Through the Oaf's Eyes
By:
pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I don't own WA3. Please don't sue.


Chapter 7: Spying

I rubbed my sore back when I got into the house. Aw, man. That fall really hurt. I guess I'm getting old.

…Nah.

"Hey Gallows. Back so soon? Did you find Jet?"

I nodded and sat next to Clive, still rubbing my back. "I had a talk with him. Where's our leader?"

Clive gave a huge sigh. "She's in the bedroom talking with Shane. She's been apologizing to him ever since she stepped foot in the house."

Well, that was Virginia for you. It wasn't a surprise.

"Is Jet coming inside soon?" Granny asked from the stove. "I made a meal for everyone. We all need it after what happened." She gave me a sharp look.

Wow, thanks for making me feel better. Jeez...

"What exactly did you tell Jet, Gallows?" the old woman said with a glare. "Watch...you probably sabotaged the whole thing..."

Hey! A little conversation didn't hurt anyone! ...Hmm...But she has a point for once. Lately my luck hasn't been on my side. What if I made things worse for the two lovebirds? "I-I don't think I did..." I mumbled aloud as I scratched my head in thought. All I did was give him a little push. I wanted this whole thing to end soon.

Gran frowned and opened her mouth to say something but she shut up when Virginia walked in.

Wish she'd do that more often...Gran shutting up I mean.

Virginia smiled a tiny bit as she saw me. "Hey Gallows..." she said softly as she took a seat next to me.

Man, she was bummed. Never thought I'd see the day where Virginia wasn't bubbly and stuff. I might as well try to make her feel better. This was my fault anyway. "Hey! You're not bouncing off the walls like usual, Virginia. Where's that smile?" I grinned.

She giggled and made her smile a little wider. Well, at least I made her feel a little better.

"Is Shane coming?" Clive asked.

Virginia shook her head. "He said he's pretty tired...and dizzy."

I nodded. "I know how that feels like. It's exactly how I feel when I get a hangover." It was the truth. Then you start puking all over the place. It's pretty nasty. Makes you kinda think about not ever drinking again...almost.

"Gallows!"

I saw an angry old woman glaring at me. Guess she didn't know I drank a bit, huh?

Aw, shoot. I'm so stupid. "I...uh..." I coughed, ignoring Clive's chuckles and Virginia's little smile. "Never mind."

Then we all heard the door open. I think we all knew who it was. The silver haired guy walked in with a deep sigh. When he looked up he was surprised to see our leader in the room.

...Surprised...and I guess a little afraid. I know I would be.

I glanced at Clive and he gave me a worried look. What would happen now?

Jet stared straight at Virginia, his eyes nervous. "V-V-Virginia...I-I'm-"

"What is wrong with you, Jet!"

Whoa. What a surprise. We all looked to the girl who had just burst out shouting before Jet could finish what he was saying. She looked...pretty angry. It was weird...too weird. I felt scared just sitting next to her.

I think Jet was the one who was the most surprised. He had the look of utter shock written on his face.

"You can't just hit someone like that, especially not smack on the head!" she said as Jet opened his mouth to say something.

"Look, Virginia...I-"

"Who do you think you are anyway! You think you're so high and mighty hitting people like that?" She glared at him.

His eyebrows knit together and he frowned. Uh-oh...maybe Virginia was going a bit far? "Hold on a second here-"

"What's worse is you just ran away! Shane was hurt and you just didn't care! You just walked away like nothing was wrong!" Virginia slammed her hands against the table as she stood, nearly knocking over the chair. "How cold could you get? I don't know if you've noticed but people don't appreciate how mean you are to them. You didn't even say sorry to the poor guy!"

Jet's eyes narrowed as his palms drew to fists.

Okay. It's official. Jet's pissed...again.

"Why do you care so much anyway! D-Do you care about Shane that much or something?" he said, finally being able to finish a sentence.

Virginia crossed her arms in front of her. "What? You mean do I like him? I don't know...maybe. At least I'm capable of liking someone."

