Today was very snowy and gross out so I decided to stay home and write: Hope you guys like it! This chapter is pretty long... but it's good ;D I think. Review to let me know how you feel!
I didn't want to leave the farm. I couldn't go into town and risk seeing Luke: I couldn't shake the guilt, all I could do was distract myself and if I saw him I knew it would all come rushing back. I sighed heavily as I finished watering my crops, wondering when they would finally be ready to harvest: it had seemed like years since I planted them, but in reality it had only been about a week. I toyed with the idea of leaving and visiting Gill as I brushed Betty and fed her; I didn't want her to graze outside, the skies were looking unhappy and my only cow getting sick was not something I wanted added on to this situation. What I wanted was to see Gill. I hadn't heard from him since he told me to be more open with my feelings towards him, but that had ended very badly, so I decided to stay put. I settled on chopping down a few of the trees that were plaguing my fields, plus I really did need to gather materials for building my new house. I held my axe firmly but as I struck the tree I couldn't help but feel reminded of Luke,
"This sucks!" I shouted, throwing the axe on the ground, "Why am I so dumb?" I stomped my foot angrily, not noticing the person snickering behind me,
"It's an axe, not a rocket: it's really not so hard," Yuuki had his hands in his pockets as he nonchalantly wandered towards me, "You just swing it," he laughed as I frowned up at him,
"I'm not that stupid, but thanks for believing in me," I scowled at him, picking up my axe.
"Then why are you stupid?" He asked lightly, cocking his head to the side,
"Why are you here?" I hoped to change the subject
"I was told to keep an eye on you a while back, I'm doing my job," he shrugged and grinned, "So tell me what's up or I'll report to Gill that you're stupid," He stuck out his tongue playfully. I sighed, knowing I would have to tell someone at some point.
"Well I—"
"Hikari!" Kathy and Renee were jogging across my farm, both waving enthusiastically my direction. They stopped in front of me, catching their breath as I let out a groan,
"Hey Yuuki," Renee beamed up at him as he turned a light shade of pink,
"O-oh hey Renee, what are you guys doing here?"
"Visiting our friend, duh," Kathy rolled her eyes before looking up at me, "Where have you been?"
"I… well I…" I took a sharp breath, "I did something stupid…"
"Yeah, she never learned how to use an axe," Yuuki chuckled as Kathy and I shot him glares,
"Seriously…" I said quietly,
"Tell us what happened," Renee soothed. I knew she was being sincere and I knew these were the friends I could tell anything to. I drew a deep breath as they stared at me expectantly. Then I told them everything.
Luke's P.O.V
"Shit man, that totally sucks," Owen rocked back in his chair, his eyebrows furrowed and his frown held tightly,
"Yeah," I sighed, "But I guess it's kinda my fault too," I reasoned,
"How the hell is it your fault?" Owen's glass hit the table, "She kissed you,"
"I know, but she thought I was freaking Gill,"
"I hate that guy," Owen scowled,
"No really?" I laughed quietly and Owen grinned at me,
"Well, this isn't his fault either," I sighed,
"I don't think it's anyone's fault, it just happened right?" he drank the last swallow of his beer and waved at Maya who was behind the counter for another, "It's dumb though: I warned her about the stupid gas just before she went in,"
"Hmm…" I paused for a moment, "it would be better if it was Gill's fault," I grinned mischievously at Owen, "It'd give me someone to blame," I cracked my knuckles menacingly and then burst out laughing, Owen boomed along with me as Maya dropped off his drink. She paused, checking for her parents. Chase was the only one around and after blowing him a kiss (that he batted away, frustrated) she plopped down into the empty chair at our table,
"Did you guys hear yet?" She whispered, leaning in towards us, excitement playing across her face
"Hear what…?" I asked tentatively, if this was about Hikari kissing me I would flip: rumors spread fast around here, but this just seemed ridiculous.
"The bar just hired a new girl! Like from another island," she giggled,
"Is she hot?" Owen asked lightly,
"Kathy's hot," I smirked over at him, trying to remind him of his romantic interest,
"Yeah, but you can't say that," he grinned,
"I'm allowed to look. Not like she's dating anybody, and neither am I" I chuckled at Owen's frustration with me,
"Not the point! Maya: is new girl hot?" he took a swig of his drink
"I don't know, I haven't seen her yet," Maya exhaled, clearly frustrated with us, "And don't be such boys! Maybe she has a great personality or something!" she puffed out her cheeks, agitated,
"Awh," Chase said from the bar, "Maya are you jealous of Selena already?" He chuckled as she stomped her foot,
"N-no! Why would I be?" She huffed off into the kitchen, our laughter following her.
