Wah, we're finally in double digits! If you guys knew how long this is going to be, I'm almost afraid you'd hit the road. xD But don't worry! I finish everything I start, so it'll get done no matter what. NO MATTER WHAT (here's looking at you, Survivor).

Many thanks to MikariStar, CAPJHMPAgirl, Swag Giraffe, and XxTinyyxX for reviewing last chapter! I tried to write this as fast as I could with all I have going on, and I hope the next update comes even sooner. You guys are great; thanks for reading!

Also, an extra special thank you to the latest reviewer: Honestly. I'd love to see your song! I've got plenty written already, but I'd love to be able to include your song; it's so sweet of you to offer it for the story! I'd be more than glad to find a place for it. PM me any time! (That also goes to anyone else!)

Chapter Ten

A nasty tug on the leash didn't bother Molly. She gripped the leather tighter and pulled towards herself, her free hand resting under her chin as she leaned against the railing. The zebra in front of her swished its tail and refused to face the onlookers who had come to see him.

Tucker pulled, clawing at the stones that made up the mosaic of the church plaza. His panting attempts to crawl closer to the lion went unheeded by his owner, so he whined pathetically. When that wasn't well received, he sat down in a pout.

"Molly, what are you doing?" Kathy tackled her shoulder, pressing all of her weight into it to get her friend's attention.

"Ow, what?!" Molly complained. She stood up straight and allowed herself to be carted off.

"Luna wants to get a good picture of the four of us," Kathy explained with a good-humored smirk. "She's got something in her head about building a portfolio or something or other for the booklet in our album."

"Album?! We've only got the one song!" Molly laughed. She whistled lightly, and Tucker perked up his ears. "Come on, boy! We better do what she wants."

The seasonal circus was in full swing. Villagers were all over the place like ants and were snapping pictures and oohing and ahing at the selection of exotic animals on display. Some of the critters performed exciting, eye-catching tricks which would always end in wondered applause, but the circus favorite was the regular lemur. Everyone in Harmonica Town knew his name was Lynn, and all of the children loved to chase the poor guy relentlessly. It was all in good fun, and Molly remembered chasing the free-roaming creature in her own time, but the lemur had become skittish over the years of abuse. Now, if anyone so much as approached to get a picture, Lynn would go flying across the plaza squeaking for his life with his ringed tail held high over his head.

Reggie was Molly's favorite, and she hung around his exhibit every time the circus came into town. He was a mild-mannered yet incredibly shy zebra. Whenever he turned warily to see Molly still there staring at him with those big, baleful eyes of his, her heart would just melt for him. She hoped that one day, he'd approach her, and her dedication to see him would finally be rewarded. And everyone would be super jealous.

Of course, Tucker's favorite was the lion Leopold. Every single time, Molly would have to keep him away from the pen or else Tucker would try to get too close. She almost never leashed Tucker, but for the circus, it was a given. One year Molly was scared stiff when her dog had managed to break his leash and put his paws against the bars, tongue lolling and friendly smile all ready and waiting for the feline's massive jaws. The ringmaster Theodore, who patrolled the circus grounds, helped get Tucker to safety, but ever since, Molly kept him close with an especially strong hold.

Another patrolling the circus was the mayor's son, Gill. Every circus, he'd track down Molly and try to kick her out since 'dog's weren't allowed,' but she'd insist Tucker meant no harm, and he enjoyed seeing the animals as much as anyone else. Reasoning with someone as stubborn with the rules as Gill, though, was pointless. So Molly grew accustomed to hiding from him every time the circus came to town.

"Okay, smile! Ah – wait! Get between us! Your face is getting cut off by Candace's hair," Luna turned and scolded her friends, physically moving them into position for the 100G shot she paid for. She pushed her sister, who took no offense, and pulled Molly forward. "You in front, for goodness' sake; you're shorter than Kathy."

"Aw, you're just trying to get closer to me," Molly feigned a dramatic pose.

"You'd wish!" Luna turned up her nose, folding her arms smartly across her torso.

"Will ya quit the taco fest? Simon's waiting to snap the picture," Kathy shut them up with her quip.

Barbara's husband, sheepish Simon, was looking pale as he watched the girls struggle in front of him. He nervously held his camera up for the photo, looking doubtful if they'd ever be ready. "Girls? Remember to say: 'cheese!'"

"Gouda!" Molly grinned, gripping Tucker's leash as he gave an unexpected jerk.

Flash! Candace blinked, Molly's eyes were on Tucker, one of Kathy's eyes was half-lidded, and Luna was standing up straight with her hands folded and looking much too pristine. She wrinkled her nose at the Polaroid she received, grumbling in frustration. "I can't believe I paid 100G for this! You guys owe me a retake!"

