Disclaimer : I do not own Harvest Moon : Animal Parade, they belong to Natsume Inc.
'Edited Version'
-Molly's POV-
My heart was beating fast. I was walking endlessly, not caring to look for the direction where I'm going. We were close, we made eye contact. Something definitely felt wrong. I stopped and inspect my surrounding areas; somehow I got to Horn Ranch, while walking aimlessly. I turned back, to face the direction behind me, Chase was not there.
'He must've gone home.' I thought. 'How could he touch me so carelessly?'
A flashback about our eyes meeting, made me blush, I was cursing all to myself, keeping it to myself without people knowing. I tend to do that, not many people know who I am. Even the townsfolk doesn't know who the real me. One day, if they knew, they would probably set a line in between. I wander off with my thoughts, when suddenly a familiar voice called to me.
'Hey there Molly!'
I turned to see Luke with a happy face as he was walking towards me.
'I was going to get you at your home but seems like you weren't there when I knocked, so I figured maybe you went for a walk, but it's good that you're here.' I smiled.
'By the way I'm sorry about yesterday, getting all drunk and letting you fight Chase on my behalf, I wasn't being a man about it.'
'No, it was okay, people should realize not to insult other people. We should all get along.' I shrugged.
'For real, because, it would take a while for you to be on good terms with him. Oh listen to me, giving advices, while the both of us don't get along really well, what a pain.' He complained
'I think that makes us even?' I persuaded him.
He nodded. 'Are you gathering materials? You use all kind of things, so it's best to collect a little each day!'
'Actually, while you're here, let's go and gather all the lumbers we could find.'
He jumps and made an air fist. 'Let's do this!'
-Chase's POV-
After a walk on the beach, to cool down my thoughts, I stumbled across her. She was staring emptily at the open sea. I began to observe her, the heat from the sun caused beads of sweats to appear above my upper lip, no doubt I was sweating from my morning walks. There was something about her that has captivate me since the day we met but I shrug it off, not bother to think about it, but within my gaps of denial, I couldn't lie to myself when Kathy said she is an interesting person.
Memories of last night flashes back. For the first time ever, I had felt regret after what I have said. I didn't know how I felt any longer, I was angry at her for talking back at me and I was angry at myself for insulting someone I barely knew. I decide to water the flower pots outside my house. A little gardening wouldn't kill right?
I grabbed a watering can beside the flower pot and watered every single flower pot near the window. The sprouts that recently grew remind me of my childhood life, how I would snuck on board one day to meet with Yolanda, the great chef from Castanet. I could still remember that day when she would scold me for sneaking on board and that I had to go back home.
Thinking back makes me think, I lived through one hell of a cursed life. Then again it wouldn't be for Yolanda's help that I have lived up to this day. She took me in, brought me here, when I first arrive, I would stay in Ocarina Inn, while getting accustomed to life in Harmonica Town. I got attached to her family, in the sense that they felt like my family. I was an orphan, I didn't knew what family love felt like but I'm happy that I finally get to experience it.
But, there was one particular person I didn't like in her family, a girl, of my age, possibly younger, and her name was Maya. Maya had a short blond hair; she would tie a braid the sides of her hair, to illustrate her bubbly personality. She always had a pink maid outfit on, as she thinks they are cute. Worse comes to worst, she was a damned drama queen and an attention seeker. I wouldn't want to joke senselessly about her talents, she had one of the best food tasting skills yet her cooking skills were the worst. I remembered one day she would try to make me a 'food'. It turns out to be a big failure. The next thing I knew, I spent 3 days in the clinic due to food poisoning thanks to her. Who was she going to impress with her cooking skills anyway, certainly wasn't me.
I stood up from watering the flower pots, and arched my back. A little stretch feels good once in a while. And then it hit me, why did Molly push me away when I literally wanted to help her. She was also blushing. What is wrong with her anyway? And to even start, why did I intend to help her?
I shrugged, and couldn't be bothered about these little things. I am a cook, and I completely focus in my culinary skills. I couldn't let a girl ruin all that. I hope.
I looked at my wrist watch, it was 3.30 pm, and it was time for me to go to work. After all arriving early to work could help me compensate the extra time that I had lost for studying new recipe at Yolanda's.
-Kathy and Selena's POV-
At the bar, Kathy could be found wiping the surface of the counter while her dad was drying off his collection of glassware which ranges from drink-ware to tumblers to stemware. There were different types of glasses from different categories and only a bartender would understand the function of these different types of glasses.
A tall tanned woman whom has an hourglass figure could be found dancing to the beat of a rhythmic music on the stage. Nothing beats a normal day than a quiet bar before night comes. She would stop abruptly as soon as the music stops.
'Hey, Selena, where did you learn to dance like that?' questioned the blond girl
'It has become my passion since I was a little girl, there was nothing more I wanted and could have wished for other than dancing.' Her eyes glittered from the moment she said dance.
