DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harvest Moon or any of it's characters.

Third-Times the Charm
Chapter 4

"SHE SAID WHAT?"

"That she thought Gray and I would look cute together and… oh Mary you're not taking her seriously are you!" I exclaimed. We were both sitting in the library once again only this time upstairs on the rug.

"Well it does make a lot of sense Ann…" Mary was saying her voice hurt, her eyes scanning the book shelves behind me.

"No it doesn't!" I insisted. "And even if it did, Mary you have nothing to worry about! I would never like him. Ever! You know I wouldn't do that to you!"

"I-I know," she nodded looking up. "And it's not your fault, who ever does or does not like you."

"Exactly, but really I think you and Elli are both making things out of nothing. There's nothing going on between me and Gray." I reassured her.

"Gray and I," she corrected and I rolled my eyes. But the truth was, I didn't think I was letting her or Elli in on the truth that… I possibly did feel something. No it was ridiculous that I was thinking I could possibly feel something for the blacksmith, besides the longing for Mary to be happy with him forever. And not to mention I did just have my heart broken as Cliff left. Of coarse it was natural for me to want to jump into any willing relationship willie nillie, I was on the rebound. So if it seemed Gray was interested it was quiet possible that I was feeling loneliness and thieving on the fact he could like me.

Yeah that was it.

Still none the less as the following days came and the rehearsals for Elli's wedding came this wasn't made any easier. It was only the first practice and I couldn't help but be haunted by Elli's words every time I saw Gray, and the rehearsals just made it an hour and a half of non stop reminders.

What made it even worse besides the happy bride and groom was Mary and every shy glance she gave Gray who didn't even seem to even take notice. It was an emotional turmoil watching them. Part of me was screaming at Gray to just look at Mary and take the hint, the other was yelling at Mary to get over the fact he didn't look interested in being anything besides being friends.

For this matter, I spent most of the practice in the pews with Kai, laughing at the way Karen kept hinting to Rick she wanted to get hitched soon too. And making rude comments about the minutes ticking by to slowly and having better things to do, but only while the bride and groom weren't watching of course.

"Well I think that should do it for today," Carter the priest said as he started putting unknown papers back into their cases.

"Thank-you Carter," Elli smiled looking back to the crowd. "How about we all go have dinner?" she asked. And after a chorus of agreements we all set off for the Inn, unfortunately for me this meant more work than a real dinner. Allowing everyone to sit down at the joined tables Kai and Jack were pulling together I took everyone's orders and headed back to give them to her Dad.

"I got them," he said as I handed over the slip of paper I had written everything on.

"Are you sure?" I asked actually half looking forward to the excuse to cook and get away from everyone.

"Yeah, you go have fun I'll get everything ready. Although I think that I will probably need your help bringing everything out. How many are out there?"

"Eight, nine counting me just call me in when they're ready," I replied knowing he was trying to do something nice for me I decided to accept the offer. Although I had plans to sneak back into the kitchen for my meal. Taking my good out time getting everyone's drinks I head back out taking my spot Once again at the end of the table Between Karen and Popuri.

"Hello again Ann," Popuri smiled as I sat down.

"Hi," I said looking around at the table. Too my enjoyment Gray and Mary had been seated down right across from me.

"D-Do you guys need any help back there?" Gray asked me.

"No, I think were fine." I replied avoiding Mary's eyes and looking around at the table else where. It was a long wait for food, whether it was just mental because I wasn't enjoying myself or because dad was preparing nine dishes all by himself I didn't know. All I knew was that the most exciting part was when I got Trent to shoot soda from his nose from laughing to hard. But other than that is was just bland. And it goes with out saying I was happy to hear my fathers call from the kitchen that the food was ready.

Hurrying back to help him I made sure my platter of tempura buckwheat noodles was set in the very back of all the other dishes. Each of us taking two by two out to the table, I was able to seize the chance to settle down at the edge of the kitchen counter spooning the noodles into my mouth, thus saving me from more goggle eyes courteous of Elli and Mary. It even better luck was that my father didn't notice this as he rushed over to help Siabara as he walked in.

But of unfortunately this was me and my luck didn't last long, not a few spoonfuls into my meal was I joined by none other than Kai. He peeked his head in through the door, smiled as his eyes met mine and walked in.

"Carful I don't think that my father would enjoy a floured kitchen," I said referring to the beach festival, he smiled.

"I don't think we'll have to worry about that. Unless you're planning something, "he raised an eyebrow curiously. "So why aren't you planning to come back out and join everyone?" he asked.

"Who says I wasn't on my way?" I asked.

"You don't look on your way," he said pointing to the utensil I held in my hand.

"Maybe I wanted some alone time," I retorted.

"Oh right sorry, Ann wanted some alone time. When there's a semi-party going on outside, sorry for me mistaking there's something wrong." He said rather sarcastically.

"You should be sorry," I said choosing to ignore his sarcasm.

He sighed leaning on the counter across from my own; I now noted Kai had brought his own platter with him as well. "So are you going to tell me what's the matter or am I going to have to buy that your turning over a new quiet leaf?" he asked.