"I think it's cute…" Candace tried to reassure her sister, but it only got her a glare. Not even Candace could fake sincerity with such a monstrous turnout.

"What's this photo series Kathy was talking about? You collecting pictures of us for our band?" Molly asked, reeling Tucker back to her side.

The girls got out of the way so Anissa and Jin could have a picture together. Luna puffed at her bangs in exasperation. "Yeah, I don't know… I just think it'd be a good idea to have some shots ready. Maybe make posters?"

"Ooo, that's a great idea!" Molly beamed.

It had been weeks, and the girls were improving. They had their song mastered. There were some goofs whenever they tried to experiment, but it was all a part of the learning process. And Hayden didn't cover his ears anymore when they played. Kathy and Candace were naturals, and even Luna was quickly catching on. Molly was getting better, but she still had loads of room for improvement. She had grown to practicing with her voice so much that her farm was getting the backburner. She only had one lousy eggplant to submit for the Harvest Festival this year.

"But what do we need posters for?" Kathy interjected, ruffling the thick fur atop Tucker's head and bobbing his floppy ear. "Sure, we've been practicing, but Papa's the only gig we got. And I feel like the patrons are getting few and far between the days we show up."

"Well, yeah, they're sick of the same song," Luna put her hands on her hips. She quickly turned to Molly in apology. "I mean, it's a great song! You know, it's just…"

"We need more," Molly agreed, biting her lip. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I know, it's just… I haven't had any good ideas lately. Nothing's clicked."

"It'll be fine," Candace said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "We can help you… right? What do you have started?"

Candace's support was so sweet, but Molly didn't have an answer for her. No one seemed to understand that Molly really didn't have anything. She wrote one song, sure, but they didn't grow on trees, and whatever muse Molly had all but vanished once the leaves started to fall. She knew what the trouble was, but she wasn't willing to admit how much she needed Chase to help her out… since she had been successfully avoiding him at all costs for nearly three weeks.

"Hey! Molly!" The cold voice startled the brunette. Gill was quickly marching over with a tired glower. "Really? Every time? How many times do I have to tell you – no dog's allowed during the circus!"

"Ah, it's the hall monitor!" Kathy greeted sarcastically with a wave.

"Gotta jet," Molly saluted to her friends. She whistled, and Tucker flew into step beside his master. He loved a good chase, and running from Gill was always an adventure. The two almost immediately disappeared in the crowds of people, the blond boy hot on their trail yelling warnings of a fine.

Luna pulled at the red cuffs of her coat and sighed. "Am I the only one feeling like we're going nowhere fast?"

Candace tentatively shook her head as she buttoned up her cardigan against an especially chilly breeze. "Maybe not nowhere… I think it's fun. Don't you?"

"Sure, it's great," Luna chuckled with her hands in her pockets.

"Just losing the point?" Kathy nodded knowingly.

Candace looked between their faces in panic. She quickly dived forward and pinched each of their arms. "N-none of that, you guys! You can't give up now!"

"I never said that!" Luna argued.

"Hey, I'm doing this for Molly," Kathy said, rubbing the spot Candace had gotten her through her jacket. "It's all she ever talks about these days… it's good for her. I'm not about to tear her off cloud nine because I'm bored without ambitions."

Luna grunted the affirmative, but the worried look didn't leave Candace's face. She tugged at her sister's sleeve. "I'm sure it'll get better… We'll find a way to… to make it useful."

"Fat chance," her sister scoffed.

Just at that moment, a figure called out to them. The girls didn't hear over the commotion of the giraffe being brought forward to catch hula hoops around her neck in her usual routine, so he pushed through the masses and fell into Luna. "I've been all over this stupid place looking for you!"

"Chase?" Kathy's eyes widened. She instinctively scanned the immediate area for her friend, but Molly wasn't in sight. She grinned. "What's up?"

Chase shrugged the scarf over his shoulder and rolled his eyes as Luna brushed at her sleeve where he had touched her. "The least you could do is wear matching colors or something. You guys look like everyone else."

"Well, I don't see you wearing any statement pieces!" Luna snapped. She roughly adjusted the headband on her head and pointedly glared at him. "Talk."

"You really ought to be nicer to me," Chase crossed his arms, sending his own impressive glower her way. "I don't see you running around helping people out of the goodness of your heart."

"Goodness of your heart?" Candace giggled, surprising them all. Luna and Kathy burst into laughter, making Chase's face darken.

"H-hey! Will you just listen?!" He shouted above them. "Where's Molly?"

Kathy took a deep breath and shrugged as casually as she possibly could. "Eh, I don't know. She was around with Tucker not too long ago."

