Bittersweet Seventeen
Author's Note: Sorry I forgot the disclaimer last time. Oh, well, I guess. Thanks for your reviews! I love you guys!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon. Okay?
~oOoOoOo~
". . .Happy birthday, dear Karen!" my family and friends sang. "Happy birthday to YOU! Woo-hoo! Yeah, Karen!"
It was Winter 29, my seventeenth birthday, and there I was at my very own party. The bar was jam-packed with people who had finally found an excuse to drink more than usual. But all my real friends were surrounding me at a table in the middle of the inn. Ann, Doug, Gray, Elli, Pappy, Kai, and the Midwife (who had become a dear friend to my family over the past years) all crowded around my table as Mother carefully placed a huge cake in front of me. Seventeen candles bordered the words, "Happy Sweet Seventeen, Karen!" In Flower Bud, turning seventeen was a much bigger deal than turning sixteen. I guessed it was because seventeen was the age of marriage.
"Thanks, Mother," I said, as she took my hand. I could tell she was about to cry.
"Make a wish, dear," she said, squeezing my fingers in hers.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, secretly wished for true love, and blew all of the candles out at once. Everyone cheered and clapped loudly, patting me on the back or ruffling my hair. "Thanks, everyone!" I said to all my friends.
"Oh, but, Karen!" Pappy said mischeviously. "We're not finished yet!" He, along with all the other people surrounding my table, pulled a neatly wrapped box from behind his back. "Presents!" they all shouted.
"Oh, goddess!" I cried. "You guys weren't supposed to bring presents!"
"But, we did!" Elli put in. "We love you, Karen!"
I held back a tear of joy. It was great to know people still loved me.
"Open mine first, Karen!" a little voice surprised me. It was little May, barely five years old, the Midwife's granddaughter. "It's from me and Grandma." She pushed a medium sized, flat present into my hands.
"Okay," I said, unwrapping it carefully. It was a wooden picture frame with handpainted hearts and flowers all over it.
"I painted it!" May declared, pointing both of her thumbs to her chest.
"And it's beautiful," I said, wrapping an arm around May and squeezing her tightly. Inside the frame, I noticed, was a black and white picture of the Midwife and my grandmother. Obviously, the picture had been taken many, many years ago. The two young women in the photo had crowns of flowers on their heads and wore beautiful dresses, indicating that they were at the Flower Festival. "Thank you, ladies," I said, addressing both May and Anella.
Next, Ann handed me a tiny box, blushing madly. I opened it excitedly, to find a pretty ring of sterling silver. On it was printed the word, "Forever."
"It's a promise ring," my best friend explained sheepishly. "A promise that we'll be best friends forever."
"Oh, Ann, come here!" I beckoned. I quickly wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tightly. "Of course we will."
After that, Elli gave me a wonderful chocolate cake recipe and a beautiful friendship bracelet. Gray, no longer in a wheelchair or crutches, bashfully handed me a brand new calendar with different beaches on each page. He knew I loved the beach.
Doug gave me a gift certificate for the bakery he'd bought just for me. Kai jokingly gave me a purple bandana just like his, but reassuringly handed me a new wallet with 100G inside. Pappy's gift was one of my favorites. He had specially ordered a beautiful blue vase with intriguing designs carved all over it. "Oh, Pappy!" I cried. "It's beautiful. I'll have to find myself something to put in it!"
"I don't think so," Pappy said, with a twinkle in his eye. And somehow, from behind his back he pulled a dazzling dozen pink roses. "They're still your favorite, aren't they?"
"Oh, yes!" I exclaimed. "Thank you!"
And then there was Mother's gift, my personal favorite. To my surprise, I unwrapped the oddly shaped box and found a new telephone for my room! "Oh, goddess, Mother!" I said, awestruck. "Thank you so much!" I enveloped her in a huge hug.
"Now you can call Ann in the privacy of your own room!" she teased, ruffling my hair.
"You're the best!" I pulled out of the hug to look at my new phone.
Suddenly, my father appeared out of nowhere and gruffly said, "When I heard your mom was getting you a phone, I decided to get you this." With that, he handed me a furry blue cover (like the one on Legally Blonde, except a different color). "Sorry, it's not wrapped. I didn't have time."
