Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness, or Kate Voegele's song "Manhattan from the Sky".
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Manhattan from the Sky
By: Aishitewu
A knock on my door in the middle of Spring. I thought it was Taro, here to give yet another lecture on the basics of farming. I reached the door and opened it, less than enthusiastic.
To my surprise, it wasn't Taro. It was a young – around my age – man whom I'd never met before, dressed in a getup that reminded me of those Western cowboy films I used to watch, a result of boredom, back in the city.
But this man… He was beautiful. Silver locks that perfectly fell over his amethyst orbs for eyes, and a tiny hint of a sexy smirk. One look at him and I felt lightheaded, but in a pleasant way…
I knew nothing about him, and my curiosity was impatiently growing each second that ticked by.
Baby,
What are you doing today,
What are you doing later?
"Mornin', farmer. The name's Vaughn, and I bring animals from the town to the island. Guess we'll be seein' each other often…"
"Chelsea." My voice came out like a whisper, and I noticed his eyebrow rise at the level of my voice. Clearing my throat, I repeated, "Chelsea. Pleased to meet you."
I don't know my way through a maze of gray skyscrapers,
But I'm willing to learn.
If you want me to, I'll stay just where I am.
But I promise just to follow when I land,
And you can take my word for that.
"Ah. All right, then, Chelsea." I bit my lip to avoid sighing happily at the sound of my name coming from his mouth. "I'm only here a few days a week" – my heart sank a little, but I told myself that those "few" would be my favorite days of the week – "and you can find me at or wandering near Mirabelle's."
Good, then I wouldn't risk looking creepy looking around for him…
'Cuz you are my Manhattan from the sky,
You look so neat and tidy when I'm way up high.
But I know your streets are lined with a fine mess inside.
I wanna come down and walk around your mind.
"Anyway, I just dropped by to say hello. See you around…"
He turned to reach for the doorknob, and I quickly, without thinking it through, stopped him. "W-wait!" I stammered, automatically stepping forward.
Vaughn looked at me, eyes frowning behind his gray bangs. I swallowed and realized my mouth was dry. Maybe I'd sound stupid asking, but I wanted him to stay a while longer… I know we'd just met, but…
"Would you mind… Is it okay if…" I took a breath, hoping he didn't sense the apprehension in my intake of air. "Would you like to stay for breakfast?"
That oh-so-attractive smirk appeared on his face yet again, but he quickly changed his expression. Back to the intimidating stare, he replied with a blunt "No" and left. Just like that.
I gazed absentmindedly at the spot where he'd just stood before bursting into excited squeals. He'd finally come! The one for me, and I knew it with all my racing heart, had finally arrived at Sunny Island!
I didn't brood over the fact that he'd rejected my breakfast offering without a "Thank you". If he was the mysterious type that played hard-to-get, then I'd prepare myself for any future refusals. I'd know more about him, and I didn't care if it took seasons. It was all part of the chase.
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I didn't see him for the rest of the day, except in my mind. Honestly, I'd spent more of the day thinking up of Chelaughn (our names mixed together; or do you think Vaulsea sounds cuter?) scenes than doing productive farm work. In one of my sweet fantasies, he'd handed me a daisy with pretty white petals and a yellow center that practically glowed. Rain fell down on our heads, but neither of us minded…
Daisies,
Once upon an old daydream, that's what you gave me.
Out on the corner of Broadway and 48th Street,
On a rainy afternoon.
The more I foolishly thought and foolishly dreamt, the more fascinated I became in him and his interests. What was his favorite food? I could sure as heck cook it for him if he just asked. When was his birthday? What present would make his purple eyes widen and shimmer, would make him utter a gruff yet sincere "Thank you"?
Lost in my thoughts and hope to see him, I wandered around the island and searched for his recognizable hat the following day. Though my efforts were fruitless, I was determined. And finally I came across him near Mirabelle's shop on Wednesday. Heart pounding in my ears, I walked over to where he was pacing…
I could start discovering your world,
And I would make a damn good city girl.
Things would start to bloom.
I'm sure.
"Good morning!" I greeted him, flashing my best, most cheerful smile. "Vaughn, right?"
His fixed look on me stopped me in my tracks. His gorgeous purple eyes bore into mine, and I forgot how to breathe until I was reminded of my lungs' existence. His mouth wasn't twisted into a smile, but his eyes… Maybe it was wishful thinking, but were they beaming at me?
"Mornin'," he murmured.
Funny how a single word can cause such fluttery effects in a girl.
You are my Manhattan from the sky.
You look so neat and tidy when I'm way up high.
But I know your streets are lined with a fine mess inside.
I wanna come down and walk around your mind.
"U-umm," I stuttered, temporarily forgetting what I'd wanted to say. It was so weird how I was so sure of what to say when I thought it through last night, but now that I was actually here with him, all traces of certainty in me mysteriously dissolved. It had something to do with Vaughn, didn't it? Shaking my head, I looked at him again. That subtle twinkle in his eye, directed at me, pushed my trembling self forward. "Want to go for…for a walk?"
I felt one of my hands ball into a fist in preparation for his answer. I told myself that if he refused, there would always be another day… But despite myself, I wanted him to say yes…
"No," came his quiet reply.
I know you want me to see, don't lie to me.
Why ya gotta be so shy to me?
'cuz I ain't buying the false anxiety.
Let your fortress fall.
What is it gonna take to get you there?
If it was money, you'd be a millionaire.
All alone in your leather swivel chair,
Counting stacks of gold…
I closed my eyes and bit down on my bottom lip, expecting disappointment to fill me. But instead, I felt hope lighten my spirits. Especially with what he said next.
"Thanks, though… Maybe later we could go for a stroll."
My cheeks began to hurt as a big smile stretched across my face. He frowned at me, muttering, "Don't smile like that, Cheshire Cat. It's creepy." It didn't hurt me, though. I heard the playfulness behind the harmless statement.
I giggled, and he actually smiled – the whole mouth-curving expression – even if he did wipe it off in the next second. "I'll see you later?" I didn't bother to hide my wishful tone.
He nodded. "Sure, farmer."
I skipped back to the farm then, not complaining as I picked at the numerous weeds scattered through the land. My petite build didn't ache at all as I worked, because my mind was in a sweetly blissful state.
Despite my rocky start here at Sunny Island, I knew life was going to take a turn for the better, what with the mystifying cowboy. And I wouldn't stop to mope at every "no" he gave me. I was ready for the rejection; I was ready to be persistent. Yes, I know that sounds quite stupid and desperate of me, but who said love was supposed to be logical?
Vaughn… I wasn't going to be fooled with his physical flawlessness. I wasn't going to expect the same perfection from his mind. All of his mysteries and faults just waiting in that hat, and I was set on uncovering them all.
You are my Manhattan from the sky.
You look so neat and tidy when I'm way up high.
But I know your streets are lined with a fine mess inside.
I wanna come down and walk around your mind.
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Note: Heehee, I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review! :)