"Selena huh?" I wondered out loud, "What does she do?"
"She's a dancer," Chase shrugged, drying a glass with a tea-towel, "I guess Hayden was serious about hiring better entertainment after your singing debut," Owen laughed loudly, scratching the back of his head, "I heard she good: if you like that kinda thing," Chase made a face before walking into the kitchen to calm Maya down.
"Maybe you and this Selena girl will hook up," Owen grinned at me encouragingly,
"Don't be stupid," I brushed him off,
"Wow, Hikari's really got you down," Owen frowned, "You're never this negative!"
"Sorry," I sighed. The door to the bar opened slowly, and I felt my jaw drop as I saw the two people enter together.
Hikari's P.O.V
"It'll be fine," Kathy soothed, pulling me by the arm back towards the bar, "No one's there, it'll be good to have a drink!"
"Let's just have a drink at my house," I pleaded,
"You've been in your house long enough Hikari!" Renee had my other arm as they wheeled me closer to the building,
"But what if he's in there, I can't deal with him right now!" I moaned,
"Kathy, isn't there a back entrance or something?" Yuuki suggested,
"Yuuki! You're a genius!" Renee grinned at him and he smiled,
"Well I mean, we could just check to see if Luke's there and if he is we'll go back home or something," he blushed a little when Renee beamed at him again.
"You have no idea how much you guys suck," I sighed letting them pull me into the back door of the bar to the kitchen,
"Maybe you'll get lucky and see Gill," Kathy winked at me, "I know you think everything sucks right now but it's really not that big of a deal: I'm sure Luke's already forgotten about the whole thing," She tousled my hair playfully and I smiled as we walked through the kitchen,
"We'll duck behind the bar," Renee giggled as we knelt down to crawl out of the kitchen, but as soon as the door opened, I heard an unmistakable voice,
"You've got to be kidding me," Luke sounded pissed, I glanced over at Kathy who looked just as puzzled as I was,
"What's there to kid about?" Gill's voice responded, sounding cold and guarded,
"What's going on," I mouthed, Kathy shrugged and held her finger to her lips, listening again,
"You're with her?" Luke spat,
"See I told you he was still pissed!" I whispered at Kathy, "And where the heck are Renee and Yuuki?" We looked around but they had gone back into the kitchen, she shrugged at me, "Weird," I mouthed.
"Yes, I don't see how that's a problem to you Luke," Gill sounded different… but I couldn't figure out what it was in his voice that made me feel so uncomfortable.
"It's not a problem for me," Luke breathed, what's he talking about?
"Then why are you so indignant? Well, more so then usual I mean," A female voice… it sounded familiar. I glanced at Kathy, whose expression turned cold,
"Luna," She breathed, her eyebrows furrowing as she listened, Luna?
"Luke, it's not even worth it," I heard Owen say through gritted teeth, he sounded tense,
"Yes it is!" Luke almost shouted and it made Kathy and I jump a little, "So then, what, you just throw Hikari away for Luna? Is that what you're doing now?" He spat. I felt my stomach drop, what is he talking about?
"Yep, guess so," Luna giggled coldly,
"I'm throwing her away?" Gill scoffed, "That's cute. You're trying to make me jealous or something? You really are as stupid as you look," A chair scraped across the floor and big heavy footsteps walked swiftly across the room,
"You're so dead," Owen roared
"Owen, don't!" Kathy shouted, jumping up and sliding over the bar to jump in front of him, stopping his advancing on Gill, "Like you said, it's not even worth it," she tried to sooth him but I could hear the panic in her voice. I stood up slowly from behind the bar, not knowing what to do or who to look at, I settled on my feet.