"It's okay, Dad," I said plainly. "Thank you." I silently let out a breath of relief. Thank goddess my father hadn't done something stupid, like not show up or buy himself a few pints of beer. For once, he was acting almost half-way like a normal father.
Minutes passed, and soon everyone was chit-chatting amongst themselves. Mother cut the cake, and everyone got at least one slice. Of course, my one table was not big enough for all the people, so everyone started to meander over to different tables. But, seated at my table were Ann, Gray, Kai, and Elli.
"Hey, Ann," Kai said, scooting his chair closer to hers. The two of them were still going out, of course. "It won't be long before you'll be having YOUR sweet seventeen party!"
My best friend began to blush madly. I noticed again that she had a ring that matched the one she had just given me. I fiddled with mine, using my thumb to twirl it around on my right pinky finger. "Yeah, Ann!" I added, nudging her with my elbow.
"So, Karen," Elli said, leaning forward in her chair. "Since you're seventeen now. . .have you got your eyes on someone?"
"Goddess, Elli!" I mock shouted, blushing furiously. I playfully punched her shoulder, smiling shyly.
"You know, Gray," Elli said. "It won't be long before you-know-who will be having this party!"
Gray scowled. "Shut up!" he said.
I looked at Ann, and she shrugged. No one could tell if he was joking or not.
Gray, too, since that horrible day almost two years ago, had transformed into a cold, sharp intravert. He rarely spoke now, and when he did, it was usually to say something cruel or demeaning. I stared at him, my gaze not wavering. The potion shop dealer and the midwife had agreed that he was healed several seasons ago. However, Gray seemed to have a hard time pulling himself back together. No one knew if he struggled mentally, physically, or even both. Gray suddenly met my gaze for a split second, almost immediately averting his eyes. He never looked at me anymore. Not even when I spoke to him.
"Hey, Duke!" I called, breaking the sudden awkward silence. "Howsa 'bout we dance?"
Duke chuckled and flipped on the record player. The intro to a lively song began to fill the bar.
"Elli," I said, nodding at her. "Let's dance!"
She giggled, accepted my hand, and together we pranced out onto the floor. I saw Ann and Kai scurry to get into position beside us. Elli sang along with the music cheerfully, "Bum-buh-bum-buh-buh-duh-duh-duh!"
I laughed as we danced, silly expressions spread across our faces. We danced a few more songs, until Duke announced that it was midnight, closing time. "See you tomorrow night," I said to him, gathering up all my wonderful gifts.
"Bye, Karen, and happy birthday!" he called after me.
I smiled at him before exiting the bar. Immediately, the cool rush of late winter enveloped my body, sending shivers through my body. I inhaled the chill air as my skin slowly adjusted to the night's cold atmosphere. I took a step, my boot crunching the thin snow. Winter was nearly over, and a new year would begin soon. I spotted Ann up ahead and took another squishy step in the snow.
"Ann!" I hollered after my friend, who was already walking down the cobblestone path to the crossroads. She stopped to look at me. "Spend the night?" I asked.
She grinned. "Of course!" She halted and waited for me to catch up to her. "Where's Kai?"
"I think he's still back at the bar," I said.
"Oh, good," she replied, much to my surprise.
"What does that mean?" I inquired, cocking my head to the side as we began to walk.
"It means I don't know if I want to marry him."
I gasped softly. "Ann!"
"I know," she said.
"Hey, girls! Wait up!" a voice called. It was Kai, running after us.
Ann looked at him, her eyes filled with fear and worry. Turning back to me, she whimpered softly.
"Tell me when we get home," I whispered, trying to give her a reassuring smile.
Ann nodded, turning her head to face Kai again. "Hey," she said softly.
"Are you coming home with Karen again today?" he asked.
"Yeah," Ann answered, nodding.
"All right!" he exclaimed. "Maybe we can play a game or something?"
"Um, well, I. . ." Ann seemed to want to say no, but I knew she couldn't find words.
"Actually!" I interrupted, startling Kai. "We were kind of tired, and there's some stuff we need to talk about. You know. . .girl stuff."
"Oh," Kai answered, seeming disappointed. "Okay, then."
Ann nodded. An odd silence fell among us. "Oh, shoot!" Kai suddenly said. "I left my wallet back at the bar. I'm gonna run back and get it."
