My eyes fluttered open at what sounded like a familiar stick of wood banging against the wooden door of the house. Groggily, I sat up from my spot in the bed and glanced over at the rays of light coming in through the window. Mumbling something that even I didn't really understand I looked over at Chelsea who was still sleeping beside me. I don't really remember much of what happened yesterday after, well you know, but that's probably because nothing really did happen. After we realized that we had actually kissed Chelsea and I both seemed way too nervous to talk to each other, let alone even look at one another. I guess that's what happens when you're confined in a small space with some who you just seemingly kissed out of the blue.

The knocking at the door began to pick up again bringing me back into reality, or at least the present. Getting up out of bed I walked up to the door and opened it to find, you guessed it, Taro.

"Morning there Mark." He casually greeted.

"Hey Taro." I replied, a hint of grogginess still in my voice.

"I wanted to stop by to make sure you two are doing all right after that storm yesterday." He told me.

I could feel my cheeks getting red as I thought of the previous day's events. They started to get even redder when I realized they were doing so in front of Taro. An awkward situation if I ever saw one.

"W-w-we're fine!" I stuttered out. Atta boy Mark.

He raised his eyebrow at me.

"B-Bu-I mean why didn't you even warn us there was gonna be a storm!" I asked in order to try and change the subject. "I thought that was your specialty.

He shrugged. "Nothing in the old bones felt off so I didn't expect it."

"Well a heads up would have been nice." I said. I'm still not too sure if he can actually feel anything like that.

"Either way seeing as you were still asleep I take it that you two haven't watered your crops yet today?" He asked.

I peered over my shoulder at the alarm clock. I guess with everything that happened yesterday we forgot to set it to go off again. I took note of Chelsea who hadn't appeared to have gotten up since whenever she'd fallen asleep.

"Guess not." I answered.

Taro pounded the bottom of his staff against the ground which, while better than the likely alternative of giving me a whack to the head, still managed to startle me.

"Well let's hop to it then!" He declared before marching out towards the field.

I quickly scurried back into the house and snagged both my hat and the watering can. I looked over at Chelsea yet again and decided to let her continue sleeping but I only managed to turn around and take a single step before I began hearing her shift about the mattress.

"Mark…?" I heard her ask in a quiet voice.

I turned around to see that she had begun to sit up in bed as she rubbed her tired eyes.

"Oh. You're awake." I smiled.

She rubbed her eyes for another moment before resting her hands in her lap. "What are you doing?"

"Well Taro stopped by to see how we were doing after that storm yesterday and now he wants us to go water the plants." I explained.

"Oh, did you…"

Suddenly Taro's voice boomed through the room.

"MARK!" He shouted.

"I-I gotta go Chelsea." I said as I rushed to the door. "Just meet us outside."

I shut the door and sprinted as fast as I could out towards Taro who was simply just standing out there facing the crops.

"W-W-What is it?" I asked, heavily panting as I did so. That brief jog really took it out of me.

Taro nonchalantly turned to face me. "Oh there you are. I was wondering what was taking so long."

I wanted to yell back at him about how he nearly gave me a heart attack but using my better judgement decided that that wasn't the best course of action.

"Well… I'm here." I simply said.

"Then get to watering!" He quickly snapped. I'm starting to see where Natalie possibly gets this problem from.

I sprang into action and began to quickly water the plants in the field. They seemed to be coming along nicely and looked like they could being sprouting fruit in a few days. Once finished I turned around hoping to find a much calmer Taro and much to my wishes I did as he appeared to be much calmer as he greeted Chelsea who must have emerged from the house in the short time I was working.

"There, all watered." I said as I approached the duo.

Chelsea smiled as Taro nodded his head.

"Well that takes care of that." Taro said.

"So if the plants are watered what else do we have to do?" Chelsea asked him.

"Well they're not ready to be harvested so… nothing I guess." Taro answered.

"So nothing else left to do today?" I asked.

Taro looked up at the partly cloudy sky as he thought to himself. "That about does it. Guess you guys get another free day to yourselves."

I didn't bother to look at Chelsea but I at least hope she felt just a little uneasy at that wording like I did.

"Guess I'll see you two later." Taro said as he head off back towards town.

Me and Chelsea stood in an awkward silence once he left.

"So…," I began. "Another day off…"

"Yeah…" She replied uneasily."

I said nothing back and kicked around my feet as I fumbled around with the watering can in my hands.

"The, uh, watering can's getting a little low. I better, uh, go fill it." I said.

Using that excuse I quickly shuffled over to the river at the edge of the farmland. I didn't fully understand why I was this nervous but I at least knew most of it had to do with that kiss yesterday. I mean, did it mean we were dating now? Was she interested in me? It at least calmed me to see that she was at least somewhat conflicted about it as well.

