A/N: Hullo! I'm back with an early (for me) update! I'm really enjoying this. I hope you are too.
The story's becoming much darker than what I intended. Oh, goddess. Haha.
Please read and Can I Have Some Peace and Quiet Please by Apples Parachute. It's a really great story, written by a great writer. Thank you!
Word count: 2, 618
So, without further ado, here's the second chapter of Rugged Boy!
Rugged Boy
By TheMaskedGirl
6:00am
Claire woke with a start. She glared at the blaring alarm clock that disturbed her from her blissful sleep. She tapped it twice and the noise finally stopped.
Despite the rude awakening, Claire smiled. The events of the night came back, flooding her memory.
"Claire," said Skye.
"Hm?" she said. She twirled a lock of blonde hair around her index finger.
"Are you willing to give me everything?" the thief asked.
She cocked her head. "Everything?"
"Yes, everything."
"I... Yes," she finally said after a moment of hesitation.
"Thank you," he said. He kissed her hair softly. "Your hair smells like strawberries."
She giggled. "I love strawberries. My conditioner smells like strawberries."
"I see. I'm not really fond of strawberries, darling."
"O-oh. I'll just order a new. What do you want?"
"Curry," he answered curtly.
"Curry!" she exclaimed. She faced him, flabbergasted. She started to protest, but stopped. She looked down and said, "I'll order for a conditioner that smells like curry then."
"That's my girl. Thank you, Claire," he said and kissed her softly on the lips. "It's getting late now, darling. It's time to go back."
Claire whined softly, "It's too early to go back!"
Skye checked his silver watch. "It's already 12:30 in the morning, angel. Come, I'll bring you home."
Claire smiled and shook her head. "No, it's alright. I can manage. Takakura might see you."
"I insist, my love. I'd rather let someone see me than let you venture alone. There are wild dogs lurking around. I don't want you scathed."
Skye stood up and pulled the petite farmer with him. "Come."
12:47am
"Thank you, Skye," Claire said. She stood by her door, holding Skye's hands.
"For what?"
"For everything." She stood on her toes and pecked his lips gently. "I love you, Skye."
"Me too, Claire. Me too." He grinned at her and kissed her forehead one last time. "Dream sweet dreams."
Claire blushed. She opened her door and went inside. She waved at the phantom thief and closed the door softly.
She slid to the floor and sighed. March sat beside her and Cindy curled on her lap.
March sniffed Claire and growled.
"I wonder why you don't like Skye, March," Claire told the dog. "Well, he doesn't like you either. But you know what? I love you, March. You're the best dog in the world."
Claire exited her house wearing fresh overalls, a checkered red polo, dirty shoes, and her hair in a high ponytail.
"Time to go to work!" she exclaimed.
It was almost the end of Spring and she has harvested all her crops so there was less work for her. She went to the chicken coop to check on her chickens.
"Hello, Corchy. You look good today," she greeted her oldest chicken. "Hello, Chicky, Cheny, Chichy, and Coochy." She added more chicken feed to their container. She gathered all the eggs they laid and placed it on her bag.
She saw the blue feather sitting contentedly in her pack. It dawned on her that she forgot to give it to the apple of her eye. She giggled at her dull memory and said softly, "Maybe last night wasn't the right time. I'd just have to give it some other time. This time, everything has to be perfect!"
She went to the barn next to care for her livestock.
"Good morning, Milky, Mooey, Sheepy, and Wooly."
She started whistling the same cheery tune she whistled the night before as she brushed her animals.
7:30am
Ching!
The door of Vesta's house opened and Claire walked in. "Good morning, Vesta, Marlin, and Celia," she greeted happily.
"Good morning, Claire," Vesta said who was in the kitchen, washing the dishes.
Marlin nodded his head at her. He sat on the couch watching TV.
"Oh, good morning, Claire," Celia said. "You seem to be in a really good mood today."
Claire giggled. "Yes. I had a great night."
Celia was one her best friends. Lumina being the other. She used to have three best friends, until Muffy betrayed her. To think that she trusted Muffy the most.
She gave Celia a hug and noticed her friend was wearing something peculiar.
"Your necklace," she commented.
"Oh, do you like it?" Celia asked.
"Where did you get it?" Claire asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but she was seething inside.
Celia blushed. "Someone special gave it to me." She touched the necklace and giggled.
Oh, goddess. "It's... uh, really nice. I'm pretty sure the one who gave that you worked really hard to find that."
"Mhm."
"By any chance, did Marlin give that you?" Claire asked, trying to calm herself.
Celia looked at her, confused. "Marlin? No, not at all."
Claire growled.
A startled Celia looked at the raging farmer worriedly. "Are you alright, Claire?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she said through gritted teeth. "Hey, I have to go now. I'll see you later."
"See-"
Boom!
Claire slammed the door before the timid girl even got to say goodbye.
8:00am
Claire knocked on the Blue Bar's backroom furiously.
A bewildered Griffin opened it . "Uh, g'morning?"
Claire glared at him. "Morning, Griffin. Where's Muffy?"
