THANKS ARE AT THE END!
READ THIS!: Your thanks are gonna be at the bottom due to this message! PLEASE READ! So, guys, I'm trying to start this new updating system for my stories. It'll be a weekly update and I want the schedule to go something like...:
Monday: Dodging Bullets update
Wednesday: Design! Fight! Love? update
Friday: Anything You Can Do... update
Sunday: Sing From the Heart update (the long awaited story that Midnight and I forgot to continue ^^'').
For those of you who read these stories as well as this one, please let me know when I've missed an update day! I'll let you know how after this chapter is done. So read what's posted after the thanks as well!
I'm not as proud as this chapter, so I'll leave it to your concrit to tell me where I went wrong. (Honestly, I think this chapter went too fast, but I had no clue on how else to slow it down ^^').
~~~Molly's POV~~~
5 PM
"You forgot to pick it up..." Angela deadpanned toward Winry (A.K.A Witch) and Kasey.
Winry crossed her arms and tapped her foot angrily as Kasey gave a smile and rubbed the back of his head, trying to think of how to apologize to Winry no doubt.
"Kasey, I told you last night to go pick up the folder..." Winry said, gritting her teeth.
Chase, Jin, Anissa, and I sat on the couch in the lobby of my hotel, watching the argument unfold. Maya had wandered off, muttering something about snacks and Yolanda went to go double-check her luggage.
"I...guess I fell asleep..." Kasey could only mutter.
Winry halted in her movements as everyone awaited her reaction. Though she was still, you could see the red rise in her face like a volcano getting ready to explode.
"3." Chase muttered.
"2." Jin said with a smile.
"1." Angela sighed.
"YOU BUMBLING FOOL!" Winry shouted, causing our whole group to catch attention from others in the vicinity.
"I tell you to do one simple thing and you can't even do it do you even understand what I'm saying to you half the time or do you just hear my voice going 'blah blah blah blah blah' and don't even get me started on how you act I should turn you into a-" Winry ranted without even stopping for a breath. It was one thing after another, there were no periods, exclamation marks...nothing.
On top of that, she started hitting Kasey in his arms and shoulders without any hesitation. Was she really so furious about a little wedding folder...for a wedding she didn't even want to have?
Kasey just stared at her the whole time with a calm expression.
"Oh...this is going to turn out bad..." I whispered.
But, Kasey didn't even seem to mind.
"-Especially when we're so pressed for time since the boat is-" Winry kept on. At this sentence, Kasey reached out and grabbed one of Winry's hands and gave a sigh.
"I'll go get the folder. You guys go on ahead to the the docks. I'll meet you there." He said, dropped her hand, and left out the door for the Wedding Parlor.
Everyone watched in amazement as he left.
"...Uh..." Was Angela's only reaction.
I watched Winry look toward the exit. She looked very concerned with Kasey's reaction.
"The taxis are here! Are you young folk ready to go?" Yolanda announced as she approached us from the elevator. Maya was right behind her with a basket full of what seemed to be cookies and cakes.
"Yes ma'am." Chase answered for us.
"Alright then, let's go!" Yolanda said.
We grabbed our respective bags and started for the exit of the lobby.
I was almost lost in thought when I suddenly heard someone struggling behind me. I turned to see Maya having difficulties with carrying her luggage and the basket at the same time. I stopped and turned to walk back toward her.
"Did you need help...?" I asked quietly, not sure how she would react to me at this given time.
She looked up at me in surprise.
"M-Molly? Uh, it's okay, I got it." Maya said in surprise.
"Are you sure? You seem to be having a little problem." I pushed.
"I can-"
"Ladies, please, don't fight. I'll handle the luggage." Someone said and plucked mine and Maya's bags from our hands.
Maya and I looked beside us to see Kevin giving a big grin.
"I said I could-"
Kevin wagged a finger at Maya before she could finish her sentence.
"Don't argue. Just appreciate." He said.
Maya crossed her arms, but the impending smirk on her face told me she wasn't bothered by it.
"Fine, I definitely don't care." She said and we started for the exit again. Kevin and Maya seemed to have talked before, as they started to talk about a subject they didn't get to finish in their previous conversation. I smiled as they seemed really immersed in their talk.
When we approached the taxis, Kevin handed my bag to Chase to put in the trunk and helped the guys put the luggage in the other trunks as well.
"We all set?" Angela called from our cab.
"I believe so." Jin answered.
Yolanda, Maya, and Chase were in one taxi. Jin and Anissa in another. Leaving Winry, Angela, and I in the third.
As we started the trip to the docks, I could see the many cars and taxis gathering at the hotel that was booked for the reunion. All my former classmates were filing out of the hotel, getting ready to make their way home.
"Why does this trip feel like it lasted a life time?" I muttered at the window, causing the glass to fog up.
"Maybe because we've all been through a lot." Angela answered.
"Maybe..." Winry answered in an uncharacteristically depressed manner.
Angela and I exchanged surprised looks as Winry gave a sigh, staring out the window in thought.
"Are you okay?" Angela asked.
Winry crossed her arms over her stomach and leaned back in her seat.
"I hate to say it...but I think I feel bad for how I acted toward the fool." She said.
"You were pretty harsh on him." I chimed and she gave a huff.
"Well, it's not my fault that he is the way he is!" She grumbled.
"Technically-"
"All because my spell made him doesn't mean anything." Winry hissed. I noticed the taxi driver was looking through the rear mirror at us, his expression more than flabbergasted.
