Hey, guys, here is Diego, with a new story. I've decided to work on a Chelsea x Vaughn story.

Partly, this is for my bud, HarvestMoonLuv, the ultimate Vaughn fan girl. Check out her amazing fanfics! You've inspired me, Elizabeth with your love of Taylor Swift, song-fics, and your new story, Ruins. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT Ruins by HarvestMoonLuv, too!)

Read and enjoy!

June 5, 2011: Edited the first chapter.

I do not own Harvest Moon.

Chapter 1: White Veil Occasion

It started on his wedding day.

At his fish smelling house, my ex-boyfriend Denny adjusted his baby blue tie. "Boy, I am excited!" he exclaimed. "And my two best friends are here to celebrate it with me!" Humming to himself, again straightening his tie, Denny examined his built fisherman body in the mirror. "Do I look good? Please tell me I look good." A grin emerged on his face.

"You don't look good," I reassured him. Denny groaned, like he was about to bang his head against a wall and yell, "Kill me now!"

I grinned. My ex never failed to make me laugh. He was amazing like that. "You're handsome. You look ready, and you're about to shine." Denny then beamed, wrapping his arms around me as well as the man beside me – his best friend.

"Now," Denny pulled away, grinning at me and glaring at the other. I didn't know how he did both. "Vaughn, what do you think about my outfit? Do I charm you magnificently?" Vaughn and I rolled our eyes. Truth to be told, I indeed marveled at Denny. The pearly white tuxedo glowed in the light, reflecting Denny's pride and excitement. A light blue tie tucked into his dress coat, smooth in every place. Shiny polished black dress shoes gleamed on his feet.

After a year, my ex was moving on.

"You look like a man about to get married," Vaughn muttered, a slight smile on his face. I tried to stifle laughed. Duh, of course he's getting married.

Vaughn rarely smiled, much less talked. At times we exchanged awkward quiet hellos; at others we had a conversation about our animals. Taro was not much help in poultry or livestock whereas Vaughn would ban me from ever touching a chicken again if I let it die.

When my first chicken had…left the farm to R.I.P., he scowled and said, "You don't deserve a chicken." He refused to give me a second chance.

So I had decided to take matters in my own hands. "If you refuse to trust me with a chicken," I had confronted him. "Then teach me how to care for it. Isn't that reasonable?"

Raising an eyebrow, he frowned and nodded. "Fine," he snapped.

We went behind to where Mirabelle kept all the animals. There were the fat cows munching on the grass. Fluffy sheep were chewing on food. The birds twittered on the sides, happily hopping around.

He taught me how to feed them properly, and how to know when they were hungry. They had to be observed properly, so I would know when they're feathers were ruffled and when they were happy and all that information. It was pretty self explanatory, but then he explained a little more to me. There was information about their nesting boxes for sleeping, spraying the wood with lime scents to reduce the odor, and by the end…I had a huge headache.

While I was feeding the chickens, I had asked, "Do you know that guy named Denny? He moved to the island yesterday." One chicken jabbed at my hand. The other waddled away from my outstretched grasp of chicken feed.

"Yesterday was Tuesday," Vaughn solemnly grunted. "I'm only here on Wednesdays and Thursdays." Inside, I mentally smacked myself for being so stupid. Julia was talking about her cousin, and how he settled on Sunny Island for two days a week.

…Let's say I'm not exactly acquainted with Vaughn.

I turned to look at Denny.

Raking a comb through his curly brown hair, Denny said, "Thanks!" His hair was different without his purple bandana. He didn't look like Denny anymore. Denny fist bumped an awkward Vaughn and cheerfully replied, "Man, I am getting married. She's the most beautiful woman on the island, and I wouldn't marry anybody else!"

I fidgeted uncomfortably. Those were the words uttered from his mouth last year. "You're the most beautiful girl on the island, Chelsea. Will you marry me? I wouldn't marry anybody else."

Noticing my discomfort, Denny cleared his throat. Shifting his eyes, I refused to look at him. There was too much pain. "Sorry about that, Chelsea." My cheeks reddened. How embarrassing. He just pointed out regrettably and unforgettably what happened between us. To make matters more humiliating, Vaughn was also standing there!

Vaughn probably knows about it too.

It went without saying that Denny and I should never speak about what happened again, especially on his wedding day.

To my surprise, the words that come out of my mouth were, "Don't worry about it, Denny. She's the one for you." No! I'm the one for you! Don't do this, Denny! I'll meet you somewhere when this is all over! Don't say a single vow until I pour out my heart to you…As much as I wanted to say that, I kept my mouth silent. I love you. But you love Lanna.

"Thanks, Chelsea. I know you think it's not true, though." Denny smiled his sexy grin and held out his arms. Crap. I've been figured out. He knows me too well. "C'mon guys, let's have a group hug!" It was awkward hugging a stiff Vaughn and an energetic Denny. They were two different people with two different bodies.

