Chapter Four: Girlfriend
Patty said her goodbyes and kept in touch my video phone calls. Claire would always chat with her every night and Patty would often flirt with Gray. Gray was still afraid of her and Claire would laugh with his reactions. Spring turned into summer and it was heating up Mineral town. It was the first day of summer and Gray somehow was having a good day. He was working on his necklace without any complains and scolding from his old man. He was surprised that the old man gave him compliments of his work which boosted up his morale. Blaze was a great help as well, his fire was right for any job. "Gray, there is something I wanted to ask you." Saibara said.
"What is it?" He asked.
"That girl Claire, she is really nice. I notice you two are very close." Saibara said. "Are you serious with that girl?"
"Well, we are just true friends." Gray said, blushing. "I do like her but I…"
"You don't need to say more. I can see it on your face." Saibara said. "Please take care of her. I owe her a lot."
"Really? Why?"
"It is a story for another day." Saibara said. "Well, get to work."
"Right…" Gray said. He owes Claire… What did she do? I don't understand. Maybe I can ask Claire after work.
Claire was combing Regina, her full grown Miltank. "All done… You look so cute Regina." Claire said happily. Regina smiled and licked her face. "I love you too." She walked out of the barn with a large container of Moo Milk. "I think it is time to buy about another Miltank and a Mareep." Amber was playing with Metapod, Combee and Silcon. Well, at least Amber is not alone. I was worried that she would not like this place but I am happy she does. "It is a very beautiful day. I did all my chores and fed Regina. I think I should visit Karen. Amber, do you want to see Karen?" Amber nodded and said goodbye to Metapod, Silcon, and Combee. "Hey you three, watch over the farm. When I come back, I would give you all your poffins." They cheered and watched them leave the barn. Gray… A true friend… I hope I get the title of girlfriend soon. She let out a small giggle. She then found Karen and Ann racing towards her.
"Claire, are you free?" Ann asked.
"Yes, I am. I was going to see Karen today." Claire explained. "But Karen is here so it saves me the trouble."
"I need your help with something." Ann said. "I already asked Karen but she would only do it if you agree to do it as well."
"Okay…" Claire said, looking confused. "What is it?"
"We have some tourist coming from the Hoenn Region and I need some help serving in the Inn." Ann said.
"There is a catch to this though." Karen said, crossing her arms. "We have to dress up in maid outfits."
"WHAT!" Claire screamed, blushing. "You know very well I don't like that sort of thing."
"Please Claire, I am begging you. It is only for today." Anne pleaded, grabbing her hand. "If you both do it, you would get free breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week."
"Make it a month and you have a deal." Karen said.
"Fine…" Ann said.
"Karen, I don't want to wear that maid outfit." Claire protested.
"Come on, I think Gray would like it." Karen teased. Claire blushed even more. Karen then grabbed her hand. "Look, I don't like it too but Ann needs our help. I am sure you would look cute in a maid outfit. I would be with you okay. You are not doing this alone." Claire then nodded her head. "Thanks Claire. Let's go to the Inn. I would help you put it on."
"Okay…" Claire said. I hope Gray don't see me in it. I don't want him to see me like that. They made it to the Inn and walked into Ann's room. Karen helped her put on a baby blue dress with a white trimming and apron. Karen even pinned her golden hair into long pigtails. Her hair was decorated with lilies. "Karen, do I look okay?"
"Oh Claire, you look so cute." Karen said, pulling her to the mirror. Claire blushed and stared at herself. "What do you think? I did a very good job."
"I look so different." She said, cupping her face. "I don't know if I can service people looking like this."
"You look beautiful Claire." Amber said.
"Are you sure?" Claire said. "I don't feel beautiful in this. I don't know if I can do this."
"Claire, you are going to do great. I am going to get ready. Just give me five minutes okay." Karen said, walking in the bathroom.
"Okay…" Claire said. I hope no one recognize me as the Goddess of Hoenn. I usually wear dresses for contest. "I wonder what Gray would think if he saw me where this." She then mentally slapped herself. Don't bring him up… He is probably going to laugh at you. But he did call me beautiful but then again, I guess he is just being nice. Oh dear, I am confusing myself. She blushed and stares at herself once more. "I look very silly."
"I don't think you look silly. If Gray sees you in this, he would probably think you are beautiful." Amber said.
"I hope so…" Claire said, shaking. "I thought I would get use to this by now but I am not. I am shaking like a leaf."
"You are always beautiful to me Claire. Just stay calm and be yourself." Amber said, smiling.
"Thanks Amber, you know how to make me feel better." Claire said.