"What the hell Kathy?" Owen looked down at her, anger all over his face, "Were you guys just hiding down there this whole time?" She blinked before looking up at him,
"Yes," she said flatly, staring into his eyes. I glanced at Gill, Luna clinging to his left arm; he was looking at me with a pained expression. I felt a familiar numbness. We were all silent for a few moments before Luke walked slowly over to Gill,
"You," he growled, "Have no idea how much of an idiot you're being," Gill's eyes snapped away from me and turned to Luke, a smirk settled on his lips but it was Luna who spoke,
"Well it looks like people can't go for drinks anymore without getting into fights that don't even make sense. I mean seriously: is it really any of your business that Gill and are together, it didn't seem to be last time," Gill looked down at her, but her eyes shot towards me, "I guess it's because poor little Hikari is involved this time, isn't it?" Kathy shot Luna the dirtiest look I'd ever seen as Owen fists tightened, "I mean if she wants to go making out with every guy that moves that's fine by me," she laughed coldly. My head started spinning a little, what was she saying? How did she know that I had… well… the thing with Luke?
"Get out," Kathy growled, turning sharply towards her,
"Why can't Hikari fight her own battles? I mean, she's certainly brave enough when it comes to men," She tossed her hair and giggled, "Or is that just called being a slut?" A few things happened very quickly after that comment was made: the first was that Gill, Chase, Maya, Luke and Owen all simultaneously gasped. The second that Gill stepped away from her muttering something about 'being uncalled for', the third was Luke shouting protests trying to explain the situation and the forth was Kathy, walking swiftly over to Luna and delivering a strong, well-aimed punch directly to her face. Luna fell backwards and Kathy jumped on top of her, while shouting things about 'barging into my bar,' and 'badmouthing her friends' and how 'she was getting what she deserved'. Luna was squealing and crying as Owen pulled Kathy off, his laughter filling the room as he held the struggling cowgirl tightly. Gill helped Luna off the floor, uttering a string of profanities as he led her out of the bar,
"And stay out!" Kathy shouted after them, "Unless you want a taste of that again!"
"Wow Kathy," Owen laughed, still holding her arms so that the angry cowgirl couldn't escape and go hunting for tailors, "You brought out kick-ass Kathy and there's not even a drunken idiot around,"
"No, just a normal idiot," Kathy replied through gritted teeth. Owen laughed loudly again and this time Luke and Chase joined in. Maya walked slowly over to me,
"Don't listen to Luna," She said quietly, "No one believes anything that comes out of her mouth anyway," She smiled at me encouraging and I tried to reciprocate, but couldn't manage to do so,
"Thanks Maya," I muttered, wrapping my arms around my chest, she frowned for a moment,
"I know what you need!" she snapped her fingers, "Cake, you need cake. Cake makes everything better!" She grinned and skipped towards the kitchen. She opened the door and took a step in, and then immediately took a step back out and turned around, her face bright red, "O-or maybe not right now," she stammered, lowering her head and walking across the room,
"What's going on Maya?" Chase asked, noticing the little blonde's embarrassment,
"Umm…" she stopped for a moment and looked over at the kitchen. Kathy looked up at Owen and grinned as he let her down, then everyone walked over slowly to the kitchen door. We opened it a crack and peered inside.
"Gross! They're totally making out," Luke said, repressing laughter,
"Finally," Kathy sighed, "They're a couple,"
"Not in my kitchen they aren't," Chase swung the door open and the two jumped back, looking over, Renee blushed deeply but Yuuki just grinned at us,
"Oh hey guys," he laughed. Owen boomed with laughter while Chase gave them a speech about safe food handling. Luke was making snide comments about them not handling food at all. Kathy looked over at me, an encouraging smile on her face,
"Thanks for beating up Luna," I smiled back,
"Any excuse I can get for that one: I take it," She winked at me before becoming serious, "I'm sorry though… I'm sure it's all a misunderstanding with Gill right now. Want me to talk to him for you?"
"No," I said quickly, "No, it's fine, he and Luna are good together," I tried to smile but she just rolled her eyes at me,
"Yeah, I'm sure that's how you really feel,"
I glanced over at Luke, who was joking about Renee and Yuuki while Owen laughed loudly. At least he seems to be over it. I smiled, hoping I wouldn't hurt him anymore.
I get the feeling Kathy has wanted to do that for a long time. Oh and don't worry, Luke will get love soon enough D: i know it's sad that's he's sad, it makes everything so sad. Don't forget to review! Let me know what you thought! Love you guys!