"'Kay," we said, and Kai ran back off.
"Let's hurry," I said, starting to jog with my friend up the dirt road to the vineyard. Our arms were still loaded with gifts and stuff from the party. When we finally arrived at my bedroom, we let all the goods fall into a noisy heap on the wood floor.
I lent Ann some clothes, and we changed into our pajamas, locking my door and collapsing tiredly onto the bed. I wanted to act like it was no big deal, Ann's big news, but my insides burned with curiosity and impatience. "Ann," I murmured monotonously. "What's going on?"
Ann sat up, the orangey lamplight covering her face, making it glow. Tears were filling her eyes. "I don't love him," she said, looking at her bare feet and hugging her knees.
I stared at her with the understanding look in my eyes that all best friends have. I said nothing, for I knew she would tell all without me questioning her.
"I don't think I ever have," she continued, a large tear escaping her eye. She quickly wiped it away. "He's a great guy and all, but I don't think he's the one for me. I'm afraid he'll take it the wrong way when I. . .when I. . .b-b-break. . .b-break up with him."
"Oh, Ann," I said, reaching forward with my arms to envelope her thin body in a hug. "Oh, Ann, I'm so sorry."
"I. . .I feel terrible," Ann said, trying furiously to protect her face from all the tears coming from her eyes.
"Don't, Ann," I said, my hands grasping her shoulders gently. "Don't!"
"B-b-but. . ." Ann stammered, taking extra breaths in between quiet sobs. "I think he wants to marry me! Like. . .like at your party. . .he made that comment about me turning seventeen next summer! I got the impression that he was anticipating a wedding. He'll hate me when I tell him I can't marry him!"
"Ann!" I said. "Kai would never hate you! Never! You know just as well as I do that Kai would never, in a million years, hate you."
"Well. . ." Ann mumbled, knowing I was right. "He'll be upset with me. Maybe even angry."
"Those are just temporary emotions," I tried to console her. "He'll go through stages! First he's hurt and disappointed. Later, he'll probably be frustrated at him self, and maybe, honestly, a little upset with you. But he'll get over it, forgive you, forgive himself, and move on. . .which is what you should do, too." I paused, letting my words sink in.
Ann's expression changed from one of worry to one of understanding. She looked at me, diamond blue eyes brimming with tears, which now occasionally spilled out onto her cheeks. She said nothing; she didn't have to.
"You want my advice?" I asked, removing one hand from my friend's arm to pull a lock of blond hair behind my ear.
"Of course," Ann replied, her voice a loud whisper.
"Break up with him as soon as you can," I said, pushing from my mind my own bad memories, my own broken relationships, and my own shattered heart. I focused on Ann's problem, something I knew was burning holes in her insides right now. "There's no use living like this, even for a few more days. It'll give you (and Kai) a head start at moving on. . .starting over again. It'll be hard at first. . ."
Ann nodded, wiping away a stray tear that had somehow found its way onto her gently freckled nose.
I gave her a small, trustworthy smile. ". . .and you may want to burst into tears. . ."
A tiny, tiny chuckle escaped Ann's lips as she rubbed her eyes with her open palms.
". . .but I know you, Ann. If there's anyone out there who can get through anything this hard, it's you." I reached out my hand to smooth out her long sunset-colored hair, maintaining comfortable eye contact.
"Thanks, Karen," Ann said, wrapping her arms around my neck. I rocked her gently until her quiet sobbing ceased completely. Around two o'clock, my mother came up to check on us. By then, the two of us had snuggled up within the puffy green covers of my bed.
"Good night, girls," Mother said. "And sweet dreams." With that, she shut the door behind her, slowly closing up all the light that had filtered into the room.
We left my bedside lamp on, allowing it to shed a homey orange glow upon my bedroom. For a moment, I turned my head away from Ann, toward my mid-sized window. I saw nothing but tree branches, but filtering through the entwined limbs and leaves was the dark night sky, a nice warm blanket that lovingly enveloped our island. I could just barely see some stars, most of them shining brightly like little fairies floating carelessly about the heavens.
Turning back to Ann, I was startled to find her smiling at me. Her wavy strawberry hair was spread out all around her head like a lion's fiery mane. She blinked a few times, her long black eyelashes just brushing her freckled cheeks. "What are you smiling about?" I asked, noticing a mischevious dazzle in her ice blue eyes.
