AN: Without further adieu', here's chapt 3
"Hey!" Shouted Jack. "Get out of my plants Moi!" Jack ran outside waving a pitchfork. A very short, very hairy man stood up startled from the tomato patch. He was in the process of nabbing some tomatoes for his soup tonight. Jack raised his pitchfork threatenly over the man. "I've heard of you from town. Your that awful hobo that keeps nabbing Sepiria's produce from the shop!" The hobo trembled at Jack's angry gaze. Jack's expression softened. As angry as he was, the sight of this poor man trembling before him was a little pitiful. He lowered his pitchfork a bit. He paused for a bit and sighed.
"Alright, you can have three tomatoes, but that's it." Jack said sternly. Moi quickly nodded and picked the tomatoes and darted out of site. Jack sighed knowing that Moi would probably return. Most of his plants were fully grown now, having planted them in early spring. He decided to harvest the turnips today. "Now, all I need is something to put them in." He snapped his fingers. "I know! I'll use Mumu's basket." He went inside to get it. He normally would have used his backpack, but it currently held a present in it. A present for Mumu. It was the least he could do for the yummy cookies that she made for him yesterday.
He was still stupefied of why she had left them on the ground. Had she left them there because she knew he was headed that way? Or was it because of Rokku… Jack frowned. Surly he couldn't be jealous of Rokku just because he was with Mumu yesterday. He had kept telling himself that it wasn't a date he had seen. He hoped not. He grabbed the basket and headed back outside to harvest.
It took only about an hour. He wanted to finish quickly so he could go visit Mumu.
"Mumu! Hey Mumu wait up!" Mumu groaned. It was Rokku. He hadn't left her side all day yesterday. He even stayed at the bar for a while to see her. He really was starting to get on her nerves. He reached her. "Hey Mumu, where are you going?" he asked.
"On my walk." She said stiffly. "I always walk every morning." He grinned.
"That's great!" he said. "I'll join you." Mumu forced a smile.
"Gee, that's sweet of ya' an' all, but I'd rather walk alone." She turned away from him and began walking off. Rokku frowned. He walked after her.
"Awe, come on Mumu. I've gone on plenty of walks around here. I could show you all the great spots, eh?" Mumu ignored him and walked off. He followed after her determinly.
A while later, Mumu was back in her room, lying on her bed. She had decided to go back to the bar after she couldn't find any other way to shake off Rokku. He was a little disappointed that she had to go, but she insisted she had some 'things' that Gafan wanted her to do. In reality, Gafan was in the back room playing his guitar.
Mumu was bored. She got up from her bed and looked out the window. She could see Hugh jogging with his dad and a little girl named Luminia taking a stroll down the street. He eyes widened when she suddenly saw someone else. It was Jack! She smiled. Maybe I should go see him. She watched as he looked around, then walked in the direction of…the botanist shop. He walked over to Sepira, who was currently sweeping the front and started chatting with her. Mumu's shoulders sagged. She slumped back on her bed. "He's probably asking her on a date right now." She sighed.
In truth, he was actually asking Sepiria where Mumu was.
"Oh, Mumu?" Sepiria said. "I saw her go back to the bar."
"Thanks Sepira." He waved goodbye and went to the bar. Instantly his ears heard the loud strumming of a guitar. He walked to the music, curious to know who was playing. He went through the back door and saw Gafan.
He was sitting on a stool, a large guitar on his lap. He strummed the strings like nothing, tapping his foot to the beat. He stopped when he saw Jack.
"Well, hello there Jack." He said smiling. "Sorry, but the bar doesn't open till six." Jack shook his head.
"Oh, it's not that. I just wanted to see Mumu." Gafan frowned.
"Odd, I thought she had gone on her walk. Well if she's here, her room is just upstairs, first door on your left." Jack thanked him and went to the stairs. As he climbed the steps, his heart began to pound. He reached her door. He hesitated a bit, then took a deep breath and knocked. He heard the sound of bed springs from inside the room and a sigh. The door opened.
"Gafan, I really don't wanna' be…Oh!" Mumu blinked in surprise at seeing Jack. She blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry Jack, I thought you were Gafan." Jack smiled.
"It's alright. I just wanted to see you, and to thank you for the cookies." Mumu was even more surprised. She never got to deliver her cookies to him.
"My cookies?" Oh I musta' dropped them yesterday during my walk. I hope that they weren't dirty for ya'."
"Not at all. In fact, I got you something as well." Jack reached into his backpack and pulled out a box wrapped in a blue wrapping paper and a red ribbon. He offered it to her. She took it and began to carefully unwrap it, all the while blushing in happiness. She squealed in delight at what she saw.
It was a box of chocolates. The good kind with cream fillings and caramel and nuts.
"Oh, Jack…"she said covering her mouth with her hand lightly. "Ya' shouldn't have. They musta' been so expensive." She looked at him, her eyes sparkling. She couldn't help herself. She gave him a big hug. (everybody go awww ^_^) "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" she said squeezing him. Her soft body against his made him feel a little weak in the knees. She pulled back from the hug much to the displeasure of Jack.
"Um, Mumu, can I ask you something?" Jack looked down at his feet.
"Sure." Mumu said. Jack coughed.