"WHAT!" Winry spat and he put his eyes back on the road as quickly as he could.
"No need to frighten others." Angela poked fun at the witch and Winry only gave an angry pout.
"You don't think he's mad...do you?" She asked.
. . .
The silence was causing Winry's cheeks to redden.
. . .
Angela's cheeks puffed out in a humorous way and I had to slap a hand over my mouth to stifle my giggles.
"HOW DARE YOU LAUGH!" Winry shouted and Angela and I burst out into a loud fit of laughter.
It seemed that Winry was developing a sense of concern for Kasey.
XXX
When we got to the docks, Winry immediately got out to try and spot Kasey. The ride took at least an hour since traffic was horribly backed up, probably due to everyone at the reunion trying to leave all at once. So, it was plausible to think that Kasey was here before us.
"That was a very unpleasant ride." Anissa sighed as she made her way over to us.
"Yeah, I didn't think that it'd take so long for us to get here." I said in surprise.
"I think we made it just in the nick of time!" Yolanda called to us as she supervised Chase unloading some luggage.
"Where is that idiot..." Winry muttered.
"Ship to Castanet leaving in 2 minutes!" Pascal's distinct voice called over a loud speaker.
Jin, Chase, and Anissa hurried to get the luggage out; I helped by bringing up on the ships deck. It wouldn't be a problem if Pascal was on deck and could see us loading on; he surely would hold the boat for us. The problem was that Pascal was obviously getting things ready himself, and would pull off in exactly 2 minutes since he had no clue we were boarding. Which is why we were rushing.
"Everyone on?" Yolanda called as she carried her smallest bag aboard with her.
Angela looked down at the docks and saw Winry still looking around.
"Winry!" She called down. Winry looked up with a little bit of panic.
"Where is he?" She shouted to us.
"Ship to Castanet leaving in 1 minute!" Pascal's voice boomed once again.
Angela looked at me and I tried searching the crowds for signs of the familiar locks of hair that stuck up on Kasey's head.
"What's wrong?"
To my right was a very inquisitive looking Chase, followed by Jin.
"I don't think Kasey made it." I said and looked back at the entrance of the docks.
Chase and Jin did the same, though they didn't seem as worried as I was.
Chase and Jin both gave different expressions at the same time. Chase seemed annoyed, Jin just smirked.
"Isn't that him?" Chase said with an impatient tone. His face telling me he wasn't amused in the least.
I followed his line of vision and saw, through the thick of the throng, Kasey leaning up against the side of a little snack bar, a white binder tucked neatly underneath his arm. His eyes watching Winry with humor as her eyes swept the entrance for him.
"That's not very nice of him." I said and Jin laughed.
"I think he's waiting for something in particular." Jin responded.
"Kasey!" Winry called and I could literally see Kasey's eyes light up with child-like delight.
"And that was it." Chase said, rolling his eyes at Kasey's tactics.
Kasey made his way toward Winry and I could see them exchange a few words before Winry raised her fist to hit him again. She was about halfway to his face when she stopped and gave a little stomp of her foot. Without even looking to see if Kasey was following her she turned and hurried up the ship's ramp. Kasey's face was adorned with a smile that showed he was happy and he seemed to hop his way up the ramp, just before the boat was ready to sail off.
"Well, I think this trip has had some very impressive success for some." Jin said as Kasey approached us.
"She pissed?" Jin asked.
"Oh, yeah. She's pissed." Kasey said with a smile as he and Jin exchanged high-fives.
"Since when is making a girl mad something worthy of a high-five?" Angela asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Science shows that the angrier a woman is because of little things, the higher the success of angry-"
Chase's eyes went wide and he immediately slapped his hands over my ears. As he talked I could feel the vibration of his strong voice just from his hands.
. . .
He's really warm.
At that moment, Anissa came and dragged Jin off, her face looking red with embarrassment meaning that Jin had said something out of line again. Kasey was amused as he watched Jin being chastised, but then Winry came running up behind him causing him to speed off. Angela, with a laugh, followed them, Wizard's cloak blowing in the chill of the wind as she ran.
Chase lowered his hands from my ears then, watching as our group had disappeared as fast as they came. I watched as the sea breeze blew his wavy locks around, making him seem like a deity, all in his own way. Though maybe that was just how I saw him. I missed the warm touch of his hands, and, without thinking, grabbed them and held them to my face again.
Chase immediately turned his head back to me, his features showing surprise at my actions. I was shocked by my boldness as well and gave him a shy smile. I could see his cheeks turn a pink color as he looked around. I frowned a little. Maybe he was making sure no one saw me with him like this...?
Then Chase bent down and gave me a kiss that warmed my body. It was like being zapped by a heart-pounding heat wave. When he pulled away, his face was bright with a confident smirk, meaning that I must've been redder than my freezing cold ears.
"That good?" He said, quirking an eyebrow. My eyes widened in embarrassment and I covered my eyes with my hands, only to realize that I still had my hands wrapped around Chase's. So, I was basically covering my eyes with his hands. This caused him to laugh and my cheeks probably reddened.
He moved his hands to cup my face and I saw his mouth formed in a smirk that showed his amusement.
"You look cold." He finally said.
"...I feel warmer now." I responded.
He gave a little chuckle before pulling me along with him.
"I'll take you to your room. It's best to get some sleep before we get back to Castanet."
I gave him a smile and a nod.
"Okay." I responded.
