Three

It was Sunday night, and I was outside on Sprout Island fishing. I knew the worst was to come when I heard footsteps come my way. I already knew whose they were. I was too afraid to look beside me and see a cocky fisherman try and catch my eye.

"Mind if I fish here?" Denny asked politely.

I shrugged and mumbled, "I guess."

He sighed and looked at me, and he grabbed my shoulders so that I was facing him as well. "Look, Chelsea, I know you have to do your 'thinking' thing, but can we pretend we're still friends in the meantime? I hate seeing you like this around me. I feel like I don't even know you anymore."

I shook him off my shoulders, and rolled my eyes around my head with my eyelids squeezed shut. I took in another few breaths, trying to gain the energy to say what I was going to.

"Denny, you don't know how badly I wish we could go back to 'just being friends'. But honestly, after all of this, the letters, the choosing, the thinking- I don't think I could do that!"

Denny looked startled, even hurt. Of course I would never hurt him purposely, because deep inside, he was still my friend after all. But it almost felt awkward being around him. He had a great smile, great hair, and of course, his cute little pet Popper, but, when I looked at him. I didn't see a friend. I saw someone who wanted more. Who would do anything his beating heart desired to get what he wanted. I could read it all over his face. From his eyes, to his wiggled nose, even to his lips. They were in a crooked smile, but almost seeming as if they were puckering, waiting for me to just lean in and give it to him.

But of course, I wasn't going to do that.

Denny, finally soaking in what I said to him, had nodded and responded, "I totally get you, Chelsea. And…I just want to say that…well, I'm sorry we put this upon you. What kind of friends are we, making you choose between your two best guy friends? This is totally unfair to you. And, I'm going to come flat out and apologize. Because I care for you so much that I hate to see you like this."

I smiled, because he meant every word he spoke. I quickly stepped up to him, and kissed him on his cheek. I hugged him after the split second my lips touched with his cheek, happy that he cared so much. To me, that kiss was nothing. But I began to wonder, as I held him, if he felt some strange electrical connection as I did that. I began to think so when Denny almost hesitated to hug back because he seemed so stiff. I finally pulled away, and Denny, surprised, felt his cheek. His face lightened up, as if he had some nasty scar on the side of his face that had finally been healed. He looked at me square in the eye, seeing the enthusiasm overwhelm him.

"Chelsea…" he spoke, still caught up.

"Denny," I put a hand on his shoulder.

He looked to see my fragile hand on his shoulder, almost seeming as if I were the touch of the angel. His face continued to glow the more I touched him.

"Denny," I repeated, "that was just a thank you. Not a I'm-slowly-falling-for-you kiss. Okay?"

He nodded, his eyes loosing the smallest hope that filled them. The dark clouds in his eyes once again filled it, almost making him depressed. I put both hands on his shoulders now, and hugged him again. I then whispered in his ear, "The second hug is for being a great friend."

After I whispered that, I felt his arms wrap around me too, embracing the hug. I finally let go of Denny, and, noticing the time, headed off back to Ranch Island, and to my bed to prepare for the next Monday morning.

I woke up to hear an immediate knock on my door. I murmured a few curses to myself, waking up earlier than usual, so I slumped to the door and wearily opened it.

There, on the other side, was Lanna, awake as a bird, screeched, "Guess what's in a week?"

I rubbed my eyes, noticing the clock. 5:49am. Thanks a bunch, Lanna.

"Urm…what?"

"The Starry Night Festival!" she squealed, probably waking up all of the islands.

I squeezed my eyes shut in tired annoyance. I groaned loudly, imagining the hurt, distressed look on Lanna's face. When I opened my eyes, there it was, just as my mind painted it.

"I'm sorry Lanna," I apologized in a groggy tone. "Why does it matter to me, though?"

"Because," she poked at my arm, "maybe you'll start to see who you like. It's supposed to be a very romantic festival. You can see who your feelings lean more toward. Hm?"

I smiled, my brain still trying to boot up from sleep mode. "Thank you for the valuable information, Lanna. I'm really tired though, so, I'm going to go back to sleep. Okay?"

She nodded, and said, "Mhm, totally understand! We can't all be early birds. Sorry to wake you at such an early hour."

I flicked my hand at her, pushing away the thought. My eyes were closed, feeling myself drowsily begin to sleep standing. "Don't worry about it Lanna. See you around."