Griffin gulped. "Up in her room."
"Thanks."
The nervous man made way for the angry maiden.
She stalked her way up the ladder and barged in the barmaid's room without permission.
"O-oh." The barmaid was sitting in front of her vanity table. A silver necklace sparkled around her delicate neck and a familiar-looking brooch in her blue cardigan.
"Muffy."
Muffy stood up and acknowledged Claire. She sent her a smile. "Good morning, Claire!"
Just wait. I'm going to wipe that smile from your face, you two-faced, ugly, lying bitch!
"So, how did it go?" she asked eagerly.
"Oh, it went well. We were so caught up with each other. We talked, we laughed, we kissed, and he told me countless times that he loves me," the angry farmer replied coldly.
The barmaid cringed. "I-I see. That's-"
"Why did you cringe? What I said, was it cringe-worthy?"
"No, but you didn't have to tell me all the details."
"Why? Months ago, whenever we have a date, you'd always press me to tell you all the details. What's so different about now?"
Muffy began sweating. "N-nothing."
"Is it because you're in love with him now?"
Claire was met with silence. Muffy looked at the floor silently.
"Answer me, Muffy," the farmer pressed. "Are you in love with my boyfriend? With Skye?"
"Yes!" Muffy screamed. She looked up to Claire. Tears ran down her face, ruining her carefully applied make-up. "I love him. I do. I'm sorry if I fell for him, but he was s-so sweet. He complimented me. He told me I was beautiful."
Claire clenched her jaw. Her hands curled into fists.
"I'm so so-sorry, Claire. I didn't want to fall for him, but I c-can't stop myself. He gave me gifts too. P-please forgive me, Claire," the barmaid pleaded. She walked to the farmer and held her hands firmly.
"Why did you kiss him?" she asked her. "Why did you force him to kiss you?"
"I-I didn't!" Muffy denied. "I swear to the Harvest Goddess, I did n-no such thing!" Tears were still running down the face of the lass.
"That jerk," Claire said in a deadly whisper. Her heart was crushed. She was betrayed by the love of her life. It seemed that she wasn't the only one broken though. Muffy was still crying and holding on to Claire's hands for dear life. But they wouldn't be the only two crying.
"C-Claire, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry," Muffy repeated.
Claire touched the crying girl's face and said softly, "I forgive you. Come, we need to set things straight."
8:32am
"Celia," Claire called.
"She's upstairs. She seems upset," Marlin answered. He looked at the two girls, an agitated farmer and a still-crying barmaid.
"Thanks," Claire answered briefly and went up the flight of stairs, pulling Muffy with her.
Marlin chuckled. "Don't make Celia cry too."
Claire looked back and gave him a small, forced smile. "I'll try."
Celia looked up as Claire opened the door to her room. "Claire, you're back!" she exclaimed. "Muffy! You're here too. Why are you crying?"
"Yes, there's something we need to talk about. I'll explain later," Claire said. She suddenly noticed that the other farmer wasn't wearing her new necklace. "Where's your necklace?"
Celia bit her lip. "Well, I thought you hated it. I thought it's the reason for your outburst so I just gave it to Vesta."
Claire was overwhelmed. "You did that? For me?"
Celia nodded. "Of course, you're my best friend."
The blonde farmer let go of Muffy's hand and hugged the brunette. "Thank you, Celia."
"Claire? Celia?"
The two broke the hug and looked at the barmaid questioningly.
"Maybe we should invite Lumina too?" Muffy advised.
Claire nodded. "Good idea."
8:55am
Celia's room was small and cozy. There was a single bed in the corner, a dressing table, a wardrobe and the door to the bathroom. Laid out in the middle of the floor was a soft carpet, where four girls, two blondes and two brunettes, were sitting.
"So what are we going to talk about?" Lumina asked her friends. She was wearing a blue bracelet which didn't go unnoticed by Claire's sharp eyes.
"New bracelet, Lu?" Claire asked.
"Oh, yes! It was given to me by my Phantom Skye!" the youngest replied dreamily.
Muffy and Claire flinched.
"Phantom Skye?" Celia said, horrified.
"Girls, girls, stop," Claire commanded. "Listen to me. Don't speak until I tell you to do so."
The three girls nodded obediently. Among the four of them, Claire was the smallest, yet she has the most power.
Claire started to tell her tale, right from the start. "I met Skye, yes our Skye, a year ago..."
9:55am
"That jerk! He used us!" Celia muttered angrily.
"He almost ruined our friendship!" Muffy seconded.
"He has to be punished!" Lumina screamed.
"And to think I was planning to propose to him last night!" Claire added.
The three looked at her. "Propose?" Muffy screamed.
"To Skye?" Lumina and Celia asked simultaneously.
Claire nodded and giggled nervously.
"When were you planning to tell us?" Muffy asked and crossed her arms.
"I'm not really sure," Claire said and scratched her head. "Well, I'm not going to propose to him now."
"Good," Lumina said. "I don't want you to get your heart broken."
