Chapter 5 is here! Hope you guys like it!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harvest Moon:ToT or the characters!
Akari's POV
I don't know what was with Luke. I think he was crying. Why did he say sorry? What did he have to be sorry for? Luke was so happy. I've never seen him so sad. It kind of breaks my heart… I changed into my pajama's. I got into bed. Selena better not have hurt him. I swear, this time, I'll beat her up.
I woke up from thunder. It was one of the last days of summer and it was storming. At least I don't have to water my crops. I got out of bed, showered, got dressed, brushed my teeth, and sat down with a bowl of cereal. After finishing my breakfast, I pulled on my rain boots and my work jacket. I put the hood of my jacket on top of my head. I zipped up and headed out the door.
It was storming pretty hard. The wind was really strong. I think we were having a typhoon! I harvested what crops I could and I decided to go to the carpenter's. the weather really wasn't as bad as I thought a typhoon would be, so I had no problem. I started walking up the dirt path. It was soaked. It was covered with puddles. I couldn't help myself, I had to jump in them and make them splash!
After a minute of fun, I carried on with my journey. I was one-hundred percent positive that that was Luke last night! Why had he been crying? I marched up the carpenter steps and knocked on the door. The wind started picking up. There was no answer. I knocked again. Harder. Bo came to the door. "Akari! What are you doing out here?" He grabbed my arm and pulled me in. "Dale, Akari's here!" Bo ran into the kitchen. Dale came out of the back room. "Akari! Have you been out in the storm?" I nodded. Dale could be a little scary sometimes. "You could have gotten hurt! What's wrong with you child?" "I-I had to talk to Luke." "It couldn't have waited?" "Nope! It's urgent Dale! Nothing holds me back!" He laughed. "Well, hold on a minute. Let me go get him."
Dale went up the stairs and Bo came running back. He gave me a cup full of hot chocolate.
"Thanks Bo! You're so sweet!" I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He looked away. His face turned red. "You're welcome, A-Akari." He went up the stairs his self. I felt bad for him. There was no one on the island his age. He was so young. Not real young, but younger than me. Maybe he'd get lucky and a new girl would move to the island! That was his age! He'd be so happy!
Dale appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "You can go on up, Akari." "Thanks!" Dale nodded. He didn't seem as happy as he once was. I walked up the stairs to Luke's bedroom. I've been there once before. I opened the door to see Luke lying in his bed. "Luke? Are you awake?"
Luke turned, quickly. He had bags under his eyes. He jumped out of bed. "What are YOU doing here?" I was shocked. What was wrong with him? "I-I came to check on you… Were you at the Maple Lake last night? Were you… crying?" He turned back towards his window. "I wasn't and I don't cry." "Then what is it, Luke? You're scaring me…" I was worried to death. "Luke, you're my best friend. Please, tell me?" he stayed silent for a moment. He lifted his hand and wiped his face. "Luke, please?"
"Akari, I can't talk to you anymore."
"What do you mean?" My heart was cracking.
"Selena doesn't want me to…"
"And you're going to listen to her? Obey her? Just quit talking to me just like that?"
"I don't know… I don't know what to do…" I could feel tears streaming down my face.
"Is that really it? Is that what our friendship has come to? It means that little to you? To choose between your best friend and someone that treats you like crap." He turned to look at me. He walked closer. "Akari, don't cr-" "Don't YOU tell me what to do!" I slapped his hand away. "you know what Luke, I'm going to make it easier on you. Don't EVER speak to me again. We aren't friends any more. When and IF you ever see me, don't look at me. Forget that I exist." I looked him up and down. I took one last look at him. My tears came down, I turned and ran out. "Akari! Don't go!" I ran. Out the front door. I ran to the forest. I sat underneath the trees. I felt like I couldn't breathe. He was leaving me. Abandoning me. How could he? I thought we were best friends…
The rain was pouring down. Lightning struck and the thunder rang. I was sat up against a tree. There was water every where. I didn't know if it was from the rain or if it was my tears. Its been a few hours. The typhoon was only getting worse. I stood up and began to make my way out of the forest. It was dark now. I could barely see in front of me. I put my hands out to try and feel my surroundings. The rain and thunder was so loud. The lightning struck. There, in the dark, was a figure. I didn't know who it was. I wasn't even sure if it was someone. I brushed it off and kept feeling around. The thunder boomed and that's when it happened. Something grabbed my arms. I screamed and screamed. I tried releasing my arms. But their grip was so strong. I fell backwards. I kicked and kicked. The person kept saying something. I couldn't hear them over my shrieks. When I fell, they picked me up bridal style. "Put me down!"
"Akari! Calm down!" I recognized that voice.
"YOU! I told you to LEEAVE ME ALONE!" I started twisting and trying to get my way out. He still had a grip on my hands.