That hit him. That hit him real hard. He tried to hide it but everyone except Virginia knew that the last sentence hurt him...real bad.

Oh whoa...this has definitely gone too far. I mean they've fought before but this was getting out of hand.

I decided I would try to get them to clam down. "Yo, you two-"

They only turned my way momentarily to give me a glare and I practically jumped in fright. Boy. They were really scary.

Jet and Virginia glared at each other for at least a minute before someone else spoke. I swear, it was the longest minute of my life.

"I-I was gonna apologize to you first...you know for acting like a big asshole," Jet muttered. I thought I saw him tremble a bit. I was probably just seeing things though. "But never mind! I take it back!"

But Virginia scoffed. "You? Apologize? Don't try to make me laugh right now."

That did it.

"You know what? FINE! I've had it! I tried to apologize but you don't let me finish my damn sentence and still you blame it all on me? Go and all your lovey dovey shit with him! I DON'T CARE! After all, I'm incapable of caring right!" He took a breath, looking at her with hurt eyes. "If I'm so damn incapable, then why is it that I fuckin care so much for you!"

The door slammed. He was gone.

Granny, Clive and I all looked at the shock stricken girl who suddenly didn't look so furious. We didn't move as she slowly and weakly sat back on the chair.

I tried to stop it from happening...I really did. You saw me!

Virginia put her face to her hands. We knew this was coming. Before we knew it she was bawling her eyes out. Gran forgot about the meal she was cooking and rushed to her as Clive and I tried to console her by patting her back.

"There, there," Granny said soothingly as she hugged the miserable girl. "Don't cry."

"I don't know why I did that! I really don't!" Virginia said, her voice muffled and trembling.

I stood up. Watching our leader cry was saddening and I still couldn't help but feel that it was all my fault. "I-I'll go get him. There has to be a way to sort this out."

But before I could even take a step, Clive called out. "Don't Gallows." He looked down sadly at the girl who was crying on Gran's shoulder. "Give him time to think."

I sighed and scratched the back of my head as I sat down again, patting my comrade's shoulder. I knew Virginia would be mad but I didn't think she'd say such cruel words. That was harsh. Even I wouldn't say those words to him.

"Why did I get so angry? Why?" Virginia shouted to nobody in particular. "Once I started going I couldn't stop! I didn't want to get mad at him! I didn't want to do that at all!"

"Well he did hurt Shane, so it's not your fault," Gran said, still hugging her.

"He should've at least helped him afterwards!" Virginia continued. "Why did he get so mad anyway?"

We all looked at each other silently as Granny continued patting Virginia's back. This girl had no clue that Jet had been jealous. So jealous that in fact he was sending out a bad, angry aura that scared away people who were near him.

"I went too far! I called him mean and cold when really I don't think of him as that at all!" She picked up her tear streaked face to look at us with watery eyes. "And he said he cared for me! He cares for me! I've been hiding my feelings all this time and he feels the same way? I've been trying not to show just how much I love him and now he says that?" She buried her head in Gran's shoulder again, a new batch of tears coming in. "I doubt that now! He probably hates my guts! He hates me! But I still love him! I'm so stupid..."

"Virginia...neither you nor Jet meant what you guys said," Clive said. "So please..."

But she only let out a sob. I felt like a useless potato then. She was crying her eyes out and I couldn't do a thing.

Everything was so damn messed up...

-

I sighed as I entered the house. It was a gloomy day, which was pretty weird because everyone else in town was having a great time outside. They were all enjoying the last day of the festival. As for us, Virginia had stayed in bed all day and Clive stayed to take care of her. But Gran and Shane had gone out. Don't worry, Shane was feeling better. A rather big bump was gonna stay on his head for awhile though. He didn't seem to care.

Me? I tried to have fun out there, but I didn't even feel like joining in the pie eating contests. It just didn't feel right when you know you've got a depressed leader, a worried sniper, and another comrade who...well...who you don't know where the hell he is!

As you might've guessed, Jet didn't come back last night. He didn't come this morning either. It was late afternoon and he still hadn't come back.

