This was more work than I wanted it to be. Leave a review and follow me on twitter JonClay14

"I have no idea how you spend all day in this place," I said. We were in the last days of Summer and temperatures were finally starting to drop. Dawn and dusk had acquired the traditional chill that told of Fall's imminent arrival. Still, the days were hot, and it was much worse inside Clint's smithy. I was wearing a thin t-shirt, sturdy jeans and thick boots. Sweat was pouring down my face, neck, and back.

"I guess I've gotten used to the heat," Clint shrugged. He was wearing his smith's apron and strong, sturdy clothes to protect him from the forge's flame. By my estimates he should've died from heatstroke by now. Then again, Clint was a strong man. Working the forge had given him powerful arms and a broad back. Really, it was his face that let him down. He had a baby face and a weak chin that he kept hidden by that goatee. The beer belly wasn't doing him any favors either. Mostly, though, no one took him seriously because of his attitude.

Clint was a timid fellow. He was clearly crushing hard on Emily. Everyone knew it—including Emily, I'm sure. He had few friends and made no effort to get to know anyone, preferring to spend his free time sitting in the saloon staring at Emily out of the corner of his eye. I was one of those few friends, and we had only gotten to know each other by force. I needed someone to look after my tools and he was the only one to do it.

"So when will I get this back?" I said, motioning towards my axe. "Planting is basically done for the season. I want to use my free time clearing away some of those stupid trees."

"Good work takes time, Max," Clint said, flashing me a small grin. "It'll be done in a few days for sure. I'm sure there's more than enough things on that farm to keep you busy."

I stretched my tight muscles and yawned. The heat was making me drowsy. "Not really. Robins fixing up my house, and there's nothing to do until Fall begins. Really, ever since I got those sprinklers set up I'm only busy in the beginning of the season when planting starts."

Clint nodded in understanding. "You can always delve into the mine. If you can get enough gold then you can make Quality Sprinklers. Then you'll really start making money. Of course, if you don't want to go into the mines, I sell gold ore at competitive rates."

I snorted and Clint laughed despite himself. "Your ore prices are highway robbery. I'd gladly risk getting carved up by those monsters instead of paying all that money," I said.

"You're the only one who actually goes mining. Everyone else is glad to pay my prices," Clint said.

"Careful, brother," I said. "You're starting to sound like the Joja Corp."

"A man's gotta eat. Not all of us grow our own food, Max. Now get out of here and let me get to work on this axe. See you at the saloon later?"

I nodded. "First rounds on you."

Clint's laughter escorted me out of the smithy. A refreshing breeze hit me almost immediately, tickling my skin and cooling me down. The breeze wasn't enough, and I wasn't about to go jumping in the river. Normally I would go to the saloon, but it was too early. I had plans to drink with Clint later. If I started this early then I would be a drunken mess before eight o'clock. A solution presented itself in the form of Mayor Lewis. I had been meaning to talk to the old man for a while as the Community Center held my curiosity.

Thinking about the Community Center brought up bad memories; a pain that had yet to truly heal. I shoved those thoughts away. I would not let her ruin my mood. How foolish I was. I began walking into the center of town and my stomach dropped. I had come to the smithy from the top of town, passing through the mountains instead directly through the town. Perhaps my preference of taking the longer route was due to an innate desire to avoid seeing them.

Alex kept himself busy during the summer months by running an ice cream stand. That wasn't a problem. I had no quarrel with him. Honestly, he probably didn't even remember meeting me. My problem was with the beautiful blonde that was leaning on the ice-cream stand, rubbing a finger through Alex's wavy hair. Today she was wearing a yellow sundress, a wide-brimmed sun hat and matching flats. She was gorgeous. Alex said something and she threw her head back, tucked an errant strand of fine blonde hair behind her ear, and laughed.

It was too much for me. I turned and made to head in the opposite direction, but, no. I would not do that. I was an adult, damn it. I had my wild years in university. I've broken hearts and had my heart broken many times before. I was above such childish behavior. Besides Pelican Town was small. I couldn't avoid her forever. Especially considering the fact that Emily and I had become such fast friends. I set my jaw, steeled my nerves and strode forward as quickly as I could, keeping my gaze determinedly pointed straight ahead.

Big Mistake.

The closer I got, the more I could make out their conversation. I heard a tinkling laugh, a truly beautiful sound, a soft chime that was easily heard over the strong Summer wind. Before I could stop myself, I turned to see Haley with her head thrown backward, laughing at some joke Alex must have told. With a shock I realized that even though I had lived in Stardew Valley for two seasons I had never, before this moment, heard Haley's laugh.