"She really should be around to hear this, but…" Chase rubbed the back of his head, checking the vicinity anyways for a brown bob. "I think I got you guys a gig."

"A what?" Candace gasped.

"No way!" Kathy squealed.

"You think?" Luna challenged.

Chase slouched, but he couldn't hide the proud smile. "Yeah, I called in a favor with Gill… He talked to his dad, and he said you guys could play at the Harvest Festival."

Kathy squished him into a headlock and furiously ruffled his hair with her fist. "You little go-getter! I could squeeze you to death!"

"Th-there's a condition!" Chase quickly choked out, desperate to free himself. "It's unpaid!"

"Oh, well… that's a deal breaker," Luna stuck out her tongue.

Chase managed to escape Kathy and moodily started fixing his hair he had styled to look un-styled. He huffed and shoved his hands into his coat pockets. "But, hey, at least it's a gig, right? You guys could use a little attention. I heard you practice at the bar, and you're not half bad."

"Gee, thanks," Luna sniffed, primping one of her pigtails. "We were looking for your approval – ow!"

Having smacked Luna upside the head, Kathy smiled sweetly at Chase. "We'll take it. Seriously, it's awesome. Thank you."

"Right," he nodded. He gave a suspicious glance to Candace, wondering if she'd pop up with any more surprises. She just cowered closer to her sister. Chase sighed. "Okay, great. I'll let him know you're in."

"Thanks again, Chase!" Kathy waved him off as he turned his back on them.

"Th-thank you!" Candace piped up with a friendly wave.

Chase suddenly whirled around, pointing threateningly at Kathy. "And I didn't do this for Molly. You tell her that. Okay?"

"Sure, sure…" Kathy smirked and shifted her weight into her hip.

"Seriously," he repeated, his face becoming more downcast. "Tell her…"

After he disappeared, Luna gave Kathy a wry look. "Everyone's so hush-hush about it, but good gracious, she must've really torn his little heart to pieces!"

"Hey, he's just being a good guy," Kathy defended him as she made for the exit. She shrugged with her hands in her pockets, her jacket opening as she did so. "And it's not like you can force anyone together!"

"Maybe you can't…" Luna bragged under her breath.

"Luna, you really shouldn't interfere…" Candace said all too knowingly. When her sister had gotten it in her head a couple of years ago that she should date one of their friends, Julius, it was one rocky roller coaster of humiliation for everyone involved. No one left unscathed from that affair, and Candace couldn't let Luna loose to repeat those same matchmaking shenanigans with Molly.

"Fine, fine!" Luna grumbled, skipping up to trail after Kathy. Candace hurried to follow them. "So when's our next practice? We're going to need to do something big for the Harvest Festival."

"We'll figure something out," Kathy shrugged.

"Will we have to write another song before then?" Candace asked, looking worried. "I d-don't know if we could perfect it in time…"

Kathy suddenly stopped and turned to her friends. They were a group, so why were they hanging on her for a decision? Without Molly around, she was the appointed leader by the default. Kathy wasn't sure how she felt about that, and she bit her lip. Her eyes caught her target, making her smile with excitement. "We can go over it later when it's all four of us, okay? I don't see the harm in singin' 'Just You' at the festival anyways, since the only people who are sick of it are a bunch of grumpy old men at the bar. No one else has heard it, so we'll be just fine. Now… if you'll excuse me, gals…"

Luna huffed in annoyance as she watched Kathy jog over to meet Owen. He properly picked her up and spun her around as she laughed and scolded him, and the two giggled disgustingly with each other. Luna shook her head, her arms crossed so high that they were almost under her chin. "How rude! She just totally ditched us! And they're so gross and mushy; I'm gonna throw up."

"Luna…" Candace reprimanded with a sweet smile. "You should leave her be… It's her first boyfriend and all…"

"It doesn't make it any less rude," she insisted. "We've got to plan for our first and only gig!"

"Heeeeeeey! Lunaaaaaaaa!"

"Oh, God…" Luna held a hand over her eyes as Candace giggled.

Luke was smiling broadly as he ran to the pair and stopped. His eyes were sparkling from the excitement of the circus and seeing his favorite girl. He held up a hand like he was expecting a high-five. "Luna, Candace – how's it going?"

"We're quite fine, thank you," Luna replied testily. Ever since the Moon Festival, she hadn't been able to get Luke to leave her alone. She couldn't decide if the attention was good or not as of yet, but currently, she was feeling annoyed and smothered. She took Candace's hand and pulled her towards the stairs. "Actually, we were just leaving."

"Aw, but the hippo hasn't done a barrel roll yet!" Luke whined. He trailed merrily after them. "Couldn't you stay for the barrel roll?"

