Author Note: My first More Friends of Mineral Town fanfic! I hope you guys enjoy it and please review if you want. I've been playing this game for sometime now and I just love it. I'm not sure who I'm going to put Clair with though. Either with Gray, Rick, Cliff, or Kai and remember, I don't own Harvest Moon! Oh yeah, most people use "Claire" as the main heroine's name, but in the game Harvest Moon De Puzzle, her real name is spelled, "Clair" so that's how I'm spelling it, okay, onwards with the story!
Chapter 1: Happiness?
Clair's Pov (Point of view)
"You're late as usual," my boss muttered bitterly as I entered the building.
I brushed off his words, just rolling my eyes in response, and walked towards my "corner". In other words, the place behind the counter where I usually stand and take orders from customers. Although, for some odd reason, no one ever really takes orders from me, unless there are no other employees available, then that is when customers have no choice but to deal with me. Oh-little-oh-horrible-me...
I swear, everyone at my work hates me for some odd reason, and I don't get why. Okay, maybe I slip up a few times, but do they really have to act so cruel towards me? What did I ever do to them? Like seriously. Not even my own parents showed that much affection towards me. Was I born into this world to be unloved or something?
"Watch it! We don't need you spilling again blondie!" Todd, one of my co-workers, who was about the same age as me, hissed.
I snapped out of my thoughts as I flashed him a scowl and huffed under my breath, "I won't spill it. Chill."
We were now by the coffee makers, where the customers couldn't see or hear us. At least, I hoped they couldn't.
I held on tighter to my styrofoam cup that was in my grasp and it grew hot when I poured the hot liquid into it. Well, coffee to be exact. If you haven't guessed, I work at this tiny coffee shop, and making the orders is what I do here most of the time too.
"The lady wanted ice-coffee you idiot!" Todd fumed and it looked as if steam was coming out of his ears.
I rolled my eyes once again and sighed. "Look, if you weren't yelling at me all of the time, maybe I could think straight for once, and get the orders right."
His right eye started to twitch at hearing my remark and he clenched his teeth tightly. "How DARE you talk back to me like that! We don't even need you here! If it weren't for our lack of staff here, boss would of have never hired you! I'm not just making that up either, he told me himself!"
A second sigh escaped my mouth and I shook my head.
"Guess I'm just lucky then..." I muttered not looking at him and started preparing the correct order.
"You're pathetic as usual," Todd chuckled, crossing his arms, and turned away from me.
I could really care less about what he has to say to me. He says stuff to me like that everyday even though he messes up most of the time too. That moron. Not to mention it's pointless for me to start a fight with him. Which I could do easily and humiliate him on all levels. However, I probably would get fired considering he is the boss's son. Which is totally unfair. Well, life is unfair most of the time.
Two hours passed and I was doing a decent job, unlike Todd, who was just slacking off, making ME do all of the work. Gosh, I hate him. I really do. I even do some of his shifts and he still gets credit. Most of the time he gets praised more and more money. Wonder why...
Suddenly, I felt steaming-hot coffee splash onto my shirt, and a high-pitched scream escaped from my mouth. I continued to cringe repeatedly as I tried my best to remove the coffee from my blouse with paper towels and tried to endure the pain.
Turning my head slightly, I see Todd looking at me, slightly smirking. That jerk! He must have spilled the coffee on me!
My boss rushed over to us, since I'm assuming he heard my scream from before, and he demanded fiercely, "What happened?"
"Clair spilled coffee all over herself, sir. I was just trying to clean it up for her," Todd lied, making the tone of his voice all innocent-like, and a fake frown appeared on his face.
Anger had immediately surged through every atom of my body and I clenched both my teeth and fists as I turned to face Todd.
"You liar! YOU SPILLED THE COFFEE ON ME YOU JERK!" I thundered, unable to control my anger, and I got all up in Todd's face.
"Clair, that's enough! How DARE you call my son a liar! He would never lie! I think you should go and don't expect to be getting paid this week at all either!"
"But-"
"LEAVE!"
My trembling mouth opened to say something back but it closed again in defeat. Fighting back tears, I rushed out of my work, and headed back to my tiny apartment.
As I entered, I instantly went onto my bed, and cried into a pillow.
"I HATE THAT PLACE!" I screamed furiously and continued to sob into the pillow.
It's not fair! Todd is the one who spilled it on me and I got in trouble! WHY? I do all of the work all of the time and Todd gets all of the credit! He even lies about his own mistakes and I got in trouble for it! Boss won't even believe me... Why...Why is this all happening to me? I don't get it! I got good grades all throughout high school and I can't find a decent job! Was I made not to be ever happy?
I started to take deep breaths, trying to calm down, and I sat up on my bed as I wiped away my tears.
The newspaper placed on my tiny wooden table had caught my attention and I stood up. I walked over towards the table and picked up the newspaper.
"Since when do I read newspapers anyways?" I muttered to myself slightly annoyed and I started flipping through the pages.
