So, Im really really REALLY sorry this hasn't been updated in over a month. I know, I am fully ashamed of myself too. But, I was out of town for most of July, I've been doing my AP summer homework, working on another story, and all the while just dealing with everything life has thrown me recently. Anywho though, here is the long overdue chapter update that is about double what I usually write, which wasn't intentional. Sorry if it's boring or lack luster, it is just a filler for some funny plotline to come. Hope you enjoy and continue showing me love and reviews!
A/N: This is a Gill chapter that shows him a little angsty, though it is very necessary angst for as Dion and the Belmonts once reviewed, it is quite hard being a teenager in love/like/romantically intrested in a person.
A/N 2: The passage of time in this story doesn't follow the traditional seasons HM time scheme. For this, each season is equivalent to 3 regular months to make it seem a more traditional year and hae a little bit more excitement in time and storyline. Once again, I'd love to hear people's thoughts about it if they have time or, thoughts!
The days passed, turning into weeks and eventual months in the happy village of Waffle Town and every day, I watched the happy couple of Elizabeth and James, trying to not be too invested in her. Some days, it was easier to see and remember the original problems I had had with her, such as the too raucous laugh, clumsy demeanor she possessed, and her messy hair, though I always supposed none of these were her fault. But more often, when I wasn't contradicting every beautiful thing that made her Lizzy, each day that passed gave me a much better opportunity to see all the reasons why I was smitten with her and more importantly, why I just could not get her out of my head.
Ever since we had exchanged numbers at the Flower Festival, Lizzy and I usually texted each other at least twenty texts a day. There were always those days when it was sometimes more, sometimes less, but all in all, we usually conversed in some manner or form at least every day. If it was even possible, she was even more charming and witty over electronic form, making me always wish that I could actually see her stunning smile or hear her unique laugh every time one of us texted the other something very amusing. We would talk about random things of no consequential manner that somehow, she made seem that they were the most imperative things in the world to discuss. In every text and every character I received, she never failed to show just how appealing and amiable she really was. I was a goner for her but of course, as in the typical high school melodrama, she was not the same for me.
Another change from that life-altering Flower Festival dance came in the form of my biggest predicament. James and Lizzy became almost inseparable, always together at lunch and break, always hanging out after school, always at the Sundae Inn together, always at the beach together, always, always, always. Every spot that had been familiar in my life since infancy was now a place of caution, as one never quite knew when the two would just show up unexpectedly, always ruining a perfectly good day.
This had happened once when I had been at Meringue Clinic one afternoon after school. Father had contacted a bad cough that I didn't wish to catch, so I had gone down there to see if Irene could help me get a little pick-me-up for him. I hadn't really wanted to go, as Irene somewhat terrified me, but I knew it would be good for Father so I had gone anyways. Ever since Lizzy had become a part of my life, I noticed that I performed these random kindnesses and thoughtful actions to others, more so than I had before, a sign of all the positive effects she truly had on me.
"Thank you for everything Irene, I'm sure this will help immensely," I had said to her as she handed me a bag with a bottle of syrup in it, very eager to get away as quick as I could from both her and the clinic. Hospitals had always frightened me even more than Irene did, and from my perspective, the sooner getting out of there the better.
"I'm sure it will. We can't have our Mayor ill now can we?" she asked, smiling at me kindly. I tried smiling back to be pleasant as I gripped the bag, hoping she wasn't trying to suddenly start up a conversation as older people usually tended to do with me. Perhaps it was the sweater vests or authorative way I spoke, or the fact that I looked about five years older than my actual age. Maybe some other reason altogether. However it never failed that usually, the elderly always stopped to talk to me and ask about my life, no matter where I was.
"My sentiments exactly," I said as I started leaning to towards my escape, hoping she'd get the hint that I wanted to leave. I waved to her and turned around to walk out the door when she called my name again.
"Oh yoo-hoo, Gilbert! Please, wait. I have something I need to ask of you!"
I grumbled under my breath, but turned around anyways. "Yes, what are you needing?" I asked, trying to be polite as I walked back up to the counter. Irene smiled back at me and held up a finger for me to wait where I was. She hurried to the back (in quite impressive time I had to add for someone of her age) and brought back a couple pieces of paper.
"Now then, do you happen to know who Elizabeth Pilgrim is Gill?" she asked, peering up at me.
My heart beat faster internally at the irony of the situation and mere mention of her name, but I just simply nodded. "Yes, I've talked to her a couple of times before, she's a, a very nice girl."
"I think so too, these island girls don't come like that anymore you know," she sighed and shook her head. "She truly will make some lucky man very happy indeed one day."
