Hello fellow readers! Here's another chapter from our favorite pompous Gilly (hehe) and NOT Lizzy, otherwise all this chapter would not make sense. It's a little longer than normal, so be a little prepared. Hope you enjoy, and I hope to get more comments or messages of how you think the story could improve, or what you like about it, etc.

Also, note: James Dion is most definetly an OC character, not from Harvest Moon. Hope to not have further confusion if it did in fact confuse you. Thanks and enjoy!

3:35 "So what do u think about my dress?"

3:57 "What flwers u getting to match. Must be PERFECT"

4:16 "Gilly, some input puhlease!"

4:38 "IDK WHO U THINK U R GILBERT HAMILTON, BUT U R EXTREME LCKY TO B GOING W/ ME!"

I sighed and looked through my messages again, rereading them all carefully, analyzing the times they were sent, and even trying to make correlations between said times. When I had asked Luna to the dance, it was of course because I had had a crush on her since 5th grade and had been caught in the first sign of a romantical moment between us in the history of our knowing each other. However this, this was annoying. I didn't want constant pestering or an over amount of texts about insignificant things. It was as if she didn't understand how stressing it was being me, honestly. I eventually replied with a little something, mostly so she would stop bugging me.

I don't know what it was about girls, but dances always made them develop this need to over control absolutely everything the one week before the dance. The hair, the dress, the date, the way said date asked her, the shoes, she even got to choose the flower, which was the important thing about this dance. Not that anyone remembered that, because the town's traditions were often pushed aside in the townspeople's minds. Who cared about important cultures when fancy festivals and dances were held, honestly.

Begrudgingly, I went down to traditional Sunday dinner with my father. The tradition had started when Mom was still alive, but he tried continuing it along, as if everything functioned smoothly still even though we both knew it did not. Father was a pretty good cook though, and had managed a red skinned potato dish with chicken that smelled pretty incredible and pilaf. We said our dinner prayers, and he started his weekly interrogation.

"Well Gilbert, the flower festival dance is coming up," he stated casually, annoying me with my full name.

"Yes Father, it is," I said stiffly. He frowned into his potatoes, hating my formality, but continued.

"Anyone strike your fancy my boy? Many of the young girls here have grown into quite attractive young ladies. Or maybe girls that haven't lived here their whole lives having just moved here two weeks ago…"

"Oh. My. Harvest Moon Goddess. Are you trying to set me up with Lizzy?" I said with a horrified expression. As if I, the future mayor and savior of the town could ever stoop so low.

"Now son, she is a very pretty young lady and has already established a good name for herself in the marketing business. In fact, you are eating her potatoes right now," he stated and gave me an exasperated look as I started glaring at the subliminal potatoes. "I'm just saying she is a very qualified young lady."

"Dad, I am already going with Luna," I sighed as I picked up said suspicious potato, knowing I would get reaction from him. 3, 2, 1….

"Oh… I didn't know you had asked her yet. Good for you Gilly," he said lackluster-ly as he stabbed a potato with more force than I knew he possessed.

I pursed my lips. "You know Dad, you could at least pretend to be happy for me at least. Luna is pretty successful; she does help Shelley a lot in the shop." So maybe that was a lie. I actually didn't think Luna helped ever at the shop, but I did have to try and redeem the poor girl with something.

"I thought Candace did more work than she did," he said innocently as he took a sip of water. I inwardly groaned at once having spoken to my father about all that exactly happened in the tailor shop and how skilled Candace was at everything. This was exactly the reason I never shared my personal life.

"Well, Luna does have excellent ideas about designs and such things. She's just, a very powerful asset to the store." I continued eating my potatoes, trying not to think about them coming from Lizzy. Technically, they were mine now. Or at least, my father's since he bought them. Realistically, there was no reason at all to be thinking about Lizzy or to have any thought flows relating to that exasperating farmer.

"Son, what is so wrong with Lizzy? Everyone else on the island seems to like her," my father insisted, oblivious to my thoughts and sense of mind.