"Akari, I'm taking you home. Before the storm gets worse. You're gonna get sick out here…"
"I don't care! Let me go!"
"Akari! STOP! I'M TAKING YOU HOME NOW! SO GET OVER IT!" I never heard him yell before. I stopped struggling and sat back, in defeat.
Once I stopped fidgeting and trying to escape, Luke started walking. It was peaceful in his arms. His smell was intoxicating. Way better than Chase's. I looked up at him. He was so sad. Despite the rain, I could see the tears on his face. I brought my hand up and wiped them. He looked down. He looked so hurt. He looked back at the dirt path and the blackness in front of us. I laid my head against his chest. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
"Akari. Akari, wake up. You're home now." I looked up. We were in my kitchen. My boots were off and so was my jacket.
"You were soaked. You were already cold enough. You better go get changed. put something warm on. I didn't want you to get sick." I nodded and did as he said. I put on my pink old navy pajama pants and a white tank top. I came out and sat on the couch beside Luke. I laid my head on his shoulder. He stiffened up but then relaxed. We sat in silence for a moment.
"How did you find me?"
"I saw you head that way when you left. I stopped by your house, and you weren't home. I didn't know where else to look. So, I went there. And then you, well, you know the rest." I sat up. He looked over at me. He had his jacket and vest already off, along with his shoes. He looked comfortable. His eyes were still sad.
"Thanks for bringing me home. I didn't know how late it was…" He looked at me and smiled. It wasn't his normal goofy smile though.
"You're welcome Akari. I better go though. So, this is… goodbye?" I thought for a minute. I couldn't let Luke lose Selena. I knew how much she meant to him. I could feel my eyes swell up with tears.
"G-goody bye, L-uke." my voice cracked. I felt a tear escape and quickly wiped it away. He stood up, as did I. He wiped away another of my tears, many more to come.
"Akari, we.. I… I don't know what to do." I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Go be happy Luke. Selena makes you happy. Be with her. Just, forget me. It shouldn't be hard…" He stared at my face for a moment. Confused. I faked a smile as best as I could. He grabbed me by surprise and pulled me close to him. It was bone crushing. He hugged me. For several minutes. He just held me in his arms. "I don't want to forget you Akari…" he let me go, grabbed his stuff, and walked out the door before I could respond.
I turned off my lights, walked to my bed, and got underneath the blankets. My tears filled my bed. I wiped vigorously. Sleep wasn't going to make an appearance any time soon. It was just my thoughts and I. My thoughts were Luke. I just want him to be happy. I hope he's happy. Luke and Selena. Wasn't it great? Just had a ring to it. Wedding bells actually. I sighed and rolled over. I don't see why she doesn't want Luke to talk to me anymore? Was she jealous? Of what? Luke would never like me like he does Selena. He drools over her and he just treats me like on of the guys. I guess we weren't meant to be. Not that I wanted us to; I just wondered what it would be like. I blinked what tears I had left away and fell into a deep sleep.
A week went by. I heard nothing from Luke. I cried every night since. However, tonight will be different. Kathy, Renee, and I were going to the bar tonight. Kathy finally admitted to her crush on Owen. So, hopefully, he'd be there tonight! They would be perfect together! I started getting ready. I put on a purple cocktail dress that came to the thigh. The straps went around my neck and it was backless. My hair grew long from when I first arrived, so I was able to curl it and put it in a ponytail on the side with a cute white bow clip. I slipped on my white open toed heels and went to meet Kathy and Renee in the Maple Lake district.
The weather was warm. It felt good tonight. The bar had just opened a little bit ago, not even an hour. When I arrived at Maple Lake Renee and Kathy were already waiting. Renee wore a strapless yellow dress that went a little after her thigh. Kathy wore and off the shoulder green dress with her hair down. She looked gorgeous!
"Renee, Kathy! You guys look so gorgeous! Your hair is so pretty down Kathy!"
"What bout you Akari? You look hot!" Kathy said pretending to check me out. I gave her a pose. We all laughed. "Renee, Toby is going to be all over you!" She blushed.
"Yea, Kathy, I don't think Toby is going to keep his hands off her tonight!" Renee took her clutch and tried to hit me. I dodged it. Kathy and I started laughing.
"What about you Kathy? Owen might rent out on of the Inn's rooms tonight!" I winked at her!
"We can only hope!"
"Kathy, you dirty girl!" Renee said to her looking appalled.
"Guys, I think Toby might make it official tonight!"
"I hope so Renee!"
"You guys are perfect together!"
"Oh, my Goddess! Akari! You're going to see Chase tonight!"
"He won't be able to take his eyes off you!" I laughed!