"I hope I'm not being to forward or anything, but if your not busy on Saturday, would you like to, maybe to out with me?" He quickly closed his eyes and cringed for the worst. Mumu grinned in delight.
"Sure!" Mumu replied. Jack opened his eyes. "I mean, I'll hafta' ask Gafan first ta' give me tha' night off, but I'm sure he'll let me."
"Great." Jack said. "In that case I'll pick you up at six, ok?" Mumu agreed.
"Till then, Jack." She said, and shut the door softly. Jack walked down the stairs with a calm expression on his face, but as soon as he was out of the bar, he jumped up and gave a loud whoopee!
Mumu was once again sitting on her bed, but now, instead of slouching, she was thinking. She was still stunned at what just happened. Jack had asked her on a date! And he had gone to the trouble of getting chocolates for her and everything. She grabbed the box of chocolates and opened it. There was a decent selection to choose from. She picked up one with strawberry cream and popped it into her mouth, savoring the sweet, creamy taste as it melted in her mouth. She smiled. Boy, I sure was wrong about Jack. I shouldn't 'ave been jealous just 'cause he was with Sepiria, unless… She bolted up right, and balled her hands into fists slightly angry. "Unless he's two timing Sepira and me!" she said angrily. She suddenly stopped, and blinked. She became very embarrassed and put a hand behind her head giggling a little. "Oops. There I go again, thinking about how city boys act." She shook her head. "Jack would neva' do that ta' me." She put on a thoughtful face. Tapping a finger to the side of her cheek she said, "I wonder if Gafan will let me off on Saturday." She sprung off her bed, grinning. "I bedda' go ask him!" and bounded off downstairs to ask him.
The week passed quickly and Saturday soon arrived. Mumu was extremely excited. She was currently in her room powdering her face and applying lipstick. She had decided to wear a nice baby blue dress with a matching shoes and headband and a light green button down sweater (currently unbuttoned) to cover up her arms. She looked at her clock. It read 5:59. Her heart thudded. It's time. She headed down the stairs.
The bar was beginning to fill up as usual. She looked around for Jack. He wasn't there yet. That's ok, Mumu thought to herself. I can wait. She sat down at one of the tables and stared at the door.
Rokku watched Mumu intently. He was sitting on a stool at the counter. He had noticed a change to Mumu during the week. He didn't know what had happened, but she was more happy. Tonight she looked extremely beautiful. He smiled and walked over to her. He grabbed her hand and kissed it gently.
"Evening Mumu, you look extravagant." Mumu blushed. "What's the occasion?" he asked pleasantly. Mumu put on a smug grin.
"If ya' must know, I godda' date tonight." Rokku's eyes bugged out.
"W-what?!" Rokku stuttered. He couldn't believe his ears. Someone was going out with his girl. "Who?" he demanded. "Who is it?" At that moment Jack walked in. He was dressed in his regular clothes, but he was much cleaner, less dusty. Mumu got up instantly and walked to him. Jack held out a single red rose to her. She took it and sniffed it intently.
"Oh wow. Thanks Jack." She sighed. He held out his arm and smiled.
"Shall we?" he asked. Mumu practically melted on the spot. She locked her arm with his and they walked out. Rokku watched them go, furious.
"So, it's Jack." He said to himself. He fumed for a few moments then gave an evil grin. "I'll make sure that this night is the worst night ever for him." And went after them.
Rokku crouched in the bushes, watching them. They were now walking through the park looking at the beautiful flowers. They were chatting lightly to each other. He saw Mumu snuggle a little closer to Jack. An unpleasant lump had formed in Rokku's throat. Jack slowly reached his arm up to wrap around Mumu's shoulder, and that was when Rokku took action. He quickly looked around, spotted a rock, picked it up, and threw it at Jack.
It hit him directly on the side of his head. Jack cried out, then slumped to the ground, dragging Mumu down in the process. Mumu was able to get out of his grip and turned him over so he faced up. His eyes were closed and was bleeding from the side of his head. Mumu shook him lightly.
"Jack? Jack! Can ya' hear me." Mumu said frightened. Tears were welling up in her eyes. She shook him a bit more. It was no use, he was out cold. Rokku grinned to himself, and got up from the bushes to leave. His movement caused a twig to snap. Mumu instantly looked at his direction. Rokku froze. Mumu was stunned for a moment, but then stood up and stormed up to Rokku, a look of pure anger on her face. She shook her finger at him as she got closer to him. "YOU!" She burst out. "You! This is all your doing. Admit it! I know your kind ya' Jock! Look what ya've done ta' Jack!" She waved her hand in Jacks direction. She was know in front of Rokku. Tears were pouring out of her like rain. She raised herself to meet his gaze. "I don't know what I even saw in you!" She screeched. She wiped her tears with her hand and ran back to Jack, kneeling on the ground. She looked at him for a moment, then looked once more at Rokku. "Well?! Don't just stand there! Go get help, get Gafan!" Rokku nodded dumbly and raced back to the bar. Mumu brought Jack's head to her chest and hugged him lighltly. A few of her tears dripped onto his face. "Don' worry Jack. Everythings gonna' be ok." She hiccupped. "It'll be ok…"
AN: Whew. Sorry for the delay. I had to travel for San Diego for a few days and the time zones totally messed up my inner clock. But a good sleep here and a cup of cocoa here, and I'm all better!