Chase decided it would be better for everyone if he chopped off his tongue. No, seriously. If he could get rid of his tongue, he wouldn't have to worry about pissing people off. And he'd have a good excuse not to talk. But he didn't know any doctors who would be willing to put him through a tongue-cutting procedure. Jin certainly wouldn't recommend it. Maybe he could convince doctors that the surgery would benefit the world at large.
He didn't mean to hurt Akari again. But he didn't understand why she couldn't see what was so obvious. He clenched his fists at the thought of Owen hitting her. But rather than directing his anger toward him, he insulted Akari instead. He didn't deserve her kindness.
Chase needed some milk and eggs to finish a new recipe he was working on. He headed toward Horn Ranch to purchase the items from Hannah and saw Renee and Kathy riding their horses in the big field. Kathy spotted him and waved. He nodded in return. She slid off the white and brown spotted steed and walked over to him. He wished he could have crept by without the attention. He didn't feel like talkingto anyone. "Just the person I wanted to see," she said. "How's the new job?"
"Great. I'm getting paid in spades. 200g to be exact," he answered.
She gave him a disapproving look. "She's doing her best. You should be grateful."
He continued to walk toward the shop with Kathy trailing behind. "Oh, yeah. I'm so grateful. Gratefulness pays the bills. Look, I'm kind of busy right now."
She grabbed his arm and stopped him in his tracks. "Listen, you jerk. I was going to ask you if you wanted to go to the Firefly Festival with us."
"Us?"
"Yeah. Me, Selena, Luke and Akari. We all agreed to go together."
Chase shook his head. "I'm good, thanks."
Kathy let out an exasperated sigh. "I don't know what crawled up your butt and died today but just listen. I know losing your job sucks, but I think it'd be good for you to get out of the house for a bit. You're going to become even more isolated at this rate."
He laughed. "Okay, Dr. Kathy. Did it ever occur to you that I prefer to be alone?"
She shrugged. "If that's what you tell yourself at night. Come on. If you don't like it, you can always leave. So, are you going or what?"
Chase didn't enjoy festivals, but the Firefly Festival in particular made him uneasy. Festival goers honored the dead by lighting lanterns and sending them down the river. According to Castanet legend, the fireflies that appeared were spirits of the dead. He found it unsettling.
Still, Kathy was trying to convince him to go. He also remembered Akari asking him to join them as well. It's not like he had to stay. "Okay, whatever. But I'm not staying long."
She smiled. "Yay!"
Chase stood at the water's edge and waited for his posse. There was nothing exciting about this festival. No food, no fireworks, no music. In fact, it was more of a thing for couples. Two people cuddled up by the river watching fireflies and reminiscing about the dead. Not his sort of thing. He wondered why Akari was joining the group instead of attending with Owen. A part of him felt relieved that he probably wouldn't be around.
The area was lit up with moonstone lanterns placed along the sides of the dirt path. This event was never as crowded as the others. He watched Mira talking with Reverend Perry. He knew this festival had to be rough on the old widow. She lost her husband a few years ago to disease. He spotted Mayor Hamilton standing near a stall, eyes darting to and fro over the paper gripped in his hands.
"Hey, Chase!"
He looked up and saw the group sprinting down the dirt path. He glanced at his watch. It was already 6:58. Once again, he found himself looking at Akari. He was amazed by how she could go from manure-stained overalls, muddy boots and scruffy hair to looking like she stepped out of an exclusive day spa despite the fact she had spent nearly the entire day cooking under the sun. Her eyes met his. She smiled. He looked away. If she was still upset, he couldn't tell. Maybe she was already over it.
"Glad you made it!" Kathy said.
"Way to be late," he replied, tapping his watch.
Selena groaned and threw her head back. Chase thought he would never have to see her now that the bar was gone but wishes don't always come true. "Why didn't you tell me the douchebag of the century was coming?" She asked no one in particular.
Chase smirked. "I knew you were coming and yet here I am. I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed."
Luke laughed but Kathy didn't find it so funny.
She held up her hand. "Hey, no fighting. We're all here to have fun tonight. Okay?"
"Yes, ma'am," Selena said.
"Shhh!" Akari shushed. "It's starting."
The group gathered around the bonfire as Mayor Hamilton cleared his throat and began to recite his speech:
"Thank you all for joining me at this year's annual Firefly Festival." He cleared his throat again and tugged at the collar of his shirt. He was sweating profusely.