She smiled and skipped away, as I slammed the door and trudged back to bed. I slipped in, and smiled sweetly in being in the warm comfort of my bed.

And as much as I wanted to sleep, I really couldn't. My mind began to wander, and I thought about the several conversations I've had with Vaughn.

Sometimes, he's cold, and a wall is built up around him. But other times, he'll just keep talking, until I bring up the fact that he keeps asking and answering questions. Just like when we were talking at around midnight at Julia's house.

"Aren't you going to have to choose one in the end?"

"Yeah, but…wait, are you questioning me?"

"No. I have to make a boat."

He took it back so quickly, as if our previous conversation hadn't even occurred. And I will admit, it hurt, it really did, knowing that he was going 'out of character'. But there is something good in him. I could feel it.

Why was I thinking so deeply in it, anyways? Vaughn and I weren't even friends. We were two companions. That was all.

And on that note, I fell back asleep.

I woke up at ten, feeling refreshed. But once again, there was a knock on my door. A little bit more irritated, I walked up to the door, and opened it slowly, expecting Lanna on the other side.

But I was wrong.

On the other side of the door was Vaughn, holding a silver chain in his gloved hand. He extended that hand toward me and said, "I found it on the beach. I looked inside, and, I think it's yours."

I quickly felt to see if the necklace was around my neck, and it wasn't. My stomach created a pit when I felt an open neck, but graciously took the necklace that was in Vaughn's hand. I saw it, and took it immediately. I stared at it in awe. It was a silver heart, very plain and simple, although it was outlined with a pattern of rubies and diamonds. On the outside said I love you in fancy script writing. I looked inside to see two faces I loved very much.

My mother's. My father's.

I held the necklace to my heart, and looked up at Vaughn, who had the smallest smirk on his grin. "Vaughn…thank you."

"Of course." His grin quickly dropped. "Don't be expecting it too often though."

And with that, he quickly turned himself around and headed back onto Verdure Island. I smiled widely until I saw him disappear past the bridge, and off of Ranch Island.

He cares about me, my heart sped up, if he didn't, he wouldn't have brought back this necklace to me. He wouldn't have…

I finally put the necklace back around my neck. My heart felt warmed and I was happy. I left my house and did all my chores. When I was done with the watering, a few of the harvesting, and animal feeding, I hurried myself onto Verdure Island to talk to a few of my closest friends. I instantly saw Natalie talking to Elliot, but when she saw me, she basically pushed him out of the way and ran up to me.

"Hey!" she screamed.

I stepped back, nervous for whatever she was going to talk to me about.

"Chelsea!" she said. "This morning, I saw Vaughn go up to your barn. What was up with that?"

"Oh." I gnawed at my lip. "He just returned my necklace."

I felt up my neck until my fingertips touched the cold metal. I felt safe knowing it was with me.

"Vaughn? Vaughn. Did a good deed?" Natalie almost burst into hysterics. But she held it back, holding my shoulder tightly. "Mhm, okay. Did Lanna tire you out when she visited you early this morning?"

"Well…wait. You knew about that?"

"Oh." Natalie bit at the corner of her lip, staring at everything but me. "Julia and I put her up to that. We knew she'd do it, too."

I sighed, wishing I was back in my comfy bed. "Thanks, Nat. So much."

"Chelsea, we all just want what's best for you," Natalie said, now gripping both of my shoulders. "We all love you so much. We just want you to be happy."

"I am happy," I lied, and she knew it. "Of course, if I could just find love on my own without the pressure of Denny and your brother, then, I'd be even happier."

Natalie laughed and said, "Even when you're not in the best of moods, you can always joke, can't you?"

I hugged her quickly, and said, "Love you so much, Natalie."

She just winked and softly said, "Right back at you, Chels."

I walked away, quickly to be stopped by Elliot. I wasn't exactly in the mood to talk to either him or Denny at the moment. But obviously I had to be spoken to, because no matter how many times I tried to walk away, Elliot keep reaching out to me. I finally turned around and said, "Yes?""Look, I know you may or may not want to talk to me," Elliot started, "but I was wondering if you wanted to come to the Starry Night Festival with me?"I felt heartbroken. I hated to keep him waiting, but now this too? Doesn't he know that right now I just need to be away from him and Denny?

"Elliot, I'd love to," his face lit up, "but right now, I can't do this. I can't go back and forth between you and Denny."