A knock on Denny's door echoed in the some-what empty house. After his marriage, he would move in with his wife. All that was left of his place were fishing nets. Fishing nets from when we first met… "Denny!" Charlie ruined my train of thought. "Do you want to come down to the church, yet? Lanna's already there!"

"My future wife is there before me?" Denny yelped, barely jumping in the air. "I gotta leave!" After checking himself in the mirror one last time, he yelled, "Bye guys! See you!" Charlie and Denny sprinted to the church, ditching Vaughn and me.

I sighed.

"You're not over him." Four words startled me. It's the most I've really ever heard Vaughn say directly to me. Rarely did he ever talk to me anyways… "You still love him, don't you, Chelsea?" I was at loss for words. That was one thing about Vaughn to be bewaring about. He noticed things…way to easily.

For a man who had a face hard to read, he could sure read people's faces.

Stammering, I said, "S-s-so what if I am? It doesn't change a thing in Denny's life." Denny was about to be wed to Lanna, a pop singer! What was I to them and their future family? A friend! Nothing more! However, to me, they were to me…a boy stealer and the love of my life. How could I change their lives when the two were so happy together? Wasn't my life already a failure? I could barely uphold my farm!

"But it makes a big impact on your life," Vaughn said. "There's always that phrase at weddings: "Speak now or forever hold your peace." Why won't you speak, Chelsea? Tell Denny how you feel before he joins Lanna until they die. If you don't, either you're going to have a miserable life, or Lanna will be vengeful against you." Uneasily, I glanced up at Vaughn, half a head taller than me.

I protested, taking a step towards him, "If I tell Denny how I feel, I'll still have a miserable life. There's a chance I could ruin Denny and Lanna's, too. I'm not the kind of girl who would ruin Denny's big day like that."

Vaughn took a step closer to me. Almost angrily, he said, "Yet, you're the kind of girl who thinks that Denny is marrying the wrong girl. Do you want to say that, as well?"

Why is he talking to me? Why does he notice me? Dear Goddess, I want to die.

I snapped, "If you're so smart, why don't you say it?" We both took steps towards each other, and collided. My hands pushed against his shoulders, and he fell back. We landed lying down on Denny's bed, with me on top of Vaughn.

Oof! Vaughn's hat would have flown off if he was wearing one, like he usually did.

I thought I knocked the wind out of him by landing square on his tough chest. Nose to nose, my eyes were squeezed shut. Opening the left, I muttered, "Well, this is awkward."

Releasing my hands that were on his shoulders, I wondered why his hands were at my waist. I was lying on top of him, for goodness sake! Awkward…

Vaughn sneered, "Then get the hell off me!"

Rolling off of him and standing, I brushed my light pink dress with my hands. Loose fabrics from Vaughn's black tuxedo had scattered on me. "Jeez, your tux is shedding." Fixing my now messy straight combed hair, I frowned.

How did Vaughn ruin my hair that fast? We were on the bed for like ten seconds

Or were we?.

Quickly, Vaughn was pulling the door open. "Let's go, Chelsea. We don't want to miss our best friend's wedding."

When we walked out, we were still blushing madly.

()()()()()

Denny winked from us across the crowd. I weakly grinned. Vaughn shot him thumbs up.

Everyone on the island had arrived for the wedding… except for the Witch Princess. There was a possibility she was lurking in the trees, searching for a way to cause trouble. Since we were at the church, the Harvest Goddess was nearby. Witch Princess wouldn't dare to come near the ceremony.

Like, even Shea was here! And he's crazy right in the head!

Residents stood in their places, nervously waiting for the bride to float in. I was beside Vaughn, strangely, with my best friend Natalie on my other side. Nudging her, I whispered, "How long will it be before you and Pierre will be walking down that aisle?"

That totally got her laughing, in a very pissed off way.

"Get the fudge out," Natalie snorted.

Trust me, Natalie thought she was too cool to swear even though some people thought it was the other way around. Whose side am I on? I don't swear a lot. Does that answer your question?

"When are you and that guy beside you going to get married?" I stiffened. She was pulling my chain. Natalie knew that Vaughn and I weren't friends.

"You might want to shut up," Vaughn growled beside me. "The wedding's starting." Did he hear what Natalie said…? If he did, he showed no emotion.

Natalie flushed and said, "Sorry. I thought my brother was next to you." Natalie thought that Elliot was next to me? Elliot and I getting married is the stupidest idea I've ever heard. Denny belonged to me…and he will always.

"I'm right here." We swiveled around to come face to face with Natalie's brother, Elliot. He was frowning. "Honestly, Nat?" Natalie groaned, "Get lost, Elliot," and I grinned. Brothers and sisters never ceased to fail arguing at the strangest of times. Turning back, the wedding finally started.

An organ started to play a wedding song which everyone enjoyed: light, sweet, but I couldn't watch. There was too much pain.

