Chapter Six: The Party and the Festival
The next morning, Dawn got up much later than she usually did
(OhmiGod! Six thirty!! *Gasp* hehe, actually 9 o'clock) and thought of
Kai. But then she remembered that today was Popuri's birthday—and
Dawn didn't even have a gift for her yet!
Dawn leaped out of bed and took care of the plants she had. She
had begun to grow some flowers too. Then she went to Green Ranch.
When Dawn entered, she saw Jack talking with Ann. Curious,
Dawn walked over to them.
"Oh, hi Dawn," said Jack, looking surprised to see her there.
Dawn must have looked surprised, too, because Jack grinned. "I'm
buying a couple of chickens. Grandpa…ate all his."
"Hey Dawn," Ann said, grinning. Then she saw something was
wrong with Dawn. She hurried up the business with Jack and when Jack
left, she said, "What's wrong? Tell me!"
Dawn told her what happened last night.
"Why that—" Ann called Kai a couple of very, very, nasty things : )
and then, before she could continue, Dawn said, "What have you gotten
for Popuri?"
"Oh…yeah…umm…" Ann grinned sheepishly. "I haven't gotten
anything yet."
"Then c'mon! We have to go buy her something, maybe they
have something at the Craftshop."
Dawn and Ann raced over there. Thankfully, it was not a Monday.
They went inside and said hello to Saibara, then looked at what he had
for sale.
All he had was an ocarina, a brown pot, a flower necklace, a
flower hair thing (I'm not good with hair stuff…. …) and a little good-
luck charm.
"Just what we need," said Ann, grinning as she saw the two flower
items.
"I'll get her the hair thing," said Dawn, grabbing it and paying for it.
"Then I'll obviously get the necklace." Ann paid for that too.
Dawn's eyes strayed at the ocarina. "And I'll just get a little
something for myself…" Dawn bought the Ocarina also, then Ann went
back to Green Ranch while Dawn went to the forest.
She foraged a lot of items. When she passed by the Goddess'
pond, she had a little snack of berries. Then she talked to Cliff and the
Potion shop Dealer. Then she went home, put her items in the box, and
then left for Lillia's. It was around one o'clock.
Since Ann and Dawn had thought of the surprise party, Dawn felt
she had to help set up. She helped Lillia get things ready. After awhile
Ann came and helped.
Around two-thirty, people began to arrive. Soon, everybody was
there but Popuri. She would arrive at three o'clock.
Dawn talked with everyone, except she managed to avoid Kai,
until someone cried out, "She's coming!"
Lillia turned the lights off, and everyone tried to hide somewhere.
Of course, all there really is to hide behind is a table and a box used as a
desk, so some people couldn't exactly hide. But everyone was very quiet.
Popuri opened the door and blinked.
"SURPRISE!" everyone shouted, hopping out of their hiding
places as the lights flicked on.
Popuri jumped practically a mile back, then giggled and said, "Oh
wow!"
The party lasted until night. It was very fun, since a lot of the
adults got drunk (unfortunately) and everybody already knew each other
well, so there was no uncomfortableness.
Well, there wasn't any for Dawn, until Kai took Dawn's hand and
led her outside as the sun was setting.
"Why are you avoiding me at the party?" he asked. "I
thought…well, we've made out, right?"
"Yeah, we've made out, but making out with other people a little
later isn't always part of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.
Kai faked surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Dawn practically blew up. "What am I talking about?! You we
practically screwing Karen last night at the beach! It's not like I wouldn't
find out anyway! Why'd you do this to me, Kai? I mean, I thought
something was happening between us, but then you go make out with
Karen!" Dawn stomped back inside, before Kai could say anything.
Kai did not come back inside the party for the rest of the evening.
Later Dawn needed some fresh air, so she walked alone to the beach,
after Popuri thanked everyone for the gifts they had given her.
Dawn sat on the edge of the dock. Fortunately, there was not a
soul around.
Good, Dawn thought. Then I won't be able to see people who
make out in public.
Dawn breathed in the fresh air, glad she could have some quiet
time. But she thought she heard a noise behind her, so she turned
around. She saw Jack walking along the beach towards her.
