I'm sorry this chapter took so long! I haven't been feeling well, so I wasn't able to write often. But now I'm feeling a bit better, and I finished this chapter! This one has a bit more romance in it. Things are finally starting to heat up between Chelsea and Vaughn!
Chapter 3 – Colors in the Night
As Summer progressed, new people moved in. Lanna, a retired pop star, got Gannon to build her a house in West Town. After Gannon built the bridge connecting East Town to the Forest, Alisa and Nathan, gospels of the Church, moved into the abandoned house by the Harvest Goddess Spring. I met the Witch Princess the first time I visited the Forest. At first I didn't believe she was really a witch, but when she used her powers to figure out who I was, I believed instantly. I also got to meet some new Harvest Sprites. Neil lived in the forest, Earl wandered the Mountain, and Rock watched everything from the Mountain Summit.
Coming out of the barn, I glanced up at the cloudless sky. Summer was at its peak, meaning in a few weeks, it would cool down and become Fall. On hot days like this, I kept my two cows, Tea and Niki, inside. My little calves were growing fast, but they still weren't old enough to milk. Noe said that when Fall comes around, they'd be ready.
Sticking the brush in my pack, I headed for town. I had just passed the little red hut when Gannon came walking up the path towards me. Stopping and waiting for him, I wondered what he wanted. Maybe he has the last bridge up? I thought, watching him come closer. Nah, he couldn't have gotten enough lumber so soon.
Gannon reached me with a grin on his face. "Guess what, Chelsea?"
"What?" I asked, smiling back.
"There's gonna be fireworks tomorrow night!"
Shock and excitement shot through me. Fireworks? "Really?"
His grin widened. "'Since there are so many people living here, me and Chen got some fireworks. Every town has to have fireworks, right?"
My grin matched his. "Yeah! Tomorrow night? What time?"
"At ten! I'm sure you'll be there?"
"Absolutely! I haven't seen fireworks in years!"
"Alright! See you then!" he said, turning around and walking back the way he came.
Fireworks! I never expected to have fireworks on this island so soon. I've only seen fireworks a few times in my life. The last time I had seen fireworks was when I was seventeen. One of my best friends then, Rue, had managed to bring me to her aunt's house, where they were shooting them off.
Grabbing my fishing pole, I headed towards the beach. I wonder who's going to go with who, I thought, reaching the beach and feeling the soft sand slip under my shoes. Elliot will probably ask Julia. I cast my line and sat down on the dock. And I wouldn't be surprised if Denny went with Lanna.
Denny joined me shortly afterward, and the first thing out of my mouth was, "You going to ask Lanna to the fireworks?"
Denny stared at me with shock, his eyes wide and his mouth open. "How do you know?"
I laughed. "Lucky guess."
He regained his composure and looked at the water. "Yeah, I am. I hope she says yes."
"I'm pretty sure she will, Denny," I responded.
"So who are you going with?" he asked, reeling in his line with a wiggling fish at the end.
"A fish already?" I questioned irritably, sighing. "I dunno."
He laughed and cast his line again. "Yup, a fish already." He glanced at me. "I'm surprised."
"Surprised?" I asked, feeling a tug on my line. I reeled in quickly, but my prize was seaweed.
"Yeah. I thought you'd might ask Vaughn."
It was my turn to stare with big eyes and an open mouth. "W-what?"
"Yeah, well, you guys seem to get along well," he replied.
I thought back. After the event with the sunset, we've talked a few times. He's not on the island everyday, but whenever he's around, I always take the time to drop by. I wanted to be friends with him.
"Yeah, we get along. But it's just on a friendship level, nothing more," I responded, casting my line.
There was a short pause, then he laughed. "Wouldn't it be funny if you guys ended up getting married?"
I looked at him with the most bewildered expression on my face. "What makes you say that?"
"Well, you say that you're just friends, nothing more. But I've seen some reality shows in my life, and whenever a girl says that, they end up marrying the guy."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Those are just shows, Denny. It's scripted. They're suppose to end up together."
"How do you know that it's not like that for you and Vaughn?"
I didn't respond right away. After a few moments, I said, "I don't."
He turned and grinned at me. I laughed, and he joined in. "We'll just have to wait and see, won't we Chelsea?"
Anxious to change the subject, I said, "I'll be at you're and Lanna's wedding!"
His faced changed from a smile to shock. "Whoa, whoa, what?"
I laughed, tears coming to my eyes.
The day passed quickly, with me teasing Denny about Lanna. When the sun started to set, Denny headed for the Diner, hoping to run into Lanna there, while I headed for home. Instead of going inside the house, I stayed outside, watching the sun disappear and the moon rise. At this time tomorrow night, the sky would be painted with various colors, each being followed with a resounding boom. I recalled the memory of fireworks with Rue, but was surprised to realize that the memory was a little fuzzy.
