The number below is just a bunch of made up numbers so please don't call it.

This story starts off when Claire before she moves to Mineral town. This chapter might be kind of boring but it'll get better.

Be honest with what you think.

Thank you all!

Chapter 1: Excitement....?

The lights flicked on in a small, shabby apartment. A young woman closed the door behind her as she looked around the apartment.

"I'm home…." With a sigh, she threw the bag she had been holding on the little bed in the corner.

"I live by myself, so of course there is no reply…" She got a bag of potato chips and sat at her little table in front of her TV. From under her arm she grabbed a news paper and spread it out on the table.

"Maybe I can find SOMETHING interesting, something….something exciting, going on in the world…" she sighed again and started flipping through the pages. A add caught her eye and she read it quickly.

Would you like to enjoy a peaceful and refreshing farm life?

For more info, contact:

445-6790

"A farm…hmmm…." The young woman began imagining beautiful scenery and the excitement of owning her own farm. She jumped out of her chair, spilling her chips, and slammed her fist on the table. She quickly grabbed her hand as a tear formed in the corner of her eye. Winching she smiled.

"This is it! Something exciting!" She ran over to her phone and dialed the number. The sound of the buttons as she pushed them just filled her heart with anticipation. Who know what could lie ahead for her. The phone rang and a cheery voice answered.

"Hello, is this MT Realtor? I'm calling about the farm…" the girl nodded her head as she got all the information she needed from the person on the other end. As soon as she hung up the phone she jumped up on her bed and let out a gleeful scream.

"FINALLY!"

A few days later…

The girl had gotten all her important things packed and jumped on the first bus she could. She fell asleep on the long ride as the tranquil scenery around willed her heart to know this was a good idea. The bus dropped her off just outside of a town. She looked around, uncertain about where to go. A sign next to her pointed in two directions, one leading to the west said 'Mineral Town' the one going north had a name scratched out and just said "….Farm".

Thinking this was the way she was meant to go, she ran up the dirt path and into a large farm. Looking around disappointment crossed her face. The field was in disgrace and the buildings were rundown, but still sturdy and manageable looking. When she got to a tiny little house she looked back at the field behind her.

"Someone please tell me they have two farms for sale here…" Behind her, she heard little footsteps squishing in the grass.

"Hello. Are you a tourist?" Another cheery voice said. She quickly turned around and studied the man she was looking at. He was short and had a large red top hat that made them the same height. His brown hair was thin but curled on the sides and he had a large mustache. His red suite caught her attention quickly. Realizing what he had asked, she shook her head no and looked over the field again. When she looked back at the little man she tried to explain what had happened.

"MT Realtor told you that you can live a refreshing life on the farm? So you're the new farmer?" His eyebrow rose as he looked at her. When she nodded slowly the man shook his head and started to laugh. "My dear, you've been tricked! It used to be a gorgeous farm, but not any more since the owner passed away. As you can see, no one's been taking care of it."

The girl looked around the field again and then turned to the man. "You've got to be kidding me…"

"Not many people want to work on the farm now. So they decided to make the advertisement sound more attractive. Every now and then, people who have seen the ad come here. Just like yourself. But as soon as they see the farm, they get disappointed and leave. Just like that. It's been a while since the last one came, though…. I see. You believed that cheesy advertisement." The man bellowed with laughter again. Unable to keep her temper, the girl took a hammer out of her bag and swung with a furry at the man. She hid him in the head, smashing his top hat a little.

"Ow ow ow…ouch. Okay, okay, sorry. Please stop hitting me!" The girl considered it. Should she leave him be, after all he was just joke and didn't mean to make her feel bad. Or should she keep attacking, after all they shouldn't fool people like that. She decided that he needed to learn a lesion at least once more –and she needed to relieve some stress- so she got out her watering can and doused him with water. The water was ice cold and the small man shivered.

"I-I'm s-s-s-so s-s-s-sorry… s-s-s-stop watering me…" he shuddered from the cold water and this made the girl feel proud and cruel at the same time. She took a cloth from her pocket and whipped the water off his face. He smiled at her and nodded a thank you. She tried to explain why she was so upset.

"…I see. You quit your job and moved out of your apartment…. That's too bad…. Hey, why don't you just try and run the farm? The house is livable, and actually pretty nice. If you work hard, I think you'll be happy here. As the mayor of this town, I will help you as much as I can." The girl was a little taken back but she considered it. After all where did she have to go? She had nothing to return to.

"I'll do it, it still sounds like fun. And anything has to be better than the city…." She smiled at him and the two shook on it.

"I'm glad you'd like to stay! Let me first welcome you full heartedly to Mineral Town. I'm Thomas, the mayor, though I already told you that. And what is your name?" The girl smiled.

"I'm Claire, and I'm glad to be here. I'll make this farm the best farm in the world!" She proclaimed. The mayor chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Well I'm going to go file the papers for the farm and tell everyone about our new Mineral Town citizen!" With that, Thomas ran off. Claire laughed and looked around her farm again

"I can do this. If I could get through life this far, I can do it here in this peaceful little town…"

She thought about what was ahead for her. First she would have to clear off some of this field. She was pulled from her thinking by the yapping of a little pup at her feet.

