AN: Yay. I've finished writing this! Thanks for the critiques and reviews; they've helped me immensely. I promise I'll improve on my writing and characterization! :3 I do not own Harvest Moon~

Chapter 3: Harmony of Little Moments

"Well, you do like it, I'm sure."

"Y-You!"

He laughed again. My cheeks were so warmly pinkish, and they were aching from giggling and laughing along with him. I clutched the telephone tighter as I waited for him to respond.

"Mark asking you out must've been a good one. I wish I could've seen it." Vaughn said, hinting an attitude of mischievousness and mockery in his baritone tone of voice.

"I didn't even answer h-him yet, so don't go all taunting me about this!" I squeaked with annoyance and at the same time, playfulness. "And it's most likely that I was not his first choice."

"He'll escort you eventually, no doubt." He snickered. "It's because you still like him."

"B-But Vaughn, I told you already right? I don't like him anymore because of some reasons…"

"And what again are those reasons?"

I heaved a gloomy sigh. "It's because Mark's changed, and he's courting someone else... I think."

It was a quiet and peaceful twilight of the seventh of spring, just before the day of the Harvest Goddess Festival. Today we had our last practice for the said festivity, and I'm simply psyched and at the same time nervous for tomorrow. I decided to call up Vaughn to ask him about his week. He's been awfully busy and exhausted, and so I suggested that we could just talk tomorrow during the festival. But Vaughn insisted that we talk still in his free time. It made me smile when he reasoned that he missed me talking and telling stories about what's happening in the islands, and that he wanted to tease me as soon as possible.

"How did he change, exactly?"

"According to a very close friend of mine," I started, biting my lip, "Ever since he knew that a lot of girls like him—"

"Including Miss Sabrina Regison." He chuckled.

"Right, right," I went on, trying to ignore the bizarre emotion growing in me, "He's become so vain, narcissistic, egotistical and flirtatious."

"Tsk, you still like him, Sabrina."

I was confused. "Wh-what? Why do you say so?"

"It's because you hate him." Another shrewd answer from him. Sometimes, I just can't get through Vaughn's twisted and odd ideas. They may seem peculiar at first, but when he gets into your mind; his reasons are most of the time logical and indisputable. He knows what he's saying and in all likelihood, you'll be left speechless when he proves his points and reasons correct.

"That doesn't make s-sense…" I retorted softly. "Besides, it's obvious that he likes Natalie... and Lily, so, you know… How I don't want to enter situations like that…"

"And that, Sabrina, is why you turned bitter." I could sense that he was smirking as he was telling me that.

I gasped. "B-But—! I am not bitter, Vaughn! I simply disliked him because of his qualities… But if he w-would change… M-maybe, he would have a chance…"

Oh my. What did I just say? This is the same conversation I had with Lanna in the café!

"When he turns like me?"

"W-Wait, what?" I was taken aback by Vaughn's sudden assumption. It was true, just like what Lanna and I had talked about, but… "Vaughn, a-are you actually serious in asking that?"

"I don't know." He answered, restraining himself from laughing.

"Then… Um, Vaughn, I don't know what to answer… Maybe…?"

It took a few seconds before I heard him speak. "So you could love him, right?"

"I don't really know… Anyways, I've started evading Mark these past few days. And he thought I was angry with him."

"Oh. Why?"

"Because Will had told me to stay away from him, since he was becoming ill-mannered and such… and for him to realize that he's done something wrong." I answered half-heartedly.

And Vaughn's the only person who knows when I answer under restraint. "Sabrina, that's not all."

"Okay f-fine… Because yes, I do like him," I sighed. I do like Mark still, but I love Vaughn undeniably and avidly. "And I don't want my feelings for him to become seemingly deeper than what they are now. You also do know that it's you…"

Vaughn sighed, yet I could feel another smile drawn out on his amused face on the other end of the line. "Absurd. It's better to control your feelings than get rid of them at once."

His wit had left me silent and greatly confused yet again. I didn't answer for awhile; I was deeply reflecting of what he was actually saying, and why his actions and words were always like this whenever we talk about Mark.

"So, how were the dance practices?" Vaughn's voice surprised me.

"Fine, just fine and enjoyable. The steps are easy to follow and the music is wonderful; you feel like you're dancing above the clouds together with elegant angels." I responded with much ease now. Vaughn had probably felt that I didn't like the pressure he was bringing in.

