Chapter 11

Okay, I'll try to wrap it up now, and the next story I write might be more planned.

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh! OH MY GOSH!

I stare, wide-eyed at the two people in the square. I had run off to the beach after what happened at the farm, and decided that I had acted childish and that I should go back and apologize. It wasn't Gray's fault that he didn't like me. I was a fool, that was my wrongdoing.

But this was a totally different situation. In the square, near the bulletin board where the festivals are posted for the townspeople, there were two people on the ground in each other's arms. But not just any two people… it was Mary… and GRAY!

Was this why Gray didn't like me? Was he dating Mary? Was I already too late? If so, how long have they been going out for? Why didn't he tell me?

Did he love her?

The worst thing was that I was frozen. My blood ran cold and I could not move. Mary was crying, but she was smiling at Gray, and Gray was soothing her in a low voice that I couldn't hear. Their faces were about a foot away from each other and Mary's fragile hands were wrapped around Gray's waist. Neither of them noticed the statue behind them- me. Then in a swift movement, Mary leaned closer and kissed Gray.

I was sprinting again, and I was somewhat aware that I was heading in the general direction of my farm. Everything in sight became blurry and I realised that tears were streaming down my face. I must've looked like such a fool. Why didn't he tell me that he was already in love? In love with someone who wasn't me.

I sucked in ragged breaths, not able to breathe because my heart was pounding painfully. My chest felt tight and I couldn't think. I ran through my farm and heard Vaughn call out after me, concerned, but I didn't stop until I reached Mother's Hill.

There, breathing heavily, I was able to think a bit more clearly and cry out loud because no-one would be around to hear me. I dropped to the ground and clutched my chest. It was too painful, I didn't like this feeling. But Gray was kissing Mary. I didn't want to know that. I didn't need to see them like that. I wish I had known that Gray was dating Mary.

I finally calmed down enough to reduce my volume to a sob and drew my knees up to my chin. I heard the crunch of gravel under shoes and knew that someone was behind me.

"Go away, please…" I whispered.

The person didn't listen to me, but instead walked right up to me and hugged me from behind.

"Claire…" it was Gray's voice. "Why are you crying?"

My heart thudded unsteadily. "G-Gray? Why are you here?" And why are we in this awkward position? "Let me go."

"Not until you tell me why you're crying."

"Why does it matter to you?" I asked, angry at him for not informing me.

With a resigned sigh, I felt his arms slip away from me.

"I don't know," he didn't look at me as he said this. "But I hate it. I don't like not knowing why you cry. I don't like it when you don't talk to me. I hate it when I make you cry, Claire."

Gray was blushing a little, and I thought about how hard this must be for him.

"… Why?" I couldn't help asking.

"Because I love you!" he shouted, irritated.

Before I had time to react, he realised what he had just said, covered his mouth with his sleeve and ran off. I was still frozen.

What?