XXX
It's funny how a few days can seem like forever. It's also funny how you leave a place for only a few days, only to come back to so many new developments.
As we boarded off the ship, I could sense something in the air; something wonderful and magical. The town was decorated for tonight's New Years Festival. Out-of-towners were bustling about Harmonica Town. Mumbling and shouting with excitement. It was so lively, but that wasn't the something I was sensing.
When I saw Toby and Renee walking by the pier, so close together that it could only be seen as a date, I knew exactly what it was.
"Well, well, well. I think love is in the air." Jin voiced exactly what I was thinking.
Looking out at the crowds of people wandering through the island, I could spot many a couple. Some holding hands, others sneaking kisse-
I think I knew that couple that was sneaking a kiss.
"WHHHHOOOO! Calvin Casanova, that some great looking PDA bud!" Kasey shouted which caused Calvin and Phoebe to jump apart. Phoebe readjusted her glasses as Calvin searched the pier for the voice.
Kasey was waving to him while carrying some of his and Winry's bags. Chase and Jin were unloading luggage with the help of some of us girls. When Calvin spotted us his eyes lit up like he just found an ancient artifact concerning the Harvest Goddess.
"Hey!" He called with a smile as he made his way towards us (not forgetting to hold Phoebe's hand, might I add).
I immediately ran up to him to receive my welcome back hug. At this point, I didn't care about being reserved about hugging someone else's lover, I was just so glad to see my brother-like friend.
"Sorry to interrupt Phoebe." I said when I gave her a bow. She waved her hand dismissively.
"It's not a problem. I believe that this reunion is actually quite heartfelt." She said with a grin.
"Geez, when you left it was like a domino effect, Molly." Calvin laughed as he gestured to the others who were approaching with luggage in hand.
"Yeah, I actually had no clue they were leaving until I saw them in the city." I said with a giggle.
Calvin laughed before he noticed Anissa.
"Hello there. I'm Calvin Davis." He said, holding his hand out to her.
That's right, I forgot that Calvin arrived here almost at the same time as me, he wouldn't have met Anissa either.
"I'm Anissa McCallister. It's a pleasure." The velvet-eyed woman said as she shook his hand.
"Phoebe, it's been too long." Anissa said with a smile to which Phoebe returned.
After a little bit of conversing, Calvin decided to help with some of our luggage as we made our way through the crowd.
"I'm going to help Maya and Yolanda unpack." Chase told me.
I nodded and waved good bye to him, only because his hands were so full of luggage.
Jin and Anissa also split away from us. They needed to drop Jin's things off first before Anissa went to settle back in with her family.
"We're going to unload our stuff too. See ya in a bit." Kasey said. Winry gave a little wave as she bounded down the trail with Kasey. I could slightly hear her nagging at him, as usual, through the sound of their shoes crunching in the crisp snow. But there was a slightly different expression on her face. It was a little kinder.
"Well, let's get these to your houses." Calvin said, gesturing to mine and Angela's bags that were in his hands.
He glanced at Angela and his eyes seemed to scan her.
"Calvin...what are you examining so thoroughly...?" Phoebe asked with an anger blazing in her eyes. I have to admit, Calvin was looking at Angela a little too hard.
"Uh. No no! I wasn't...I mean I was just thinking where Wizard was." He said and pointed to the cloak that Angela was wearing.
Angela's face darkened, and the elated mood of coming home seemed to deflate out of her at a fast rate.
"You mean...he isn't here?" She asked, her voice sounding very little compared to the strong Angela that I knew and loved.
"Angela...?" I muttered, linking my arm through my sister's.
Calvin and Phoebe exchanged worried glances.
"It's okay. Wizard's surely able to take care of himself. He'll be back soon." I reassured her with a smile.
She perked up and smiled at me.
"Yeah. I know he will." She said with absolute trust in her voice.
Not trust in my words...but trust in Wizard himself. In all honesty, I had trust in him too. My only worry about the situation is why Wizard left in the first place. What happened?
Angela looked up at the sky for a moment before deciding to keep going up the path to our houses.
My questions would have to wait until Angela and I were settled. I'm sure she would have some questions of her own for me anyway.
I made sure to check on my animals and made a mental note to thank Kathy and Renee later, as they were the ones who volunteered to look after my prized animals. Midnight gave a happy moo as I pet her snout gently, and the other barn inhabitants looked happy to see me come home, as well as Angela who popped in to say hello as well. My chicks were now chickens too, and there was an envelope of money on top of the coop's shipping bin, filled with the profits that came from the produce.
"Cha-ching~" I sang happily and rubbed the envelope to my face.
"...Weirdo." Angela stated.
"You're just mad because money loves me better." I said dreamily as we made our way to the house where Calvin and Phoebe were waiting.
"Whatever." Angela rolled her eyes.
"Need any help unpacking?" Calvin asked as Angela and I stepped into my house first.
Though he offered, I knew that that wasn't exactly what he wanted. Calvin is a nice guy, but you could read him like a book; and right now, the chapter he was on was I Want To Be With Phoebe.
I gave him a knowing smile and shook my head.
"Go have fun, Calvin. We'll see you later tonight." I responded.
"Are you sur-"
"You better go before I change my mind and separate you from your daarliiing~" Angela said with a wink.
Calvin held his hands in the air, his cheeks turning pink. Phoebe giggled at his retreat.
"Thanks for letting me have him." Phoebe replied as she reached so casually for Calvin's hand and lead him out the door. She did it so naturally; like her hand belonged right there. I could never be so bold with Chase.
