Not going to lie: I had some writer's block on this one.
The cold winter wind slapped Claire in the face as she examined the satellite on the roof of her farmhouse. She bit her lip trying to restore some sort of feeling back in her face and furrowed her brows. "Damn this cold snap," she muttered to herself, regretting not wearing a scarf. Yet she refused to climb down her roof and into her house for one.
The satellite was a recent addition, although she had periodically worked on it since the end of fall. Winter merely gave her more time to finish assembling it. It was a side project, but since she was encountering some problems in her decryption and the other device she was periodically working on, the side project turned more to a primary one. This particular satellite would enable the blonde to receive more television channels, even though her time watching television was very limited. At the very least, she hoped the distraction would prove a small inspiration to her other projects.
This distraction she fully welcomed for not just inspiration. Her personal life seemed to be advancing, and that somewhat frightened her – so much so that she gravitated in avoiding most people. She knew she would have to face Ann and especially Gray at some point; but if something presented itself to her allowing her to avoid those topics, she was going to snatch it.
Once she screwed the last panel on the satellite, she took a moment and admired her handywork. "Absolutely gorgeous," she remarked to only herself.
"But is it something you really should have been doing?"
The blonde jumped. The voice sounded like her conscious, but this time sounded as if a person had said those words – a person with her on the roof! She blinked and slowly looked behind her. "What the..." What the blonde saw made her blink once, twice, then thrice to make sure she was not insane. "Oh, I've definitely lost it. Did I fall off the roof? Am I dead or something?"
"No. Definitely not," the figure looking exactly like her answered. "More like full blown hallucinating."
"So I did fall off the roof and am now unconscious..."
The figure rolled their eyes. "No, stupid. I think you know why I am physically here. You – or maybe I should say we – watch enough television to know this happens."
"Yeah, in television. Key word right there... I think I need to sit..." Claire slowly sat down making sure she balanced herself accordingly. "Just... just how am I seeing you? Why am I seeing you? And why now?"
"We both know it is probably due to the fact you refuse to hash your feelings out – properly – with the nice people in town which then projected into, well, what you see. Which works into the why. I swear you are slow sometimes..."
Claire massaged the bridge of her nose. "I am not in the mood to have an argument with... myself. Say what you have to say and leave me alone."
"You know I can't leave you alone, right? Conscious and all that."
"At least stick to the inside of my mind then... I have enough weird shit to deal with... And I certainly don't need the whole town questioning whether the lady farmer is quite right in the head or not."
"You take the fun out of everything. Fine. I'll make this short: stop being a bitch. Face Gray and even Ann, and you'll be that much better for it."
"I guess I deserve that. I just don't want to mess this one up..."
"And you messed up the others? Is that what you are really saying here? Just having this conversation proves you don't really believe that."
"I suppose..." Claire stared at the ground from her roof.
"Look, you wanted 'your conscious' to make an appearance. And here I am."
"Not like this... definitely not like this... just at times where I needed it."
"But I do come when you need it. Now stop making excuses and actually do something you can control. And you can start with Ann and the other girls."
Claire looked up. The figure was gone. She scratched her hat-wearing head. "I swear there is something wrong with me..." As soon as she uttered those words, she finally noticed five figures coming towards the entrance of her farm. She cursed underneath her breath, looking around for possible escape routes. Towards the other entrance to her farm from the woods Claire also noticed two other figures in the far distance. They were quite away out still, but they were close enough for her to conclude that they were heading towards her farm. She also noted something with them but could not make out what it was.
"Great. No choice. This afternoon I guess will be a freaking people day..." A gust of frigid wind blew strongly on the farmer causing her to shiver. "Geez, thanks for that!" she shouted at the wind as if it were a person as she crossed her arms. She continued her sitting, glaring off into the distance not entirely sure what her next move would be.
You know this is a good thing.
Shut up. Like, I know you're right, but just – I want you to shut it...
Ironic.
No. Frustrated.
Well, you're welcome!
Claire released a whine from her mouth. This caught the attention of the people below whom she just started to notice. "Claire! What are you doing on your roof?" the ginger of the group was the first to speak.