Unsurprisingly, she ignored my question, instead, inquiring of me, "What - or who - are you thinking about?"
I rolled my eyes but could not hide a faint shade of pink resonating from my cheeks. "What makes you think I'm thinking about someone?"
It was Ann's turn to roll her eyes. "You're looking out your window like you expect some knight in shining armor to burst through and sweep you off your feet!"
I stifled a laugh, not wanting to wake anyone else in the house. "Ann, you are something else," I said simply, burying my loosely crossed arms in the comforter. "How could you possibly determine that? I was just looking at the stars. . ." I explained, my voice trailing off towards the end.
"Uh-huh," Ann said sarcastically. She paused momentarily. "After all, that IS what you wished for when you blew your candles out. . .isn't it?"
I turned my head again, trying to hide a grin. "Well, I can't tell you!" I exclaimed in a soft voice. "Or else it won't come true!"
"Watched Cinderella one too many times, sweetie?" she asked, tugging on my shoulder playfully.
I laughed, punching her arm good-naturedly. As silence fell between us, I glanced at my dresser, which stood on the other side of my room, by the stairs. There was the blue vase Pappy had given me, filled with those lovely pink roses. Normally, during a moment like this, I would've prayed to the goddess for a special blessing on Pappy. But I didn't believe in her anymore. This was a secret; no one knew I cursed the goddess in my thoughts and actions; no one could tell I hated her with a burning passion. She had torn holes in my heart until it collapsed into a thousand tiny pieces like a shattered stained glass window.
"Good night, Ann," I said, rolling over and closing my eyes.
"'Night," she responded, flipping the small switch on the lamp. The room was now flooded with darkness, but it didn't matter: I had my eyes closed anyway.
Sighing, I barely opened one eye, just enough so I could peer through my window, through the trees, until I saw a bright, glittering star. I made a wish. . .not one for me, but for a certain farmer. "Give him peace," I whispered, barely even audible to me, much less the girl next to me. "Good night, Pappy."
~oOo~
"K-karen." A feminine voice was echoing in my ear. "Karen, honey." It was Mother.
I opened my eyes and first saw her strawberry blond hair, tucked, as usual, into a rosey bun. I squinted in the light of the sun that poured through the window and directly into my face. "Mother," I said, my voice still sleepy and raspy. I glanced at my digital clock on the nightstand. "Mother, it's seven o'clock!" I complained, pulling the sheets over my head.
"Karen," she said again, simultaneously removing the covers from my face. "Honey, s-something. . .something h-happened."
It was then that I noticed her eyes were full of tears. Her cheeks were red and sort of puffy. "Mother?" I said plainly.
Ann was waking up now. "What's going on?" she asked innocently, sitting up to wipe the sleep from her eyes. She yawned and smiled until she noticed Mother's depressed look. "Sasha?"
"Kids. . ." she said, obviously searching for words. "The mayor just paid us a visit. He brought some bad news."
"Huh?" Ann and I said in unison, first looking at each other and then back to my mom.
A tear escaped from her hazel brown eyes, and she quickly reached up to wipe it away. "Pappy. . .Pappy. . .he passed away."
"Oh, goddess," Ann murmured, letting herself fall back onto her pillow.
I was speechless. I closed my eyes in a vain attempt to stop the tears from coming. Thoughts hurried across my mind, getting lost, scattering madly about. I could not organize my feelings.
"He died in his sleep," Mother said, restraining a sob. "Of natural causes. Honey, it was his time to go. He lived a very long, happy life."
I began to sob uncontrollably. I felt the remains of my broken heart melting away into nothing. Ann wrapped her arms around me, and we cried together. Mother placed an arm on my shoulder, in an attempt to console me. I would not be consoled.
Pappy was gone.
~oOoOoOo~
Author's Note: Yes, a shorter chapter, I know. But it's been a while since I updated, and I felt it would be better to go ahead and break this chapter and the next apart. I know this chapter was depressing, also. But it's a sad story, and if I could put a third genre, it would be Tragedy. Anyways, please review!! It means soooooo much!! And if you are an author, too, you understand!! I love you guys so much!! :-)
Author's Note: Sorry I forgot the disclaimer last time. Oh, well, I guess. Thanks for your reviews! I love you guys!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon. Okay?
