Note: Yes, I know some guys have been wanting to read this and I'm sorry for taking so long… anyway there isn't really much point to the chapter, those their relationship is gonna get a whole lot better next chapter! For you guys who didn't already know, this is a ChelseaxShea not ChelseaxVaughn so yeah. Also, I wanted some help to decide a name for my other story, which is a ClairexGray, so when you review could you help me with names as well? Ta.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon or any of its characters.

Chapter Four: Playing with Fire

I woke up, yawning.

I took a glance at the clock, 4:37am. Brilliant. I knew I wouldn't get any more sleep then I had already had, and dragged myself out of bed.

I normally re-made my bed, but I couldn't be bothered today. What was up with me? I had met a new islander, what was wrong with that? But then I remembered why I had met him…

Vaughn. I growled at the thought of his name, he had messed my head up, so I couldn't think straight. I wouldn't let him into my head; I pushed the thought away, and grabbed a box of Cheerio's out of the cabinet.

I sighed. Life was annoying me at the moment; I remembered Shea's face when he said he was happy, the way his face glowed.

Well, I was jealous, I wished I could be happy like that. I already knew I couldn't. I stopped thinking for a moment, pouring some Cheerio's into my bowl.

One Cheerio came out.

"Damn it!" I yelled, "I've ran out of Cheerio's".

I sighed once again, I knew it did no good to yell, it didn't help. So I ate the Cheerio and yanked myself to my feet.

I felt so heavy on my feet, maybe one day they'd be someone there to help me. I shook the thought out. Only yesterday had I thought that would be Vaughn, but it wasn't.

That's when I decided I'd give up on men.

I headed towards the bathroom when something caught my eye. Something by the door. Curious as I was I walked over. Someone had slid a letter under the door.

That better not be from Vaughn. I said to myself.

I picked up the letter and looked at the address:

Chelsea Heath

Sunny Island

I guessed that the writer didn't know the name of the ranch, or anything like that, still curious though, I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.

Dear Chelsea,

It's me Mark. I heard in the newspaper that you'd landed on an island. I was so worried when I heard that your boat sank. I thought you were dead. But then I heard of this island, Sunny Island, right? Apparently it's really populated now, I've heard it even has it's own pop star! Well anyway, I was hoping maybe I could visit? I wouldn't get in the way or anything, in fact, I'd be happy to even help with your ranch. I didn't write the name of the ranch because the newspaper didn't say what it was called. So, how about it? I know it's kind of rash, and you'll have to think about it, but please. I really want to see you.

Love,

Mark.

My eye's almost welled up a tear. He cared for me, how sweet.

Mark was another rancher, which she had known since she was in diapers.

Mark liked the same things, the same music… the same clothes… the same food… everything. Chelsea and Mark had gone their own ways, Mark to Forget-me-not Valley. Which left Chelsea all alone, Chelsea had longed to start a new life, like her friend Mark had done. And that was exactly what she was going to do, start a new life in Mineral Town, before that storm caught her, that is.

She didn't realise that her disastrous journey would reach the news though.

She had to write a letter back, she couldn't just leave his request un-answered.

She grabbed a pen and a piece of paper and wrote:

Hey Mark!

I got you're letter, I'm alright, don't worry. This island is great, fantastic even. I've met some really nice people, I have a friend called Julia, you guys would get on. Not trying to pester you on the relationship thing or anything. Honest. Anyway, I'd love for you to visit! Why don't you come next week? I'll be waiting. And yes, there is a pop star here, Lanna. And a gourmet as well! I can't wait for you to come.

Love,

Chelsea.

My letter was considerably shorter then Mark's, I liked to get to the point, unlike Mark that was. Mark always seemed to write and write, I often asked him why he wasn't a writer, he always replied with the same stubborn face.

"I am not going to be a writer! Never! Ranching is much better, you should know better then that!"

He used to say…

That was a long way back though, I hadn't seen him for years.

I wonder what he would look like now… he was 20 now, right?

I heard a faint knocking at the door, almost a thump, I thought.

"Who is it?" I sung, though I quickly shut my mouth, the letter had really got me in a good mood.

"Shea," replied the man on the other side.

"Oh! Come in," What was he doing here?

Shea came in, "Chelsea!!" Shea gave me a sheepish grin.

"Hey Shea, what brings you here?" I said, purely interested.

"Shea wanted to see you," Shea walked over to her, "What that?"

Shea pointed to the letter she had written in reply.

"Oh nothing, just a letter to my old friend," I quickly tried to shove it out of view, but Shea grabbed it first, and was trying to read what I had written.

"Friend's name Mark?" He asked.

"Y-yeah," I answered.

He had almost finished it when he paused, and glared at me, "You love Mark?"

He must be talking about the last part, he didn't understand.

"N-no!" I stuttered, "It's just a way of saying bye," I explained.

"Oh," Shea still seemed a bit sad, I swear he was pouting at one point.

"Chelsea go out with Shea today?" he asked, looking up to her eyes.

"Sorry Shea, I'm a bit busy," I began.

"Shea wait," interrupted Shea.

"Uh, uhm, okay," I stammered, "wait here, I'll be finished soon"

"Okay, Shea wait".

I walked out, shaking my head.

Why was I so nervous around him? It must be his nature, he must make everyone nervous, I mean, he was a fricking jungle man for gods sake. Then I felt horrible about myself.

I shouldn't be so harsh about him, he's only a kid.

Though I knew he was much more then a kid, in fact, he could knock her to the ground in a few seconds.

Chelsea headed for her animal shed, Buttercup didn't seem very happy that her owner was so late.

"Sorry," I whispered, as I stroked her fur with a brush brought from Mirabelle.

