Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I'm back. I didn't expect it, but among other more important distractions, a wild Fullmetal Alchemist appeared and ruined my life. I kept thinking "I've got to keep wriiiiiiiiting D:" but Fullmetal was like "sshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Have another episode" And I was like "okay D;" But hey. My life got a little less hectic, and I've got it under control.

And holy wow, I'm surprised by the responses! Thanks so much breeeezy123, Cotton Candy Mareep, Accidentally The Whole Fanfic, CAPJHMPAgirl, and MikariStar for the reviews last chapter. Totally, crazy unexpected – but so grateful for the support. You guys are so nice! I'll work hard to continue and create a higher standard for the story. :D

(And since I was gone for so long, I'll try some speed updating. Yay!)

P.S. I'd like to apologize in advance for the terrible songs. Since I didn't want to use any real artists or songs for this story, I made up everything myself. Yeah, ouch. xD

Chapter Four

The tape stuck to her fingers, which stuck to the thin pink streamer paper, which stuck to the wood. Luna twitched her hand, but it was ineffective. She was soon furiously flailing her arms around in frustration at the top of the ladder.

"L-Luna! Careful!" Candace warned from below her, holding the steel ladder as steady as she could.

"Oh, fiddlesticks!" Luna grumbled, finally biting the tape off and freeing her hands. She swayed backwards, making her sister squeal with worry, before righting herself and anchoring the pink twist to the corner of the ceiling. "There! Done!"

"Hey, looks great!" Molly cheered, re-entering the bar. Hands on her hips, she looked around and took a deep breath of the humid, night air. The ceiling was covered in milkshake pink streamers in a spiral pattern, sort of like a spider with its body the center floor chandelier. Well, chandelier was a rather posh word for the rocking light fixture holding five dim bulbs. The tables along the sides of the door were covered in all sorts of sweet goodies she couldn't wait to try. Molly smiled at the progress they had made.

"Get those last chairs or get out of the way," Chase warned, teeth grit as he pushed a table her way.

"Oh!" Molly jumped out of the way and saluted him. She hurried to the last two chairs left on the dining floor and followed Chase outside with them, one under each arm as she struggled to hurry.

Kathy finished mopping the last of the floor where the tables and chairs used to be. The room looked much bigger with it so empty. She parted her bangs and leaned against the mop handle with a sigh. "I don't get why we have to clean before the party. People are just going to stomp in here and trash the place, and we're gonna have to clean up all over again."

Luna sniffed haughtily as she descended the ladder, careful to keep her skirts down. "Because, Kathy, people don't want to dance in dingy dirt. It's all about atmosphere!"

Kathy rolled her eyes, but she didn't bother retorting. Luna's patience was already rather low, so she wasn't about to push her over the edge before they could have any fun. But party planning and preparation was always a gas. She silently wished someone else was hosting, so they could just arrive, have their fun, and leave like everyone else.

"Phew!" Molly propped the last chair into place in the maze of tables on the cobblestones. She grinned at Chase. "All done… Hey, thanks for helping out. You really didn't have to."

"Like you idiots could do this on your own…" Chase grumbled. He pulled down the cuffs of his sleeves, looking down to hide his reddened face.

"Chase~!" A cheery voice echoed by the boardwalk.

Molly and Chase turned to see Maya hurrying over with a big smile and an even bigger bowl cradled carefully in her arms. Its contents sloshed as she came to a stop, her cute Mary-Janes clicking on the rocks.

"Hey, Maya!" Molly greeted with a wave. She fanned her shirt, already sweating from the work. She scanned the sunset and realized people would start arriving any minute now.

"Hey, Molly! Sorry I'm a bit early, but I just couldn't wait," Maya giggled with happiness. She showed the bowl to Chase. "Chase, I brought this for the party!"

"Did you make it?" Chase warily asked, peering under the saran wrap.

"Yeah," Maya pouted, dissatisfied with his tone. She pursed her lips as he critically examined it. "Why? Did I somehow not make punch right?"