~oOoOoOo~
". . .Happy birthday, dear Karen!" my family and friends sang. "Happy birthday to YOU! Woo-hoo! Yeah, Karen!"
It was Winter 29, my seventeenth birthday, and there I was at my very own party. The bar was jam-packed with people who had finally found an excuse to drink more than usual. But all my real friends were surrounding me at a table in the middle of the inn. Ann, Doug, Gray, Elli, Pappy, Kai, and the Midwife (who had become a dear friend to my family over the past years) all crowded around my table as Mother carefully placed a huge cake in front of me. Seventeen candles bordered the words, "Happy Sweet Seventeen, Karen!" In Flower Bud, turning seventeen was a much bigger deal than turning sixteen. I guessed it was because seventeen was the age of marriage.
"Thanks, Mother," I said, as she took my hand. I could tell she was about to cry.
"Make a wish, dear," she said, squeezing my fingers in hers.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, secretly wished for true love, and blew all of the candles out at once. Everyone cheered and clapped loudly, patting me on the back or ruffling my hair. "Thanks, everyone!" I said to all my friends.
"Oh, but, Karen!" Pappy said mischeviously. "We're not finished yet!" He, along with all the other people surrounding my table, pulled a neatly wrapped box from behind his back. "Presents!" they all shouted.
"Oh, goddess!" I cried. "You guys weren't supposed to bring presents!"
"But, we did!" Elli put in. "We love you, Karen!"
I held back a tear of joy. It was great to know people still loved me.
"Open mine first, Karen!" a little voice surprised me. It was little May, barely five years old, the Midwife's granddaughter. "It's from me and Grandma." She pushed a medium sized, flat present into my hands.
"Okay," I said, unwrapping it carefully. It was a wooden picture frame with handpainted hearts and flowers all over it.
"I painted it!" May declared, pointing both of her thumbs to her chest.
"And it's beautiful," I said, wrapping an arm around May and squeezing her tightly. Inside the frame, I noticed, was a black and white picture of the Midwife and my grandmother. Obviously, the picture had been taken many, many years ago. The two young women in the photo had crowns of flowers on their heads and wore beautiful dresses, indicating that they were at the Flower Festival. "Thank you, ladies," I said, addressing both May and Anella.
Next, Ann handed me a tiny box, blushing madly. I opened it excitedly, to find a pretty ring of sterling silver. On it was printed the word, "Forever."
"It's a promise ring," my best friend explained sheepishly. "A promise that we'll be best friends forever."
"Oh, Ann, come here!" I beckoned. I quickly wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tightly. "Of course we will."
After that, Elli gave me a wonderful chocolate cake recipe and a beautiful friendship bracelet. Gray, no longer in a wheelchair or crutches, bashfully handed me a brand new calendar with different beaches on each page. He knew I loved the beach.
Doug gave me a gift certificate for the bakery he'd bought just for me. Kai jokingly gave me a purple bandana just like his, but reassuringly handed me a new wallet with 100G inside. Pappy's gift was one of my favorites. He had specially ordered a beautiful blue vase with intriguing designs carved all over it. "Oh, Pappy!" I cried. "It's beautiful. I'll have to find myself something to put in it!"
"I don't think so," Pappy said, with a twinkle in his eye. And somehow, from behind his back he pulled a dazzling dozen pink roses. "They're still your favorite, aren't they?"
"Oh, yes!" I exclaimed. "Thank you!"
And then there was Mother's gift, my personal favorite. To my surprise, I unwrapped the oddly shaped box and found a new telephone for my room! "Oh, goddess, Mother!" I said, awestruck. "Thank you so much!" I enveloped her in a huge hug.
"Now you can call Ann in the privacy of your own room!" she teased, ruffling my hair.
"You're the best!" I pulled out of the hug to look at my new phone.
Suddenly, my father appeared out of nowhere and gruffly said, "When I heard your mom was getting you a phone, I decided to get you this." With that, he handed me a furry blue cover (like the one on Legally Blonde, except a different color). "Sorry, it's not wrapped. I didn't have time."
