A/N: Hi! I'm back w/chapter four. I want to give a shout out to all my reviewers and thank them for all the reviews they've sent:Fletty, AmericanDragonFan, Fuddog, snowboarder9, and Worker72. Thanks, guys! Responses are at the bottom.

It is time...for chapter four!

Choices

Chapter Four: Granpa's Advice

I kept seeing my mom cast worried glances at me across the table during dinner. I knew that it was because she cared about me, but for some reason, it irritated me. I frowned and started pushing my mashed potatoes around on my plate.

I had told Gramps about my "defeat" of the Huntsclan and how I saved Mandie, excluding that it was all an accident. "A lucky shot," as Huntsman called it. I sighed. My life just didn't make sense. Why couldn't I just be normal? That way, I could flirt with a girl without worrying if she's going to turn around and kill me...

"Jake, honey, you okay?"Mom asked, concerned.

"Yah, I'm fine," I muttered sarcastically. I got up and said, "I'm done. I'm going to go visit Granpa. I'll be back later."

"Jake?" I turned to look at my mom. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes," I muttered, then walked out of the house, slamming the door behind me.

I walked down the dimming streets of New York City. As I walked past old Mrs. Hinkleburger's apartment, where she was sitting on the steps, she called out, "Mr. Long!" I turned. She looked at me sharply and said, "I'm still waiting for you to pay me for those roses you ran over last month!"

"Yeah, no problem," I yelled back, and continued my walk to Granpa's shop. Frowning, I remembered how last month the old lady had went ballistic because I accidentally ran over a few of her roses. It was an accident...just like this afternoon.

When I entered Granpa's shop, I saw G sitting at the counter, short legs dangling from the stool, and Fu Dog reading the newspaper. "Hey," I said, sitting down in a rickety chair and staring blankly at the blank TV screen.

"Jake, what is wrong?"

I sighed and said,"I need you to whip up a potion...one that will...maybe, you know, help me face Huntsgirl without going nuts."

"But...I thought you fought her this afternoon and did fine."

It was time for the truth. "I didn't. When I hit her...I was just turning to walk away...I couldn't do it."

Granpa and Fu Dog looked at me in disappointment. "Jake, you are the American Dragon. You have responsibilities to attend to-with or without Rose," said Granpa softly.

"You see, kid, you can't just live in fear."

"I'm not afraid!"

"Sounds like it."

"No I'm not! The American Dragon isn't afraid of anything!"

"Good," said Fu. "Then you are going to have to face Huntsgirl. If what you say it the truth, then what happened this afternoon was an accident. You're not going to be able to defeat the Huntsgirl with lucky shots."

The words "lucky shots" triggered something inside me. I faced Gramps and Fu and yelled, "LUCKY SHOTS? I don't think you understand! You haven't had to deal with the girl you like being your worst enemy! I came here tonight to ask for help, but I don't need it...I'm fine on my own. I'll defeat the Huntsclan-without your advice or your potion!" And with that, I stormed out of the shop. I didn't head for home though. I started toward Central Park. I needed some time to think.

A/N: Well, that was chapter 4. I hope you like it, and I'll update soon, so 5 should be here soon.

~Emachinescat ^..^

Review Responses:

snowboarder9: Thanks. I'm glad you think it's good. Oh, yeah, and I'm glad u think I'm doing a good job w/the internal conflict. This is actually one of the first stories I've ever written with a main character having a huge conflict with themselves like that. I'm glad u like it.

Worker72: I...really don't know why you got the feeling that Jake's mom calls Rose and they work out their mutual problems...because I wasn't planning on making that happen. I also want to thank you. I totally see where you are coming from, what with the Huntsclan having a sort of curse...I have an idea that I think you might be proud of and really like...but you'll just have to wait'n see...

AmericanDragonFan: I'm glad u like it.

Fuddog: That's so cool! I wish I had a plushie like that! Is it soft? How big is it? Where'd you get it? Okay, I'm getting off the subject. Thanks for the review,and I'm glad you like it.