Author's Note: Hey guys! If you commented, well, thanks. I hope that you enjoyed the story so far… this story though, is a bit short… well, it's the same size as the chapter before… or is it? Maybe it is a bit bigger though. Anyway, please review and ENJOY! :)

Chapter 3- Gray: Behind his back.

"So, are you really in-love with her?" I said, teasing him.

"I don't really want to answer that question…" he said, making me wonder.

Something's fishy… what is it?

I wonder, does he really love Claire?

"Okay, Class. Let's all start by introducing ourselves one-by-one…" said my teacher.

Person-by-Person… it's so boring. I was really not listening to everything that they had just said… besides, I do know them all.

Before my eyes, it was Claire's turn. She smiled at me, I watched, and I began to know more about her.

"Hi. I'm Claire. I'm a new student that just transferred here, Mineral Town from Forget-Me-Not-Valley. I hope to know you all… step-by-step and I hope that we could all be great friends…" she said.

"Claire, how was the weather in Forget-Me-Not-Valley?" the teacher curiously asked.

"Oh… just fine, It's just like here in Mineral Town. Everybody seems to be so happy, joyful, loving, and some are even depressed though." She said, starting to look at Cliff.

Was she referring to how Cliff acts? Maybe she likes Cliff. Argh! Let me strain myself from that thought. She doesn't like him, she doesn't!

"Thank you, Claire." The teacher replied, "Gray, you next."

"Oh…okay. Um-Hi, I'm Gray and you practically already know that. If you have any questions referring the school, its regulations, or other stuff, just contact me. You may see me monitoring in the hall or hosting my club in the afternoon. Please remember to join the 'Young Blacksmith's Club' or merely known as the 'YBC'." I said, really nervous.

"Thank you, Gray." The teacher, once again said, but somehow, depressed.

"Now, we have another new student, you may find him very interesting. Here's Cliff!" She said once more, but her tone changed into a cheery voice.

Do they hate me?

Cliff stood up from his chair, relieving my smile. Claire smiled unto him, he smiled back. Hmph, they don't have any connection at all.

"Oh. Thank you, teacher." he said, happily, "Hello, I'm Cliff. And yes, I am a new student, I'd just came here from Kingston Valley, it's far from here, though, I only visit my parents once a week when I visit them in Kingston Valley."

Everybody seemed to be gloom. Did they all just fall for him? Maybe it was just a trick to make them all be friends with him.

"I hope we can all be friends!" he said, cheeringly, looking at Claire as she blushed deep red.

She's falling for him! I knew it!

The first period ended, I was trapped in the circle of hallways, everyone was passing in it. Today, I want to ask Claire on a date. I would really want her to have dinner with me in the Inn, I thought.

I saw Cliff with Claire, they were both in the locker area. I tried to get closer to hear the conversation.

I was eavesdropping. I can't believe that I'm actually doing this.

As I went closer, I finally got to hear the conversation. There were only little people anyway.

"So… Um, Claire, I was thinking, are you doing anything this Saturday?" Cliff started.

"Oh… um, why?" she asked, turning red with a deep blush.

No! This can't be! He's asking her on a date! I wish she'd say no. Besides, I was the one who wanted her to go out with me.

"I was thinking if you wanted to go out and eat dinner in the Inn." He replied.

Hey! That was my idea! He stole it! I should do something to stop Claire from responding. No… I shouldn't. Now, I feel pretty bad. What if I were on the shoes of Cliff and someone tried to stop me, I guess I'll feel pretty bad.

"Oh… okay. Sure! I can come." She replied, still blushing deep red, happily.

I feel sad. I wish I could've asked first.

"So… Saturday night? At 7 o clock?" he asked.

"Yeah. Okay." She again replied.

"Hello Claire." I interrupted.

"Oh, hello Gray" she chatted, seemingly happy.

-----------------------------------------------To be Continued------------------------------------------------