Good Luck With That

Chapter 2 - Two Strikes

"Check this out," Luke said with so much confidence that Angela raised an eyebrow. "See Miss Anissa up there?" He pointed across the Ganache Mine District.

"Don't tell me you're going to ask her out!" Angela laughed. "I knew it…you're out of your mind!"

Luke merely smirked as he dashed towards Soufflé Farm. Angela rolled her eyes. What was he thinking, asking someone like Anissa out? Was he really that stupid? Anyway, she had to watch him fail. She followed him to Soufflé Farm, hiding behind a tree so she could get a good view of him and Anissa.

"…So, uh, are you busy this afternoon?" Luke was asking, rubbing the back of his neck somewhat nervously.

Anissa smiled. "Actually, I've got some free time, Luke," she replied.

"Really?!"

She laughed softly. "Yes. Did you need something?"

'You've got to be kidding me,' Angela thought, her jaw dropping. 'She wouldn't…would she…?'

"W-will you go on a date with me then?" Luke asked.

Anissa stared at him. "Um…aren't you being a little too forward?"

"Huh? I don't think so…"

Beads of sweat began to form on Anissa's fair complexion as her eyes wandered away from Luke as if searching for an alibi. Angela stifled a gasp as her eyes met Anissa's, and ducked her head. A small smile formed on the older woman's face.

"You know," she said suddenly, eyes on Luke again, "I just remembered that I promised Dr. Jin that I would drop by today with some herbs I found."

Luke's face fell. "Oh…okay…"

"I'm sorry, Luke."

"Oh no, it's fine."

She patted his shoulder. "Maybe the girl you should be asking out is a lot closer than you think," she told him as she walked toward the Maple Lake District. She giggled as she passed by the tree where Angela was hiding.

"Dang," Luke said to himself when Anissa was gone. "I was so sure she'd say yes…"

Angela stepped out from behind the tree, a little disoriented from Anissa's last words. She shook her head to focus. Luke failed. That meant she was right!

"Too bad," she told him. "Looks like I'm gonna win."

He jumped. "Hey, you can't call that yet!" he said, turning to face her. "I've still got time!"

She shrugged. "Well, I guess you were shooting too far with Anissa," she laughed. "Better luck next time!"

"She said that I should be asking someone closer…" he mused, rubbing his chin. "What could she mean…?"

Angela frowned. 'What indeed?' she thought. 'Maybe she was just trying to be mysterious…' She was rudely interrupted by Luke's sudden outburst.

"I got it!" he exclaimed happily. She raised an eyebrow. "I should ask Renee out!"

"That doesn't even make sense!" Angela shouted.

Luke flinched, but regained his composure. "Yes it does!" he argued. "She said that I should ask out someone closer…and Renee lives just over there!" He ran over to the Brownie Ranch District, leaving Angela twitching an eye.

"Boy's an idiot," she muttered, following him. "He's a fool…"

Renee was brushing some horses when she saw Luke jogging towards her. "Hello!" she greeted cheerfully. "I don't see you too often around here, Luke! What's up?"

"Hey, Renee," Luke greeted back. "Go on a date with me today!"

Renee's eyes widened, and, dropping the brush she was using, covered her face with her hands. "Wh-what?! Today?! Why?"

"Aw, come on!" he laughed. "I promise it'll be fun!"

She smiled hesitantly. "Oh, Luke, I would," she began, her gaze moving to the left, "but…"

Luke's smile faltered. "But…?" he repeated.

"One of the cows are sick," she answered quickly. "I have to keep an eye on her. Sorry!" she added.

"It's fine…" he told her, turning to walk down the hill.

Angela smirked as Luke approached her. "Strike two," she said smugly. "Maybe you should save yourself the rejection and just give up."

Luke frowned at her. "Never!" he replied. "Just watch! I'm gonna win this game!" With that, he marched off towards the Maple Lake District.

A/N: I hope that this chapter was okay. Please let tell me what you thought of it! Thank you!