DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harvest Moon.

Third-Times the Charm
Chapter 5

The week proceeded at a far slower more boring pace and as it went I realized sadly the only thing I had to look forward too was the Cow Festival. I don't own a cow, nor do I have any plans to get one anytime soon if that's what you're thinking but a festival is a festival and so I was excited! Or well I was until my father called me over to talk to him this morning.

"He what?" I exploded looking at my father.

"Now Ann this is perfect, very good for business. We should be honored."

"Mayor Thomas wants to give out prizes here, at the Inn!" I recited his news. "That's not business it's work! Work on a day I, I mean we should have off!"

"Well what's there normally to participate in at the cow festival?" he asked. "Now we'll get to participate by serving dinners and refreshments!" he eyes glowed. And I knew he was thinking more of the money income than what would be coming in after the whole town has gathered around drinking and eating…

"Do you realize that's going to take a lot of preparing? Are we even going to be able to go to the festival?" I asked. Wonderful the one day I was looking forward to having off, now ruined with extra work.

"Well I suppose if we got an early start we might have some time but Ann you'll see everyone once they come for dinner-"

"Taking their orders that is!" I retorted now walking away my hand on my head in disbelief.

"Hey if it isn't Annie!" an annoying voice came in from the stair case. "Excited for tomorrow?" he asked referring to the festival. Wonderful now I had to deal with him as well!

"Don't call me that Kai," I said my voice tense.

"What?" he perched his lips in thoughts. "Oo you no likie Annie?" he asked.

"No. Now move I have orders to take."

"Oh not so fast," he stopped me with his hand. "What's got you in a bunch? I thought you were getting less grumpy lately."

"Grumpy! Kai you better watch yourself…" I growled.

"Now, now you know what I mean." He patted my head annoyingly. "So what's got you down?"

"Cow Festival."

He looked a little puzzled now, and I couldn't help but feel a little happy at whipping the smile off his face. "What don't like cows?" he asked.

"No," I replied taking advantage of his confusion to sweep past him and starting clearing the table Barley and May had just sat at.

"Well then I'm stumped," he replied.

"Lucky you," I said curtly.

"Now, now Ann I didn't say I'd given up. Hey what's the matter?" He repeated.

I glared at him, knowing from experience he wasn't going to leave any sooner if I kept it up. He was just as stubborn as me, and I hated that. "I can't go," I said quickly walking over to Gotz in hope it would shut Kai up, it didn't.

"Hi Gotz what'll it be?" I asked.

"Why can't you go?" Kai pressed and I glared at him.

"I'll just have the usual," Gotz said.

"Chicken Parm?" I asked and he nodded. "Got it, sprite right?"

Gotz nodded looking at Kai with interested eyes, I didn't give him time to question as I quickly moved away to the kitchen.

"Come on Ann, why?" Kai pressed.

"Because."

"Because, why?"

I whipped around to glare at him, he was such a child! "Because they're having the award ceremony here along with dinner and the bar, we'll be busy all day preparing I'll have no time to go! Now please Kai, leave me be." I said it all so fast just letting it spill out of my mouth glad to know that as I went into the kitchen to start at my cooking he didn't follow.

I stayed up later last night with Karen and Rick, downing more drinks than I gave out honestly.

It wasn't honestly the smartest thing to do especially since I had to wake up early today and start preparing the food. Now standing over the heating oven I was cursing myself. My head was banging and every clash of the pans made be jump with pain I was grateful more than ever I wasn't Elli or Mary who couldn't handle even a swig of beer… then again if I was then I could be in bed wallowing in my pain with a day off…

"I can't believe you were so irresponsible Ann!" My father continued to scold and honestly with my head banging it was more like a background humming more than words. It wasn't until the kitchen door creaked open that I looked up from my work.

"Yes Kai?" I asked staring at him blankly.

"Hi Ann, Mr. Baker. Need a little help?" he asked and my eyes widened.

"Did you spend the night downing four mugs of beer a wine and a tequila?" my father asked bitterly.

"Uh no," came Kai's slightly confused response.

"Then welcome aboard!" my father smiled waving him in.

"Glad to know you feel that way Mr. B, 'cause I brought two others helpers." He pointed to Mary and Gray standing unsure behind him.

"Doug I'm not so good at cooking would you like be to help set tables?" Mary asked shyly.

"That'd be great," my father smiled pointing her to the cabinet that held our dishes. Mary got to work giving Gray a glance like she wanted him to help her, but he didn't seem to notice his were eyes fix on Kai who was working his way over to my side.