When they were long gone from sight, I heard Angela sigh.
"I envy them." She muttered.
I poked my fingers together shyly.
"Me too." I sighed and she laughed at me.
"Aren't you and Chase a thing already? I saw your little smooch." She teased me.
My cheeks reddened and I bit my lip on impulse.
"Ooooh~ That's right~ You're too shy to be all lovey dovey with the hand-holding." Angela sang.
"Hey!" I shouted in offense, whipping my head around to face her. I stopped short at what I saw.
Angela's eyes were tearing up and she was wrapping Wizard's cloak tighter around her. It seemed liked the usual fiery attitude was sapped from her in one instant. Maybe talking about relationships made her upset right now...
"I don't understand why he doesn't want to be near me..." She seemed to whisper.
I held my eyes to the ground, not wanting to see my sister, my always strong and held together sister, cry. I went to close the door and slightly looked up at her.
"Angela...I think we both have some talking to do." I said, letting my eyes trail to the side.
Angela quickly wiped away the glisten in her eye and gave me a stern look.
"Yeah, how about we start with you and lying to me about where you were gonna be, dear sister of mine." Angela said, a hand on her hip.
I gave a nervous chuckle as Angela's fiery disposition quickly came back to her. I was hoping we would be able to overlook that tiny detail.
XXX
"You idiot..." Angela muttered as she pulled me into a hug. I got done explaining what happened to me two nights ago. I was starting to tear up from the memory.
"It was probably one of the most terrifying nights of your life." Angela breathed with concern.
"I could say that...but then I'd be lying." I said with a laugh.
"What?" She said and looked at me funny.
"Angela, I've been through so much this year. You can't tell me you don't remember when I ran off to be a hero." I said.
Angela pursed her lips and slapped the back of my head.
"Ouch! What'd I do?" I asked with puppy eyes. Angela continued to give me a stern eye, but it slowly melted to her gaze of sisterly love.
"You keep running off to face your fears alone. Take me with you next time, okay?" Angela said as she wiped at a stray tear on my face.
"...I'll think about it." I said and gave her a wink.
"Molly!" Angela chided me but we laughed at our silliness anyway.
"Okay, okay. Now tell me, what happened to Wizard?" I asked, squeezing her hand slightly.
Angela's smile faded away slowly, her forehead wrinkled slightly and she gave a concerned look to the ceiling.
"I'm actually not really sure Molly." She started with a sigh.
Angela then began to tell me what had happened between her and Wizard. Explaining how Winry had fainted and Wizard started acting strangely, and how she called Jin and ran into Anissa, and how worried she was when she heard that I was in trouble too. And when she told me what Wizard did to her, my cheeks went red.
"...Older couples are so mature..." I muttered.
"Geez, is that all you're thinking of?" Angela said and pinched my cheek.
"Well...I thought it was Rated R when Chase and I were cuddling and stuff." I said, recalling what happened after I got out the shower with Chase's shirt on.
"That's cuz you're too innocent." Angela huffed.
"Beside that...do you...resent him for that?" I asked.
Angela's eyes widened before she turned away.
"...Well, I didn't hate it if that's what you mean." She muttered after a while and I gasped.
"You liked it?" I asked.
"YOU LIKED IT?" We heard someone yell incredulously on the other side of my front door.
Angela and I looked at each other, blinked, then looked at the door. My face curious; Angela's, dead-panned.
She got up and opened the door to see Kathy holding her hands over Winry's mouth. They were struggling with each other on the ground. I think at one point Kathy had Winry in a head lock.
"Kathy?" I questioned. Kathy looked up and noticed Angela staring at them like they were crazy. Winry quickly jumped out of Kathy's loosened grip to grab Angela by the arms and looked at her like she was crazy.
"Angela. ANGELA! Please tell me that was a joke!" Winry shouted.
"...So what if it isn't?" Angela reluctantly said, puffing her chest out brazenly.
"ANGELA! NO!" Winry shouted and shook her by the shoulders as the two began to argue.
Kathy came running to me, since the jig was up, and swooped me into a bear hug.
"Molly, oh my Goddess. I'm going to kill that Dylan guy and murder that Preston guy. And I'm so glad that you and Chase are finally, after all this time of my waiting, together." She said, crushing me in her vice grip.
"Kathy, Dylan and Preston are in jail, so it's okay. And what do you mean, you've been waiting?" I reassured her and then gave her a curious look.
"I don't give a flying apple pig! I'm going to break into that jail and let the other guys rape them before I take a toothbrush and shank them a thousand times each until they're dripping with blood. Then I'll let the guys who are into dead corpses rape them some more!" Kathy ranted.
"Oh my." I stated and Kathy pulled away from me and examined me some more.
"And everyone's been waiting, Molly. Me, Calvin, Luke, Julius, Luna, Colleen, Yolanda, the one hundred and something readers you have, Chloe, Perry, He who shall not be named, Phoebe-"
"Wait, who?" Angela stopped her.
Kathy rolled her eyes.
"Me, Calvin-"
"No, after Yolanda." I said.
"OH! Chloe, Perry-"
"No no no, before that! And who's 'He who shall not be named'?" Angela asked as Winry rolled her eyes.
"For the love of..." Winry began to mutter.
"Look! Beside the point, I'm sorry I was eavesdropping, but I couldn't help but listen in when I heard you get to the part about running into some guy you knew named Dylan and...well." Kathy sighed and dropped her arms.
