O...M...G... I'm alive! And I have a really short chapter! *GASP*

You guys are so, so, so sweet for reviewing! And for sticking it through this month-and-half or so! I'm thinking that the next chapters are coming in December.

DECEMBER IS WHEN IT CONTINUES. PM me for more details.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon.

Cold. Freezing cold. My legs felt like ice cubes.

I felt around for my comforter, but it was gone. My sheets were gone, too. And so were my pants.

I shot up, instinctively covering my bare thighs. Glancing around, I found my overalls on the floor next to my bedding in a heap. I chuckled at my own stupidity. I had been too tired to change my clothes the night before, and that's why I was only in underwear.

I got up, still amused, and pulled open my dresser drawer. After selecting my favorite pair of jeans and a tight –but so comfortable- pink long-sleeved shirt, I pulled on my fuzzy red socks. Oh, I loved those socks. I put a blueberry bagel in my toaster and plopped down on my couch.

Today, I was going to enjoy myself even if it killed me.

I grabbed a pen and scrap of paper off my coffee table and decided to make a list of what I wanted to do today. I tapped the pen to my chin absentmindedly as I thought. Several moments later, I sighed. This wasn't supposed to be this hard.

I stared at the paper, determined. I'll start with the basics.

NO Farming

There. That wasn't so hard. I scribbled onto the paper, ideas beginning to flow into my mind too fast to write them. Eventually, I was sitting on my couch with a hefty to-do list in my hand. I read it aloud:

"NO farming

No talking to people. People make things stressful.

Sit at Mount Moon and eat lunch

Climb the Apple Tree

Hot Springs!

Ice skate on the lake

Drink Hot Cocoa

Bake something

Paint nails

Make mac and cheese for dinner

Eat it

Do cartwheels in the field

Check for snow!"

I giggled and got up to put cream cheese on my bagel, leaving the list on the table. I was stuffing down my breakfast, barely able to contain my excitement. I hadn't had a day just for me to enjoy in over five years. Sad, I know.

I finished my food in record time and grabbed my rucksack. Glancing at my clock, I saw that it was already nine in the morning. I was surprised I hadn't slept in later, seeing as how the night before went.

I figured I wouldn't have enough time to come back to my house for anything, so I'd need to pack all my equipment before I left. I exhaled thankfully for my abnormally spacious backpack and sat it, open, on the table. I flew over to my closet and dug around for my old ice skates. I located them conveniently quickly and darted back to set them in my bag.

Then, I went back over to my dresser and pulled out my solid red tankini. I didn't think I'd need it in the winter, so I smirked as I tossed it into the rucksack and scurried over to my kitchen. The first things I pulled out from refrigerator were a cob of corn and some butter. I shook my head at how disorganized I was.

Oh well, I'll just have to have baked corn for lunch.

I put the corn in the oven and got out my salt and pepper. In a matter of moments, the corn was done. I pulled it out carefully and buttered it before shaking on some of the seasonings. I sealed it up in a plastic container and set it in the rucksack.

I pulled on my shoes over my fuzzy socks. I didn't care if they weren't for outdoor use. I was making them outdoor-usable. I stepped outside and was hit by a blast of freezing wind. I hustled back inside, looking around for a sweatshirt.

"Come on, come on…" I muttered as I rummaged through my drawers. I grabbed an oversized plain red T-shirt and pulled it on over my long-sleeved shirt, deciding it would work for today.

I'll grab some mittens and a hat while I'm here…

I picked up the first pair of mittens I saw. They were my white ones. I spied my blue hat on the side of the couch, so I ran and picked it up before dashing outside once again.

The cold air thrust itself into me, invigorating my mind and refilling my spirit. I pulled the list out of my rucksack and thought momentarily about what should be done first. I decided that the things that required light would be done first, and then the rest could be finished. Putting the list in my pocket, I grinned.

"First thing's first," I muttered, narrowing my eyes at my field, "Three… Two… One… Now!"

I darted off towards my huge field, dropping my rucksack on the icy grass. I lunged forward, leaning my weight onto my hands and pushed myself back onto my feet. Laughing, I continued this for several minutes without stopping. When I had finally gotten so dizzy I fell over, I giggled to myself. "Cartwheels in field—Check."

