(A/N) – I don't know how many times I've had to apologize for updating late... and I'll do it again. I'm really sorry for the late update on this one. I promise I'll try to squeeze in a few days here and there set solely on fanfiction writing.
For those of you waiting for this fanfic to get updated, enjoy the next chapter! (Sorry, it's a little bit short, I realize.)
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Chapter 2: The Plan
By Fairy Friend
That voice... so pure and lovely.
I'd only gotten four hours of sleep that night due to an active mind. Even though I usually couldn't function properly on such little sleep, I was up and ready to go the next day. After I slid on something comfortable to wear, I ran outside to check on my chickens. Each one of them was normal and happy. I put some chicken feed in the feed bins then headed for Town Square for the New Years festival.
Rick was already there. In fact, mostly everybody was there. Rose Square, which was usually a desolate area of bricks and leaves, was thriving. The rich smell of Buckwheat Noodles made its way through my nose. I sighed. This festival was a time to relax and have fun and that was what I was here to do. As Rick, happy as could be, walked my way, all I could think about was last night.
This was going to be an eventful year indeed.
"Hey, sweetheart," he said quietly, the words burning my face. He embraced me in a warm hug, then let go and placed his hands on my face. "You look a little down. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied. "I'm merely exhausted is all." A white lie.
"If you say so," he said with a hint of worry in his voice. "At least let me get you some noodles; it's the least I can do." Unable to decline his offer, I only nodded my head and watched him as he went by.
At that moment, I caught Karen out of the corner of my eye. My stomach churned and I wanted to puke. I was supposed to be having a good time and here I was, moping over a day lost in the past of time, something that shouldn't even matter to me. I watched the attractive brunette meander her way over to the Mayor just as Rick had gotten my bowl of noodles. Won's head turned and he grinned and blushed. I remembered clearly the day Karen had first visited his shop, although I hadn't known her very well back then.
"Free Service Time!" he had said as his "beauty" had walked in. "Right now, you can get any one item for free!"
"How great!" she chirped. "I think I'll take this." She took a bag of flower seedlings. "I'll make sure to come back!"
"Yes, please come back!" Won called out after her, grinning. Once the store door had closed, though, Won's once happy face became stern again, as it usually was.
"Free Service Time is OVER!" he shouted. "If you want something, you must pay!"
Once I'd finished reminiscing, Rick headed my direction with the noodles in hand. "Sorry I took so long," he called out to me. "I was chatting it up with Karen." He let out a laugh. "She told me that last night, she came across our old secret hideout that we'd found as kids."
"Great," I muttered. I wasn't about to let him drown me in his stories about her.
"Claire, is something troubling you?" Rick's eyes found mine. I couldn't look into them.
"No, no, I said I'm fine," I remarked, if a bit firm. Rick wouldn't have any of it.
"Claire, look at me. Look at me," he pressured. He pushed my head up with his pointer finger. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I accented, pushing his hand away. I glanced over at Karen. She was standing in a group with Duke and Cliff, workers at the Aja Winery. Karen had always had a reputation around town for being an alcoholic. In fact, I could recall a time when I'd taken a trip to the Inn when they had all been there. Duke and Karen had been holding a drinking contest to see who could better hold their liquor. In the end, Karen won and Duke ended up spending most of his money on all of the beverages they consumed.
"Why are you acting so touchy today?" Rick said sternly, raising his voice.
"It's really none of your business," I commented, raising mine too. "I said I was just tired, okay? Is that not a good enough reason for you?"
"No, it's just that... you're acting so... so strangely toward me-"
"You know what? I'm out of here, Rick. I-I never should have come here. Obviously there was no way that I was going to have even a little bit of fun, especially with you prodding me around all the time." With my last words spoken, I stormed my way out of the square. I didn't really care if I was causing a commotion or not but I just wanted to get out of that place, even without my noodles. Once I reached home, I went into my refrigerator, pulled out a bag of Relaxation Tea, and boiled myself a serving. I put the cup to my lips and the taste tickled my taste buds. However, I didn't care if the name was just a metaphor - even after the last sip was gone, I still didn't feel relaxed. I flopped myself down on my bed. Warm tears made their way down my face, one after the other and I choked out a cry.
What did Karen have that I didn't...?
I started to reevaluate my past thoughts. The reason why Rick liked her was because they held so many memories that it was easy for them to get along. The reason why Won liked her was because she was beautiful and nice... and the reason why Duke liked her was because she could hold her liquor and was willing to have fun. Suddenly, an idea popped into my mind.
...I knew I had to get started on it right away.