Could he have possibly...left? For good?

No doubt that was what Virginia was thinking. She had been covered up in her blankets all day, pretending to be sleeping. But we all knew she was quietly crying. I don't think she'll stop crying until Jet comes back.

If he does.

That fight last night was just too intense. Virginia had just let her anger come over her. I guess she had a right to that since she had no clue he had been jealous. But this was all just a misunderstanding. Virginia hadn't meant what she said.

I collapsed on the kitchen chair and groaned.

If you think about it...I started this mess.

A sigh was heard. "Oh please, Gallows. Not you too."

I turned to the nerd who had just entered. I couldn't feel guilty now. Virginia was miserable! "How is she?"

He shook his head slowly. "A little bit better...and that's not saying much."

I frowned. "Do you...think he'll come back?" Clive had to know. After all, this was Clive. He knew everything! And if he didn't exactly know everything, he always had a theory of some kind or a feeling.

But he only shook his head again as he ran a hand through his dark green hair. "I honestly don't know."

He was stumped too.

Boy, we were in a fix here. We'll never be able to beat Beatrice with Jet gone and Virginia crying. I bet we'll be staying here for a while if things stay the way they are.

...And I'll never get my appetite for pie again.

-

The sun was started to set now. I had taken a little nap because...well...to put it simply, it was tiring watching the door, expecting Jet to come in at any moment. I was really losing all hope that he would come back at all. It was then I noticed that the covers on Virginia's bed weren't hiding a big lump. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.

Was Virginia actually out of her bed?

That was impossible! I was sure she was going to stay there forever! But it's a good thing she got up. Watching her pretending not to cry made me upset and even guiltier than I already felt. Where was she anyway? I wandered to the kitchen. No one was there. Not even Clive.

Where was everyone?

I stepped outside curiously and spotted the trench coat of a certain sniper. What was he doing though? He was hiding behind the side of the house, peering at the backyard? I walked up to him. "Hey what are you-"

He turned as he realized I was there. "Shh!" he said sharply.

I raised an eyebrow as I too took a glance towards the backyard. My eyes ogled. Two certain teens were standing face to face, looking straight at each other silently.

"H-He's back!" I whispered hoarsely as I looked at the guy with the red scarf. "Since when?"

Clive shrugged. "A couple of seconds ago I went into the room to see if Virginia wanted a glass of water. She wasn't there so I went looking for them out here and saw them like this."

"Did I miss anything?"

He grinned and shook his head. "Nope. I think the show just started."

Yes. This had to be interesting. "Oh, look they're talking."

I saw that Virginia was obviously avoiding his pale violet eyes. "Wh-What are you doing here, Jet?" she asked softly. Good thing we weren't that far away. We could still hear. "I-I thought you...left."

After a while, Jet shook his head slowly. "I...Actually I..." He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I saw this and I..." He lifted a single white flower. It was a familiar sight. I remember that whenever we went to Boot Hill, I saw them on Virginia's mom's grave. "I...I thought of you." Jet took a step towards her to hand her the flower which she took gratefully. "I-I really was going to leave...but...I just saw it...out of nowhere, just growing by a rock. So I came back..."

She looked up at him, clutching the flower closer. Her eyes got teary. "I-I'm so sorry Jet! I really am! I didn't mean to get so angry. I didn't mean to say all those mean words." She tore her eyes from his face and looked at the ground. "I'm sorry..."

A silent minute passed between them as Clive and I continued watching closely. Hey, I knew it was wrong to spy on them like this but would you be able to pass up this chance?

Thought so.

Besides, Clive was watching. If you get mad at me, you have to get mad at him too!

"Do you really like Shane, Virginia?" Jet asked suddenly.

Virginia shook her head. "He's just a friend, Jet. I was just worried about him. That's all." She looked up at him. "I didn't mean anything I said yesterday. I don't even know why I said all of that."

Jet's eyes softened as he smiled a tiny bit. "I know why. My actions yesterday were inexcusable. I was just so...angry."