"Hangover?" Kai asked coming to stand on my right pulling over the cutting board and starting on some of Skywind's (Jack's farms) vegetables.

"Maybe…" I grumbled cutting my own tomato slices faster.

"You know you should be more responsible-"

"Like I haven't ever had to drag your sorry butt upstairs from the bar," Gray said challengingly coming up on my left grabbing a watermelon half and a knife.

"Who asked you?" Kai challenged raising his voice a little.

"I did."

"Oh really! I-"

"Guys seriously!" I shouted cringing at my own voice. "Shut up or leave my head is killing me!"

"Oh sorry!" both of them said at the same time, almost looking at me with the same concerned look until they realized what the other was doing then started glaring at the other. I swear there is a reason those two are friends, they're exactly the same.

"Gray how about you go and help Mary?" My Dad suggested and I thanked him silently and I had a feeling Mary would too, now if I could just get rid of Kai…

Gray's eyes lingered on me for a second and then to Kai before he slowly turned to leave.

"Don't worry Gray we got it covered in here, don't we Annie?" Kai was saying a big smile on his face and I glared at him shaking the arm he'd put around me off though his smile didn't falter though as he looked after Gray the door swinging behind him.

Looking over at Gray's watermelon I understood why my Dad sent him out. It was chopped in uneven layers and chunks, overall looking more butchered than cut.

The three of us (Kai my Dad and I) worked diligently for an hour uninterrupted until Gary poked his head inside.

"Mary's finishing up the last few tables… s-should I start something else?" he asked his eyes only flicking to me for a second before her adjusted his hat over his eyes.

I didn't wait for my Dad to answer I knew what needed to be done, and well I was hoping for some time not in the kitchen not having to hear the clangs of pots and pans.

Grabbing a handful of silverware and napkins I went out to the bar counter top and placed them down in a pile.

"We need to wrap the silverware," I explained to him waiting until Mary came over to join us.

"Do you always do that?" he asked.

"No, but since it's considered a party…" Mary came and stood across from Gray and I and I demonstrated the correct way to wrap them and made sure they both understood. Gray was having trouble but seemed to be picking up on it; I glanced at the window that looked into the kitchen. Kai who was staring back at me then looked away quickly, my father working diligently on a chicken. They didn't need me right away…

Or hopefully they didn't I didn't want to be back in there so quick. I reached for a set and a napkin and Mary gave me a questionable look.

"Aren't you going to go back and help them?" she asked.

"Well I-"I stopped looking at her face. Ugh stupid Mary. I don't know what she was planning to accomplish being alone with Gray but I could take the hint easy enough.

"Yeah I am," I said waiting until Gray looked down to roll my eyes at her and mouthing the words 'you owe me' before scooting the set towards Gray and walking back inside the kitchen.

"I was starting to think you weren't coming back," Kai laughed waving me over to wear he was icing some cupcakes that we had made earlier.

"Yeah well me too," I muttered.

My father gave me a hard glare from where we was before saying he was heading out to talk to Duke before he left about some wine. Cursing that he didn't cover this matter sooner I was forced to help Kai.

"So I think I figured out what you were upset about," I looked up giving him a quizzical look. "You know the day after the wedding…"

"Didn't I tell you it was nothing?" I glared.

"Yea to bad you're a bad liar," Kai sighed.

"Alright lets here your guesses," I rolled my eyes looking back to my work.

"Cliff," he said simply and immediately I was tense.

"You kind of liked him didn't you?" Kai asked.

"No he was just my boyfriend cause I was desperate," I said voice itching with sarcasm, and he frowned at me.

"Listen break-ups are hard I-"

"Kai I don't want to talk about this," I said.

"To bad, listen Ann are you seriously going to let him rule your life?"

"He's not in my life anymore didn't you notice?" I looked up glaring expecting to see a snickering face, but instead I faltered my glare sinking. His face was full of concern and I realized he wasn't doing this to annoying but because he cared. Actually cared… wonderful! Now I know he's serious, just great now he wasn't going to let this sink.

"Just hear me out Ann," he said and I couldn't face him as he said it looking down at the pile of cupcakes I was making I grabbed another.

"Fine," I muttered continuing my work.

"Well for one thing I know that moping about something that is gone doesn't help anything," I looked up to glare at him again but he shook his head at me. "You said you'd listen. Whether it's gone or is something that never happened..." I thought he was talking about Jack for a second and I was ready to pop him the old one two, when I realized that wasn't it.

"I didn't go out with Karen, but I did like her." He said and this is where I ducked down, I hated conversations on feelings. They're always that awkward I wanna blush type of thing, sort of like weakness but not. Not that I didn't like romance, the fact I cried over lost boys showed that I was just didn't enjoy hearing about others or mine for that matter.