At that moment she turned and our eyes met. I clenched my jaw, forced myself to break away from her gaze, and went on my merry way.

Haley loved Summer with all her heart. Fall was too much work. Emily subjected her to such indignities like raking leaves or sweeping the sidewalk. Winter was much too cold; she couldn't go to the beach or spend time relaxing by the fountain. Spring was alright, the best part of it was the Flower Dance. Summer was perfect. There was barely any rain, she could spend time by the beach relaxing on the hot sand or in the warm water, and the weather was just right for sitting by the fountain with a good magazine. And she couldn't forget her favorite Summer activity: hanging out with Alex by his ice-cream stand.

She was doing just that, leaning over the stand, running her finger along Alex's rock hard biceps and laughing at something he said when she caught sight of Max in her peripheral vision. Remembering her promise to Emily to apologize for her behavior, she turned, intent on catching Max's eyes. She began to raise her hand in greeting but stopped when she saw Max looking at her with murder in his eyes. She had been hoping that he would have gotten over it by now, but, nope, he was still wearing his hurt on his sleeve. Haley watched Max stomp away, surprised by how heavy her heart felt.

"Hey, Alex, I'm going to take off," Haley said.

"Already, babe?"

Haley flashed him her best smile. "Yeah, I've got something to take care of."

Alex shrugged. Haley leaned forward, placed a gentle kiss on Alex's tan cheek, then set off in search of Max. Might as well get it over with as soon as possible.

I left Mayor Lewis's house after a short conversation, tossing a heavy iron key into the air. I hadn't learned much about the Community Center, when I asked about it Lewis grew eerily morose. What he did tell me was that Joja Corp was interested in buying it. Apparently they were going to tear it down and use the space as a warehouse. Mayor Lewis told me that if one more person bought membership at Joja Mart he would sell it to them. Fat lot of good that would do. I was the sole resident of the valley without a membership and I had no intention of getting one anytime soon. Better the Community Center stand as a pile of mildewed ruins than be turned into another brick in Joja's soulless corporate empire.

My brief stay in the smithy was still affecting me. My t-shirt clung uncomfortably to my skin. Once I passed Pierre's shop on my way to the Community Center I ripped my t-shirt off and threw it over my shoulder. The breeze licked at my exposed torso, cooling me down, making life bearable again.

"Hey, Max."

I turned towards the sound of my name and saw Haley coming towards me, her blonde hair bouncing with each step. The jealous, irrational part of my brain told me to ignore her and continue on my merry way. The sensible, rational part told me that that was stupid. Once again I had to remind myself that I was an adult. So, I stood there, trying to keep my face as possible which certainly wasn't easy. As she came closer I could see her blonde locks bouncing with each step and her sundress moving fluidly around her long legs.

Her eyes danced over my bare chest and I grew painfully aware of my partial nudity.

"Hello, Haley," I said.

The two of us stood in the middle of the street separated by two feet and an awkward silence.

"So," Haley said. She clasped her hand behind her back bit her lower lip. "How've you been?"

I cocked my head to the side. "I mean, I'm fine? I guess?"

"That's good," She glanced at her feet, obviously trying to find the words that would cut the tension between us.

Surprisingly, I wasn't embarrassed. I was fed up. Fed up of these stupid feelings I had for a girl I barely knew, fed up of living in my own head and allowing myself to seethe with jealousy. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to go check out the Community Center and then go about enjoying the rest of my Summer.

"Look, do you need something?" I asked. "I kinda have something to do."

Haley flushed. "Am I interrupting your half-nude stroll through the mountain?"

I turned around and walked away. Behind me I heard Haley curse and she began following me.

"Max, wait! I'm sorry!"

I said nothing. She broke out in a run—difficult because of her strappy sandals—and grabbed my arm.

"Would you stop!"

Our eyes met. She glanced down at my chest and I thanked Yoba that all the farm work had done wonders for my body.

"Okay, I'm stopped," I said. "What do you need?"

"I wanted to apologize," Haley said plainly. "For the horrible things I said last time. Don't get me wrong, I don't like you in that way. I want to make that abundantly clear, but I was wrong to bash you like that."

Despite my newfound need to put this entire ordeal behind me, I felt my stomach dropped. I don't think I can be blamed for the way I felt. When a cute girl like Haley shoots you down you're bound to feel at least a little dejected.

"Okay." I pulled my arm free and made my way towards the Community Center, trying to focus all my attention on the dilapidated building.

"Hey!" Haley stomped up behind me. "I said I was sorry! Stop being such a brat!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not being a brat. I accept your apology. Now, good-bye."

