Just the way you are...
Chelsea's POV
I stared at the trees, they were totally blank, apart from the small layer of snow that coated their thin, chestnut branches. It was bliss in the village, silence but the wind blowing gently. The sky was covered in clouds, clouds that leaked miniature icicles of frozen snow and delicate snowflakes that lay on the rooftops and stuck together to form an icy coating that hid the bright colours of our village.
Julia and Natalie still weren't talking and that meant that I was slowly drifting apart from the two of them. I didn't want to, no not at all but it was happening. Love was supposed to come through, our friendship and love was supposed to be destroying this midnight wall of hate, not helping it build and develop. Julia didn't seem to want to spend any time with me anymore, after that night out. She just spent all day moping around, as if she was mourning something. I suppose she was, in a way, mourning her relationships, Elliot, Nat and maybe, maybe me. I haven't really spoken to Nat either; we spoke after she blew up on Julia but not so much after. Jut the occasional hi or hey. I really want us to be talking again but we left it in the hands of fate instead of doing something about it ourselves. I sighed as I walked past Mirabelle's house, I peered through Julia's window and half-expected Julia to be their laughing and waving but it was like a ghost, in my imagination. I walked past Taro's house and sighed too, Nat was always with Luke in their new house. But occasionally she visited her original house, Luke and I still chatted but he was always so caught up with Natalie. Jamie had gone home which just left me and Tommy in my house, luckily I had them extra rooms built a while back so he had his own room to be messy in.
I sighed again as I walked into the house, Tommy came and hugged me resting his chin on my hair.
"Any progress?" He asked.
"I didn't go in, I just couldn't."
"Okay, its okay. You guys will be together for Christmas, I'm gonna go get Nat and Julia, you guys should have a good chat."
Tommy left through the front door, so I thought I may as well prepare for them to come. Even if they didn't I could eat it with Tommy.
I opened the fridge and took out some food and nibbles. I placed them into the oven then picked out my best rose wine and three of my posh, crystal, champagne glasses.
There was a small knock at the door, I opened it. Julia was standing there, her golden curls slightly surrounding her face, because her ponytail was a high one. Her slightly blue tears were trickling down her face, I stared at her. She stared at me and suddenly the world disappeared it was just us two. We hugged, it felt great just us two hugging. But there was someone missing, Natalie she sprinted towards us and joined in the hug. Just us three hugging, Tommy walked up smiling. It was all thanks to him that we had united again, after months of just gently spurring me on, encouraging me lovingly, not once getting angry with me when I didn't do it. I pulled them inside with me and we sat on the leather sofa eating the nibbles and drinking the luxury drink.
"Natalie, I heard that Sabrina told your um..." Julia blinked long and hard, "brother that I was going to split up with him. But I wasn't, even check my phone and you know you can't delete conversations on this phone."
Nat picked up Julia's phone then checked it.
"You know, I always thought that you were telling the truth. I didn't want to believe it, I'd rather believe my own brother but you're like a sister to me. I love you guys, you're both my sisters."
We hugged, once again.
I didn't want to stir but it had to be said, "You know in a way, you didn't really believe your brother, you believed Sabrina..." I tried to put it delicately but her face screwed together.
"I'm so stupid,"
"No you're not Natalie." I and Julia replied simultaneously.
We all laughed together, like all of the times before Sabrina said that.
"You know what; I think Sabrina is trying to split us up." I said.
"Oh bless her; I think she just wants to be friends. Maybe she's jealous of us being such good friends." Julia replied sweetly.
"Good friends? We didn't talk for months and now we are talking it's like we're just the same. We're more than good friends, we could win an award." I replied.
"I don't think Sabrina is jealous." Natalie mumbled.
I kind of agreed with her but I didn't want to upset anyone so I just kept my mouth shut.