"Well hello little guy. Do you live here?" The dog barked happily in reply. "Well then, it looks like we'll be sharing this land from now on." Jumping on its hind legs, the pup pawed her pants and wagged its tail. Claire laughed again and took one last look around her. The sun was setting and it was time to get some rest. She had a long day ahead of her.

So she turned into the little house and smiled when she saw there was some furniture there. A small kitchen with just an oven and frying pan and a few spices was in the left hand side. To her right was a little bed just bigger than her old one. A small TV was against the back wall, but she didn't mind because she doubted he would have time to watch it. An old, comfy looking couch with a table that looked handmade faced the TV. In the corner by a book case and a dresser was a rocking chair. This made Claire's heart melt because it reminded her of her late grandmother. Right then and there she knew that was her chair. Behind the kitchen was a table just big enough for two people. Besides the TV was a door. When she walked inside, she found it to be a bathroom.

"This place looks smaller on the outside…." She shrugged and got undressed. Taking a long bath, she wondered if this was the right choice for her. "I haven't a choice now…"

She sighed and submerged herself in water. After being in for about an hour, she got out and took a towel out of her bag. Drying herself off, she took a nightgown from her bag and got dressed. The gown stopped above her knee and was a light blue. She left the bathroom, blowing out a candle on the bedstead, and laid in the bed. The little pup tried to jump up and get on the bed next to her. She laughed and picked it up. The two fell asleep quickly.

The next morning.

With a yawn and a stretch, Claire looked around her.

"Where am I?" She looked down toward her feet and saw a little puppy lying on its back. Looking down at her hands she tried to think. In a flash, everything started coming back to her. She remembered the ad, and coming to Mineral Town. She remembered being disappointed with the farm but still accepting to work here.

Shaking her head, she slipped out of bed and walked toward the kitchen. Taking a dusty cup from a bottom cabinet, she cleaned it in the sink and to herself a drink. Leaning against the kitchen counter, she looked out a small window into the sleepy morning. She listened, waiting to hear the crow of a rooster, but remembered no animals lived on her farm yet.

"Well we'll just have to change that…"She thought to herself. When she was done with her drink, she put the cup in the sink and went into the bathroom. She opened her bag and took out a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. Her good cloths were being mailed to her, so she had to do with this for the day. She brushed her long blonde hair out and tied the end with a ribbon. When she walked out, the puppy was up and barking at the front door. A soft knock came from the door, making Claire jump a little. Apparently she wasn't use to her new house yet. She opened the door a little, just enough for the puppy to run outside. A short shadow fell against her door and she smiled, knowing that it was only Thomas. She opened the door all the way and stepped outside.

"Hello Claire, did you sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you for asking."

"Of course. Well I'm here to explain farming a little bit…or do you already know?" Claire thought back to her summers on her grandmother and grandfathers farm.

"I know some, I think I'll be fine." Thomas seemed to frown, but he nodded and tipped his hat to her.

"Well then, have a good time. And don't forget to introduce yourself to everyone around Mineral Town!" He waved farewell and left the farm. Claire shook her head after him and went back inside. It was early yet, but she didn't know if she should get up and start clearing that field or what. Then another nock, only this one heavier, rapped against her door. This time she jumped a bit. Nervous, she went toward the door. She opened it and peered outside. A tall, well build man with short chopped hair and a thin mustache stood before her. He was carrying a large trunk that she recognized. She opened the door and looked up at the large man.

"The names Zack, I'm in charge of shipping for Mineral Town, and I got a package for you here." He lifted the trunk a little and she nodded to him.

"Thank you for delivering that to me. If you could be so kind, just leave it here by the door and I'll bring it in myself." She smiled sweetly at him and he nodded, putting the heavy looking trunk down next to her.

"Ok well come here, I'll show you how to ship things to be sold." She nodded and locked her door behind her. She followed him over to a large crate a little bit away from her house. He stopped there and she stood next to him looking at it.

"This is your Shipping Bin. Put things you want to sell here, and I'll come pick them up by 5 pm every day. I'll also pay you money when I do. I don't work on holidays, though! Hah I need a break once in a while, too!" Claire giggled at the large smile on Zack's face and nodded that she understood. He seemed please so he continued.

"Okay…. You have two more shipping bins in your chicken coop and barn. You can ship anything you grow or find on the mountain. Or, of course, eggs, wool or milk from livestock. Work hard, but not too hard! If you start to feel dizzy, which means you're most likely going to collapse. If that happens, you'll be sent to the clinic, and you'll be out of commission for a while!" His face got a scary look to it as he stated the last part, making Claire step back a bit, but she nodded.

"Bye now. And remember: 5 pm every day!"

"Okay thank you!" She waved him off as he rushed away from her farm.

"I guess I should spend my day meeting some other people…wont this be fun…"