AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the lack of up-dates in the chapter area. I think I'm having one long brain fart or something. Anyway when that happens I'll just have to take a break. I'm not going to B.S a chapter just to meet a personal deadline. So let's get back to the plot, or lack there of.

Also, if your wondering how Mary can remember and write so many quotes in her diary……..stop. It's a fan fic, I'm not Stephen King here.

Chapter 4: Do you Love?

Spring 6

Today was rather un-eventful. I guess there is no real reason for me to be writing tonight, but I seem to be having trouble sleeping and maybe this will be a good way to lull myself into dreams. So let me think of something interesting. Well the shipment barge came in today with food for the supermarket, medicines for the doctor, and other odds and ends ordered by the townsfolk. I ordered a new shipment of books, but they don't seem to be in yet. Maybe the next time it arrives.

Oh, I saw Jack this evening as I was locking up the library. He and I talked for a little while before going our separate ways. One thing I noticed was that he was acting a bit strangely. I'm not exactly sure why though, he wouldn't talk about it.

My novel is coming to a close, but I fear that I am suffering a bit of writer's block. I'm afraid that I may have written myself into a corner. Maybe I'll have someone read it over and give some suggestions. Grey normally helps me with things like this, so perhaps I'll ask him, but then again, maybe I should ask Jack. Perhaps he would have some interesting ideas of his own. I really feel that the story is coming together and that I can

The entry stops there. Perhaps she finally did manage to catch some Z's. The next entry is two days later.

Spring 7

Tomorrow is the day of the Goddess Festival. All of the towns younger woman (which, so far, consist of Karen, Ann, Elli, Popuri, and myself) dawn out finest gowns and dance in the Rose Square as a welcoming of spring and thinking the Harvest Goddess for a bountiful crop. I always feel to embarrassed getting up there and dancing. I can't wear my glasses for fear that they will fall off and break so I can not see the look on anyone's face when I'm dancing. The other's all move so gracefully, I feel like a klutz. I think we can add 'graceful' to the list of things I am not.

LATER

There's something I must write to you to attempt to figure this out. I was reading this wonderful romance novel entitled 'Do you Love?' and it was just getting to the part where the young man confesses his love for the young girl when Gray came in the building. Now when I read I lose track of the world around me, so I didn't even notice him until he tapped me on the shoulder. I gasped out of surprise.

"I'm sorry, Mary. I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's alright, Gray. Do you need something?"

It was here when Gray started to blush heavily. I had not idea why. I was about to ask him if he was alright when Gray broke the silence.

Mary, there's something I want to ask you."

"Yes?"

"We'll you know the Goddess Festival is tomorrow and I……well……I wanted to know if-if I could………escort you there."

Gray had actually asked me to allow him to take me the festival. I was so shocked that I couldn't reply.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked"

"No, wait! I……I would be very happy if you took me."

Gray smiled. I hardly ever see Gray smile. It's a wonderful thing. Gray said when he would pick me up and then made an excuse to leave. He needed some time to think, I know the feeling, when he turned, he stopped and I saw what he saw. Jack was standing in the door way. On his face, for only a moment, I saw an expression that looked like a deep hurt, as if he had just been betrayed somehow. He then said:

"Excuse me. I-I'm sorry. I have to go."

He then left the library in a hurry. Gray and I stood there for a bit. Gray left a little later and I was left to wonder why he ran in such a huff. I think I know the answer, maybe I reacted a bit too hastily?

-Mary-

Leo knew what his father was going to ask. It was obvious to the thickest of people. It had only been a week since they met and already his father had fallen in love. Leo could only imagine the pain he felt. Once, a year ago, Leo found his girlfriend cheating on him with another man. Now that really hurt him, but later he discovered that it what Leo thought of as true love was only passion. Now to think that someone you were head over heels for danced with someone else. He could feel his father's pain.

Spring 8

Today was the festival and Gray picked me up and we went together and I danced and didn't fall on my face. That should have made me happy, but it didn't. All the time I though of Jack and how he looked so hurt. He wasn't at the festival and I didn't think he would be. Running a farm is hard work. He must be very busy.

Gray asked if I wanted to do something afterward, but I declined and said I had some plans with me family. He took me home and, after I knew he would be in his house, I left for Jack's home. I had to see if he was okay, I found him plowing up the field and pulling weeds. The farm looked amazing. Everything was so improved. You would have never known it was in such disarray only a week before.

He seemed surprised to see me on his farm, or maybe to see me on his farm in such a nice dress (it was my mothers.)

"Mary! What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to know if you were alright. You just seemed so upset yesterday and I-"

"Oh. That. That was nothing. I'm sorry for worrying you. Thanks for thinking about me, though."

"It's just that you looked so upset and you didn't show up for the Goddess Festival today. I wanted to see if everything is alright."

"It is. As you can see, I have my hands full. I just didn't have time today."

"You really should relax every once in a while, Jack. Don't work yourself too hard. Besides, you missed a lot of fun. There was food and drink and dancing-"

"Dancing?" Jack asked.

"Oh, yes."

I then explained what I written to you about yesterday.

"I'm sorry I missed all of that. I guess I'll just have to wait a year to see it."

"You don't have to." I said before I could stop myself. "I can show you the dance now if you wish it."

I had no idea why I said that. I hated doing that, but, somehow, it seemed okay with Jack. He told me that he would love to see it and I bowed to him and preformed that dance. It wasn't as good with just one person, but he really seemed to like it. When I finished he clapped and was smiling.

"That was wonderful, Mary."

"T-thank you."

He was looking into my eyes, still smiling and I noticed that I was doing the same. It was like I was entranced for a moment. I smiled and shook my head to clear it.

"Well, I must be going. It's late. Goodbye, Jack."

I was walking away when his voice stopped me.

"Mary!"

I looked back at him. After a beat he said:

"Thank you."

I nodded with a smile and left.

I still do not know why I did what I just did, but I do not regret it. In fact, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Speaking of heartbeats, why is mine beating so fast?

-Mary-

TO BE CONTINUED