"Shut up, guys! Now, let's go get some! Not literally." we all laughed. We all three walked in. the doors flew open and every guy in the bar turned their heads towards us. We continued to walk. I was feeling very sexy and confident. Everyone's eyes followed in amazement as we made our way to the bar. We took our seats. I was looking around to see who all was there. Jin was there, along with Cain and Julius. Gill kept staring at me as well.
I nudged Renee. "They're all staring at us." "Because we are hot!"
"Renee's right, Akari! We can get anyone we want tonight!"
"When can't we?" We all laughed. Renee stood up. We looked to the door to see Toby and Owen walking in. Toby's jaw dropped when he saw Renee walking up to him. He linked his arm with hers and started walking towards a booth in the back. Owen walked up to me. "Where's Kathy?"
Kathy turned to show herself to him. "Hi Owen." "K-Kathy? You look… great! I mean, you look absolutely beautiful!" Kathy started blushing. "Hey, Chase! Come bring us some drinks!"
Chase walked out of the kitchen and walked over to us. "What will it be guys?" he said without even looking up at us.
"Grape cocktail, please."
"Make that two."
"I'll have a blueberry cocktail." as soon as Chase heard my voice, he looked up. "Akari? Is that you?" I nodded. "You look gorgeous!" I began to blush. "I'll be right back guys." he kept his eyes on me. He then turned, ran into the kitchen and came out as fast as he could. He set Kathy and Owen's drinks down and came over to me. He walked out from behind the bar and served me my drink. "Here you go, my fair lady." I smiled. "That's not cheesy." "What? You don't like cheesy?" I laughed. "I do, I do! Its just funny!" he stopped laughing and looked at me. "I get on my break in about 20 minutes. Wait for me?" I nodded. "Okay." I smiled. He winked and returned to the kitchen.
"What am I going to do for 20 minutes?" I thought aloud to myself.
"I could keep you company, if you'd like?" I turned to see Gill. I couldn't stand Gill from our first meeting, but I didn't like to hold grudges. "Sure." He sat down beside me and looked at me.
"We don't really know each other. How about we start?" I smiled, realizing he was trying to flirt. "What do you want to know? I took a sip of my cocktail. "How'd you get so beautiful?"
Gill and I talked for a few moments longer when the doors re-opened. Everyone looked up to see who it was. It was him. Luke and Selena entered through the doors. Gill turned his attention back towards me. "Did you want to go say hi to him?" I looked back at Luke. He was looking at me. I averted my gaze and put my attention back on Gill. "No, we don't really talk anymore."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but you can have much smarter friends than that."
"He is smart." "No, he's an idiot." "Gill, shut up. You're still a jerk."
I got up and started walking off. "You're still a bitch, obviously." I spun back around towards him. "Excuse me?"
"Ohh, you didn't hear me? I said," he cleared his throat, "Akari, you are a BITCH!" he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. Everyone turned towards us. I could hear Selena laughing. I was really starting to get mad. I pulled back my hand and slapped him. There was a huge red mark across his face. I started to walk off when Gill grabbed my hand and pulled me back. "Why don't you hit me again?" I fell back on the floor and he started walking towards me. I blinked my eyes, scared to death. When I opened my eyes, ready to face my beating, someone ran in front of me. I looked up to see dark blue hair hidden in a bandana with flames on it. It was Luke. He punched Gill in his face so hard that he fell back into a table and knocked all the glasses of cocktails over. Luke then walked over to Gill, picked him up by his clothing, and said "If you EVER try to hurt Akari again, you'll feel pain far worse than that." He then pushed Gill and he fell out the door off the Inn.
"Akari! Are you okay?" Renee, Kathy, and Chase were all gathered around me.
"I-I'm fine."
"You're shaking!" Chase exclaimed. I looked up at Luke to see him looking down on me.
"T-hank you, Luk-ke." He nodded. "I told you that I'd beat anyone up if they hurt you." He offered a hand. I accepted and he helped me up. "Ahh, OW!" "What is it?" Luke asked. "My ankle. It hurts." "Do you need to see Jin?" Renee asked. "No, it's nothing major. It's just sore."
"Luke, you better get back to Selena. She looks pretty ticked."
"Thanks, Chase. I already kind of guessed that." He looked at me up and down, smiled sadly, and nodded. I waved.
Luke's POV
"Now, I just need my shoes!" I brushed my hair our of my face. Tonight, I had a date with Selena. Things aren't the same as how they use to be. I use to enjoy being with her, but now, she irritated me. She was beautiful! She had a sexy body. A "rockin'" body, actually. I just couldn't help but feel like something was missing. I felt alone. Very alone. A part of me had disappeared. I didn't know what that part was though.
