Yay! Chapter 11! OMG!! I passed the 50 reviews mark! Thank you everyone! *sniff*
El: Hn. To celebrate that, we have a special guest! Claire!
Claire: Hullo everyone!
Me: Please tell us what you think of Déjà Vu.
Claire: Well, first of all, I know you're completely crazy. Second, when I see what's going to happen in the story, I think you're just a complete lunatic. Except for that, it's okay.
El: I like this girl!
Me: Whatever... *depressed* Please do the Disclaimer Claire...
Claire: No problem! Someoneudontknow5 does NOT own Harvest Moon and let's all be thankful she doesn't!
Me: Hey! I-ah whatever, on with the story... Warning! Sugar-high induced chapter! Could be considered a filler of some kind...
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ann's POV (Weren't expecting that were you?)
I sat in my room, smoothing out my black dress as I waited impatiently for Cliff to arrive. I still couldn't get over the fact that he had asked me to the Fireworks Festival. Worried about not looking good enough, I checked myself in the mirror for the thousandth time and fixed details that only I could perceive. As I re-re-re-checked my face in the mirror I suddenly realized that while I had been stressing out, I had completely forgotten to put makeup on. Acting quickly, I rushed to my desk, grabbed a stick of lipstick, ran back to the mirror and started applying it. Hurry up Ann!
The door opened suddenly and I jolted with surprise. Was Cliff here already? But I wasn't ready! Looking in the mirror, I saw my father standing in the doorway, looking a bit hesitant.
"Hi dad!" I laughed, relieved, "You scared me!"
Dad just stood there some more before walking over next to me and looking at our reflection. His eyes were shining with emotions. I was about to ask him what was wrong when he cut me off.
"You and your brother grew up so fast..." he whispered, "Especially you Ann. Yesterday you were just a little girl helping me make cookies and now... You're an exact replica of your mother... You don't know how proud I am."
I tried to hide the tears that were prickling at the back of my eyes, "Dad! Don't go all emotional on me! I'm going to end up crying and ruining my mascara! Which I still haven't put on by the way! And you sound like an old man!" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Dad chuckled, "I'm not as young as I used to be, I admit. It's just you look so much like her... Especially in that dress, she had a very similar one."
I laughed and flung my arms around him, hugging him tightly as the tears threatened to spill. I missed my mom more than ever suddenly.
A cough was heard from the doorway. I looked over to see Gray standing there in a light blue button up shirt and black jeans. He was smirking slightly. Next to him, Claire and Cliff were looking thoroughly confused. I blushed at how handsome Cliff looked. He was wearing a forest green button up shirt that complimented his skin tone and light blue jeans. Claire was wearing a strapless floaty blue dress. She had braided her hair and slipped a bright red flower behind her ear.
"Should we come back later?" Gray asked, he was smirking but I could see a trace of emotion in the back of his eyes.
I laughed and released my dad. With a smile, he waved his hand, indicating me to go.
"Sorry, she's all yours Cliff," Dad said, "Take good care of her."
Cliff nodded, "I will sir."
I ran to the awaiting trio and punched Gray lightly on the shoulder, "Let's go," I exclaimed. Gray rolled his eyes and passed in front with Claire right behind him.
As we descended the stairs of the Inn, Cliff suddenly grabbed my hand. Alarmed, I looked quickly at him, did he almost fall? The only noticeable expression on his face was a slight blush. Confused for a few seconds, I suddenly realized that Cliff was holding my hand because he wanted to. As comprehension settled, I positively beamed and squeezed his hand, trying to get as much emotion as I could in it. Cliff smiled warmly at me.
On the way to the beach, I looked carefully at the two in front of us. While we were talking about her new chickens, Claire had admitted a few days ago that Gray had asked her to the festival. As friends. When she had added that, the disappointment on her face had been so complete that I had almost gone up to the Forge right there and then to knock some sense into my idiotic brother. My cowardly, stubborn, idiotic jerk of a brother. Although right now, they were talking and looked quite comfortable with one another. Perhaps I could try to help them... No! I was not going to formulate any evil plans tonight! I was with Cliff! I had to think about enjoying myself. Evil plans could wait.
The rose Claire had in her hair fell out and Gray snatched it out of the air suddenly before setting it back in it's rightful place. I couldn't help but notice that his hand lingered a bit more than necessary. Okay, so maybe they weren't completely hopeless.