Claire rolled her eyes and started gathering her tools. "Was working on this satellite. Finished it then decided to sit for a bit." The farmer chucked the bundle of tools onto the ground below then began her decent down the nearby ladder.
"Out in the cold?" the pink haired woman piped up, somewhat shivering.
Claire reached the ground. "Yup. Cause reasons," the blonde glanced back at her roof, still reeling from what she had experienced. She then focused more on the group in front of her. There was Mary, hands in pockets and shivering, and Karen who was crossing her arms over her chest probably for some sort of warmth. Popuri and Elli were standing around too, somewhat shivering even though both were bundled up to the max. The only one who never showed how or if the cold was getting to them was Ann. "Why are all of you here anyways?" Claire broke the small silence.
"We've heard all you do is stay at your farm. We are worried about you, Claire," Elli responded first.
"Yeah!" Popuri exclaimed as she squeezed the blonde's arm.
"Look, it isn't as if the only thing I am doing is purposely avoiding everyone cause of some sort of event," Claire ironically said, her eyes avoiding everyone else's. Ann crossed her arms in response. "I do have projects that I would love to start and finish. And since winter there isn't much for chores save the animals, I've been doing just that."
"While purposely avoiding everyone in the process," Ann said matter-of-fact.
"I'm going to have to agree with Ann on this one," Karen remarked, entering into the conversation. "A couple times I tried coming by for a visit and there was no sign of you anywhere. Not in your barn or your coop and definitely not in your house."
"I am entitled to being by myself now and then."
"True," Karen continued, "but when someone actively avoids any contact, people notice especially in a town like this."
Somehow, I have a feeling I know where all this is going... Claire pondered to herself as she tried mentally bracing herself for what was to come. This has Ann written all over it.
Before the conversation at hand had the chance to continue, the two figures Claire noted earlier appeared within the vicinity of the group. "I take it you are not too busy," the man with the scruffy black hair with fogged glasses dryly said, focusing on Claire.
Everyone fixated on the two new figures with Karen and Ann stepping to the side of the group for a better view and to not be in the way. "Depends on your definition," Claire responded as she took a couple steps forward. She was now near Ann and promptly received a small kick to the shins from her. Claire bit the bottom of the insides of her lip in the attempt to hide the pain pulsating through her shins. She side-glared Ann with a splash of confusion plastered on her face as she continued, "What can I do for you, Daryl?" The blonde then focused more on the black haired man.
"Yes..." the scientist trailed off then quickly resumed, "I'll be quick: your assistance last season greatly advanced my research. So I would like to give you this seed maker as my gratitude for it."
As Daryl gestured somewhat behind him, Claire just noticed who the second figure was. The figure came more into sight stepping away from behind the machine. It was Zack who to the farmer's surprise was in his usual tank top with a white towel hanging around his neck. "Hiya, Claire! I assume you would want this inside your house," he interjected.
"Well, yeah," Claire replied still somewhat baffled. Did Zack even feel the cold? She turned her attention back to the scientist, "I don't know what to say, Daryl. I have heard from my cousin in the valley that these machines are quite expensive."
"Peddlers will do anything to earn a buck," Daryl muttered. "I still don't know how it happened..." Claire stared at the crazed scientist not knowing whether he was referring to the machine or something completely off topic. "But that's the past," he continued. "This is the original – my invention. I want you to take it. At least I know it would get good usage."
"Th-Thanks," the blonde managed to say. His invention? She thought about asking him about the machine but soon decided that perhaps out in the frigid winter cold air was not the most ideal place. Daryl also seemed to be preoccupied, giving her the impression that he simply had many tasks to accomplish for the rest of the afternoon.
"And if you ever change your mind and decide to switch careers..."
"I know where to find you."
Daryl grunted in response. "Take good care of my invention!" He then walked back where he came from, leaving Zack with the machine still outside.