My mouth opened to Irene's words as I tried to unsuccessfully clamp it down. My heart contracted at her words, knowing the full truth of them. Lizzy was certainly a catch in any situation, a fact I was going to have to except one day. She'd make a guy (most likely James at the rate they were going) very happy indeed in marriage. It hurt to think about it, even if I knew I would just never be that guy, no matter how much I wished it was else wise.
"Yes, I believe so too," I eventually said, my mind still preoccupied with the sudden thoughts about Lizzy. "Why do ask though ma'am?"
"She brings me in so many pontana roots and herbs that I just don't know what to do with them all sometimes," she continued, looking at me with a smile.
"I'm, sorry," I said merely, not quite knowing what say to her, as well as my newfound feeling of concern about the level of intensity she was staring at me with.
"It' alright, quite alright. It shows her thoughtfulness though, another quality you don't find in you young folk anymore."
"My generation is not often known for the use of their minds, no," I admitted again, wondering where she was going with this. My stomach growled softly, kindly reminding me of the nice hot dinner waiting for me at home.
"No they do not. However, Lizzy is a different kind of breed altogether. If Jin wasn't so into that farmer's daughter…" her voice trailed off as she looked to the window, then back to me. "But sonny, you didn't hear that from me. However, I asked if you knew her because she came in the other day and asked me for some recipes for different variations of miso soup. She said that she'd be back in yesterday at the latest, but still she hasn't come, no doubt busy with some very important thing as she's always doing. I was wondering nonetheless, if you could drop the recipes off to her."
She reached back and handed me the papers she had gotten out a couple minutes ago. "Miso Soup" was written neatly at the top in nice script, giving it a sense of maternal-ness that made me half smile. Irene was looking at me strangely, eyeing me in an all knowing way. I recognized the look as being similar to one Lizzy always gave me, making me involuntarily smile kindly back to her. "I'd be happy to deliver this ma'am," I said with honesty, wanting any excuse I could have to look at Lizzy again. Perhaps I should think about changing before I went over there…
"Thank you Gill, I really do appreciate it. I would, but Jin tells me I over exert myself normally anyways."
My mind snapped out of its thoughts as I looked at Irene; once again forgetting she had been there. "It really is no problem, I don't mind at all," I said, already looking forward to seeing Lizzy, remembering how nice she had looked at school that day. I waved to Irene, determining she couldn't be that bad if I got to see Lizzy in the end, and turned around right as the door opened, revealing a laughing Lizzy and James.
"Gill!" Lizzy said with happiness once she saw me standing there pathetically with her papers, incredulous at my luck. She let go of James's hands and looked as if she was about to hug me, but stopped midway and awkwardly gave me her hand to shake instead.
"Hello Lizzy," I said, shaking her hand with my free one as I looked at her face, once again stunned by how absolutely perfect it managed to look. I tore my eyes from her unwillingly and looked at James with an acknowledging nod as I set the bag back on the counter behind me. "Hello James."
"Gill," he nodded back, eyeing my hand in Lizzy's. I hadn't noticed it was still there and I promptly broke our hands apart and shoved mine at my side, much to her amusement.
"I didn't think you'd be here Gill, I've never seen you here before when I've come," Lizzy grinned at me, oblivious to my sudden nerves. I stuck my now shaking hands in my pockets and shrugged.
"Ah, yes. I'm in here all kinds, loads of times. I just, love the medical field," I lied, trying to be suave and debonair but probably failing and looking, awkward. As always.
"Doctor or nurse practitioner?" James asked, sliding his hand back into Lizzy's smoothly, making my heart sink. She continued smiling as he eyed me expectantly.
"Yes," I said after a pause, anxious to leave and not see the revolting sight in front of me. James looked at me with confusion as I bowed back to Irene. "And with that note, this seems like the perfect time for me to depart. I bid you a good day and-"
"Already?" Lizzy asked with a frown as I turned back around. Her eyes widened as she cocked her head to the side, making me almost forget how to breathe. "But we, we just got here."
"And? I, I'm not spending my afternoon here, I have much better things I could be doing. Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin both of your afternoons with my, existence," I said cynically, wanting to just escape and to find solace for me to happily mope in.
"That's a somewhat rude thing to say. Maybe it is better if you leave then," Lizzy said as she narrowed her lips tightly. Looking down I nodded and bowed to them both.
"I'll see you both at school," I said as I walked past them to the door. I was about to open it when I saw I still had the papers for Lizzy in my hand. "These are for you," I said as I spun around awkwardly and shoved the papers at her. She tried grabbing them, but of course with my outstanding luck they all fell on the ground. I kneeled down at the same time she did, knocking our heads together in the process.
