Chapter Eleven:

Happy Birthday


I got home late the Tuesday after for the third night in a row, but Charlotte answered anyways. I had changed into my sleep-wear when I sat down against my home's wall with the bulk of the phone in my lap and the receiver between my shoulder and ear. As I waited for her to pick up I combed my hair.

"Hello?" Charlotte answered.

I put the comb down and held the receiver with my hand, "Hey, Charlotte!"

"Chelsea! Did you have dance rehearsal today?" she asked.

"Ugh, yes. Lanna's been working us like dogs! But I can see why Alisa and Nathan put her in charge; she's good."

"I still don't see why you have to do this festival thing."

"It's for the Harvest Goddess."

"I didn't know you were religious," she laughed.

And truth was—well, still is—I wasn't. It's just when you knew the Harvest Goddess personally like I did, you can't exactly get away with missing her birthday, that, and the strawberries weren't mature enough, so I couldn't just give her that.

"It's just a favor to Nathan and Alisa," I told her.

"You're far too kind."

"Just a bit."

We laughed.

"I just don't know how I'm going to find a date…" I mused.

"You need a date?"

"Well…yes. At the end of the day we're supposed to dance with him—"

"Or her."

"Or her," I laughed. Charlotte, ever the civil rights-activist, "And we leave an offering at the statue together."

"Oh, well what are you giving her?"

"A flower."

"That's it?"

"Trust me she'll like it…the only thing she'd love more are strawberries."

"Oookay. Yeah, you're defiantly not religious, sis," she said, I could hear a hint of sarcasm in her voice, "So who will you invite?"

"I don't know, almost every person my age is in a relationship."

"Sounds like the island likes to play matchmaker."

I laughed, "Yeah, no kidding."

"What about that chef you were telling me about?"

"He's single, but Sabrina was thinking of taking him, since she doesn't have much of an option either…"

"Hmm, what about that mentor of yours…what was his name?"

"Vaughn?" I asked, and wondered if that would work, "What day is it today?" I asked.

"Tuesday."

"Then he'll be here tomorrow. Yeah, you know I think I'll ask Vaughn—hopefully he'll say yes."

"Oh, who can resist your charms?

Denny.

"I'll ask tomorrow, he should be in a good mood since I'm giving him his present too," I said.

"Good luck with that."

"Thanks," I yawned, "I'm tired, talk with you tomorrow."

"Kay. Good night."

"Night."

I hung up and put the phone back on its desk and jumped in bed. I was thinking about the Harvest Goddess Festival and our dance moves, but most of all, I was thinking about Vaughn. I still thought about him most of the time in a more—how should I put this, romantic way. It wasn't just seeing him at the altar, but there were other things. For example: what would it be like if we kissed? Or if we went on a date? Or even—well, I'm not going any deeper with that last thought.

But the most prominent questions was how serious were all these thoughts. I continue make myself believe that I loved or even liked him in that romantic sort of way, because I had the same daydreams about Denny, and I knew that was just desperation and lust. So what made Vaughn any different? He's just a friend I told myself whenever the images wandered into my mind, just a friend.

But friends could go a festival together easy, so that's why the next morning I went to see him at Mirabelle's shop.

"Good morning, Mirabelle," I greeted her as I stepped inside.

"Why, good morning Chelsea! You're here early, what can I do you for?" she asked from behind the counter.

"Oh, I just thought I'd stop by before work, since I can't exactly escape afterwards. Lanna wants to have a final practice before the sun goes down at my ranch."

"What?" Julia asked, overhearing this, "When is it?" she asked.

"'Round four I think."

"Oh…well I guess I better go tell Elliot that I can't make it to dinner tonight. See you later guys," Julia said leaving the store.

"You girls are working so hard, I can't wait to see you perform tomorrow!" Mirabelle said.

I laughed, "I just can't wait to get it over with."

"Well, good luck tomorrow."

"Thank you," I said before turning my attention to Vaughn.

He had been in the room for the entire conversation but hadn't said a word. He was pretending to read a paper. I say pretend because I saw his eyes dart back down when I looked to him.

"Hey, Vaughn," I greeted him.

"Hey," he said, not looking up.