Claire smiled at her friends. "Thanks. I do have an important question though. It's about Skye's punishment. How exactly can we take revenge on him?" she asked them.
Scattered around them were the thief's gifts. Claire's cat necklace was sprawled beside Lumina's bracelet.
"I've already got that planned," Muffy said, smirking. "But first, let's get these items to Claire's shipping bin."
Claire looked at her inquisitively. "Pardon me...?"
Celia, who got what Muffy was saying, nodded. "You see, Claire, you were the one who dug up all these jewelry. You should get money for something that you worked hard on."
The blonde farmer shook her head. "No way."
"It's only right, Claire," Lumina added. "Think of it as another form of revenge against that smooth-talking thief."
"Well, I am in need of cash," she agreed and laughed heartily.
The three other girls laughed with her.
Oh, I missed talking to them, she thought happily.
10:00pm
I hope this would work.
There was only one entrance to Forget-Me-Not Valley and this was often used by the commuters who work in the city. It was the only known way to get in and out of the valley and the renowned thief passes through it every evening.
Claire diligently stood beside the lamp post near the entrance, waiting for her ex-lover. A few minutes later, the silver-haired man showed up. He grinned and engulfed the girl in a hug. He kissed her head and said, "I missed you."
"Mhm," Claire replied. She kissed him on the cheek as to not arouse suspicions. "Skye, I want to give you something."
"What's that, dear?" he asked her. They began walking hand in hand, passing Vesta's farm. All the lights were off.
"It's a secret," she said with a smile. "Please?"
"Of course," he replied. "Anything for you. Where will we go?"
"To my house," Claire replied shortly.
Silence ensued.
The short trip to Claire's farm was almost over.
"Skye, do you really love me?" Claire asked in a small voice.
"I do," Skye answered a bit too fast.
"I see," Claire said. Her mind was screaming, Liar! You don't love me! You only used me.
They reached Claire's farm. The night was silent and eerie. Claire stood on her toes and kissed Skye's lips. It was a warm and soft kiss.
A tear ran down Claire's face. "I love you so much, Skye."
"What's wrong, my love?" Skye asked. A fake frown graced his handsome face.
If only you truly loved me, Skye. I loved you. I love you. "Nothing. Let's go in?"
Skye nodded. They opened the door to Claire's farmhouse.
"Get him!" a high-pitched male voice, Mayor Thomas's voice, shouted.
Skye was surprised and tried to get away, but Cody and the policeman from Mineral Town, Harris, the son of Mayor Thomas, held him back.
A crowd had formed outside. Apparently, they were hiding inside the barn, the coop, and the stable. When they heard Mayor Thomas shout, they immediately rushed out and gathered around Claire's house leaving Skye unable to escape.
"You betrayed me," Skye hissed at Claire.
Claire looked at him, tears running down her smooth face freely. "I'm sorry," she said softly.
Muffy, Lumina, and Celia, who were inside the farmhouse, walked to Claire and stood beside her protectively.
"Don't apologize to her, Claire," Celia said coldly, "You didn't betray him. He betrayed you."
"Asshole," Muffy said angrily. "You almost ruined our friendship. How dare you, thief."
"And to think we all fell for you!" Lumina seethed. "You hurt us, but you hurt Claire most. This is what you get!"
Skye paid no heed to the angry girls, only looking at the crying farmer. "I trusted you, Claire. I loved you!"
Claire looked up. "You never loved me, Skye. You never did."
The crowd started to disperse, assured that Harris could handle the thief. Harris cuffed Skye's hands behind him. "Any last words before we lock you up, thief?" he said.
Skye looked at Claire hard. "Believe me or not, I have actually learned to love you. You were the most obedient little bitch I could ever dream of."
Claire stiffened.
"Watch out, Claire. I will be back," he spat angrily.
"Well, you won't be able to go back. We'll keep you locked up in the city jail. Thank you, Claire, Lumina, Celia, and Muffy for the help," Harris said. He tipped his head and walked to his patrol car, which was parked behind the barn.
Cody and Mayor Thomas followed them to make sure Skye doesn't get away.
Celia and Muffy ushered Claire inside the house and Lumina locked the door tightly.
"Well, that was an event," Lumina commented, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Did I really betray him?" Claire asked. She walked to the couch and hugged her knees. "I-I did, didn't I?"
Muffy sat beside her and hugged the frail girl. "Of course not. You only did what was right."
"Muffy's right, Claire. It's been a long day, let's go to sleep. We're crashing, by the way." Celia said with a smile.
They went to Claire's bedroom. Lumina was the last one to go in. She turned the lights in the living room off and followed the trio.
"Watch out, Claire. I will be back."
A/N: There you go! Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it! It was quite intense. I hope I pulled it off.
Sorry for the errors. Please do correct me.
I'm sorry if you're a fan of Skye. I adore him. I really do. But I adore the little blacksmith much more. (winks)
Apples Parachute: Thank you for reading and reviewing!
I really hope you liked it.
Please leave a review!
Thank you!
Love lots,
TheMaskedGirl