Luke nudged Selena. "Someone didn't take his meds." She snickered.
"Tonight, we honor those who have died. Or, well. We remember those who have passed on, and we will send these lanterns down the river to pay our respects. We truly hope the fireflies will make a grand appearance tonight, as they are apt to do. Thank you."
He expelled a deep breath, looking relieved that his 15-second speech was over. Kathy and Luke walked over to one of the stalls and grabbed a lantern. Kathy a yellow one and Luke a blue one. "This is for my mom," she said quietly before sending the lantern down the river. Akari smiled and placed an arm around her friend's shoulders. The light breeze sent the lantern spinning as it drifted off. Luke kneeled down and placed his on the water.
"This is for my mom, too," he whispered. "Sorry dad couldn't be here. He's out working. You know how he is."
Chase wanted to grab a lantern for his family too, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. No, that would invite too many questions from the others. And he did not want to go down that road again. He turned to Perry and Mira. She was crying as she watched her green lantern float away. He held her tight.
"Look!" Luke cried. "Fireflies!"
They appeared like a million little souls dancing over the water. Everyone became silent as they watched them circle through the air. One landed on Chase'sknee, flashed and then zipped into the sky. He imagined his parents' spirits among them and hoped they forgave him for not sending a lantern down the river. This went on for a few minutes until Mayor Hamilton announced the end of the festival:
"This year's firefly festival is coming to an end. Let's never forget our loved ones!"
The villagers began to disperse one by one until only Chase and the others remained. Mayor Hamilton was the last one to leave and wished the group goodnight. An impish look crossed Selena's face. "Now this is when the fun really begins." She pulled a brown bottle out of her bag and five shot glasses.
Kathy and Akari gaped. Chase could tell they were the conservative ones of the group. "Really, Selena?" Kathy chastised.
Selena only laughed. "Relax grandma. Get your panties out of a bunch. I have a fun game we can play. Have you guys ever played 'Never Have I Ever'?"
Akari nodded. "Yeah, I remember playing that at school. But without the alcohol."
"That's why this game will be more fun. The rules are simple. Someone starts off by saying 'never have I ever' and then they're going to say something that they've never done before. If one of you guys have done it, then you have to take a shot!"
"This should be interesting," Chase muttered.
"I guess it's a good thing Owen didn't show up," Luke joked.
Everyone shot him a dirty look. "What?" He inquired innocently.
Akari let out a weak laugh. "No, you're right, Luke. It's probably a good thing."
"Where is he anyway?" Selena asked.
Akari shrugged. "He said he wasn't feeling up to it tonight. Anyway, if we're going to do this, let's do it."
"Yeah!" Luke shouted. "I'm hella ready!"
"So, who wants to go first?" Selena asked, caressing the bottle like it was a precious jewel. "And no lame ones either."
"I'm game," Kathy offered. "Let's see...never have I ever...kissed a girl."
Selena poured herself a shot. Chase followed suit. He tossed his head back and chugged it down. The thick liquid burned his throat and warmed his chest. Not pleasant. But alcohol was never for its taste.
Kathy stared at Selena then laughed. "Of course, you have!"
She grinned. "What can I say?" She turned to Luke. "I'm more shocked about you."
He turned bright red. "Look, it just never happened, okay?"
Akari gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "It'll happen. Don't worry. You're what? 19? I didn't have my first kiss until I was 20."
He nodded but he still looked troubled.
"Who's next?" Selena asked.
Chase raised his hand. "I have a pretty good one. Never have I ever...been pregnantor gottensomeone pregnant." It was a strange question but one that he didn't really expect anyone to take a shot for. Since Luke had never even had his first kiss yet, he knew he was out.
Everyone glanced at each other with curiosity. Finally, Selena poured herself another shot. The group watched her with wide eyes, ready to hear her explanation. "I was pregnant. Was. But it was a mistake. Mistakes happen. You move on." No one knew what to say. An awkward silence ensued.
Now Chase truly did feel like the biggest douchebag of the century. "Shouldn't have said that. Sorry," he said to Selena. He never imagined he would apologize to her of all people. Maybe the liquor was making him soft.
She shrugged. "For what? Those are the , who's next?"
