Chapter 3 ~ An Unrequited Wish
Mary sat in the library quietly, and worked on her novel. Today, she'd work up the courage, and hand her rough draft to Grey so her could read it. She knew he had a thing for books, because he came nearly everyday. She hoped this would catch his attention, but more than ever, she hoped her magic little stream worked as it was promised in her own writing.
She looked up suddenly as Grey entered. Her heart soared and flittered in her chest, like some wind-up toy, "H-hello, Grey. Come here to... to find a nice book?"
"Actually," He dare not look at her, but his face was beginning to redden, "Ann was busy and sent me to get a book for her... Do you have anything like a recipe book or something?"
Mary sighed. Why didn't he look at her? Why didn't her wish work. There was only one way to find out, but gathering enough courage was desperately hard, "I have some older ones over here. There hasn't been a lot of new recipes available for a while. Grey... could I ask you something?" She blushed very visibly as she watched him gather the books and start for the door, still hiding his face.
"Yeah... What is it, Mary?" He turned to look at her and attempted to pretend he wasn't as red as he really was.
"Do... do you..." She gulped, and closed her eyes, "Do you like me?"
Gray stood quietly, a rather blank and startled look gracing his face. He bit his lip and quickly turned, "I r-really have to go. I'll... talk to you later!" He ran out quickly, and disappeared almost instantly as he turned the street for the inn.
Mary's little heart sank. He ran out so quickly, and refused to look at her. Her wish didn't work. But who did he really like then? Elli, a new friend of Grey's, had said something about Emajuu being confused as to why Grey wouldn't confess his love to his crush. Oh no. He must like Ann! It was like that in every book she had ever read. The shy, quiet bachelor always snuck in some affection by running errands for his love. He had come to get some recipe books for her, and that was definately an odd errand considering ann was one of the best cooks in town. Perhaps she liked him back? Mary began to cry, hot tears streaming down her face. She turned to her book that held the little story about the tiny stream, grabbed it, and launched it to the other side of the room, "Stupid stream! Why show up if you aren't going to help?" This was the most upset she had ever been.
"You
what!?" Emajuu gawked and held back an good knock on the head to his friend, "Grey! She was asking if you liked her! Why didn't you take your oppurtunity?"
"I... I don't know... What if she was curious and didn't like me back. I'd be so embarassed..."
"And what if she does like you? You're just going to make her feel awful by ignoring her? You can't bottle your feelings for her up like that, you know." Emajuu crossed his arms and shot a completely confused look, "You'll tell her someday, why not today?"
Grey sat on his bed and let his shoulders hang in shame, "I know, I know, I feel terrible. Really. My stomach hurts and everything. you really think she likes me?"
Emajuu sat down next to him, "You'll never know unless you march up to her and spill your guts. I nearly fainted when I proposed to Elli. It was a good thing I was in a hospital. Because after she said 'yes' I -did- faint. Come on. You can fix this all right now. Just head over and talk to her. I bet she'll love the company, whether you tell her or not." He patted Grey's back.
Grey took a deep breath, "Okay." He started to smile and stood up, "I'm gonna go tell her everything. And atleast hope for the best..."
Mary had already left the library by the time Grey had arrived. She ran down the streets sobbing and ignoring every concerned glance or query. She had only one person in mind that could possibly cheer her up. Popouri.
"Oh, who needs those silly two-timers? You need to find a guy who will respect you and love you, and give you cute valentines cards, and send you just the cutest stuffed animals from the city!" She seemed to have hovered off-course into a her fantasy world of Kai. He only came every Summer and left every Fall, but still got Popouri to go completely insane over him. It was too bad her brother despised the whole idea of Kai whisking his sister off to the city, never to be seen until Summer came around again.
"Popouri, I really liked him. But he's in love with that tonboy Ann. What am I going to do!" Mary broke down again. It's not like she hated Ann. She didn't at all! But just the thought of Ann stealing her crush when she already had Cliff to dream about.
"Oh, please don't cry. He didn't seem right for you anyway. Oh! Oh! I know what will cheer you right up! Forget about that silly stream and let's give you a makeover. All the boys will be after you when I'm done!" Popouri was already digging through her make-up box, "If... if you say so..."
Mary looked in the mirror after Popouri had exclaimed her great joy in her work. She was very pretty, and she looked as gorgeous as any other girl in the village. But, she still didn't feel good. With Grey so adamant in rejecting her, she would never get that nasty gut feeling out of her, "Thank you, Popouri. I think I need to go home now. I'll tell you if anyone stops me on the street..." She sighed and walked out of the room.
Popouri quickly chased after her, "Here, take these. It's the make-up I used on you, so you can do touch-ups!" She grinned and led ary to the door, "Look... try and feel better okay?"
"I will." Mary smiled. She was glad someone cared. She then left, and slowly walked home, effectively getting some admiring stares from the passing males of the village.
It was night time already, and Carter had ventured out of his Church to go for a walk. Where better than the new discovery? He walked to the waters edge and sat next to it, inhaling the chilled air. Nearby, maybe not even 20 feet away, stood Lillia, who had ventured out of town to get away from her kids. Even she had to play a little parental hooky sometimes, just to get some time alone. And the stream was near enough that she wouldn't need any help to get there. She dipped her feet into the slightly glowing waters and sat to relax, letting the miniature waves crash into her weak legs. She looked over her shoulder to see Carter and immediatly smiled. She was good friends with the kind pastor, and waved vigorously, not aware of what kind of effort she was putting out, "Oh, Carter! How are you tonight? Beautiful stars, no?"
Carter smiled and ventured over to join her, "Oh yes. They are quite beautiful. You seem rather... energetic tonight! Are you feeling alright?"
"It's strange, I'm feeling... so young again." She grinned, "It's like my illness is just melting right out of me, and I'm getting all the energy I missed out on!" She gave a sweet laugh, "I decide I might get away from the kids for a while. They always worry so much, it's very sweet but terribly unnerving, really." She sighed and looked up at the moon, "Do you think my husband will ever come back? I miss him so..."
"I'm sure he will, Lillia. He left just for you. That right there is a great sign of love and passion. You should be proud of him." Carter smiled. Although he was beginning to get a rather awkward feeling.
"I wish I could be proud. He just shouldn't have left us without coming back once in a while..." She looked at Carter, and began to blush, "Is it me, or are you looking rather charming lately?"
Carter grinned, "Oh... I..." He blushed, "As a matter of fact, I just realized this now. You look very beautiful tonight."
"Hehehe! This water is so very inspiring. I feel all... happy and girlish. Like I was back in school looking at my first crush." she turned red in the face before planting a little kiss on Carter's cheek, "Hehehe, I should be getting home now. I do believe I'll come back here tommorow night. Would you care to join me?" She smiled girlishly.
"I'd... love to, surprisingly." He rubbed his cheek where Lillia had kissed him, "This place makes me feel so odd, but in a good way." He got up and helped her up, "May I walk you home?"
"I'd be most flattered." She batted her lashes as Carter led her home. There was something very odd about the magic lake. Perhaps a little too odd.
[[Perhaps our loving water should leave matters of the heart to Cupid, who has much more convienent aim
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