Prologue:

I grew up a singer, loved the theater. I loved writing stories. I was a pretty good artist, and I had an ear for music. I knew the ups and downs of the backstreets, and I could push an argument and win – even if it didn't make any sense. I was even a decent chef. You know, I could have had such a bright future in the big city. But, see, that's where I wanted to be different.

I'm Mimi. My family – my mother, my father, my sister, and I – lived in the city most of my life. My sister was adopted around the time I was sixteen, and she was only a year younger than myself. We never really had to hold jobs, because our family was alright with money through investments- That's where this whole story starts, you know, with the job situation. Because most all stories have to start at the beginning, and if they didn't, we just wouldn't get anywhere.

Anyways, my dad. . .he was a rather eccentric, disabled and retired, watch collector. My mother, on the other hand, was the . . .unique. . owner of a sweet little bar-slash-inn in the countryside which she referred to as a tavern. And while this bar brought in the money we needed, it also fascinated me. The whole country setting it was in fascinated me. And I was determined to know – to experience – more.

I first visited the inn on my eighteenth birthday. My mother had taken me there to run a quick errand before we went out with my sister for the occasion. It was then that I fell in love with it all – the fresh air, the friendly people, the dirt paths worn down by hard work, the roads that held their fair share of potholes, and had most likely never seen a fancy Porsche. . . everything that the city WASN'T. She came back outside, saw the look in my eyes, and right then and there told me:

"You know, if you ever want to leave home. . . you can always stay here."

Of course, at the time, I couldn't have told you when I would have taken that offer up, if at all. I had lived in such a different place for such a long time, it would be a major change. Still, it didn't take long for me to realize, after I got back into the city, that I had belonged at that place.

Alright, now fast forward two years.

And here I am, hugging my family goodbye, my luggage already in the taxi, and crying my eyes out like I already told myself I wasn't going to do. So much for the strong approach.

"I'll be back," I promised over and over. I was like the water works version of the Terminator.

And then I got in the taxi, and waved until I couldn't see them anymore. The driver, a nice Hispanic guy, offered me a tissue. I took it thankfully – most of the taxi drivers would have just ignored me. He introduced himself as Joselito, which kinda made me giggle, but I kept it to myself. He was a middle aged guy, and he cheered me up by telling me about his family – a little girl and another on the way. He even showed me pictures, and bragged about his wife. By the time I got out at the train station, I was decidedly happier – what can I say? I love children – heck, I love families in general.

I sat, waiting for the train, for almost thirty minutes, impatiently rolling one of the bags that Joselito had been so kind to help me with. I had been early, but that didn't bother me too much. It gave me time to think, and I found myself close to being startled as the train pulled to a stop in the station. As I rolled my luggage on, took a seat, and watched the doors close, my anxiousness grew. A cool voice dinged over the intercom, declaring the destination – Evening Star Valley. The scenery passed by in green and brown blurs, while the only thought I could manage rang over and over inside my head, I hope I fit in. . .

Because I had never wanted to be less different in my life.

CHAPTER 1:

I took a deep breath as I got off the train. The slight wind tousled my hair about my face lightly, and I found myself entranced by how beautiful it was here. How fresh the air smelled. How I could already feel the great difference between here and the city.

"Let's go Mimi." I told myself, "Let's go, let's get to the bar. You have to meet Miss Violet today, don't you remember?" Sighing, I adjusted my top and rolled my luggage along behind me.

The roads I walked along were gravel or dirt, and something I found entirely charming. Flowers blossomed on the trees, filling the air with the sweet perfume of spring. Here and there a petal fell. I took in the whole surroundings, refreshed by the purity of it all. And smiling, I took the map out of my pocket.

This map was the thing that would show me how to get to the bar. There, I'd get a room until I found a house or somewhere to stay. At least, that's what momma had told me. In fact, I could stay at the inn as long as I liked, she said. And I'll take her word for it – seeing as she's the owner.

I ignored how my skirt blew here and there in the wind. I was wearing shorts under it after all, so it wasn't a big deal. It almost got caught on a post as I walked into the town, which was something I found very funny. Then again, I was always easy to amuse. As I looked at the buildings, I found myself wondering which one could possibly be the inn. Somehow, the simple way of stopping and asking someone for directions was giving me nervousness that I hadn't known since before my theater days. Why? I couldn't figure it out, myself. . .

Finally, I stumbled past a few people and onto the street that was home to the inn. I could tell, because there was a sign that said – you guessed it – 'INN' on the outside. Whoo, common sense! I rolled my luggage after me, opened the door, and stepped inside.

Inside, it was a cozy little front room with tables for dining and a bar up front. Beside the bar led to stairs that I was pretty sure had to lead to the sleeping quarters. And standing behind the bar had to be none other than Violet herself. I could tell, even in the work clothes she wore now, that she was elegant and pretty. And immediately I felt my self-status lowering on it's totem pole. So much for confidence, eh? Either way, my confidence took over and I stepped forward bravely.

"Miss Violet. . .? I'm Mimi~." I smiled.

"No, no, there's probably not a lot of alcohol in there anyways. . " a girl at the counter trailed off as I stepped forward. Violet looked up at me, and her worried smile turned into an excited one.