'You sure have talent, my dear girl, it's good to have you here in the bar.' complimented an old man whom moustache highlighted the features of his well-built figure.
'You're very kind, Hayden.' The tanned dancer replied.
Chase could be seen entering from the front door of the bar, with his usual expression which caught Kathy's attention to make a failed joke at him as soon as he starts with his sarcastic remarks. He seemed bored with the daily routine in which he would immediately entered the kitchen, not bothering to come out until he's done for the day.
'What does Maya see in him?' Kathy thought. 'Who am I to judge, deep down he's a real nice guy,'
'Well, honey, I'm going out for a fresh air, you coming?' referring to Selena.
'I'd sure love to.' she replied winking back to Kathy.
-Molly's POV-
I entered the Brass Bar, along with Luke. I scanned through the area, to make sure I don't see Chase for goddess knows what will happen next?
Luke and I sat at a table for two and ordered our meal.
'Phew, we were able to gather some good lumber!' he started
'I agree it was fun!' I smiled agreeing to his statement.
'Are you getting better with the axe? Soon you'll be able to use the special skills! Then you can chop things easily!' He explained.
For the next few hours, I could find myself being questioned about my old life by Luke as if I were being interrogated, not that I mind after all, he was my best friend.
'I might have never been away from town, but I still believe there's nowhere better! The food is tasty and the ocean, rivers and mountains are so beautiful.' He replied. I have to admit, life in Castanet was way better compared to home.
As he was digging in to his food, I found myself staring at the grand piano located on the stage; it was black in color and seemed mysterious in so many ways. It had remind me of back at home, where I used to play the piano with Angela every Saturday afternoon before I spent my time with Derek. Suddenly I didn't feel like eating anymore, thank you Derek, of all the people to make me lose my appetite.
'Hey, you okay there Molly?' Luke on the other side, caught my attention, he seemed to notice me.
'Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine.'
'I've got a feeling there's something I don't know about you, and you're not telling me.'
'I….' I searched around to find something to hide my emotions. 'I was staring at the piano.' I said as I point to the grand piano, it was true, I was amazed with it.
'Oh yeah? You want to try playing it?'
'Don't be silly Luke, I can't play.'
'I could ask for you if you want.' He said while munching his food. Before I could speak for my right, he started shouting for Hayden. 'Hey, Hayden, Molly wants to try out your grand piano.'
Hayden's eyes widened. 'That would be nice, I've haven't heard the piano for quite a long time.'
'No, no, I shouldn't' I resist.
'Oh come on Molly, just one song?'
'Okay, just one song,' I replied as I walked up the stage, breathing in and out to relax my stiffened muscle. Hayden and Luke turned his attention to mine while I stretched my fingers.
'One song.' I thought and began playing as I closed my eyes, remembering to all the memories I had.
-Outside Brass Bar-
'Hey did you hear that?' Kathy asked Selena whom stood beside her.
'Hear what?'
'The piano, it sang!' Kathy said as she rushed to the bar door.
'Okay honey, I get it, you're excited.' She replied walking up to the door only to find the soft music lingering in her ear.
-Inside Brass Bar-
I stopped playing; I took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. As I opened my eyes, I could see the amazed Hayden, and a jaw-dropped Luke. Kathy whom was crying and Selena whom was at lost for words; when did those two came? They clapped their hands, feeling amazed with my previous performance.
'That was amazing!' Hayden praised. I smiled sheepishly, and couldn't help but blush.
'I never knew you could play the piano!' Kathy pointed out. 'You really are an interesting person!'
'Where did you learn to play that song?' Selena asked.
I replied, 'My sister and I wrote that song together for my mother's birthday.'
'It's really beautiful.' Hayden praised.
'That was EXTREMELY AWESOME.' Luke grinned.
'You could come by and play for us if you'd like.' Kathy persuaded me. 'Isn't that right dad?'
'I'll try but I won't make any promises.' I replied.
A strawberry blond boy walks out of the kitchen, with his arms folded. I was freaked out, no, not freaked out, I was mortified, I wasn't expecting for him to be in the kitchen, and worse of all, him hearing me play the piano. I couldn't find words to speak, so I just looked down the ground.
'I'm going to Yolanda's.' he said.
'Sure, be safe.' Hayden replied. Everybody else waved goodbye to him.
As he walked to the door, turning the door knob, he stop for a moment to turn back and watch us from a distant, while we were talking. I caught him staring at me for a second, and saw him smile as his face turns to walk outside.
A/N:
In case you are wondering, the song that Molly played in the story is a fan-made final fantasy versus XIII song titled 'Stella's Theme' you're welcome to search it on YouTube. It's a beautiful song, I thought maybe I could fit something as beautiful as that in my story, of course I'm not taking credit for it, and I would personally like to thank the creator of the song though I forgot the name. Nevertheless credit goes to the creator.
Enjoy :)