I rolled my eyes and took the paper.

"Hey!"

"You going to be here tomorrow?" I asked, holding the paper out of reach.

"Give it back, Chelsea."

No nonsense as always, it made me laugh.

"Nope, not until you answer a few questions."

He sighed, "Fine. Yes, I'm going to be here."

"Sweet, so you want to go to the Harvest Goddess Festival with me?"

His face went red, "You want me to go?"

"Yeah, I think it'll be fun! We can give our gift to the Goddess together."

He looked away, "I don't believe in the Goddess much."

I smiled, "Well, that doesn't matter. We could still have fun can't we?"

"I guess so," he admitted.

"Then you'll go?"

"Only if I get my statements back."

"This?" I asked holding the paper up, "Sure thing, buddy!"

I handed it back to him.

"I'll…uh, pick you up tomorrow then," he said, smiling.

"Tomorrow then!" I said.

I waved goodbye and left the shop to do my work. I was all smiles until, while I was collecting eggs, that it occurred to me that Vaughn might have seen the festival as a date.

I sighed and continued work, "The questions is, Chelsea," I said thinking aloud, "Do you?"

I hadn't come up with an answer when the door to the chicken coop opened. Lanna popped her head in.

"Geez, Chelsea, rehearsal's at your place and you're still late!" she said.

"Oh no! Is it four already?" I asked, completely unaware of the time.

"Yes."

I really needed a watch, I thought.

Okay, let's go dance then," I said placing the last of the eggs in a basket, "Let me just bring this inside, I'll ship it once we're done."

"Fine, just hurry!"

I ran outside with the basket and put it in the fridge when something occurred to me.

"Vaughn's gift! I completely forgot!" I yelled at myself. I moaned and wondered if I could whip it up and give it to him before Lanna got too mad at me.

"Chelsea?!" Lanna's call wasn't a good sign.

"Damn it, I'll just make it later tonight," I told myself as I rushed outside.

Lanna didn't let us go until six. We were all exhausted and couldn't wait to go home. All I wanted to do was go to bed, but I had one more thing to do.

I went inside and started making Vaughn his belated birthday gift when the phone rang.

"Hello?" I asked answering.

"Hey, Chelsea, did you find a date?" Charlotte asked.

"Yeah," I yawned, "Vaughn said yes. Listen, Charlotte, I'm beat, I need to do one more thing and then I'm going straight to bed."

"Oh, no problem, but can I ask you something first?" she asked.

"Shoot."

"Do you want to come visit me next week? I've got Friday and the rest of next week off, maybe you'd like to spend it with me. Can you get next week off?"

I paused before answering. I didn't know if I could miss a whole week, and I certainly wasn't looking forward to the trip there.

"I don't know, Charlotte…"

"Come on! I haven't seen you in over a year and I haven't spent more than three days with you since you graduated. Can't you get your ranch hand to cover for you?"

"I can ask, I guess…"

"Yay! Thank you, Chels. Okay, I'll let you go now, good night."

"Night."

I hung up and went back to the kitchen. I thought, maybe I can finally keep my promise to Vaughn.

When I finished I knew where he would be, I went straight to the beach.

I saw him where he usually hangs around at night. I was too tired to call out to him so I just walked up behind him.

"Evenin' Vaughn," I said.

I didn't mean to, but I must've have scared him because he spun around so fast his hat became crooked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Vaughn! I didn't mean to scare you," I said.

"No, no. I wasn't…you just," he tried to explain, "Its okay, I was just thinking," he gave up.

"Oh…about what?"

"Just…well just stuff."

"Stuff?" I asked incredulous.

"Stuff," he answered.

"Well, whatever you were thinking about, I have something for you," I said, holding out the bowl of porridge I had just made, "Ta-da! Happy birthday."

"Chels…you really didn't have to," he said, but he was smiling underneath that hat.

"But I wanted to now eat it before it goes bad."

He took the gift and thanked me.

I yawned, "I wish I could stay Vaughn but I'm so tired. I have to get up early for tomorrow anyways."

"Yeah, I got it. I'll pick you up tomorrow then," he said, "See you then."

"See you tomorrow," I said before leaving.