Zack stretched his arms just enough to hear them crack. Before he was able to continue his task of pushing the seed machine to its final destination, Ann decided to relieve him of his duty. She insisted that her fellow girls, if everyone pitched in, could easily finish the task much to the annoyance of everyone else. Zack left after Claire assured him it was alright.
Even though Claire outwardly okayed Ann's sudden desire to prove feminine strength, Claire knew having the girls push the machine into her house instead would take significantly longer. One Zack over five girls was significantly more efficient. But the blonde was curious. It was like a science experiment to her or, at the very least, an experiment to see whether afterwards they would up and leave, giving back her time to herself. With the farmer's direction, the group managed to shove the seed machine into her house and angle it accordingly to the left in the corner near her door.
The girls – Elli, Mary, Karen, and Popuri – collapsed onto the couches once they peeled off their winter gear. Sighs of relief echoed through the room. They were definitely staying for a bit. "Remind me to shoot myself next time I go along with Ann's idea," Karen mumbled.
Popuri looked beside her friend. "You said that last time."
"This time I mean it."
Popuri then crinkled her nose as she sat up straighter on the couch. "You also said that last time."
Karen glared at the pink-haired woman, narrowing her eyes.
"Come on, girls. It may have been tiring, but we did good." Ann suddenly remarked as she sat on the couch opposite of Popuri and Karen. The others tiredly stared at the ginger.
Not wanting to continue on the topic and realizing she should at least thank them for their troubles somehow, Claire spoke up, "Does anyone want hot chocolate? I can go make some real quick." She received an unanimous agreement to her offering which then sent her to her kitchen.
As she made the hot chocolate, she could not help but think what she had to do. Everything so far was pointing to it. She did not expect, however, that she would have to tell every other woman around her age. That somewhat panicked her. The blonde only ever had confided to one maybe two or three people at a time in her life. Gossiping was one thing, something which at times got into a little too much; but this was no gossip. She furrowed her brow as she continued with her task.
Since the making of the hot chocolate itself was extremely easy, she pondered on ways to break into the topic. "Just be blunt," she mumbled to herself. But then she wondered whether or not that was the best course of action – how it might send a desperate sign that she was indeed troubled. She indeed was, at times, and knew it but had no desire in actually implying or explicitly saying it. She cursed underneath her breath as she carried on a tray the hot chocolates to her awaiting friends. What will be, will be.
She passed out the hot chocolates to the now grateful women. Each one of them carefully took their respective sips, some waiting longer than others and others blowing on the hot chocolate to cool it a bit. Claire sat down on the same couch where Ann was since it was the only couch really available. Her cat Minnie hopped onto the arm rest near her, demanding some attention. The blonde patted the cat and wondered who would start the inevitable talking.
Claire took her mug from the coffee table in front and attempted to sip her hot chocolate. "So. You and Gray," Ann began. Claire nearly swallowed some of the hot chocolate down the wrong pipe while the other girls focused their attention on the blonde.
"What about me and Gray?" Claire coughed somewhat as she placed her mug back onto the coffee table.
"Something happened – or was going to happen – and you never did spill."
"I mean, something is always hap-pen-ing," Claire slowly said the last word, unsure where she was going with that thought.
"Claire, we're here cause we love you," Karen interjected, her hands clasped together and motioning towards the blonde before Ann had the chance to speak.
"Not entirely, Karen. Ann sort of drag-"
"Shush, Pop," Karen lightly swatted the pink haired woman much to her annoyance. Popuri crossed her arms over her chest as protest for being treated as if she were a child. She narrowed her eyes which Karen ignored.
"Claire," Mary started as she pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose, "all we know is what Ann has kindly told us..." the librarian uttered her last phrase with a hint of unsurety but then quickly continued, "So imagine what has been floating around in our heads."
"We want to help in whatever way possible," Elli commented.
"Alright, alright," the farmer exclaimed. She started to question to herself whether they were there to help her talk or whether the whole coming over was an intervention. If felt like an intervention, actually. It was somewhat uncomfortable for the blonde, but a nagging feeling of them having good intentions gave her some strength. She leaned back into the couch and proceeded, "What exactly do you want to know?"
