I REALLY like this chapter... :D I've been planning it in my mind for a few days now. This will be a short A/N, cause I have to get my glasses fixed (the nosepiece fell out :O)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon or any of its characters.

Look-A-Like Hero

I stood, leaning against the side of my house, staring at Vaughn, who was staring right back. I had managed to catch up to him and stop him before he left my property.

"What is it?" he said, a large hint of annoyance in his voice.

"What are you ticked about?" I asked, stepping away from my house.

"Julia," Vaughn said, rudely pointing to where his cousin was running towards us, her blonde hair flying everywhere. "She's always following me or annoying me..."

"That's no reason to scream," I said calmly. "Vaughn, you're twenty-four years old, for God's sake! Not three! I'm very sure you could have handled that better."

Vaughn grunted.

Julia was now standing beside me, panting like a dog. "Vaughn..." she managed to say. "I'm... I'm sorry."

Vaughn stared at her angrily, his eyes squinting.

"Vaughn..." I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. He didn't move; just continued staring at his cousin.

"V-Vaughn...?" Julia asked quietly. It was weird what one of Vaughn's death stares could do to you. "I really am sorry... I swear I won't follow you EVER again."

Vaughn looked her over. "How can I believe you?"

"Please, Vaughn," Julia said. "I don't know what I'd do if you were mad at me forever! Sure, we don't get along great and aren't particularly fond of each other, but you're my cousin and I love you."

Vaughn stiffened when she said "I love you". It seemed like those words were poison to him. Even from me.

"Please," Julia shuffled a bit closer to him. "Please forgive me,"

Vaughn didn't say a word; just stood there like a statue, thinking. Finally, he sighed. "Fine," he mumbled. "Just don't do it again!"

And with that, he walked away. Julia let out a deep breath.

"Thanks, Chels," she said, gratefully.

"For what?" I asked. For all I knew, I didn't do anything but stop the man from leaving.

Julia shrugged. "Just... thanks," she too then walked away, leaving me standing by the side of my house, the cold winter breeze blowing my hair everywhere.


Two days later, Vaughn left for the city, looking for another job. He hoped to get his old one back, but wasn't too sure on it. But he had been gone for two years... You never know.

The island felt empty with him gone. The fact that it was almost Starry Night didn't help, either. Everyone was getting ready, decorating their houses or cooking huge meals.

Vaughn promised he'd be back in time for Winter 25th, but as the day drew nearer, I became sceptical. Julia said that I could spend the holiday with her and Mirabelle, if I wanted.

"It is, after all, the season for friends and family," she had said with a smile. And since my family was in the city or... dead, I'd have to settle for friends.

Oh, poor Jill! She must be so lonely... she never was the best at making friends, and Grandma's the only family member she's got. I wish she could come visit, but none of us have the money for a boat ticket, especially now with everyone travelling.

Sighing, I leaned away from the cookbook I had been studying. I was trying to find a simple and delicious meal to cook for Starry Night... that is, if Vaughn comes back in time.

I picked up the book and continued flipping through the dozens of pages filled with recipes and too-good-to-be-true pictures of food. I scanned the titles and recipes, wondering if I had the right ingredients and skill for this recipe or that.

Suddenly, the pages ended. I had gone through the entire book, and not found a single thing good enough to cook. Maybe I should try learning some new recipes to add to my cookbook...

Jumping out of my chair, I practically threw the cookbook back onto the shelf and dashed for my coat. I ran out the door, nearly forgetting to close it.

As I ran through West Town, I heard Felicia call from the well where she and Mirabelle were talking.

"Don't run, Chelsea!" she said. "You're going to slip and fall on the ice!"

I waved and nodded, but just as I was about to start walking, a patch of ice appeared on the path in front of me, and I slipped.


Just as my head was about to hit the hard ground, someone wrapped their arms around my waist and pulled me up. I found myself staring into icy blue eyes, with silver hair falling messily into them.

At first I thought it had been Vaughn, before the fact triggered in my mind that Vaughn had PURPLE eyes, not blue. But this guy looked so much like Vaughn... it was actually kind of scary.

"Chelsea!" Mirabelle's shriek brought me out of my thoughts. "Oh my Goddess, are you ok, dear?"

The man who had saved me let go, and I stood up, making sure to stay away from the ice. "I-I'm fine," I said, still a little shaky and confused.

"Thank goodness," Felicia breathed. "I told you not to run! And look what happened; you almost fell on the ice!"

Felicia reminded me so much of my own mother. Grateful on minute, and scolding the other. I couldn't help but smile.

Mirabelle scooted over to the blue-eyed man that had saved me. "Thank you so much for saving Chelsea," she said.

The man smiled. "You're welcome," he said. "Is she your daughter?"

"No," Mirabelle laughed. "But sometimes I think of her like that. Chelsea's actually the local farmer."

I turned around and looked at the man. Just like Vaughn, he had shoulder-length silver hair and the same eyes, just blue. He was wearing a silver leopard print shirt, purple pants, and black shoes. A sly smile was plastered triumphantly across his face.

"Chelsea," he repeated. "What a beautiful name... I'm Skye." He held out his hand to me, and I quickly shook it. Something about this guy freaked me out...

"Uh, hi..." I said warily. "Um, thanks for saving me..."

"Of course," Skye said cheerily. "Anything to help a maiden in distress."

"Mom! Mom!" we all turned to see Julia running giddily up the path, with Vaughn in tow.

Ok, short A/N!

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