As I knelt beside the river and dunked the pail beneath the water to fill it up Chelsea's voice filled my ears.

"Hey Mark." She said, a hint of uneasiness in her tone.

I almost nearly dropped the watering can because I wasn't even aware that she followed me out there.

I stood up and turned to face her. "Hey Chelsea."

I recognized the type of face she had on almost immediately. It was that sort of 'we need to talk now, this is really important and concerns both of us' type of faces people always put on when what they want to say is serious.

"What is it?" I asked. I'm pretty sure I knew what it was though.

She walked up beside me and sat down facing the river.

"I think we should talk… about… you know, yesterday…" She answered.

I set the watering can down and scooted up beside her.

"A… About that kiss…" She began.

I stayed silent and listened for her next words. Was this it? Was she going to say she liked me? That she wasn't interested? The suspense that lingered in those two seconds before she resumed speaking nearly killed me. My heart was already racing.

"It's just… Like…" She fumbled with her words. She didn't even seem sure of how to voice how she felt. She took a deep breath. "I… I don't know... if I was… right?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well I mean… I guess like I said yesterday… I... really like living with you already. But… I don't know if I… well…" She paused again, only it was a longer pause this time.

"I… think I know where you're going with this." I told her.

She looked at me with an uneasy smile on her face. I knew she wasn't sad or hurt or anything, just confused.

"I think what happened was… we were just caught up in the moment… you know?" I explained.

Her expression seemed to at least tell me that's what she was going for.

"Yeah," She resumed as she wrapped her arms around her knees and looked back at the water. "I guess I was just really caught up in everything… And how you comforted me... I guess I wanted to repay you…"

Was that what that kiss was? A way of saying thanks?

Though I didn't ask that my face seemed to say it enough since when she glanced at me she looked like she knew that's what I was thinking.

"But I mean don't get me wrong Mark. I mean… I do like you… but it's just… I'm not sure…" She stopped yet again.

"Look, I get it." I said as I placed my hand on her shoulder. "We were just… letting our emotions at the time get the better of us… It didn't mean anything but it also didn't not mean anything."

I really have no idea if what I said was right, or really what I just said. It felt right to me though.

She smiled though telling me that she at least got the jist of what I was going for.

"Yeah." She said. "That's it."

I stood up and offered my hand to her. "So, friends?"

She smiled and took my hand. "Of course."

I helped her up to her feet and we just kind of stared at each other for that. Had we not reached that conclusion we just did it felt like the moment where we probably would have kissed again but that was for another day. Maybe? Or… not?

Suddenly we both heard a voice calling for us from the farm entrance. It was Elliot.

"Hey Mark! Chelsea!" He shouted.

Chelsea and I emerged from our spot by the river and she waved to him.

"We're over here Elliot!" She called back.

Elliot for looked around before realizing where she had called from and ran out towards us.

"There you guys are." He said before catching his breath.

"What's up?" I asked.

He continued to pant for a moment before recomposing himself. "We've got some new arrivals coming in."

"New arrivals?" Chelsea asked.

He nodded, still a bit out of breath. "Yeah, apparently Chen had contacted them during his trip to the city and they're on their way. He says they should be here any minute."

I placed my hands on my hips and looked at Chelsea. "Guess we should go greet them, huh?"

She gave a smile and a nod. "Yeah, I can't wait to meet them."


The three of us made the short trek to the beach in silence to find everyone else waiting patiently out on the sandy beach.

"Chelsea, Mark, it's good to see you two." Chen greeted with a smile.

Felicia turned to us and smiled. "I was about to say the same. Did you two do alright yesterday? That was such a nasty storm, and out of nowhere too."

Chelsea and I exchanged glances, but neither seemed to really imply that anything in particular went on.

"Yeah, we did fine." I answered.

"Well that's wonderful to hear." Felicia replied with a smile.

Natalie on the other hand raised an eyebrow at me from behind her mom.

Did she think we were lying? I mean, I guess we were but there's no way she could even think something went on between us could she?

"Dad, I see their ship!" Charlie began to exclaim as he jumped from excitement.

Chen turned to the sea and laughed as placed his hand atop his son's head to try and calm him down. "Well what do you know, here they come."

I raised my hand up to my eyes to block out the light and looked off into the distance to spot the ship just a short distance away from the edge of the beach. It was a different ship compared to the few I've seen so far. It wasn't as small as the one Chen had docked on the pier but slightly larger and looked more like it was used for transportation than travelling.

"So who have you brought for us Chen?" Taro asked.