For the next half hour or so, they continued to play the game. But by this time, Kathy, Akari and Luke were noticeably buzzed. Chase found it hilarious that the three were already tipsy after a few shots. He felt fine, although the warm sensation in his chest had spread throughout his entire body. The liquor bottle was half empty, so the game would be over soon.
It was Selena's turn. "Never have I ever...seen someone die," she said.
Chase felt like he had been struck in the chest with an iron fist. His mind was transported from the group and found itself in the past with his parents, when they were alive. It was an ordinary Friday morning. Drizzling rain, downcast and chilly. His mom was cradlingher belly as she chatted on the phone with a coworker. Her eyes beamed with excitement, and his father stared at the road ahead, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. Chase was excited to become a big brother, but at this moment he was more excited about staying out of school and getting ice cream at his favorite parlor downtown. His mother promised if he would sit still during the ultrasound, she would buy him an ice cream cone. He wiggled in his seat, listening to the rain patter against the slightly cracked windows. Then it happened. A SUV cut them off at a stoplight. His dad jerked the car left. It spun over and over again until the world became a blur. They swerved into a ditch. Chase felt several bones in his body snap at the impact. But he was pinned securely in his car seat. His parents...they were thrown through the windows, limbs bent in impossible directions. And as Chase looked on in horror at their bloody, unresponsive bodies, screaming until his little lungs gave out,he knew that they were dead. He would never meet his new baby sister. They were going to name her Chelsea.
"I saw a mouse die once," Luke answered. Chase blinked, brought back to the present by his voice. "My dog caught the little sucker. He ripped into the thing like a beast. Rat guts everywhere." He illustrated this lovely story with his hands and fingers. Akari nudged his shoulder with her elbow and erupted into a fit of giggles.
"That's soooo sad," Kathy drawled. "So depressing. Good one, Selena."
Chase's hands started to tremble, and he wondered if the others could sense his for him, they were too intoxicated to care. He stared at the bottle of liquor in the middle of the group. No one else poured themselves a shot. No one else had seen anyone die.
And as far as they knew, neither had he.
Selena shrugged. "It's not like anyone has, so it's not a big deal." She turned to Chase. "Your turn."
He inhaled sharply. All he could think about was that red truck spiraling out of control on the road, the screeching of tires, the blaring of horns, the snapshots of those horrified pedestrians watching helplessly as they flung into the ditch…
"Chase?" Selena prodded. "Don't tell me you're out of it like these other losers."
Stay in the present, Chase. Stay in the present.
"No, I'm fine," he responded coolly. He stuffed his trembling hands in his pockets. The gesture was so subtle, no one would have thought he had something to hide. "Actually, it's getting kind of late. I have to work tomorrow. Right, Akari?"
She giggled in response. The poor girl was a lightweight. She was gone after two shots.
"Fine," Selena said. "I guess you and I win. Next time we play this game, I want people who can actually drink."
Chase nodded. "I hear you on that."
She grabbed Luke's wrist and tugged him to his feet. He wobbled and began to laugh at his own misstep. "Let's go, lover boy."
"Just him?" Chase questioned.
"Yes, we have our own little game to play," she said with a seductive wink. "You'll take care of Kathy and Akari, right?" Before he could object, she continued with, "I knew you would! Thanks, you're a doll." She tightened her grip on Luke's wrist as she half dragged him up the dirt path. Luke stumbled along with a lopsided, goofy grin. Chase shuddered. The thought of hooking up with Selena was more nauseating than anything Maya had ever cooked. At least Luke was going to get that first kiss...and more.
Now he was stuck with two giggling idiots drawing faces in the sand with sticks. Mayor Hamilton and the other villagers had long since left. The moonstone lanterns had dimmed, and the fireflies were gone. The only light emitted from the roaring flames of the bonfire and the full moon above. Judging by its position in the sky, it had to be past midnight. He picked up the liquor bottle and emptied its contents before tossing it into the river. It treaded the water before disappearing into the mist. He continued to watch it even after it was gone.
He pulled Kathy to her feet. She was still tipsy but more coherent than Akari. Her blonde hair was caked with sand. She tried to shake it out with her fingers, but it would take a good shampooing to get it all out. "I think I'll manage," she informed Chase. "Geez, I feel like crap."
"You work at a bar, and you can't even hold your own liquor," Chase joked. "Hayden should have raised you better."
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I can't think of a good comeback right now, but I'll get you later." She massaged her temples as she hobbled toward the windmill.