"Uh, duh. You. Gray. Second floor of the Inn," Ann quickly answered.
"Or more specifically, what are, right at this minute, your feelings on Gray?" Mary interpreted Ann's rattled off list. The librarian's tone was exactly the same as it was back in the fall when her and Claire had their conversation. Only this time, Claire had more of a definite answer.
"Sure, we can go for sentiments first. But I still wanna know about what happened."
Claire looked at Ann then at Mary trying to think of what possible words to say. She bit her lip. Nothing popping in her head seemed eloquent enough. "Claire, nobody is gonna blame or judge you if you do like Gray," Popuri suddenly broke the silence of Claire's hesitation. "I mean, this past recent Tuesday I tagged along with Rick as he visited Saibara for our weekly tool checkup or whatever. And boy, Gray is ever easy to look at."
"Pop!" Karen stared at her in disbelief.
"What? If I sees it, I says it," Popuri proudly proclaimed.
"Popuri is not wrong on that," Claire managed to say. "He is very, very easy on the eyes. I mean, oh boy..." the blonde trailed as she slightly smiled heat slowly building in her cheeks as well as travelling up her spine to her neck. Claire noted the girls' fixated stares, giving her the signal to continue as they anticipate what would be said next. "But that's not the exclusive reason why I..." she paused then blurted out, "why I like him."
Ann nearly launched herself across the room for complete and utter joy. The ginger quickly and excitedly sat back down on the couch. "Oh my goddess! Praise everything on this green planet! Finally!" she gripped Claire's arm in excitement while receiving her usual stares from her other friends. "I knew it! And I called it so right! At the beginning even!"
"I wouldn't go that far..." Claire said, still reeling from saying what she had thought for awhile now.
"You'll come around to that," Ann confidently declared. Her face suddenly transformed from excited and confident to a look of horrible realization. "This means," she started as her eyes began to bulge, "what happened on the second floor of the Inn... oh shiitake mushrooms! You two would have smooched had I not gone upstairs!"
"Based on what you have told us and your past record, you're probably reading into it too much," Mary countered thoughtfully.
"She isn't," Claire responded. Each of the girls stared at her. From that moment, everyone started to rattle off questions upon questions which the blonde did not expect. She bashfully gave a smile not knowing who to respond to or for that matter what to even say. It was overwhelming.
"Hold up!" Ann exclaimed. Everyone abruptly stopped talking. "Nobody is going to get any answers if we all start asking questions at the same exact time. There needs to be more information – an established setting – before any questions are asked."
"Which is your way of asking what happened that afternoon leading up to what you saw in the Inn," the blonde remarked as she sighed.
"Sure. But it is highly relevant. So please – if you may – set the stage!"
Claire chuckled to herself at Ann's extravagant hand gestures and began to tell the group what had happened. From the hints she perceived to her feelings to even other aspects from before that she deemed a necessary detail – nearly everything she had told her best friend Kat and even Kale over some video chats she now told to the group before her. And if she were honest to herself, it was a liberating feeling.
"Well, damn. Now I feel even worse for interrupting..." Ann remarked after she finished the last of her hot chocolate. "I mean, obviously I knew something was brewing. But what I knew was only half of it."
There was a slight pause, Ann thinking what to say next. However, before the ginger had the chance to continue speaking, Karen spoke, "Hey Claire, if you want, I could persuade some information out of Gray next time he is in the Supermarket."
"And I certainly can use my methods in extracting information, as well as trying some new ones," Ann nonchalantly chimed in but with a hint of excitement.
"Riiight cause I totally meant invasive methods," Karen eyed Ann, somewhat glaring. The ginger narrowed her eyes in response.
"Alternatively," Elli broke the stare between the ginger and the dirty blonde, "if I see him running errands, I could strike a conversation and casually bring up the matter. For, um, a health inquiry."
"Same! But not for Elli's reason... I haven't figured out how. Only that I can try!" Popuri smiled both with her eyes and mouth.
Mary adjusted her glasses then cleared her throat quietly. "I have some books I can suggest for him for a more nuanced approach."