I looked up and scowled. "She's just so, simple. And new. She could be an… axe murderer for all we know, and I personally do not want that for this town." I stabbed my potatoes and continued, the words flying freely out. "Plus, she's a total flirt with all the other guys. Chase, Luke, that new one what's-his-name…" I personally didn't know his name, but the new guy at school had been another topic of ranting from Luna. I paused with the thought and looked back to my father's expecting face. "Do you really wish me, your only loved son, to affiliate with that? Honestly father, it just will never happen. Lizzy and I are not meant to be together, no matter how well liked she is or how much you try and press for it to happen. "

He was silent as he finished eating. He sighed an extremely stressed sigh and took his plate to the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with a bowl of ice cream. He started eating, and then decided to look at me, wielding the spoon as a pointer. "You like her, don't you Gilly? That's why you're so adamant about her being a 'simpleton!' You are just so afraid of your feelings for someone is not up to your so called 'regular' caliber. That's what this whole issue is."

I looked at my father, speechless at the accusation. I opened my mouth a few times, but was rendered incapable of speech. Finally, I managed to choke out, "Come on Father. That is more ridiculous than the time you accused sweet Yolanda about stealing your favorite pair of pants that were hanging in the front of the house."

"How was I to know that they had flown into a tree!" he cried.

I sighed deeply. "You're didn't have to, but it just exemplifies how crazy you acted, such as right now. You jump to conclusions before knowing any facts Father. And the facts all state nothing is going on between Elizabeth Pilgrim and me."

He looked down and finished his ice cream. He stood and walked out of the room, but paused before he reached the kitchen. "I just want you to be happy Gill." And with that, he walked out, leaving me alone.

I stared after him for a couple minutes, thinking about what he had said. I mean, personally I thought I was pretty content about my life, but maybe I didn't seem like it? My father was usually not the most prophetic or observant in the world, but that truly was a deep sentiment he expressed. Happiness. Hmmmm…. I had always put happiness in a spot of my mind that was inconsequential, somewhere near the place of importance of relationships or studying for tests. It just, wasn't a big deal. But, here I was, Gilbert Bartholomew David Hamilton, apparently very unhappy in life. And personally, I wasn't very okay with that. I stood and retired to my room, thinking about my new revelation.

It was the next day after that prophetic Sunday and the week before the big dance. It had been two weeks since that new guy had shown up, the one that was always with Lizzy. As much as I hated to admit it, they truly did look nice together. We all had study group together and for the past couple of weeks I had stayed clear of her and done other important librarian tasks, such as shelving books or playing online chess. Most other days, I could ignore their laughing or looking and flirting with each other. In fact, on most days it made me a little pleased she was happy with someone else instead of that pompous Luke Dolt, who thought so highly of himself I was surprised he hadn't flown away yet with all that air in his head. However, today something changed.

Maybe it was how much they were talking. How they seemed to accidently bump into each other very sly and casually. I sat at the librarians desk, watching the whole scene unfold as I tried to check books in. Of how when she made a little face to something he said, how that face could be considered very cute by some mundane male. Obviously, not me, but someone else of lower breeding could find it cute. Wait, did I just describe her as cute? I thought. Impossible. But, well…. her eyes were properly spaced out, and she did possess a very straight nose. In fact, most parts of her seemed very well proportioned to her very small frame. And her hair…. Some days it even could be considered presentable. Her eyes twinkled from across the room at me and I had to blink, a little dazed as I had apparently been very focused on her. It was at that moment I realized she was looking at me strangely since I had been somewhat creepily looking at her too.

That look she gave me. It wasn't a 'if looks could kill' look, but more like 'if looks could bore into your very being and soul.' I knew the proper thing would have been to not look at her, but it was as if some unspeakable force held me there in that condescending way she looked at me. The other guy looked at me as well with more force than I thought was necessary and eventually I managed to look away. I spun around in my chair and opened my mouth a couple times to try and recompose myself. I looked up to the wondering eyes of Eli, the student teacher, and shook my head casually.

