Disclaimer: I do not own the Harvest Moon series or any of the characters mentioned in this story. All original characters and lines belong to Natsume Games and other affiliated parties. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and not to be sold anywhere.

This is a work of fiction, any similarity or likeness to any events or persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

A/N: It's been awhile hasn't it? I think I'm due for another story. Going right for the feels this time! A relatable subject to just about anyone, this story is made to give people who are currently going through what the MC is about to go through a sense of strength through self-reflection and give perspective despite what you might actually be feeling on the inside.

It's tough, believe me. But we'll get through it together.

Voice4TheMute Presents

I stared up at him.

Laney…

He stared back at me.

Laney be strong…

I remembered what time it was before we started to talk. It was just past eleven at night. By now it must be a little past one. He came into my room, like he always has in the past. I said 'hi'. He said 'hi' back. I asked him how his day was. He didn't respond.

I should have known then something was wrong…

…rather than being blindsided a few minutes later.

My left hand griped over his right hand, giving them a reassuring squeeze. He nodded and squeezed right back. For some reason I thought to myself that things were going to be ok at that point.

I was a fool for thinking that.

"It's getting late…" He said to me as I suddenly felt his grip on my hand loosen up. My eyes widen, squeezing him again. I saw it in his eyes. He was surprised. For a moment, I thought I could see it.

Regret.

Realization.

Remorse.

But soon…it faded from his eyes. I felt his thumb tap my fingers, begging me to release him. I did. I didn't want to …but I did. I felt my entire arm become heavy as it fell to my side, my head following down with it. I couldn't look at him. If I continue to look at him, then it was all going to break in front of him.

…Laney please…

"I'll see you tomorrow…ok?" He said to me. I didn't acknowledge his comment. Not that he would have said anything even if I did. He already left my room before I could even react. I looked over right as the door fully closed behind him. I mindlessly walked over to the door and pushed it, just to make sure it was closed. My shaky hand moved over to the lock on the door and gave it a turn, locking everything from the outside world to enter my room. I was now alone.

Please Laney…keep it together. You must be strong. You must…

I felt my body start to break. My mind was telling me to be strong but my body…my body was at my limit. My heart ached. My muscles became weak. I felt as if my legs were going to give out at any second. I turned around, seeing the comfort of my bed within reach.

I didn't make it.

I fell left, hitting the wall and allowed my body just to slide against it and finally to the ground. My eyes became agitated…my face felt like something was pulling it down to the ground…and my nose felt like it was the windy season of spring. I reached up to wipe away the moisture around my eyes but it was too much. There was just too much.

It hurts.

Everything hurts.

And the pain kept intensifying as I sat there in pain…

Harvest 118: The End of Forever

…Laney…?

…Laney, are you ok?

I slowly opened my eyes to find that I never made it to my bed. I found myself looking at the floorboard of my room. My body ached. Everything felt sore. My eyes and nose were really sensitive to the touch. I didn't want to get up, but my mind was telling me I had to.

Laney please…we still have a job to do.

I used all my energy to get back on my feet. It was no easy task but I was now standing again. I looked around my room, feeling as if the events that transpired here was nothing more than a bad dream. Heck, maybe it was a bad dream. I look over at the clock.

Late.

I'm surprised dad didn't kick down the door to get me. I slowly walked over to my small vanity mirror on my dresser. I was shocked to see what I saw. This girl staring back at me…the one with the red eyes, stray hairs everywhere, heck, parts of the braids in her bun were sticking out. This girl clearly is a mess right now. This isn't me. I'm not like this. I slowly reached up to touch my face to prove that this girl looking back at me wasn't me.

The girl did the same.

"Eep!" I yelped as I grabbed my mirror and turned it down, breaking the weird parallel dimension that I just discovered. That's not me. I'm Laney! The happy-go-lucky, always smiling, always-positive girl that caters and cooks for the good people of Bluebell. That girl that I saw just now…it was if someone told her that they didn't really love-

Laney stop.

I instantly did. My mind blanked as I found myself, once again, standing in my room not knowing what just happened.

You can't do this to yourself Laney. Yes…what happened…happened. He said his peace. You said yours. And he left. It's hard…but we must move on. Life moves on. He is not the one-

"STOP!" I yelled, covering my ears. It was as if I couldn't control my own thoughts. I felt like I was now two different people. My body and my emotions wanted me to suffer while my mind wanted me to keep walking forward as if nothing happened. I couldn't do it. I had every right to be here and feel sorry for myself for…whatever the heck happened last night!

Laney we still have a job to do. Dad is waiting downstairs.

I couldn't fight that thought. I'm still a waiter. There are still people that need to be served. Whatever feelings I'm feeling right now…they just have to be put on hold. I looked back at my vanity mirror that I had laying face down. I reached over and picked it back up, staring at the girl who looked at me from the other side.

"You look terrible…" I said to her. "…but we still have to be somewhere, right?. Let's go." I said as I reached up and brushed back a couple of stray hairs back. I walked over to my door and unlocked it slowly. I dusted myself off, trying to get the wrinkles out even though I know it was futile. "Everything…everything will be ok." I said to myself, trying to get my spirits up.

Well…it was a nice try at least.

I left my room and headed downstairs. I expected my dad to lecture me, telling me how irresponsible it was to wake up late and to show up to work improperly dressed with my hair in shambles. I was ready for the stern talk I brought upon myself that morning…

…and Goddess I would have gladly taken that oppose to what I actually received.

Dad and I made eye contact right as I hit the last step. We must have stared at each other for a good ten seconds. At that instant…I realize something…

…he knew.

"Laney…sweetie…"

No…no no no…please dad…not you too.

"Morning, Dad." I said to him, trying to smile.

But I couldn't.

"Laney. Sweetheart. It's ok. You don't have to force yourself to work today…" He said to me in a gentle voice. I saw him making his way towards me, his arms open as if he was inviting me into a hug. I don't know why, of all mornings, he wanted to do that. He never greeted me like that in the morning. What's wrong with him?

However, I couldn't move from where I was standing.

My face felt heavy again.

The moisture returned to my eyes and nose.

"I…I…."

"Shh…" I felt my dad embrace me, his reassuring arms squeezing me to give me the strength I need to be strong. But somehow…his arms felt weak today. "…Laney. It's going to be ok…"

Laney…you must admit it…

"Dad…it's ok. I don't-"

"Let it all out honey." He said, gently rocking me left and right in his arms.

Laney…you can't hide it forever…

It was then…I finally broke.

"Cam…he broke up with me…!" I yelled into his chest as I felt tears start flowing freely from my eyes. My voice cried out in pain and frustration as it did last night. I didn't want to accept it. I couldn't accept it. But now…now it felt real.

He broke up with me.

And I don't know what to do.

I felt alone, despite having an entire town behind me, ready to catch me if I were to fall.

…but now I felt so alone in the world. So lost and alone that I didn't see how I could ever recover from this.

Little miss sunshine.

Her light was slowly fading away.

To Be Continue…!

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