Dawn's heart began to thump as he approached her. "May I sit
down?" he asked.
"Sure," Dawn said, thinking she sounded too enthusiastic. Jack
sat down next to her.
Before Dawn could say anything, Jack pulled something that
glinted in the moonlight out of his pocket. "Is this yours?"
Dawn recognized the necklace as the one Kai gave her. Much as
she hated Kai, Dawn accepted the necklace and smiled at him warmly.
"Thanks," she said. "Where'd you find it?"
"It shined while I walked in here. It might need some washing off."
They were silent for a minute, then Dawn asked, "What'd you get
for Popuri?"
"I got her this bouquet of flowers. Guess she really likes it." Dawn
and Jack both grinned. Anything was wonderful if it had flowers to
Popuri.
"I got her a hair…thing. It's got flowers too." Then Dawn giggled.
"You'd think after turning twenty I'd know the difference between different
hair tools, but hey I'm just a tomboy at heart."
Jack grinned. "You don't look like one."
"Hey, how many non-tomboys would run a farm?"
"Then, I guess a tomboy wouldn't mind going for a surprise dip?"
Before Dawn realized it, she was in the water. Jack was laughing.
Dawn realized she was laughing too.
"Well, this wet tomboy needs a hand up," she said, laughing. Jack
offered his hand, and Dawn pulled him in.
Jack made a big splash. Then Dawn dunked him. They both
laughed and splashed each other and had a fun time. After a little while,
it started to get cold. Jack climbed out and helped Dawn up.
"This was fun," Dawn said, grinning. Jack grinned too.
Jack still held Dawn's hand from helping her up. "I guess…you're
still a bit bummed about Kai."
"Yeah, I guess," Dawn said, frowning. She noticed that her face
felt very hot.
Before anything else happened, Dawn let go of Jack's hand and
began walking home. "Bye!" Dawn called over her shoulder. "See you
tomorrow at the Festival!"
Dawn went home, since she noticed that people had left the party.
Then she picked out the clothes she was going to wear tomorrow. She
noticed the necklace Jack had given back to her, and despite how much
she disliked Kai now, she decided to wear it. She also found a gold
bracelet with a small sapphire on it, and decided to wear that too.
Dawn climbed in bed after changing in dry clothes. She realized
she had a pretty fun time with Jack at the beach.
She grinned to herself. Was she falling in—No, she was just
falling for Jack.
Then Dawn realized how lonely she was. Dawn had never been
in love before; whenever she had fallen for a guy they ended up with
another girl or died of Mad Cow disease (Eh heh…). Dawn realized how
she had been neglected by her father, ordered by her mother, and beaten
by her older siblings. She hadn't exactly ever loved anybody before.
Except her grandpa.
Dawn grinned to herself at the thought of Jack. Then she
wondered who would win this year at the Flower Festival. Grinning,
Dawn fell asleep with happy thoughts whirling about her head.
? * * *
The next morning, Dawn put on her blue-and-white outfit. The
white, non-sleeved top, light blue skirt (the same type as all the other
girl's skirts, just a different pretty blue), a few blue-and-white flowers in
her hair (she had received them to put in her hair, and also to wear as a
lei) and put on her lei, and then the necklace and bracelet. She also put
her hair up in a bun. Feeling extremely like a beginner she put on
makeup too. Looking in the mirror, she thought she looked pretty good.
Outside, the Mayor and three of the other girls were waiting.
Karen and Popuri were still getting ready at their houses.
Ann was wearing yellow and white, much like Dawn's outfit except
all the blue things were yellow. She had simply a choker yellow necklace
with a silver star on it. Maria was wearing white. Elli was wearing pink,
white, and blue.
The girls all went to the horse track, where they would enter the
Flower Festival to dance in front of everyone. The Mayor came back later
with Popuri and Karen.
Popuri was wearing pink and white, as promised. She had on the
necklace Ann had given her and the hair thing Dawn had given her. Her
hair was up in a ponytail and she looked actually quite nice. The gifts
matched perfectly. Karen had purple, white, and green. Surprisingly it
was a good combo, since it brought out the color in her eyes.