... Snow Festival- 5th winter-
I woke up at six and sighed, today I had to spend all day outside in the freezing cold, it wouldn't be so cold but I had to wrap up and look like a plum. Oh well... I headed to my drawer and took out some clothes, I had to layer up so I decided on: underwear (obviously...), a long sleeved, cream vest-top thing, a sparkly, sapphire, long sleeved, short dress with a pair of tights and two pairs of leggings. I also put on my black leather jacket and my favourite black boots- the ones with golden buckles. To be honest, I didn't really look like a plum, which was a relief. I looked pretty cool, not to blow my own trumpet but yeah.
I had been asked by Felicia to help bake some treats for the festival because, apparently, I was good at baking and cooking. I had hand-made some ham quiches, mini pizza's, vegetable stew- for Sabrina because 'she was vegetarian' (pfffttttt), some meat stew, some beef pies, sweet, fruity pies and my famous chocolate roulade. Quite a bit, but I wanted everyone to have a good time. I gave Julia and Nat a quick phone call and they headed round to help me take this stuff to the festival, on the way we bumped into Felicia and she took some of the stuff to help us.
"Wow, Chels! You made a lot!" Felicia exclaimed.
I smiled, "Well, I want everyone to have a good time."
She grinned back at me, "You're so sweet, Chels."
We headed to Meadow Island and I laid the food down onto the silk cloth that covered the table- luckily it was white so the snow couldn't be seen. No-one was here because it was only nine but I promised Felicia I would help her set up- you see I'm a good citizen! Well sort of, I was thinking about putting a bit of meat into the vegetable stew- you know for Sabrina- but then I thought someone else might eat it and then decided against it. Plus I was wearing my tongue magnets so I would look cool... But you know, you gotta go a little rebellious... Julia raised her eyebrows at me because of the face that I pulled, oh goddess...
People started flooding into the field now from the boat that had just landed. I sighed then headed to the boat and welcomed the tourists, giving them leaflets about the islands and the village. They smiled and said their greetings in return. After they were all here at 9:30, the residents then piled in and we got started. I built a sculpture with Julia, Nat and Luke built one together, Jamie and Tommy built one together. I and Jules being single Pringles we had to work together with no lover to help us or warm our hands, well Jamie and Tommy weren't lovers but they could hug and warm each other because they were kin.
I and Julia are pretty creative people so we built four people, two girls, two boys. Julia built herself and Elliot and I built myself and a boy- a random boy- with his arm draped around me. I also carved and sculpted some question marks around the boy because I don't know who my one and only is-but to be honest I don't really believe in that stuff.
After everyone had finished we all gathered at the bottom of the meadow and ate some food. It all tasted delicious especially the crisps that someone had donated.
Felicia rang a little bell for everyone's attention, "Everyone, everyone thank you for the donations everyone! Especially you, Chels!" I blushed. "It's time to judge the snow sculptures!"
The judges: Felicia, Ganon and Chen.
"This one is nice," Ganon read the label, "Julia and Chelsea."
That was all he had to say...
"I like the distinctive detail on the faces." Chen said.
"They're really good, especially the faces and body shape. Who are they meant to be?" Felicia giggled.
"No-one really..." I mumbled.
Julia just snivelled so Felicia shut up. They continued judging then announced some tourists as the winners.
Julia stormed over to our sculpture then bashed Elliot- the snow sculpture version- in the face. His head toppled off and he was left with just a body, everyone's eyes were on Julia now. She started sobbing and kicking the rest of it down until it was just a pile of snow next to a girl with an arm connected to nothing hung around her. I rushed towards her and hugged her.
"Julia, it's okay." I hushed.
"No! No, it's not!" She screamed and ran towards the boat; she hopped in and told Kirk to take her back to the village.
I followed her back to the boat and was shocked to see Sabrina tailing me- I sighed. What did she want?
I felt a hand on my back, thin snake like fingers and a slender hand that felt as cold as ice. But then nothing... Apart from an icy, arctic like coldness. I was freezing. My hair was floating above my head, it all seemed bizarre. Then the screams, they were muffled shrieks whose words just seemed jumbled. Next came my life, images flashing before my very own eyes, my life events. My head was spinning, my eyes closing, my memory fogging and then blackness.