"She though as I'm sure you know didn't return the feelings, and well now that I think about it trying to steal another one of Rick others girls probably wasn't the smartest of the things I could do… Anyways, it was kind of weird. Not that I expected her to like me or anything… though I did think she did. It's hard to get over someone you like you know?"

"I guess, thanks for the story Kai but that really doesn't help me in anyway. Expect for the fact we might both just be pathetic," I replied cleaning up the extra icing from the table with a paper towel and throwing it out.

Turning away from the trash can Kai was right in front of me startled I jumped back.

"I wasn't finished," he said.

"Oh so it doesn't end without advice," I said trying to squeeze out away from him as he was a little to close for comfort but his hand stopped me.

"No it doesn't, see the thing is I found it's easier to forget about the person you used to like by finding someone else."

"Oh," I replied. "So it wasn't Karen you were talking about?"

"What?"

"The girl you like?"

"No of coarse not."

"Oh, well thanks for the advice I hope you and your distraction girl work out. But unfortunately I'm not quite so fortunate to have options so if you could please let me past I-"

"It's you Ann."

"Wh-what?"

"You're the girl I've had a crush on," he said it so effortlessly looking directly into my eyes I was shocked.

"Y-you-"he leaned his face in… he wasn't… h-he couldn't! He didn't have the nerve, oh holy goddess he did! His lips met mine working directly onto them in a much more experienced way than I can remember than Cliff ever had. His kisses were more- what was I thinking? I was kissing this fool back! Quickly I reached up my hand I pushed him away resisting the urge to slap his silly face.

"Kai are you insane!" I gasped re-catching my breath.

"No. Listen to me Ann-"

"I'm not interested Kai. I'm sorry if I led you on, I'm not interested." He looked hurt.

"Think about it I-"

"Kai I'm not going to think about, you tell me you want to help me then attach my face! Do you know anything about me? Honestly I-"his lips met mine again and before I could smack him silly he pulled away.

"Be quite Ann, and tell me you did feel anything."

"WHAT? I yelled shocked.

"You heard me. Look me in the eyes and tell me you felt nothing when I kissed you," he said.

I was appalled no beyond appalled I was flabbergasted, this boy was ridiculous.

"You won't say it," he smirked regaining his confidence.

"I will to say it, Kai you had no right. Seriously- you silence me with one more kiss boy and you won't have any more lips to kiss with. I'm serious," Kai who was about to lean in smiled.

"Fine then say you'll sleep on it then, give me your answer tomorrow."

"I'll give you answer right now-"

"In the morning. Promise?"

"FINE!" I yelled storming out of the kitchen to the counter where the door smacked right into Gray and Mary whose ears seemed to been pressed firmly against the door. "What do you two think your doing?" I snapped.

"Nothing," Mary quickly said straitening up quickly. Looking at the both of them there was a series of mixed reactions on their faces. Mary looked delighted, Gray looked shocked and well I, I was angry.

"Are you finished with the silverware?" I asked.

"Yes."

"You can put them on the tables then, if my Dad gets back I've gone for a walk."

"I don't think he'll like that," Gray warned.

"He'll get over it," I said flatly daring him to challenge me again. He didn't. I stormed out of the Inn where people we starting to gather from the festival, I missed it figures! Stupid Kai!

I ran into my Dad but he was caring to many bottles to notice. Stupid Kai!

Popuri pasted me on the road. Stupid Kai!

Alright calm down Ann… I stopped and took a deep breath in than out. "Urghh!" I let out on the road grabbing Lil' Chicken's fence for support. Why did he have to do this to me!

"You okay?"

I turned around ready to rip off Kai's arm, break his leg, heck push him off Mothers Hill before I realized it wasn't him. Gray stood in front me his arms behind him a concerned look on his face.

"No."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No."

"Then come on," he said reaching out to grab my arm only stopping stiffly at looking at my face. I didn't not want to be touched by a single boy ever, I repeat EVER again.

"I'm not going back Gray, if my father sent you I swear I'm-"

"We're not going back," he said.

"Then where-"

"The Goddess Pond isn't that where you were heading?" he asked.

"Y-yeah," I nodded.

"Then come on," and for once I noticed he wasn't pulling his hat over his eyes or looking away but looking confident. I followed him, although I wanted to be alone being with Gray was kind of was like being alone.

He didn't talk the whole way, and even when we got there we each sat under the trees of the pond, and I was able to calm myself.

I looked over at Gray who I hadn't realized was staring right back at me, it was getting dark but I didn't care.