I finished putting on my shoes and made my way out the door. Selena said that she'd meet me outside of the Inn. It was a little dark already. I knew my way around, so I had no problem getting there.
"Lukey!" Selena ran up and hugged me. She then kissed me. "Are you ready?" I thought to myself, 'Luke, you just need a night of fun.' So, that's what I was going to do. Forget about everything and enjoy the night with my girl. "Yea, I'm ready!"
I opened the doors and led Selena through them, feeling good, I searched the room to see if there was anyone interesting and awesome to drink with. I seen Jin, Julius, and Cain all sitting together. They were all looking in the same direction. I saw Owen and Kathy drinking. Renee and Toby were in a booth talking and having a meal. I looked back to Jin, Cain, and Julius to see them still staring in the same spot. I looked in their direction to see the back of Gill's head. I looked back and forth between them. What were they looking at?
That's when I seen white heels behind Gill. Long legs. They were gorgeous, yet, familiar. My eyes kept going up. She wore a purple dress that went to her thigh. Gill turned around to see me and that's when I saw her. It was Akari. She had her hair curled and in a pony tail to the side. She was beautiful. Of course, until she saw me. Then her face looked angry, shocked, but mostly sad. Back towards Akari and started talking.
Selena and I made our way towards a table. I looked back to Akari. I seen her walking away from Gill. She didn't look very happy, but I thought that was because of me. That's when Gill said something to Akari and she spun around facing him. They exchanged a few more words that I was I couldn't hear because I was so far away.
Gill cleared his throat and spoke loud enough for everyone in the Inn to hear. "Akari, you are a BITCH!" Everyone turned towards them. Selena started laughing. I could see that Akari was really getting mad. She brought back her hand and slapped him. Hard. I could heard the sting of the slap ring. There was a bright red mark on Gill's face. He deserved it. I couldn't help but smile. Until I seen what happened next. Akari started walking away and Gill grabbed her arm. He pulled her back. "Why don't you hit me again?" He pushed her into a table and chairs. She fell to the ground. She curled up into a ball as she saw him coming up to her. I was shocked. I couldn't move. That's when it hit me. He was going to hurt her. Worse than she already was. I looked around to see nobody doing anything about it. You don't hit girls. Especially not my best friend. I gathered all the strength I could and ran in front of her. My legs were heavy. I didn't think I would make it. My adrenaline was going. I ran faster. I grabbed Gill's fit and pushed him back. I took my other fist and punched Gill in his face. I didn't think I hit him that hard, but he fell back into a table and all the drinks flew off and broke. Glass was everywhere.
I stood in front of him. I reached down and brought him up by his clothing. Rage was taking over. I never realized how angry I was. "If you EVER hurt Akari again, you'll feel pain far worse than that." I threw him to the ground and he ran out of the inn. I looked at my hands to see them shaking. My adrenaline must still be going. I loved the feeling. It was like a drug. I heard voices behind me. Akari! I hoped that she was alright! I looked down at her. She looked up at me. She was so beautiful. She was scared though. I could see her whole body shaking. I just wanted to pick her up and hold her in my arms. Tell her that it was all going to be okay. To tell her that no one would ever hurt her. I wouldn't let them. I couldn't stand to see her like this. I don't think she could stand to see me though…
"T-hank you, Luk-ke." She spoke like an angel. I never realized how much I missed her voice.
"I told you that I'd beat anyone up if they hurt you." I offered my hand to her. She took my hand and I lifted her up. Her hands were so soft. She suddenly let go and grabbed her foot.
"Ahh, OW!"
"What is it?" I asked. If Gill hurt her, I'd kill him.
"My ankle. It hurts."
"Do you need to see Jin?" Renee asked.
"No, it's nothing major. It's just sore."
"Luke, you better get back to Selena. She looks pretty ticked." I didn't even notice him over here. I didn't notice anyone but Akari.
"Thanks, Chase. I already kind of guessed that." I looked at Akari all over. I tried to remember everything about her. The way she looked. I wanted to lock it all in my mind and never forget it. I smiled the best as I could. I nodded. She waved. "Goodbye, Akari…" I turned back to face the angry Selena.
She sat in her chair, tapping her fingers fast and madly against the table. "What the hell was that, Luke?" Here we go. "I wasn't going to let her hurt her."
"She would have been just fine! She probably deserved it anyways!" I stared at Selena. I couldn't believe she just said that. "Selena, you are so messed up. No one, deserves to be treated like that. I wouldn't let any guy treat ANY girl like that." She seemed a bit surprised by my voice. She thought for a moment. "I bet you'd kill them if they ever touched me!" She gave me a huge hug. "Umm, yea. Right.." I hugged her back. She can be such a stuck up bitch.
So? How was it? im not a hundred precent sure where i'm going with this... so bare with me? reviews please?