I don't even know why I'm looking through this newspaper. Usually I just recycle them or use them to write on if I don't have any paper left. I guess it wouldn't hurt though since my life is already messed up as it is. My life feels so dull, boring, depressing, pointless, and just...empty. Yeah, I'm alive, but I'm not living. I should change that.
I continued to flip through the pages when a certain advertisement had caught my attention. The advertisement was about a farm and it read, "Would you like to enjoy a peaceful and refreshing farm life? Call the number on the back for more info."
My eyes widened, feeling a tiny bit of hope surge through me, and my sapphire eyes continued to scan the advertisement. There were beautiful pictures of the farm, the animals, and of the town. It really does look like a great place to live! Everything looked so clean, and peaceful, and-and, just so AMAZING!
I held onto the newspaper tighter, my body shaking with excitement, and a smile was trying to form on my face.
Without thinking, I dashed over to my phone, and dialed the number on the back of the advertisement.
"Hello, is this MT Realtor? I'm calling about the farm..." my voice echoed into the phone.
"Why, yes, yes it is. You interested?" the man questioned nonchalantly.
"Yes I am! Can you tell me more about the farm and Mineral Town, please?" I asked politely but anxiously.
"Of course. Now, let's start with your name," he replied, his voice smooth like a snake, and I nodded.
Although, for some odd reason, I was growing slightly suspicious.
"Um, it's Clair. My name is Clair. So are the living conditions good?"
"A lady, huh? Well, why don't you come and see for yourself? There are directions on how to get there on the back of the ad," he stated and he abruptly hung up on me.
I blinked in confusion.
"Huh? Well, that was weird..." I mumbled to myself awkwardly.
I looked down towards the advertisement in my grasp and smiled. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be happy just this once...
I started packing all of my belongings together into my pink suitcase while grinning. The farm continued to stay in my mind as I packed and daydreams of me working on the farm raced through my mind. I couldn't wait to get there and I couldn't wait to start my new life! I especially couldn't wait to leave that rat-hole, in other words, my work, and to never see that jerk Todd again! Gosh, I hate him!
Although, managing a farm doesn't sound easy. I don't know if I'll be able to handle it but I should at least try to make a good effort. It's better than staying here in this boring city anyways!
"Oh, I should probably call up my work, and quit while I'm at it..." I mumbled to myself and walked back towards my phone.
I dialed my work's number and put the phone to my ear. "Hello? Boss?"
"No, it's Todd you idiot. What do you want?"
A smirk formed onto my lips and I started laughing hysterically. "I want nothing from you, you moron. Now, tell your dad I'm quitting. I found a new job. A way better one too, in fact."
It was Todd's turn to laugh now. "Okay, who scammed you? Wait, who would even give YOU a job? Whatever, you can stop joking around now. We want you at work tomorrow by noon, got it?"
"I'm being serious. I'm quitting for real. For good. I can't stand working there anymore, especially since you work there! Now, goodbye Todd-"
"Wait! Hold on... What is your new job anyways?" Todd interrupted while the tone of his voice sounded different, as if he was worried or something.
"Why do you care anyways?" I snapped.
"Just tell me!" Todd demanded persistently and I sighed.
"I'm going to be a farmer at this one town," I answered proudly.
Todd started to laugh once again. "Are you serious? You? A farmer? ARE YOU CRAZY? You won't be able to handle a farm!"
"Watch me," I replied with a smirk.
"Well, when you give up on being a farmer, were not hiring you back, Clair..." Todd warned me in a cocky tone.
"Like I care. I'm staying there for good anyways!"
"You're being stupid. Just stay here!"
"Why should I? You treat me so badly!"
"Well... That's because I..." Todd paused for a moment and then said hesitantly, "That's because...I like you, Clair."
My eyes widened at hearing those words and I hung up on him.
Cautiously, I walked away from the phone, my eyes twitching as his words continued to replay in my mind, and I shook my head.
Todd likes me? How am I suppose to believe that? He spilled hot coffee on me and then got me kicked out of work! Wait, I bet he is trying to mess with my mind! That jerk! Last week he said no guy would ever want to go out on a date with a 'tramp' like me so why would he say that he likes me? Well, I've never been on a date before, but whatever! Saying that he likes me was just another one of his lies! He really thinks that I would believe him? Yeah right!
A few days had passed by and I just completely moved out of my apartment. I haven't heard from Todd at all or my boss. Good riddance to them both.
Today was the first day of summer and I was on my way to my new home: the farm. Mineral Town wasn't too far from the city so I was walking there. I was dressed in blue overalls and wore a checkered pink and white shirt under my overalls. Well, I was dressed this way since I am going to be a farmer and this outfit seemed suitable for the job. I also was carrying my pink suitcase and was wearing something similar looking to a backpack: a rucksack.
As I continued to walk, I finally saw the entrance to the farm, and my sapphire eyes sparkled as I smiled immensely.
"Finally!" I exclaimed ecstatically and started to sprint into the farm.
My smile recited once I actually walked into the farm and stood in front of what was suppose to be my house. My eyes grew wide in fear as I looked around and I fell to my knees. I was tricked...
