Chapter 4, Knowing the Facts

That night, I went to sleep confused. One thing was for sure: He's real all right. So far, this was all I know about him:

-He's real

-He's a thief (or was only stealing that night)

-He's hot

-But I can't date him

What would the townspeople think of a thief and me? Or maybe that was a misunderstanding. I decided that I would ask around the town about this Steiner.

When I was done feeding and brushing my animals, and watering my stupid-plants-that-wouldn't-freakin'-grow that cloudy day, I set out to talk with the villagers. I decided to start with the area over the bridge: Vesta's farm and Carter's site.

As I strolled into the house I ran into Marlin.

"Oh! Uh sorry," he said. He bit his lip, and his hand went to his curly, messed up dark hair.

"That's ok, I do it all the time," I said, showing him a friendly smile.

"Uh…ya. Um, see you around." He walked around the bend and into town. That is one shy guy. It doesn't help that he has a crush on me. I walked inside to find Celia and Vesta talking.

"Hey! Is this a good time?" I asked.

"Yeah, come on in!" Celia responded, smiling half-heartedly. I had seen her looking at Marlin 'talking' to me...or more like stuttering that is. But I knew that she had feelings for Marlin. He never seemed to notice her though.

"How are you, Tessa?" Vesta asked.

"Not too bad. Actually, I've been wondering about something." I hesitated. Was this a smar thing to do?

"Do you two know anything about a man named Steiner?"

All of a sudden, their faces looked down cast. I guess that was a yes.

"Well," Celia said, "Doesn't everybody?"

"What do you mean?" I answered, confused.

"He's a thief, dear!" Vesta exclaimed, folding her arms. "And a pretty darn good one. Always able to nick whatever vegetables or fruit he wants from my farm." She started mumbling about something. I stiffled a laugh; Vesta was always like that.

"Yeah," Celia joined in. "Some say he has a special power that can freeze others while he steals."

"Personally," Vesta told me, returning to the conversation, "I think its hogwash. But I still would be careful if I were you, dear. Make sure you lock your door that your produce is in a safe place."

"Wow," I said. "I've never been stolen from. Well, except from Murry that one time. But I give him food when I run into him-sometimes. He always looks kind of starved."

"Ya," Celia agreed. "Back on the topic of Steiner for a sec. I've seen him before!"

"You have?!" Vesta stormed. "Where? Why haven't you told me this before?!"

"I-It sorta slipped my mind. I was walking toward the house one night when he ran by. He had white hair…but I didn't know he was a thief!"

"I remember that night," Vesta murmured. "I woke up and found some of my apples gone…"

"Uh, thanks for the info," I stammered. "I best be going though. See you guys later."

"Wait!" Celia said, following me outside. "Ah, I got to ask you something."

"Anything," I said kindly.

"What...um, do you think of...Marlin?" I stood there. Poor Celia.

"I think he's a good friend and all, but...I don't like him or anything if that's what you mean." I saw Celia's face relax. "I think you two would look cute together though," I added, winking to her. She blushed a bit.

"Really?" I smiled.

As I walked away from Celia, I felt so…I don't know how to explain it. Steiner was a thief. I decided to ask around town though; just in case.

I went around town, asking my friends about this man. Some didn't know who he was. Some said he was a thief. Muffy said he was a thief all right but sure was hot. I assumed she saw him too.

I treaded back to my farm at 5PM to take my animals in. Great. So he's defiantly a thief, which means I defiantly can't get to know him. I sighed. As I went inside my house, I stopped for a minute.

The first time I met him, he was looking down on me. Sort of spying on me. How come? If he were a thief, wouldn't he be taking advantage of my daydreaming and steal something?