"No," she said shortly.

Luke hopped down the stairs and cut them off. Candace gave a wary glance to her sister, monitoring her temper. Luna steadily glared ahead, but she was keeping her cool. The carpenter stood on his tip toes and studied her face. "Hey, are you cold? Your face is all flushed up."

"Ugh! Lies!" Luna's voice rose to the challenge, kicking on the rant mode as she held her offending blush. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing? How ungentlemanly! Candace – we're leaving!"

Luna rudely shoved past him, and poor Candace gave him the best sympathetic look she could muster as they quickly left the church grounds. Luke stared after them, confused as to what set her off. He smiled anyways. "Hey, call me!"

"When you learn how to treat a lady, I might, but since that'll never happen – don't wait up for it!" Luna shouted over her shoulder and stomped down the last of the steps.

"Phew, I think we've lost him, buddy," Molly let out a relieved sigh.

Tucker sat happily with his tongue hanging out next to the girl hiding behind the trash can. They were behind a storage cart near the giraffe exhibit, and Eunice was doing a good job of pretending they weren't there.

Molly peeked over the trash can to look over the crowds, and Gill was nowhere in sight. She settled back down and leaned against it, stroking Tucker's thick white fur. "We better stick around a little longer… just to be safe."

The fluffy dog settled down with a light whine, upset he was missing the action but unable to do much about it. Molly absent-mindedly scratched the tuffs around his neck and collar and frowned. The trees above her had no more green in their leaves, and the chill in the air was threatening winter. Winter already! She needed to collect more firewood, get her stagnant winter crops going, stock up on fodder for Lil, fix up Tucker's dog house, and somehow keep up with the band.

"What have I gotten myself into?" Molly ruefully smiled. She desperately tried to find a melody, a new one, so she wouldn't disappoint her friends. All she could hum were popular songs and old tunes everyone and their mother would know she plagiarized. She huffed at her bangs.

Tucker unexpectedly leapt up and yanked Molly forward. With a yelp, Molly was forced forward and landed on her stomach. She pulled at Tucker's leash to bring him back, but when she looked up, she saw his tail furiously wagging as he repeatedly jumped to greet someone.

"Oh…" Molly mumbled, trying to fix herself. She scrambled to her feet and awkwardly stood very straight. She allowed Tucker to say his hellos before gently pulling him back so he wouldn't stifle him. "Hi."

"What are you doing back here?" Chase asked, wrinkling his nose slightly in annoyed perplexity.

Molly looked around dumbly. "Uh. We were hiding. From Gill."

Chase followed the hand she pointed with and nodded. He clicked his tongue. "Right."

She couldn't stop dreaming about it. The dream that wasn't a dream but a memory. It was never very monumental to her at any other point in her life, but all of the sudden, it seemed her emotional existence revolved around this one moment. When Molly was a crying girl on some cold steps, and then someone had appeared. Someone she didn't necessarily expect. But she was sure now that if Chase hadn't shown up at that moment, Molly wouldn't be the same person standing there in front of him today. If he hadn't immediately started picking up the pieces…

Molly visibly gulped and avoided his eyes. She pulled at the back of her hair. "Well, uh, it looks like he's gone and… so… I'll just be going, too."

"Have you talked to Kathy?" Chase asked, keeping his cool much better than she was.

Molly wondered how he wasn't feeling so awkward. Then again, maybe he had tact enough to hide it. She scrunched her brow at his question, catching it late. "Huh? Kathy?"

"Yeah, we've been looking all over for you," he shrugged, lying only a little to save himself. Now that Molly had met his gaze, he was the one looking away. She was just… staring…! What was she looking at?! "Maybe she should just tell you. Talk to her, okay?"

Molly noticed the first place he started to blush was the tip of his nose. It seemed to spread like a contagion the worse it got to his cheeks all the way up his ears. Now that she was trying her best to really see, Chase had a pretty flawless face. There weren't any freckles or beauty marks or any of the things that usually clutter up faces. It really made his eyes seem all the larger. And it was a bit strange, but he had a nice chin. A really nice chin.

"Okay?!" Chase grumbled, waiting for an answer after what felt like forever under her off putting scrutiny.

"Okay…" she answered rather dreamily with a slow nod of her head. When Molly realized she was making him uncomfortable, she too was put on edge again, and she flushed. "Er – right! Okay, see you around… I guess…"

Molly left in a rush, tugging Tucker along who still wanted to play with their old friend. She was a little embarrassed she was acting like such an idiot, but she couldn't deny the lyrics suddenly floating through her head. Only from a few short seconds with him, and she was already singing a song…

His eyes on me… I'm going crazy!