Finder's Keepers

                                   You're just too good to be true
                                    I can't take my eyes off of you
                                    You are like heaven to touch
                                     I wanna hold you so much

 
                                        - Lauren Hill The Miseducation of Lauren Hill


Lucca was trying very hard to concentrate on her latest invention, but she simply couldn't keep her mind on it.
She kept thinking back to that day a few years ago...

"What a kick! I want to try it too!" the girl had yelled in glee.

"Huh?" Lucca stammered. "Hey Crono, how'd you pick up a cutie like her?" She was trying not to let her
jealousy show.

The girl spoke again, with a high, whiny voice that was the perfect accompaniment to her golden hair. "Hang
on, Crono! I'll be right back!"

Taban was amazed that anyone would want to try an invention of Lucca's, but he put on his usual act.
"Behold, ladies and gentlemen, as this vision of loveliness steps aboard the machine!"

The girl laughed, and blushed. "Don't go away! I'll be right back!"

I'll be right back!

"I'll be right back!"

"Huh?" Lucca said, brought out from her daydreaming.

"Earth to Lucca! I'm going to the market to get some spices for dinner tonight. I'll be right back. Don't work too
hard, honey." 

Lucca sighed as her mother walked out of the house.

She had always wondered whether or not Crono had ever felt about her in... that way, but when he showed up to
the fair with that girl, she knew it was beyond impossible. And at that moment, she pushed every feeling she
ever had for Crono way back, way down, where it would never come back. She knew she wasn't the type that
would ever have feelings for a man... a boy...

"Damnit! How am I ever going to get this invention done?!"

She walked out the house, slamming the door on her way out. She half-walked, half-ran to Crono's house, and
walked in without thinking.

"Oh, hello Lucca! Crono's over at the castle. Why don't you join them? I'm sure they'd be more than happy to
have you there."

Lucca smiled condescendingly at Crono's naive mother. "Oh, no, I wouldn't want to be a bother." She turned and
walked out of the house. She could see the tower that housed Nadia this very moment... And she could also see
the island that housed the lowly inventor girl. 

Sometimes she wondered if every road on her path was forked.