Regaining my balance, I pulled out the list again. Scanning over it briefly, I bit my lip. What to do next? I folded it up and shoved it in my pocket once again, picking my bag up and slinging it over my shoulder. I took off at full speed towards the forest.

I sprinted up the path, turning in the right places to reach my destination—The Lake. I was relieved when I got to the area without running into anyone from town. I sat down on a log near the frozen surface and pulled my skates out of my rucksack. I got them on in record time. I slowly walked over to the lake, my nerves starting to kick in. I hadn't ice skated in years… What if I fell? What if I broke something? What if the ice broke and I fell into the freezing water?

…Meh.

I stepped on the thick ice and pushed off very, very slowly. I felt the cold breeze stinging my nose. I closed my eyes and inhaled, feeling utterly content. And then I fell.

I landed on my knees, so I didn't get too hurt. I got back up, steadied myself, and restarted my skating. It felt so good to float above the ice after all those years… After a few minutes of familiarizing myself with the skates, I got a little more risky with my tricks. I skated backwards, did a simple turn, and went on one foot many times. I glanced at my watch as I sat on that log, taking a break.

"Hmm… It's just about noon…" I pulled off my skates and slipped into my shoes again. Picking up my rucksack, I made my way back to my farm.

Once there, I pulled out my list again, counting five out of the thirteen things needing to be done indoors. I sighed contently. Having a day all to myself was brilliant. I walked inside, kicking my shoes off and going into the kitchen. I went to my refrigerator and pulled out some typical baking ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk. I wasn't sure I'd need all of that stuff, but I figured I might as well take it out.

Taking a large bowl and a wooden spoon, I readied the oven for the baking. I took the bag of flour and poured into the bowl what looked like two cups, and then I poured in half as much sugar. Putting in a pinch each of the baking soda and the cinnamon, I began to mix. I stirred in some of the brown sugar with just a tiny bit of the vanilla and cracked in two eggs. I poured in about a half-cup of milk and continued to mix until the mixture was dough-like. It was a little runny, so I added a little more flour and stirred. Feeling a bit chancy, I shook in some more cinnamon and poured in a good amount of chocolate chips. I decided to add just a little more sugar—to be on the safe side.

I placed good-sized scoops of this dough an inch apart on two cookie sheets and slid them in the hot oven, pleased with myself for baking something from scratch. I didn't set the timer on my oven, as I had no idea how long they'd take. I'll smell them when they're done.

I jogged to my bathroom and grabbed my Ruby Red nail polish off the counter. Sitting at the table in the main room, I began to color my toes. Whenever I'd paint my nails, I felt good. I felt more confident. I felt… More pretty. As soon as my feet were done, I did my left hand. Whenever I did my right hand, I always ended up missing the nail. I soon learned that this time was no different.

As I twisted the cap back on the nail polish, I began to smell my cookies. It smelled like chocolate covered cinnamon sticks. I peered inside the oven, pleased to find that my oddball cookies weren't erupting all over the place. I gave them another minute as I put some water on the stove to boil for cocoa.

I put on an over mitt and pulled the cookie sheets out of the burning appliance and set them on the counter to cool. I plopped down onto my couch and just… Breathed. Glancing at the clock, I knew it was already two. I'd have a late lunch it seemed… Actually, I'll save the corn for dinner and skip lunch now. It'll be easier that way, since I'm not really even that hungry.

I jumped up to the screeching kettle. I poured the water into a thermos I had put powdered hot chocolate mix into. I stirred it up and sealed it. I then directed my attention to the warm, unplanned cookies next to me. They were a perfect golden brown; chocolate bits melted on the surface and specks of cinnamon visible from every angle. They smelled unbelievable good, too. I grabbed one off the sheet and broke it open, allowing a puff of light steam to rise into the air.

I couldn't resist it anymore; I took a big bite.

"Wow!" I exclaimed, my mouth full, "It's delicious! How the hell'd I managed to do that?!"

Filling a plastic baggy with a few of my treats, I stuffed it into my rucksack with the thermos. I exited my farmhouse and spied my towering apple tree a few yards in front of me. My bag still on my back, I leapt onto the tree and climbed. I made it to the highest secure branch and pulled out the list and the cocoa. I marveled at how much I'd already finished—there were only two things left: Eat dinner and visit the hot springs. I decided that going to the springs in the dark would be more fun than now, and since I wasn't ready for dinner yet, I stayed in the tree.