"How cliché," she laughed as we both kneeled on the ground and stumbled to get all the papers together. We reached for the same paper at the same time, making her accidently place her hand on mine. The heat from her hand touched my cold skin, making me almost gasp and swallow very hard. I looked up at her eyes, where she was already staring at me, a look of astonishment clearly painted on her face.
"Indeed," I whispered, unable to look elsewhere but at her. James cleared his throat loudly, making us both jump and straighten up quickly.
"Thank you, Gill," she said, unable to look at me again. I nodded and noticed James eyeing me apprehensively and Irene smiling at me from the back of the whole scene. Heart hammering, I walked outside, trying to desperately not look back. Once outside, I grabbed at a nearby tree and slumped down.
"Can a guy not get a break?" I mumbled, thinking it was just my luck that when I tried to do something kind for someone else, I was forced to have to witness the source of my current unhappiness. Why can't I just go somewhere and not see them, or not have any thoughts about Lizzy; that would just make everything a lot easier I thought miserably and looked up at the sky.
"It's because she's everywhere," I mumbled again, cursing almost at my sudden revelation. I realized with chagrin I had left the medicine at the clinic but decided I wouldn't go back to get it. After all, I could only torture myself for so long every day.
This happened to just be one of the many occurrences of the happy couple being absolutely everywhere in my life and it never failed every time I happened to see them together, I always acted extremely awkward around them, unable to fully function as normal Gill whenever something Lizzy-related was involved. Such as the time when I was at the Town Hall library reading and I heard them coming up the stairs, so I promptly jumped behind the couch in a very stealth-like action. Or the time when I was at the general store and saw them through the window and had to hide in a nearby bureau. That was certainly very hard to explain to Simon, who only just given me a strange look when I had finally come out of it once they had left. Perhaps my personal favorite though, was the time I was walking in Caramel District on the path near the pond and Toby's house. I had been idly thinking about any and all things completely not Lizzy related when I noticed the two of them walking down the same path, making me promptly go and, jump in the pond. Not of course my proudest moment, but I did successfully avoid them, something I had been trying to accomplish all of these times and encounters with them.
It wasn't as if I was ashamed or scared about meeting up with them or even talking to either of them; that was always fine. I could be civil (in a sort) and funny, all without embarrassing myself or those around me. However, it was more of something else altogether, of which it never failed every time it was just the three of us together I had no handle on what I did, what I said, or how I acted around Lizzy, which was something I usually wished to avoid altogether. And of course, there were the typical aching feelings I always had once I witnessed them together and in my book, avoiding such circumstances at all costs seemed like a much better course of action than any other plan that I could think about doing.
And so, I lived in my place of obscurity with much more satisfaction and joy than would be accomplished trying to do anything to better my romantical situation. I still did well in school and working at Town Hall on Saturdays, read as often as I had before and to those who weren't as familiarized with me, I probably seemed as if I was in fact perfectly fine. My father however looked at me every day as if he suspected I was heart-broken as I was, but of course he did and said nothing, which I was very appreciative of, for I knew if he had inquired about it I doubt I would have anything productive or heart-warming to report to him.
My only consolation at this time was just how much Lizzy and I still associated together. Whenever we talked and hung out, it was almost very easy to forget she was with that Joe Jonas wannabe. In fact, it was usually very easy to forget about most things, and I often found myself in a different atmosphere altogether when I was with her. Neither of us ever brought up my unexpected behavior at the end of the Flower Festival, which I was almost relieved for. I knew it could have been a lot worse, and that I had almost tried to kiss her when we had been sitting together on the beach. I sometimes wondered what would have happened had I succeeded, and Lizzy knew how I now felt about her. But, I figured whatever happened now was for the best and I tried to be a lot more guarded now, respecting all the boundaries she had with James.
In this time of grief and ache, the school year came to an end, marking the beginning and end of many things. Many of my acquaintances graduated, such as Calvin, Jin, Anissa, and I had attended their graduation with bittersweet and conflicted emotions. Sadly these sentiments weren't because of the graduation itself, but more of the fact that Lizzy and James were only two rows ahead of me holding hands, which I got a lovely full view of. I had tried ignoring them best I could, but of course one could only watch a graduation for so long and so I noticed them that night a lot more than I had particularly liked.
