CHAPTER 4:

When the initial shock was over, Gray and I became much more comfortable around each other. We weren't "lovey-dovey" or "twitterpated", just good friends, with that tiny seed of affection, growing, and sending down roots into the soft earth of friendship. He would meet me at the Hot Springs, and we would talk about whatever seemed to cross our minds, the farm, the villagers, Saibara, or anything else. I came to the blacksmiths more often too, to call out a greeting, peek over Gray's shoulder, or to just sit on a stool, after all my chores were done, watching his strong arms working with the glittering gems.

My farm grew more prosperous, Bessie became cranky because of her pregnancy, the chickens started laying high quality eggs, and I toiled until the field was thick with sweet potatoes, green peppers, and onions. I mined, mainly to make small presents of various ores, and rode my horse around the farm, getting him in tip-top shape for the horse races.

I was out in my field, with my horse inside the fence, grooming a matted spot on his chestnut coat. I sang lightly, then louder and finally ended up doing a few custom dance moves, in one of those spur of the moment girl times. To my supreme embarrassment, I heard a small laugh, and turned around to face the visitor, hoping they hadn't seen my dancing, if you could call that dancing. It was Gray, and he had seen my dance, but just stood there, big shoulders shaking from mirth. I was upset, but caught his case of the laughs, and soon we were both laughing, and couldn't stop!

When we finally stopped, I walked over to him and asked "To what do I owe this visit?"

Gray smiled, coloring slightly, and replied, "Grandpa gave me the day off, so I came to see what you were doing down here. Now I see what really goes on when you're working."

I sighed. "Why must you catch me always at the wrong time? Come on, I'll give you a tour." I showed him the barn, chicken coop, field, horse shed, and finally came to the house. "It's already been expanded twice. Gotz did a good job." Gray glanced around appraisingly, and then nodded to show his approval. (I hadn't thought about it at the time, but he was probably wondering what living in the house would be like. When the thought finally did pop up, later that night, I looked around worriedly, to see if I thought the small abode would be met with satisfaction.)

He glances at his watch and frowns. "Darn. I promised the old man that I would deliver a broach to the supermarket." There was a pause. "You could come with me, if you wanted to." Did he honestly think that I wouldn't accept?

"Of course I'll come." I looked at him pityingly.

"Great! I mean, that's, fine!" He seemed pleased with the way things were going and out we walked, and up the road. We made general small talk all the way up to the top of the road, until we reached the supermarket. He opened the door for me, and we entered. Karen watched us come in with obvious satisfaction. Nothing but the exact opposite could be said for Mary, who seemed to develop a case of the stomachache. Karen pulled me to her room in the back.

She got right to the point. "Are you and Gray, like, going out?" Blood rushed to my face.

"What? No, no, no, we're just friends…yeah, just…just friends."

She grinned and winked. "I think you look cute and chummy together. Stay that way. Don't mess with Rick." That last sentence was said in a rather menacing, scary way, and I took the hint.

"Don't worry. He's all yours." She looked gratified, and let me go, after confirming that I was indeed, "a nice girl". I decided she wouldn't have any problems forcing Rick to marry her.

I returned to Gray, and he asked me if I was ready to go. I said that I was, and we left, making me feel guilty, because Mary's face was rather green. He walked me to the entrance of my farm, and we stood for a second, but I turned away, and wished a quietly disappointed Gray goodnight. I hid behind the house, pretending to go in, but instead watched what he would do next. He stood, looking after where I had gone, and then softly mumbled something I couldn't hear. His head bowed, and he left, hands in pockets. We were fine the following day, and he seemed to be completely happy.

My friendship with the other guys was a complicated business. I left Rick alone, and he seemed to understand the pressure, (or rather blackmail) that Karen left me with. He was always friendly, never cold, but there was a wall, and we left it that way. Kai was gone, and Tim was besotted with Elli, leaving Cliff. He still talked and flirted with me. I talked and flirted back, because I wasn't dating Gray! I had no strings whatsoever, tying me to Gray.

One day, however, I went upstairs to visit Ann. I entered her usual room, and found her huddling against the wall.

She turned to me and whispered "Shush! They're arguing, Cliff and Gray. I want to hear."

I put my ear against the wall, but couldn't hear much. I heard a few disconnected words, such as…."why….what…..she…..no…can't….she's…..yeah, but"…..and finally, very clearly, someone said the word, "mine".

Ann sat up and grinned. "Oh, this is classic. They're fighting over girls! Oh, that's great!" She laughs maniacally, and whispers to me, "I have to bring up their dinner in a few minutes. You should help me, and see what their faces look like when we enter! Come on!" We tiptoed downstairs, and brought up two trays. Ann opened the door, and the two boys, both still in a heated argument, stopped mid-word.

"Oh, hi Ann. Hi, Claire." Cliff looked sheepish.

"Hey guys." Gray looked as guilty as Cliff.

"Now what would you boys be arguing over so loudly?" I asked, putting them on the spot.

They both answered at the same time. "NOTHING!"

Ann calmly replied "That, my friends, is obvious." She winked at me, and we left, but listened.

"Aww…you don't think that they heard, do you? I would be so embarrassed."

I waved to Ann, and left, still silently giggling. Boys were very funny creatures, in my opinion, very funny creatures.

The rest of fall was as wonderful as I could dream. Cliff and Gray seemed to reach an agreement, although I could often hear them quietly arguing when I went upstairs. The harvest festival came and went, Karen put a load of red grass in, but I saw, and warned Gray just in time. We were the only ones not sick that night. Fall leaves turned the bright hues of the season, and one by one, dropped of the branches, to float to the ground. Rains came, and the air was left misty, heavy with dew. I grew accustomed to the way of life, slow, and wonderful, full of laughter and rain alike. Popuri earned an odd look from me, when she arrived for the pumpkin festival, but I surrendered the chocolate nonetheless. Before long, the air became sharp and frosty, and a single snowflake dropped from the smoky sky.