Shane felt happy when he woke up the next morning…. Well… happier than he had in several months, so it amounted to something. He woke up before his alarm, not hungover for once, and made his way to the kitchen. There he saw Marnie preparing some pancakes for Jas. He went over to his goddaughter and kissed her cheek, followed by a "Good morning, Marnie."

Shocked for a moment, she looked up from the stove at Shane and then let out a warm smile. "Someone is in a good mood today."

Shane just smiled, grabbed a pancake in his hand, and headed out the door. "I'm going to be late for work. See you two tonight!"

On his way to work, he thought about Celeste the entire time. He started to realize how gorgeous she was as his memories came back to him of when they shared that pizza together. Her eyes shined, a subdued green, herbal, like fresh sage. Her skin was fair, but not too pale; it still had a golden hue to it, and light freckles dawned her cheeks under her eyes and on the bridge of her nose. Her hair was thick and a really dark brown, nearly as dark as Shane's, and the way it fell onto her shoulder, trickling down like a waterfall, some strands falling into the crevice where her breasts met….

Shane stopped his thoughts. He had reached Joja Mart and it was time for him to start the grueling 9-hour work day. Maybe Morris would give him an easier time today, he hoped, as he pushed the double doors open and walked into the cold, sterile market.

The day started late for Celeste. She stayed in bed, longer than usual. Not because it was particularly comfortable, but she had to admit that it did feel better than the mattress she had back at the farm.

When she finally got up, she saw that Maru had left for the day. She made her way to the kitchen, noticing an empty house. Robin left a note in the foyer, indicating that she was at Caroline's working out, and Celeste figured that Demetrius was out collecting samples to examine.

She heard typing coming from Sebastian's room, and her curiosity got the better of her. She slowly pushed the door open, knowing that it wasn't right for her to intrude into his room uninvited, but she was drawn deeper into his lair. At least she could see how he was doing and if he had plans for the day, some excuse like that.

He noticed her walking in quietly but he didn't look away from the screen. "Hey, sorry, let me just finish this up," he said, typing away at his computer.

Celeste stood there, the light of the computer illuminating Sebastian's face in a cold, dark room. He was a fast typer and he wasn't working even faster knowing that Celeste was waiting to speak with him.

"Sorry about that. What's up?" "I, uh, wanted to see what you were up to," Celeste said, her cheeks turning red for the trillionth time.

Sebastian let out a small chuckle and then said to her, "Oh, I'm working. I'm a freelance programmer so I spend a lot of my time here working on projects for consultants. I'm not just playing on my computer, you know..." Celeste turned away in full embarrassment, feeling like she had made the wrong judgment about him and he knew this. "I, uh… sorry."

"Why? It's not your fault that my mom and Demetrius see what I do as not valid. They think I should be more like Maru; she's a nurse working for Harvey and she builds robots. They see her career and hobbies as more real than mine." He groaned and looked away, rolling his eyes and seeming to get more upset. Celeste looked at him with worry, as he turned back to her and responded, "I'm sorry for laying that on you. I'm okay now. What were your plans for the day?" Sebastian got up from his chair and moved to his bed, sitting down and letting out a small smile in an effort to comfort Celeste. She stood there, frozen, unsure if she should join him on the soft mattress or just stand there like a mannequin. Would she be giving him the wrong impression if she sat in bed with him? What if Robin got home and saw? She had a habit of walking into Sebastian's room unannounced so Celeste understood why he was often irritated by them.

Celeste just stood there, staring at Sebastian, examining his different features. His nose wasn't quite button, but it wasn't straight either, centered on his thin face, with his jaw sharp and chin, free of any hair, pointed downwards. Even though she knew he dyed his hair black because of how dark it was, it looked silky to the touch, like something she would just want to grab. His hair was shorter to one side, with his fringe usually falling down on his face and covering his eye, but he often moved it out of the way and behind his ear to look at Celeste better when speaking to her. He had a piercing in each ear, just a simple black stud. His frame seemed thin, but not boyish or lanky in the slightest; he wasn't a bodybuilder but he did seem to keep more active than he seemed. His eyes were a dark brown, keeping with the dark theme of his aesthetic, and he seemed to wear the same hoodie everyday like a safety blanket. His pants hugged his legs, leaving too little room for her imagination. As odd as it sounds, she found him gorgeous. And she just kept staring….