If the girl Denny was marrying not me, why should I look up? She floated down the aisle like she was the queen of the world. Mind you, a famous pop star singer is considered a queen, in ways. Did I care? No.

Lanna wasn't my favourite person anyways because I never bothered to talk to her.

I already had Julia, the strong natured girl. She offered me help with my chickens, when I chickened out asking Vaughn. Natalie my best friend was hilarious. There were times where we would befriend animals in the forest, or attempt to grow fruit in my greenhouse. Elliot was her brother, and we're naturally friends considering how much time I spend at their house.

Mark used to try asking me out, following me around, eventually just befriending me. He gave up, but we're close now, you know?

Cliff arrived at the island at alternate times. Sometimes he talked about his wife, Ann, but we were buds all the same. I looked forward to his seasonally visits even though they came by surprise. But I kept in touch with Cliff by writing letters.

Then there's Denny.

Nothing is needed to say about him.

I love him.

I don't need Lanna when I have all my friends surrounding me.

When is this going to end? I don't want to be here, oh Goddess, let me leave now. Ring the damned bell and let us go on our way… Time dragged on. Seconds ticked by. When I faintly heard the priest say, "Speak now or forever hold you peace," a flashback appears in my mind.

"Why won't you speak, Chelsea?"

The reason why I wouldn't speak…is because I love Denny too much to ruin his life. Who knows what would happen if I poured my heart out to Denny? Maybe…he'd come running back to me. Or the island would then know how I feel about him, and they'd look down on me for the rest of my life.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Everyone knows that when the Goddess rings the bell, the couple is determined to be lovers forever, never to break apart or be separated. The relationship was destined, like soul mates. We nervously wait for the bell to ring during weddings. It normally does, according to Sunny Island's history. A couple of times when the bell ceased to ring, the couples ended up having horrible arguments, in the end separating.

Denny and Lanna's wedding was the first marriage since I settled here.

Anxiously fidgeting, we anticipated the ring of the Goddess. "I hope it doesn't ring," I muttered under my breath. The Harvest Goddess could save me now…

GONG! BONG! GONG!

...or not.

The tune was actually very light and lilting, yet it pounded deep in my heart at the same time.

We all jumped in surprise, and then broke into applause. Hands at my side remained unmoving.

Denny and Lanna shared a passionate kiss. "Now, to my wife, who will I love forever and always," Denny promised, when they broke apart. "I hope she will love me back like so."

()()()()()

The residents said their congratulations…but everything was a blur. Sounds of laughter and giggling erupted around, while my chest heaved with defeat.

Sadness drowned me.

He was never mine. He would never be. Empty swells protruded my chest, a hollow thump beating every second.

Why did I have to say no?

Why did he have to break up with me?

Many possibilities ran through my head. But I came to one conclusion: I won't ever know. The past was the past, and I had to move on and embrace the future.

Yeah, right.

My chance was over. Never could I tell Denny my feelings about him. He knew, but like, I could never pour my heart to him while deeply staring into those wondering brown eyes. It was impossible.

Mumbling congratulations to a stricken Denny and glaring Lanna, I fought back the tears forming at my eyes.

I then drank.

I drank a lot.

There was wine at the party – after the cake, of course. It was pure red wine. It filled my mouth with a rich longing. Splashing liquid flowed down my throat as I took large gulps from the glass in my hand. Glass after glass, I refilled the basin, right up to the rim. It was so addicting. I needed more, the craving in my stomach not satisfied.

Lanna began to sing, and everyone was clapping.

Why was I drinking? No idea.

Vision blurry, I said to no one in particular, "Hi'm tiherd…" There was a smile unknowingly plastered on my face. To people, I have a suspicion I seemed normal, smiling and laughing along with everyone.

Staggering from left to right, a manic giggle escaped from my lips.

I fell into strong arms. With a dreamy sigh, I relaxed in them and gazed upwards at the sparkly ceiling. Who…? Squeezing my eyes shut, I hoped it wasn't Denny. That would be so embarrassing – especially at his wedding. "You're sho strong," I wiped the drool sliding from my mouth.

The smell of milk and animals filled my nostrils. He smells so heavenly…

Through lidded eyes, I mumbled, "You're beautiful."

"Hey, Denny, congrats," the one holding me said. He was a man. "But Chelsea isn't feeling well. I should bring her home." It wasn't Denny…Good. I tittered, twirling around in my own personal spot. My head was light and woozy, thumping and about to explode.

"Come on Chelsea," someone murmured in my ear while gently picking me up. My eyes were still shut. "Trust in me."

Suddenly, depression slammed me full in the face.

What the hell just happened?

Then the wedding flashed through my mind again.

In confusion and being miserable by the occurring events, I hung on to the person's neck and sobbed deeply into the person's chest.

EDIT: Yeah, she got drunk now.

Was that good? Was that kind of short? Please tell me your thoughts on this. I hope you liked it. The first chapter is always the hardest.

~diego