This was perfectly normal to be noticing a girl in different ways. I was 17 after all. In fact, it was expected from someone like me. To notice which clothes fit better than others, or certain fashions or hairstyles that looked better on a girl. It wasn't even as if Luna and I were official, or Lizzy and the other guy for that matter. I had no reason to feel guilty like I thought I would and in fact didn't. It was some other feeling that I just couldn't put my finger on and I, Gill Hamilton, did not like that.

When the bell rang, I opted out going to my normal table, afraid Luna would go about interrogating me again. I instead walked around the hallways with my hands in my pockets whistling a quiet tune of some romantic song my dad had used to sing back in the day. As I walked past the music rooms, I paused, hearing noise from inside. I looked through the door window and was met with the back of recognizable messy brown hair. I quietly stepped into the back, wanting to listen.

I can only give you country walks in springtime

And the promise to be near each time you call

And a love whose burning light, can warm the winter's night

That's all. That's all.

She sang, hitting every note perfectly and harmonizing beautifully with her piano skills. I used to have the mandatory piano lessons every mother put their child through, but the island wasn't very big with music or anything of the sorts so I hadn't continued said skills. As she crescendo into the important big parts, I could feel my chest tighten, a little happy and proud just by her singing and the fact that she could hit everything properly. There it was again, happiness. Very strange.

There are those, I am sure who have told you

They would give you the world for a toy.

All I have are these arm's to enfold you,

And a love even time can't destroy.

If you're wondering what I'm asking in return dear

You'll be glad to know that my demands are small

Say it's me that you adore, for now and evermore

I walked out, unable to contain myself if I heard more. Not only was that extremely beautiful, but it made me, dare I say it, happy. Maybe it was only Lizzy's musical ability that made me happy, but it was in fact something that I hadn't had before. In fact, nothing else seemed to have worked with making me happy in life, so I should be grateful to her. I didn't want gratitude though, and her song unlocked that mystery to me of what truly lacked in my life.

I lacked happiness, but mostly I lacked love.

Sure, whatever happened with Luna was great and all, but she didn't love me. All she cared for was popularity or achieving greatness in life. I need someone to make me happy, just like my father said. The only question was who would this girl be?

I made my way to my lunch table, my mind reeling with my new prophetic thought. If it was weird to either or Candace or Luna about my demeanor, neither of them showed it. They continued their conversation as I sat, thinking. I looked around my whole school, wondering who was truly happy in life. If any of the trivial high school relationships would last, or if people even enjoyed the relationships they were in. I looked at my peers, somewhat noticing them all for the first time.

I first saw Toby and Renee. They had been together since last year, and they happened to be one I personally thought would make it. Both their personalities were relaxed, but most off they didn't seem to fight about the petty things couples usually fought over, like cheating or indecision when it came to lunch plans. I looked around, noticing other couples and feeling very alone. I left my table (which neither Candace nor Luna noticed thank you very much), and saw Lizzy and the new guy (I really need to learn his name) walking. They looked happy and totally entranced with each other, making me stop in my tracks and let them walk by without my mood to ruin them.

Maybe this whole happiness thing was going to be a lot harder than I thought.

The bell rang, taking me out of my thoughts as I grudgingly walked to chemistry. I got there before anyone else, not of course the most boastful piece of news, but I usually did pride myself on my timely manner. I watched as everyone else walked in and finally when Lizzy walked in, looking very flustered and happy.

Between us, we hadn't talked much since that first week she was here when I slightly snapped to her about the flower festival. But, today would be different. She was a happy person; maybe she knew the secrets to her success and this whole happiness concept. Plus, that was three weeks ago. She didn't look like a grudge holder, so maybe if I slightly brought it up she could be of use.

We were talking about acids and bases in chemistry, which were of course super easy things. I pulled out another piece of paper and started writing my own personal list to how I was going to achieve exactly what I wanted.

