Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility.

Chapter 3: Old Friends?

"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
-Ecclesiastes 4:10

I tune out a deep voice that has been chatting for an hour straight nonstop and decide to look around me, to view my surroundings. The bar in the Sundae Inn is packed tonight with all the tables and barstools full of customers. It seems that everyone on the island decided to come in tonight – well, I suppose it's because of the special that the bar has every Friday. Since tonight is extremely busy, my only option was to sit with someone since the Inn didn't have any open tables for one today – just my luck.

I sigh and turn back to the voice that is still talking nonstop. For the past hour, Owen has been telling me about his date with Kathy that he had last night at the beach. I haven't been paying attention because he always repeats the same things, and I have only been nodding my head, waiting for the cocktails.

"… so what should I do?"

"Huh?"

"Dude, Luke! About the problem that I'm in with Kathy." Owen raises his voice and scowls at me. "You haven't been listening at all, have you? Let me guess: you were thinking about that rancher girl, Angela, right?"

As soon as the blacksmith mentions the name: Angela – I stop listening to him once more. I let a small groan and turn away from him, from the dreaded conversation that he and I had countless times before. This is the very reason why I never come to the bar because I know that Owen will be here, and he will be pestering me about Angela nonstop – even though I told him countless times that I don't want to talk about it because there isn't much to talk about. He just doesn't understand, and I have been trying to avoid him as much as I can … well expect for tonight. Because of that reason, our friendship has been going downhill. However, it seems to be that it's only one-sided since Owen thinks that everything is fine between us.

"Dude, you have to let that rancher girl out from your mind." Owen continues, indifferent that I'm not listening to him. "Luke, she was just utilizing you for her benefit or if not she wouldn't randomly leave, you know? Although, Kathy will never do such a thing…"

I roll my eyes at his idiotic statement, trying to ignore the nagging feeling of punching Owen because of what he just said about Angela. But as soon as the blacksmith mentions Kathy's name, he again starts chatting about her, and my anger dies down. Now that he said Angela's name, an image of her appears on my mind, and I can't get it out from my head. I came to the bar to forget about her, not to keep thinking about her!

"Luke, now Kathy won't talk to me anymore, and she … –"

"Hello there, boys."

A feminine and sensual voice interrupts Owen in mid-sentence, and we both turn to see who the voice belongs to, to see Selena with a tray with both of our cocktails. I smile at our waitress, and she seductively smiles back at me, making me feel uncomfortable. Ever since she came to the island to become a dancer, she took a part-time job at the bar during the busy nights. Before, when I often came here, I would see her each night, and we will be having a good time with each other. But ever since Angela came to the island, I spent less and less time with the dancer, and our small friendship that was forming, it dwindled and died.

"Luke, what a nice surprise to see you here once more," Selena says, interrupting my thoughts as she puts our cocktails on the table in front of Owen and me. "It's been far too long since I last saw you, stranger. How have you been?"

"Yo, Selena. What's up?" I try to do my usual greeting without sounding too much in the dumps. However, it seems that I fail since Selena gives me a sad smile. "Yeah, I have been busy with work lately."

Selena only nods her head as if she understands everything that I'm going through. But I know that she doesn't because she's too vain to comprehend what friendship truly is. All she genuinely cares about is her dancing career and will do almost anything to achieve it – at least that's what she told me when we first met. Maybe that's the reason why I never fully opened myself to Selena because I felt that perhaps I would be somehow used by her.

"Selena, where is Kathy tonight?" Owen suddenly asks, remembering that he's still here. "I need to talk to her now. It's urgent."

"She's in the back of the bar helping her dad out tonight."

As soon as Selena finishes her sentence, Owen quickly gets up from his chair and goes in the direction of the bar. We both stare at him as he walks off. Now, it's just Selena and me. I thought she would leave to attend the other tables since Kathy wasn't working as a waitress and tonight is packed, but instead, she sits on the same chair where Owen was sitting a moment ago. Her actions have me perplexed because there's no reason for her to stay with me – unless she wants something from me.

"You know, Luke, I have really missed you." The dancer states her words slowly as if she's hesitant to be speaking to me, staring intensely at me. "I thought that we were friends; what happened between us?"

This statement took me by surprise since I wasn't expecting her to be this blunt with me. Where did those words come from, and most importantly, did I miss her back too? Although, of course, I know the answer to my question. But, I will never let her know of my actual thoughts since I don't want to hurt the dancer. So, once again, I'm in an uncomfortable position, and I want to leave as soon as I can. Why can't I just have my cocktail in peace?

"Selena… I guess that we just drifted apart." I decided to choose my words carefully, and I look down at the cocktail that I ordered, still untouched, instead of her intense garnet color eyes. "I suppose it's because we both been busy with work lately like I said before."

"Well, yes, work has been pretty busy lately. Although, I know that's not entirely the reason why Luke."

I quickly look up at her, and now I understand where this conversation is heading for – Angela.

"Well, yeah, I guess that's true, but –"

I stop mid-sentence, and instead, I stare at the intact cocktail on the table as I contemplate if I should even drink it or not at this point. I don't know what to say or how to respond since once more, in the same hour, the rancher's name is pronounced. Everywhere I go, it's the same thing, which is why I never go into town anymore and stay in the Praline forest all day if I can. All because of a villager that doesn't reside on the island anymore. How can it be that her presence still lingers here in town when she's nowhere to be found?

"Luke," Selena gives me a half-hearted smile and puts her hand on top of mine, confusing me. "You do realize that I'm still here whenever you want to talk, correct? I still want to continue to be your friend."

I merely nod my head slowly to pretend that I'm open to her invitation because, in truth, I don't comprehend Selena's actions or words since it seems so out of her character. But the real question is: do I still want to be Selena's friend? Possibly she did have a change of heart, or maybe I just judge her all too soon before I truly gave her a chance. Now, I feel like a lousy person for determining that the dancer was only a user. But one thing that I know for certain is that there will always be a wall of separation between us – Angela.

Perhaps, I should give Selena a chance and be reconnected with her once more.

"Because let's be honest, Luke," The dancer starts to caress my hand and with a seductive voice adds, "I'm so much better than that dirty rancher. You need someone who is dignified … like me."

As soon as she stated her words, I swiftly remove my hand from her grasp, leaving her warmth. I always knew that between Angela and Selena, there was some tension, but I never understood why since they are so different from one another; what could they have in common? But I heard enough about the rancher for one day, and I don't want to tolerate any else bashing my friend any longer.

"Luke, I'm sorry about what I said about Angela."

I let a sigh escape from my lips and decide to leave it there. I need to depart from this place, so I get up from the chair and walk towards the exit of the Inn with my head low, ignoring Selena's voice that was calling out to me behind. I slam the doors shut, and the night greets me with her darkness. The walk home was a long one since today's events danced in my head along the way. However, one particular thought stayed within my mind: to never come to the bar again so I will avoid any conversation with Selena.

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