Buttercup mooed with happiness. I think she'd forgiven me.

Then I headed out of the barn, and picked up my watering can. This was the bit I hated, it drained so much of my energy away. I thought to myself, what was a young woman like me doing in a ranch? In the city, I had been such a party girl, going to every party. Enjoying myself. My life here had changed me. Changed me for the good, I'd say.

I yanked on the watering can, filled to the brim, not being careful to keep it steady. By the time I'd reached the crops, half of the can's contents had vanished.

I sighed. I poured the rest of the water on the crops. I had been trying to grow a really large turnip, after all, the Harvest Festival was coming up soon…

I remembered the letter, I had to give it to Chen, I'm sure he could deliver it for me, couldn't he?

I headed off to Chen's shop, when a rather impatient Shea came out.

"Where Chelsea going?" Shea asked me, crossly.

"I just need to one more thing," I told him, "I'll be back in a few minutes".

Shea nodded and went back inside. He sure was an impatient guy, I wondered what he wanted anyway.

I carried on my way to Chen's shop, and entered.

"Hello Chelsea!" grinned Chen, "I've got new stock for you!"

"Oh-uh, I wanted to ask a favour of you," Chelsea asked nervously, holding the letter in her grasp.

"And what would that be?" Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I know you're going to the city tomorrow, 'cos it's Friday and all," Chelsea took a deep breath, "well could you deliver this letter for me?"

"Ok, since you're such a faithful customer!"

"Thank you so much," grinned Chelsea, handing the letter over.

"May I ask though," Chen asked, "Who it is for?"

Chelsea turned to Chen, "Just an old friend," she smiled and walked out.

-

Chelsea was taking ages. I was pacing side to side, looking at all the things in her house…

All these things were different then Wada's house, she had a weird, big black thing, hanging on her wall, and big cabinets with books.

I remembered the book that Wada had back home, he said it was very special and was worth a lot. If one book was a lot, Chelsea must be rich, he thought. She had about 20-30 books.

I walked over to his bed, it was a lot more comfortable then the one he slept on every night.

He began to be very jealous of Chelsea, all the things she had…

-

I walked in, to see Shea sitting on my bed, looking at the room with widened eyes. I coughed.

"Chelsea!" Shea ran over, he was so adorable.

"Haha, hello Shea," I smiled, "So what was it that you wanted to do today?"

"I want to take Chelsea fishing!" his face shining with happiness.

"Fishing? But I can fish already" his face dropped, "Do you mean with a fishing rod?"

"No!" Shea said quickly, "Shea mean with spear, Shea teach Chelsea with spear!" he was grinning really hard now.

"Okay, okay" I laughed, "You can teach me to fish"

"Shea happy!" I giggled, Shea made her laugh more then she could believe.

Shea began to drag me out of the house and over to the trees.

"Wh-what are you doing?" I looked at him freaked out.

We were standing right in front of the river on the east of the ranch.

"We swing to Jungle!" Shea exclaimed, "Grab vine!"

"Uh," I looked at the river and gulped, "Can't we walk there?"

Shea stared at me, giving me a look, "Vine fun!"

I sighed, there was no way to win against him, so I hung onto the vine like my life depended on it.

"Why Chelsea so worried?" asked Shea.

"I'm scared of falling…"

Shea sighed as well, but that didn't stop him swinging us to the jungle, he did a run up to the vine, and pounced at it, sending it flying across the river. My eyes opened in fear, holding on with my dear life.

I closed my eyes, not wanting to see anymore.

"Chelsea?" Shea shook me gently.

"Y-yeah?" I mumbled.

"We here," Shea smiled as I opened my eyes. Phew, on solid ground…

Shea grabbed me by the hand and my cheeks went a bright crimson.

"What wrong?" Shea asked worried, "Why you red?"

"No reason…" I muttered.

"No," Shea wouldn't give up, "What wrong?"

"Uh-uh, I'm just a bit embarrassed, you know…" of course he didn't know. He hadn't met another woman before.

"Oh," and he grabbed my hand again, and yanked me to the east of the jungle.

Shea's hands felt nice, warm, maybe slightly sweaty, but that didn't bother her. She liked Shea, he was a nice guy.

By now, we could see the hut from the place we were, and Shea began to slow his pace.

"Chelsea ready to fish?" Shea looked at me.

"Uh-uhm, yeah," I nodded.

"Okay, Shea go get spear, you stay here," he said it as if I moved, he'd be in a right old strop.

"Okay, I'll wait here"

Shea then turned to walk to the river, and jumped in.

I would have thought that anyone in the river would have floated away if they ever jumped in there. But not Shea, he managed to stay on his two feet. As if on cue, Shea started jabbing. I watched in pure amazement as the fish piled up by the side of river.

As Shea came in to put the 20th fish on the side, I said, "You got enough fish there, Shea?" I grinned.

Shea laughed, "Yes, Shea has enough. Shea want to make feast for Chelsea and Wada!"

Aw, that's sweet.

"Okay, want some help carrying those fish back?" I asked, walking over.

I reached down, about to grab some of the fish, when I heard Shea say,

"No!" he shouted, pushing me aside, but he didn't think very carefully when he did this, because it sent me tumbling right into the river's current, and unlike Shea, I was not strong.

"Chelsea!" he yelled, panic in his eyes.

But, it was too late for me… I was floating, and floating away with the river's current…

Ooh, what's going to happen next? I bet you can't wait, I might not update for a while, depends what I feel like. I like this story but not as much as my other idea, but I might get bored of my other one every so often so I'll update as much as possible. Name idea's for my ClairexGray? Thanks! AND review.