A/N: From now on, point of view might change every few chapters. It
shouldn't be too hard to figure out who's POV it is due to some (obvious)
personality differences, and several hints, even if I don't come right out
and say who it is right away…(Here's a hint! This chapter is Jack!) Due to
a few complaints, and some misjudgment on my part, I re-did the last part
of Chapter 3. I hope everyone is happy now, and please enjoy this chapter
as well…
After I got back to my farm, after some awkward, and more than slightly embarrassing moments on the tour with Ann and Cliff, I felt a strong urge to work. I laughed, in spite of myself. My favorite saying should be, 'Procrastinators of the world unite! Tomorrow…'
I walked inside of my house to grab a few tools I'd be needing. Mainly my sickle, and watering can. I went inside the greenhouse in which many a long hour I spent laboring to afford, to water my crops, hoping to generate enough income to pay for the greenhouse itself…one day.
With that simple task out of the way, I went to the real chore. Cutting down as much grass as possible to get ready for the long overdue arrival of any barnyard critters. I had been so wrapped up in he development of my plants I had shrugged of the idea of owning any animals.
I was in pretty good shape, but not the best, I must admit. I had been slacking for awhile, with just having to water and harvest my plants, getting over the strenuous work of having to hoe up all that soil. So, after clearing out a fairly large portion in the left corner, I started to sweat. Oh yah, the heat didn't help much, either.
I took a quick break, gulping down some water from the pond, then pouring a little on my face. I rolled up my sleeves then, determined to clear at least ¼ of my bountiful grass fields.
"Hello!" a familiar voice called out. I was surprised, but happy; it was Ann.
Propping my sickle up against the wood box, I began to walk quickly across my fields to the entrance of my farm. As I got closer, I noticed that there was someone else with her. I frowned, hoping it wasn't Cliff. He was a really cool guy in all, but it kind of annoyed me the way Ann acted around him. As I got even closer, I saw that thankfully, my suspicions could be put to rest. It was another girl.
I finally got to them, and put on a crazy grin. "It sure is hot!"
Ann nodded, and almost forcefully pushed the other girl forwards, towards me. "I don't believe you two have ever met?" Ann asked, sweetly.
The other girl almost scowled at Ann. I felt like laughing in spite of myself, but didn't. It appeared the other girl didn't particularly want to be here.
Suddenly, I forced myself to do a retake. Ann was downright pretty, but this girl was downright beautiful. Now don't get me wrong here, I love Ann, she's the only girl for me, I just know it. I can admire though, can't I? Sheesh, give me a break here!
I extended out my arm, and she put her dainty hand in it, a bit hesitantly. We shook briefly, and then I introduced myself. "Hello, I'm Jack. You look familiar, though I can't quite place your face,"
"I'm Karen," she told me, rather coldly. I was slightly taken aback. "I work at the vineyard…I've seen you at the bar sometimes, that's probably where you've seen me,"
"Perspective of you," I said, slightly put out by her obvious, 'I don't really want to be here,' tone. "I haven't bothered to go to the vineyard,"
She shot me a curious look, as did Ann. "Because of Kai," I explained. "We knew each other awhile ago, and we didn't end up on the best of terms,"
Karen nodded, seeming to understand where I was coming from quite well. "He can be…a little…" she fumbled around for the right word.
"Overbearing?" I supplied.
"That's a good word choice," Karen commented. "He is that, though I was leaning more towards self centered, and rude,"
I laughed, but I noticed that ever since I had put in my two cents for Karen, Ann looked a little depressed. "I don't like over bearing people, I guess I'm just a rebel, born to be free!" I laughed.
Ann seemed flustered by now. I couldn't help but wonder why. Though I didn't dare bring it up. A horrible thought struck me, though I was practically 100% positive I was being crazy. She didn't like KAI, Kai of all people, did she?
My thoughts were eased when she added (though Karen and me were certainly surprised), "Kai's a jerk-off."
Karen snickered loudly. I had it in bad for Kai, but what could he possibly have done to make Karen and Ann despise him so much? I always thought of him as rather the ladies man…
Afterwards, our talk led us elsewhere, mainly away from Kai though, even though we did talk of the vineyard. Karen seemed shy and unhappy, however, at out mention of the vineyard's failing lately. I made a mental note not to mention it around her again, unless she herself brought it up. For some reason (and no, not that one!) I couldn't stand the thought of Karen being unhappy.