"Claire, you are going to be fine. I am nervous too." Karen said, walking out the bathroom with a black dress and a white apron. Her brown hair was hung beautifully and had a maid hat on. "Sorry to pull you in this. I just didn't want to do it alone."
"It is okay, I understand. Just remember that you owe me one." Claire said. "I just hope I don't do anything stupid."
"You would be fine." Karen said, grabbing her hand. "Well, let's get this over with."
"Okay…" Claire said nervously.
They walked downstairs and found the Inn filled with people. Ann was shocked to see them both. "Wow, you two look so cute." Ann praised. She then gave them both notepads and pens. "I want you two to take their orders. We have a full house so do your best."
"Okay…" They both replied. Karen was already walking to tables and taking their orders. She was a natural and her customers were enjoyed her company.
I can do this. If Karen can do it, so can I. Claire thought. She took a deep breath and walked towards a table. Sitting on this table was a man with raven black hair and wearing a doctor's coat. "Hello Doctor Trent, may I take your order?" Claire said shyly. He turned to her and blushed.
"Claire? Is that you?" Doctor Trent asked, shaking and blushing at the same time. I have never seen her in a dress before. She is so cute and beautiful. "Why are you working here?"
"I am just helping out." Claire said, smiling. "So do you need something?"
"Can I have pancakes with maple syrup please?" He asked, looking away from her. I can't stay calm around her especially like this.
"Of course, anything else?" She asked.
"Can I have a refill? I love the coffee here." He replied.
"Oh sure thing…" Claire said. "I would be right back." He waited for her to leave and took a peak of her.
I have never seen a hot body like that… Damn it, focus Trent… Doctor Trent thought, blushing. Then she returned with a fresh pot of hot coffee. She bends down in front of him to pour his coffee. He found his eyes staring at her breasts. Wow, those are big… I didn't even see that when she wearing her farmer… WHAT AM I THINKING!
"Well, please wait for your order. I have to tend to the other customers." Claire said, walking away. She then made her way to Rick and Cliff. Rick had long light orange hair and blue eyes. He was also wearing glasses. "Hello Rick… Hello Cliff, may I take your orders?"
"CLAIRE, IS THAT YOU!?" They both screamed, blushing. SHE IS SO SEXY!
"Yup, Ann needed help." Claire said, smiling. "So what do you guys want to eat?"
"What's the special?" Cliff asked, hiding his blush. She looks so different. I wonder why Gray has a huge crush on her. She is a hottie.
"Well, it is a bacon cheese burger with fries." Claire said.
"That sounds great." Rick said with awe. "Can I have you on the side?" She let out a giggle.
"Oh dear, I am sorry but I don't mix business with pleasure." She teased, grabbing his glasses. "Your glasses are foggy. Please let me clean them." She blew on them and wiped it with a napkin. She then placed it back on Rick and he blushed with he felt Claire's hand on his cheek. "There is that better."
"Thanks." Rick said. I don't know what happened to Claire but she looks so hot right now.
"So Cliff, what would you like?" Claire asked.
"Ah, scramble eggs with bacon." Cliff said, staring at her.
"Alright…" Claire said, smiling. "Oh, I almost forgot." Claire walked to the front counter and whispered something to Ann. Ann pulled out a small basket of fresh berries. Claire then grabbed it and walked towards him. "I brought this fresh batch of berries for you yesterday but I couldn't find you. There are still good and I make sure to pick the juiciest berries for you."
"Really?" Cliff mumbled, blushing. She went through the trouble of giving me berries. "You are very sweet Claire."
"Thanks… Well, your orders would be ready soon." Claire said, smiling. "Thanks for coming to the Steel Inn Restaurant, I hope you come again."
"We will…" Rick and Cliff replied. Gray you are such a lucky bastard.
Karen and Ann watched her tend to every customer in the Inn. They were shocked of how well she was doing considering that she was nervous from the beginning. "Wow, Claire is pretty good at this." Karen said, giggling. "She is so good that all the male customers have fallen in love with her." She is so naïve to see that she is going to give herself a roaring mob of fan boys. I feel sorry for Gray.
"I must ask her to do this more often." Ann said. Claire does look adorable in that maid dress. I know that Gray would fall hard for her if he sees her. Then Ann let out a giggle. I have a feeling that these two would finally hit it off today. Then a dark skinned man walked in with a purple bandanna on his head. He walked to the counter and smiled. "Kai, you are back."
"Yup, I was wondering where are all of my customers and look where I found them. Ann, what did you do?" Kai asked.
"Nothing." Ann said, crossing her arms. "I didn't bride them if that is want you are saying."
