Gill was acting odd again. A different kind of odd, though. It was as if he had downed three shots of espresso. He was always drumming his fingers on something when they sat, and they walked, he kept running his hand through his hair. Of course, Angela just had to find out what was bothering him.

"Gill, you're acting strange again. Are you PMSing or something?" She asked, hands in her pockets. He ran his hand through his hair like he had been doing so often lately.

"Oh, uh, it's nothing. N-nothing at all," he answered hurriedly. Angela shook her head.

"I know for a fact something is wrong. So c'mon, just tell me! I can keep a secret."

"I-if you're sure… I…" Angela leaned in close to him. "I lost my d-d-diary," he finished. Angela pursed her lips and felt her cheeks turn red, about to burst into laughter. He immediately regretted telling her as he saw her trembling, trying not to crack up. "I mean my journal! I lost my journal! I keep all of the t-town records and stuff in there."

"Stuff? What kind of stuff?" She asked teasingly, "Okay, wait a minute. You lost it, right?" Gill nodded. "Then I'm going to find it!" Before Gill could say a word, Angela had rounded the corner in the blink of an eye. "I am so going to read it." The first thing she had to do however was to get as far away from Gill as possible. Knowing he couldn't run worth beans, she took the most difficult route through town. Angela climbed roofs, jumped over chimney flues, and slid down the awning of the Wizard's house, and continued to run. There was no way Gill could catch up to her. She was wearing her farming shoes, which were way easier to run in than the sandals she usually wore on dates. The farthest she could get away was Flute Fields, but she had to make her trail hard to follow. Luckily, she remembered the small beach between her farm and there, which she used without question. The sand did slow her down a bit, but she so far ahead of Gill, it didn't matter. She knew exactly where to hide- by the watermill. Specifically, inside the watermill. "Wait, this is too obvious. Hiding under the mill would work better…"

Angela ran out and headed for the very small cave underneath it. It was small enough to hide one person inside. Renee had shown it to her, and it was obviously Toby who had shown Renee. She scooted backwards and waited. Her heart rate quickened when she heard footsteps pass by the bridge over the river. She could tell they were Gill's footsteps by the sound of his shoes. It was so bizarre, as if she could feel his anger by his pace. Angela daren't move in fear of making a sound. She controlled her breathing to be very slowly, and very quiet. The footsteps stopped, and her breath caught in her throat. Had she been found out? Those damned footsteps finally faded away, probably to Marimba Farm. She let out a sigh of relief silently. Just because she couldn't hear anything didn't mean someone wasn't there. When she started to crawl out, certain no one was there, something caught her eye. That something was a green book. Army-style, Angela crawled along the rocky sand to snatch it. Her heart soared; Gill's name was printed on the front. Without a moment's hesitation, she moved back into her hideout and flipped through the pages excitedly.

"Shoot, it's too dark! The only way I can read this in private is if I went back home. But how? He'd see me for sure!" She pondered, her body racing with adrenaline. "This is going to be awful, but here goes." Shoving his dia-journal in her jacket securely, she waded across the frigid stream. She nearly slipped going up the other side, but managed to level herself. Using bramble as a makeshift ladder, Angela climbed up onto solid ground. She scrambled toward her farmland, and quickly slammed and locked her door one she got inside. Angela turned off all of the lights except for a small lantern, and backed into a corner, finally safe. Gill hadn't lied about the town records part. But he didn't lie about the "stuff" part either. She suddenly felt self-conscious because of his handwriting. It was so perfect compared to her chicken-scratch writing.

As she expected, the first few entries that had her name in them were about how much he despised her. They became less and less harsh, though. She particularly liked the fifth entry about her so far.

Spring 23rd

It's strange, really. No matter how much Angela irritates me, I can't stay angry at her. When she smiles, I get the most bizarre feeling in my chest. It's probably just a cold or something.

Her interest was full on piqued now. She skipped ten pages or so, oblivious to how many entries were about her.

Summer 19th

These feelings won't stop. I don't think I'm sick. If I'm not sick, what is it? When she wore a dress yesterday, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I wasn't really paying attention to what she was talking about. I just nodded at random intervals, hoping I didn't look like a complete idiot.

Angela paused for a moment, wondering if he had liked her so long ago. She skipped a few more pages.