"It's okay, Dad," I said plainly. "Thank you." I silently let out a breath of relief. Thank goddess my father hadn't done something stupid, like not show up or buy himself a few pints of beer. For once, he was acting almost half-way like a normal father.
Minutes passed, and soon everyone was chit-chatting amongst themselves. Mother cut the cake, and everyone got at least one slice. Of course, my one table was not big enough for all the people, so everyone started to meander over to different tables. But, seated at my table were Ann, Gray, Kai, and Elli.
"Hey, Ann," Kai said, scooting his chair closer to hers. The two of them were still going out, of course. "It won't be long before you'll be having YOUR sweet seventeen party!"
My best friend began to blush madly. I noticed again that she had a ring that matched the one she had just given me. I fiddled with mine, using my thumb to twirl it around on my right pinky finger. "Yeah, Ann!" I added, nudging her with my elbow.
"So, Karen," Elli said, leaning forward in her chair. "Since you're seventeen now. . .have you got your eyes on someone?"
"Goddess, Elli!" I mock shouted, blushing furiously. I playfully punched her shoulder, smiling shyly.
"You know, Gray," Elli said. "It won't be long before you-know-who will be having this party!"
Gray scowled. "Shut up!" he said.
I looked at Ann, and she shrugged. No one could tell if he was joking or not.
Gray, too, since that horrible day almost two years ago, had transformed into a cold, sharp intravert. He rarely spoke now, and when he did, it was usually to say something cruel or demeaning. I stared at him, my gaze not wavering. The potion shop dealer and the midwife had agreed that he was healed several seasons ago. However, Gray seemed to have a hard time pulling himself back together. No one knew if he struggled mentally, physically, or even both. Gray suddenly met my gaze for a split second, almost immediately averting his eyes. He never looked at me anymore. Not even when I spoke to him.
"Hey, Duke!" I called, breaking the sudden awkward silence. "Howsa 'bout we dance?"
Duke chuckled and flipped on the record player. The intro to a lively song began to fill the bar.
"Elli," I said, nodding at her. "Let's dance!"
She giggled, accepted my hand, and together we pranced out onto the floor. I saw Ann and Kai scurry to get into position beside us. Elli sang along with the music cheerfully, "Bum-buh-bum-buh-buh-duh-duh-duh!"
I laughed as we danced, silly expressions spread across our faces. We danced a few more songs, until Duke announced that it was midnight, closing time. "See you tomorrow night," I said to him, gathering up all my wonderful gifts.
"Bye, Karen, and happy birthday!" he called after me.
I smiled at him before exiting the bar. Immediately, the cool rush of late winter enveloped my body, sending shivers through my body. I inhaled the chill air as my skin slowly adjusted to the night's cold atmosphere. I took a step, my boot crunching the thin snow. Winter was nearly over, and a new year would begin soon. I spotted Ann up ahead and took another squishy step in the snow.
"Ann!" I hollered after my friend, who was already walking down the cobblestone path to the crossroads. She stopped to look at me. "Spend the night?" I asked.
She grinned. "Of course!" She halted and waited for me to catch up to her. "Where's Kai?"
"I think he's still back at the bar," I said.
"Oh, good," she replied, much to my surprise.
"What does that mean?" I inquired, cocking my head to the side as we began to walk.
"It means I don't know if I want to marry him."
I gasped softly. "Ann!"
"I know," she said.
"Hey, girls! Wait up!" a voice called. It was Kai, running after us.
Ann looked at him, her eyes filled with fear and worry. Turning back to me, she whimpered softly.
"Tell me when we get home," I whispered, trying to give her a reassuring smile.
Ann nodded, turning her head to face Kai again. "Hey," she said softly.
"Are you coming home with Karen again today?" he asked.
"Yeah," Ann answered, nodding.
"All right!" he exclaimed. "Maybe we can play a game or something?"
"Um, well, I. . ." Ann seemed to want to say no, but I knew she couldn't find words.
"Actually!" I interrupted, startling Kai. "We were kind of tired, and there's some stuff we need to talk about. You know. . .girl stuff."
"Oh," Kai answered, seeming disappointed. "Okay, then."
Ann nodded. An odd silence fell among us. "Oh, shoot!" Kai suddenly said. "I left my wallet back at the bar. I'm gonna run back and get it."