"Not at all…" Kai said, turning his gaze to the crowd. "I was wondering why all of the tourists are…" He paused as he caught a glimpse of Claire. Wow, she is so hot. Who is she? "Karen, who is that?"
"Oh that's Claire. She just moved her last season and she is the new Farmer and Berry Master here." Karen explained. "But I should advice you to leave her alone."
"Why is that?" Kai asked. "Are you jealous that I am into her and not you?"
"As if…" Karen snapped, crossing her arms. "The reason is that she is taken."
"By who?" Kai asked. That cute and hot girl is with someone else. I wonder who he is. Then Gray entered the Inn. "HEY GRAY, WHAT'S UP!?" Gray didn't say a word to him. He just waved. "Is that how you say hello?"
"I am not in the mood." Gray said, letting out a sigh. "But welcome back."
"Hey, do you know the new girl?" Kai asked.
"Yeah, what about it?" Gray said.
"Karen told me that she is taken. So do you know who the lucky guy is?" Kai asked. "She looks very hot."
"Well, she is taken." Gray said, gritting his teeth. Great, he is already targeting Claire. "So stay away from her."
"But who is the guy?" Kai asked. Then there was a crowd a few inches away from them. "I wonder what's going on." Gray turned his gaze to the crowd and found Claire getting hit on by all the men in the Inn. "Wow, she is getting super popular."
"Come on sweetie, let me take you out." One guy said, grabbing her hand.
"Please let me take you out." Another guy said.
"I would make it worth your wild." And another guy added.
"I…" She mumbled, blushing in front of them. I don't know what to do. What did I do to make all of these guys like this? It is probably this stupid maid dress.
"Sorry boys, she's not up for grabs." Gray said, grabbing her hand. He gritted his teeth and gave all the men a death stare. No one is flirting with my Claire and getting away with it. Damn, I am obsesses with her.
OH SHIT! Those men thought.
"GRAY!" Claire screamed. HE IS HERE! I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO SEE ME LIKE THIS BUT… She jumped into Gray's embrace and hugged him tightly. He has perfect timing. Gray hugged her back and had a small grin on his face. "I wanted to say I am sorry for not bringing your lunch today. I got caught up with something." She pulled back and Gray blushed in front of her. "Your sister Ann told me that she needed help with the Inn."
"Claire, what are you wearing?" Gray asked. Wow, she looks so adorable. I hardly recognize her.
"I am supposed to be a maid." Claire said, blushing and fiddling with her fingers. "Do I look silly?"
"No, you look very beautiful." Gray said, smiling. "You are the cutest maid ever." She blushed even more but smiled at him. I guess I have to thank Karen and Ann after this. She looks so breathtaking. I can't take my eyes off of her. Then he heard coughing coming towards Kai. Right, I forgot he was here. "Oh Claire, this is my friend and rival Kai. He is always on voyages and only come during summer. Kai, this is Claire."
"Oh, it is nice to meet you Kai." Claire said, offering her hand to him.
"It is nice to meet you beautiful." Kai said, grabbing her hand and kissing it lightly. "I would love to get to know you more."
"I don't think so." Gray said, pulling her into his embrace. "She is my cute maid so leave her alone."
"Wait, you're the man?" Kai asked. His eyes widened as he realized that his rival has a lady in his life. I can't believe this. He got a girl before I did. She is so hot and cute. Damn it.
"Gray? I have to get back to work." Claire said.
"Claire, I know you feel uncomfortable about this." Gray said, cupping her face. "How about we leave here? The Summer Race is about to start and I want you to watch me race."
"I would love to." Claire said. Did he ask me out on a date? No, he just wants me to be there for him like True Friends should. But he is acting very weird today. It is like he doesn't want any guy near me. Wait… Does that mean he likes me? Oh Claire, calm down. You are probably imagining things.
"Sorry brother, she has to sing for the customers." Ann said.
"WHAT!" Gray screamed. "SHE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN CONTROL ANN!"
"I know but I overheard that Claire has a beautiful voice and everyone in the Inn are demanding her to sing for them." Ann said.
"I don't give a damn if they want her to sing. She doesn't feel comfortable being here in the first place and I don't like that fact that she is being hit on by losers." Gray snapped. Claire blushed and hid a small smile. Karen let out a giggle when she caught that smile.
"Losers…" The guys from the crowd mumbled.
"I am not controlling her but I really do need her. If she doesn't sing, the customers will leave." Ann said, letting out a sigh. "She brought a lot of customers in and we were doing very well." They were arguing while Claire stood there shaking. All the boys were giving each other intense glares and Karen and Ann were arguing over her. They were just concern for her.
