A/N:
**Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Harvest Moon or anything relating to Harvest Moon. I just merely have insane daydreams about it and need to type them out**
So I know I've been writing A LOT of VaughnXChelsea stories, haha. This kinda sorta does have the coupling, but focuses more around Sabrina and her feelings, written through journal entries. Sorry for a lot of the italics, I know it hurts to read, but I also have to have normal font in here for the present, so italics are kinda a must.
Like most stories, once this idea gets into my head, I constantly think about it until I can write it down. But this one will not be like my many one-shots, but like a true story, since it would be too long to put into one chapter.
The quote, I believe, is from Fruits Basket, though I found it so long ago that I don't remember who said it (maybe Hatori?) But anyway, I thought that this quote might suit Sabrina a bit.
Please enjoy!
~If it's possible for one person to be hurt by another...then it's possible for that person to be healed by another~
Turning the Pages—Chapter 1:
Sabrina turned the pages delicately, as if handling a glass figure. With every page, she stopped and brushed her fingers softly over the written words, feeling the slight indents within them—the indents that she herself made.
The book itself was a simple black leather bound book, its spine worn down from constant opening and turning of the pages.
Sabrina leafed through the pages, stopping at a random one. She looked down, stroked the words on it, and then began to read:
It has been two weeks since Father and I have arrived on this island. The island seems to be calm and surreal. There are only friendly people here, and the atmosphere is quite nice. Not like the big cities before. And Father's company can thrive, too. I think I may just like the island, too, but for another reason completely.
Today, I was taking a walk since it was very nice out. Father went down to the mines again, so I knew I would be coming home to an empty house. For some odd reason, though, when I reached Julia's house, I started feeling a bit dizzy. But still, I continued on.
I remember walking quite slowly, since if I walked faster, even a bit, I would feel like I would pass out. I looked at the ground, my head feeling as heavy as lead.
And then…
"What's wrong?" came a voice.
I looked up, even though it hurt to raise my head. I recognized it as Vaughn. Over the two weeks I've been here, I've only seen him once or twice. I heard from Julia that he was an animal trader, but I've never really gotten close enough to talk to him.
"I-I...I don't feel very well…" I said faintly.
"Can you make it home okay?" he asked.
I've also heard talk of him. Some people have said that he is rude and doesn't talk much. Julia and Chelsea, though, defend him a lot, saying that he's just shy. Surely now, after he's asked that question, those rumors have to be false. He seems nice.
"Y-Yes," I reply. "I'll be alright...It's just right over there..."
I slowly walked past him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him turning to watch me. I remember feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Don't lie to me," he says suddenly. I turn to look at him, and see that his gaze seems colder, harsher. "You'll pass out. I'll take you home."
"I-I'll be alright. I don't want you to go out of your way..." I reply. Truly, I didn't want to bug him. My house was what, a couple feet away? I would be all right. Really, there was no need to bug him.
He didn't share my views, however.
"I don't want you to pass out. Let's go."
He didn't touch me, I remember, but he did lead the way into my house. With an island this small and no one dangerous, no one really locks their houses.
I entered my house, and Vaughn followed just a few steps in.
I felt the heat rushing to my face. I can't believe he did this. I can't believe I've troubled him.
"Thank you so much," I remember gushing, bowing my head. "I'm feeling so much better now!"
"No need to thank me," he replies, keeping that neutral face on, like always. "Just be careful, okay? Bye."
"I can't thank you enough," I say. Vaughn stops in his tracks for a few seconds, and then continues out of my house.
I remember this clearly...
After he closed the door behind him, I stood there for a few minutes, trying to figure him out. And somewhere, deep down, there was this uncertain feeling in the pit of my heart. And I think I liked it, though at that time, I didn't know what it was.
Sabrina finished reading the passage, and stayed quiet for a while. After some time, she let out a small sigh and flipped the page, and started reading the next passage.
I remember our second meeting well, too. It was about a week after our first meeting, and I went down to the beach for a walk. Imagine my surprise when I saw him there. He was just standing there, staring off into the sea.
"H-How are you, Vaughn?" I asked him, praying to the Harvest Goddess that I didn't disrupt him.
He turned around and looked at me, the same neutral expression that was so natural on him.
"Ah, it's you."
He recognized me!
But then it struck me, why did I feel so happy that he did?
"You're not going to pass out again, are you?" he continued.
I laughed lightly. "No, I just wanted to thank you for helping me. I'm sorry that I worried you."
I looked at him, and his neutral expression gave way toward something else. Annoyed. He looked slightly annoyed. No, slightly wasn't the correct term.
"I wasn't worried," he said, almost defensively. "If you pass out in the street, you'll be in the way of people."
I stayed quite for a while, thinking...contemplating his response, trying to know what to make of him.
Finally, I realized that he was a nice person who just tried to act tough. This was evidence. He tried to act like he didn't care, but I believed that deep down, he did, but was trying to cover that fact with something snobbish. I didn't believe him for a second.
"You're so kind, Vaughn," I said, smiling at him.