Claire blinked as she looked at each of the girls. "I don't know what to say. I'm both frightened and touched at the same time. This is the kind of thing that my two friends in the city would say and do. I just-" The blonde abruptly cut herself off, her eyes becoming watery as the seconds ticked. "I never had this... nobody really... just my two friends, of course..." Claire struggled to refrain herself from fully crying.
Noticing first, Ann hugged the blonde from the side which startled the nearby tortoiseshell causing her to scamper off the armrest. The force from that hug was enough to help Claire hold in some of the tears for a little longer. The others sprang from their seats, being careful not to knock over any of the mugs sitting on the coffee table; and the next thing Claire knew, all of the women were hugging her at the same time. It was one big group hug.
Claire felt very overwhelmed at that moment and wondered why she never confided much in any of them before this time. It was a familiar feeling – it reminding her of certain times she had with her two friends Kat and Kale – but it also was foreign. Besides Kat, the blonde never really clicked with other women she had encountered over the years. She never had a girl click. This made her friendships in Mineral Town that much more unique. Here were women willing to help with her guy problems, or more specifically, with her blacksmith problems by any means. A stark contrast from what she had known in the city and just in her life. "You girls are amazing," Claire managed to say.
"Damn straight we are," Ann modestly declared.
The group hug then ended. Popuri sat on the nearby arm rest to Claire while Elli, Mary, and Karen knelt on the floor in front of the blonde. "I very much appreciate the sentiments with the willingness to..."
"Spy on Gray!" the ginger blurted.
"Not the phrase I was looking for but okay," Claire half chuckled to herself then continued, "So that being said, telling him is something which I have to do myself. It is something which I have to face, at some point. And telling you all this is a step in that direction, I think."
"Telling somebody you like them can be.. daunting. We're here for you no matter what," Karen comforted as she twirled her hair with her fingers.
"Yes!" Ann affirmed as she glanced around the room. Her eyes landed on a clock nearby. "Just right now we really should head back to our homes," the ginger suddenly remarked.
She received some puzzled looks. "Look at the time!" she gestured at the nearby clock. "It is practically dinner time – a time in which I did not think we would be here still. I don't want to diminish the fact you poured your heart and soul out here, Claire; however, I had only anticipated being here for only a couple hours at most. Anymore than that, and well, unwanted curiosity from others, if you catch my drift. And that was not my intention today."
"If you hadn't roped us in, Ann, with that machine and rather allowed Zack to handle it..." Karen trailed.
"Okay, in hindsight, if we are talking about timewise, not the most efficient use. But I stand my ground on it being a good thing to take over, for not only in helping Claire but also giving Zack a break. Like my gosh the journey from the valley to town alone would be exhausting. And we all know Zack: he'll do any job with a smile on his face!" Ann laid out her well thought out counter. "And apparently all in his tank top."
Karen blinked as well as the other women. "That's... That's actually a good point," Karen finally said. "I take back what I said." The dirty blonde was the first to stand up followed by Elli and Mary.
"Well, thank you," the ginger attempted acting posh but failed at it. Ann also stood and started for the door. The other women joined.
As the women started getting their winter garb back on to venture back out in the frigid winter air, Claire could not help but smile to herself. "I appreciate all of you coming, whatever reason that was whether checking on me or coxing information out of me," she said the latter part as she looked at Ann. Ann shrugged her shoulders as Claire continued, "All of you make me feel part of something, despite any differences we might have had. That probably sounds kind of corny."
"Totally not!" Karen exclaimed as she popped her purple winter hat on herself, brushing off any concern Claire had. "And if you ever need someone to shoot the breeze with, I'm usually hanging around the Supermarket. Be happy to listen." Karen smiled at the blonde as she opened the door to the frigid outdoors.
"What Karen said but I'm at the Poultry Farm," Popuri declared, smiling with her eyes and all. Both Karen and Popuri were the first to leave the house.
"Do take care, Claire, and not just your physical well being. Your mental health is also very important. I'm always at the Clinic if you ever want to talk. I'm sure Trent would allow me to leave early if the need arises."