"But don't you want to see who-"

"-I like more?" I finished for him. He nodded, and I sighed. "Elliot, I've been living here for…so long now. I know how both of you think, act, basically function. All I need to do right now is some deep thinking."

"I…understand," he said sullenly.

"Look, Elliot, I'm so sorry. I don't want to hurt you, or Denny. I love you both. Just…let me deal with this, okay?"

He nodded. But before I could give him a hug or do anything, he just walked away, like a lone puppy. And I felt guilt strike me once again.

I walked away, trying my best not to think about it. I walked into Julia's home to see her sweeping the floor. Mirabelle was working, and Julia just looked up and smiled.

"Good morning, Chelsea," Julia smiled warmly. "Coffee? It's freshly brewed."

"Yes please," I slouched.

Julia poured the coffee into the white cup, and she brought it over to me. She scanned my face and said, "Are you okay?""Elliot asked me to the Starry Night Festival." I looked up at her. "Said no."

"Aw, Chelsea," Julia sat across from me. "I'm so sorry, love."

"You should ask him," my mind clicked. "Just to see what happens. And hey, maybe he might start to forget about me…?"

She smiled and giggled innocently. "Well, maybe. I'll think about it the next few days. But for right now…"

I sipped down the rest of my coffee. "I'd love to talk, but I'm going to go make some extra money. Talk tomorrow?"

Julia, just a little shaken at the fact I was leaving so soon, nodded. "Okay. Tomorrow!"

I shot out of my seat, and continued to walk around the islands.

I walked into the Café to see Vaughn sitting at a table alone, drinking a glass of wine. He stared at the wall. Without thinking, I walked over and sat on the other side of the cloth table. He turned to face me, and when he saw me, I swear I saw him sigh and roll his eyes.

"Did you just…"

"Yes."

"But…"

"Just leave me alone."

I blinked at his response, not exactly the one I wanted. He turned his back to me again, facing the wall, gripping his glass tightly. I called out in the Café, "Can I have what he has? And the rest of the bottle, if you may."

Vaughn turned to face me, his eyes wide. "You drink?"

"Not occasionally," I said, as the glass and the bottle was brought to the table. "But I'm not afraid to."

Vaughn then squinted his eyes at me, refilling his glass. "I bet you couldn't take a single swig without getting tipsy."

I raised my eyebrows, basically filling my glass up to the brim. He gawked at the amount I poured in. "Is that a challenge?"

He leaned back in his chair, still playing with his glass. "You took…a lot. Maybe you should try pouring some back."

By the time he finished that sentence, the glass was three-fourths gone. He continued to widen his eyes. "I'm sorry…what?"

"Chelsea." He reached out and took the glass out of my hand. "I think you should stop."

I snatched the glass back out of his hand and refilled it. I continued to chug it when he finally got up and stole the glass out of my hand.

"What…are you doing?" I slurred.

"You really don't drink often, do you?" Vaughn sighed.

"Never have in my life," my words continued to come out as mush. "But what's it to you…anyways? You never really cared for me. I'm a total stranger, re-re-remember?"

Vaughn sighed, and rubbed his head, his eyes shut tight. He then looked at me again. I tried standing, but I just lost balance and fell straight to the floor, hitting my head first.

"Chelsea!"

"V-Vaughn…" I continued to speak.

I saw him run over, although the rest was hard to see through my fuzzy, lop-sided vision. I saw him bend over and place his hands on me. I flipped over to my back to look up at him. I wanted to see his shining silver hair.

"No," I heard him say demandingly. I felt as he applied more pressure on my skin, flipping me back to my side. "Stay like this. Just in case."

"O…kay."

"You need to get home," Vaughn told me.

"No," I felt sick. "Stay. I want…to stay."

"You need to get home where you're safe."

"You…care." I smiled up at the cowboy. "I'm not a s-stranger?"

He just smirked slightly, as he muttered, "Guess not."

And before I could say whatever I wanted to say, my vision went completely black, and I couldn't remember a thing the next morning.

A/N: HEY! SUP! soo yeahh, updates won't always be like this. i just got so into the story, as you guys are reading three, i'm working on chapter seven. yup, i've gotten that far, and you won't know about it! haha, sorry(: so enjoy the updates while you cann, they won't always be this frequent! peace&&love:D