Summary: Claire Ann Johnson is just your average tomboy who is trying to make her life more thrilling in the Big Apple. When she comes back from work to her little comfy abode, she comes across an ad in the New York Times of a peaceful and refreshing farm life available. Quitting her job, moving out of her apartment, and saying goodbye to her friends, she proceeded to Mineral Town, California. As she arrives, she meets potential boyfriends and perhaps, husbands? She's about to find out when she competes in this game called 'love'.
Author's Note: Hello, hello! Well, to the people who have read this before, I know what you're all saying – 'She's back, WTF? She said she quit Harvest Moon!' – you're right, for the most part. I did and I'm back; I looked back on this story about a week ago and felt this sudden need to do a couple of more chapters, revise each current one, and if granted with time from my busy schedule, finish this story. I'm editing this story and making the characters a bit more realistic, for they are far too Mary-Sue-likeish right now. For those who have read my other story A Rose That Bleeds, IDK where I'm going with that story right now; although, there will be collision with this story from it by a pinch. Thank you for those who encouraged me to continue this story and thank you for reviewing!
WARNING: I might change the name, since I'm dissatisfied with it. This story used to be called Life, Love, and Disaster! but I didn't really like the name. Uh, cursing is evident but subtle? Yeah!
Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply.
--
The Game of Love
Chapter One: Make It Fresh
--
As I heard the blurry voice of the captain say that Mineral Town was just ten minutes away, I sighed with relief at finally getting off. The floor was practically eaten away by termites, the food tasted like scrambled eggs scrambled into a dumpster and dropped into camel poop, and the people looked as if they saw a ghost or something! Tell me, why did I choose this boat out of all the luxurious boats out there? Oh yeah, because I got discounts on this one and I felt like being cheap today. 'Curse my stupidity!'
I walked out on the deck as I saw the island come into view. Feeling the breeze on my face, I couldn't resist plastering a smile on my face at the wonderful weather. 'At least the skies blessed us with terrific weather today' I thought. 'I hope I'm not too shy this time,' thinking that, my smile slowly turned into a frown. I was polite and shy with strangers and elders but I wasn't so great with people close to my age, so I'm still surprised that I made friends in my school days.
"We have arrived at Mineral Town," A blurry but still understandable voice said through the intercom. Breaking out of my reverie, I grabbed my backpack and suitcases as I got off the hellhole of a boat to find myself at a white sandy beach with two miniature cabins nearby. Looking around, I saw a cement staircase leading to who-knows-where.
As I arrived at the top of the staircase, I arrived at what looked like the town square. Looking around, I saw a fork in the road. Going with my instinct, I turned to the path on the left. Walking by I saw a cow farm and was staring too much at the mother cows that I didn't notice I had bumped into someone. Looking up, I saw a very pretty girl who looked about my age with cherry blossom pink hair and… strawberry pink eyes? Thinking that maybe they were contacts, I gathered my stuff that fell from my backpack but saw she was already doing the job for me.
"I'm sorry I bumped into you…" I murmured, bending down to help her pick up my stuff.
"No, no! It's my fault! I was rushing to get to the pond but I just realized it's Sunday! There's no time to go on Sundays! By the way, I'm Popuri Klutz! What's your name?" The girl chirped, sticking out her tongue at herself. I giggled at her seemingly bubbly and naïve personality, she seemed so… innocent you know? Free from the evils of the world, unknown to dangers like rapes and drugs…
"I'm Claire Johnson, pleasure meeting you. While I'm speaking to you, may I ask where the farm is?" I tried to remain polite; I don't want to be alone again…
"Oh, you must be the new farmer Mayor Thomas was speaking of last week! Just keep on going straight until you see two paths. Take the one on the left and you'll find the farm! Mayor Thomas should be meeting you at eight. I hope you actually stay this time unlike the others…" I heard her whisper the last part, despite her trying to hide it.
"I have to get on back home now, sorry! See you around, Claire! Hopefully!" She half-yelled, probably to not wake up the neighbors in the early morning hour.
Following Popuri's directions, I arrived at a farm filled with weeds, rocks, and twigs! I gaped; this was not how the newspaper described this place! Anger, sadness, and shock welled up inside me. Trying to calm my nerves, I went inside the tiny 'home' and opened their toolbox to find shiny tools I could use for the field. Hehehe…
Mayor Thomas --
I was running as fast I could to the farm. I just had to take those extra pancakes and oversleep at the same time! But who could blame me; those pancakes were calling my name and I was having a glamorous dream about Rudolph the reindeer for some apparent reason…
Anyways, I hope the new farmer, Claire Ann Johnson, doesn't get discouraged at the horrendous farm. This is the 13th client since Tony past away almost a year ago. Hey, maybe thirteen's the charm and it'll turn into a lucky number instead of an unlucky number.
Seeing the gate of the farm, I quickly fixed my hair and clothes to at least look decent.
When I entered the farm, I picture me sweatdropping at the amusing yet… frightening scene in front of me. There was a young blonde cutting away at weeds, smashing rocks, and chopping away at the twigs like a madwoman on the run. Holy Cowspit! She was two-thirds done with the entire field. When I looked up at her closely, I could see this scary, murderous red glint in her eye and her face scarlet from anger.
