A/N: Hello! It's been a while. I'm really sorry! Dear readers, I hope you're still there. Here's the seventh chapter. Sorry for the corrections. I typed this using my phone.

Word count: 1, 157

So, without further ado, here's Chapter 7 of Rugged Boy!

Rugged Boy

By TheMaskedGirl

"Don't think we're done talking about your boyfriend," Jack reminded her.

Claire rolled her eyes. "Ex, Jack. And no, I won't think that," she said. She cleared the plates from the table and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

"Thanks for the food, Kai," Jack said. "It was delicious."

Kai puffed his chest and grinned. "No problemo. I'm glad you liked it." He retreated to the living room and relaxed in the couch. The siblings were at peace now because of him.

12:00nn

"And this here's the town library. You can find all sorts of books there," Ann said. As promised, she took Claire for a tour around town. They started at the library, Ellen's house, the mayor's house, the clinic, the church, Rose Square, and then the beach (including Kai's shack and Zack's house, which was located at the beach). Then they went to Yodel Farm, the carpenter's house and shop, and then the Poultry Farm.

"Who owns that place?" Claire asked. She pointed to a large empty a lot beside the blacksmith's shop.

"Saibara, the blacksmith," Ann answered. "His father wanted him to become a farmer that's why he bought that. Saibara was supposed to turn it into a farm. But his passion doesn't lie in farming. That lot has been empty since I was born. It's a shame, really. It could have been a great farm. Jack said the land's very fertile."

"Is he selling it?" Claire asked hopefully. She could start farming again!

Ann shook her head. "No, I don't think so. If he was, then it wouldn't be empty."

Claire frowned. What a shame, she thought.

"Right, let's go? It's almost lunch time. I told the bachelors to meet us at the inn," Ann said and pulled her hand towards the next destination.

"What for?" Claire asked curiously.

"So that they can introduce themselves formally," the redhead said matter-of-factly. She pulled the blonde to a house with a large orachard. "This is Aja Winery. It's open from eight in the morning until twelve noon. They sell the best wine ever and yummiest grape juice. Manna and Duke lives here," she explained quickly.

Then they went to the Inn. Ann opened the door and Claire was met with the smell of delicious food. "Oh, goddess! It smells good," she said.

Ann grinned. "You're going to have a taste of my dear father's cooking."

"Table for eleven," Ann said to no in particular. She pushed Claire to the largest table in the inn. It could fit twelve people. Claire gingerly sat on one of the chairs.

"May I take your order?" Ann asked her.

Claire smiled at her amusedly.

Ann rolled her eyes. "Don't smile at me like that. I'm the waitress here, alright?"

Claire blew her a raspberry. "I'll have whatever you think tastes great. Not too heavy, though. I just ate," she said.

"What about some apple pie? It's my dad's specialty," Ann said without missing a beat.

"Sounds good."

Ann dashed off to the door behind the counter. The inn was empty save for Claire and the small cat on the stairs. The door opened and Jack and Mary came in, holding hands. Claire looked at them making them blush.

Jack was the first to recover. "Hey, sis," he greeted. He sat down beside her and Mary beside him.

"Hey, Claire," the shy librarian said.

"Hey," she said with a grin.

The others poured in inside the inn. Karen was with a guy with long blond hair who wore odd-looking glasses. Elli came in hand in hand with Tim and Popuri was, surprisingly, with Kai.

Claire felt a small twinge in her heart when she saw them together. She knew Kai had someone in Mineral Town. That someone was the reason why he stayed in Mineral from Fall to Spring. But it still hurt.

Claire didn't like Kai that way. But he was her only friend, aside from her brother. It sounded selfish, but she wanted him for herself.

"Claire!" he greeted enthusiastically, as if they had not seen each other for months.

She faked a smile and said softly, "Hi." He sat on the other side of her.

The couples started talking. Claire felt alone again.

There were still three vacant chairs left. The door opened and a timid guy with long brown hair entered. He sat on an empty chair and greeted everyone with a shy smile. He looked down as soon as he smiled at each one of them.

Ann came out of the door she entered holding a tray in each hand. "Orange juice, everyone!" she announced. She left after serving everyone and came back as fast as she left. She served the apple pie. She left again and came back to sit down beside the shy guy.

"That was tiring!" she exclaimed. "Dig in, guys!"

"Oh, man. I just ate. Are you trying to make me fat, Ann?" Jack asked. Despite his reaction, he started eating the pie.

Ann ignored him.

Claire observed each one of them. Unlike her, they were comfortable in each other's presence. Even the shy guy wasn't acting awkwardly. Claire smiled to herself and thought, I'm so glad I decided to come here. They are very friendly.

The blond guy said, "I'm afraid I haven't introduced my self. I am Rick, the son of Lilia and the brother of Popuri. Do you like chickens?"

Claire waited for someone to answer until she realized he was talking to her. "Uh... yes. I own seven chickens."

Rick's eyes sparkled. "That's good news!"

Kai rolled his eyes. "Rick and his chickens," he muttered.

Rick, unfortunately, heard his comment. "What is your problem?"

Kai raised a brow. "My problem? What's your problem?"

Everyone in the table, except for Claire and the shy guy, groaned. "Here we go again," Jack said.

Elli shook her head sadly. Karen attempted to stop her boyfriend from making a scene. Popuri was pouting and pulling Kai's hand cutely. The doctor looked at them impassively. Mary looked worried and Ann was still devouring her cake. Claire was confused.

Before the a fight could ensue, the shy guy spoke up quite loudly. "Hello, Claire. I'm Cliff."

Kai and Rick stopped glaring and bickering and returned to eating their apple pie. Claire smiled at Cliff warmly. "Hello, Cliff."

"It's a shame he isn't here," Cliff said. Apparently, they weren't used to hearing Cliff speak. They were all silent and they were all looking at him intently. "But he's coming home the day after tomorrow, I think. He said he needed some space. I think he's wrong. I think he needs someone like you," he said.

Claire looked at him. She was curious and confused. "What do you mean?"

Ann grinned at her. "You'll find out soon enough," she said.

Claire was about to ask some more questions when Doug exited the room behind the counter holding a tray. "How about some freshly baked cheese fondue?"

A/N: That's all! Please review! Thank you! See you soon!

Love lots,

TheMaskedGirl