It was about twenty minutes later when I heard footsteps coming onto my farm. I looked to the entrance and saw Ann, Elli, and Gray trudging over to my door. Gray was holding something that I couldn't see, and Ann and Elli were whispering to each other frantically. Suddenly, Ann jumped in front of Gray, stopping him.

"Gray, you can't! Not yet, anyways!" She exclaimed, and Elli nodded.

"I don't think she's ready now. You don't want to scare her, right?" She questioned. Gray shoved his hands into his pockets, obviously annoyed.

"Look, it's my choice whether or not I ask. It's her choice whether or not she's ready. Did you hear either of your guys' opinions in there? I didn't."

"But Gray! Think about this! Are you ready for this kind of thing?" Elli pleaded. Ann sighed helplessly.

"Oh, Goddess, Elli; I don't think he's even listening."

"I'm listening," Gray growled, "And I don't think you get this: It's. Our. Decision."

Whose decision? What're they talking about? Why're they on my farm?

I leaned over to hear them more clearly, but unfortunately, I lost my balance. I was able to grab the branch and steady myself before I fell off, but my rucksack was not so lucky. It went tumbling down to the ground, and landed with a barely audible crunch. I watched in despair as my baked corn rolled—out of the bag and its container—over towards the group of young adults.

They all fell silent as the food made its way over to them. Ann picked it up and examined it.

"…Cold baked corn?" She furrowed her brow. Elli walked over towards the tree I was perched in and picked up my fallen backpack.

"Look! I found Claire's bag," She exclaimed. Ann jogged over and looked inside. I rolled my eyes. Nice Ann. Just invade my privacy.

"Ice skates, a thermos, some weird looking cookies, and a piece of paper," she announced, and then studied my list, "It's like a weird to-do list or something."

Elli took it and read it aloud, much to my dismay, "No farming, no talking to people. People make things stressful, sit at Mount Moon and eat lunch, climb the Apple Tree, Hot Springs, ice skate on the lake, drink hot cocoa, bake something, paint nails, make mac and cheese for dinner, eat it, do cartwheels in the field, and check for snow,"

Ann snatched it back, "What the hell? Oh, I get it," She picked up my cookies from inside my bag, "So she baked these, and went skating, and I guess she was going to eat the corn for lunch. But…" She looked up at the apple tree, thankfully not at me, and Elli and Gray followed her gaze.

"Claire? Are you… up there?" Elli called, walking over. Ann had already run over and now Gray was slowly following, his face the color of a tomato.

I leaned over to get a better look at whatever it was Gray was holding in his hand. Suddenly the branch felt more slippery than before and I lost my balance completely. I let out a small squeak as I plummeted that nearly ten feet down to the hard ground. I landed right on my back, narrowly missing Ann.

"Omigosh Claire!" Elli shouted as she ran over, her internal nurse kicking in, "Are you alright?!"

I sat up slowly, wincing at the sharp pain in my back. "I think I'm okay," I nodded, "But what in Goddess' name are you guys doing here? And what the hell is 'our choice'?!"

Gray flushed and Ann and Elli exchanged urgent glances. "Chill, Claire," Ann paused, "Gray was arguing with me about, eh, furniture in the guest rooms. He says it should be Cliff and his choice, since they're really the only ones who stay there."

I raised my eyebrow, "And Gray refers to Cliff as 'she'?"

The two girls exchanged amused glances and I spied Gray scowling at them. "You see what you two do?! It would've been fine if you had just left me alone! Goddess, what do you suggest I do know, huh?!"

I was seriously taken aback. "Gray! Relax! What did they even do?!"

Gray sighed angrily and left. I watched the two ladies who were still here expectantly. Neither of them felt like talking, it seemed. We stood in a semi-awkward silence for at least ten minutes before Elli spoke up.

"I have to get back to the Clinic now. Claire…" She looked at me with… Pity? "I'm so sorry."

And then she left. I looked at an in total confusion, but she spoke before I could, "Me too, Claire. …See you later."

And then she left. I sighed, frustrated. "Did I miss something here?!"

:O What happened? What was Gray holding? What's everyone's problem?! Review with your guesses, please! :D