Chapter 12

– The Break Up

After finishing my chores early the next morning as usual (being the efficient person I am), I went into the village to see what was happening. There was a romantic air around the town with everyone buzzing after the festival. I'd just gotten to the store when Jess stepped out. She smiled and came up to me.

"Hey, Simone, what did you think of the festival last night?" she asked

"It was…alright." I answered, thinking of the incident.

"From what I saw, it was more than alright." she winked.

"No, you don't understand –"

"When were you going to tell me that you're that serious with him? As your best friend, shouldn't I be the first person to know?"

"But –"

"Is he a good kisser?"

"Yes, but that's not –"

"Has he stayed over yet? How long have you two been going out?"

"No, and last night was our first date, but Jess –"

"Making out on the first date? You slut." she punched me affectionately.

"Jess, listen – "

"Hey, could you do me a favour?"

I sighed and gave up trying to explain. "Sure, what is it?"

"Could you go see what's wrong with Josh? He's been weird ever since last night and he won't talk to me about it."

"What makes you think he'll talk to me?" I asked

She shrugged. "He seems to like you."

I was startled.

"As a friend." She added, her eyes slightly narrowing at my reaction.

"Yes, of course. How else?" I laughed nervously.

"Well, I've gotta go. Tell me what you find out, ok?" and with that, Jess skipped back to her farm.

I stood there watching her disappear around the corner. Great, now Josh is acting weird. I'd forgotten why I was heading to the store in the first place, and so I walked to the blacksmith. Just as I was about to reach for the doorhandle, when the door swung open. Josh stepped out holding a shiny new Hoe. Ha, what coincidence, reminds me of Bec, I thought.

"Hey Josh." I said, faking a friendly voice. I was still annoyed and hurt from yesterday.

"Hey." he grunted back. He tried to push past me. I stopped him.

"You know, we really don't talk as much as we used to." I said, conversationally. I really didn't want to do this, but Jess was depending on me.

"I know." he sounded uninterested.

I persisted. "Why do you think that is?"

"I dunno." he was playing hard ball.

I glared at him.

"Stop glaring at me."

"Well, now you know how I feel." I retorted.

"Yeah, well, you didn't need to be so public yesterday. Most people wait until they're in their own homes."

"You could've told that to Bec."

"That's different."

"How?"

Josh didn't respond.

I couldn't think of anything to say either...That's a lie. There were many things that I was considering to say. Things like "There's nothing between Luke and me, I really like you." and, "Bec's a slut. Take me instead." There were others, but they aren't really appropriate enough to mention. And I doubted they would've been right for that moment.

I sighed. "Sorry for bothering you. Jess just wanted me to see what was wrong."

His expression softened. "I'm sorry too. I should just leave you and Luke alone."

I was stunned. This was the first time he had actually admitted that he was jealous of Luke. Before I could say anything, he said "I'd better go. The horses need brushing."

I watched him leave.

It wasn't until too late that I regained control and thought to yell out to him, correcting his assumptions. Damn. I'd suddenly forgotten again why I was in the town anyway. So, I went back to the farm. There were always books I could read at home.


A few days later, I found Jess waiting for me, sitting on one of the chairs on my porch, which I had put out there the other day when I was bored.

"Morning Jess." I greeted my unexpected visitor

"Hey. Love the new furniture." she replied

"It isn't new. Just some old chairs I found in the basement. Which I discovered yesterday."

"Still, they're nice."

"Hmm." I agreed. "So, I take it you didn't come over just to try out my new chairs."

"But you just said they weren't new." she reminded me

"Um, that's besides the point." I replied

"Ok, you got me." She admitted, putting on a serious tone, "I'm here because after you talked to Josh the other day, he was worse than ever."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, before his was all angsty and distant, kind of like when we were teenagers, but now he's moody, angsty, depressed and distant, exactly like he was when we were teenagers. You've made him regress five years!" she exclaimed.

"Oh." I replied quietly.

"What exactly did you say to him?"

"I said…some stuff." I replied, attempting to dodge the question

"What did you say?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes.

"Look, I can't remember, that was two days ago." I lied. The conversation was still crystal clear in my mind.

Jess shook her head. "Fine, don't tell me. But he'd better shake out of it soon."

"Yeah, I hope so too."

Jess started to leave, but turned back. "Just so you know, he dumped Bec."

I could only watch speechlessly as she left, but on the inside a spark of hope was ignited once more.


Later that day, following Kelly and Tabby's brilliant plan, I went to the beach to find Luke. I hadn't seen him since the festival and as much as I didn't want him to get any ideas, I couldn't just leave him all depressed. Every time I thought about it, I couldn't shake the way he looked when I crushed him.

I found Luke in his café. He was trying to fix the espresso machine.

"Hey Luke."

He turned around. "Oh. You."

"Look, I'm really sorry about what I said the other day."

"You are?" he asked sceptically

"I didn't want to hurt you. I can't stop thinking about how sad you looked." I confessed.

He smiled weakly. "You've been thinking about me, eh?"

"It's not like that." I said quickly

"Right." he didn't believe me.

Oh crap, I've done it again. I've given him hope.

"Don't you worry, Simone, I haven't given up on winning you yet."

"Well, maybe you should."

"And let such a great kisser go? Only a crazy person would do something like that."

Or someone who doesn't want to get hurt. "You think I'm a great kisser?" I asked, surprised

"Sure. Did you want to try again and see?" he winked.