"You're Mimi, right? Miss Kitt's daughter! It's so nice to see you again!"

I blanched. Then I blushed slightly. How could I not remember her? Where had I met her before? Surely I wasn't so stupid as to forget, no, surely not. She noticed my expression and laughed.

"I saw you that day you were running errands with your mother. She and I were inside and, forgive me, rather amused by how entranced you seemed by this place."

The blush deepened.

"Well, you can put your stuff in the back – that's where mine, Gill's, and your rooms are. Yours is a bit far near the back, since it was the guest room. And seeing as this taverns fairly old, the doors are all heavy and the wallpaper rather . .out of style. But I hope you like it either way." She said, taking me over to the door behind the bar and pointing back into the room that lay behind it, "At the end of that hallway back there, take a right. The last door, that's your room. Ours is up near the front, but don't hesitate to come to us if you need anything."

"Oh, thank you!" I smiled, glad to have a room a bit far off from everyone else. That way I could sing or dance without worrying about disturbing anyone. Following the way she pointed, leaving her to her customer, I walked back into the room and closed the door behind me. This room was attached the the back hallway, and done up in the same kind of old wallpaper as the rest. Far from disliking it, as Violet seemed to think, I loved it.

'I'll have to do up my room in this. . ' I started to think to myself before I realized. . I didn't live there anymore. That left kind of an empty feeling in my stomach. Quietly, I wheeled my bags through the back hallway, and went to the right. About three doors stood between me and my room, and I went past them determinedly, all the while murmuring to myself.

"I will not get into trouble, I will not go exploring. . . .yet."

What? I can't help myself!

I leaned against my door with my shoulder to push it open. It was heavy, just like Violet had said. As soon as I had gotten it opened enough, I pulled my bags inside. I decided that it would be a good idea to keep the door open, because if it closed, I'd have a heck of a time getting it open from the inside.

Inside the room was amazing. The bed was a queen size four poster, with cushy pillows and comforters. There was a dresser, a vanity, and a desk inside – all of which looked too heavy to move, and probably hadn't done so for several years. Looking out into the hallway to make sure no one was out there, I stood away from the door to change. I pulled off the dress and slipped on a tank top, deciding to keep on the shorts I already had on. Then I pulled on a short sleeved jacket over it, and checked the mirror on the vanity.

"Wow, I look like a monster." I laughed. My hair had gotten a wee bit poofy like it occasionally does, and my makeup needed some fixing. I sat down to the task, humming all the while. I wiped the remains of my eye liner from under my eye, but didn't bother re-applying it, and put on some lip balm to fix the slightly chapped appearance I had gotten from not drinking much since I left home. Then I brushed through my hair and pulled it over my shoulder, tying it in a low ponytail.

"Now. Let's go see what's going on outside." I decided, standing up and walking out of my room. I'd have to unpack later.

Down the hallway I went, across the room, and to the door. As I pulled it open, I saw. . . quite the scene. A guy with black hair and gold eyes was trying to help the girl (who was sitting at the bar earlier) up. It looked as if she had fallen over, and a distinctly drunken look played about her face.

"Is she okay?" I asked, rather worried as I crossed out from behind the bar, "How much did she have to drink?" the latter question was directed towards Violet, who was already trying to help.

"Only one drink, believe it or not. . .but I think she's alright. Not coherent, but alright." She sighed.

"What's her name?" I asked the guy. He was about to answer when the girl made herself vocal.

"My naaaame iss Miiiiiirrraa." She slurred. Well, alrighty then.

"Well then, Mira, how do you feel? Are you well enough to walk, or is it all dizzy?" I asked. She caught my eye and started giggling madly. I'm pretty sure that wasn't funny.

"Yyouu . . . yoou haave bi-. .biigg booooobiesss." she managed through the giggles, stopping in the middle for a hiccup. My face flushed red, as I finally decided nice wouldn't cut it if she couldn't even answer a simple question without being rude.

"Alright, you." I pointed at the guy, "Help me get her up." We hauled her up with the help of Violet, one of her arms slung around my shoulder and the other around the boy's.

"Do you know where she lives?" I asked, "And. . .who are you?"

"Yes, and I'm Luke." He said, trying to concentrate on talking to me as Mira tried to grab his nose.

"Good. Violet, I'll help take her home. . . I think I should stay with her until she sleeps it off, so maybe I can come back tomorrow? I'm so sorry!" I added the last part, partially because I had been really looking forward to sleeping in the four poster.

"Of course." Violet smiled, "Go ahead and look after her. I guess you'll just have to meet Gill tomorrow. And assuming you come home before dinner, we'll have something good!" My stomach growled as she said that, but I ignored it.

"Thanks." I said, keeping Mira's hand firmly in my grasp after it tried to reach up and grab my ear, "I'll be home soon."

Home. . .wow, that sounded nice.

"Come on then." I said to Luke, as we half carried and half walked Mira out the door. And after a while of her butting into our conversation as we walked, usually blubbering some nonsense about gophers and cranberry cheese, I found myself laughing.

I liked it here already.