Harvest Moon: Magical Memories

Chapter Ten:

Fireworks burst before her eyes. "Kurt..." She murmured, putting her head on his broad shoulder.

"Luna... please wake up."

"Huh? Kurt- please can't you just..."

"Please wake up..."

Luna sat up with a cry. Sweat trickled down her brow, covers thrown off in fitful sleep. She swung her feet around a stole a glimpse at the clock. Of course, the face read 6 flat. She rubbed her hands across her face in frustration, then kicked off the wildly twisted sheets, standing up and taking a tentative stretch. It was the day of the Fireworks Festival, and all she could think about was Kurt. Why does he haunt my dreams? Why can't he cast his shadow over someone else's vision? She flopped back down onto the bed, her head starting to pound once more with oncoming thoughts.
That night, she slowly made her way down to the beach, not knowing what was in store for her. She wanted nothing more than a life she had never known, a life that often taunted her in its vague appearances, a soft imprint on her mind. But today was a day to shove away those thoughts and let them sail across the ocean, just as they had sent wishes to the long dead a few weeks ago. Tonight was a night for the living. Tonight was a night for Luna.

The beach was crowded. Carl and Ellen sat at one corner. Ellen shot Luna an apologetic look. Luna couldn't help but return a glimmer of a smile, too small to say 'I forgive you' but enough so that Ellen knew she wasn't despised. Joe sat pointing at things and laughing while Kati, who clung to his side, chattered on of frosting types and the coolest cakes according to Carl. Blue sat alone, staring up at the sky as if he had never even seen it. Jamie stood at the far end, looking on with contempt at all the onlookers. The fireworks hadn't even started yet.

Luna made her way to the edge of the shore. Bob was poking around in the sand, casting shy glances at Gwen, who was animatedly chatting with Ann and Alex. Kurt was sitting, staring at the waves lapping against his shoes. She wanted to sit down next to him, didn't want him to be alone. But she herself was alone, and how could two lonely people ever find a way to bring themselves to another? Theodore entered the area, abruptly ending everyone's thoughts of dazzling fireworks or dancing starlight.

"Welcome to the-"

"EEHEHEHE! AH!" Gwen was now throwing fistfuls of sand at Ann, who ran, ducking and scooping sand, then aiming for Gwen. In their bout, a sand ball had accidentally gone astray and knocked straight into Alex, who let out a startled cry. Gwen blushed and laughed, and Ann apologized. Theodore cleared his throat and the pair settled down, an occasional chuckle escaping their blushing faces.

"To reiterate," The mayor said loudly, casting a cold glare, yet laughter sparkling in his eyes, "Welcome to the Fireworks Festival! Please enjoy!" He nodded and as he did, a shooting sound whirred through the sky and a brilliant light fell over the beach as the first firework resounded on the small beach.

Luna shifted to her right.

Kurt cast a look in her direction.

Luna made another small adjustment to her seating.

Kurt coughed and looked down.

Luna inched slowly towards the right again.

Kurt stood up and left the beach.

Looking over her shoulder, watching his exit, Luna's heart sunk to the ocean's floor. Yet she thought she saw something in his eyes.

She stood, walked past the mayor who was far too entranced by the fireworks to notice her exit, let alone Kurt's, and walked off into the darkness.

Kurt was waiting for her on Duck Bridge. He was looking over the water. He turned as she approached, a small frown on his face.

"Hi." Luna said shyly. She decided to be more silent. Kurt was the flower that bloomed in the night. When all the other flowers danced in the sunlight, he closed himself up, wrapping tightly into himself, shrugging away from the world. So Luna became the night, silent and still. And Kurt blossomed.

"Hi." He replied softly. "I'm sorry I've been" he scratched the back of his head. "aloof." Luna nodded. "I- I haven't been fair to you I guess." Another nod from Luna's side. Then, silence. Silence as dark as the night sky. They inhaled the sweet air, tepid with the slight breeze. Then he turned back to her from his stare across the river, his eyes lit with something, a memory perhaps, an idea.

"Come with me."

"Wha-?"

"Trust me."

Kurt led her up the mountain, a quiet ascent. Then, he stopped, staring up at the looming mountain, the very one Luna had attempted to climb that day. A dark stain of blood residing on a rock made her shiver. He looked up at it though, and, not turning toward her, said, "I go here. I disappear and end up there. Way up there..." He seemed lost in the mountain's strength.

They began to climb. Luna tried not to appear shaken, not to appear tired. She struggled along behind him, the winds picking up. He climbed with pride and fortitude, never once looking back. She constantly glanced over her shoulder, a constant reminder of how far she still needed to go and how far she had gotten. She began to slip.

Instead of thoughts of death or of confusion, Kurt entered her mind. She took a deep breath, and climbed on.

The top was beautiful. The fireworks were bigger, the world was smaller. They sat at nearly opposite ends, staring up at the sky. That was when he did it. A small, happy little chuckle. She turned her head, surprised.

Then silence.

She waited for him to bloom.

He did.

"I thought... maybe if you came with someone, you know... some company... that you'd make it up the mountain this time." He turned toward her, eyes alight. "I was right." He smiled and chuckled again, that jovial, nervous little laugh.

Luna smiled and soon she too was laughing.

"We should probably climb down now. Don't want to be up here all night."

"Kurt?" Then another silence fell, like twilight on a perfect day. "Can I ask you something?" He seemed resigned so she pushed on. "Do you... do you know what a Skittle is?"

And there that little chuckle came, like bells heralding a new day.

"It's funny but... I don't think I know what a 'Skittle' is and yet, hearing it... maybe I do now." He paused. "I think it's time I go." With that, he swung himself over the edge, not once looking back at the peak.

Luna stayed long after he was gone, letting the silence surround her, letting the sun set on a perfect day, not sure if what had happened was good or bad, though both hoping and assuming it had been. She sighed and turned on to her side, smiling. She slept on top the mountain, the faint tinkling of bells ringing in her ears throughout the silent night.