His reaction to that was so unexpected...
He blushed. His eye widened, he straightened his back a little, and a faint blush appeared on his face.
"Are you talking to me?" he asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Yes, you're so caring deep down," I replied.
Then, he regained his composure and gave me the same look he did when I thanked him just minutes ago.
"You're an odd one..." he said, trailing off.
I smiled once more. "Ah, I should get going now. If you'll excuse me... Let's talk again some other time!"
Then, I walked away, though my heart told me to stay. This feeling…it was so different…I've never felt it before.
Slowly, like she did with all the other passages, Sabrina repeated her routine: she traced each letter, and then turned to the next passage.
We've never met each other again, really. The most I've seen of him is at festivals, and he's always talking to Chelsea. I would love to go over and strike a conversation with him, but I'm always scared to do so.
At most, we've only exchanged a couple of words.
Today, I was walking toward the forest from the mine when I heard voices.
Chelsea's and Vaughn's.
I stood there, transfixed by his voice.
Vaughn was saying something to Chelsea, telling her not to be afraid. Then I heard Chelsea saying that they should play with them. I peeked around a tree, and saw Vaughn and Chelsea running around, playing with dogs. I watched as Vaughn chased the dogs playfully with Chelsea following along.
As I watched them run around, playing with the dogs, I was struck by how little I really knew Vaughn. I thought I had him figured out, but I was way off. Yes, my theories were right, but this was the true Vaughn: the one who loved animals and would love to spend time with them.
They finally stopped running, and the dogs ran off. Chelsea and Vaughn were kneeling on the ground, panting. Vaughn reached up and plucked his hat off, running his hand through his hair. I think I stopped breathing—I've never seen him with his hat off.
"It's been a while since I've ran like that," he said. "Feels good to exercise like that once in a while. That was fun. Thanks, Chelsea."
I watched, frozen in place, as they got up on their feet. As they both got up, their gaze met, and they both froze.
I couldn't take any more of this. I turned and went back to the mine.
Sabrina finished reading this passage, too, but paused before turning the next page. Her lips formed a slight smile, but her eyes were sad. Sabrina traced each letter carefully, and only then, could she turn the page. This passage, unlike the others, was quite short.
I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I see him; I get lightheaded whenever I talk to him, which isn't much, really—just the occasional 'hi' when we pass each other in the streets or see each other at the diner; I find myself, when reading books, thinking of him, and never really reading the words that are in front of me; whenever I think of our meetings, I get this feeling inside of me that I cannot explain.
And then, when I saw how much fun Vaughn was having with Chelsea the other day, I also got another feeling I did not know. This feeling, however, I did not like.
After weeks of pondering what's going on, I think I've finally figured it out.
I'm in love with Vaughn.
Sabrina sighed with the memory, and then turned the page.
Every night I lay in bed thinking of Vaughn. I think of his shiny silver hair, his black cowboy outfit, and his violet gaze. I toss and turn in bed and cannot sleep when I think of how he acts around Chelsea.
I barely sleep at night, and wake up early because of him. But I don't mind. Truly, I don't.
This morning, I woke up especially early. The sun wasn't even out, but it wasn't completely dark, either. Dusk.
I slipped out of bed, put on a jacket, and then headed out the door.
As I walked into West Town, the sun was just starting to come up. I thought that I would go down to the beach, where I could maybe get ideas for a painting.
I reached the entrance, and then stopped.
There, on the sand, was Vaughn. And Chelsea.
With horror, I watched as Vaughn walked along the shoreline, holding Chelsea's hand. They stopped, and Vaughn pressed his lips toward Chelsea's ear and murmured something. Chelsea smiled.
Then Chelsea led Vaughn to the bridge, and they stopped. Vaughn pulled Chelsea close to him, and slowly dipped his head. As their lips met, my insides went ice cold. Before they could pull apart, I forced myself to leave, the image of them kissing forever burned into my mind.
Sabrina paused, set down the black journal, and pulled up a chair. She sat down, and then resumed reading.
They are a couple. They kiss. They hug. They touch and hold each other.
I remember finding that out the day after I caught them kissing on the bridge.
Why should Vaughn ever notice me? I am just a shy bookworm that stays inside all the time. No wonder he chose Chelsea, who is outgoing; who has pretty much restored this island all by herself; who is pretty; who is able to bring out Vaughn's true self, when I couldn't. Maybe if I had the courage to talk to him instead of watching from afar, that could have been me he was kissing on the bridge.
Maybe if I weren't so quiet...
Maybe if I were prettier...
Maybe if I were like Chelsea...
Vaughn would love me, like I wished he would every second of every day.
A/N:
So yes, the second chapter is already written, and I'll be posting that shortly. I decided to split this story into chapters, since it would be too long to just put as a one shot. This chapter by itself is about 5 ½ pages, haha. It's mostly, right now, heart events, since I didn't really want to shorten them or whatever.
Kinda bittersweet, no? I love bittersweet, but I'll try to make this a happy ending.
Thanks for reading!
Please review!
~Shadowed-Wolfe