Grinning slightly to myself, I shook my head. Guess I shouldn't have been making such fun of Kai for being a ladies man. Around this town, I seemed to be one myself, as startling as that may be…
After I got back to my farm, after some awkward, and more than slightly embarrassing moments on the tour with Ann and Cliff, I felt a strong urge to work. I laughed, in spite of myself. My favorite saying should be, 'Procrastinators of the world unite! Tomorrow…'
I walked inside of my house to grab a few tools I'd be needing. Mainly my sickle, and watering can. I went inside the greenhouse in which many a long hour I spent laboring to afford, to water my crops, hoping to generate enough income to pay for the greenhouse itself…one day.
With that simple task out of the way, I went to the real chore. Cutting down as much grass as possible to get ready for the long overdue arrival of any barnyard critters. I had been so wrapped up in he development of my plants I had shrugged of the idea of owning any animals.
I was in pretty good shape, but not the best, I must admit. I had been slacking for awhile, with just having to water and harvest my plants, getting over the strenuous work of having to hoe up all that soil. So, after clearing out a fairly large portion in the left corner, I started to sweat. Oh yah, the heat didn't help much, either.
I took a quick break, gulping down some water from the pond, then pouring a little on my face. I rolled up my sleeves then, determined to clear at least ¼ of my bountiful grass fields.
"Hello!" a familiar voice called out. I was surprised, but happy; it was Ann.
Propping my sickle up against the wood box, I began to walk quickly across my fields to the entrance of my farm. As I got closer, I noticed that there was someone else with her. I frowned, hoping it wasn't Cliff. He was a really cool guy in all, but it kind of annoyed me the way Ann acted around him. As I got even closer, I saw that thankfully, my suspicions could be put to rest. It was another girl.
I finally got to them, and put on a crazy grin. "It sure is hot!"
Ann nodded, and almost forcefully pushed the other girl forwards, towards me. "I don't believe you two have ever met?" Ann asked, sweetly.
The other girl almost scowled at Ann. I felt like laughing in spite of myself, but didn't. It appeared the other girl didn't particularly want to be here.
Suddenly, I forced myself to do a retake. Ann was downright pretty, but this girl was downright beautiful. Now don't get me wrong here, I love Ann, she's the only girl for me, I just know it. I can admire though, can't I? Sheesh, give me a break here!
I extended out my arm, and she put her dainty hand in it, a bit hesitantly. We shook briefly, and then I introduced myself. "Hello, I'm Jack. You look familiar, though I can't quite place your face,"
"I'm Karen," she told me, rather coldly. I was slightly taken aback. "I work at the vineyard…I've seen you at the bar sometimes, that's probably where you've seen me,"
"Perspective of you," I said, slightly put out by her obvious, 'I don't really want to be here,' tone. "I haven't bothered to go to the vineyard,"
She shot me a curious look, as did Ann. "Because of Kai," I explained. "We knew each other awhile ago, and we didn't end up on the best of terms,"
Karen nodded, seeming to understand where I was coming from quite well. "He can be…a little…" she fumbled around for the right word.
"Overbearing?" I supplied.
"That's a good word choice," Karen commented. "He is that, though I was leaning more towards self centered, and rude,"
I laughed, but I noticed that ever since I had put in my two cents for Karen, Ann looked a little depressed. "I don't like over bearing people, I guess I'm just a rebel, born to be free!" I laughed.
Ann seemed flustered by now. I couldn't help but wonder why. Though I didn't dare bring it up. A horrible thought struck me, though I was practically 100% positive I was being crazy. She didn't like KAI, Kai of all people, did she?
My thoughts were eased when she added (though Karen and me were certainly surprised), "Kai's a jerk-off."
Karen snickered loudly. I had it in bad for Kai, but what could he possibly have done to make Karen and Ann despise him so much? I always thought of him as rather the ladies man…
Afterwards, our talk led us elsewhere, mainly away from Kai though, even though we did talk of the vineyard. Karen seemed shy and unhappy, however, at out mention of the vineyard's failing lately. I made a mental note not to mention it around her again, unless she herself brought it up. For some reason (and no, not that one!) I couldn't stand the thought of Karen being unhappy.
Grinning slightly to myself, I shook my head. Guess I shouldn't have been making such fun of Kai for being a ladies man. Around this town, I seemed to be one myself, as startling as that may be…