The Mayor explained what they would do, yet again: They would
dance a dance in front of everyone, and then the Goddess would be
announced. He did not tell who the Goddess was. The Goddess had to
dance with the King, who was Kai, and the other girls would be asked to
dance by boys in the crowd.
After a long while of waiting and talking excitedly (Karen would
only talk with Ann), the doors opened. The girls walked out in the way
they were supposed to, all smiling.
They reached where they were supposed to, and began the
synchronized dance. Dawn noticed people in the crowd, and saw Jack
watching her. She noticed Kai was watching her, too.
After the dance, all the girls curtsied to much applause by all the
townspeople.
"And the winner is…Karen! Dawn in second, Popuri third, Maria
fourth, Ann fifth and Elli in sixth." The Mayor announced.
Karen smiled, but in a type of way that made Dawn feel disgusted.
The other girls all smiled and clapped.
Karen went to stand next to Kai. They smiled at each other.
Dawn couldn't help noticing the affection between them and felt used; it
was obvious that they had liked each other for a long time.
"Now, it's time to start the dancing! Everyone, please choose a
partner." The Mayor took hold of his wife's hand.
Dawn didn't expect to be asked to dance. Feeling slightly glum,
she began to walk towards a bench. She was caught surprised when
Jack caught her arm.
"Wanna dance?" he asked, grinning.
Dawn grinned back and accepted. They walked out to the dance
floor, where Karen partnered with Kai, Cliff with Ann, Maria with Harris
and Stu with May were already waiting for the music to start.
The music began to play. Dawn and Jack, grinning at each other,
began to dance. Dawn felt her spirit soar as she danced; she felt free as
she danced with a guy she liked in a skirt (for a change) and she felt like
there wasn't a care in the world.
After awhile, the song ended. Breathless, Dawn and Jack went to
sit down on a bench as people talked and ate some of the food and
punch, and people began to go home. Dawn bought some Pink Cat Mint
flower seeds, while Jack did too to grow on his farm.
Jack and Dawn stayed, and they played more music. Jack and
Dawn danced again, while some other people did too.
Later, in the evening, Jack and Dawn left together.
"Man I'm glad you asked me to dance," Dawn said, grinning. "I
thought nobody'd ask me."
"Why?" asked Jack. Both were smiling from the day's festivities.
"Well, for one thing, I look horrible in a dress. And—"
"No you don't," Jack said. "You look beautiful."
"Yeah, right," Dawn said, rolling her eyes but laughing at the same
time. She was pleased. "Wanna grab a beer?"
"Yeah, sure. It's on me. And, by the way, you dance really
beautifully. And well, too."
"Thanks! Really?"
They went to the bar. They got some drinks (Karen was not
working) and sat with Cliff and Ann, who were both there.
"Hey guys!" Dawn said, sliding in a seat across from Ann.
"Oh, hi!" Ann exclaimed. "Wasn't that fun? This is the first Flower
Festival that anyone's danced with me! And Dawn, man, I'd say you
danced better than Karen!"
"No I didn't," said Dawn, grinning embarrassedly.
"Yeah, you did," put in Cliff. "You were pretty good. If dancing
was a race, then you'd be first. Of course, Ann here," and Cliff grinned
teasingly, "would probably come in last."
"Hey!" Ann playfully hit the back of his head, then Dawn and Ann
talked and gossiped while the guys talked about their stuff.
Later, the guys walked the girls home.
"I had a really good time with you today," both Jack and Dawn
said at the same time when they reached Dawn's door.
Dawn grinned. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
Jack and Dawn looked up at each other. Dawn became aware of
her thumping heart and hot face.
The tension grew between both of them. They leaned in and
kissed.
After a couple of minutes, they both released. "Yeah," Jack said,
grinning widely. Dawn smiled, and ran inside.
She hopped into bed after changing. Now she had kissed Jack,
too! She felt happy, but something told her that maybe Jack was going to
be like Kai; a double-crossing son of a b***h. So Dawn went to sleep,
confused.