"Molly...are you sure he didn't do anything to you while you were passed out?" She asked with concern.
The room suddenly got quiet as Angela and Winry tuned in.
"...I don't know." I said truthfully.
Winry gave a "hmph" before crossing her arms.
"The man shooed this "Preston" scoundrel from the room before he made his move on Molly. I would think that if that was the case, then obviously he didn't do it in front of the other before hand either. Even neanderthals want privacy." She said.
"That may be the case. But if it wasn't and he did do something. What if you turn out to be...you know...what Calvin, Luke, and I accused you of a while ago." Kathy said and I looked at her like she was crazy.
"You mean...pregnant?" I asked.
"YES! What would you do?"
"I guess...I'd take care of the baby." I admitted.
"Molly!" The three of them shouted in unison.
I didn't need to ask why they had such a bad reaction to my answer. I just stayed silent as Kathy began to talk.
"Molly, after just getting with Chase, you don't think something like that will cause tension? Maybe even make the relationship fall apart?"
I faltered with my resolve at her words. Would Chase really reconsider this relationship if I was pregnant...?
Of course he would, we've not been together long, not to mention that he might not be able to take care of a kid that is his own, let alone someone else's.
But I also knew something else about Chase...
"I know that I'd be taking that risk. But if there's one thing I know about Chase, it's that he would never leave me to fend for myself when I needed help the most." I said as I clutched my hands to my heart.
It's true. Not only did Chase save me from Dylan, but he also saved me from falling off the bridge, and he took me to the clinic when I was sick. He cared for my animals when I couldn't; he also was always there for me when I was feeling scared and needed guidance.
"...That's why I love Chase more than anything else in the world." I stated.
Kathy, Angela, and Winry all smiled at my certainty.
"WHOOO! Go Chase!" I could hear Kasey's distinct voice through the front door.
"How many people are going to eavesdrop today?" Angela said and opened the door.
"Who knew Chase was such a lady killer?" Owen said with a grin.
Kathy growled at the man.
"That's he who shall not be named." She said and I gave an inquisitive look to Owen before noticing the blue hair and yellow eyes I had come to miss.
"Yup, a real casanova." Luke's wolfish grin was like Mona Lisa's right now (only because I missed him so much).
"One might even call him a playboy." Jin said with a grin.
"Jin..." Chase growled at his friend.
On the front steps were Luke, Owen, Chase, Jin, Anissa, and Kasey.
"Luke!" I shouted and jumped into his arms excitedly.
"Heya Molls! You're finally back!" He said with glee in his voice.
"My slave!" Angela shouted and gave Luke a high-five.
"Uh-oh, I think Luke's tryna steal your woman." Kathy joked with Chase, causing him to turn red.
Luke gave a chuckle and slung his arm around my shoulder.
"Yup, I'm totally seeing Molly in a new light right now." He said.
Even though he was joking, Chase didn't hesitate to reach out and pull me out of Luke's grasp.
"Like you'd have a chance anyway." Chase said with his sarcastic smirk.
"Ouch, that hurt." Luke said, clenching his heart in an over dramatic way.
Laughs went through the whole house.
"Anyway, let's head down to town and check out the booths." Kasey said with the delight of a child in his eyes. It was actually Kasey's first festival on Castanet since he was born only a season ago. Everyone agreed.
"Kathy, which booth would you like to check first?" Owen asked my blonde best-friend.
Kathy, instead of answering him, grabbed my arm.
"Molly, which booth first girl?" She asked.
I gave her a questioning stare. Why was she avoiding Owen, A.K.A The Man of Her Dreams?
"Kathy, c'mon. Are you still mad at me?" Owen asked.
Kathy continued to smile like a fool, and this time grabbed Anissa by the shoulder.
"Hey, we also have to celebrate you coming home. Does your bestie Renee know that you're back? You should go get her, will have a big crowd of people!"
"Kathy, really. This is immature." Owen said with a frown.
Anissa gave Kathy a knowing smile.
"Actually, Jin and I are planning on walking around together. Right, doctor?" Anissa said as she glanced at Jin.
"Jin, I think she wants to file your cabinet." Kasey said in a loud whisper.
Jin seemed to rub his chin in thought.
"Is that it? Hmm, then should she file the cabinets in my office or in my bedroom?" He asked.
Anissa's anger was boiling slowly.
"How about both?" Kasey suggested.
"I think I would appreciate that very much." Jin said, trying to contain a wide grin.
"JIN!" Anissa shouted and reached out to slap him. Jin avoided the hit with ease. Anissa swatted at him again but to no avail. The third time wasn't the charm either.
"Whoa, ninja!" Luke exclaimed.
"I hate-that-smirk-on-you-face! And-when-are-you-going-to-get-new-glasses!" Anissa said with each attmept at hitting the doctor.
Jin was calm the whole time and held Anissa's hand before it hit them.
"You like me better with glasses?" He asked.
Anissa gave an irritated glare at him before pulling from his grasp.
"Actually, Kathy, I think I will take you up on that offer." Anissa huffed and grabbed onto Kathy's arm.
"Ouch." Jin muttered.
"Rejected!" Kasey laughed.
Winry gave him a glare too.
"If you find it so funny, then I guess I'll leave you for Kathy's group too." Winry said and went to walk by Anissa.
Kasey's eyes went wide.
"Baby! Please don't leave me!" He cried and Winry stuck her nose in the air.
Angela shrugged.