But pretty soon I saw a glow of gold, and a sparkling silhouette. A small figure then approached, she was beautiful. Green hair, tied in a long plait and two buns perched on either side of her head, decorated with golden flowers. Her skin was pale but had a healthy glow. She wore a baby blue sleeveless belly-top and a long, flowing baby blue skirt, with a section at the bottom coloured indigo, there was a thick belt with a long charm attached to it. Her arms were held up and she was smiling.
"Chelsea... Do not be afraid, my child. I will guide you through this life, you will face many trials and troubles but the path ahead is a bright one. Chelsea, I cannot speak to you all the time, but I will try, my child. I can speak to you now because of the situation that has happened. Chelsea, no-one saw you be pushed, it was Sabrina! Keep it to yourself, my child! You're waking up, but listen to me hard and good Chelsea you mustn't tell anyone, this isn't a dream! This is real, my Chelsea!"
...Bleep! Bleep! Bleep! Buzz... Buzz... Buzz...
"Uhhhhh..." I moaned. "Where am I?" I said, almost back to normal.
"You're in hospital!" Julia and Natalie replied in sync.
"Oh right! S-... Uhhh never mind." I hesitated. That woman had told me not to mention that it was Sabrina who had pushed me. It had been her venom fingers that had pushed me. That beautiful woman told me, I know it wasn't a dream, she told me that it was real, my Chelsea... My Chelsea...? Well I couldn't think about that now, my head was aching.
"She'll only need a night in hospital; she was only in for about twenty seconds right, then you girls pulled her out."
Twenty seconds? It seemed as if it was hours on end.
"Yep, that's right doctor. Tommy, Jamie you guys can go home. I and Natalie will stay with Chelsea."
Tommy reluctantly agreed but trailed along after Jamie.
"How did you get in the water, Chels?" Natalie said; trying to be sweet but you could hear in her voice she was pretty mad.
"I fell; I slipped on the ice and fell." I said, sticking to the rules of not telling anyone.
"It's my entire fault!" Julia sniffled, her eyes brimming with frustrated tears.
"It's not!" I exclaimed, yep I was on the mend already, screaming and shouting and giggling.
"You didn't slip Chels, I know you didn't..." Natalie mumbled.
I fell asleep, feeling normal and happy after a chat with the girls but pretty soon I heard a voice.
A calm voice, "Natalie knows, Chelsea. But do not fear, just speak your mind but do not slip, my child. I trust you, Chelsea. Ask Natalie what she thinks happened, and tell her to keep quiet or deny it; I know you should not lie but sometimes it is necessary. Trust yourself and follow your instincts, my Chelsea."
...
-6th winter-
I woke in the morning content, even though I was in hospital after a horrible girl pushed me into the icy depths of the water. The doctor allowed me to go home, I, Julia and Nat caught the first ferry from the mainland back to our island. There were only us and a couple of tourists heading back over to the islands.
...
When we got back onto the islands I was greeted by Felicia, she held my hand and led me away, whilst asking if I was alright. I nodded my head and turned around to smile at Nat and Julia, who were trailing after us, grinning, happily or suspiciously. Yep, defo suspiciously. Felicia was leading me into Regis' mansion, alright this was suspicious. She opened the door and everyone from the town was there. They were all laughing and drinking.
Then they all spun around after the sound of the door slamming shut, "Surprise!" They all shouted, then crowded around me, asking if I was alright and how did it happen.
I just smiled and repeated myself, yes I was more than okay and I slipped on the ice and that I'm so clumsy. I headed over to the table where Jules and Nat were sat and slipped into a spare seat. They pushed me a drink forward, and I took a big swig, it made me feel so much better.
"How are you then, baba?" Julia gave me another hug.
"I'm good, Jules how many times?"
"I'm just checking up on you." She smiled.
I grinned, "Now then, missy. More importantly, are you okay?" Me and Nat grasped Julia's hands as her eyes threatened to leak.