The next morning, just after I got dressed, Vaughn came inside.

"Morning," he said.

"Morning, cowboy," I laughed.

"I think I came a bit early,"

"Why's that?"

"Because I saw Nathan and Alisa leaving for the Meadow on the way here, I don't think they've started setting up yet."

"Well, it is six. The festival doesn't start till ten."

"I should just…"

"You could just stay in here until I'm done with work, than we can go to the meadow. How does that sound?" I asked before he could finish.

He smiled, "Yeah, sure."

"Okay! I'll come in when I'm done."

I met up with Mark outside, "Let's hurry up and get work over with. I want to go to the festival already," he said when he saw me.

I laughed, "Yeah, me too. But before we go…"

"Hm?"

"Can you take care of the farm for me next week? I want to go visit my sister in town."

"Uh…I think I would need some help."

"Well, I'm sure Natalie wouldn't mind helping out, and I don't think Denny would care either. Plus, I'll pay you an extra 1500 G for your trouble."

"Deal!" Mark said shaking my hand, "When do you leave?"

"I'm hoping tonight…" I said, thinking it over for the first time.

"Why so soon?"

"Because I want to see her as soon as possible," I lied, there was another, more embarrassing, reason.

"Well, okay, I hope you have fun."

"Me too. Now let's get to work."

When we finally finished I went home to get Vaughn and tell him we could leave. Walking to the Meadow, I confessed about being nervous.

"Don't be, you'll do fine," he reassured me.

"I hope you're right, Vaughn…"

"You've got the gift?"

"Oh, yeah, it's in my bag."

"Just to be sure, we dance at the end and then give the gift?"

"That's it."

"Simple enough."

We crossed the bridge into the Meadow and mingled among the guests before beginning to dance.

Vaughn was right, I did fine. At least there weren't any obvious mistakes and it was all done and over with soon enough. Nathan and Lanna had set it up so we would finish the number in front of our dates, so all we had to do was extend a hand to begin dancing again.

"You were pretty good," Vaughn said as we swayed together.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Thanks, I'm happy that it's over with."

"Won't you have to do it again next year?"

I groaned, "Don't remind me."

He laughed.

We danced a bit more in silence, spinning and avoiding collisions with the other couples.

"Can I ask you a favor?" I eventually asked.

"Depend what it is," he responded.

"Nothing big, I was just wondering if I can come with you to town tonight."

"Why do you want to go to town?"

"To see my older sister."

"I didn't know you even had a sister."

We spun around.

"Well, I have two brothers too."

"I guess I can take you with me. Sure."

"Thank you so much Vaughn!" I said hugging him as we moved about.

"It isn't that big of a deal," he said being modest, "When you coming back?"

"I was hoping that I'd come back with you Wednesday morning."

"I usually leave town Tuesday night…"

"That works too! We can meet back up then to come back to the island."

"I…uh, yeah, sure that sounds fine"

The music quieted down and Nathan spoke, "It is time to give our gifts to the goddess!" he announced, "Please line up in pairs in front of the statue.

Natalie and Mark were first in line, while Vaughn and I were second to last, just in front of Pierre and Sabrina.

When it was our turn, Alisa instructed us to place our gift on the altar. I looked over the offering already there and noticed that there was a bell, a large fish, and a turnip that I assumed Mark had saved for the occasion.

I placed the flower on the altar and bent my head in prayer I had to elbow Vaughn to get him to do the same thing.

Alisa began her prayer thanking the Harvest Goddess and blessing this day. I opened one eye to check on Vaughn to see that he had done the same thing. I struggled to keep myself from laughing out loud as he smiled.

The festival finally ended and Vaughn walked me home.

"Have you packed?" he asked when we arrived.

"Not yet…I didn't think I'd actually get to go," I admitted.

"Then go do that, I'll wait for you out here."

I nodded and went inside. I was so excited that I called my sister first and told her I'd be on my way that night.


Author's Note: Yes, long chapter, sorry! It was longer than I expected...Oh, and I really do suck at titling chapters don't I?

Disclaimer: Harvest Moon and all characters belong to Natusme

Charlotte Winter belongs to Twilights Lily