"Sorry boys, looks like it's a girl's night." She said.
Wait...what?
I looked at my friends.
"B-but. I'm not mad a Chase." I said. Each female sent me glares.
"Uh...but girl's night sounds fun. Really fun. Sorry, Chase." I muttered.
"Great, thanks to you idiots I have to lose my date for New Year's too?" Chase mumbled sourly.
"What? It'll be a man's night on the town!" Luke said encouragingly.
"Wait. I'm still bent on talking to Kathy about our problem!" Owen protested.
"Let's go have some fun girls!" Kathy shouted loudly and started to sprint to town, dragging me with her. Every other girl gladly joined the run. I can't help but think that Calvin would've lost his date too if he decided to stick around.
As I was being dragged into town, I could hear the joyous talk of villagers and tourists alike. The low mumble of their conversation seemed to fill the island from every crevice. I wouldn't be surprised if my grazing animals were going to be startled by a picture or two, seeing how the non-residential festival goers were probably touring around the island as well.
The joy of everyone's laughter lifted my heart and brought me to my senses that, at least for now, everything was looking up.
When we got to town, Kathy decided to take us to Shelly's stall and we would buy some cute outfits. Shelly had suggested the Witch's hat to Winry.
"Nope, already have one." Winry said, causing Angela and I to laugh.
That's when I caught sight of a pretty pin with a flower on it.
"I like that..." I mumbled and plucked it up.
"Ah, yes. Hair pins are essential for everyday, casual, fashion. It's also practical as it holds your hair down or up at the same time." Shelly marketed the product. I mostly liked it for its look so I decided to buy it and pin it neatly in my hair.
"I think I'll add this to my hairpin collection." I said happily.
"You have a hairpin collection?" Kathy asked.
"...Now I do." I said lamely.
"Okay then." Kathy said with a laugh.
Truth is, I kinda did. There was my flower pin, and then there was Chase's hairpins. So I guess you could call it a collection. I'll get some more to make it official later.
I decided to sign up for the Foraging Contest since I knew I was in pretty good standing (though I have no clue how Mayor Hamilton knew what everyone gathered along the road and in the mines...the thought kind of scared me).
I ended up winning and Simon took my photo. Which gave Kathy the great idea for all of us to take a group photo together. It was probably the silliest thing ever. Renee came by while we were about to take it so Anissa made her come into it, leaving Toby dateless for a few minutes. Winry and Angela were kind of back to back, Winry basically sitting on Angela's bottom while Angela bent over and gave the peace sign. As childish as it was, Anissa made it look like she pushed Renee into them and Renee was trying her best to hold her stance as someone tripping. Kathy decided to make it look like one of those "OMG what's that in the background" pictures and she dragged me out to the background and made it look like she was trying to hide a kiss between me and her (of course we didn't kiss though. My lips were happily taken).
Simon was, obviously, reluctant to take the picture, but he complied happily when we said we wanted 6 copies.
Anissa and Renee talked for a while, excited to see each other after so long, and finally parted ways when Renee decided that Toby had been left alone too long in the sea of out-of-town girls.
Which made us stop and think for a second.
"You don't think that...those city girls are..." Kathy started.
"No. I mean...well he does have his glasses off." Anissa said worriedly.
"I don't want girls all over my brother." Angela stated with no uncertainty.
"He probably wouldn't know any better...right?" Winry said.
"Chase..." Was all I could utter.
The next thing on our agenda was to find the guys, no questions asked.
Well, except for...
"Why are you mad at Owen?" I asked Kathy.
"...Don't ask." She responded.
Right...no questions asked...kinda.
When we found them, the fashion contest was just beginning. I decided not to enter since I wasn't really dressed for success. And the only reason the guys were there is because Luke wanted to participate. I knew this because Luke had just walked out onto the stage. Which is why we also found Calvin there, his face in his hand as he watched his best friend strutting his stuff on the catwalk.
"Luke...no...please stop." Calvin grumbled.
"WORK IT LUKE~" Kathy shouted at the top of her lungs. City girls were basically drooling on the ground.
"Look, don't touch!" We heard another voice shout. It turned out to be Selena giving the other girls a glare. She sure was scary when she wanted to be.
"LUKE! Show em' your goods, man!" Kasey shouted and Luke flexed his biceps, which sent the girls to a whole new level of squeals.
Selena sent Kasey a glare, since it was technically his fault.
"Yeah, she does not look happy." Phoebe stated.
"She can get over it." Winry said a little bitterly.
"You don't like her looking at Kasey like that?" Angela teased.
"Oh, please. Like I care what happens to the fool." Winry said with a stomp of her foot.
"Alright, this was a hard decision this year!" Hamilton's voice rang through the intercom.
Everyone immediately hushed up and started to listen. Luna gave a curious look at the robust man, I would too if I was the number one winner all the time.
"Third place is Luke!" Hamilton announced.
"YES!" We heard Luke shout, Kasey whooped and hollered for the Carpenter.
"Second is Luna!"
When that was said, Luna gave a confused smile. Happy that she placed, but confused about who got first.
"This year, we have a tie between two guys!" He said and Luna's mouth dropped.
"Two guys? Luke and someone else maybe?" I questioned.
"Oh, I don't know about that." I heard and turned to see Maya coming up beside me.
"Maya?"
Maya gave me a little wink, and pointed to the stage where Hamilton was now setting up a projector screen.
"Just look." She said with a proud smile.
I did look, and what I saw shocked me.
