EPISODE THREE

Dia's head was spinning as she stopped in front of the spring. It was getting hard to separate her dream from reality, because the forest was just like the one in her dream.

As she sat by the water's edge. She started to calm down. She had only been daydreaming, and it was probably because she had a fever or something.

She dipped her hands into the water, splashing it on her face. It felt strange, and her face tingled. "This place really is enchanted," she murmured, rubbing her eyes a little.

Dia heard a rustling noise from across the spring and quickly looked up to see what looked like a purple poncho vanish behind the stone figure of the Harvest Goddess.

---

Katie glared at Carl as he went around serving customers. Nina had finally left the café, but Carl never looked at Katie. It was like he was trying to avoid her or something. What a jerk. I have to be nice to him, though, seeing as how he is my manager and all… she thought, sighing a little. She saw Carl go back into the kitchen and quickly stood, following him into the kitchen and stopping him.

"Carl, I want you to tell me about the Harvest Goddess. Who is she?"

"Katie, maybe this isn't the best time…I need to---to go," he said, avoiding eye contact as he stepped around her and out of the kitchen.

Katie watched him go, feeling more irritated. She suddenly felt tired now, and remembered she'd been awake all night. She finally followed after Carl, shuffling her feet a little as she yawned.

She could hear Carl talking with someone, and barely paid attention as she took a seat behind the counter. The voice was oddly familiar, though…

She rested her head on the counter, pressing her forehead to it. She was really exhausted. She almost closed her eyes until she heard the person Carl was talking to squeal a little.

"Katie? Is that you?"

Katie felt annoyed by the voice. It was familiar, but who was it? She lifted her head up.

"H…ey," she said slowly, instantly recognizing the person. That smug look, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, the way she stood with her hands on her hips, as if somehow this made her look cooler or something…yes, there was no mistaking her.

"Oh, Katie, it's me! Gwen!"

---

Dia tried to focus her eyes. Was this another part of her dream? But it felt real somehow…

She pulled herself to her feet, her eyes locked on the statue. She started to make her way around the spring, towards the Harvest Goddess. The closer she got, the more uncertain she was about it being a statue.

She was eventually in front of the statue, and reached up a shaky finger to touch the Harvest Goddess' cheek. The world shifted under her feet and everything went black.

---

"Oooh, is that really true Nina? That's amazing!" Lyla was saying excitedly. Maria, Lyla, and Nina were huddled together in the library, exchanging gossip. It was Nina's turn now, and she had told them of her discovery of the stone Harvest Goddess.

"I don't know about that, Nina…are you sure that's true?" Maria said skeptically, looking doubtful.

"Oh, Maria, come on! This is huge!" Lyla said, her eyes wide. "How can you not---?"

"Just drop it, Lyla. Maria doesn't believe in the Harvest Goddess," Nina said, and Lyla and Nina exchanged looks. Maria rolled her eyes.

"I think that it's just a little weird. And can you blame me? I mean, the all-powerful Harvest Goddess or whatever, turned to stone? With no explanation or reason or anything? Think about it," Maria said, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, well…" Lyla said uncomfortably, shifting from one foot to the other. "I believe it."

"Anyway, there's more. Carl hired someone new at the Calloway Café. You'd probably like her Maria. She doesn't believe in the Harvest Goddess either," Nina said, and Maria rolled her eyes again, but Lyla quickly jumped in.

"Boy or girl? What's their name? What are they like?"

Nina looked a little annoyed, but not at Lyla's questions. She looked more like she was remembering something annoying. "Girl. Katie. Total snob," she said flatly. "She acts like she's better than everyone, and like I'm crazy."

"And you're saying that I'm like her, and so I act like I'm better than everyone?" Maria asked, her eyes narrowing. Nina shrugged.

"Well, I'm just saying that she's a little close-minded, that's all."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lyla could see that Maria was getting angry now, and tried to keep the peace, laughing nervously.

"Well, um…Nina, that's not exactly…"

Nina ignored Lyla, looking straight at Maria. "I think you know exactly what it means."

"No, I don't." Maria took a step forward, and Lyla cleared her throat, stepping in between them.

"Why don't we all just calm down? Maybe you two should separate for a little while."

Nina tossed her head, looking away from Lyla and Maria. "I'm leaving. I'll go find some people who actually believe in the Harvest Goddess, which is…oh, everyone in town but that snobby new girl and Maria!"

"Just get out of my library!" Maria snapped, moving towards Nina threateningly. Nina backed away, swallowing a little. However, she quickly regained her composure and turned on her heel marching out the door, Lyla trailing behind her, giving Maria an apologetic look before she shut the door.

Maria's nostrils flared and she turned her back on the door clenching her fists and gritting her teeth.

---

"Oh…Gwen…that's nice," Katie said, forcing a smile. She knew that Gwen couldn't stay nice for long, and would probably find something to insult or criticize.

"So Katie," Gwen said, her hands still on her hips as she looked around the café, waiting until Carl was out of earshot to continue. "You're working here now? Weren't you going to be like, a world famous chef or something? Is this place, you know, good enough for someone as talented as you?"

Katie's smile faltered. Of course. This was only to be expected of Gwen, and if she could just tolerate it until she left…

"Oh, I'm just starting small. I think this place is perfect, if you ask me."

Gwen giggled a little, as if to say, that's just too cute. "Oh, I get it. So, what about Waldo, then? Weren't you living with him before I moved away?"

"Wallace," Katie said, narrowing her eyes at the mention of her late grandfather. "And he's dead."

Gwen gasped dramatically, putting a hand over her mouth. "No way! Really, Katie? I'm so sorry to hear that!"

Katie rolled her eyes. "It's…fine. Anyway, you moved here? Are you still going out with Bob?" she asked, changing the subject. She smirked triumphantly, glad to be able to get a dig in at Gwen.

Gwen turned red, crossing her arms. "I was never going out with him, Katie. Besides, you remember Joe moved a few months before me, right? Well, he moved here. I'm dating him now. In fact, I've got to go over to the Workshop to meet him."

Katie's mouth hung open slightly but quickly closed it, almost laughing. Joe was nothing but an old crush to her, so she was not going to be jealous about that stupid little Gwen fawning all over him…

"Oh, well, I've got to get some sleep. Ronald drove all night, so I'm pretty tired. Bye, Gwen."

Gwen seemed a little surprised that her news didn't bother Katie, and Katie wondered if Gwen was lying or not.

"Right. Well, see ya around, Katie. I'll be sure to bring Joe to meet you then, too," she said, recovering and giving a small wave before leaving the café.

Carl walked up to Katie now. "A friend?" he asked, watching the door swing shut behind Gwen.

"Um…you could say that, I suppose."

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