"Why?"

He stiffened. Aw, man, Jet. Don't let the moment pass now! Don't chicken out! You're so close!

"I-I..." Jet sighed out loud, scratching the back of his head. "I was...jealous. Of you and...Shane."

"Why would you ever be jealous? We were just acting," she replied.

I guess he got impatient a bit because Jet growled and got a hold on her shoulders. "Don't you realize it yet?"

OH! It was coming! I just know it is! He's gonna confess!

"Virginia, I don't wanna see any other guy touching you, hugging you...kissing you," he said softly yet determinedly. He swallowed nervously. "Because...I...Virginia, I..."

He paused.

Why the hell did he pause?! I wish I had a boomerang or something right now to hit him across the head!

Virginia looked up at him with wide eyes. "What you said yesterday...just before you left...did you mean...?"

Jet closed his eyes momentarily and took a final breath.

I didn't realize that I was holding in my breath for that long.

"Virginia. I'm in love with you."

He said it. He actually said it! That dog! I knew he could do it!

"I-I know you probably don't feel the same. Oh shit...what did I do? This is why I didn't say it in the first place. Well, actually, I didn't know I loved you at first but I figured it out, I-I didn't have the guts to say it." He let go of her shoulder as he rambled. "Oh shoot...I fucked it up." He took a step backwards.

That idiot.

Virginia had a smile on her face as she grabbed his arms to keep him from getting away any further. "Wait Jet-"

"I'm sorry, Virginia. I really am. This is why I didn't tell in the first place. Now our friendship will be ruined and-"

She grabbed his cheeks suddenly and pulled his face to hers.

Oh my god.

They were kissing!

I grinned widely. "Whoa. The lucky bastard did it," I mumbled to myself. "He got his first kiss." I heard Clive give a chuckle.

The two separated. The girl had a huge smile on her face while the boy just stood there dumbly, red as a tomato. "I love you too, Jet."

He frowned. "Why didn't you stop me from rambling? I looked like an idiot!"

Virginia laughed. "Well I thought it was kinda cute and besides, I-" She was interrupted.

My jaw dropped. I can't believe he just did that. I didn't know he had the balls to do it.

They were at it again!

"Oh my..." Clive said laughing. "Doesn't seem like something Jet would do, eh?"

I shook my head, still in shock. "This can't be the punk."

And they were still making out!

"It's not," the nerd said with a grin. "It's 'the punk' in love."

I tore my eyes from the two as Clive did the same. Okay, that was romantic for about two seconds. I don't need to see it any longer.

Gross.

I grinned though. It was a happy ending. I should've known. Jet wouldn't leave us. Especially since Virginia was here. I guess everyone's happy!

"Oh, hey Gallows! Gallows! Guess what?" Shane's voice said excitedly.

The color drained from my face. What if the two lovebirds heard? We'd be dead meat!

Shane ran up to us smiling...and still yelling loudly. Clive and I glanced at each other nervously. I put a finger to my lips. "Shane! Shh!"

"What's wrong? I have great news, brother!" Shane asked, still loud enough for the people in the backyard to hear.

I tried to point it out. I really did. "J-Just...SHH! Jet and Virginia. They-"

Clive tapped me on the shoulder and I looked up to where he was pointing. I knew what happened though. And I was right. There was an angry Jet and an equally angry Virginia right next to us.

We were in trouble. Deep trouble.

Well, at least it wasn't only me! Clive was spying too!

"It wasn't my idea! It was all Gallows," Clive said sheepishly.

My eyes widened. What the! I glared at him while he just smiled innocently and took a step away. THAT LITTLE LIAR! "No! I...he-"

"GALLOWS!" "YOU OAF!"

But luckily, before they could kill me, Shane was able to tell me the great news he had been so excited about. I'm glad he did too.

"The pies. There are still a lot left from the contest since after all, you hadn't been in it. They're asking if you wanted the rest."

My eyes widened with joy.

I don't care if they kill me. Just please let them kill me after the pies.

Okay?

THE END