"Then that's good, I'm looking forward to it." He chuckled. "So, any stories of you and Mark? I promise I would make the conversation lighter than earlier."

"Well, he does compliment me every now and then…" I murmured into the phone anxiously. "He says he likes how I dance in one part of our routine."

"And I'm sure you're enjoying every comment you get from him."

"It's awkward!" I whined feebly. "When h-he praises me for that, I suddenly feel embarrassed that someone's actually watching me solely while dancing…"

"And so, I'll watch you dance." He emphasized the word 'you', and then stifled his snicker. "Maybe I could also witness the so-called grace Mark sees when you perform. I'm fairly curious, so I'll be watching closely."

"V-Vaughn, y-you—!"

"What?"

"You big mean cowboy!" I giggled to myself. I cannot stay mad with him. Though he teases and taunts me most of the time, there has never been a moment that I've actually hated him for what he's been doing. It's most likely that at first, I get confused and that confusion eventually results to annoyance and uneasiness, but then he teases me again to make me laugh. "Um, well, h-have you asked Chelsea out yet?"

"Yes."

"I see…" I muttered softly. "S-So, see you tomorrow then? I think you need to rest awhile… and y-you have to get your stuff ready…"

"Yeah, thanks… See you tomorrow Sabrina. Just remember… I will watch you." His voice reminded me followed by a small chuckle.

"Vaughn!" I protested with ineptness and my face growing warm.

He hung up after his symphony of laughter. I sighed resignedly, with a small smile stretched across my reddened face. It's so heartwarming and reassuring to hear his voice after a long week. Maybe I could sleep well tonight, after having another unusual but euphoric conversation with him. As I put the telephone down, I heard a recognizable, soft and tranquil voice from outside.

"Sabrina? Can I talk to you?" The blond rancher called out again. "It's about tomorrow."

I hurriedly went outside to meet him. He was carrying a big, pink box. "Oh Mark! Please, c-come in…"

He flashed a warmhearted smile at me and shook his head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I just dropped by again to ask if I could escort you tomorrow… So…?"

I smiled gently yet uncertainly at him, and tried hard to think of a believable reason. "I'm s-sorry Mark… Um, but Will and I had decided earlier to go together tomorrow."

"Ah, is that so?" Mark scratched the back of his head and sighed heavily. With a rather lifeless smile, he said, "Well… I guess I'll see you tomorrow… Oh yeah, Sabrina, one last question…"

"Wh-what is it?"

Mark's brilliant, emerald green eyes drooped a little, and his placid voice had become even softer. "Are you angry with me or something? It's just that… it's almost like you're avoiding me… these days."

"Ah…" My eyes grew wide, and gazed at him with a pained and surprised expression.

He looked at me longer, and then shook his head slowly. "No, Sabrina… I shouldn't have asked you that. It was a stupid question. I'm really sorry…"

"You'll understand it someday, Mark." I answered with a weak smile. "Sorry… and thank you."

"I hope I will." He giggled. His cheery and positive self was back. "See you tomorrow… Oh, before I forget, Alisa had told me to give this to you. I think it's the dress you'll be wearing tomorrow."

I took the box from him and laughed. "Holding this box makes m-me strangely excited for tomorrow…"

He patted my shoulder. "I'm sure you'll do great… Just like what I tell you always whenever you practice… See you, Sabrina."

As he left, my eyes could not help but gaze at him until he disappeared into the night. I feel so sorry for avoiding him. And I could not deny that I still care for him. Mark's my friend of course, and there had been a time that I really liked him… But of course, I want to see him change for the better first and also because; I'm still deeply in love with Vaughn.

I'm becoming irrational, I know. And I'm confusing myself more. I like Mark… but I love Vaughn, more than I ever loved anyone before.

Vaughn's voice rung in my head yet again, saying, "I will watch you."

I shook my head at the memory of his words over the phone earlier, laughing quietly to myself. I should put down the box in my room first and then head to Will's yacht afterwards to tell him about my day. Surely he would react about Mark inviting me to be his date tomorrow and my conversation with Vaughn, and just imagining his expressions makes me laugh. Oh, William, my ever beloved cousin and best friend.

Vaughn will be watching tomorrow, so I better do my best. "I'm fairly curious, so I'll be watching closely."