"You're going to the flower festival?" Angela asked incredulously. She had assumed that her stubborn little sister would have stayed home locked in the farmhouse all day, out of sheer spite. When Molly had told Angela about the festival, it had surprised her. It was true that Molly had been less difficult for the past few days. She had even gone back to talking to Angela on a fairly regular basis. Angela had still not expected for Molly to want to attend a festival.
"Yeah why not?" Molly asked with a shrug. "It sounds like fun. Are you coming?" Angela sensed there was more to it than what Molly was telling her, but didn't press. Angela was just pleased that Molly appeared to be adjusting to life on Waffle Island.
"Yeah I suppose I can come," Angela answered, reaching for her purse.
"Are you really wearing that?" Molly asked. Angela looked down at the grey pantsuit she was wearing.
"What's wrong with this?" she asked. Molly shook her head.
"You're never gonna catch the eye of any of the men here in THAT," Molly quipped. "Wait here!" Molly retreated into the her room. Angela had not intended on catching the eye of any of the men here. It was not something that much interested her after what had happened with Darryn.
Molly came back out holding a violet sundress. Soft fabric was draped over one shoulder, and looked like it would barely reach her knees. There was no way Angela was going to wear something that revealing.
"Molly," She groaned. "You cannot expect me to wear that!" Molly just grinned at her. Angela could feel herself groaning inwardly. She knew this was a fight that she was not going to win, and followed Molly back into her bedroom.
XxXx
Angela sat at a table, hoping to avoid any attention. She still could not believe that she had allowed Molly to convince her to wear the ridiculous sundress. She pulled at the fabric, trying to get the dress past her knees, it was futile. The wind blew at her hair that had been pulled out of its bun. Molly had insisted that Angela not pull her hair back into a bun this evening, which made Angela feel a bit self-conscious.
"You look more like a woman this way." Molly had said pulling at the pins in Angela's hair.
She watched now as her sister easily danced with a number of the men. She had never had any problem with getting attention from members of the opposite sex. Molly's strait blonde tresses framed her beautiful, heart shaped, face. She had large blue eyes, that were set with dark long eyelashes. She and Angela were pretty much opposites in all ways. Angela had dark wavy chestnut hair, and amber colored eyes. Molly was practically a mirror image of their mother, where Angela looked more like their father. Angela felt the tears come to her eyes, thinking about her mother always had that effect.
"Well hello," a familiar voice drawled. Angela looked up to see Calvin standing before her. "I'm glad you could make it to the festival." Angela smiled at the man standing before her. It was a superficial smile, possibly as fake as his greeting.
"Hello," Angela muttered.
"May I have this dance pretty lady?" He held out his hand. She stared at it for a moment, before reluctantly accepting it and allowing him to lead her on the dance floor. She glanced over at Molly who was dancing very closely to the Bar's peach haired cook. Molly had a coy smile on her face. Angela felt that old worry in the pit of her stomach. Molly's attraction for the man was obvious to her.
"So what do you know about Chase?" Angela asked Calvin. He looked over at Chase who was holding her sister closely.
"Chase? He's a bit distant, comes off as a bit cold, but he's a pretty stand up guy," Calvin drawled. "He's lived here on Waffle Island since he was fifteen years old. He was an orphan, The Ericson's who own Sundae Inn, let him have a room in the Inn for pretty cheap. But enough about him, tell me about you."
Angela looked away she didn't really want to talk about herself. Besides she could see that this adventurer clearly had no particular interest in her, and was simply just flirting for the sake of flirting. She had the impression that Calvin flirted with a lot of the women here on Waffle Island.
"Not much to say," Angela said. "I'm sure you have way more interesting stories. How did you end up here? I can tell from the accent you're not from around here?"
Calvin bought into it, and started telling her about his adventures and his travels. He was an explorer, who had come to the island after hearing about the legend of the Harvest Goddess.
Angela had finally slipped away after a few dances with a few different partners. she had really hoped to maintain a low profile, but it was pretty obvious that she was not going to be allowed that satisfaction. Staying just outside of the lights, she leaned against the old clock tower and sighed. It was clear Molly didn't want to leave anytime soon. She was happily sitting at a corner table with Chase and a few other people.
Angela was happy to see her getting along with someone. Perhaps a crush would help ease her way into living in Waffle Island. She hoped it would go no further than that, the cook was too old for her baby sister. She heard footsteps next to her, and whirled her head towards the direction of the sound. She found herself looking into the steely ice blue eyes of Gray. Angela held back a shudder, remembering their last encounter. But when she saw what he was wearing, any annoyance fled out of her. Gray had donned a light gray suit. He had also taken his hat off. He looked even more handsome without it. Once again she caught herself staring, and averted her eyes.
"Rough night?" He asked. His voice was still low but had lost much of the sharpness of the other day. She simply nodded, not quite trusting her voice yet. What was it about this man that made her so nervous? "Sorry about the other day." She looked up at him. He was shifting back and forth uncomfortably. She was amazed at this change of demeanor. Was he actually nervous?
"Angie!" Molly came running up before Angela could reply. She was the only person who could get away with calling her that. Angela looked warily at her sister, Molly usually only used that name when she wanted something. "I'm going to go with Chase, Luna, and Luke up to the Caramel River Falls, is that okay?" Angela looked back over at the other three standing in the distance waiting for Molly. Molly looked at her anxiously. She couldn't believe Molly was actually asking for permission. Molly tended to do whatever she wanted.
"Yeah go for it. Just don't stay out all night," Angela answered. Molly threw her arms around Angela's neck, and skipped towards the group that was waiting for her. Angela sighed, she had wanted to leave anyway. she turned back to the man who was standing next to her, an unreadable expression covered his face.
"Sorry about that," She murmured to him. "And apology accepted." Angela held out her hand. The blue gaze shifted to her hand as he took it in his. His callused hand was warm, and felt strong. His handshake was strong, yet somehow gentle. She stood looking into his eyes once again. The music in the background switched to a much livelier song, it was then she realized her hand was still in his. She looked down at their hands, and they simultaneously pulled away.
"Well anyway, I should get going," Gray mumbled. Angela watched him walk away. She was undoubtedly attracted to the man. She shook her head, determined to ignore those feelings. She didn't need the complications of romance in her life right now. She also assumed a man like him would not likely feel the same way about her.
XxXx"This is my favorite place on the island," Luna giggled. She sat with her feet dangling in the cool water. Luke and Chase had opted to climb the rocks near the waterfall, leaving the girls down by the bottom of it.
"It's pretty," Molly agreed. She liked Luna, who was nearly the same age as her.
"Maya about shit bricks when we left," Luna mused. "She has this idea that Chase is hers."
"Yeah?" Molly asked trying to stay nonchalant. It wasn't working. Luna's eyes glimmered with that knowing look.
"Oh come on now, what's the scoop I promise I won't tell," Luna crooned. Molly smiled.
"I dunno if there is a scoop. I mean he is hot, but also way older than me," Molly said.
"You find that kinda stuff doesn't really matter here on Waffle Island," Luna informed. They heard rustling behind them. The boys were on their way back.
"Yeah," Molly sighed. She had noticed that too. It seemed almost like going back into time coming to Waffle Island. She also had to admit, she was enjoying it. Her smile widened as Chase came into view. Perhaps moving here wasn't so bad after all.