Before I knew it, summer was in the air, as well as the lovely intoxicating scent of tomatoes everywhere. That was truly the only good thing about summer was the tomatoes, everything else being very insipid in comparison. I didn't like the typical beach parties and cliché summer romances, or the absolutely lovely feel of muggy weather and intense sunburns. Call me cynical, but true to everyone's expectations about me, I just loved to hate the things that most everyone else loved, such as summer.
I awoke the third week of summer as I did every day of summer, very late and very lethargic. Most days it took me a couple of hours to get ready and get dressed, as I was usually very fine with staying in my nice comfy pajamas longer than the restricting vests I consistently wore. This day though was special, because I had vowed to myself the night before that was going to see Lizzy, that I just had to see her. Thus, I got ready with uncommon speed, putting on a comfy polo and shorts instead of the hand-knitted vest (Grandma Hamilton's Christmas gifts never grew old, just extremely stifling during the area's sultry summers). I was eager and excited to see her, which usually resulted in me being very…
"Clumsy," I muttered as I spilt a box of cereal all over our kitchen floor that I had knocked down in my hurry. I cleaned it up quickly, opting for a muffin instead. Suddenly very anxious, I decided to leave, knowing Lizzy would already be awake. I went out the door and down the road, my heart pounding in my ears as I thought of what to say to her, of what to do this suddenly wonderful summer day. Every day was becoming harder and harder to go through without telling her about my feelings, and I knew eventually I was just going to crack.
"She has to know though, she's not that dense," I mumbled to myself as I passed Calvin on the road. He looked at me strangely, but just shrugged and kept walking, no doubt to go and tell Chase and the other guys I was crazy. That was exactly what I needed, for the whole town to think I was a snob (which they already did) and deranged.
I walked into Caramel River District, suddenly very apprehensive and a little self-conscious about seeing her. The sun was already hot on my neck, making me a little irritated and I continued walking and suddenly stopped, unable to move without staring the sight in front of me.
Lizzy was in her yard, working hardly in her garden. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, most of the strands very loose and coming out of the elastic. She had rows of corn and other such summer crops growing, but it was two rows of beautiful red plants that held my interest. There were even beautiful flowers growing everywhere, putting her in a beautiful scene of color and splendor. Glasses and pajamas still on, I just could not look away from the image of beauty and perfection right in front of me that somehow managed to make even farming look alluring.
She pushed up her glasses and leaned on the shovel she had been using as she looked up, noticing me with a look of excitement. "Oh Gill, when did you get here?" she asked, looking at me with a faint smile.
I looked back at her, realizing how awkward I must have looked just standing there gazing. "Oh you know, not very long ago. I just got here, at your home. Maybe three seconds. Not long at all," I remarked rapidly, hoping I wouldn't seem as peculiar as I felt.
"Were you watching me garden?" she asked with a laugh, pushing back her bangs with her arm.
"Don't be preposterous, I'm not one of those creepy men folk. People," I said, looking at her in what I hoped was a calm disposition but probably wasn't. "But um, what are you doing today?"
"This is it?" she laughed with a shrug. "You know me Gill; I don't plan out my days in a super meticulous way like some people do."
"I don't plan out my days!" I protested, not wanting to seem as uptight and stiff as I was in comparison to Lizzy's relaxed way of living life.
"I didn't say you did. Maybe someone is just really guilty." Her eyes twinkled at me mischievously, captivating me ever so much more than I thought possible.
"Or someone is just wanting to know if you wished to accompany him today, unless you have James plans or anything of which of course, I would understand completely," I somehow managed to get out, suddenly very shy about coming here as I looked down and away from her face.
"No, he's being boring and packing today so I am all yours," she laughed, not realizing the effect those particular words had on me. She got off her shovel and walked to her house as I followed her, my heart still reeling at the influence 'I am all yours' had on a person. "As usual, I need to get ready, so just wait out here," she said as we made our way into her house. I nodded and numbly sat on a couch as she went into her room.
"Stupid Gill," I muttered to myself, wishing I had more restraint on my mind and pathetic heart. It was as if my whole being enjoyed being miserable, tormenting me with the mere thought of a possibility of being able to be with Lizzy. Honestly. I just needed to accept the fact that she was with James and get over it.
Maybe it was the fact that at times, it just didn't feel as if she was with him. Perhaps it was that together they just, didn't look very good together. He was much too tall for her, her messy hair uncharacteristic with his polished look, and of course… he had glasses. When she didn't. That automatically made them a bad couple. Even if he was a good guy who, I hated to admit, did look as if he genuinely cared for her, that still just could not justify all the other wrongs with them.