"Well," She said, her voice wobbling and going hoarse. "I'm doing okay, I still love your brother but he hasn't replied to my millions of texts yet. And to be honest I don't think he is ever going to."
"He will," Nat replied determinedly, "I'll force him to."
"You can't force him too; if he doesn't love me then no-one can make him change his mind." Julia said, her head bowing as if she was ashamed of crying.
"Julia, let's not forget that Elliot does still love you, he has just been pointed in the wrong direction." By Sabrina- I don't wanna upset her though so I didn't say that.
I wanted to tell them. I wanted to tell them that it was Sabrina who pushed me. But the lady told me not to. I seemed to blink long and hard.
"Chelsea, I know you want to tell them but hold it, my child. Speak to Alisa about our meetings."
I opened my eyes, speak to Alisa? Well, okay I will. Why do I keep on meeting with this woman? Why now? Why not before?
"Chels? Are you okay?" Nat raised her eyebrows at me.
"Yeah." I shook my head to try and wake up more.
"That was confusing!" Julia laughed.
"Sorry I'm just trying to wake up more." I laughed too.
"You didn't look okay then; you looked totally lost and deep in thought!" Nat laughed at me.
"Don't laugh at me!" I pouted then laughed with them at myself.
As we were laughing they removed the clingfilm from the table so everyone could grab a bite to eat, there was even a cake! Ironically, it was blue like the water. There were three tiers to the cake; it was flavoured with cocoa making it chocolate, the three tiers were sandwiched together with orange butter-cream, gorgeous! I smiled as I cut myself a slice along to go with my prawn-cocktail crisps, mini sausages and pineapple on cocktail sticks and a beef pie. Yum!
I sat down on the same table, which we had been on before, with Natalie and Julia. I poked the sausages and pineapple off the cock-tail sticks and popped them in my mouth. Then I ate my pie and crisps then finally the cake. The cake was delicious, Felicia is such a good baker, I really want to learn from her because that is something I am passionate about, farming- my mum would be surprised, I used to hate all that muddy stuff as a kid, but now I enjoy it- and baking.
"Gorgeous!" Julia sighed as she licked her fingers clean from the butter-cream. "Your mum is such a good cook, Natalie."
"I know, I don't know how she does it..."
Nat smiled, "I'll tell her you think it's beaut." Nat skipped off to her mum.
...
Music was blasting through the mansion and my head was pounding. It was past midnight and there were only a couple of us young kids still partying, it was great. Good music, good people. Well some there was Denny stood over there and he is a bit threatening. But...
I headed over to the water jug and poured myself a glass of water, to ease my throbbing head. I slipped my hand into my bag and pulled out the antibiotics that I had received from the doctors and popped one onto my tongue then swallowed. It cured my swollen head making it feel so much better. I was in a party mood now! I headed over to the stereo and turned it up- it was the dance anthems hour and I was set to have a good time.
...
-7th winter-
In the morning I woke up and got dressed. I wore my white leggings, long, aqua top, leather jacket and wool boots. I then headed over to the church; to speak to Alisa like that woman had told me to.
"Hi Alisa, I came here to ask you about something. Is that alright?"
"Yes," She said in her sweet voice and smiled at me. "One minute Shea, Chelsea would like a private word with me. Would you like to head out to the Harvest Goddess's pond?"
"Yes please." I replied.
Just as Alisa turned to go, I saw a statue of a beautiful woman, the one I see in the dreams. Of course the Harvest Goddess, how could I forget about her? I remembered to follow Alisa before I started thinking too much.
"Now then, would you like some guidance, Chelsea?" Alisa looked into my eyes and smiled.
"Well, I've been having some dreams..."
"What kind of dreams?" Alisa questioned.
"I don't think they are actually dreams, they are more holy talks to give me guidance. The Harvest Goddess visits me. When I close my eyes or when I sleep, whenever I am in need of guidance really." I peered at her.
"Wow, that is amazing Chelsea. You must be very special. I have an idea; if you make an offering then she may appear especially because you are special."