I just giggled at the cuteness, earning myself an understanding wink from Cliff, a blush from Claire and a predictable lethal glare form Gray. Good thing looks couldn't kill and that I was immune to them. I did not want to think about how many times I would have died if I wasn't...
We finally arrived at the beach. Claire on the lookout for any of the 'Chinese Mafia' and Gray trying to calm her down. To my surprise, everyone was already here. Rick and Karen in the middle of the beach, Elli talking with Mary while Trent talked with Lillia and Ellen, who had insisted on coming. Kai and Popuri were...on the roof of the Snack Shack, believe it or not acting all perfect and cute and all. And finally, May and Stu were playing tag and running around in the sand.
I felt a slight tug on my hand and Cliff started leading me to the edge of the beach. Grinning, I started skipping, only to almost land splat on my face had it not been for Cliff grabbing me at the last second. I blushed bright red and chuckled nervously. Damn those annoying high heel shoes... Damn that annoying sand....
Cliff sat down and patted the spot next to him. Embarrassing moment long forgotten, I plopped down next to him and tried to make myself comfortable. A few minutes passed in the uttermost silence between us two. The whole beach became quiet soon after that. The sky gradually turned darker and darker. Suddenly, a hand on my shoulder made me jolt. I turned around to come face to face with an immensely blushing Cliff.
"Ann..."
Confused, I frowned slightly, "Yes Cliff? Is there a problem?"
Cliff opened his mouth for a second before shutting it and looking away, groaning.
Now I was really worried about him, "Are you alright? Do you want to go back to the Inn? Do you want me to get Trent?" I started to get up but the hand on my shoulder forced me to sit back down.
Out of all the things, I did not expect Cliff to suddenly chuckle. His eyes were twinkling and the blush was all but gone.
"Ann...I'm fine," he said, "But... It's... Will you go out with me?"
My eyes went wide as my brain suddenly shut down from overload. Got out with me. Go out with Cliff. Behis girlfriend. My mouth just fell open from shock and a pressure built up in my chest, making me feel like my heart was about to explode. From lack of any coherent response, I launched myself at Cliff. My Cliff.
"Yes! Yes! A thousand times Yes!" I all but yelled, too happy to notice that everyone heard everything. Too overwhelmed to hear the cheers that rang loudly throughout the whole beach.
Cliff looked at me, his face showing true happiness. One of his hands grabbed my waist, pulling me against him while the other grabbed my chin, pulling our faces closer. My eyes slowly closed as we got even closer and his intoxicating scent filled my mind. When our lips brushed, a huge boom was heard, the fireworks had started. As colors seeped through my closed eyelids, the only thing I could focus on was our joined lips. It was a simple kiss, that lasted no more than a few seconds but it was so full of meaning. So full of love. Bang after bang sounded around us as the fireworks went off. We pulled away and as I took in Cliff's blurred features when I opened my eyes, I realized I was crying.
Well, so much for being super stable and strong Ann, Ann that would never cry. And now suddenly, twice in a day? Those thoughts only fleetingly passed over my mind, I was too concentrated on the feeling of completeness that filled me. Sniffling slightly, I settled my head on Cliff's shoulder while his hand wiped away the tears.
Truly happy, I watched the beautiful show of colors, thanking the Goddess with all my heart.
Normal POV
The last of the fireworks went off with one final boom and the sky lit up with bright colors.
Cheers were heard as the darkness settled around. Claire smiled brightly, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the aftermath of the bright kaleidoscopic show of colors. It had been wonderful. Even more so considering the fact that she had shared this moment with Gray. Okay, just as friends but... maybe that could change.
"That was beautiful," Gray whispered from next to her. Claire nodded.
The two were sitting on the pier even though Claire had refused thoroughly in the beginning. There was no way she was taking the chance of falling back into the sea. Somehow, Gray still managed to convince her. She wasn't disappointed, the way the fireworks reflected on the midnight water had just been too beautiful.
While trying to be discreet, Claire sneaked a glance at Gray who had removed his hat. With a sigh, she suddenly wished he would do it more often, he was much more handsome without it. On secondhand though, Claire felt selfish and wished to be the only one to be privileged enough and see Gray without his hat.
While chatting amiably, Lillia, Ellen, May and Stu left the beach.
Silence fell and after a few minutes, Ann perked up, "Let's go to Mother's Hill!" she was still on this sort of happiness high ever since Cliff asked her out. Claire felt relieved and happy for her friends, they deserved to be with each other.