Now you're just being ridiculous my mind told me as I sighed, looking around the room to distract my angsting mind. In the past couple of months, Lizzy had definitely made the whole place a lot homier than what the house had been before, complete with her personal touches and the pleasant scent of lavender everywhere. A couple of pictures were hanging on the wall, one of which I noticed was of her and James standing on the bridge near her house, laughing at whoever was taking the picture. I saw the picture of her parent I had noticed one time, and another picture of her with someone I didn't recognize at all. I stood and walked to a board she had up with a large array of colorful post-its on it. 'Luke likes mayonnaise,' 'Talk to Hamilton about a land grant,' 'Need more seeds,' 'Gill likes tomatoes; remember to give him lots to make him smile.'
I reached out to grab the post-it with my name, but stopped my hand mid-way. She'll notice if this is gone I thought again, though that did not stop the idiotic grin on my face. She knew. She knew I loved tomatoes even though I had never told her. This, this had to mean she at least paid even the slightest bit of attention to me; maybe I did have a small chance after all!
"Gill… What are you doing?" I spun around to see Lizzy standing in her doorway, her hands on her hips. I noticed a comfy looking Captain America t-shirt and a pair of shorts that made me gulp a little where I was standing. Her glasses were gone and her messy hair was pulled into a ponytail, overall making her look so perfect without even trying.
"I dropped my, handkerchief. It rolled away. Scientific phenomenon," I said hastily, trying to play it off composedly with my absolutely lame excuse.
"You, that isn't, ahh," she said as she shook her head. "Never mind, I can see you want to be Mr. Secret then, that's fine." She walked to me and picked up a piece of paper on the ground and set it on a table and then looked at me expectantly. "Well? What are we doing today?"
"Um, something. Really fun. It will be a great day of spontaneity and adventure."
"Meaning you came here with no idea of anything to do, all the while expecting me to think of something miraculous, right?" she said with a small grin as she walked a little closer to me. She was suddenly very close to me, almost in my face with her excited eyes. "Isn't that right Gill?"
"Um, what?" I asked, trying to remember the question, my name, and how to breathe. I stepped back into the wall, confused at her sudden change in attitude. She grinned at me and walked forward, putting her finger on my chest until I was into the wall and unable to move as she continued inching forward to me. My eyes widened as she smirked.
"You didn't plan this day did you?" she whispered, inches away from my ear.
"That would be a negative, you-you got me," I replied as I just looked at her, unable to do anything else. She grinned up at me and stepped back, putting her hands behind her back.
"Okay, I was just wondering and you were being uncooperative. Are you okay, you look somewhat concerned," she laughed at me, giving me a quizzical look. Play it cool, be suave, be smooth Gill.
"I'm fine, I'm in good health, I'm suave-"I bit my lip and looked at Lizzy, who was trying to contain a grin. "Well, I'm modest in the very least," I laughed, trying to play it off as my mind had so brilliantly encouraged me.
"I'd have to agree to both, I admit. You are quite a suave guy after all," she smiled at me as I grinned back, no doubt looking like an idiot.
"Thank you. You're a real, hip girl yourself."
"Oh, oh dear, let's just establish for you to never try and be a hipster again," she laughed as I joined in with a nod.
"That sounds like a really excellent idea. So um, were you wishing to go anywhere specific today?"
"Oh I don't know, this was kind of shoved upon me without any time for me to think about it," she said, pursing her lips and looking at me pathetically. She laughed and turned to a map of the island she had hanging on the wall. Her eyebrows furrowed in a very cute manner as she looked at the whole picture of it, tilting her head as she tried tracing a path from one spot to another. I leaned against the wall, looking at her, unable to contain my happiness and feelings of just being around her.
"We could go to the Sundae Inn. Or to Brownie Ranch. Or the beach again, or…" she turned to me with confusion. "What are you doing?"
"Listening. Any of those sound great," I nodded, looking down to cover up how much I had been obviously staring at her.
She sighed. "Are you going to be a guy right now, being super difficult without deciding anything or being useful?" she frowned, putting a hand on her hip as she had earlier.
"No. Just, I was going to see if you wanted to go somewhere first, trying to be courteous and suave."
"Well I really don't care where we go," she said in a tone that implied she definitely did.
"Well, I was thinking we could just get lunch from the Inn and then go somewhere for a nice picnic, but I don't know, it's your decision."
She looked at me with what appeared to be a suppressed smile and shrugged. "That sounds fine. See, you do have good ideas!"
I shrugged. "I guess. But, do you think James will mind you being with me all day?"
"Why would he? That's a weird and random question to ask Gill," she frowned, looking very confused.
