Chapter 2: Damn

Kai and the others got into position as the mayor help up the pop gun. "On your mark…" They grinned smugly to each other, predicting their own winning. "Get set…" Kai looked up at me and mouthed 'Hope you can cook'. "GO!"

They all dove in and swam as though their lives depended on it. Kai… was immediately in the lead. I felt as though I swallowed lead. Aw, crap… To my absolute horror, Kai finished before everyone was even at the halfway mark.

Kai stood up in the water and pumped his fist into the air, sending a few sprays of water out, too. He grabbed a towel and walked over to Mary and me. My mouth still hung open as he smirked evilly. "You start tomorrow."

"B-But, I-I have a farm to w-work on!" I tried to explain.

He wagged his finger. "Uh-Uh-Uh! No excuses."

I folded my arms over my chest and looked down at the ground with defeat. "…fine…"

His face went to shock. "W-Wh-WHAT?!" He screamed.

I still looked down. "I-I said fine… I-I said I'd do it, and n-now I have to…"

He looked at me with surprise. "Really? Just like that?"

I nodded. "…yeah, I-I have to keep my word." I stood up and turned to Mary. "I got to go, I'll see you later Mary." I turned to Kai, but didn't do any eye contact. "I guess I have to see you tomorrow…"

I turned around one last time and walked off of the beach. To my surprise, I heard someone coming after me. Rick ran in front of me and looked at me with concern. "Are you okay, Eve?"

I blushed slightly. "Y-Yeah… thanks Rick…"

"I just saw you leaving and, well…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I smiled at the chicken farmer. "Really, thank you Rick, but I'm fine."

He nodded, a slight tinge of red coming over his cheeks. "May I walk you home?"

I nodded. "Yes, thank you, I would really like that."

Rick looked up and smiled. "Great! Let's go."

He walked me home, asking me about the farm and how I have been. I answered honestly; trying not to get on the topic of… well you know who I'm going to say.

I opened the door to my house and thanked him before he left. Once the door had closed, I smiled. I had had a slight crush on Rick ever since I arrived to Mineral Town. He was very mature and funny, over all a great guy. Popuri had been telling me that he had been liking me, too. This, of course, made me like him more!

A knock came to my door and I gasped, surprised. I turned and opened it to reveal… Kai. Damn… I looked down. "W-hat do you need?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… do you really want to work in my Seaside Lodge?"

I sighed. "I-I have to, don't I?"

He pursed his lips. "Actually…"

"Kai…" He looked at me. "I-I think I do. I-If I don't, I w-won't be honest to my w-word. I-I want to be known for my honesty…"

Kai blinked a few times. "…Wow…"

I looked up and gave him a nod. "W-Well… good night…"

He nodded dumbly, just staring at me, seeming still confused with my answer. "Yeah, yeah… good night…"

I closed the door quietly and got ready for bed.

After quickly finishing my chores on the farm, I dragged myself to the –shudder, shudder- Seaside Lodge. Now, I had nothing against the white shack, but I practically loathed the owner of said establishment. I sighed as I fixed my ponytail and then trudged on in. Kai was leaning on the counter talking to Gray.

Gray turned around and slightly tipped his hat to me. "Mornin' Eve."

"G-Good morning Gray." I replied, giving him a smile. I got along well with everyone in the town, even Gray. Gray was probably one of my best friends actually!

Kai didn't sneer at me, nor glared at me, just stared blankly. I narrowed my eyes. "W-Well… what am I to do?"

He put a pensive finger under his chin. "Hmmm… are you good with food?" I blinked a few times and he sighed impatiently. "Can you cook, bookworm?"

I folded my arms over my chest. "Y-Yes, I-I can." Damn my shaky voice. Gray gave a look at Kai.

"Bookworm?"

"I'll explain later…" Kai threw an apron to me. "Wear it."

"Yes, master." I said in a high pitched, annoying tone. Gray stifled back a chuckle, but it became a poorly hidden cough as Kai gave him a glare. The glare was then directed to me.

"Are you good with working with people?" I nodded.

"Y-Yeah…"

"Good, good…" Kai nodded.

"…Aren't y-you going to t-tell me what I-I need to do?" I asked.

"Cooking and taking orders when I can't." He said simply. I nodded and looked down as I went into the kitchen. Once the door swung behind me, I heard whispers, so I listened in.

"What's your problem?" Gray asked.

"She was a bitch when I met her, that's what!" Kai yelled in a hushed voice.

"Don't call her that or I'll rip that precious bandanna of yours in a million pieces and shove it down your throat." Gray threatened. I smiled at my idea of Kai paling to such a plan.

"… Why so hostile? Jeez, I mean, this is Eve we're talking ab-"

"Yeah, I know, she's like a sister to me." Gray explained.

"But she-"

"She was probably mad at something you said." Gray mumbled. "What'd you say to her?"

"… What makes you think that I-"

"It always is, now talk." Gray interrupted.

There was silence and then Kai sighed. "She told me that she was the new farmer and I said that she looked like she read a lot. I asked her why would she want to read and then she got all mad cause I called her a bookworm!"

"…That's weird; Eve usually calls herself that…" Gray murmured.

"Yeah, that's what she said, but I told her it wasn't a compliment!"

There was silence again… and then a slap upside the head followed by a yelp. "Why'd ya slap me?!" Kai asked.

"For being an idiot!"

"How was I an idiot?!"

Knowing Gray, he probably took off his hat and buried his head in his hands, and then let his eyes peer out. "…Ever think that she took offense?"

I could've sworn I heard the gears in his so-called 'brain' shift. "…Damn…"

"Yeah, damn…" Gray mumbled. I heard footsteps and then I flew around and began to clean some dishes in the sink. Kai came in rubbing the back of his neck. I waited for some sort of conversation to start…

Nothing. He turned around and went back out after inspecting my work. I almost felt my jaw drop, but I didn't let it. I bit my bottom lip… and washed those damned dishes in that damned sink in the damned lodge (sorry lodge) owned by that… Kai.

Good ol' Gray!! ... Bad, bad Kai... I wonder why he didn't apologize. Any suggestions? Please tell! Review please!