"I'm sure it's great!" Molly quickly intervened, attempting to take the bowl from her. "Here, let's put it inside by the other drinks, okay?"

"We can't let her serve that!" Chase said, pointing at the fruit punch like it was a wild animal. It didn't look as bad as he was making it out to be – fresh pineapple and raspberry chunks floated at the top of the pink concoction, and it smelled very sweet. He gave Molly a withering look. "Everyone knows Maya can't cook."

"You don't have to cook fruit punch!" Maya argued, sticking her nose proudly in the air. "Hee-hee, even I know that~"

"She has a point," Molly shrugged.

Chase grumbled to himself, impulsively sticking his finger into the bowl while Maya screamed in protest about him 'contaminating' it. He tasted it, holding it in his mouth for a second while both girls watched nervously. Glowering, he crossed his arms and grunted. "It's watery, but it's passable…"

"Yay!" Maya burst. She nearly started clapping her hands in excitement but for the bowl between them. She allowed Molly to lead her inside, laughing in victory the whole way. "I told you so!"

Chase wiped his hands off on his pants, letting out a sigh. Everyone was always telling him how Molly and Maya were so similar, but he didn't see it. Maybe it was because he knew Maya longer. Whatever the case, whenever the two were together, he'd find himself grumpier than usual…

These thoughts were short lived. He quickly turned away when another person exited the bar and replaced their company.

Whistling innocently, Kathy leaned against the wall with her hands behind her back. She didn't say anything, but her lips betrayed her need to smile. Instead, she continued to chitter her nameless tune.

"Just come out to whistle at me? How annoying…" Chase said, sitting on one of the many tabletops.

Kathy whistled a particularly high note that lingered. She quieted, studying him from afar.

Chase wasn't sure what was coming, but her piercing green eyes were making him uncomfortable. That was something very off-putting about Kathy. She was warm and radiant and friendly, but her eyes always looked severe in whatever she did. He was glad she wasn't often angry. He'd be more scared of her than he already was.

"Aren't you going to do anything?"

He looked up, gripping the table with his palms. "What?"

"Tonight," Kathy shrugged. She looked up at the dark spots of sky that were already letting stars poke through. The gentle lap of the saltwater in the bay made for constant noise, but it didn't help the awkward silence between them. She sighed. "It's as good an opportunity as any."

"Yeah, thanks; I'll mull it over," Chase hopped off the table and quickly tried to pass her by into the bar.

Kathy snatched his sleeve, making him jump. She gave him a warm, encouraging smile. "Seriously, relax! Give yourself a little credit."

Chase almost smiled back. But Kathy continued.

"And quit frowning all the time. Molly likes a man that smiles!"

His scowl deepened as he brushed her off. "Eh…! Just leave me alone…"

Kathy smirked and patted him hard on the back. "'Atta boy!"

Chase's face turned red as he staggered forward into the bright, echoing room. Before anyone could ask what was going on, Kathy was shouting greetings. She whirled in behind Chase with a smile. "Hey, people are coming! Party's on!"

In an awkward turn of events, Luke and Owen were the first to arrive after Maya. After more guests arrived, everyone shouted a lackluster 'surprise' for him. Due to the strange circumstances, the girls actually wound up surprising Owen for his birthday after all.

The bar felt more crowded than it was. Or maybe not. There were people Molly didn't recognize, probably vacationers or wanderers staying at the inn. Whatever the case, the room was packed wall to wall with people.

Molly wound her way through expert dancers like Selena and good-spirited jokes like Luke. The music was way too loud, and the bass was deafening. She wasn't actually sure if there were any lyrics. She wasn't certain if she should just give in and jump around like a maniac or stand there like she was and try and pinpoint a melody.

The latter idea was getting her tossed and knocked around like a buoy, so Molly was making a quick escape. She thought for a split second she saw Luna in the sea of bodies, but she had to have been mistaken. Luna would never be having so much fun in this 'atmosphere.' Speaking of, the raucous below had weakened the streamers. They were torn by rushes of air from outside and the dance floor, and they were hanging down in places. Molly supposed this was the craziest little Castanet would get.