The next morning, Dawn got up much later than she usually did
(OhmiGod! Six thirty!! *Gasp* hehe, actually 9 o'clock) and thought of
Kai. But then she remembered that today was Popuri's birthday—and
Dawn didn't even have a gift for her yet!
Dawn leaped out of bed and took care of the plants she had. She
had begun to grow some flowers too. Then she went to Green Ranch.
When Dawn entered, she saw Jack talking with Ann. Curious,
Dawn walked over to them.
"Oh, hi Dawn," said Jack, looking surprised to see her there.
Dawn must have looked surprised, too, because Jack grinned. "I'm
buying a couple of chickens. Grandpa…ate all his."
"Hey Dawn," Ann said, grinning. Then she saw something was
wrong with Dawn. She hurried up the business with Jack and when Jack
left, she said, "What's wrong? Tell me!"
Dawn told her what happened last night.
"Why that—" Ann called Kai a couple of very, very, nasty things : )
and then, before she could continue, Dawn said, "What have you gotten
for Popuri?"
"Oh…yeah…umm…" Ann grinned sheepishly. "I haven't gotten
anything yet."
"Then c'mon! We have to go buy her something, maybe they
have something at the Craftshop."
Dawn and Ann raced over there. Thankfully, it was not a Monday.
They went inside and said hello to Saibara, then looked at what he had
for sale.
All he had was an ocarina, a brown pot, a flower necklace, a
flower hair thing (I'm not good with hair stuff…. …) and a little good-
luck charm.
"Just what we need," said Ann, grinning as she saw the two flower
items.
"I'll get her the hair thing," said Dawn, grabbing it and paying for it.
"Then I'll obviously get the necklace." Ann paid for that too.
Dawn's eyes strayed at the ocarina. "And I'll just get a little
something for myself…" Dawn bought the Ocarina also, then Ann went
back to Green Ranch while Dawn went to the forest.
She foraged a lot of items. When she passed by the Goddess'
pond, she had a little snack of berries. Then she talked to Cliff and the
Potion shop Dealer. Then she went home, put her items in the box, and
then left for Lillia's. It was around one o'clock.
Since Ann and Dawn had thought of the surprise party, Dawn felt
she had to help set up. She helped Lillia get things ready. After awhile
Ann came and helped.
Around two-thirty, people began to arrive. Soon, everybody was
there but Popuri. She would arrive at three o'clock.
Dawn talked with everyone, except she managed to avoid Kai,
until someone cried out, "She's coming!"
Lillia turned the lights off, and everyone tried to hide somewhere.
Of course, all there really is to hide behind is a table and a box used as a
desk, so some people couldn't exactly hide. But everyone was very quiet.
Popuri opened the door and blinked.
"SURPRISE!" everyone shouted, hopping out of their hiding
places as the lights flicked on.
Popuri jumped practically a mile back, then giggled and said, "Oh
wow!"
The party lasted until night. It was very fun, since a lot of the
adults got drunk (unfortunately) and everybody already knew each other
well, so there was no uncomfortableness.
Well, there wasn't any for Dawn, until Kai took Dawn's hand and
led her outside as the sun was setting.
"Why are you avoiding me at the party?" he asked. "I
thought…well, we've made out, right?"
"Yeah, we've made out, but making out with other people a little
later isn't always part of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.
Kai faked surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Dawn practically blew up. "What am I talking about?! You we
practically screwing Karen last night at the beach! It's not like I wouldn't
find out anyway! Why'd you do this to me, Kai? I mean, I thought
something was happening between us, but then you go make out with
Karen!" Dawn stomped back inside, before Kai could say anything.
Kai did not come back inside the party for the rest of the evening.
Later Dawn needed some fresh air, so she walked alone to the beach,
after Popuri thanked everyone for the gifts they had given her.
Dawn sat on the edge of the dock. Fortunately, there was not a
soul around.
Good, Dawn thought. Then I won't be able to see people who
make out in public.
Dawn breathed in the fresh air, glad she could have some quiet
time. But she thought she heard a noise behind her, so she turned
around. She saw Jack walking along the beach towards her.