"No, I'm just trying to-"
"-is this like guy code?" Lizzy asked with a little more excitement than necessary, her eyes suddenly very eager and wide.
"Um, somewhat I guess. I don't know I just, thought I would ask to be courteous. Wouldn't you wish to know if he was hanging out with another girl?"
"No," she scoffed. "I wouldn't care. I think that we have the kind of relationship that we can trust each other to hang out with different people. Besides, James knows that we are really close."
"I doubt he's as okay with it as you think though," I mumbled, remembering a couple of the glares I'd received from him numerous times when Lizzy wasn't paying attention.
"Pardon?" she asked. "I didn't hear that last part."
"It's not relevant. You still say pardon though?" I asked, trying to hold in a smile.
"Oh, yeah I guess I do. I, I don't even notice it anymore though, honestly. I'm telling you Gill, you're such a part of my life now and even I don't realize it," she laughed, looking down bashfully as I blushed. I looked the other way so she couldn't see me and pretended to cough to cover it up.
"Right," I said eventually once I had composed myself enough. I looked back to Lizzy, noticing she was also somewhat blushing for some unknown reason. "But um, are you ready to go do you think?"
"Oh yeah, sounds good," she smiled. She promptly put her arm in mine so we were linked together as we walked out of the house and unto the road.
"So where is James going?" I asked, trying to be polite and pretend I cared about him while also possibly learning some potential valuable information for when Lizzy would be alone.
"He's going back to the states for a couple of weeks to go see his family back there," she said quietly as we got out of her yard. I squeezed her arm reassuringly and smiled at her as empathetically as I could.
"I'm sorry that must be, hard to be separated like that," I said, not really knowing what else to say. She laughed and looked up at me.
"You don't have to feign concern; I thought you'd be happier about it. I know you two aren't very close."
"Yes but, why would I be happy about something that would make you sad? That is horrible best friendship."
"I suppose it is," she said, giving me a strange look.
I squirmed a little under her look and stared straight as we continued walking. "So, he'll be missing your birthday then also?"
"How, when, why do you know when my birthday is?" she asked with shock, her mouth open in surprise.
"Your questionnaire. I know everything about everyone here it's a, long story," I sighed, realizing my slip of the tongue. Do not show how invested you are in her Gill!
"I see. But yes, he will be. But it's not a big deal, birthdays have never been a big celebratory thing for me," she admitted, looking off a little to the surroundings we passed.
"Well, it should be. The day of your birth should definitely be celebrated."
"I, suppose," she replied, once again giving me a very quizzical look.
"So, um, his family lives in the states? Then why is he here?" I asked, genuinely confused again and wishing to change the subject before I revealed anything else of great embarrassment.
"His mom wished for him to have a chance to live outside of home before college and saw the same lovely flier that was used to lure me here," she looked at me slyly wiggled her eyebrows for some reason and laughed. "Sorry. But, oh, fun fact for you. I just found this out the other day and I thought it was semi-interesting. Apparently at the last place I lived before here is also where his family lives, lived, too. We even went to the same school even, we just didn't know it then," she said with a small smile, no doubt thinking about him still. He didn't even have to be here for me to be second best to him!
"That's great. It's like a match made in heaven, I'm sure," I said with a smile, once again trying to be kind instead of saying something snarky about her, boyfriend. Ugh, I doubt I'd ever be comfortable saying those words in regards to that simple minded boy and Lizzy.
"Right, I mean, how cliché is that?" she rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was smiling at the same time. She looked back to me with a look of awareness. "But, enough about me, honestly! What about you Gill, how are you doing? I feel like we haven't talked in forever."
"We have…" I looked at her uncomfortably and shrugged. "There's nothing really new to report though, truthfully. The only thing that has been happening is father starting me on doing my mayor preparatory work so that's always, a real treat."
"For when you rule this island!" Lizzy practically squealed, overcome with an apparent lot of excitement. She squeezed my arm and looked at me with a grin. "I totally forgot about that; this is so much more exciting than my summer has been!"
"Really I doubt that. Do you truly wish to know the records of everyone on this island, extensive history from over 300 years ago, and be lectured every day about the long line of Hamilton's on this island that have been successful? It's, not as fun as you may think," I frowned with a sigh as we got to the edge of town. It wasn't a sigh of me feeling sorry for me because my life was atypical to stereotypical teenagers, but more of a sigh that we were now to the edge of town and I needed to unlink arms with Lizzy so the neighbors wouldn't talk. We unlinked arms as soon as I saw the first house, disappointing me greatly.