"Hey!" Molly was surprised she heard the voice over the roar, but she didn't have time to think much on it before both of her arms were swept up and she was violently spun around. Kathy laughed as she watched her friend droop like a rag doll. "Where's your energy?!"

Molly held her rattled head and smiled. She tried to shout over the noise, but the song changed to an even louder one with a heavy guitar opening. "I left it outside!"

"Who's outside?" Kathy asked, performing a quick round of the chicken dance.

Molly laughed at her antics, pointing at the door.

A quick survey of the room told Kathy a certain person was missing. She smiled devilishly and took Molly by the hand again. "To the rescue, baby doll!"

The young farmer was yanked along through the dancers to the door. With a shove, Molly found herself in the clear. She turned around to thank her friend, but she was already lost.

Molly wandered outside into the fresh air, taking in a deep breath of it. It felt clean. Out here, the street lights glowed where moths and mosquitos and gnats threw themselves against their frosted glass. It would have been darker, but the moon was waxing over half full, illuminating the ocean's rippling tides.

Most of the tables were vacated, but there were plenty of groups to jump into. Calvin was lounging with a glass of brandy in front of him. He was talking animatedly with the doctor, young Jin, who Molly wouldn't admit she was attracted to despite being one of his clients like the rest of the little town. Anissa, the humble homebody, was sitting with them, listening with interest to their conversation and putting in her two cents about remedies whenever she could.

The other table seemed a little more her speed, so Molly approached Candace and Phoebe. Phoebe had a plate of food, seemingly sampling a wide array of different things, whereas Candace had one cup of diminishing pudding. Both girls looked up when she greeted them.

"I feel like my ears should be ringing," Molly joked, sitting down beside Candace and holding her hands over her ears. "How are you guys?"

"I'm not one for many sweets, but this food is great," Phoebe admitted, poking a cube of gelatin with her fork. "Did you guys hire a caterer?"

"Sort of!" Molly giggled. She subconsciously looked around, but she didn't spot him in the immediate vicinity. "Chase made most of the food tonight. We all helped where we could, but you know how he is. But I guess it was for the best if it turned out so great!"

Phoebe nodded, pushing her red rimmed glasses up her nose. "I definitely need to get the recipe for the toffee bar. Is that what it is?"

"Oh, Kathy made that!" Molly said. She felt Candace sinking beside her. "It's one of her mother's recipes."

"Oh…" Phoebe thought, biting a nail. "I'd hate to ask her, then. If it's special…"

"I don't think she'd mind. Hey, did you try the strawberry pretzel dessert?" Molly attempted to wheel the subject around.

Phoebe shook her head. "No, I didn't see it."

"I highly recommend it!" Molly giggled.

The green haired archaeologist shrugged and stood. She gave them both a smile. "Guess I'd better investigate! Thanks for the chat, Candace. You'll have to show me that new rucksack next time I'm in town."

"Oh, of course…" Candace nodded, perking up a bit.

"See you later!" Molly waved as Phoebe left with her empty plate. She watched her go until Phoebe disappeared back into the bar before turning to Candace with a wink. "Don't tell Kathy, but I always preferred your mom's strawberry pretzel thing~"

"Thanks… for…" Candace mumbled. Molly was mystified how she could be so embarrassed from little things, but how she finished surprised her. "Including me…"

"Including you?" Molly asked, propping her elbows up on the table. She gave her friend a sideways, appraising glance. "Candace, everyone knows you're quiet. You know you're quiet, right?"

"Y-yes?" She wasn't sure where her friend was going.

"But we won't just forget about you," Molly promised. "Besides, quiet people are the most interesting people to be heard! What would we do if we were all screaming at Luke's decibel? No one would hear anything."