Chen placed his hands behind his back as he turned around to address us. "Oh, yes, they're animal handlers I knew from my time in the city. When I went back a few days ago I contacted them about the idea of moving out here so they could help supply Mark and Chelsea with animals for their farm. After all, with proper handling and care they can help increase the profits we generate here and in turn attract more villagers."

Taro let out a hearty laugh. "Chen, I don't know how but you continue to outdo yourself."

Chen smiled in response. "Well this is such a lovely place. I would hate to see it go to waste and disappoint you all."

Charlie began to bounce up and down again. "They're here!" He cheered.

We all turned our focus back out to the boat which now sat up near the dock. Practically in unison, we all walked up to the dock and over to the ship. Through the window of the ship I could see a rather gruff looking man at the helm but before I could even consider him as one of the new residents he turned back and shouted.

"We're here!"

He pulled some levers to likely keep the ship from moving and came out of the cabin and began to temporally secure the boat to the dock. Shortly after a rather, well, portly woman came out of the boat and carefully stepped onto the dock. Dusting off the blue dress she was wearing over an orange shirt she faced Chen.

"It was taking so long to get here I thought we were lost." She laughed.

Chen smiled and approached her for a hug. "Ah Mirabelle, it is so good to see you again."

"You too Chen." She said back before looking at all of us. "Hello everyone, my name's Mirabelle. It's so nice to meet you all."

We, and by we I assume probably everyone but Natalie, all smiled. "Hello Mirabelle."

Felicia stepped forward and offered out her hand for a handshake. "My name's Felicia." She greeted as Mirabelle accept the gesture. "We're pleased to have you here. This is my father Taro, and my kids Elliot and Natalie." She said as she motioned to them appropriately.

Mirabelle smiled and waved. "Nice to meet you all. You have such a lovely family." She then turned to Chelsea and I. "And that must mean that you two are Chelsea and Mark."

Chelsea nodded her head and smiled. "Yep, that's us."

She reached out and shook Chelsea's hand. "Again it's a pleasure to meet you two. I'm sure we'll both be seeing each other often for business."

"Mirabelle, did you not say you were bringing your daughter as well?" Chen asked as he looked around.

"Julia? Oh why yes she's here. She's just sorting a few things inside before we start unloading our stuff." Mirabelle answered.

"Someone call?" A voiced asked from inside the ship.

Our collective attention all turned to the ship as who we could likely assume was Julia stepped out. As she did I swear you could feel as me and Elliot almost let our jaws drop. From out of the ship came what I must admit was a rather, well very, attractive girl. She had flowing blonde hair that she kept in a ponytail except for two bangs she let hang at the sides of her face. She wore a small blue button up with only one of them done over a small white tank top that, quite frankly, didn't leave too much to the imagination. Her shorts appeared to have been cut form a longer pair of jeans and didn't cover much of her legs.

She swiftly hopped from near the edge of the boat onto the dock without as much as a hassle. Looking at us all she smiled.

"Hello there, I'm Julia." She greeted.

I could just barely hear Natalie mutter "Showoff." Which part of that moment she was referring to was anyone's guess.

"Ah, there she is." Chen said with a laugh as he placed his hand atop Charlie's head again. "Always eager to help your mother. I always believed that a family that works together can accomplish much more than one alone."

Julia faced him and smiled. "What can I say, animals are my life."

As the introductions went on the man who brought them here continued to enter and reenter the ship in order to carry out boxes likely containing their equipment and supplies. After about four trips he spoke to us.

"That's the last of it." He told us.

"Oh, that it? Thank you so much Gonzo." Mirabelle replied back.

He tipped his hat. "Any time ma'am. You all take care now."

Without another word the he untied his ship from the dock and hopped back onto his ship and reentered the cabin. With another quick wave he fiddled with his equipment inside and began to sail the ship away.

"Well this is all so exciting but I do believe Julia and I still need to get settled." Mirabelle said as she turned back to us.

"Well first things first then, we need to get you two a house." Taro told her. "Come on, we can all help carry your stuff."

I crossed my arms. "By we I assume you mean Chelsea, Elliot and I?" In hindsight sassing Taro probably isn't the best idea but when I heard Julia giggle at that I felt that any punishment I got would be worth it to an extent.

Taro simply walked passed me without so much as a change in expression. "And Natalie."

I was dumbstruck.


Natalie ended up forcing her box onto Elliot as we all headed back into town. It didn't make a difference to me though seeing as my head had managed to remain whack free yet again.

Taro brought us all to a stop at the town square and turned to Mirabelle. "Well, take your pick."

"Well, I wasn't really expecting this." She said likely in reference to the rundown state of everything. "Are all these houses empty?"