Dawn's heart began to thump as he approached her. "May I sit
down?" he asked.
"Sure," Dawn said, thinking she sounded too enthusiastic. Jack
sat down next to her.
Before Dawn could say anything, Jack pulled something that
glinted in the moonlight out of his pocket. "Is this yours?"
Dawn recognized the necklace as the one Kai gave her. Much as
she hated Kai, Dawn accepted the necklace and smiled at him warmly.
"Thanks," she said. "Where'd you find it?"
"It shined while I walked in here. It might need some washing off."
They were silent for a minute, then Dawn asked, "What'd you get
for Popuri?"
"I got her this bouquet of flowers. Guess she really likes it." Dawn
and Jack both grinned. Anything was wonderful if it had flowers to
Popuri.
"I got her a hair…thing. It's got flowers too." Then Dawn giggled.
"You'd think after turning twenty I'd know the difference between different
hair tools, but hey I'm just a tomboy at heart."
Jack grinned. "You don't look like one."
"Hey, how many non-tomboys would run a farm?"
"Then, I guess a tomboy wouldn't mind going for a surprise dip?"
Before Dawn realized it, she was in the water. Jack was laughing.
Dawn realized she was laughing too.
"Well, this wet tomboy needs a hand up," she said, laughing. Jack
offered his hand, and Dawn pulled him in.
Jack made a big splash. Then Dawn dunked him. They both
laughed and splashed each other and had a fun time. After a little while,
it started to get cold. Jack climbed out and helped Dawn up.
"This was fun," Dawn said, grinning. Jack grinned too.
Jack still held Dawn's hand from helping her up. "I guess…you're
still a bit bummed about Kai."
"Yeah, I guess," Dawn said, frowning. She noticed that her face
felt very hot.
Before anything else happened, Dawn let go of Jack's hand and
began walking home. "Bye!" Dawn called over her shoulder. "See you
tomorrow at the Festival!"
Dawn went home, since she noticed that people had left the party.
Then she picked out the clothes she was going to wear tomorrow. She
noticed the necklace Jack had given back to her, and despite how much
she disliked Kai now, she decided to wear it. She also found a gold
bracelet with a small sapphire on it, and decided to wear that too.
Dawn climbed in bed after changing in dry clothes. She realized
she had a pretty fun time with Jack at the beach.
She grinned to herself. Was she falling in—No, she was just
falling for Jack.
Then Dawn realized how lonely she was. Dawn had never been
in love before; whenever she had fallen for a guy they ended up with
another girl or died of Mad Cow disease (Eh heh…). Dawn realized how
she had been neglected by her father, ordered by her mother, and beaten
by her older siblings. She hadn't exactly ever loved anybody before.
Except her grandpa.
Dawn grinned to herself at the thought of Jack. Then she
wondered who would win this year at the Flower Festival. Grinning,
Dawn fell asleep with happy thoughts whirling about her head.
? * * *
The next morning, Dawn put on her blue-and-white outfit. The
white, non-sleeved top, light blue skirt (the same type as all the other
girl's skirts, just a different pretty blue), a few blue-and-white flowers in
her hair (she had received them to put in her hair, and also to wear as a
lei) and put on her lei, and then the necklace and bracelet. She also put
her hair up in a bun. Feeling extremely like a beginner she put on
makeup too. Looking in the mirror, she thought she looked pretty good.
Outside, the Mayor and three of the other girls were waiting.
Karen and Popuri were still getting ready at their houses.
Ann was wearing yellow and white, much like Dawn's outfit except
all the blue things were yellow. She had simply a choker yellow necklace
with a silver star on it. Maria was wearing white. Elli was wearing pink,
white, and blue.
The girls all went to the horse track, where they would enter the
Flower Festival to dance in front of everyone. The Mayor came back later
with Popuri and Karen.
Popuri was wearing pink and white, as promised. She had on the
necklace Ann had given her and the hair thing Dawn had given her. Her
hair was up in a ponytail and she looked actually quite nice. The gifts
matched perfectly. Karen had purple, white, and green. Surprisingly it
was a good combo, since it brought out the color in her eyes.
