First of all, I have to admit that I am not a native speaker, so there might be a few mistakes, but if you were so kind as to write me a message to tell me of them, I would immediately correct them.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Nintendo, and I don't earn my money with these stories.

Fireworks

Sable sat at her sewing machine and finished today's last garment, a blue t-shirt with little, white flowers all over it. A cute outfit for a nice summer day. It was a few minutes before nine in the evening, the time the shop closed, and normally her sister Mabel would sweep the floor and put the new clothes for the next day on the stands. But today she had been finished with her chores half an hour earlier and had spent her time since letting her eyes wander longingly between the window and the clock on the wall. The fireworks outside could be heard exploding and coloured lights illuminated the inside of the store. Sable had told her sister that she could leave early for the festivities and though Mabel had looked intrigued, she had finally replied that she had a job and didn't want her sister to be left alone. Sable was quite proud of her little sister – well not so little anymore since she was already 24.

When the clock finally struck nine o'clock, Mabel cheered. "Now let's go, I don't want to miss it."

"You go ahead," Sable replied. "I just want to finish this."

Mabel looked at her sister for a moment. "But don't work too long."

"Okay," Sable said without looking up; she didn't intend to go at all tonight.

"See you soon," Mabel said and left the store.

When the door closed behind her sister, Sable stopped the sewing machine and sighed deeply. Ever since they had moved to this island, her life had gotten complicated and even more secluded. Everything had changed when Tom Nook had called Mabel to offer her a job. He had started a new project – the Island Getaway Package – and wanted to provide his customers with the chance to buy new clothes now and then. So Mabel had started to visit his island a day a week and sell a bunch of clothes while she, Sable, had looked after their store in the town. But Mabel sold so many clothes and the store in the town was having problems due to cheaper competition that Tom had offered them to open a store right on his island. At first, Sable was strictly against it because she feared that it would hurt too much but Mabel was so excited, and the break-up had been over five years ago that Sable had finally agreed. It wasn't in her nature to wander much around anyway and Tom had only visited once, on the day of their grand opening three months ago. It was strange to see him again after so many years, but he hadn't changed much except for a few grey hairs and a bigger belly. He seemed more relaxed though which was good for him since Sable had broken off their engagement because he was always too busy and never had time for his fiancée. But now his nephews had taken over his shop and he had an assistant, so maybe…

No, stop it, Sable! she chided herself. She shouldn't walk this train of thought again. She wouldn't risk another heartbreak! But she was 35 now and didn't want to spend the rest of her life alone. She sighed once more and went to the window. The fireworks looked beautiful. She wished she could just get out there and celebrate with everyone, but she didn't want to cause an awkward situation.

Suddenly the door opened and for a moment she feared that it was him but it was just her sister who looked at her sternly, her hands stemmed at her sides.

"You're hiding, aren't you?"

Sable couldn't lie to her sister even if she wanted to, so she just gave her a sad smile and nodded. Mabel's expression changed from angry to sympathetic in a heartbeat. "I didn't realise it was so hard for you to be here," she said and went to her sister. "Maybe we should leave again."

"No," Sable declared. "It'll pass, I'm sure. Our lives here are good, aren't they?"

"I love it here," Mabel smiled. Another red light exploded in the sky. "You should come, it's great." "I don't know," Sable hesitated.

"He's not there, you know. Isabelle said he had work to do."

Sable pondered this – but what if he would come out?

"Please," Mabel said, and she barely pleaded about anything.

"Alright," Sable finally gave in.

Mabel cheered and took her sister's hand, leading her outside. The Able Sisters' store wasn't far from the Town Plaza and so they soon met everyone else. Isabelle was giving out hats and taking customised designs for fireworks. Redd had a stall and the villagers stood around chatting, laughing, and watching the beautiful fireworks on display.

They went over to Isabelle who had organised the whole event.

"I got her," Mable announced triumphantly.

"Great," Isabelle beamed but looked nervously around.

Sable understood the situation at once. Though Isabelle was around the same age as Mabel, she lacked the hedgehog's confidence. "It is a wonderful event," Sable tried to placate the dog's nerves.

"You really think so?"

"Of course. Look, everyone is having fun and the fireworks are amazing."

"I just wish Mr Nook would come out and have a look. It's the first time I'm organising such a big event, I would love his approval."

"I'm sure he's happy." Sable hesitated a moment before asking: "Is he still in the town hall?"

Isabelle nodded. "He said he'd come…"

Sable looked at the dark windows of the town hall and suddenly an idea hit her: What if he was hiding for the same reason that she had tried to hide? "I'll try to get him to come," she heard herself saying before she could stop herself.

Mabel looked at her concerned, but she gave a quick smile.

"Oh, please do," Isabelle said. "He works too much."

I know, Sable thought and went to the entrance of the town hall. She took a deep breath before carefully opening the door. Inside it was dark except for the moonlight that shone through the windows and the occasional coloured flash of the fireworks. He stood in front of a window and looked outside. He seemed deep in thought and the sight of him made her heart jump. She still was as attracted to him as she had been ten years ago.

"I was just on my way outside," he said while turning around. "Oh," he made when he recognised Sable. "I thought you were Isabelle."

"No, it's me," she replied shyly and closed the door behind her. When she looked back at him, he was still staring at her.

"I prefer that," he whispered and quickly looked back out of the window.

Sable couldn't avoid a small smile. Slowly she went towards him to stand beside him. Together they watched the coloured lights for a while in companionable silence.

"Were you hiding from me?" Sable asked in a low voice. The semi-darkness made her brave and the words were easier to speak.

He sighed but remained silent.

"Because I was trying to hide from you in the store until Mabel made me come," she admitted without looking at him.

He gave her a quick glance. "I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Me neither," she smiled.

For a while, the exploding fireworks were all there was.

"I missed you," he finally said and turned towards her.

She copied his movement so that they now stood in front of each other. Sable had to gulp before she was able to admit: "I missed you, too."

This made him smile. "Would you still say that the main reason it didn't work out between us was me being too busy?"

She nodded and waited with a beating heart for his next words. Hope and fear battled in her mind.

"Then maybe we could try again?" he offered with his sheepish look she loved so much.

She wanted to say 'yes' and jump into his arms and kiss him and feel his love again but the memories of her heartbreak and those dark days were ever-present in her mind, and she was too afraid to be reckless. "Maybe," she finally answered. When his face fell, she added: "For now let's enjoy the fireworks show. Isabelle put a lot of effort into it."

He continued to look at her disappointed for a moment before he nodded. "Okay."

She nodded too and went to the door. When she opened it, she felt his hand holding hers and she let him without comment but with a warm feeling in her chest.

As they watched the fireworks for the rest of the night, Sable liked the idea of them being together again more and more. But it was only when he presented her with a full plan of his work time and a lot of free time he wanted to spend with her that she was able to give in.

THE END.