Thinking she wouldn't hear me, I coughed. To my surprise, she stopped as she lost the glint in her eye as it returned to gleaming sapphire blue orbs.
"Can I help you, sir?" I heard her call out.
Claire Ann Johnson --
I stopped 'abusing' the field when I heard a squeaky voice. I turned to see a plump man with brown hair underneath a small red hat and a moustache under a reddish nose that reminded me of Rudolph. His whole outfit was literally red and he had a frightening look in his eye. Did I scare him that much?
"Can I help you, sir?" I cupped my hands around my mouth as I called out to him.
"I'm Mayor Thomas! Are you Ms. Claire Ann Johnson, miss?" I heard him ask. 'Of course I am, duh, who else would be on this dump?' I mentally rolled my eyes. I jogged my way towards him to make it easier to hear him.
"That's my name! Tell me, why is this farm so… not what I expected?" I asked the seemingly mid-forty year-old plump man.
"Actually, it looks much better now that you cleared the field. But to answer your question, the original owner of this farm died of old age almost a year ago. He had no family, so everything he had was just kept by everyone as a remembrance of him." He explained to me, getting a far off look in his eye for a minute before returning to his cheerful self.
"Why are you here? Is it that ad in the newspaper you read about?" He asked, a knowing smile on his face. I nodded, confused. He started laughing after my response.
"What's so funny?" I demanded, slightly angered at him for laughing at me like I was a fool.
"You've been tricked! You see, MT Realtor just made this place sound a bit more interesting so more clients would sign up! Though when people read the ad, they come here just like you, expecting excitement and luxury! Boy, are they surprised when they see this!" He laughed his heart out and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.
"You're the one wrote that ad in the newspaper?" I asked, fingering my rusting tool as I watched the unbelievably undersized man laugh his guts out. Hearing my inquiry, he took a deep breath to stop himself from continuing his mirth – which, ultimately failed and resulted in doubled over chortling. Nonetheless, he managed a nod for my question.
"You're the one who convinced me to haul my ass over here just to see this rubbish?" I asked once again, clutching my hammer with a threatening grip of anger. With my second question came another round of laughter, despite the 'yes' I think I heard coming from his mouth.
"And you're also the one who's going to receive a massive headache?" Gulps of air and confusion entered the man's eyes as he began to settle down.
More anger filled my body as I heard him hear laugh more and more by the minute. I grabbed my hammer, trying to ease my inner self by gripping the hammer handle with my grip. That is, until I finally lost my temper and bashed his head with as little strength as I could.
"Ow! Ow! Owww!" Mayor Thomas rubbed the pain in his head while pleading me to not hit him again.
"No one tricks Claire Johnson, especially not now," My voice was loud and clear, making sure he knew what I would do if he dared laugh at me again. After all, I had believed that damned newspaper and it lied to me! …that was no surprise but still – what had ever happened to the honesty in freedom of the press?
He nodded.
I sighed and groaned as realization dawned on my brain. Falling back on the grass we were standing on, I slapped my forehead for my hopelessness.
"Damn it! How the hell am I going to get home now?! My parents don't even know I'm here!" I yelled out, more to myself than to the Mayor – who I discovered a newfound hate for.
"Look, I apologize for the inconvenience but why don't you at least try and take care of this farm? If you want to just stay here until you have enough money to move back to New York, then fine. But right now it seems to be your only choice." He spoke apologetically. I thought about it for a moment before slamming my right fist on my left backhand.
"I'll do it! But if I like it here, I'll consider staying," When he heard my declaration, a wide grin spread across his plump face.
'Like I'll seriously consider living here; what a gullible person…' I thought, amazed that the middle-aged man actually believed my fake promise to him.
"Great! So what'll the new name of your farm be, Miss Claire Johnson? " I looked around the place, hoping to find a clue or a hint to help me name my new property.
"How about… Sunset Farm? I just love sunsets!" I exclaimed, getting excited.
"Hmm… Sunset Farm, huh? I like it! That's a very promising name, Claire! " Mayor Thomas complimented my oh-so-awesome naming skills. 'Oh yeah, I got skills, baby!' I nodded to myself, slightly proud that someone had
"Tell you what, since you're already applying yourself out here, why don't I give you a tour of the town first thing tomorrow morning around eight 'o' clock AM?" He offered, extending his hand out in hopes of agreement between the two of us. I considered the option of touring my new resident town and thought of the ways it might benefit my person. Thinking of them, a smile found its way onto my face and shook the man's hand in compromise.
It was time for a new beginning.
--
Chapter Two Preview:
Did anyone bother to tell me that I was in only a towel the entire time I was staring at him? No, 'cause people are really, really cruel like that. Especially you, Goddess, for putting me into this horrible situation.
From a distance, perhaps by town square at the least, you could hear a shrill shriek coming from the mountains.
--
Er, yeah. That was the first revised chapter of this story and hopefully not the last. Thank you to HmGirly12once again for inspiring me to writing Harvest Moon again – check out her stories, they're awesome! :D Review, always, please? Even if you catch mistakes, review! I'll only get better if you tell me, along with constructed criticism about my 'performance' in this chapter.
Word Count: 2285