"'Kay," we said, and Kai ran back off.
"Let's hurry," I said, starting to jog with my friend up the dirt road to the vineyard. Our arms were still loaded with gifts and stuff from the party. When we finally arrived at my bedroom, we let all the goods fall into a noisy heap on the wood floor.
I lent Ann some clothes, and we changed into our pajamas, locking my door and collapsing tiredly onto the bed. I wanted to act like it was no big deal, Ann's big news, but my insides burned with curiosity and impatience. "Ann," I murmured monotonously. "What's going on?"
Ann sat up, the orangey lamplight covering her face, making it glow. Tears were filling her eyes. "I don't love him," she said, looking at her bare feet and hugging her knees.
I stared at her with the understanding look in my eyes that all best friends have. I said nothing, for I knew she would tell all without me questioning her.
"I don't think I ever have," she continued, a large tear escaping her eye. She quickly wiped it away. "He's a great guy and all, but I don't think he's the one for me. I'm afraid he'll take it the wrong way when I. . .when I. . .b-b-break. . .b-break up with him."
"Oh, Ann," I said, reaching forward with my arms to envelope her thin body in a hug. "Oh, Ann, I'm so sorry."
"I. . .I feel terrible," Ann said, trying furiously to protect her face from all the tears coming from her eyes.
"Don't, Ann," I said, my hands grasping her shoulders gently. "Don't!"
"B-b-but. . ." Ann stammered, taking extra breaths in between quiet sobs. "I think he wants to marry me! Like. . .like at your party. . .he made that comment about me turning seventeen next summer! I got the impression that he was anticipating a wedding. He'll hate me when I tell him I can't marry him!"
"Ann!" I said. "Kai would never hate you! Never! You know just as well as I do that Kai would never, in a million years, hate you."
"Well. . ." Ann mumbled, knowing I was right. "He'll be upset with me. Maybe even angry."
"Those are just temporary emotions," I tried to console her. "He'll go through stages! First he's hurt and disappointed. Later, he'll probably be frustrated at him self, and maybe, honestly, a little upset with you. But he'll get over it, forgive you, forgive himself, and move on. . .which is what you should do, too." I paused, letting my words sink in.
Ann's expression changed from one of worry to one of understanding. She looked at me, diamond blue eyes brimming with tears, which now occasionally spilled out onto her cheeks. She said nothing; she didn't have to.
"You want my advice?" I asked, removing one hand from my friend's arm to pull a lock of blond hair behind my ear.
"Of course," Ann replied, her voice a loud whisper.
"Break up with him as soon as you can," I said, pushing from my mind my own bad memories, my own broken relationships, and my own shattered heart. I focused on Ann's problem, something I knew was burning holes in her insides right now. "There's no use living like this, even for a few more days. It'll give you (and Kai) a head start at moving on. . .starting over again. It'll be hard at first. . ."
Ann nodded, wiping away a stray tear that had somehow found its way onto her gently freckled nose.
I gave her a small, trustworthy smile. ". . .and you may want to burst into tears. . ."
A tiny, tiny chuckle escaped Ann's lips as she rubbed her eyes with her open palms.
". . .but I know you, Ann. If there's anyone out there who can get through anything this hard, it's you." I reached out my hand to smooth out her long sunset-colored hair, maintaining comfortable eye contact.
"Thanks, Karen," Ann said, wrapping her arms around my neck. I rocked her gently until her quiet sobbing ceased completely. Around two o'clock, my mother came up to check on us. By then, the two of us had snuggled up within the puffy green covers of my bed.
"Good night, girls," Mother said. "And sweet dreams." With that, she shut the door behind her, slowly closing up all the light that had filtered into the room.
We left my bedside lamp on, allowing it to shed a homey orange glow upon my bedroom. For a moment, I turned my head away from Ann, toward my mid-sized window. I saw nothing but tree branches, but filtering through the entwined limbs and leaves was the dark night sky, a nice warm blanket that lovingly enveloped our island. I could just barely see some stars, most of them shining brightly like little fairies floating carelessly about the heavens.
Turning back to Ann, I was startled to find her smiling at me. Her wavy strawberry hair was spread out all around her head like a lion's fiery mane. She blinked a few times, her long black eyelashes just brushing her freckled cheeks. "What are you smiling about?" I asked, noticing a mischevious dazzle in her ice blue eyes.