Claire nodded at Ann's proposition and grabbed a tiny candle from a nearby table. The others followed and the group set out for Mother's Hill. As they climbed up the rocky path, Claire felt her free hand suddenly engulfed in warmth. Surprised she looked up to see Gray walking next to her, their hands connected. In the gloom around them it was hard to see but Claire was sure that the redhead was smiling softly. Claire looked back at the path in front of them, a smile gracing her own lips.
"What are you doing?" Se asked softly, not knowing what kind of answer she would receive.
"Holding your hand." Was the simple answer. Claire didn't reply, her smile only got wider when Gray didn't release her hand.
As they arrived on the grassy mountain top, Pink Cat flowers brushed at their ankles and sent their sweet scent in the air. A few pink petals floated around them and Claire took a couple of the flowers, sticking them in her braid.
Ann decided this would be a nice place to stop and she raised her hand. As they all came to a halt, candles were blown out and everyone lay down in the grass, looking up at the starry sky. Comfortable silence was present and spawned for a few minutes.
Suddenly, a gasp was heard. All around them, little sparks of green were flickering on and off.
Claire's eyes widened, "Fireflies," she whispered.
Other people started whispering happily around her but Claire didn't hear any of it, her eyes solely focused on the hypnotizing little lights. Claire had always adored fireflies.
The blonde got up, laughing, and started twirling, dancing in between the flickering lights with the sweet scent in the air and the fuzzy dreamy feeling in her entire body. It was all like a dream. Pretty soon, the other girls joined and twirled, dancing to the silent music. No thoughts, no noise, just feeling. That night there was peace.
Claire didn't know how long she danced or when the male partners joined them, sending them all in a sort of waltz. Claire didn't even remember how she came back to her house, changed and got ready for bed. No, all her thoughts were way too fuzzy and unclear.
As Claire lay in her bed later that night, a smile was still etched on her face. The warm fuzzy feeling didn't leave her and she drifted into sleep without any trouble.
Dream Sequence
Claire stood on the pier at the beach as snow fell down, covering the world in a white blanket. The sea was a deep blue-gray and the waves were silent. All of it helping with the description that winter was quiet. Claire smiled and turned around, walking to her house.
The blonde stopped at Rose Plaza for there, in the middle, a little girl was making a snow angel. She was dressed in a thick pink coat. Claire got closer, a smile on her face. The little girl's furry white hat was slightly too big, making her look like a little porcelain doll.
The little girl opened her lips and spoke to Claire but the blond heard no words. The only thing filling her ears was the thick silence of winter. The little girl continued talking and she made big movements with her arms, describing something.
Claire laughed and offered a hand to the girl who jumped into her arms. She had big brown eyes, full of mischief and innocence. A pink curl was escaping from her hat and stuck in front of her eyes. Pouting, the little girl tried to blow it out of the way, unsuccessfully.
Claire laughed again and tucked the pink curl behind the little girl's ear.
The little girl giggled and snuggled into Claire's arms. She was just a little bundle of warmth and joy and Claire couldn't help but feel happy.
Snow fell around the two, covering them in that white blanket. The scene slowly dissolved into darkness.
End Dream Sequence
Claire woke up, confused. What could the dream possibly mean? It just didn't make any sense. Who was this little girl? And why did Claire feel like she knew her?
And what was even more confusing is that as the days passed, Claire had the same dream. Exactly the same. Every night, it was as if the little girl was waiting for her. And every night, Claire never manged to hear what the little girl was saying.
On the sixth day though, Claire woke up with a start before she could reach the little girl. Someone was knocking desperately at her door. Claire groggily got out of bed and glanced at her clock. 5:23 am. Confused, she slipped on a jacket before slowly heading towards the door. Who could it possibly be?
The knocking on the door became more frantic.
"Claire! Please! Open up!"
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Oh noes! Another Cliffhanger! But hey! Cliff finally asked Ann out! Yayz! And the chapter was half in Ann's POV. I know, but oh well. The author does what the author does.
Guahaha, but I'm evil stopping there xD Can anyone guess who it is knocking at the door? Leave a review if you think you know! Imaginary cookie to anyone who gets it right!
I told you this was a sugar-high induced chappie, it's all dreamy and stuff! I blame it on the song Fireflies by Owl City. Which I listen to way too much ^^ …
El: Hmpf, it's kind of hard to guess who it is at the door...
Me: You're just saying that because you didn't find out who it is yet El.
El: Hmpf *turns away*
Me: Anyway, please review! They make me happy and I might consider updating faster! xD