"Well, the ones with the doors boarded up." Taro answered. "Chen and my family live in the opened up ones while Mark and Chelsea live in the farm up north."

"I see." Mirabelle replied as she turned to Julia. "Well which one do you like?"

Julia squinted one of her eyes as she surveyed the landscape, stopping when her view came across the house behind Taro's.

"That one looks about right." She answered as she pointed to it.

Picking up the boxes we all marched over to the house in question. It was a rather modest sized house with a red roof and a small silo situated right beside it.

Taro tapped his cane on the ground a few times. "You all know the drill."

We all looked at each other for a moment in confusion before Elliot's face lit up and he quickly set his box down at his feet.

"I-I got it!" He said with excitement before running up to the door and pulling on the planks blocking it.

I paused for a moment. I mean, I understood what Taro was referring to now but why was Elliot so exciting to do some manual labor. I looked at him as he struggled with pulling off the planks before my eyes wandered over to Julia and then quickly back at Elliot. Was he… showing off? Or, given his lack of results so far, at least trying to. Suddenly as much as I wish I could deny it I felt the need to show him up.

"Let me give you a hand there." I said, admittedly trying a bit to sound tough as I did so.

I walked up to the door and tried to pry off the plank myself but my effort was just as fruitless as his. At least in regards to succeeding in pulling it off since my failed attempt earned yet another giggle from Julia. Chelsea might have been giggling as well.

Taro's eyes peered toward Natalie and he gave a fake sounding cough.

Natalie dropped her arms to her sides and sighed before joining us at the door. With her added strength the planks were quickly removed yet again.

She dusted off her hands and glanced and Elliot and I. "Good work boys. "She said sarcastically.

Elliot and I just stared at her as we both panted from exhaustion.

Mirabelle and Julia approached the doorway and as they walked in Julia stopped for a moment and smiled at us.

"Thanks guys." She said with a wink.

I really hope I wasn't blushing.

Chelsea soon followed behind carrying one of the boxes. "Come on guys, let's help them get this stuff inside."

Now I really hoped I wasn't blushing.

Me and Elliot quickly sprang into action and gathered up the remaining boxes out in front while Taro, Felicia, Chen and Charlie waited outside. The inside of the house was about as dingy as all the others when we first moved in but Mirabelle and Julia didn't seem to mind one bit.

"Thank you, boys." Mirabelle said as we set their stuff down in the middle of the room. "With a little sprucing up I'm sure we'll be ready to do business in no time."

Julia wandered about the house and stopped when she found the kitchen area. "And look mom, they even got a nice kitchen in here."

Mirabelle seemed to shutter before nervously speaking. "O-oh, how lovely…"

I looked at Chelsea and Elliot who simply shrugged as Mirabelle began to walk back outside.

"How is it?" Taro asked as we all emerged from the house.

"Well like I told them inside with a little fixing up it should be the perfect new place to call home." Mirabelle replied.

"Glad you like it." Taro said back.

"Yes, and don't forget if you need any extra supplies or anything Charlie and I are well stocked." Chen told her.

"Well, if we need anything we'll be sure to stop by but first we should go through are things and get the basics set up." Mirabelle responded.

Julia looked at Chelsea, Elliot and I. "Thanks for your help guys."

"Oh it w-was no problem at all I assure you." Elliot replied for us.

Julia giggled yet again. "See you around sometime." She said before following her mother back inside.

As everyone else seemed to head back to their respective homes Elliot remained almost frozen in place before Natalie grabbed him by the back of his shirt collar and started to drag him away.

"Come on big guy." She teased.

Elliot didn't seem to be fazed by any of it.

With them gone only Chelsea and I remained.

"So… what now?" I asked.

She looked at me and smiled. "I don't know."

I looked up at the sky and back at her. It looked to be around mid-afternoon by this point.

"So, what'd you think of them?" She asked.

"Mirabelle and Julia?" I asked back. "They seem like they'll be fine additions here."

She giggled. "So, do you like Julia?"

My eyes widened for a sec as I felt my cheeks heat up. "W-What?"

She giggled again. "You heard me."

I crossed my arms and looked away from her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you do." She said in a sing songy way.

I continued to look away from her.

"Oh come on Mark, I saw you blushing." She said as she leaned into me and poked me in the chest.

She did see that, damn.

"I, I was not!" I argued.

She didn't seem convinced.

"I, uh, I was doing it at you!" I blurted out. What else was I supposed to say?

She laughed and started walking back towards our place. "If you say so." She basically sang.

I continued to alone for a moment before chasing after her.

"Argh, Chelsea!" I shouted as I ran after her.

Just what I needed here, another girl.