We paused and she turned to me. "See, I just think you're putting way too much pressure on yourself to be perfect Gill. You just need to take it one day at a time and, chill. You will be great just because of the mere fact it is you, because no best friend of mine will be sucking at anything."
I smiled at her, as she somehow had the ability to always say the absolutely perfect thing I needed to hear. Once again, I felt the uncontrollable urge to just grab and kiss her, causing a lot of inner turmoil inside of me. So, I promptly put my hands in my pockets and nodded.
"Thank you Lizzy. You're, just such a great person. You know that, right?"
"Eh, I've heard it once or twice," she grinned, her eyes twinkling in the sun. I balled my hands into fists, once again trying to resist her as much as I could.
"We should get food," I said quickly, feeling that easing hunger would help stop me from acting stupidly.
"Oh, right, that sounds good," she nodded as we walked to the Inn, greeting anyone we happened to walk by.
"I'll make sure to keep quiet about it in the Inn, but when we go to actually eat, I want to hear loads more about your mayor duties, if you can even tell me. Are they family secrets?" Lizzy asked enthusiastically right before I opened the door for her. I grasped the door handle and turned to give her a strange look.
"Um, no. Why would they be? I honestly think you are way more excited about this whole me being mayor thing then I am. Are you sure you don't want the job instead?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at her as she laughed.
"Who knows, I could be mayor. Though, the only way that would happen would be if I married you and I don't see that happening," she laughed as my stomach clenched together, dejection dropping into it hard.
"Right, that'd be really awkward if we did. Good, good thinking," I somehow managed to get out, unable to think of what else to say.
"That, and I'm 16. That's super inappropriate to even think about with anyone," she laughed as I nodded.
"Understandable, though I thought usually women got really excited when it came to all that wedding planning process."
"Yeah, most girls do. But remember, I'm not like most girls and I could care less about all that stuff," she shuddered, making me appreciate her even more so than I thought possible.
"Yes, I do know that about you," I mumbled, more to myself than her. I looked down in thought, once again thinking about Lizzy more than I needed to.
"Hey Gill, are we going to go in sometime soon? Otherwise, we should probably not block the way," Lizzy observed, motioning to an incoming Julius and Maya who looked as if they'd both rather be somewhere else than with each other.
"Right, sorry," I said, holding the door open for them as they came our way. Julius's perfume was very strong, causing me to sneeze as he walked by and glared at me. I shut the door, still sneezing once they were well inside. My nose kept acting up, giving me a violent sneezing fit that I tried to hide from Lizzy. Before I knew it though, I had a handkerchief shoved in front of me that I instantly took without even thinking.
"Thanks," I said once I was able to talk again, irritated with my nose.
"No problem, I'm repaying the favor, though that is mine and not yours. Likewise however, I do not want it back," she said, looking at me with a half smile.
"Oh okay, right. I'll be sure to just, keep it then," I nodded, once again feeling very awkward.
"I think we're good to go inside now though," she laughed, reaching for the door as I did also. My hand landed on hers as I grew a little embarrassed by the touch, though I tried not to show it.
"I got it; it's what I'm supposed to do after all," I said with exasperation, not wanting any of her charming feminist ways at this same moment I was trying to be proper.
"That's so archaic though! I can get the door perfectly fine!"
"It's called chivalry. I'm just trying to prove it's not dead. I don't want to squish your hand though, so I got this."
She smirked at me and moved her hand so my fingers were in between the cracks of her finger s, intertwining our hands and making my breathe catch. I figured it was the best I was going to get, so I started to open the door as we both awkwardly made our way in, laughing a little as we walked into the somewhat quiet inn. Everyone already there stared at us as we made our way to the counter as I secretly hoped Chase would be in a good mood today.
At the counter, Candace was sitting, laughing quietly at whatever Chase was saying to her. The two were leaning in very close to one another, making my eyebrows rise a little in wondering. I turned to Lizzy (who had already been looking at me) as we both nodded, thinking the same thing. 'They're cute' she mouthed to me with a smile, making me smile back and nod.
I turned back and noticed a glaring Julius and Maya sitting at table nearby, watching both Candace and Chase and not each other as they should have been. I felt a hint of sadness for them both, as we were all technically in the same boat, but I somewhat prided myself I was handling it a lot better than both of them were. There appeared to be a pause in the conversation, making me hurry to go talk to Chase before anything drastic happened.
"Chase! Chase! Just whom I wanted to talk to," I said as I walked up to the kitchen counter and put an elbow on it like Chase had been positioned. He looked at me with irritation as Candace just observed me with her normal wide-eyed expression that I realized with a heart twinge was very similar to Luna's.
