"Yeah, but he was so into me, you know? He just thought I'd never date him. So he went for second best, you."

Mary stared at her in horror. "W-what?"

"That's right. Gray only went out with you because he thought I didn't like him. Well, I'm going to tell him sometime and he's going to break up with you. I'm doing it tomorrow afternoon. I'm really sorry, Mary. Gray just never really liked you as much as he liked me. You want him to be happy, right?" Claire was pretty proud of herself, lying so easily. Mary sure believed her.

"B-but Gray would never do something like that! He'd ask you out if he liked you! He's happy now… It's only been a day we've been going out…"

Claire laughed. "Sorry, Mary. I'll see you later." She skipped off merrily.

One day of having a boyfriend and already there was drama.