The Mayor explained what they would do, yet again: They would
dance a dance in front of everyone, and then the Goddess would be
announced. He did not tell who the Goddess was. The Goddess had to
dance with the King, who was Kai, and the other girls would be asked to
dance by boys in the crowd.
After a long while of waiting and talking excitedly (Karen would
only talk with Ann), the doors opened. The girls walked out in the way
they were supposed to, all smiling.
They reached where they were supposed to, and began the
synchronized dance. Dawn noticed people in the crowd, and saw Jack
watching her. She noticed Kai was watching her, too.
After the dance, all the girls curtsied to much applause by all the
townspeople.
"And the winner is…Karen! Dawn in second, Popuri third, Maria
fourth, Ann fifth and Elli in sixth." The Mayor announced.
Karen smiled, but in a type of way that made Dawn feel disgusted.
The other girls all smiled and clapped.
Karen went to stand next to Kai. They smiled at each other.
Dawn couldn't help noticing the affection between them and felt used; it
was obvious that they had liked each other for a long time.
"Now, it's time to start the dancing! Everyone, please choose a
partner." The Mayor took hold of his wife's hand.
Dawn didn't expect to be asked to dance. Feeling slightly glum,
she began to walk towards a bench. She was caught surprised when
Jack caught her arm.
"Wanna dance?" he asked, grinning.
Dawn grinned back and accepted. They walked out to the dance
floor, where Karen partnered with Kai, Cliff with Ann, Maria with Harris
and Stu with May were already waiting for the music to start.
The music began to play. Dawn and Jack, grinning at each other,
began to dance. Dawn felt her spirit soar as she danced; she felt free as
she danced with a guy she liked in a skirt (for a change) and she felt like
there wasn't a care in the world.
After awhile, the song ended. Breathless, Dawn and Jack went to
sit down on a bench as people talked and ate some of the food and
punch, and people began to go home. Dawn bought some Pink Cat Mint
flower seeds, while Jack did too to grow on his farm.
Jack and Dawn stayed, and they played more music. Jack and
Dawn danced again, while some other people did too.
Later, in the evening, Jack and Dawn left together.
"Man I'm glad you asked me to dance," Dawn said, grinning. "I
thought nobody'd ask me."
"Why?" asked Jack. Both were smiling from the day's festivities.
"Well, for one thing, I look horrible in a dress. And—"
"No you don't," Jack said. "You look beautiful."
"Yeah, right," Dawn said, rolling her eyes but laughing at the same
time. She was pleased. "Wanna grab a beer?"
"Yeah, sure. It's on me. And, by the way, you dance really
beautifully. And well, too."
"Thanks! Really?"
They went to the bar. They got some drinks (Karen was not
working) and sat with Cliff and Ann, who were both there.
"Hey guys!" Dawn said, sliding in a seat across from Ann.
"Oh, hi!" Ann exclaimed. "Wasn't that fun? This is the first Flower
Festival that anyone's danced with me! And Dawn, man, I'd say you
danced better than Karen!"
"No I didn't," said Dawn, grinning embarrassedly.
"Yeah, you did," put in Cliff. "You were pretty good. If dancing
was a race, then you'd be first. Of course, Ann here," and Cliff grinned
teasingly, "would probably come in last."
"Hey!" Ann playfully hit the back of his head, then Dawn and Ann
talked and gossiped while the guys talked about their stuff.
Later, the guys walked the girls home.
"I had a really good time with you today," both Jack and Dawn
said at the same time when they reached Dawn's door.
Dawn grinned. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
Jack and Dawn looked up at each other. Dawn became aware of
her thumping heart and hot face.
The tension grew between both of them. They leaned in and
kissed.
After a couple of minutes, they both released. "Yeah," Jack said,
grinning widely. Dawn smiled, and ran inside.
She hopped into bed after changing. Now she had kissed Jack,
too! She felt happy, but something told her that maybe Jack was going to
be like Kai; a double-crossing son of a b***h. So Dawn went to sleep,
confused.