"The tie is between Jin and Chase, looking very fashionable in their City clothes!" Hamilton announced and the whole crowd of girls nearly died.
Maya must've took the picture because she was beaming very brightly. It was a photo of Jin and Chase as they were walking side by side to the ship before we left Port Town. Jin's hair was blowing in the wind because it wasn't in a pony tail, plus he didn't have glasses. And Chase had a hair pin in his mouth and a hand in his hair, getting ready to pin down a stray strand of hair that had come loose from the pony tail it was in.
I looked toward the two fashion show winners and their expressions were actually kind of funny. Jin was trying to readjust glasses that weren't there out of shock and Chase's eyebrow was twitching up a storm.
But then a not so funny thing happened.
"THERE THEY ARE!" Some girl screamed, and all of a sudden, Chase and Jin are on the verge of being bum rushed by a group of girls.
"M-Maya! Look what you did!" I squealed and Maya held a hand to her mouth.
"I really didn't mean for that to happen." She said worriedly.
The next half and hour was spent with me and Anissa trying to reach Jin and Chase before they got trampled, and then get them into hiding so they weren't forced to sign autographs, or be stripped of their clothes, or any other horrible thing a fan girl would do.
When we got them into the safety of the bar (which was only opened to certain individuals) we laid low and waited for the others to find us.
"That was ridiculous..." Chase finally said.
"Indeed, that obviously wasn't a tie. I looked way sexier." Jin said with a shrug.
"This is rather troublesome..." Anissa said as she dusted her skirt of a little.
"Why? Because other girls find me irresistible?" Jin joked.
"Actually, yes! Is that a problem? Is there a problem with me being angry that other girls like you?" Anissa said with a huff and glared at Jin.
"Uh-oh...let's get out of the lines of fire." Chase muttered and I nodded as I followed him into the kitchen where the only thing that was going on was the mixing of drinks.
Chase and I said hello to Hayden who welcomed me back warmly with a free drink. Unfortunately, Chase told him to put it in a sippy cup instead of a glass.
Begrudgingly, I took the cup in my hand and sipped it. Not really sure how it was supposed to come out.
"I don't know how to get this to work still..." I pouted.
Chase started to laugh.
"Still? It's the sixth time I've made you drink out of one." He chuckled.
Chase stared at me for a little longer before he touched my hair where the hair pin was.
"Oh, do you like it?" I asked with my head down.
"It's really pretty, just like you." He answered.
I smiled and inched closer to him; I took this time to examine the cup a little more. It had butterflies on it.
"Hey, I've seen this somewhere before." I said.
Chase nodded.
"That's actually the first sippy cup that I made you drink out of."
I looked at him with my mouth agape and my eyes wide.
"How did you remember that?" I asked him.
He gave a little cough into his fist and a blush crept up his neck.
"It's only because I had some dreams about the first time we met and when you came to the bar and..." His voice died off slowly.
"...You dreamed about me?"
He stared at me silently, so I stared at him silently.
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
"So what if I did?" He finally answered.
"Then is it okay that I dream of you sometimes too?" I answered.
". . ." Chase turned away and held his hand to him mouth.
". . ."
"Stop looking at me like that..." He mumbled.
I smiled.
"Okay." I chirped happily, taking his response as a yes.
Just then we heard the door to the kitchen open and saw Angela. Everyone else had piled into the bar already and were watching Anissa and Jin argue.
"Heythe crowd died down; would it be all right if I watched the sunrise with my sis?" She asked, but really was expecting only one answer which I'm sure Chase knew.
I looked at Chase who seemed hesitant in letting me go.
"...Sure." He said after a while. I gave him a smile which he returned and went to go link arms with Angela.
We walked out the bar, followed by everyone else, and to the beach where the other villagers were. A few city people were on the shore too, but it was mostly just residents from our close knit community. Though we were all in the same vicinity, you could tell who was with who. Chase decided to hang back with Jin as Anissa stood with Kathy and Winry.
You could see the light of the sun just begin to rise, very slowly, over the sea.
"New Years first light is almost here. What do you two girls wish for?" The Mayor came over to ask us.
I looked at Angela as she began to think deeply.
"I wish for...a better relationship with everyone I care for." She said with a smile.
"I wish for the land to prosper with new developments." I said.
Hamilton smiled.
"Those are both well put wishes." He said and went on to the next group.
"I also want to make a tiny second wish." Angela said to me.
"Then we can make it in our heads...that way it might come true better."
She nodded and bowed her head, as did I.
'I wish for the storm of problems to be over soon.' I thought hard and hopefully. Wizard needed to come back already, and we don't need anymore trouble. When I looked at how Angela wrapped Wizard's cloak ever tighter around her, I'm sure she wished the same.
"Look, it's sunrise." Angela said in a whisper.
The light of dawn sprinkled across the sea, lighting up the new year with new hopes. No one cheered, as this was a peaceful part of the festival, where everyone quietly observed the beauty. I was finally entering my second year of being a farmer.
"I can't wait for what this year will bring..." I muttered, turning slightly to look at Chase, who seemed just as happy to meet the new start as much as I was.
At that moment, I suddenly realized something that I should have realized at the beginning of this trip. That place, Port Town. It didn't matter, nor did my old school; neither did my old life in general. It was all in the past, it didn't need to be brought back up. Why? Because of Castanet, because of my new life with my new friends and people that I loved and cared for.
