I actually didn't think there would be a 2nd Chapter but... things happen. Again, very loosely based on recent events.

"No! Ellie! That can't be true!"

I hear a familiar high-pitched voice which has now entered the Inn. This is all I need. Ann glances over at me. She knows that I'm simply not in the mood right now to be dealing with a hypergenic cotton candied haired woman. I sigh heavily, bracing for the upcoming salutation.

"Claire!" I can hear her clasp her hands.

I turn around in the stool I was sitting in. I was finished with my meal, anyways. "Popuri. Always a pleasure." I greet dryly. "Ellie."

Popuri frowns while Ellie quietly sighs. "What's wrong, Claire?" Popuri immediately slides into serious mode, which I never would think she could. "Is it-"

"Pop!" Ann interrupted. "Let her go back to her farm in peace." The pink-haired lady crosses her arms, producing a 'humph.'

"Thanks, Ann, Popuri, but," I now stand before the two visitors, my focus more on Ann. "you don't really need to act as if you are walking on egg shells, concerning him." I dig out some money from my overalls. "I'm fine." It is because of him that my farm has been profitable lately. I don't mention this since I know Ann would then do her long speech.

"If you say so." Ann sighs, wiping down invisible stains.

"Later girls!" I say, leaving their presence.

I don't get too far, maybe halfway to the exit, before I am stopped by someone who I certainly don't have the time to listen to them drone on and on. "Claire!" The jolly man roared. "How's the town's favourite farmer?"

"I'm the town's only farmer, Mayor Thomas." I cross my arms, anticipating the droning speech he probably has prepared for me or something. The mayor nervously laughs, adjusting his garnet top hat.

My thoughts start to drift to the things I still have to do for the day – the crops needing to be harvested (which seems unending this time of year), my animals needing my adoration and love, and even budgeting my money for a potential extension to either my house or barn. I want to leave right now and accomplish these things before nightfall, but whatever the mayor's saying seems a bit important. Perhaps maybe I should be listening to this.

"Does she know that he went to her city with some woman to some event?" I overhear Popuri say to Ann and Ellie instead of focusing on the mayor. They must think I can't hear but...

I uncross my arms then clench my fists. I notice the mayor giving me a strange look, but I simply don't care. Any other place – fine. Whatever. But my city where I came from? Not acceptable in my books. I quickly apologize to the mayor for my curt behaviour then sprinted out of the Inn.

I am definitely going to be receiving a lot of lectures from my friends; but at this point, it doesn't matter. I need answers – I want... to understand. That's not too much to ask, right? I run to the one place where I know he is on a Thursday at this time of the day – the Lake.

As I arrive to the Lake, I scan the area and immediately see him. There is no turning back now. I have to confront him, even it means that our 'friendship' – or lack of one – would completely shatter into the abyss.

"Gray," I grab his attention. "I thought you were 'too busy' and 'have a ton of responsibilities' on your plate." I continue, my sarcasm seeping through.

But something takes over me and what I really want to say starts flowing out. "You know what. Screw it. Help me to understand something here: you say you are extremely busy – which I totally get: that's precisely where I am at too – and you say that when you do have free time, you have a ton of things to take care of, which I get as well. What I don't get is some chick from out of town invites you to some festival in my old city – where I grew up in – and you figure why not; yet when I have invited you to whatever, you give me excuses. Do you understand my frustration? I want to know the real reason why you don't want to hang out or be friends. At least give me that."

I study his face. Nothing. "I am going out with someone now..." He replies, his facial expressions completely hidden under his stupid hat.

His response doesn't sit well with me. "And before?" I clench my fists, trying not to flail my arms around in frustration. All that wording I give and he gives me just a sentence. I'm not surprised by this, really; but it is annoying. "What about then? It's kind of illogical to say you're really busy and use that as an excuse then suddenly this happens. And no I don't care if you have a girlfriend or dating someone. I just want to understand why you don't want to hang out. That's it. And no excuses." I almost exasperate noticeably.

He glares from underneath his hat, at least from what I can tell. Honestly, I have no idea what's going on through his head, but it's definitely no where near to the amount of frustration that I am going through. "You need to chill." He tells me matter-of-factly.

He did not. No. He did not. That is one thing you don't say to a girl who is slowly losing her patience.

"I don't hang out with other girls, out of respect of my girlfriend." He adds.

The girlfriend card yet again. Wasn't I clear that I have no quarrel on that fact? Yet he's making it out to be as if I am, which couldn't be farther from the truth! I got over that fact a long time ago. "Excuse me? Don't tell me to chill. Just don't. And why do you keep bringing up your girlfriend when that's not even the issue? I have no problem with your girlfriend nor will I ever. You're completely missing the point. Don't flatter yourself to think otherwise. I just want to know why you don't want to hang out. That's it. I'm not asking you to build a rocket ship or anything. Just why you don't want to hang out? Imagine you didn't have a girlfriends – in this illustration – why don't you want to hang out?"

I notice myself repeating. At this point, I simply don't care. What is so wrong in trying to understand? I'm not asking him to dump his girl – just an explanation so that I can properly move on from this whole situation.

He glares (again, I don't know what he's really thinking) away and concentrates his stare at the lake. "Stop talking to me, please."

I really clench my fists now, them turning white as I do. That's all he has to say? I mean, what is one to think about that? I am speechless but quickly retort, going into speech mode, "What the hell? You know what: fine. Whatever. Real mature in avoiding it. You not answering gives me an answer: you don't want to be friends. Loud and clear. I just hope you don't treat anyone else like this.

"I honestly thought you were this nice guy underneath, but I clearly was dead wrong on that. I thought that perhaps we could be good friends and help each other out, but you made it pretty clear that that is out of the question. It's sad.

"I did everything I could on my end to extend the olive branch – the friendship branch – but you slapped it away like a fly containing a pestilence. I am done being that nice girl. You hurt me really bad here, drudging up some memories I thought I had forgotten for good. So thanks for that... totally needed to be reminded of that.

"But you know what: in a way, I am thankful for this experience. It has taught me things, and it has shown me your true colours. So thank you for that. So long, Gray. Thanks for shattering my heart into zillion of pieces. I can get over a lot of things, but somebody not wanting to be friends – no, I just can't..."

I turn around, so ready to leave. I don't want to talk to him ever again. I know we both live in the same town, and chances are we will encounter each other, but still. I am going to avoid him as much as possible. And Ann, when she hears this, better respect that. I know she likes to fix things with people, but this I don't think she can fix.

"Take care." He manages to say. "You'll get over it."

If he had just left it at 'take care,' I think it would have been sort of okay. But to add that last sentence. It stabs into my heart, twists inside, then continues to stab, repeatedly. I try to contain my tears, but they are threatening to fall. "My goodness, Gray. You're a real piece of work..." I manage to say, trying not to sound upset. I think I did a good job at that too. But I still was completely shattered.

I sprint out of there as fast as I can, heading at full speed to my farm. I run past my now confused dog, who is quite happy to see me, and dash straight into my house. I scramble into my bed and just cry.

I don't know why he was like that and probably won't. But one thing is for sure: I know I'll be better off without him. But still: doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like hell.

Course, some things are changed either to suit the setting (characters, etc) or other reasons. I appreciate you taking your time to read this.