Written for The Village Square's contest; the theme was "secrets." I gave second-person a try. Cookies for whoever can guess the stars of this are, because I made this so epically vague. But I'll give you a clue: "she" is Claire.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon.

...

"This town is boring," she says. "I should go back home."

You turn to face her and see what she has become and you remember. You remember what she was once like. You remember the girl that came here years ago.

Upon first arrival, she was gorgeous. She literally glowed; she was brighter than the sun. She sparkled; she stood out. She was different than the rest.

But this town has a way of changing people.

And now you can see evidence of that statement. The lady that once shone like a star has become nothing more than a lowly farm girl. Her gorgeous turquoise eyes are now a dull and murky gray. Her pale skin is now rough and callused. Her long hair is now dead and frizzy.

You look at her, and you remember.

And the memories are what keep you going. You are the only one who can see woman who came to this town many years ago.

With a little bit of work she could return, the superstar that was there before.

So why won't you help her?

"No," you reply, without so much as a reason.

You don't because you're afraid.

Because if someone else can see the pretty side of her, the girl that lies beneath the surface, she will surely be swept away by a suitor who will treat her better than you ever will.

And the funny thing is you know that. You treat her badly and are fully aware and yet you cannot stop. You are horrible, you are ugly, you are selfish.

You keep a girl from true happiness.

And, even worse, you keep that knowledge a secret from her.

Sure, some boys would only like her because of her looks, and you say thats why you don't help her change. However, they're only words that you keep saying to yourself so you sound like a noble young prince rather than who you truly are.

And are you much different than those boys you are protecting her from? You only stay with her because you remember. If you didn't, you would have left by now.

"And why won't you let me leave?" she ask.

"Because I remember."

Only you remember; only you can look at her and see.

And you dare not remind the others of her true beauty, for you want her all to yourself.

You selfish, selfish man.

You keep her a secret; locked away in your mind.