Sebastian's face turned into a scowl. Celeste stood there like a zombie. What was wrong with her?

He stood up and walked towards her, closing the distance between them as her breath quickened and she looked up into his eyes. She stepped back and finally said, "Sorry, I have to go see Mayor Lewis! I'll see you around!"

And just like that, she ran up the steps out of his bedroom, leaving the door ajar, and running out to Pelican Town.

Sebastian smiled to himself as he walked back to his computer. He had a lot of work left to do.

Celeste met up with Mayor Lewis and he asked her about how she was doing on the farm. Pleased, he told her that he had a request from her, and he was hoping she'd be up for the task.

"Of course, what is it?" she kindly said to him, eager to help those who have helped her.

He explained to her about how the Community Center used to be the highlight of the town, and how since Joja Mart had moved into Stardew Valley, everything slowly wasted away. He complained about the "rat problem" and asked if Celeste could help fix it up, saying that she seemed to be the real handy type.

"I'd ask Robin, but she's always so busy, and her rates aren't exactly cheap. I also feel like…this would be a great thing for you to do to solidify your belonging in this town!" He chucked. "Everyone would adore you if you were able to fix this problem…. And I'd love if that were the case."

Celeste realized what Lewis was telling her: he was happy that she had moved to town and didn't want her to have any reason to leave. He knows that she hasn't had the best of luck making friends with all of the townspeople and she knew that he saw this as a way to win everybody over. "I'll do it!"

It was 5 o'clock and Shane's shift at Joja Mart was finally done. He sighed of relief as he took off his cap and work overalls and hung them in his locker room. Suddenly, he thought about farmer Celeste. Was she going to be at the saloon today? He secretly hoped.

He walked down his normal path, across the bridge, and into Pelican Town, looking down at the ground the entire way there. The springtime breeze filled with the scent of daffodils and lilac. Shane kicked the dirt as he made his way, the warmth of the sunset reddening his cheeks. He pushed the door open to the Stardrop Saloon and looked around. The only customer he saw was Pam. In defeated disappointment, he made his way to the back of the bar, where the blue-haired tender smiled her toothy grin and filled him a pint glass of amber foam. Shane took a deep sigh, half hoping she'd show up soon, and brought the glass to his pursed lips.

It was nearly 9 o'clock now, and when she didn't show, he was growing increasingly anxious. The saloon filled up with people, which was typical for a Friday night. Sebastian, Sam, and Abigail were in the arcade, playing at the pool table. Demetrius and Robin were dancing to the music, and Leah and Elliott were excitedly chatting away at a table on the far left end. Clint and Willy, the saloon's most regular customers (with the exception of Pam and Shane, of course) were also there, sitting and enjoying some beers and food, Clint mostly enjoying the view of Emily.

Shane started drinking faster in his disappointment. Five pint glasses in and Emily realized how fast he was chugging down the toxic, bubbly liquid. She couldn't keep quiet. "Hey Shane, what's up?" She leaned her elbow against the bar and placed her chin in her hand, giving a concerned look at Shane. He lifted his head slightly, bringing himself eye level to Emily, her honey colored eyes fixed onto his. "Everything seems so... pointless," he sighed. "... Sometimes I wonder why I even bother."

Emily slammed her hands on the table, and everyone turned to look at them. Shane turned red, both in embarrassment and anger.

It was just Shane, being angry and useless again, they all thought, as they returned to their joy.

"Everything is not pointless," Emily softly said after the saloon filled with noise and laughter once again, grabbing onto one of Shane's hands. He was reminded of how kind Emily was, even as to how he considers her his only friend. But…. They weren't close enough for him to share how he was feeling. That's what he thought to himself.

"Shane, you're awesome. Don't lose sight of that," she said, smiling her regular smile now. She let go of his hand and returned to work, humming to herself.

But Shane knew she was lying. He was a waste of space. All he did was drink and work so he can pay for his drinks. He was a lousy godfather to Jas and an awful nephew to Marnie. He was the most disappointing addition to this town and everyone knew just how much of a failure he was.

