It's been a four months since I last moved to Stardew Valley. Every morning I wake up and think about that day when I got that letter from grandpa. It's amazing how he managed to see that this is what I needed one day. I go through sad episodes of existential dread when I was still working at Zuzu City and it surprises me still that I'm now here at a peaceful farm up in the valley. Four months ago I would have never imagined myself to do all this dirty work when the only thing that my hands associated with work were a keyboard, mouse, and a phone.

It wasn't hard for me to develop a morning routine. I wake up at 6AM and I check the calendar first, then watch the TV for the weather report. I don't usually check my luck since I'm not really spiritual but for today, I did. "The spirits feel neutral today. The day is in your hands" says the fortune teller. "Oh well, doesn't really matter anyway" I tell myself. After watching TV I immediately go out to check and water my crops. I get rid of a few debris here and there afterwards.

I usually finish around 8AM and I prepare myself breakfast. I know it's weird that I eat breakfast after I do some farm work when it's practical to eat it before I do any work for me to get energy. I just got used to eating late breakfasts back in Zuzu City and it's a habit that I probably wouldn't stop any time soon. Grandpa's got a tiny kitchen with a mini fridge, a kettle, and a single stove top. I prepare some eggs and some strawberries that I managed to harvest myself. It's a shame that Pierre only sells strawberry seeds during the Egg Festival. I got my coffee press, which I brought from the city, thankfully, and brewed myself some coffee that I bought from Gus. It's pretty strong and it fuels me for the entire day.

After eating, I went out to the porch to finish my coffee. I sat down on the front and my eyes began to wander around. I have long way to go to get this to actually look like those farms on TV. Just as I was about to drift into a daydream, I hear someone coming from the pathway going to the bus stop. It was Sebastian. My heart skipped a beat. I never thought Sebastian would be up this early and on my farm?! I was always a bit attracted to him since I got here. And I was totally unprepared for this.

"Hi, Raye" he said as he was approaching the farm. "I was hoping I could pass by your farm to get to my house." He was wearing a black shirt and he had his signature black jacket over his shoulder. I always forgot how pale his complexion was and the warm, morning sun just radiates his skin.

"Hey, Sebastian. Yeah, sure, it's fine" I answered. I noticed he looked a little anxious and his eyes seemed tired. "It's unusual that you decided to choose this route." I tried to play it cool.

He stopped right at the porch and sat down by the stairs. "I slept over at Sam's last night and we stayed up until 3AM watching movies. I'm also a little hungover so I thought going the long way to my house would help me a bit. I'm beginning to regret it." he said as he placed his elbows on his knees and held his head.

"Don't throw up there. If you can't keep it down, you can do your business over there by the little pond." I jokingly say to him. Despite him looking like a mess, I could smell his perfume from where I was and the scent instantly takes me back to a very specific ex-boyfriend back in college. I close my eyes for a bit and I try to rack my brain on the time I dated the guy. He had the exact same perfume as Sebastian. We were together for more than a year until he decided that to drop out of college. He eventually moved out of the city and I never saw him since. I think about what could've happened if he stayed.

"No worries. I already did it back there near the bus stop. Just don't tell Pam or she'll skin me alive". He began to laugh. "Hey! Are you sleeping on me?"

I open my eyes "No. I'm just trying to picture out how Pam would actually skin you. Where would she start?" We both laugh. "Well since you pretty much emptied your gut, let me get you some water. Would you like some coffee too? You can hang out here for a bit if you want"

"That would be great, Raye. I'm sorry I had to bother you."

"No worries. It's a pretty chill day for me so it's fine"

I came back with a tall glass of water and a mug of coffee. He was so thirsty he chugged the water down like beer. I sat beside him as we both drink our coffees. We talked for a while. He mentions how he always dreamed about the city and how it's crazy for me to give up my life there for a boring one here at Pelican Town. He would always bring this up every time we see each other. It gets tiring. I know I have a little crush on him but this always discourages me.

"You know that I felt like a zombie there. I felt like I was brain-dead and had no purpose" I said as I was looking at the distance. "If I stayed there any longer I would have probably jumped off my building." I continued.

"But the city has so much energy, a lot of things are happening" He took a sip from his mug. "Nothing exciting happens here. Even the festivals are boring as fuck." He gulped down his coffee until the last drop, and just as I was about to respond, he placed his mug beside me and stands up.

"I'm sorry for wasting your time this morning. But thanks for the coffee and water. It helped tone down this hangover a bit." He starts to walk fast going towards the pathway to the mountains.

"Umm, you're welcome!" I shouted and before you know it he was already out of my sight but his scent still lingered for a bit. "He's a little angsty when he's hungover" I thought to myself.

I have made a few friends in Pelican Town. Besides Sebastian, Abigail, Sam, Leah, and Emily have been fun to hang out with. We often hang out at the saloon where Emily works. It took some time for Sebastian to get comfortable with me. I knew he envied the fact that I lived in the city where he always dreamed about. Eventually he got less stern though. I guess this morning's discussion didn't do him any good since he just got back from a night of movies and alcohol. He seemed like someone who would blend in the city and guys like him are pretty common there. I would know, I met a handful of guys like him with similar interests, even date a couple. The first month in the valley was pretty rough and I was shy around everyone. I rarely saw Sebastian though, he would only show up on Friday nights at the saloon so it took a lot of effort for me to make it worthwhile since we only see each other once a week.