"You don't like Mary do you?" I asked. I didn't know what made me ask it but it felt right, like it was burning in my stomach.

He didn't flinch or look away, turn red of any of the things I expected he just shook his head. "No I don't," he said glancing away from me to the sparkling pond that was just being lighted by the sunset.

"You know she likes you," I said.

"Yeah I know."

I sighed looking up from the patch of grass my eyes had found to meet Grays. "You're not going to have mercy and tell me you hate me and never want to see me again, are you?"

He looked taken back, and then smiled. A true smile may I add, something I hadn't ever seen before. "No, I'm not" he smiled. "Quite the opposite I'm afraid."

"Yeah I was afraid of that," I muttered looking away at the pond.

"You act like guys' liking you is murder," he chuckled.

"How long do you think it would take to drown myself in here?" I asked and he looked alarmed. "Kidding… mostly… Oh shush it's impossible to drown myself at my own will, well maybe if I had a rope…"

"I think I'm going to have to go check al the Inn closets for anything that can be used as rope," he muttered.

I smiled back leaning my head against the tree trunk, "why'd you follow me?" I asked.

He took a second to answer and I had to open my one eye to make sure he was still there, and hadn't left. "I don't know… I guess I just didn't want to give you one guy to think about."

"Three," I muttered.

"Three?"

"Three." I had to think of Cliff, Kai and Gray and personally I was made at all of them. Cliff left me, Kai was an idiot, and Gray had Mary!

"I think I'll have to beat up Cliff if he ever comes back," Gray said searching the ground next to him. "Would you take him back?" he asked leaning back grabbing a twig off the ground. I watched him dunk it in the water twirling it around before I answered.

"I don't know," I replied honestly. "I think part of me wants too, but-" I stopped myself what was I an idiot spilling my guts to him? "You're annoying you know that?" I asked.

"W-what?" he asked wide eyed looking up from his stick.

"You're totally getting me to spill my guts out on you," I replied still shocked.

"Sorry," he smiled.

"Take advantage of a hangover and a well…" I shook my head in disbelief.

"Kai's kiss," Gray suggested and I flinched looking at him.

"You did see then…"

"Only the end of the first one, Mary saw it through the window and gasped. Caught the second one too…" he replied.

"Sorry," I mumbled looking at him.

He shook his head, and although he didn't say it I knew it hurt him. Gray didn't seem good with words, but the funny thing was I could tell everything as clearly as if he said it. Not angry at me but at himself, himself and Kai.

"We should probably get back," I muttered glancing at the sky and starting to pull myself up, when Gray grabbed my hand.

"Ann?" he asked.

"Yea?"

"The thing is…" his face was turning red. "Y-you I-"he stopped and I waited for him to gather his thoughts. "C-can I kiss you?" he asked.

I jumped a little, "w-what?"

"Well… it's just that I know you've kissed Cliff and well Kai and I think-"

"You want my judging to be clear?" I suggested.

"W-well yeah…" he said looking to the ground deeply reminding me of Cliff, and I had to smack myself mentally for the thought.

"I… uh," I thought about it. I suppose he was right, when I thought about it all tonight this was sadly a factor… but kissing Gray. Mary would kill me… and I'd feel like a crappy friend for sure.

Looking at him I felt a twang in my heart, I wanted to kiss him. But I shouldn't. Oh Goddess I shouldn't. And shouldn't a relationship be based mostly on the person not how well they kissed?

"Sorry I knew it was a dumb idea…" Gray said releasing my hand which I hadn't realized he was still holding and stood up. It took me a second to join him, when he placed a foot forward and started to walk away he stopped I wasn't following. "Ann I'm sorry I-"he stopped as I shook my head and came to join him.

Before I can really say what I was doing I reached out for his hands held them in mine and leaned in closing my eyes as our lips met. He seemed shocked at first then, his lips hard as stone but he quickly caught up, and as slow as that must sound it wasn't. Just as I thought everything was okay, I was getting used to the idea of Gray and actually enjoying it… I heard a gasp.

Oh no, no no no no no! In front of us down the path, fogging up her glasses stood Mary. Before I could say a thing she was turning away and dashing out of sight.

"Mary!" I called unlatching myself from Gray -who seemed to have somehow worked his arms around me- I chased after my friend, my best friend. Oh Goddess what was wrong with me! Did I seriously think a friendship was worth that!

"Mary come back!" I called but it was too late she was out of sight I slowed down staring after her… "I'm sorry! I-" tears flushed my face, what the hell was with me anymore…

Thanks so much for reading!