He closed his tab early that night, retreating back to his room in Marnie's ranch. Not feeling quite as drunk as he wanted to be to forget his problems, he remembered the cheap beers he stole from Joja Mart the other day, hidden under his bed. He grabbed the six-pack and headed out the door towards the dock at the southern lake just a hundred yards below Marnie's front door. He took a lantern with him, lighting the way. As he sat on the dock, feet hanging over barely hovering over the water, he stared at his reflection in the moonlit water.

"Buh…" He grabbed a beer and cracked it open. It would be a long night.

Celeste had spent all day working on the Community Center since Lewis told her about it. When the sun started to set, she made her way to the southwest area of Stardew Valley, foraging in the forest for salmonberries that she imagined using to make a pie from for Robin and her family as a thank you. Her basket was getting full and she had lost track of time, her phone losing battery from her using it as a flashlight. Oh wow, it's already 9 o'clock, she thought to herself. I should start heading back to Robin's.

As she made her way up Cindersap Forest, she saw a light in the distance at the edge of the dock. A figure sat at the edge, quietly talking to themselves. She approached the figure, coming to the realization that it was Shane sitting alone in the dark.

For once, he spoke up before her, looking at the horizon as he said, "Up late, huh?" She looked at him and returned her gaze to what he was staring at. As beautiful as Stardew Valley was during the day, there was just something so spectacular about it at night. Celeste sat down next to him, hanging her feet off the dock.

In between sips of his beer, Shane looked towards Celeste and said, "Here, have one."

Celeste stared at the can, and then back at Shane. She didn't want to be rude, but she hated the taste of beer. And she hated what alcohol reminded her of. Still, she reached for the can, her fingers slightly brushing onto his, making her cheeks burn. Luckily, it was dark enough that even if Shane had been looking her way, he wouldn't have been able to tell.

He turned his gaze back to the horizon before she grabbed the can, and as she took it from his hand and looked down at it, he spoke again, "Buh….Life."

There was a long silence. A slight drizzle fell, but the moonlight was still visible through the clouds. Celeste stared at the can, feeling a strange sense of comfort in Shane's presence.

And then, he spoke again. "You ever feel like…no matter what you do, you're gonna fail?" Her gaze was fixated on the raindrops, heavier now, forming ripples in the lake below them.

"…Like you're stuck in some miserable abyss and you're so deep you can't even see the light of day?"

Celeste's heart felt heavy. Yes, I know that feeling. All. Too. Well.

He continued speaking, as if he was alone in his thoughts. "I just feel like no matter how hard I try…I'm not strong enough to climb out of that hole."

Why was everything he was saying making so much sense to Celeste? Filled with overwhelm, she chugged the can of beer, tasting as little of it as she could but absorbing as much of the alcohol as she could. "Heh…fast drinker, huh?" She looked at him. He was staring into her eyes with a small smirk on his face. "Woman after my own heart." There it was again, her cheeks turning red. Thank Yoba it's so dark outside.

He turned back to face the horizon, raindrops getting heavier now. "Just don't make it a habit…you got a future ahead of you still." There was another long silence as Shane finished his can and crushed it under his foot, standing up as he said, "Welp… my liver's beggin' me to stop. Better call it a night." He stuck his hand out to help Celeste to her feet.

His hand was warm and wrapped around hers softly, as if she was a delicate flower, but his grip was firm. She looked again into his brown eyes as he helped her stand up. The rain began falling harder, faster now, as Celeste looked up and frowned. Shane took off his hoodie and put it around Celeste, her pulling the hood to cover her head.

"Let me walk ya. It's getting late. I don't want you out here in the dark all alone."

Shane anticipated the walk would just be to her cabin at the farm, not knowing that she was staying with Robin. Would he have still suggested if he had known?

The walk took 40 minutes in the rain, and their shoes were wet and muddy from the unpaved path north of Pelican Town. The rain started to let up just as they reached Robin's front door around midnight. It was getting late, especially for Celeste, and she started to feel sleep pulling at her.

She took off Shane's jacket and handed it back to him, thanking him for his kindness. He couldn't help but smile a painful smile. He turned around and said, "See ya around, kid."

Celeste smiled. She hoped to see him around.