The next day was the same routine, except I didn't go down to the beach. Instead, I went to the Café for a drink. Walking through the door, Julia called my name, motioning for me to join her. Taking her invitation, I took the seat next to her.
"Excited for tonight?" she asked, taking a sip of her tea.
"Yeah. You going with anyone?" I asked, already knowing what the answer would be.
Her face reddened, and she said, "I'm going with Elliot."
I grinned. "Thought so."
"Well, who are you going with?"
"No one," I replied.
She gave me a surprised look. "You haven't asked Vaughn?"
A laugh escaped my lips. How many people thought I liked Vaughn more than a friend? "Denny asked me that yesterday. No, I haven't."
She took another sip of her tea. "I'm surprised. You seem to be the only person he talks to on this island."
I glanced at her. "I wouldn't say that."
"Well, he talks to me and mom, but only if it's work related. You know, if there's anything wrong with the animals or something like that."
"You mean he doesn't talk to anyone else? At all?"
"I've seen him talking to Denny a few times, but that's it," she replied.
I sat there for a moment, then got up out of the seat. "Vaughn's here today, right? I'm gonna see if I can find him."
Julia gave me a sly smile. "Okay."
I laughed and left the Café.
My first stop was at the animal shop, but Vaughn wasn't there, so I headed for the Forest. I remembered seeing him there before when I was taking a walk one day, so maybe he was there today.
I made my way through the Forest, to the tree I remembered him sitting under. And sure enough, there he was, with his hat pulled over his eyes. I walked up to him and said, "Do you mind if I join you?"
He looked up, then nodded. I sat down beside him. "Did you hear about the fireworks?"
"Yeah."
"I'm pretty excited about them. I bet they'll be beautiful."
"I bet they will."
I smiled, leaning my back against the tree trunk. "Will you be going?"
"Yeah. I wanna see them."
Here was the perfect chance to ask him to go with me. As friends, of course. So why was my heart beating in overtime? "Do you wanna go with me? I have no one else to go with."
I glanced over at him, and our eyes met. He quickly pulled his hat down. "Sure."
I stood up, my smile widening. "Awesome! So, I'll meet you at the Meadow?"
He nodded, and I caught one of his rare smiles. "Yeah. I'll see you there."
As I walked away, my heart was still in overdrive, and my cheeks were warm. Why was I like this?
As the night approached, I headed towards the Meadow. I didn't pass anyone on the way, which could only mean that they were already there. The stars were just appearing when I reached the bridge that connected East Town to the Meadow. And there was Vaughn, standing by the bridge, waiting for me.
I smiled, trying hard not to show my sudden shyness. My heart was starting to beat fast again. I approached him and said, "It's almost time!"
"Yeah," he replied, joining me as I walked across the bridge.
The Meadow was darker than the town, so it took a while for my eyes to adjust. Once they did, I saw everyone spread out across the Meadow. I looked around and spotted a place that would be a perfect spot to see the fireworks. Guiding Vaughn over to it, I sat down.
I looked up at the star painted sky. It was beautiful. I smiled. "I can't wait for the fireworks to start! It should be any minute now!"
The words were barely out of my mouth when Gannons' booming voice echoed across the Meadow. "Everyone, thank you for waiting! And now, the fireworks!"
There was a silence, and then a shower of red lights filled the sky, with a boom that echoed in the night. Then it was followed by a silver shine, with the same echoing boom. I gasped. I had forgotten how beautiful fireworks were.
I moved my gaze to Vaughn. A soft, small smile was played across his face, and the lights were dancing in his eyes. It was wonderful to see him relaxed like he was. I smiled and looked back up to the night.
The sky was dancing with lights, and I didn't want the night to end. The fireworks started getting faster, and I knew this was the finale. I felt something warm lay on my hand, and I looked down to see Vaughns' hand covering mine. A fierce blush made my cheeks grow hot, and I looked at him. He had his hat pulled over his eyes, but I could see a blush covering his cheeks, a nervous smiled played on his lips. I smiled back, and my heart felt warm. I definitely didn't want this night to end now.
But it did, all too soon. Gannon wished us a good night, and everyone left the Meadow. Me and Vaughn were the last to leave.
"I had a great time!" I said, smiling wide.
"I did too," replied Vaughn, walking beside me.
We crossed the bridge and made our way through East Town. "The fireworks were wonderful!"
"They were beautiful," agreed Vaughn. Then he slipped his hand in mine, and I felt my cheeks grow hot again.
He walked me to my house, and we said our goodnights.
As I closed the door, I looked at my hand. I could still feel his firm grip, his warmth. My blush deepened.
