The next couple of days were the best Julia had in a long time. Even though she loved spending time with Jack, she itched to get out of bed and feel the sun's warmth on her skin. One morning Julia woke up to Jack eating his breakfast.
"Hey Honey." Julia whispered.
"You're up?" Jack asked.
"Yes. I was wondering if I could help on the farm." Julia asked.
"Sure! I'll help you tend to the animals." Jack said excitedly, leading her to the pasture.
"Say hello to Abby." Jack said.
"Hi Abby." she said with a giggle.
"Okay, I'll milk her if you can brush." Jack said.
Julia nodded, gently stroking the cow's fur with the coarse brush. Abby mooed with pleasure.
"You like that, huh Abby." he said cooing the cow. "So, have you done this before?" he said with a smirk.
"Actually I have. When I was a child I'd spend summers with my grandpa. He would bring me to gather eggs and feed cows. But... he passed away when I was fourteen." Julia said teary eyed.
Jack said, "Do you want to go in? If it's making you upset-"
"No. It's not a big deal; it was a long time ago. I remember one year it was blackberry season, and Lumina and I ate all of Grandpa's crops. He was mad for a second but when he saw us stuffing ourselves he laughed and said the look on our faces when we got caught was priceless. Huh, Lumina and I were the best of friends back then. What happened?" Julia said sadly.
"You grew up. It happens to everyone." Jack said. He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her lightly. Julia rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. He stroked her hair gently watching grass blow in a summer breeze.
At the Villa
"Lumina, come out of your room." Romana said sternly outside the door.
"No..." Lumina groaned.
"It has been nearly a week. The only time you've come down was to eat, and you never say a word." Romana said.
"You don't understand." she said softly.
"Yes I do Lumina." Romana said sternly then softened her voice. "I know about Jack. I want to cheer you up so I invited my good friend from Mineral Town to meet you."
"No!" Lumina cried.
"Lumina! You will get dressed, fix your hair, and meet this young man that has gone such a far way to meet you." Romana fussed.
"Humph!" Lumina pouted as she put on her olive plaid outfit and headband. She walked downstairs and played her piano, waiting.
"You play that piece well." said a young man from behind Lumina.
Lumina gave a startled jump until she came to her senses. "Oh you must be the man from Mineral Town. I'm Lumina." she said
"Kyle." he said. Lumina eyed him over. He had navy blue eyes and dirty blonde hair under his baseball cap.
"So, how's your trip so far?" she asked.
"It was a little rough, but it is already much better." he flirted.
Lumina blushed and said, "So, why'd you come?"
"Well, I was hoping to take you out for a drink." he said.
"Oh, alright." she said with an awkward smile.
He walked her over to the bar, the summer sun setting in the back round. It was a bright orange circle lowering itself in the sky, surrounded by lavender clouds.
"It's lovely." Lumina said.
"Yeah, you are." he said.
"Shameless, huh." she said with a smirk.
"Some girls like that."
"I don't know if I like it." she said with a no nonsense tone.
"I'll make a note of that." he said with a wink.
Lumina raised her eyebrow skeptically. They walked inside the bar and grabbed a few stools. After ordering their dinks, they chatted.
"So, tell me about yourself." Lumina said.
"I've been working as a handyman in Mineral Town, but I dream of being an architect." he said.
"That's interesting. So how's it going?" she said.
"Well Gotz, my employer, is letting me design a layout, like what goes where. It only pays one hundred G a week, but at least I'm closer to my dream." he said with a far off look in his face, almost dramatically.
"That's inspiring." she said, totally enthralled in the conversation.
They talked a little longer; Kyle continued to make her swoon and blush.
"Well, it's late and I have to go." she said, walking out of the bar.
"Wait." he said. He grabbed her by the hand and looked into her eyes. He put his other hand in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful jewel.
"It's an amethyst, I mined it myself. I want you to have it." Kyle said.
"Wow, it is lovely. Kyle, this evening has been really special." she said.
"I think so too." he said, pulling her closer and kissing her. Lumina was starting to pull away when he pushed harder. She finally got out of the kiss with a hurt expression.
"What's wrong? I thought you liked me..." he said.
"I do. It's just... I just had my heart broken and I'm not ready for this." she said.
"Oh. I understand." he said disappointed.
"Thanks so much. Well, I really have to go, see you later." she said.
He waved her goodbye but mumbled as he walked back.
"I'm not ready for this." he said, mimicking Lumina in a high pitched voice. "I wasn't proposing or anything, I just kissed her. She's hot as hell though. But soon enough she'll be begging for more." he said with a sly smirk. As he was talking to himself, he didn't notice Jack in the back round listening in.
He walked up to Kyle and said, "So, you're seeing Lumina?"
"Yeah, and you are?" Kyle said.
"Jack, I live here and have known Lumina since she was a kid. Sweet girl, never got into trouble. Until you showed up." he said
"What's that supposed to mean?!?" Kyle yelled.
"It means you need to stay away." Jack said.
"I do whatever the hell I want!" Kyle yelled, punching Jack in the stomach.
Jack punched him back in the nose. Blood was spewing everywhere. They would have kept fighting if Julia hadn't come to see the ruckus.
"Jack! What do you think you're doing!?" Julia cried when she saw him covered in blood.
Jack gave a huff and said "This sleaze ball is going out with your cousin."
"Well that's her decision, not your's." she said, walking him home.
"He was saying how he was going to have his way with her." he whispered angrily.
"And how do you know she doesn't want that? She is twenty years old; maybe she wants a little fun. And you can't just go up to people you don't like and pick a fight." she fussed.
The she saw his sad face and sighed. "I know your intentions were good, but it can't be helped. I'm sorry." she kissed him lightly and helped him to the farm.
End Episode Four