Gill Hamilton's Guide to Successful Happiness:

1. Compliment others (even if they don't deserve it).

2. Try to not offend more than one person in a conversation.

3. Go on long nature walks.

4. Talk and affiliate with others more.

I continued writing, thinking about how to make me happy when a voice mentioned, "What is that?" I froze as Lizzy tried grabbing my paper and eventually succeeded. She scanned the page as I looked around, realizing I had missed the notes getting done and our time being turned to work availability. She turned to me and asked a simple question. "You can't be serious?"

I sighed. "It's not a hard thing to imagine Lizzy. I'm not happy, not everyone is blessed with such great happiness as yourself you know."

She pursed her lips in that same fashion she used with the one guy earlier, the same expression I had thought was cute in the library. I shook my head with the thought, missing what she said. I chose to say the generic "Yeah," hoping it fit in with whatever she had said. She frowned, making me guess I chose wrong.

"You know, when someone says they're not that happy, and another person responds with a 'Yeah,' that's kinda a, wrong context thing."

"Sorry, I…. Sorry."

"Its fine, I'm used to it from you." Ouch. "You know, you could always add being nicer to people for a change, that could make you happier," she said as started to work on completing her notes.

I winced, knowing I deserved her truth. I sighed. "I'm sorry I was such a jerk to you that one day. I deserve all the rude comments you can throw at me, I admit it. I'm not a nice person. I am trying to change though," I insisted as she turned to me, fighting a small smile.

"All I really did want was an apology. Plus, I kind of suck at holding grudge against people," she slightly laughed as I smiled nervously back, not sure where the conversation was going but enjoying its change in attitude. It was nice joking around with her, and almost felt very calm and peaceful.

"I'm sorry, I should have apologized sooner. I can be somewhat stupid with these things," I said, making myself seem even more of a jerk. She shrugged.

"It's fine. I'm curious though, why the sudden change?" she asked inquisitively, giving me an enquiring look I was growing to enjoy. I was about to answer when all of a sudden someone walked into our classroom.

"A Miss Lizzy! A Miss Elizabeth!" the boy shouted (probably no older than a freshman), as he walked in holding something. The class quieted down and everyone looked to Lizzy, who merely raised her hand in shock. The boy handed her a flower with a note. She took the note out as the boy walked out and the class began talking again.

"It's blank," she frowned as she turned the pretty stationary over and over. "But, I do love lilies," she smiled at me, holding the pretty white flower to show me. I had to admit, they were probably my favorite flowers too, but I would never admit that to her. As she smiled down at her gifts in blissful content, I thought again about the question again and why I had a sudden change in heart. It hit me right then and there and I almost gasped, shocked at the simplicity of it. I bit my lip, wondering if I should tell her, when another guy walked in. However, everyone knew who it was.

The one guy, whose name I still had no idea what it was, walked in and came straight to Lizzy. She blushed as he got on one knee to her.

"I know this is weird and different and unexpected, but I don't really know how people do things here," he began. I noticed his accent and frowned. Of course Lizzy would fall for a guy with an accent; every woman in the world loved a man with an accent, it was almost a scientific fact. I turned to her to gauge her reaction and saw her smiling more huge than I would have thought possible.

"I have one thing to say though," the guy continued as he opened a jewelry box with a beautiful flower necklace. "Elizabeth, will you go to the Spring Flower Dance with me?"

My eyes widened, a little shocked by this guy's romantic side, as well as somewhat forward mannerisms. I looked at Lizzy again and saw her get a little tear in her eye.

"Yes, yes of course I will!" she laughed throwing himself in his arms to hug him. The class cheered and the new partnering continued talking as I sat there.

I knew I would never tell Lizzy why I had suddenly changed. Of why I wanted to be happier, or even why I sometimes was happier than I had been in a very long time. Because the answer was simple and complex at the same time, and even I wasn't sure of what to make of it. As the bell rang and they walked out, I whispered the word I wish I could have said in time, before all of that happiness between them just happened.

"You."