The most important thing in your life is often over shadowed by the thing you try to make take it's place.

Chapter 1.

"Did you get any mail this morning?" Marlin asked me. It was an unexpected question, as I was just talking about my vegetables.

"Um... No, I don't believe I did. Anyway I-"

"You really didn't?" He seemed a little hurt, or maybe annoyed.

"No, why?"

"Well, I tried sending you some cookies... I signed them from Rock. Since I figured you would like to get them from him, you know, since he's been away for so long. And you seemed so upset lately, I just wanted to cheer you up."

I had completely forgotten what day it was. The Spring Thanksgiving was never my favorite holiday, probably since I never had gotten anything except for the flowers Takakura gave me... And Rock had been gone for quite a while, lately anyway. He's been obsessed with going up to Mineral Town and spending weeks there.

"Marlin, I really appreciate that. I really do, if he wasn't the problem..." I muttered.

"I thought that might be it," he sighed. "What's been wrong?"

"A lot, actually. I, uh..." I glanced down at my watch. "I really don't have time to talk right now, my plants need some more attention today. But, I promise, I'll tell you tonight. It's Monday, you remember." I smiled at him then headed off toward my ranch.

Later, after the sun had set, I checked my mailbox one last time. Still empty. After the whole day, I still got nothing from Rock. I sighed and shut it. My mind was buzzing with everything that I wanted to tell Marlin. Actually, I didn't really know where to start. There was just so much to tell...

I pulled the door to the Blue Bar open. Marlin was sitting at our usual table, waiting for me. For the past year, every monday was the day me and Marlin met up to talk for hours on end. A glass of tea was sitting on the table in front of an empty chair that I soon occupied.

Marlin didn't have to ask me anything. All he had to do was give me that trusting look. I had been wanting to tell Marlin everything about Rock for quite a while, but it was hard to come out with it. There's just no easy way to say it...

"I'm not happy, Marlin."

"I've noticed. What's been going on? I thought you and Rock were great together, I mean, what happened?"

"It's incredibly complicated."

"I've got time to listen. You know I do."

I took in a deep breath. "He's been treating me different. I can't really explain it. He's treating me like I'm just a girl, and I can't so anything myself. Clearly, I can. But, everytime I try to lift something, or open something, or do anything, he has to put his hands in and help me when I don't ask for it. You know I hate that, I'm not fragile."

He nodded me on.

"Then he acts like such a know it all. He can't ever have a normal conversation with me. He always has to one-up me. It hurts my feelings, and it annoys me. I'm really sorry that I'm pushing this all on you, but I needed someone to vent to."

"That's what I'm here for."

I smiled, "And that's why you're my best friend... But, I don't know what I should do about this... I don't want to hurt him, it's been such a long time. But, I haven't ever said anything to him, about anything. I just don't know what to do..." I rubbed my forhead.

"I wish I had the perfect thing to say, I really wish I did. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Honestly, just saying all this stuff has helped a lot."

"I'm glad. Please, let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

I walked home that night in the dark. Marlin and I ended up staying out very late, later than usual. My mind kept playing back the entirety of our conversation. The part that seemed to stand out is the fact that Marlin and Muffy had broken up months ago, and Marlin kept comparing Rock to Muffy. Marlin had his heart broken. It was a bad break up... Of course, Rock and Muffy had some history, they had dated before Muffy went to Marlin and Rock went to me. Of course, I had never noticed the similarities until now.

My ranch was dark, of course, it was about midnight. I opened the door to an even darker house. The conversation Marlin and I just had definately made me feel better, but my mind was still racing through all the options I had. I flopped down on my bed.

Suddenly, the phone rang, causeing me to nearly jump out of my skin. I groaned and pulled myself up to the nightstand.

"Hello?" Who would be calling me this late?

"Savvy!" Of course, Rock. "Oh jeez... You really scared me, I've been calling all night!"

"Oh, well I went out with Marlin, it's Monday, you know."

"Yeah, whatever. Anyway, I know that today is the Spring Thanksgiving, and I'm sorry that I wasn't there. But, tomorrow, I'm coming back into town. So you want to do something?"

"...I suppose." I muttered.

"Great, I'll see you then." He hung up.

I slammed the phone down on the receiver. For no reason, I got incredibly upset and irritated by the fact that he called. The same thing had been happening every time he called me, which, of course, was hardly ever. I took my place in bed once again. Soon the dust in my mind settled, and I was able to go to sleep.