Chapter 4

Mary Ann woke up the next morning feeling nervous about what she was going to do that night. Still, she got up and cooked breakfast as usual, and afterwards, the object of her nervousness, Gilligan, helped her clean up. That day Mary Ann tried to keep herself busy. She tended to her little vegetable garden, washed and hung up the clothes on the line, sewed a hole up in one of Ginger's dresses, and listened to the Howells have one of their small arguments and then make up. Otherwise, she thought about that night.

Nighttime came quicker than expected. Since Mary Ann had already asked Gilligan to meet her down by the lagoon at 8:30pm, she wondered down to the lagoon at 8:20 by herself. Mary Ann didn't have a watch, but she could that by how much time had passed, Gilligan was late. She began to worry until Gilligan finally showed up.

"Sorry I'm late, Mary Ann, I had to help Skipper with something." Gilligan said apologetically.

"Thats okay Gilligan, I'm sure you weren't too late. What time is it anyway?" Mary Ann asked.

Gilligan looked at his watch. "8:50." He blushed.

"That is late." Mary Ann smiled. "Thats okay. Gilligan, I asked you to meet me here for a reason..."

"Well I was hoping you'd have a reason..." Gilligan replied. Mary Ann didn't know whether he was just being Gilligan or whether he was being a wise guy.

"Yes, well, Gilligan you see, we've been friends for a long time...and well, three years almost." She paused, and then continued. "You know, I don't know if you feel the same way or not, or even if you like me at all, but--Gilligan I guess what I'm trying to say is that I really really like you. I mean as more than a friend." By now Mary Ann's whole face had turned pink and she was shaking all over and her heart was beating so hard she was sure Gilligan could here it.

She looked down and shut her eyes as she waited to be rejected. But what happend next caught her by surprise. Instead of laughing at her, Gilligan gently lifted her chin so that she looked at him. Gilligan looked half astonished, half joyous.

He took a deep breath then said, "I like you a lot too Mary Ann--as more than a friend. I liked you when I first saw you. So--uh--I guess you know now..." Gilligan looked just as nervous as Mary Ann herself had been.

Mary Ann was taken aback by this. "Really? You really mean that Gilligan? You're not just saying that to make me feel better are you? Because if you are--"

"I mean it Mary Ann, I'm not just saying it. I like you." Gilligan blushed then smiled slightly.

This was unbelievable, Mary Ann thought. She had thought for sure she'd be rejected. She was so happy that suddenly, she jumped up and hugged Gilligan, knocking him flat on his back in the sand. He didn't seem to care and hugged her back as he sat up.

"Oh Gilligan, I'm so happy! I thought that you wouldn't like me back and you'd reject me! I'm so happy!" Mary Ann laughed.

"Are you happy Mary Ann?" Gilligan asked sarcastically and smiled back.

Mary Ann didn't notice that he was being sarcastic. "Yes I'm happy I just told you!"

Gilligan laughed with her. Finally they both stopped celebrating and just looked at each other. "So...what now?" Gilligan asked.

"What do you mean?" Mary Ann asked.

"I dunno." Gilligan shrugged. "You don't know what you mean, Gilligan?" Mary Ann giggled.

"No--I mean yes!--I mean--" Gilligan never was able to finish as Mary Ann put her arms around him and kissed him gently on the lips.

That kiss seemed to last forever. When it finally ended, they smiled adoringly at each other. "That was...nice." Gilligan said.

"Yeah..." And with that Mary Ann kissed him again, and they stayed there for a long time.

Hey I hope they didn't get out of character, I try. But thanks for the reviews! Yes, I know I said Chapter 4 wouldn't be up until Friday, but I had some free time..so Chapter 5 will be up this weekend instead. : )