Unsurprisingly, she ignored my question, instead, inquiring of me, "What - or who - are you thinking about?"
I rolled my eyes but could not hide a faint shade of pink resonating from my cheeks. "What makes you think I'm thinking about someone?"
It was Ann's turn to roll her eyes. "You're looking out your window like you expect some knight in shining armor to burst through and sweep you off your feet!"
I stifled a laugh, not wanting to wake anyone else in the house. "Ann, you are something else," I said simply, burying my loosely crossed arms in the comforter. "How could you possibly determine that? I was just looking at the stars. . ." I explained, my voice trailing off towards the end.
"Uh-huh," Ann said sarcastically. She paused momentarily. "After all, that IS what you wished for when you blew your candles out. . .isn't it?"
I turned my head again, trying to hide a grin. "Well, I can't tell you!" I exclaimed in a soft voice. "Or else it won't come true!"
"Watched Cinderella one too many times, sweetie?" she asked, tugging on my shoulder playfully.
I laughed, punching her arm good-naturedly. As silence fell between us, I glanced at my dresser, which stood on the other side of my room, by the stairs. There was the blue vase Pappy had given me, filled with those lovely pink roses. Normally, during a moment like this, I would've prayed to the goddess for a special blessing on Pappy. But I didn't believe in her anymore. This was a secret; no one knew I cursed the goddess in my thoughts and actions; no one could tell I hated her with a burning passion. She had torn holes in my heart until it collapsed into a thousand tiny pieces like a shattered stained glass window.
"Good night, Ann," I said, rolling over and closing my eyes.
"'Night," she responded, flipping the small switch on the lamp. The room was now flooded with darkness, but it didn't matter: I had my eyes closed anyway.
Sighing, I barely opened one eye, just enough so I could peer through my window, through the trees, until I saw a bright, glittering star. I made a wish. . .not one for me, but for a certain farmer. "Give him peace," I whispered, barely even audible to me, much less the girl next to me. "Good night, Pappy."
~oOo~
"K-karen." A feminine voice was echoing in my ear. "Karen, honey." It was Mother.
I opened my eyes and first saw her strawberry blond hair, tucked, as usual, into a rosey bun. I squinted in the light of the sun that poured through the window and directly into my face. "Mother," I said, my voice still sleepy and raspy. I glanced at my digital clock on the nightstand. "Mother, it's seven o'clock!" I complained, pulling the sheets over my head.
"Karen," she said again, simultaneously removing the covers from my face. "Honey, s-something. . .something h-happened."
It was then that I noticed her eyes were full of tears. Her cheeks were red and sort of puffy. "Mother?" I said plainly.
Ann was waking up now. "What's going on?" she asked innocently, sitting up to wipe the sleep from her eyes. She yawned and smiled until she noticed Mother's depressed look. "Sasha?"
"Kids. . ." she said, obviously searching for words. "The mayor just paid us a visit. He brought some bad news."
"Huh?" Ann and I said in unison, first looking at each other and then back to my mom.
A tear escaped from her hazel brown eyes, and she quickly reached up to wipe it away. "Pappy. . .Pappy. . .he passed away."
"Oh, goddess," Ann murmured, letting herself fall back onto her pillow.
I was speechless. I closed my eyes in a vain attempt to stop the tears from coming. Thoughts hurried across my mind, getting lost, scattering madly about. I could not organize my feelings.
"He died in his sleep," Mother said, restraining a sob. "Of natural causes. Honey, it was his time to go. He lived a very long, happy life."
I began to sob uncontrollably. I felt the remains of my broken heart melting away into nothing. Ann wrapped her arms around me, and we cried together. Mother placed an arm on my shoulder, in an attempt to console me. I would not be consoled.
Pappy was gone.
~oOoOoOo~
Author's Note: Yes, a shorter chapter, I know. But it's been a while since I updated, and I felt it would be better to go ahead and break this chapter and the next apart. I know this chapter was depressing, also. But it's a sad story, and if I could put a third genre, it would be Tragedy. Anyways, please review!! It means soooooo much!! And if you are an author, too, you understand!! I love you guys so much!! :-)