Wait, this would give me the perfect opportunity to boost me up to being his girlfriend. I know he cares for me so much but he is not making a move. I think he needs a little push. Claire thought. And I know the perfect song to sing. "Gray, would you like me to sing for you?" Claire asked, blushing. Everyone turned silent and turned their gaze on Claire.
"Claire, you don't have to." Gray said, cupping her face. She wants to sing for me? How cute is that? I have never heard her sing before but I know she has a good voice. "I just don't like it when you are being forced to do something."
"But I would love to sing but only for you." Claire said. This is it. I am going to show my love for him.
"Aww… How cute…" Ann said, sighing with awe. She is absolutely naively cute.
"Alright, I would love to hear you sing Claire." Gray said. "And don't worry, if anyone laughs at you I would kicked their sorry asses okay?"
"Okay?" She said.
"I have never seen Gray like this before." Doctor Trent said. "Is he sick?"
"I think my glasses are foggy again." Rick said, wiping his glasses.
"Damn, he can be very stingy." Cliff said, letting out a chuckle.
"She is so into him. I can't believe a hot babe is into a grumpy insensitive jerk." Kai said.
Claire walked in front of the counter and Amber had a xylophone with her while Blaze had a drum. She noticed that there was already a microphone and a stand waiting for her. They planned this. Well, I guess there is no turning back. "Are you ready Amber and Blaze?" Claire asked. They nodded their heads and started playing their instruments in a slow relaxing beat. Claire was swaying her body to the beat while hold on to the microphone. Here goes nothing… And then she started to sing.
I'm used to opening my own doors and splitting the checks.
He introduce me, was always just a friend
I brought a new dress, he never noticed
Everyone was completely shocked. Their eyes widened and their jaws dropped because of her and her voice. The rumors were true, she had a beautiful voice.
Always falling for these bad boys, such a challenge.
I'm getting tired, of cleaning up after them.
I think I'm ready to be a woman.
Oh love, I think I'm ready
Ready for it.
"Wow, her voice is so breathtaking." Ann said, smiling. "It is so smoothing and relaxing. I can listen to her all day."
"I think she is a keeper, right Gray?" Karen teased, poking his shoulder.
"Yeah…" Gray said, staring at her. Not once his eyes left her and his face was flushed in red.
"Glad, I would love to sing for you." Claire said, blushing.
Is she trying to tell me something? Wait, she has feelings for me. Claire, has feelings for me?
You were such a surprise
An unexpected gift
Said I was pretty, and I believed it
Not really used to all this attention
Told myself I don't deserve you
And this is just a phase
Could I get used to, being loved the right way?
I wanna argue, but there is nothing to say
The tourists were captivated by her passion and voice that she found some of the couples dancing in the Inn. She let out a smile and turned to Gray. She can see how shocked his was but he smiled back and her heart started pumping faster than before.
Oh love, I think I'm ready
Ready for it x2
Oh love, I think I'm ready
Cuz you send me flowers, where there's no occasion
Yeah we talk for hours, you still wanna listen
Won't hold it against me if I just need you to hold me tonight
My mother always told me that you'd show up one day
So scared to feel this way but love, I think I'm ready
Ready for it x2
Oh love, I think I'm ready
Ready for it x2
Oh love, I think I'm ready
When she was done, it was silent and everyone kept on staring at her. Then Gray ended the silence and started clapping and everyone else joined in. She took a bow along with Amber and Blaze. I did it... She walked up to Gray and let out a smile. "So how was it?"
"That was amazing." Karen said, hugging her. "Who knew you were quite a singer?"
"Oh Claire, your voice is so beautiful." Ann added.
"Claire…" Gray said. Karen let go of her. She wants to be more than a friend. She wants to love me… Claire… I think… She turned to him but still couldn't stare straight into his eyes. She then was pulled into a hug. "I think I am ready too."
"Really?" Claire said. "So that means…"
"Yeah, it is almost time for the race." Gray said. "We can talk more on the way there."
"Well, I guess I can cheer for you in this." Claire said, letting out a giggle. "Karen, can you hold my clothes for me?"
"Sure thing, have fun on your date." Karen said, smiling. Claire smiled back.
"Hey Gray, remember I am in the race too." Kai said.
"You know what Kai, I have a feeling I am going to win this time." Gray said, smiling. He then grabbed Claire's hand. "Come Claire, let's get going."
"Right…" Claire said, walking with him hand to hand. Blaze and Amber followed after, cheering that their trainers are finally together.