The house that was in front of me looked beat up and ancient. It looked as if the house would collapse any second and it looked way too small. I don't even want to call it a house; it looks more like a shack to me. The other buildings around here didn't look in good condition either. The chicken coop, barn, and stable all looked horrible. I even saw some holes in the roofs of the stable and barn. The gigantic field was filled with weeds, stones, and all of these branches. This farm looked nothing like it did in the advertisement.
I could feel tears trying to pour out of my eyes. However, I fought back tears because I heard someone's footsteps and I stood.
A stubby man dressed in red approached me and he had a puzzled look on his face.
"Hello. Are you a tourist?" he asked me calmly.
I shook my head, not wanting to speak, because I knew if I were to speak, I would probably end up sobbing.
"Oh. Wait, did MT Realtor tell you that you could live a refreshing life on this farm? You're the new farmer?"
I nodded in response.
The stubby man then started to laugh for a few seconds and told me, "You've been tricked! It used to be a gorgeous farm, but not anymore since the owner passed away. As you can see, no one's been taking care of it."
I gasped and clenched my fists angrily as I demanded, "Then why put out advertisements like that to fool people?"
"Not many people want to work on the farm now. So they decided to make the advertisement sound more attractive and we added old pictures of the farm when it was in good condition," he answered truthfully.
"Why would you add old pictures?" I snapped enraged.
"Every now and then, people who have seen the ad come here. Just like yourself. But as soon as they see the farm, they get disappointed and leave. Just like that. It's been awhile since the last one came, though... I see that you believed in that cheesy advertisement!" the man explained to me while chuckling and anger boiled inside me as he continued to chuckle.
"Shut up! I lost everything now! I moved out of my apartment and quit my job because I thought this place would...would at least be decent and not like this!" I yelled infuriated and tears were almost coming out of my eyes.
The man looked ashamed and he looked down towards the ground. "So you quit your job and moved out of your apartment... That's too bad..."
I nodded while glaring at him and crossed my arms.
He suddenly flashed me a grin and said, "Hey, why don't you just try and run the farm? The house is livable, and actually pretty nice. If you work hard, I think you'll be happy here. As the mayor of this town, I will help you as much as I can."
Is he being serious? He really expects me to just say yes after being tricked? Oh, Todd was right! I was tricked, scammed, or whatever you want to call it! But, I guess I really have no choice... Okay, I guess I'll just stay here for a little bit, and if things go okay, I'll stay.
I sighed. "I guess...I guess I'll stay."
"Alright, well, welcome to Mineral Town! My name is Thomas by the way and as I mentioned before, I'm the mayor of this town. You should go unpack your things and I'll show you all of the farming basics!" Thomas stated cheerfully and I nodded.
A few hours later, I had finally finished unpacking everything. Thomas had showed me all of the farming basics and I met the guy who collects my shipments too. Both of them had just left my farm and Thomas suggested that I should introduce myself to everyone in town.
I sighed at hearing the word introduction and I walked out of my farm.
Why couldn't he give me a tour instead? He is the mayor after all! He didn't even give me any seeds to start out with or any animals! I have to get everything on my own! Gosh, this sucks! You think the least he could do is give me something to start out with... All I got is the tools and that's pretty much it. How am I suppose to make money?
Suddenly, I stumbled upon a building and the sign read, "Saibara Blacksmith"
I sighed.
Well, I guess this is where I start with my introductory. Man, I really don't want to do this. Everyone is probably going to hate me here too!
I timidly walked into the building and the first thing I saw was a very pissed-off looking old man behind a counter.
"Gray, you're doing it wrong AGAIN!" the old man fumed.
I winced and took a step back in fear.
This dude sounds like my old boss! Um, maybe I should come back another time...
"Then why don't you do it then?" an enraged voice from the other part of the room yelled.
A young man then stomped in front of the counter and faced the old man. I couldn't see his face. He looked about my age, while his hair seemed blonde like mine, but also looked kind of red, and he wore this blue cap.
"I'm sick and tired of you not giving me credit for the work I do! You treat me like DIRT!" the young man roared.
I think this guy is going through the same thing I did with my old job. However, I could be wrong...
He suddenly turned around and our eyes locked.
My heart instantly stopped once our eyes met and my body jumped.
His eyes were the color of sapphires, just like mine, and they captivated me for a moment. He was tall, muscular, and...well...very good looking I must say, even though he looked completely pissed off at the moment. Oh, what am I thinking?
"Who are you?" the young man asked me coldly, lowering the volume of his voice.
"Uh, I'm the new farmer, Clair..." I stated, trying to sound casual but I felt rather awkward.
The old man then moved to the right so he could see me better and he raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Farmer? You look like you could be a Barbie doll or something."
An annoyed expression showed on my face. "Thanks..." I muttered bitterly.
"Well, I'm Saibara, and this is my lousy apprentince, Gray-"
"Shut up! Okay, that's it, I'm leaving!" Gray announced infuriated and stomped out the door.
Maybe...maybe Gray knows my pain...