Mmk everybody! So I've got a pretty cool way to stay in contact with all my fans and fanfic buddies. So there's this thing called oovoo and I have an account up there pretty much just for my fanfic buds. I've not made it public yet so I don't have all of you on there (obviously) but my oovoo ID is the same as my fanfic author name: LatteCurlz. Get an oovoo and don't hesitate to add me so we can IM (and for my closer and more comfortable with it friends) video chat!
Anyway, time for thanks!
BiddyAuthor: Lolz, I love your little freak out moments. It was slightly more morbid, but I tried to put some humor in it (like always). Thanks for your inspiration, and thanks for the review. I wanna chat with you soon as well (since I did come back from the dead twice in a row now lolz).
BrokenBlackCat: My fire cracker Angela seems to have her flame out because of last chapter. Lol, don't worry, as you can see in this chapter she's doing a bit better. I'm glad you love AxW too. ANyway, you don't have to wonder for too much longer, lovely reviewer of mine. You'll see Wizard in due time ;). Thanks for your review, can't wait to hear from you again.
Ulyss: You're very welcome, but I think I should be thanking you for being so patient with me. I'm horrible at quick updates, which is why I made a update schedule :). I'm so flattered that you want to see some more of this story and I'm eager to write it all out and update it ASAP! Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!
Kageno Shuri: Sory that I couldn't put Wizard in this chapter, but you'll seem him soon (I agree, he's too hot)! I think his smexiness ratings in this story went up a bit since a certain chapter I'm sure you all remember ^-^'' (I AM NOT ASHAMED)! XD. Thanks for reviewing, and thanks for being patient for this chapter, I'll have the next out very soon.
Fanfiction Ninja: Hey Ninja! I'm glad to see you too btw, and it's no prob about the updating thing, totally understand. The fact that you reviewed twice means so much! Anywho, I'm glad I was able to keep the humor in the last chapter and I hope that this chapter was just as good. I'm sorry to hear about those girls in your area, I have some here myself. I usually just roll my eyes and ask them why they're talking to me (Fight catty with catty xD). It seems to work! So yeah, I hope I got your brain working about this mystery child "Beloved". I've also made a note to update "Sing From the Heart" (which I added a picture to) so don't worry, it will be continued very soon. Thanks for the review, and can't wait to hear how you feel about this chapter!
missbabblingbrook21: Hi! I'm not sure if you're at this chapter yet (you probably are, seeing as how I update soooo slowly), but thanks for the review, Finn is probably the cutest HM character ever. I love how he kind of reminds me of Navi from Loz: Ocarina of Time xP. Again, thanks for your review and I hope to hear from you again!
walomadolo: Well, I hope that this chapter was a s good as everything else (if not I'm going to have to work really hard to make the next chapter make-up for this sorry excuse T~T). Lol, the fake Chase thing, I think a lot of people weren't expecting it, especially after Finn narrated his reactions to Molly. I can't tell if it was sarcasm or not through the screen, but if you did really fall for it then I'm glad I made it so unpredictable lol. Thanks for reading this story and thanks for the review! Hope to see you again!
LegendarypkmnNyunyu: Haha, I hope you weren't waiting in the sky for this update (because you must've been stuck up there for forever xP). I'm glad that I finally got to update again and even happier that you're over joyed with my last chapter. Yes, I believe Maya will find herself in a care free position soon enough! Your review definitely has me pumped for writing about Maya soon. Arigatou gozaimasu!
Mishaay: I'm glad that you really liked the last chapter. I went back and read it myself and I realized it was a pretty emotional chapter for a lot of my readers. Angela's usually sure a fire cracker, just spouting whatever comes to mind, but last chapter she really seemed somber (so sad). I'm happy that you enjoy my story so much and I can't think you enough for every review you leave me because no matter what you think I love every single word you leave me ^-^. Thanks so much!
Hidden by the Sun: Lol "Beloved" is a pretty cute kid isn't he? I actually wanna cuddle him myself...maybe I'll make a doll of him (that'd be so amazingly cool X3)! Your love for him is definitely felt and I can't wait to see your reaction to future chapters (including this one ;D). Thanks so much for leaving me a review, you know how much I appreciate it!
StephanoAtlas: One, I'm taking up your idea with Jin and Kasey conversing. It has to start out slow since they haven't talked for long, but don't worry, there will be plenty of thrilling jokes soon to come lol. I was so giddy when you said they were your favorite since I love writing perverse Jin and Kasey parts. Two, thanks for your concrit, I went back to read my last chapter and nearly had a heart attack at all my spelling errors (I must've been TIRED because that definitely wasn't my usual consistency of work)! I'm also very sorry that I failed to update quicker, with the new schedule things should be a lot smoother. Thanks so much for your review, I appreciated it and loved it!
starpokemon123: Nyuuu not the flames!11one! Lolz, JK! Anyway, I hope I haven't traumatized you out of ever speaking about rouge's or sprite's lol. The fact that you stayed up for so long to read my story made me go "OMG I LOVE MY READERS"! I'm excited to hear how much you love the story. Unfortunately, I cannot fill out your request of Witc-*ahem* I mean Winry, turning the two scoundrels known and Dylan and Preston into purple frogs with pink polka dots (though those puppy dog eyes are making it really hard not to rewrite that chapter's ending XP). Thanks for your review! Oh, and, you'll just have to wait and see about your "P.S" because, well, you never know my dear friend ;).
Thanks for reviewing you guys, can't wait to see you all next time!
Love and kisses~