Candace chuckled behind her hand. She clicked her shoes together. Though some of the residents had gussied up for the party like her sister Luna in all her frills and bows, Candace just wore her usual tweeds. The cardigan sweater was a bit warm for the evening, so she just had her blouse. It still made her feel exposed. She was glad Kathy and Molly hadn't bothered dressing up either. "I guess I'm just… tired…"

Molly turned to face her blue haired beauty of a friend. Even after all of the years they had known each other, Candace rarely looked people in the eye. Candace glanced up for a moment, her baby blues connecting with Molly's. "Of?"

"It sounds silly…" Candace fiddled with the table cloth. "Just… being a wallflower…"

Molly sat back in her chair, folding her arms over her torso and kicking her feet out in front of her like Candace was. "My mother used to say something to me whenever I wasn't asked for a dance."

It was rare for Molly to talk about her parents. Candace listened with quiet unease.

"She'd say: 'Without you standing there on the sidelines, the walls would come crashing down. You're a superhero!'" Molly giggled after the memory, staring up at the endless ceiling above them. She turned back to her friend. "She was good at cheering me up, but it was ridiculous what she said. It still sucks."

Candace nodded ruefully. She plucked a loose string from the table cloth, twisting it around her finger.

"But, hey. The only reason you're holding up the walls is because you want to. The best way to get out is to get up," Molly was playfully nudging Candace at this point. "So what do you say? Wanna dance with me?"

Candace shook her head. Her protests increased as she started to laugh, pushing her friend away from her as Molly started to poke and tickle her. "No! No, I don't want to dance!"

"Aw! But I was just about to ask you!"

The new voice made both girls jump. Luna was breathing heavily, sweat sticking her bangs to her forehead, but she was smiling brightly. What was more shocking was the person she was clinging to.

"You guys know it's a party, right?" Luke grinned, rubbing his nose. His arm found its way around Luna's waist, holding her close to him.

"Ahem!" Luna took one look at his tan hand with the fingerless glove and snorted. She brushed him off, giving him a reprimanding glare. "I'm not that drunk."

It was obvious they were both tipsy, regardless of her protests. Luke was unphased by her rejection, still smiling like a goof. He posed gallantly with a fist in the air. "So what are we doin' out here for? Let's go dance!"

"Come on, Candace," Luna said, trying to persuade her sister by leaning over to her level. "It's not so bad! Kathy's with us. You'll be fine!"

"Oh… I-I don't know…" Candace poked the spoon stuck in her pudding cup, avoiding all eye contact.

"You're no fun!" Luna goaded, pulling on her sister's arms to try to get her to stand. Candace pulled back, nervously retracting in on herself. The scuffle knocked the table and upset her unfinished cup of pudding.

"I beg to differ!" Molly argued, quickly rising to Candace's defense. "Come on, you guys can't just make her do something she doesn't want to do."

Luke cocked a sly expression that Molly was immediately afraid of. He took it as a challenge. "We'll see about that!"

Candace let out a shriek, hands shielding her rosy red face as Luke laughingly picked her up and slung her over his shoulder easy as a sack of grain. The poor girl was immediately limp. Molly stood from her seat and made her way around the table, torn between concern for Candace and giggling at what she had gotten into.

"Luke, put her down! You big brute!" Luna suddenly turned against him, pounding on his shoulder with both fists like a child.

"Hey, Molly, you coming or what? I've still got a free shoulder," Luke asked, somewhat lacing in a threat.

Molly shrunk away, suddenly spotting a familiar silhouette in the distance. A smile stretching across her face, she held up her hands in surrender. "I obviously can't fight you, but would you take a rain check? I'll be there in five seconds!"

"You better be!" Luna's mood swung again, so she was on Luke's side once more. She patted Candace's head, skipping back towards the bar. "Come on, Candace! We'll teach you!"

"I'm an expert!" Luke assured, following after the flouncy, pink haired troublemaker with her sister in tow.

"Sorry…!" Molly mouthed with a small wave. Spinning on her heel, she turned back to the one person she hadn't seen all night.

Chase was sitting on the stone ledge where the road ended and the water began. The nearest street light was far enough away to make the area dim. Molly's farm boots tapped against the stones as she tried to quietly approach.