"Wait, you probably shouldn't walk home alone," he called after her.
'I'm not. I'm going to crash at Renee's tonight. No way am I going to get any sleep with my dad snoring up the place."
One of the drawbacks of living at the Inn was that there was only one available room to accommodate Kathy and her dad. If a woman sharing a tiny room with her dad wasn't awkward as hell, then Chase didn't know what was. Kathy waved goodbye and asked him to take care of Akari.
No matter how much he tried to distance himself from the girl, cruel fate seemed to want to push them together. Chase learned years ago to not fight with fate, to just go with the flow, but he was stubborn. Although he and Akari appeared to be on good terms now, he still felt uneasy around her. She, on the other hand, was happier than he had seen her. Sometime during his conversation with Kathy, she had shifted closer to the river. She removed her sandals and splashed her feet in the water. Seeing her so carefree reminded him of that day…
As far as he knew, Akari didn't know anything about his past. He never trusted anyone with that information, and he surely didn't want anyone's pity.
"Hey, farm girl. Let's get out of here," he said.
She smiled up at him. "Let's go swimming first."
"Excuse me?"
"C'mon! It'll be fun!" She stood up, grabbed the hem of her dress and yanked it above her head.
Chase threw his hands up to shield his eyes. "Dude! W-what are you doing?!"
"Swimming! Duh!"
His face turned several dark shades of red. If he were any other man...but then, Akari wasn't just any other girl. Despite his travels around the world, he wasn't very experienced with women. Not exactly inexperienced but enough to make this sort of situation embarrassing and far from tempting. He reluctantly removed his hands from his eyes and watched her struggle to wiggle her arms out of the dress. He kept his eyes fixed on her face but couldn't help but notice she was wearing plaid boxers. Classy.
He took her arms and helped her smooththe dress back down as quick as he could to keep from staring. "No swimming. We're going home," he instructed as if he were talking to a child.
"Fine," she said. "Let's play another game. Truth or dare."
He rolled his eyes. "Okay. One question and that's it." He held up one finger. "Then we're out of here."
She giggled. "Okay. Um, I dare you, uh, uhhh...to kiss me!"
He recoiledin surprise. "What?" He coughed out.
Seemingly satisfied with his response, she closed the gap between them and pressed her lips softly against his. The kiss was sweet and chaste, almost in direct contrast with the woman who worked as hard or harder than any man he knew. He stood still, his arms stiff at his sides, lips unmoving. She laced her fingers through his hair and pushed his head forward slightly, trying to deepen the kiss.
Chase finally realized what was going on, and he couldn't let it happen. As much as he hated to admit it, Akari was more than his neighbor, than his temporary boss, than Owen's girlfriend. She was something else, truly.
When he returned to the island, he heard stories about her. Apparently, the island was a mess before her arrival. Then she came and everything changed for the better. Crops started growing again, rainbows sprouted everywhere, the villagers, who went about their everyday lives somber, seemed to radiate with joy. It sounded sooutrageousthat Chase couldn't help but laugh. Who was she, the fairy godmother? Did she have a jar of pixie dust laying around?
But after getting to know her better, Chase knew she was special. Even when he acted like an ass, she still went out of her way to help him out, to get to know him. That was more than he could say about most people, who only wanted to know how he made certain foods but were uninterested in the real him. Her kindness scared him. It made him want to trust her. And without knowing if she would hurt him or not, he decided he was going to. She was opening up a new world to him-a caring, more forgiving world.
And he needed that. He lost that when he was kid, and he wanted it back.
He took her face and gently pulled her back. She looked at him questioningly. "Akari, I can't let you do this. Even if I want to. I know you still care about Owen. I just don't want you to get hurt again. And even though I think he's no good for you, I can't win you over like this."
She opened her mouth to speak but he pulled her into a hug, letting her face rest on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. I'm sorry I judged you when you needed help. I want to be the friend you deserve. And win you over if I can. But not this way. I want to win you over with my own merits. Because I know you'd do the same.
I don't know if I'll ever be this honest with you again. I don't know. But you made me realize something. And I hope it's worth staying on the island for."
He felt her rhythmic breathing tickle his neck. Her body had gone limp in his arms. He chuckled. "Of course, you'd fall asleep when I'm giving you the biggest confession of my life. Probably better that way." He gathered her in his arms and carried her home. In three more hours, it was harvesting time.