Hi! Dia here! Sorry I haven't been updating! I've been really busy! But here's what you been waiting for! The 11th chapter of Loveless! I warn you. You won't be seeing Celia for a few chapters. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon.

Loveless

Chapter 11

Vesta's POV

Celia's mother died a week ago. She's seems like her usual self on the outside, but I know she's hurting inside. We went to the funeral yesterday. I expected Celia to be the main one crying, but she just stood there with a solemn look on her face. I saw her father too. He acted strange for a person whose wife just died. He didn't look sad at all; I wonder what that was about.

I was in the kitchen making breakfast. It was Celia's favorite, pancakes. I hoped it would make her feel better.

"Celia! Breakfast is ready!"

"Coming!" She called from upstairs.

Celia ran downstairs and got her plate. Marlin got his and we all sat down to eat.

"Celia, are you feeling better?" I asked.

"Of course! I'm okay!"

"Celia, I'll always be here for you." Marlin said.

"Thanks. I guess…"

Marlin just needs to give up. His plans to get Celia to like him won't work. She has to get married to Victor, so all his efforts are in vain. If Jack would've fell in love with Celia instead of Muffy, they both would have been happy right now.

"I'm done! I'll wash my dishes and then walk around the Valley." Celia said.

"Okay, dear."

"Celia! I'll go with you." Marlin said.

"I'd rather be alone right now, but thanks for the offer." She finished washing her plate and walked out the door.

Marlin was steaming red.

"What's wrong Marlin?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"She says she wants to be alone." Marlin said through gritted teeth. "But if she bumps into Jack, he'll probably join her and she won't have any objections! Why won't she go with me? What's wrong with me!?"

I started to laugh. "A lot of things are wrong with you!"

He kept ranting and ranting while I continued to laugh.

Jack's POV

What's wrong with me? I've been feeling weird lately. And it has something to do with Celia. When she was crying over her mother the other day, I was really sad when I saw her cry. I'm not an empath, or am I?

'I need advice.'

Right then, I saw Takakura walk into his house. He had some picture of a woman in there, so he must understand my problem. And plus, he's like a father to me.

I knocked on his door.

"Who is it?" He asked.

"It's me Takakura."

"Oh, Jack? Come on in."

I opened the door and his house was the same as it was when I came in here before.

"So what do you need?"

"I need… advice."

"Okay then, shoot."

"You know when Muffy moved away?" I asked.

"She moved away?" He asked.

"Yeah, after she broke up with me."

"You two were together?"

"Uh, yeah. Everyone knew it."

"I didn't."

'This guy really is a hermit. He doesn't know what goes on at all!'

"Never mind Takakura. Thanks for the help anyway." I sighed and walked out of the door.

I needed advice. I don't know what's happening to me. I need someone's help. Griffin ought to know about this! He's just smart like that.

I walked into the Blue Bar. Griffin was at the counter as usual.

"Hey Jack. You haven't been visiting lately." Griffin said.

"I've been… busy." I said.

"Okay. You want a drink?"

"No, I just came here for advice."

"Is it about Muffy?" He asked.

"Kind of."

"So what's the problem?"

I told him about Muffy breaking up with me and how I got over her. I also told him about how I've been feeling strange around Celia and that I've never felt like that about Muffy.

"That's simple," He said. "you're in—"

Marlin came bursting in. "Griffin, I need a drink. NOW."

"Geez. Touchy." Griffin said.

"Don't give me sass. Just get me a damn drink!"

Marlin was rude, but not this rude. I wonder what happened to even make him act like this.

"What are you staring at?" He asked.

"Nothing. Nothing." I said.

"Are you insisting that I am a no one?! A nobody!?" (A/N: hell yeah!) He stood up out of his chair.

It was my turn to stand up now. "What are you talking about! I don't know why you're acting so shitty, but don't take out your damn anger on me!"

"Men! Stop acting like children!" Griffin said.

We both sat down refusing to look at the other. I don't know why he had to use the word 'children'. Do children curse? I think not.

"Sorry I have to leave so soon Griffin, but I can't be around him anymore." I said.

"Oh yeah! Well don't visit our house anymore if you can't stand me!" He yelled.

I didn't care. I still needed to buy seeds. What he just said didn't mean anything. Oh man! I left out before Griffin could tell me the solution to my problem! He said that I'm in…. something.

What am I in?

Marlin's POV

I can't believe him! I said those things to me! He aggravates me for many reasons.

"Falling in love." I heard Griffin whisper.

"What about love?" I asked.

He looked surprised that I heard him, but then regained his composure.

"Nothing. It's just that a friend of mine is falling in love with someone, but they don't know it yet."

"Oh really." I thought it was something interesting, but I could care less about what he just said.

"If you didn't care, why did you ask me?" Griffin asked.

"Nothing, you gonna get that drink now?"

"Coming right up."

Celia's POV

'I need to follow my heart. What is going to happen to me? What did mother mean?'

I pondered these thoughts as I walked through the Valley. The breeze was perfect on a day like this. I just love the beginning of Fall. The trees were many colors: yellow, red, and brown. And the smell! It's so—

I tripped over something. I really need to pay more attention, but the strange thing is that, I'm not lying flat on my face on the ground, I'm in someone's arms.

"You okay?" That voice was familiar.

"Jack?"

"In the flesh."

"Did you see me trip?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you warn me!?"

"You looked happy and I didn't want to interrupt whatever you were thinking about."

"Oh really."

"Hey guys! At it again are we? And in public too!" Rock came up feigning a look of shock on his face.

"Shut up Rock!" Jack's face was red. I could feel my face warming up too.

"But both of you are blushing. There has to something going on." Rock stated teasingly.

We looked at each other and then we broke apart.

"You don't have to stop just because I'm here. Keep going. I'll watch quietly." He was teasing us again. I couldn't anymore of this embarrassment so I ran away.

"Celia! Wait!"

I ran faster until I got to my house. Vesta wasn't here so I went up to my room. I locked the door because I didn't want to be disturbed.

'Why does weird and embarrassing things always happen to me when I'm around him?'

I lied back on my bed. I was tired for some strange reason.

'I'll just take a quick nap.'

I slowly closed my eyes and then went to sleep.

Vesta's POV

I finally got back from Mineral Town. They invited me to stay for one of their festivals. I walked into the house and saw Marlin sitting at the table.

"Did Celia come back?" I asked.

"Yeah, but she locked the door. And when I knock she won't answer."

"She just won't answer to you. I'm going up there." I said.

I knocked on the door. "Celia?" I knocked again. "Celia? Are you okay?" I knocked a few more times, but she didn't answer.

'She must be sleeping.' I thought.

I went back downstairs and cooked dinner. Marlin and I ate; I put Celia's food in the fridge for later. After that, Marlin and I both went to sleep.

The next day, I went up to Celia's room. The door wasn't locked. When I walked inside her room she wasn't in there. There was a note on her bed.

We have the girl. If you want her back, you have to send the man named Jack to this address.

I didn't even bother to read the rest of it. Celia was kidnapped. That's all that mattered. The last sentence is what got me worried.

If you don't, then we'll kill her with no hesitation.

"Oh my."

Celia's POV

"Where am I?"

I looked around. It was very dark and I couldn't see anything. I got up and felt the walls as I walked. I stopped when I saw bars; I was in some kind of cell. I heard footsteps. I couldn't see the person all that well; I could only see their silhouette.

"Hello." That voice sent chills down my spine.

"It's you!" I said.

--

Oooh! Cliffhanger! I just love leaving you in the dark. Celia won't be in Forget-Me-Not Valley for a while. Please review! Till then, Dia out!