"What's the matter? Aren't you a party person?" Molly asked, lifting the chain rail over her head and sneaking under. She eyed the spot next to him before plopping down and swinging her legs out over the water.

"Are you?" Chase countered, watching the tides hit the wall below them.

Molly scrunched her nose in thought. "I'm not sure. I like the thrill and atmosphere where there are lots of people, but I always get this uneasy feeling right in the pit of my stomach. Like something terrible is going to happen if I don't leave as fast as I can."

Though she was hoping for an introspective response, Chase replied with a muttered: "Weird."

Molly's grin quirked up as she stared out over the sea. Pascal's lone ferry was in the harbor, and the lights inside were all on. With the lighthouse and the Fishery alight, too, the whole bay was glowing under the eerie calm of the moon. She took a deep breath of the salty air and looked out over the waves where the sky turned blacker and visibility was lost. "You know, I bet you're right. They have cable channels for everything – even hockey. It won't be hard for you to get a cooking show. You just need to get over there somehow."

Chase cocked his head to the side, still not looking at her. Though his face was increasingly tinging with a blush as he spoke. "It's 10,000G."

"What?" Molly asked, her head turning so fast her shoulder length hair bounced comically.

"I looked it up," Chase said. "A boat ticket to get across is 10,000G."

"Wow," she mumbled.

"Not including luggage charges."

Molly just whistled.

Chase brought up his legs, tucking his knees up and resting his arms over them as a sharp breeze blew by. Molly shuddered at the sudden chill. He squinted at the horizon. "And it's what? A twelve hour trip?"

Molly clapped the dust off her hands, making him jump from the noise. She whacked his shoulder. "Well, you'll just have to save up! It's not that bad. Of course, you'll need extra money to live off of in the city. And I bet that gets expensive fast since their prices are inevitably higher than ours… But you can do it!"

"I'll need a lot of money if…" Chase trailed off, his voice muffled by his elbows.

"Huh?" The oblivious girl asked.

"I don't know…" he remained stubborn.

"But what did you say?"

"You're going with me!" He nearly shouted in an effort to get it out. During the silence, Chase mustered up the courage to look her in the eye for a reaction. Unnerving him further, Molly was smiling sweetly as always.

"Of course I'm going with you!" Molly laughed. "Though I'll have to do something about Lil since I can't exactly run a farm across the ocean… I bet Renee would help me out. I mean, she'll have to. Someone has to be the biggest fan of your show."

Chase stared. Did she… actually…?

"Hey, what's taking so long? Do you need a lift?!" A booming voice made Molly squeak in fear.

She quickly lifted her legs and stood, brushing off her jean shorts. "No! Coming!"

Chase's heart sunk like a rock watching Molly run off to be with what looked like her date, the idiot carpenter. While he was trying to sort out exactly what was happening, Molly was shouting back at him going unheard.

Molly stopped waving for Chase to come over and turned to Luke with a sigh. "Can't exactly pick him up, can ya?"

"Chase?" He asked, his large amber eyes blinking from the drinks.

"Good God, come on!" Luna whined, yanking on Molly's arm with a laugh. "We're burning moonlight!"

Molly motioned for Chase to follow her one last time before she gave up and waved, hurrying inside the bar with Luna and Luke.

The first thing Molly saw upon entering the yellow lighted room were Kathy and Candace. Kathy had a hold of both of Candace's wrists and was swaying her from side to side. Hayden, Kathy's kind father, had the good sense to turn down the music some time ago to a more bearable beat. As more people left for food and a break from dancing, the room wasn't as scarily crowded anymore.

Molly chuckled upon seeing her friends, hands going to her hips. "What are you doing?"

"Just a gentle sway," Kathy coached. Candace was smiling, glad to be with a calm partner. "We are boats on the sea!"

"I thought I had dibs on Candace," Molly argued. She still needed to shout over the lyrics of a country rock song of some kind.

"Get your own Candace!" Kathy stuck out her tongue and slowly twirled underneath Candace's floppy arm.

