Wow, talk about brain damage. I've been trying to get this stupid chapter figured out, but for some reason, my brain didn't want to cooperate with me. Stupid brain *pokes with Q-Tip*

Harvest Moon (c) Natsume =3

Chapter 12

Chelsea didn't know where Mark was staying. She had gone to the Inn in the main part of town and I laughed at her. She puffed out her cheeks childishly, so I forced the air out by pushing on both cheeks at the same time. She squealed, I laughed.

"So where does the little wanna-be live?" she asked, stepping back into the frigid air.

I chuckled and grabbed her wrist. Her wrist was small; I could wrap all of my fingers around it. I smiled at the thought and led the way towards the east town.

"He lives in the Hotel by the Diner. He didn't have enough gold to have Gannon build him a house."

"Oh," she said, turning bright red.

I smiled at her and kept leading the way.

Mark was pacing his room (as he always is) and didn't even notice us walk in. He was only a few inches taller than Chelsea was and he had his blonde hair under a backwards baseball cap. Chelsea walked up to him and started talking to him.

I tuned them out and tried not to glare at Mark. He obviously got along very well with Chelsea and it was easy to see that she was comfortable in his presence. It was odd, feeling jealous of this guy. He hadn't known her as long, but it seemed like he was in love with Chelsea.

"Vaughn? You ready?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and saw Chelsea looking up at me anxiously. She was holding onto my sleeve and tugging towards the door. I nodded and she smiled.

"Ok Mark. Be at the ranch at six sharp. Otherwise, I'm not gonna show you anything," she said with a smile.

He laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll be there. See you tomorrow, Chelsea."

"Bye Mark."

"You seem very crabby Vaughn....At least since we went to see Mark..."

We were back at the shop and I had snapped at Chelsea when she asked me a question. I was too consumed with the possibility of competition for Chelsea's attention. I was here for her first; Mark couldn't just show up and take that away from me.

"I'm....preoccupied right now..." I muttered.

"He's consumed with hatred," Julia said with a smirk on her face. "Ain't it obvious?"

I glared at her while Chelsea merely tilted her head cutely.

"Did I anger you again, Vaughn?" she asked, looking up at me sadly.

Goddamn her cuteness. "No Chels, you didn't. I promise," I said, half-smiling at her.

She grinned and sipped at her hot chocolate. She was sitting in a chair next to the window watching the snow fall. Julia was sitting at the table and I was standing cross-armed in between them. For the most part, the two would talk around me and I'd just stand there thinking. Mirabelle was nowhere in sight, as usual.

"I wish it were spring..." Chelsea sighed.

"Oh don't we all? Winter is so dreary and cold," Julia piped in.

"Oh, but there's the New Year's festival and Starry Night. Those are the best festivals ever," Chelsea said with a smile.

"Do you have a special guy you're gonna spend 'em with?" Julia asked. I could hear her hinting about me and Chelsea being together.

She thought for a second and then a grin broke out on her lips. "Bandit."

Julia spit out the mouthful of cocoa she had and choked on it. I was trying my hardest not to roll on the floor with laughter.

"What? He's the only one I was planning on hanging out with those days. Vaughn won't be here for the Starry Night or New Years," she said with a shrug.

I looked at her in shock. Julia snorted slightly.

"How do you know? Did you check to see what festivals he'd be here for?" she asked holding back laughter.

Chelsea blushed and looked back out the window. She had? Why would she have done that? Did she actually...Wait; she won't be here for either festival either...What was she doing, stringing Julia along like that?

"I'm pretty sure if you asked, Vaughn would love to stay for the Starry Night with you, Chels."

It was my turn to blush. I tilted my head down, but Julia smacked my hat off of my head.

"Oh come now, Vaughn. No need to turn so red," she teased.

I knelt down to get my hat, but Julia snatched it at the same time. I tugged it away, but she held firm and tugged back.

"He probably would stay. But I don't have the guts to ask," Chelsea said.

Both Julia and I stopped pulling on my hat and looked at her. She was sipping her cocoa and staring out the window still. She sighed.

"But I won't be here for either festival either..."

Now, the moment of truth...

"What? Why not?" Julia asked.

"I have family matters to deal with. I'm leaving tomorrow on the noon boat. Mark's gonna look after the farm for me, but can you keep an eye and ear out? I kinda don't fully trust him yet."

"Chels, when did you decide this? What kind of family matters?" Julia asked, walking over to Chelsea and placing her hands on the smaller girls' knees.

"I decided I was leaving in summer. And the matters don't matter. I don't want you to worry though; I promise that I'll be back before the Goddess festival."

"You're gonna be gone that long? But Chels!"

Chelsea shook her head. "Look, I've decided, ok? I just want to know that you'll check up on Mark every once in a while. If he kills any of my animals, I'm gonna be pissed."

I chuckled and crossed over to her. I placed my Stetson on her head and smiled.

"I'm gonna head to the mainland with you tomorrow. I don't trust city-folk," I said, my chivalrous side kicking in.

Julia smirked, but said nothing. Chelsea tilted her head back and giggled.

"You don't have to go through all that trouble Vaughn."

I smirked. "I also wanna be there when you show Mark the ropes. He's not gonna be as good as you are, that's for sure." I glanced over at Julia whose eyebrows were arched and a smirk was plastered on her face. "Besides, I probably know the city better than you do. Don't need you getting lost, now"

Chelsea took the Stetson off of her head and looked up at me. She looked as if she were about to cry, but broke into a smile.

"That really means a lot to me Vaughn," she said as she stood up.

"Hey, no problem. I just-" I began

I was cut short when she wrapped her arms around me. I froze completely and couldn't move.

"You really don't have to do all of this just for me. I'm sure I can navigate the city just fine on my own," she muttered.

I was still in a tense stance that I couldn't get myself out of. I wanted to hug her back, shove my face in her hair and nuzzle the crap outta her. The only thing stopping me from doing so, was a certain blonde haired woman on the brink of laughter.

"Chels, really. It's the least I can do..." I muttered, trying my hardest not to blush from the close contact.

She looked up at me and smiled ever-so cutely. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks.

"Thank you Vaughn. Very much. You don't even know how much this means to me; having my best friend with me."

I felt a lump grow in my throat. We were best friends: nothing else. I had to stop feeling like there could be more, especially when her grandfather was on the brink of death. I took a deep breath with my eyes closed, managed a small smile and opened my eyes. I hugged her back slightly.

"I'll always be here for you, Chelsea."