"Thank you, Elli. I appreciate it."
Elli smiled in return. She was next to enter the unfeeling cold found outside.
"Books can do wonders for the mind as well," Mary commented. "So I hope you come by the library again sometime. Or even if you want to talk. I did enjoy our talk last fall."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Mary gave a small smile then too ventured out to the cold.
Claire looked at Ann as the ginger finished bundling up for the outside. The blonde rubbed her arms in the attempt to bring back some warmth to them since her front door had remained open the entire time of saying goodbye to the other women. "Hey, Claire. Real talk?" Ann started.
"You weren't real before?"
"I'm serious, Claire."
"O-Okay," the blonde said, bit puzzled at Ann's tone. "Go ahead. Shoot."
Ann opened her mouth then quickly closed it, thinking exactly how to word what she wanted to say. "I... I don't know how to say this without sounding like a whiny child or worse: saying something that might be taken as offence..."
Claire tilted her head in response. This was a different kind of Ann. "You're starting to worry me, Ann. Just say it. We're good friends after all." The cold air from outside whipped inside, hitting Claire which sent a shiver down her spine.
"Are we though?" Ann suddenly said then quickly continued. "Let me rephrase here. I know we've known each other for not even a year, and I know you've known your friend in the city a lot longer. And she does seem pretty amazing from what little I know but I'm probably stating the obvious here..." the ginger trailed off in her ramble somewhat losing her point. She quickly regained it though, "Look, I may not have years of friendship with you, but I am here in this town. And I hope – even though I threw myself into becoming your friend right on sight – I hope you know by now you really can tell me anything."
Despite the cold still blowing inside, Claire's face softened. She was a bit baffled yet appreciated the honesty from the ginger. The blonde then hugged her friend. Tears threatened to drop, but the cold air fought them off much to Claire's gratitude. "To be fair, you have been known-"
"To go overboard?" Ann finished the blonde's sentence as the two broke from the hug. "Girl, I know that. I've been told multiple times I need to work on that. But that does not mean when shit gets real I don't have someone's back – a friend's back. I'm just making sure you know this. This doesn't mean, however, I'm stopping the teasing cause that's very much still on the table," Ann remarked, moving her head on certain words for emphasis. "I'm still going to nudge you in that direction."
"That I expect," Claire chuckled somewhat to herself.
"Probably should head out now for the Inn, before he-who-shall-not-be-named arrives there before me, for, you know, that conspicuousness..." the ginger thought carefully whether her last word was even an actual word. If it wasn't one, she deemed it as one now. She then stepped outside. "See you around, Claire!"
Claire sighed as she started to close the door. Before she was able to shut it closed, she heard a faint holler, "And remember, you're going to have to tell him eventually! And I'll be cheering you on!" And with that, Claire heard nothing else. She shut her front door and immediately wondered whether or not she had made the right decision.
Stop with the doubts. You know you did.
"I hope so," the blonde mumbled to herself. "I hope so." It was somewhat of a calculated risk, Claire summarized especially with Ann. Ann. The blonde's mind began to wonder to that conversation. Even though Ann deemed herself Claire's immediate friend in town when she had arrived back in spring, Claire still had relied on Kat for any advice in matters of the heart. After all, Kat had seen many of Claire's relationships crumble, always dealing with the aftermath of them. Then later on, Kale had helped on occasion. Perhaps it was time for the blonde to expand her circle in the aspect. Either way, she had taken the first step.
Claire glanced at her new machine sitting near her front door, a machine identical to the one her cousin had in the valley At least farming is one thing that isn't so complicated. Straightforward and methodical. Of course, those ideas were all relative, and she knew this. Her stomach gurgled. She sighed yet again and ventured to her kitchen to satisfy her hunger.
"Now all I have to do is work up to telling him."
Thanks for bearing with me here. Next 3 chappys I know what I want so that's something. Even beyond that, my mind is rapidly working. So stay tuned as I try my very best to post asap.
Thank you, everyone!