"Nothings wrong!" I insisted pouring the rest of my meal down my throat and throwing the bowl and utensils into the sink to be washed later I tried hurriedly to get to the last door in the kitchen that lead to our 'house' to escape Kai.

"Oh no," Kai waved a finger making me stop.

"What?" I growled.

"Today's the 14th," Kai said.

"So?" I asked.

"Well," he said slipping off the counter and placing his own dishes into the sink. "Well according to the calendar right here, it says is time to clean the upstairs. You know change the sheets, etc." he said reading it directly off the calendar.

"You aren't my boss!" I retorted though he didn't have time to reply. As if on cue my father came rushing into the kitchen.

"Ann I hope you're not going to neglect the upstairs-"he was saying then he caught sight of Kai. "Oh hello Kai I didn't realize you were in here, everyone's already left."

"Yeah well he was just leaving," I said pushing my way forward grabbing Kai along with me before my father could say something more. "I got the upstairs covered don't worry. Did the girls from the valley check out yet?"

"Just this morning," he replied.

"Perfect," I replied happy less people would be there to disturb me as I cleaned I wanted to be alone. Although I wasn't exactly getting that with Kai on my heels, I went to the cupboard hoping the detour would allow him the opportunity to go to his straight to his room, but he didn't. He continued walking at my side until we both entered his and Gray's shared room the blankets I was carrying covering my face. I did my best to set them down on the nearest unused bed. Besides Kai and I the room was deserted no Gray, well that was good at least.

I got to work on Kai's bed the closest to the door, ripping off the sheets and covers and putting them into a pile replacing them, when Kai started working as well. Though not in any helpful way or form, he began to get to work at guessing what was wrong with me.

"Cliff called back!" he exclaimed took a look at me then shook his head. "No… umm Gray confessed his love for you!"

I jumped at the idea and glared at him, trying to finish my work. "Oh I got something… but I know he wouldn't have the guts…"

"You know Kai it's really rude to sit there on you butt while watching a lady clean," Gray's cold voice came from the door way. I looked up frozen, there was no doubt he heard Kai's comment.

"Hey no hard feelings," Kai held up his hands. "I'm just keeping her company."

"I think you'd help her more if you shut up," Gray replied.

Kai looked angry but was silent after that, anxiously now I finished up on Gray's bed and starting hurrying to the last bed in the room that needed cleaning: Cliff's. I paused at first looking at it, the moment I touched the sheets I knew he would be gone, there was no turning back. Though I had the feeling that was already implied, still I struggled with the idea. No doubt I was mad, madder than hell at him right now but something about permanence scared me.

"You okay?" I jumped at the voice, in front of me stood Gray he was wearing a concerned look on his face and I noticed Kai look up from the fresh newspaper he probably plucked from Zach earlier.

"Yes," I said looking back down at the sheets and pulling them off the bed one by one, quicker this time in hope to get rid of the boys stares. The last one still hooked on the far counter of the bed I tugged on it impatiently.

Gray who was still standing on the other side of the bed watching me flipped it off the corner and proceeded to go back to his own newly made bed. As I gathered up the sheets and started fitting the next I glanced up at Kai who seemed to be watching Gray curiously. Writing off in the back of my mind I finished up the bed, not even thinking of its previous inhabitant now, and leaving to clean out the girls room which now completely vacant.

"Ann," I jumped at my name turning around to see Gray in the door way.

"Yeah?" I asked wondering what in the world he would want with me now.

"Umm I," his face was turning red and he started to annoyingly tug on his hat as if trying to hide. I waited truly wanting to yell at him to spit it out, but refrained seeing his state. Perhaps he wanted to get my help to ask out Mary! Oh she'd be so excited! But no sooner had I thought it Elli's words echoed in my head: "You might want to think about Gray… I think it's pretty oblivious he has had a crush on you for quiet some time now..."

Oh no he wouldn't, how… IS HE THAT STUPID! Gray had one of the most wonderful women in Mineral Town crushing on him next door and he was trying to waste his time with me!

"Er I-"he was still trying to find words, great, wonderful! "Have you read any good books lately?" he blurted out, now confusing me even more. Him and Mary sure were two peas in a pod alright, now why couldn't he see that?

"No," I replied then decided to add a little hoping he'd get my hint. "I don't read much actually don't really have time for it. But if your looking for a good book I'm sure Mary would love to help you, you should ask her."

"Ye-yea," he nodded. "Well see y-you around," he finished lamely hurrying out the door. For a second I thought I saw a purple blur outside the door seconds before Gray turned to leave but as I blinked I must have been imagining it.

"Okay," I replied my eyes now floating back to my work.

'How could boys be so stupid… yet he was- no why couldn't he see Mary right in front of him!'

'Maybe he does and it's not like that for him… '

'Nonsense they're PERFECT for each other!'

My internal argument continued as I hurried around the room in a frenzy. Not even cleaning as it sometimes did was able to calm me down this time.