She shook her head and peered past them. The short step stage was empty but for some of the instruments left behind from their regular use at the bar. Then there was the empty karaoke machine.

Molly's eyes lit up, suddenly possessed to give it a try. She hurled herself through Candace and Kathy, grabbing both of their arms in the process.

"Molly, what the hell?!" Kathy scolded, trying to break away. "This is no time to play Red Rover!"

"Let's siiiiiing!" Molly pulled her friends closer to the stage, using all of her weight. Kathy shrugged and suddenly became a force with Molly to get Candace to go along with them.

They swept by Maya and Julius who were creatively cutting the rug together. Candace was looking around like she'd find an escape hatch. She violently shook her head. "B-but I don't sing! I can't!"

"Oh, don't be silly! I'm sure your voice is as lovely and airy as you are~" Molly tried to convince her with charm and flattery.

"Like the tolling church bells on the hill!" Kathy declared like a true Southern Belle.

"Did you guys say sing?" Luna garbled, pushing Luke away from her and following after her poor, peer pressured sister.

"Yeah! Come on, Luna!" Molly encouraged as they finally hopped up onto the stage.

"Please. I'm a natural," she insisted, tightening one of her frizzed pigtails.

"Yeah, you go!" Luke cheered for her, spinning off in another misguided direction.

Kathy fought the microphone away from Luna before she could hurt herself with it and switched on the boxed stereo on the floor. Candace was trembling next to Molly, using the brunette as a shield from the karaoke machine.

"Candace, it's okay," Molly comforted, prying the girl's iron-like grip of her hands off of her tank top. "No one's even watching! It'll be fun; I promise!"

Though the girl with the twin braids looked very doubtful, she tagged along. True to Molly's prediction, no one was watching their production on the stage, and they wouldn't be able to hear it over the roaring rock ballad playing through the bar's loud speakers anyway.

Kathy looked up at Molly where she was kneeling in front of the machine. "Okay, song choices? Ideas?"

"Anything!" Luna snatched back the microphone with confidence.

"Something we can all just goof around with," Molly said.

"A title would be great," Kathy grumbled, peering through the large selection of instrumentals.

"I wish we had some Mikhail songs," Molly sighed dreamily, now leaning on Kathy's shoulder to see the songs she was skipping.

"You can't sing along with violin pieces, you groupie!" Luna gave Molly a playful shove.

Molly blanched at her friends' teasing, but she figured it was well-deserved since she made her crush on the musician so evident. She couldn't help but wonder if the city across the ocean was a place Mikhail would visit. If he performed concerts there…

"That one!" Molly suddenly screeched, leaning over Kathy and pressing the play button.

"Yay! So fun~!" Luna clapped as the cutesy chords spilled out of the lone stereo.

"Yeah, fun when we were eleven, maybe," Kathy rolled her eyes. "This song drives me crazy!"

"Come on, Candace, you know this!" Molly said. Luna was halfway through the first verse already, surprising everyone with how well she remembered the lyrics as she wobbled off balance.

Candace bit her lip. She couldn't honestly say she was having a good time singing or dancing on a stage, but she was with the people she cared about the most. And that somehow not only made it bearable, but it sparked a sense of security inside. She nodded her head.

"Great!" Molly clapped, swinging Candace around. Kathy caught the girl's other shoulder and pulled Luna in close, so they could all share the microphone.

"Baby, bubblegum hop!
That's the way you do it – pop!
Oh, come move it for me,
Everything you do is tasty!"

Whether by coincidence or sheer luck, none of their peers were listening as the four girls belted out the cute classic from their childhood. They missed some lyrics and laughed especially at others, realizing as they were older that it wasn't as innocent as it used to sound. Candace was quiet as a dormouse, Kathy and Molly could keep up with each other despite their lack of harmony, and Luna was terribly off pitch. And it was fun.

Packed in a room that was swirling with hot air and a mismatched tune blaring over their candy shop song, the girls twirled and danced around with each other on the corner stage. Though it was strange and completely new, Molly could feel in her bones that it was right. And they would need to do this again.