"Yes Gill? What do you need?" he asked with pursed lips, unwillingly taking his eyes off Candace to look at me with condescension. I was about to answer when I felt an arm on my back, making me jump at the mere touch. I turned and noticed Lizzy right next to me now, smiling at me reassuringly.
"Hi Chase and Candace! Did Gill ask you yet?" she asked Chase with a smile, who rolled his eyes at me.
"No. Not quite. I'd love to be enlightened anytime though."
"Chase! Be-be nice to them pl-please. I like Lizzy and, and Gill," Candace said, looking at us both with a lot of kindness and a sly smile that insinuated her thoughts. I happened to think I knew exactly what she was thinking, which once again made me sad it wasn't true.
"I'll try," Chase said to Candace, smiling at her with a very distinguishable love-struck smile. He is so smitten with her I thought with a smile as I noticed Lizzy also grinning.
"It's not Chase's fault Candace. Gill just takes forever to do everything," Lizzy said, grinning at me playfully.
"I feel attacked and that everyone should just stop talking about me. What I was trying to get to though Chase, was I was wondering if you could perhaps make a nice lunch for Lizzy and I to buy. Or, at least, for me to buy."
"You're not buying it all by yourself!" Lizzy said, looking at me sternly.
"Yes I will, you need all the money you can get to have and save for your farm. I don't have anything to do with all I have except spend it on people I like-" I froze and tried covering it up. "-To be with. Friends."
"I'm not allowing it though."
"Well, how about I buy lunch, and you are forced to choose an exact location for us to eat. That seems like reasonable punishment to me I think," I said, smiling at her in what I hoped was a pleasant manner.
"Fine, that sounds, reasonable," she nodded as I noticed Chase and Candace sharing a look between them as they then both looked at us.
"Well then Chase, do you have something I could get, maybe with pasta because that's what Lizzy likes," I asked, turning to him hopefully. He mused something and nodded.
"I think I have just the thing." He went to the kitchen and came back with a basket. "Usually at least one couple comes in every day asking for something like this, so I usually pre-make one. There's two sandwiches, some chilled drinks, snacks, the works, though sadly no pasta. I even threw in a couple of extra tomatoes for you Gill. Quite frankly, this is the best."
"It's not a big deal this sounds perfect but, we're not a couple," Lizzy clarified, looking at Chase skeptically.
"Right, my bad, slip of the tongue," he smirked as I handed him my card to run. He swiped it and handed it and the basket back to me as I turned to Lizzy.
"Well then, looks like we're all set to go," I smiled, a little exhilarated to spend the whole day with her. However, she wasn't looking back at me as I would have hoped, but was instead looking at the door with a look of shock.
"James," she said vaguely, walking up to him with widened eyes. He looked at her with confusion, but embraced her anyways.
"Yes, it's me. I told you packing shouldn't take too long."
"I thought you said it' take the whole day, sorry."
"Its fine, no big deal," he half smiled as he looked around, taking in the whole inn scene, his eyes resting on me and the basket. "Ah, Gill." He nodded to me as I nodded back in the normal guy manner.
"Hello James," I said, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice as I thought of what I was going to do.
"So, what's going on?" he asked casually, still looking at me with the basket then down to Lizzy. I noticed everyone else in the inn was also staring at the three of us, no doubt amused with the typical teenage drama they could witness.
"Nothing, nothing at all," I said, already knowing how fully to respond to the situation. I walked up to where James and Lizzy were standing next to each other as I nodded to them both. "I bought this as a gift for you two, as I know you're leaving soon and would probably appreciate a nice lunch with Lizzy."
"Gill," Lizzy said, looking at me with slight sadness, knowing what I was giving up. I tried giving her a reassuring smile, but noticed James stare was heavily on me still.
"I hope you enjoy it. Chase reassured me how great it would be and you both deserve only the best," I said as I swallowed and handed James the basket. He looked at me suspiciously and down at the basket.
"Thanks Gill, this is very decent of you," he acknowledged a little reluctantly, making me smile. Lizzy was still staring at me and I locked eyes with her, focusing my thoughts and attention to her.
"No problem James. Like I said, only the best for the best." Lizzy's eyes widened a little bit as I smiled and looked back up at James and beamed innocently, my heart full of sadness. "Hope you both enjoy it."
I shook his hand and nodded bashfully to Lizzy, who was still looking at me with shock. Holding my head high, I departed the Inn and made my way to anywhere away from civilization, wanting to let the dissatisfaction hit me complete and powerfully, knowing fully well that by being the bigger man I got not only the shorter end of the stick, but also less time with the most amazing girl on the island.