Chapter 1

I always knew that whatever I did wouldn't come easy. After all, it was life, and anything I wanted I have to work for. It isn't like someone would hand me everything I needed in a hand basket, and have me set sail on a journey with exact directions. Some things you have to figure out for yourself. You have to take a chance and quit worrying about the outcome. So that's exactly what I did. I jumped head over heels into it…and didn't look back.

"Where do you think you're going girl?"

The big bus driver said as a girl climbed the steps and tried to go sit down. Her light auburn hair was soaking from the three mile walk to the bus stop. Her pale green eyes swept across the passengers of the bus, and found that it was almost empty except for a middle aged man in the back and an elderly woman in the middle.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you. If you want to ride then cough up a ticket," the big driver said a cigar on his lips and a frown on his face.

The girl shifted the backpack she had to her other shoulder and gave the man a look of sadness.

"Sir…please…I-I don't know where I'm going, but it needs to be anywhere but here-"

"No ticket, no go," the man interrupted.

"Please…I have some money if that's what you need," the girl begged, pulling out some gold.

"No ticket, no ride. I don't care who you are or how much money you have. Rules are rules. Now get off my bus," the driver spat, showing no sympathy.

The girl hung her head low as sadness washed over her. Where was she going to go from here? She had run away from all she knew, but for a good reason. She began to descend the heavy steps of the bus when she heard someone call out. "Wait…driver, I have an extra ticket. Can she ride?"

The girl lifted her head sopping head and saw the old woman holding out a ticket to the driver. The driver grunted and didn't seem too happy, but nodded. "Well don't just stand there! Get in before we hold up traffic," he snapped.

The girl offered him a smile and followed the old woman back to her seat, sitting down beside her.

"Oh…do you mind if I sit…?"

The girl asked, not wanting to impose on the woman who had just helped her. The old woman smiled, raising the wrinkles on her face and making her eyes glow. "Of course you can sit! What is your name darling?"

The girl shrugged off her backpack, and tried to keep the wetness of her clothes off of the woman. This was nearly impossible since she seemed to be soaked clear to the bone.

"I'm Eve Rossenburg, ma'am. I can't thank you enough for helping me…"

Eve trailed off. For the first time Eve noticed what the woman was wearing…which seemed a bit peculiar. A hat like a lady bug covered her head above a mound of white hair. She had on bright orange pants with flowers on them and a green flowery vest to match. Boots covered her feet and a cane was seated in the seat beside her.

"It was nothing dear, and I am Nina. Where exactly are you going?" Nina asked.

Eve pushed the wet hair out of her eyes and poked the hole in her jeans. "That's the problem…I really don't know," Eve told her uncertainly.

Nina studied Eve and then looked out the window into the rain.

"I can tell there I something troubling you, dear," Nina said in a warm voice.

Eve opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She nervously messed with the hole in her jeans and chewed her lip. Should she tell her? Nina seemed kind…and after all, had saved her. Still, Eve had trust issues with people…for different reasons.

"You don't have to tell me anything. But if you do need someone to listen, I'm here," Nina assured her with a warm smile.

Eve returned the smile and looked down again, debating.

I didn't really know who I could trust at that point… I mean, Nina was just a kind old woman, so what threat could she possibly pose? None obviously… But again and again by people I loved, I was just let down over and over again. Finally a gathered my courage halfway through the ride to nowhere and explained it to her… Why I was running.

"Nina…" Eve whispered halfway through the ride.

She had finally gathered up some courage from deep inside her to actually tell Nina. Nina seemed to be dozing, but lifted her head at the sound of her name. "Yes, dear?"

Eve chewed her lip and almost lost her courage.

"I-I'm running…I'm not going anywhere…just running," Eve whispered, sadness and memories clouding her eyes.

Nina looked sympathetic and a bit puzzled.

"Running from what?" She asked.

"Running from him…" Eve whispered, holding out her left hand.

Eve showed Nina the simple gold band on her index finger. It was Eve's engagement ring…an engagement she wasn't going to go through with for several reasons.

"You're running from your husband? Dear…you don't look much older than 18…" Nina trailed off.

"I am 19 and almost 20. He isn't my husband…he's my fiancé… It was an arranged marriage by my father. His name is Calvin Epperly," Eve explained sadly.

"Oh…I'm so sorry dear… Is it just because of an arranged marriage that you are running?"

Eve shook her head slowly, and stayed quiet. She had already told Nina more than anyone else…

"No… Let's just say Cal's not all that nice to me," Eve said.

Nina nodded and didn't push her for any more information than she wanted to tell, which was nice.

"I'm sorry…since you don't have a place to go…I am going back to my home in Forget Me Not Valley…would you like to come live with me for a while dear?" Nina asked.

Eve was shocked at her kindness. She would love that! But she didn't want to trouble her…

"Really, I could come live with you? Just until I find a place of course…I wouldn't want to trouble you Nina," Eve said.

Nina smiled, "You would be no trouble at all! Oh! As for a place to live…are you interested in farming?"

Eve thought about it for a second…Farming…she had always found it sort of interesting, but living in the city had never had an opportunity to grow anything more than the occasional flower.

She hadn't even thought about the animals! Eve loved animals! Maybe that was the ticket to her new life on her own…

"I love growing things, and animals!"

Nina grinned, "I have heard rumors that an old farm on the top of the hill is going to go up for auction! That would be perfect for you Eve!"

Just the mention of the farm seemed to light new spark in my eyes. In planning running away from Cal I really hadn't thought I would make it. But now, with Nina as a new acquaintance, hope of a place to live, and a destination such as Forget Me Not Valley…maybe there was hope for me all along.

For the rest of the ride, the two chatted about farm life and Forget Me Not Valley. When finally, the bus jerked to a stop and the driver opened the door. "Forget Me Not Valley stop here," he called in his raunchy tone.

Eve stood up, and helped Nina with some of her bags. The driver shot her a sharp glare as she descended the stairs with Nina and got off the bus. He quickly shut the door, and sped away, leaving a spray of diesel fumes for them to choke on. When the smoke cleared, a small town was visible not too far off.

"Welcome home, Eve," Nina said with a smile and started the walk towards the little village.

Author's Note: Hey guys! This is my first Harvest Moon fanfic… so I hope you like it so far! The chapters are fairly short so far, but hopefully none the less awesome! :) Enjoy and review if you want!