Summer 30th

Is this what…love feels like? I can't focus on my work when I think about her, I can't sleep, and I can hardly even eat. I hang on her every word when we talk; that is if she's not wearing something nice. If we ever brush into each other, my breath escapes me.

Fall 15th

Angela seemed sad today. I wanted more than anything to hug her; to make her smile again. My heart wrenches if she frowns. I'm starting to think I more than 'like' her.

Her eyes were the size of saucers as she read on. It was almost creepy how much he wrote about her. Then again, she knew that if Gill likes something, he focuses on that, and that alone.

Winter 3rd

Yesterday was my birthday. I got typical presents from the few people who talked to me; cards with money in them. Angela's was lavender, presumably grown herself. The second half was a hug, which confirmed my feelings. I love her.

Angela's face grew hot. How did she not notice before? She suddenly had an idea. Scrambling through one of her drawers, she found a pink pen. For maybe ten minutes, she went through his journal and circled things she liked. She wrote little notes, drew hearts, and doodled various patterns on the pages. Satisfied with her handiwork, Angela set off toward Gill's house. The door was open, revealing a very tired and messy Gill. Guilt tugged at her heart as she approached him.

"I…uh, I found your 'journal'," she mumbled, placing it gingerly in his hands. He looked up at her, his eyes eerily dark.

"Where have you been? I looked all over for you! I thought you were hurt again. Do you know how much you scared me? Honestly, you're so careless! I hope you realize that having to take care of you like you're a little kid isn't easy!" Angela stared at her feet.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I'd understand if you never wanted to see me again…I'll be going…" Her feet dragged along the floor as she left. Gill felt frozen to his seat. He had every right to be angry, didn't he? He saw her dash past his window, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. His whole body went cold when he realized he had made her cry. He had never done that before that wasn't over the phone. But that was so long ago! With a sigh, he opened his diary and his mouth fell open slightly. He felt like his stomach was in his throat as he saw heart after heart and note after note. It had happened again; he let his temper get the best of him. He covered his face with his hands, anger and remorse emanating from him. However, Gill wasn't angry at Angela; he was angry at himself. A soft rapping at his door snapped him out of his anger. Was it her?

"It's Elli, can I come in?" He wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed when he heard Elli's voice. The door opened without his permission. "Did…something happen?" She asked tentatively. Gill nodded, grimacing. He explained what happened briefly, right up to when she knocked on the door. "Look, I can't help you. You need to patch things up with her. I suggest running to her house, pronto." He nodded and quickly left without a moment's hesitation. Elli smiled at his dedication to Angela. The wonders of young love.

As he slowed to a stop in front of her house, Gill realized that would she would most likely not go right home. He scowled when he realized that he too had begun to cry. He doubled over and slid down against the side of her house. All he could do was ask himself why.

"Why did I tell her I lost my diary? Why did she want to find it for me? Why did I scold her instead of thanking her?" His chest heaved unevenly as he cried. Her house's door creaked open and Angela poked her head around. The open door brought out no heat or light. Gill felt as if his stomach had been stabbed. She had been sitting in the dark, cold and alone, and probably because of him. Angela froze when she saw him, clutching his knees and shaking.

"Gill?" She asked hesitantly, hoping he wasn't still angry at her. Gill stood up quickly and embraced her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Her body went stiff, but slowly relaxed into the hug.

"I'm sorry," he breathed, "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean anything I said…I was just…worried sick. Will you forgive me?" Gill felt her smile against his jacket.

"I will if you give me…" Angela tapped her cheek with a finger. He complied, and kissed her on the cheek lightly. The warm smile returned to her face. She shivered. "You should stay here overnight and sleep on the couch, of course. I don't want you to freeze to death on your way home." Angela flipped on the light switch and heater. They sat on the couch together, just talking, like they always did. She yawned and put her head on Gill's shoulder. He rested his head on top of hers, his eyes slowly closing. "Hey Gill?"

"What?"

"I forgive you." The world around them seemed to melt away as they fell asleep on the couch, holding hands.

A/N: Still not the end! I'm trying to figure out how they'd explain this to Elli and Hamilton, but for now, let's let them have their moment. I had this start out as a happy chapter, but the story had a mind of its own and took it down the trail of depressing chapters. Two chapters in one weekend, phew!