Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon

A quick note: I wrote Life in Mineral Town so if you're confused about why it went from saying Grasshopper16 was the author to Miss Popuri it's because I changed my PenName.

Chapter 1

Basil Comes Home

"Nina, could you bring those vegetables inside and put them in the refrigerator for me?" Liz called for the front door to the florist shop.

"Yes mom," Nina replied. She set down her pale pink watering can and scooped up the veggies her mother mentioned.

Everything around Flowerbud Village was in bloom, a good sign that winter was over. The winter had been bad, the village had a blizzard count of 6 that winter. Just yesterday had Liz been able to get outside to the greenhouse to harvest the veggies. The trees were green with fresh leaves and new flowers were blooming everywhere. Nina loved spring, it was bright and everything was new.

Nina was halfway to the door when she looked up. There walking across the path towards Liz's farm was Basil. The feather on his green hat was waving in the breeze as he got closer. He had been gone all winter, going other places that where still green.

Nina dropped the produce she was holding. "Basil's back mom!" Liz poked her head outside again and sighed as her daughter ran towards Basil. Liz took the job she had given Nina and took the produce inside. Nina had missed Basil so much over the winter. He had written her every saturday and she had written him back. The first of spring a new farmer had come, she was called Faith. Nina didn't like her one bit for reasons unknown. Nina thought that Faith was too hyper and a complete ditz. Liz was confused of course, Nina was hyper and loved flowers, which was a weird thing for a teenage girl to like.

Nina ran up to Basil and forgot to say hi because she immediately gave him a crushing, "I missed you" hug. Basil hugged her back, only not as hard. "I missed you too Nina." He said laughing. Nina looked up and smiled. She soon realized that she was still hugging him and let go, blushing.

"I'm sorry about that." She apologized. She absentmindedly smoothed out her dress and studied one of the stones in the path. Nina felt her face slowly grow red with that wierd feeling that Basil was watching her. She glanced up to see that she was right, he had been watching her.

"I know I just got back and all, but... I was wondering if you would like to get lunch with me at the Perch Inn?" He asked.

Nina's smile widened as she answered, "I'd love to Basil! Let me go get my jacket." Basil nodded and waited as Nina rushed off back to the Flower shop. Nina ran inside and up to her bedroom. Laying on her bed was a light, rosey pink sweater, the present Basil had bought for her birthday while he was gone. It could only be found across the sea at some place called Mineral Town. She slipped the sweater on and rushed back outside to the waiting Basil.

"I see you're wearing the sweater I got for you." He said. Nina nodded, busy zipping the sweater closed. Basil laughed and led Nina to the Perch Inn. He held the door for Nina and entered after her. It was warm inside the Inn, so warm that Nina took off her sweater and draped it over the back of her chair. Basil sat down across from her.

"Hey guys." A blonde girl called. Nina looked up to see Gwen coming over. Gwen wasn't a good friend of hers but they did get along pretty well. Nina's friends were few, but they were the best friends she could ask for. Nina knew Lyla since her childhood. She just recently met Gina and Dia but they became good friends really fast.

Gwen stood infront of their table, leaning casually on one of the empty chairs. "What can I get for you too?" She asked.

"I'll have a grilled Char and a grape soda." Basil said after a quick glance over the menu. Gwen turned to Nina. "I'll have a smoked clam and apple juice." She said. Nina wasn't big on the alcoholic beverages, she couldn't stand the smell. That's why all the sodas where on the bottom of her list.

Neither Basil or Nina said anything after Gwen left. It was an awkward silence that Nina longed to break, but she remianed silent. There was a sudden cold wind that made her shiver. The door to the Inn had open and standing in the door was Faith, brown pigtails blowing in the breeze, a stupid smile that Nina despised so much, was plastered across her face. She scanned the Inn, finally her eyes rested on Basil. She started to walk over.

No! Nina thought. Why does she have to come this way? Why not go talk to Ray or... or Blue?

But Faith came over to the table Nina was sitting at with Basil, and sat down in the chair Gwen had once leaned upon. "Hey Nina, hey Basil." She said happily.

Basil smiled and said hi back to Faith, but Nina suddenly became so intrested in her napkin and refused to greet the girl. Why did she have to show up. She was ruining her date--No not a date. It wasn't a date, Basil justed wanted to know if she had wanted lunch that's all. Nina sighed and went into her rare depression mode. Shoving her pink hair out of her eyes Nina stood.

"Basil can you tell Gwen I wasn't hungry? Here's the money for my meal. Thanks anyways." Nina said, pulling on her sweater. She headed to the door before adding, "And I hope she likes smoked clam." She slammed the door behing her before the tears started to roll down her pink cheeks. She made it really clear that she didn't want anything to do with Faith. Not now or anytime in her entire life!

Well thats the end of the first chapter. I hope you liked it! I also hope it wasn't to short... I've been playing Magical Melody nonstop since I got it. Just incase you're wondering, on MM sodas are alcoholic beverages. They would be called wine in FoMT so ya... Please RnR! I might also end up changing the title when I'm finished writing the story.

I'm writing another story too. It's called Life in Mineral Town. I know I should really finish that one but I can't find the second chapter on my computer! I had it written out and everything too. Hopefully I find it soon. If I find it I'll be sure to update.

I say it once more: Please R&R!