"Okay."
I pulled out a strawberry from my bag (they are the HG's favourite) and threw it into the lake. There was a splash and then the Harvest Goddess appeared.
"Hello Chelsea, we meet in person at last." She smiled.
"Hi," I said excitedly.
"Chelsea, you must tell someone this, you can't keep it in forever. Who do you wish to tell? Someone you can trust, but not someone you love too much. You don't want to worry them."
"I guess I should tell Alisa, she understands and I love everyone on these islands."
"Tell me what?" Alisa said, jumping up and down. "Do you see her?"
"Yeah, Alisa you know on the snow festival when I fell into the water. I first saw the Harvest Goddess there; I didn't fall in the water." I gazed at the HG; she nodded her head so I continued. "Sabrina pushed me, you can't tell anyone. She followed me when I was going to the boat after Julia then pushed me. She doesn't like me, I'm not sure why. Don't tell anyone, you can tell Shea but no-one else. If you do tell Shea, make sure he doesn't tell anyone."
Alisa stared at me, "Chelsea, I promise I will keep your secret." She rushed forward and hugged me.
...
Harmony Day-14th winter-
I pulled out the cookies form my fridge that I had made yesterday and handed them out to all the boys on the islands, Shea wasn't sure what to do with his, I just laughed and continued going about. Julia was blushing like crazy because she gave some to Tommy and sent some wrapped chocolate to Elliot- Natalie gave her his address so she could send them to him. Nat and Luke had a romantic meal; Natalie baked some chocolate cake and gave me and Jules the leftovers.
...
Mining Festival-19th winter-
I strolled down the meadow my arms linked with Julia and Nat, I had entered a dazzling emerald into the competition and I was pretty confident that I had a chance. I got it yesterday from a deep part of the mine so it should be a good quality. I gazed around and was greeted by a horrible scowl from Sabrina, typical.
"Let's start the judging everyone!"
We all gathered around the tables and then Regis chatted about Volcano Island and stuff like that, then he stated what they would be judging the gems on.
My blink seemed longer.
The world was darkening.
All I saw was blackness but a voice rang in my ears.
"Sabrina! What are you doing? Sabrina don't do it, that's Chelsea's! She's gonna win with that emerald, its gorgeous!"
Then I was back, listening to Regis' ramblings.
That voice was Lanna's, Sabrina is gonna do something to my gem.
I saw her walk back towards the crowd with Lanna- Lanna had an anxious look on her face.
Sabrina rushed over to her father and mumbled something.
Regis looked startled then coughed, "Ummm, sorry Chelsea but your gem has smashed. We are unaware how it happened but you can have a consolation prize..."
I looked at the ground, then sighed, "Screw it." I walked to the boat, aware that everyone was staring at me, Julia and Natalie ran after me and followed me off the island.
It was Sabrina who did it... What is wrong with her...?
...
Christmas Eve- 24th winter- 09:00pm
? POV
I skipped to Chelsea's farm swinging my arm. I stopped though because the petrol was going to fall out.
I stared at the rows of crops that were neatly spread out over her field, tended to and cared for. Well, that would soon change. I sprinkled petrol on the crops that surrounded the house. I smiled in the darkness.
Then fished out a lighter from my pocket, my hair and skirt was swaying in the wind, this was the moment. I flicked the switch then laughed quietly as the fire glinted in my eyes. Fire... I hated it... But in this case fire was my best friend.
I flicked the switch then lowered myself to the crops. I put the lighter to the petrol then flicked the switch, setting it alight. It spread quickly.
The fire frightened me.
No.
The fire petrified me.
But it was all for her.
You just wait, Chelsea.
You just wait!
Authors Note:
What do you think? I know that this didn't exactly have Christmas in it but you know, oh well. I was thinking about doing it longer but then I didn't because of Christmas shopping and stuff. I might do another chapter soon when it's New Year. But I'll see. Please rate and review telling me what you think about everything like Sabrina doing all this crap and Chels seeing the Harvest Goddess.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!
