The Art of Theft
Chapter Four: Someday my Prince Will Come
I'll run rivers for you.

Summer, day sixteenth.

The night approaches slowly, and an uneasiness stirs within me. So far, I had managed to piss off the one person I truly admired, and was going to spend an evening with a girl who drives me insane. To make matters worse, I still hadn't accounted for wearing the dress and the fact that I had received a letter stating that the Gourmet was stopping by on the seventeenth and that he would indeed be judging my café, with me wearing my little skimpy dress.

To make matters worse, Luke had been avoiding me as well. Unfortunately, Jill told him I was a no good low-down animal. She hadn't told anyone else, I'm glad, but Luke was truly someone big in my life, and he was gone— just like that.

I just couldn't stand Jill being angry with me; however I tried to deny it.

"Chihaya, you seem down…" Mai steps toward me, and I roll my eyes. Mai was the cause of my worries, but I didn't have the heart to fire her. Especially after I had invited her to Date Night. I pondered telling her about the dress in advance, but decided against it.

"I am." I simply reply, and my voice shakes.

"It is because of that girl that came in two days ago?" she half-whispers, and I can hear the hurt in her voice.

My eyes meet hers, and I blink. "How did you…?"

"You sent me off into the kitchen, but there wasn't a fire. When I came back, you were gone. Peeking out the windows… I saw you two."

I momentarily forgot the severity in this conversation as my eyebrow flared up. "You spied on me?"

"I was just curious!"

What was with this village and the amount of Peeping Toms it had? I pour myself a cup of coffee, its contents the same color as my mood— black.

"I've never seen you open up to someone like that before, and we lived together for two months. Do you remember? You probably forgot. I still remember; it was the best time of my life…"

My face falls, and I can't believe the things she's confessing to me. My hand finds hers, and I smile weakly at her. "Mai… I'm an idiot. I'm a retarded… low down animal," I chuckle, and sigh. "But I'm in…"

Her face perks up, and she shakes her head frantically. She silences me, placing her index finger on my lips. "Don't say it!"

My breath escapes my lips. "Huh?!"

"I know what you're going to say… But please. Until the night is over… Please be mine…"

My eyes blur, and I nod slowly. I'm weak. I sicken myself. I can't pretend something's not there, when it clearly beats within me. I can't pretend these feelings, even when I'd die to see her face, even when that face is deathly angry with me at the moment.

I'm an idiot. I'm a retarded low down animal; but I'm in love with her.

Her farm is shaping up.

There are a couple of crops in the fields, and after later inspection, damp with water. The flowers bloom gently, the smell they give; sweet toxic. I stand and smell their lovely scents as a dog runs past me, running over to its food bowl.

There is a sheep grazing next to a sole cow, and its fluff shines diligently in the morning dew. The cow grazing next to it is spotless— in the sense of cleanliness.

The lonely orange tree from before has two tiny sprouts next to it, and after closer inspection, they're more orange trees. Her house is still small as ever, but cleaner. The windows shine faithfully in the sun, and the wood had been restored to give a homey feel.

I'm impressed.

"Good mor—" a voice yells behind me, sounding a little dull. I turn and wave to a shocked Jill, who's holding something in her hands. My eyes concentrate on the object, a jar.

"You've… shaped up the farm pretty well." I murmur.

She glides right past me, marching towards her small house. I give a defeated sigh as I jog next to her, mimicking her face and body. She turns to me and heaves, and I do the same. Her mouth is agape now, and she crosses her arms. My arms fold neatly against my chest, and she gives up.

"Look you… what are you trying to do?"

I crack a smile; she's blushing. My face grows hot, and I too realize I'm doing the same. So much for mimicry. "I'm trying not to be an ass, but I'm going about it all wrong."

"You're telling me." She reaches atop her head for her ribbon, and unties it. I gaze at her as she reties it, more firmly this time. The birds above and the content cries of the farm animals echo in my ear. It's awkward.

I couldn't ask her to Date Night; I already asked Mai in my fit of rage. I wasn't about to go back on my word, but I just had to know—

"Are you going to Date Night?" I stutter, and shame fills me up inside.

Her eyes meet mine, and a breath of air escapes her lips. Her next answer kills me:

"Yes."

"Luke! Luke, damn it! Open up!" I yell, pounding hard on his house door. I pound hard enough to knock it open, but I manage to slump against it. My two fists stop, and I control my heavy breathing. "Luke, I have to talk to you!"

A silent verdict renders the house empty, and my heart dies a little more. A few more pangs like this and I'd feel completely dead. I already felt completely dead.

Suddenly, the door opens, and I topple over the space that opens up before me.

"You've got five seconds." Luke says, and he tilts his head to one side. His hand gestures inside his house, and I step in, following him.

"No way man, you love her?!" Luke exclaims, and he pours me a bit more tea. It's good, but I couldn't possibly focus on the food right now. We had been talking for less than two minutes when Luke started to open up. Pretty soon, he acted as if we were back to our old selves again.

"…I think I do." I reply meekly, raising both arms to the back of my head. His firm stare is unbearable. I look away.

"No man, you can't 'think' you love her! It's you do or you don't, dude!"

I ponder, my arms falling to my sides. "I love her, Luke." I gaze at the floorboards pathetically.

Luke stands up and paces around the room, munching on his homemade cookies. I plop one in my mouth too, chewing slowly while my eyes followed him. He turns to me, and shrugs.

"I'm sorry, Chiyo."

Mouthful of cookies, I choke a little and cough. I pound my chest and give him 'vulture eyes'. "What did you do Luke…?"

"I-I told her she could go with Gil to Date Night."

"You didn't!" I yell, and rise up from off the chair, dropping the cookies in my hand. He flinches.

"It's not my fault you were being an imperial ass!"

"Well, damn it! What… what now?" I fall to my knees, looking towards the slate blue ceiling.

"No, don't go woman on me Chihaya. You got to man up!"

"Luke…!"

"You gotta get back your girl!"

I realize the truth in his words, and laugh. I nod confidently, getting off my knees.

"I've got just the thing for you…" he winks, and the smug grin he places on his face is enough for me to panic about.

Hee, Luke is lyke mai BFF. He's soo my F3. :D
The next chapter... is seriously long. O.oll

But don't account it to be any good, however, because I usually write at eleven or twelve when the sugar dies down and my sentences consist of "et wot!?"

So I herd u liek mudkips. :DD

Reviews make me smile; please share the loove! Thanks for readin'. :3