The next day it was Friday, "I'm gonna go to the saloon tonight", I thought to myself, and so I did. It was raining today so chilling down at the saloon would be perfect. I went a little earlier than I used to and just hung out by the bar and ordered a beer. Gus and Emily are already prepping mugs and getting the place ready for the busy night to come.

"I bet you'd like our special dish today" Emily said as she was writing something down on her chalkboard. She finished writing, flipped it around to show me the front "Tonight's specialty: SASHIMI. Made from best Tuna and Salmon caught right here in Pelican Town!"

"Sebastian's going to flip when he finds out!" Emily said with utmost enthusiasm as she placed the board on its stand.

"Sebastian?" I asked.

"Yeah. The guy absolutely loves sashimi. Last time we had this he finished our entire stock!" said Emily and she let out a little laugh.

I didn't know Sebastian loved this. Then it hit me, "What if I buy sashimi for him tonight?" I thought to myself. "Maybe he would lighten up a bit from yesterday".

And that's exactly what I did.

Half an hour later, Sam and Sebastian went in the saloon. I heard a muffled "Oh my god" from behind and I knew it was him. He immediately went up to the bar and called out Emily.

"Emily, I'll have one order please" He pointed to the chalkboard.

"Just one?" Emily joked.

"I'll have one for now and I'll definitely come back for more" He said and let out a little smirk. He was really cute about it. I've never seen him this excited before. Even though he still seemed a little gloomy as he always was, you could tell from his expression that he's happy.

"Well you're lucky tonight, because your first plate is already paid for" Emily said.

"Really? Who?" Sebastian was puzzled. Emily pointed over to me on the other side of the bar. I smiled and waved at him. "Raye?"

"Yup. I'll get it ready for you in a bit so take a seat" she then went to the back and began to prep.

Sebastian walked up to me with a really cute expression and took the seat to my left. There it is again, that perfume. And I briefly fall into a trance. He's wearing his black jacket again. His hair is a little damp from the rain, I could see little droplets falling from his bangs and roll down his cheek. In this dim lighting, his eyes seemed to glow. My heart immediately sank and I could feel myself blush. "Jesus Christ, Raye. What is wrong with you" I thought to myself.

"You're welcome" I said before he could tell me anything. I took a sip of my beer.

"It's not birthday yet so I don't know why you treated me with sashimi." he leaned over and rested his elbows on the counter. Gus came and gave him a tall glass of beer.

"Well Emily mentioned you loved sashimi and besides, I just felt like treating my friends today. I even bought Leah a salad too" I responded. Oh man, I sounded so cocky but I tried to play it cool.

"Well, I'm glad I now have a rich farmer friend" and he let out a cute laugh.

Emily arrived shortly and served him his sashimi.

"Thanks, Raye. I really love this!" and he gave me the sweetest smile. I was smitten. I was staring down at my beer with my hands cupping the glass. I didn't want him to see that I was blushing.

After he ate, he stayed and we talked. He eventually apologized for what he said yesterday. I opened up to him about how I get pretty annoyed with how much he brings up the "The city is great. The valley sucks. I don't understand why you're here blah blah blah" issue.

"I'm sorry. I'm just a little jealous that you got to experience a life in the city. I grew up here all my life" He said.

"I understand. But you don't have to make me feel like shit about it." I was about to go on a rant but I spared him the stress. Tonight's a night to chill and relax so might as well go with it.

We shifted our conversation to another topic. We never hung out like this. Usually I'd be over at the pool table with him, Sam, and Abigail and the four of us would talk about random things. I really enjoyed talking to him like this. He looked so enthusiastic when we began talking about our favourite fantasy novels. His expression seemed to brighten when he talks about his favorite things and he listens closely when I talk about mine. I didn't want the night to end. I was really enjoying his company.

A few bottles of beer, 4 shots of tequila, and endless plates of sashimi later, we were both wasted.

"Guys, it's time to go. It's past midnight and we gotta clean up." Says Gus.

I was laughing hysterically from something Sebastian said and he's by the fireplace mimicking the giant bear statue.

"Who knew fish and booze would bring the clown out of the brooding Sebastian?" Emily said.

I stood up and paid my tab. Sebastian did too. "I'm heading home now. Bye, Gus. Bye, Emily. Thanks and good night". I gave Emily a hug and I walked out to the entrance. Sebastian followed.

"Hey, I know I'm drunk right now but let me walk you to your place." Sebastian said as he grabbed my arm.

"I'll be fine, Seb." I realized I called him Seb. I did kinda remember him saying that I should call him Seb instead. I don't know. I forgot. Oh my god I'm too drunk to remember.

"No please. Come on. You've been really nice to me it's the least I can do"

When we reached my front door, I offered him to stay the night. "It's gonna be so dark and you're really drunk right now. You'll end up sleeping by the pathway" I told him. He refused but eventually gave in and I told him he could sleep on my couch. He didn't say anything and just collapsed on to it.

I observe his sleeping face. I've never been this close to him before. I brushed of his bangs that were covering the right side of his face. He looks very handsome indeed. My eyes just trailed from the top of his head, to his perfectly shaped nose, down to his slightly parted lips. I stare at them for a while as I observe him breathing. I caught a whiff of his perfume. There it is again. I might have to associate that scent now with a different memory. I hate how I think about my ex when I smell this.

I move my face closer to his and we're just inches apart. I could feel his breath on my cheeks. I was about to kiss him on the lips and I stopped myself. I kissed his forehead instead. "I can't take advantage of him like this."

Just as I was about to stand up, he grabs my hand. "Raye".