She grabbed my arm again and pulled me around to face her.

"No, you're being a brat. Stop being a little baby!"

"Yelling at me, huh? And here I thought this was supposed to be an apology."

"It was before you decided to be all immature. Here I am, swallowing my pride and putting my best foot forward, and you won't even look me in the eye!"

"What do you want me to say? I asked, exasperated. "Did you expect me to smile, wave, and be your best friend just because you said you were sorry? Look, I do accept your apology. Really, I do. But I can't pretend that things between us aren't awkward. You know that I like you and I know that you don't feel anywhere near the same way. There's nothing we can do about that. Maybe with some time we'll be able to be friends, but, right now, I think it's for the best if we keep our distance."

Haley bit her lower lip. Her arm fell away from mine, leaving the two of us standing in the grass like two idiots.

"You're right. I just," She shrugged.

"It'll be okay," I said. "Don't worry about it. Now, I really do have something to do. See you around."

"Where are you off to?"

I pointed towards the Community Center, flashing her the key at the same time. "Off exploring."

"I'll come with you," Haley said. "Let me give you a tour to make up for it."

"If you insist."

The two of us walked towards the Community Center. An air of forced calm settled between us. Neither of us said a word. There was a rusty chain and a large padlock around the door. I used the key I had gotten from the Mayor and they fell away with a loud clang. Haley stood back and watched as I forced the door open.

The inside of the Community Center was a mess. The roof had holes that let in the sunlight, and, undoubtedly, rain which was probably responsible for the damp floors and rotting scent. The floorboards had broken apart, exposing large sections of bare earth that was now host to a spreading plant. In the corner, next to the old fireplace, was a strange stone structure. The fishtank was cracked and there was an assortment of trash, probably decades old, scattered about.

"Jeez, what happened to this place?"

Haley steppe into the room, sticking close behind me. She scrunched up her face as the scent hit her. "It hasn't been used in forever. When Emily and I were kids people used to be in here all the time."

"And then?"

Haley shrugged. "The war. I don't think I have to tell you that the Valley isn't the close-knit community that you thought it was, Max. It was once, I guess. Then the war happened and prices shot right up. Ingredients got more expensive and some of the older men got called off to fight. All of a sudden people had no more money to spend on keeping this place together. And then Joja Corp came in which did wonders for Pierre's attitude."

"I can imagine how he felt watching his friends flock to the lower prices," I said.

Haley walked into the room. She grabbed me by the belt and pulled me along with her. My heart jumped at the contact. She had a pensive look on her face as she recalled old memories.

"So that's what happened. No one wanted to keep the thing, and then everyone sort of just drifted apart. The younger generation wasn't as close as the older folk, anyway. We've all sort of formed into our own cliques."

I opened my mouth to respond when I saw something move in the corner of my eye.

"What was that?" My voice echoed in the loud room.

"What was what?"

Something scurried in the shadows. Haley wrapped her arms around me, jamming herself against my bare flesh.

"IT'S A RAT!"

I groaned as she squeezed my ribs with surprising strength. "Calm down, Haley!"

We saw it again, plain as day. It wasn't a rat. It was a small, green thing. Like a slime with small eyes and stick-thin legs. It moved across the wooden floor and I swear by Yoba it seemed to be regarding us with a strange curiosity. Haley screamed like a banshee and jumped on my back, sinking her fingers into my bare flesh.

"Haley, calm down!" I said. It took all my strength to remain standing.

"Get me out of here!"

WIth Haley's legs wrapped around my body and her fingers tugging at my hair, I really had no choice but to listen to her. I steered both of us out of the Community Center and into the bright sunlight. Haley jumped off my back, wrapping her arm around her chest.

"I hate rats! Did you see the size of that thing?" Haley shuddered.

"It was green and had neither fur nor tail. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a rat."

"Okay, so it was a mutated rat," Haley shuddered again. "I'm going home, Max. I've had enough excitement for today."

I watched her walk away, muttering curses under her breath. I know what I saw. I may have been distracted by Haley's soft flesh pressing up against mine, but I know what I saw. That thing was no rat. I went back to my farm, taking the scenic route through the mountains. As I soaked in my little lake I tried to figure out what it could have been. It certainly wasn't a rat. And it wasn't a slime either. Slimes were translucent and they certainly didn't have legs.

I awoke the next day intent on revisiting the Community Center when I saw a letter in my mailbox from someone calling themselves a wizard. The letter told me to come to the stone tower in the middle of the forest. It promised me further instruction. I tucked the letter into my pocket, picked up my sword, and headed into the forest to see what this strange person wanted.