Gray stood on the beach in anticipation. He was waiting for her. She was possibly the very thing that made his world go round. He knew ever since he'd seen her she had to be the one. Her long blonde hair, her big blue eyes, her plump lips… She was beautiful. And soon she would be his. Because he damned well needed to fall in love sometime. It was inevitable to happen. Every boy fell in love and every boy proposed to a girl at some point in his life. Gray knew the time was now. He was desperately in love with Sally, and she held all his hopes and dreams….

Gray awoke with a start, gasping for air and sweating furiously. Groaning he rolled on his side and hoisted himself out of bed. The clock stated it was three A.M. Gray sighed as he fumbled for his jacket.

"Gray?" Cliff, his roommate, asked softly. Gray didn't respond, but kept looking for his cap. Cliff watched him with sorrowful eyes and Gray couldn't take it any longer.

"WHAT?"

"Oh, um, nothing, err, never mind," Cliff stuttered. Gray sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you okay Gray?"

Gray chuckled. Silently he slipped out the door. Minutes later Anne appeared through the door, hair in curlers and dark purple shadows under her eyes.

"Where's Gray gone to at this hour?" She yawned. Cliff's jaw dropped. Quickly he snapped it shut with an audible snap.

"Er, I don't know…" Cliff said uncomfortably, instinctively pulling the sheets higher over his bare chest. Anne yawned hugely again and lumbered out of the room. Cliff let out a sigh of relief and fell back against the pillow. Seconds later, he was asleep.

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Gray walked through Rose Square, the town center for gatherings and events. All the stupid, pointless events. He kicked a pebble across the pavement with the toe of his shoe. What was wrong with this town? He'd never fit in and anybody who tried to be friend with him ended up walking away because he was too mean, it was too awkward ,any excuse they could come up with. So many miserable excuses, so many stupid lies. And that girl, what was her name? Mary. Mary and her little helpless charade. Grey realized he'd gone too far. He was on the farm which wouldn't have meant anything on a normal day. But there was a new farmer. Her. And she was probably going to catch him on her property and try to shoot him or something. Girls were like that. Muttering under his breath he casually walked past the garden which didn't look quite as rough as before. A dark figure moved in the shadows. Gray stiffened, a drop of sweat tracing down the nape of his neck.

"Hi there," She stepped out of the shadow. Sally. Gray looked at the ground, his cheeks flushing furiously. Sally laughed. "Did you need something? I didn't realize there was anyone else-"

"No, I'm fine. Lost my way," Gray interrupted. He fidgeted with his cap, drawing it farther over his face until it was entirely engulfed in shadows and almost impossible to see.

"Oh, that's fine. You can come anytime you want. You're always welcome,"

"Considering you're new here you really shouldn't be hospitable. You should really wait till you've been here at least long enough that someone new comes along so you can be hospitable to them." Gray said his low voice lashing out in a hostile manner.

"Oh, um, yeah. I guess you're right," Sally's face clouded over with embarrassment. She looked at her shoes. Her long blonde hair flitted silkily along her collar bone as a gentle breeze passed through. Gray walked briskly past her, avoiding eye contact. She looked up, but he was already gone.

Gray entered the mine flushing a deep red. She really should have kept her big mouth shut. That girl was going to get into a lot of trouble someday if she ever moved to the city. What was he even doing on her farm? He usually went that way, but he should have known better. Groaning internally, he remembered his hammer was at his grandpa's shop. He punched the wall of the cave, causing blood to gush out of his knuckles. He'd have to go to the hospital for that. He liked the hospital. The doctor wasn't bad, but that Elli chick was enough to drive Gray to shoot himself. She, like Anne, was peppy. Talkative and energetic. That was probably why they didn't hang out often, they were too much alike. Gray heard a sound, probably just a mouse. He peeked out into the darkness of the night.

"Hello?" He called, knowing he was alone. Rolling his eyes he sauntered to the hot springs. Since the clinic wouldn't open for a few hours yet, the hot springs was supposedly the next best thing. He opened the door and walked through the bathhouse. He tripped over something. Cussing under his breath he looked down. It was someone's clothing. Blue overalls. There were only two possibilities. He cracked the door to the spring open a fraction of an inch. There she was. Her back was to him; her blonde hair darkened by the water was a rich gold. It looked gorgeous. And very tempting. Slamming the door Gray leaned against it, his head hanging in his hands.

"Wh-who's there?" A muffled voice asked. Gray froze. Shit! He'd been caught. He couldn't leave the bathhouse, because he'd see her. And her certainly as hell couldn't walk out, it had gotten lighter and she'd definitely see him. Gray drew in a breath and molded himself into a dark corner. He could hear a splash of waiter and his heart pounded painfully in his chest while he waited. Because she would come. And then the wrath would come. And then his life would surely be over.