"Ah, I'd better not. The entire town already thinks we're going out."

"Aren't we?"

"We've had one date! And I'm not so sure it even counts as a date." I reminded him

"One date is all I need."

"Did you really achieve so much from one date?"

"You can't stop thinking about me. That's something."

"It's not like that." I tried to correct him

"Then tell me what its like." he became serious for a moment.

I sighed, "It's…hard to explain…Look, I'm sorry that I did what I did."

"I'm not."

"But I can't lie to you." I continued.

"You could try."

"No, I can't. Because then I would be lying to myself too. Luke, I don't feel that way about you. I don't like you like that. I really don't."

"Then, why did you kiss me?" he asked in a small voice.

"I…to make someone jealous." I finally confessed.

"Oh. I see." he looked devastated.

"I'm really sorry I used you, Luke. I didn't think things through. It was a lapse in judgement. I never meant to hurt you." I pleaded. I've never been in a situation like this before. It was difficult.

He couldn't meet my eyes.

"Please believe me. I would never have intentionally hurt you."

He continued to gaze at his shoes.
"I'd still like to be friends." I suggested.

"Friends?" he looked up.

"Sure. You seem like nice guy."

He breathed in deeply. "I think I could manage being just friends."

I sighed in relief. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I mean, I like you, but I'd rather be friends than not be anything to you."

"I'm glad you're ok with that." I sighed in relief.

"And if you want to make this guy a little more jealous, we could do that too."

"What? You mean fake dates and kisses even if it means nothing?" I asked in disbelief.

"I'll take what I can get."

I smiled. Perhaps having a man-slut around could be useful. "I may take you up on that, but don't hold your breath."

"I'm glad that's sorted." he smiled.

"Me too." I hugged him, in the most mutual way I could.

"Who were you trying to make jealous anyway?" he asked after we pulled apart.

"Huh?"

"Who's the lucky bastard that's stolen your heart?"

I hesitated, "Oh, well, I dunno. I haven't told anyone this yet. Not even Jess."

"If I'm going to help you make him jealous, it would be helpful to know who he is." he pointed out.

"Ok, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. And I mean anyone."

"What is this? High School?"

"Shut up. Just promise." I laughed.

"Ok, I promise. Scouts honour."

"You were in the scouts?"

"Long story." he dismissed

"Ok."

"Just tell me."

"Alright. I like……Josh." 'Wow that does sound as lame as in high school'

"Josh?"

"Yeah, what about it?" I became defensive

"Nothing. Just surprised, that's all. You know he just broke up with Bec, right?"

"I know, Jess told me."

"Then it must have worked." he replied

"What did?"

"What we did at the festival."

"You really think that's why they broke up?"

"I'd say I'm pretty confident. I saw it myself."

"You did?"

"Yeah, happened right here."

"Oh! Tell me about it." I said excitedly.

"OK, well, they came in arguing over something. Bec was all like 'you're so annoying! All you ever talk about is the farm, And her! Can't you take an interest in me?' and he was like 'Maybe if you were more interesting I would take an interest'"

"Oh, ouch" I replied, but finding this better than watching a soap opera.

"And then she was said 'If you think I'm so uninteresting, why do don't you just break up with me?' and then Josh said 'Why not indeed!' and she was like, 'Are you breaking up with me?' and he said 'Yes I am. Bec, we're though. Consider yourself dumped.' and she was like, 'What? You can't dump me! No one dumps Rebecca Michaels' and he said, 'Well I just did.' and she shouted, 'No, you can't, because…I'm dumping you.' but by that time, Josh had already left. And I said. 'Maybe you should just leave it before you loose your dignity too.' and then she glared at me and said 'Shut up beach boy! It's your girlfriend who just ruined my relationship!' and I said 'Do you realise how pathetic it is to try and dump the person who already dumped you?' and she gave me the finger and stormed out. You know, come to think of it, Bec is pretty hot when she's pissed off."

"Are you sure that's what happened?" I asked

"Word for word." he confirmed,

"Thanks for telling me Luke. I can't believe they broke up because of me. That's so awesome!" I was overjoyed

"So, you don't feel guilty at all?" he asked

"'course not. Bec's a sleazy, easy bitch. He's way too good for her." I replied

"Simone, I never knew you could be so ruthless!" he said,

"Does it make you regretful that we're not together, or glad?"

"Regretful, definitely." he smiled.

"Thanks for all this, Luke. I really appreciate it."

"No worries. Just don't forget who to go to whenever you feel like causing some trouble," Luke winked.

I laughed. "Sure thing. Anyway, I'd better go. Tabitha will kill me if I don't return my library books."

"Yeah, because homicide is really in her nature." he replied sarcastically


Blegh, chapter 12. I have mixed emotions about it. But it's done. Yay! finally up to date. Remind me to never attempt a re-write of anything like that again. All in all, i don't think it actually achieved much. *sighs* oh well. Bad news now is that the updates will probably take a bit more time, since rather than worrying about me forgetting to update, it'll be a matter of me forgetting to write....but hopefully that won't be much of a problem. The next chapter is already half done. Maybe i can get on a roll and write a whole bunch of chapters in advance. Thats usually works well.

Thanks to the following reviewers: mandapanda84 and kairi6353 (once again, you're all awesome)

Anyways, R&R, and see ya'll next time ;D