Shane's P.O.V.

The blazing sun was finally starting its descent beneath the rooftops before falling into the sea. Summer may have been over, but the air was still obnoxiously heavy with humidity. The once-verdant leaves were beginning to brown like a slow burning flame, though the pavements were clear for now. Shame, I thought - fallen leaves were never quite the same as Morris' face, for instance, but I enjoyed kicking them as I walked anyway. On the approach to the Saloon I noticed my own ragged reflection in the window, and gave myself a sigh of encouragement. Marnie had given me a job to do, and while I honestly didn't understand why she couldn't just do it herself, I wasn't really in any position to argue. It made sense that she'd ask me to do it, sure, and maybe she was just trying to help, but even she knew my people skills weren't exactly razor-sharp. But in this case… Maybe…

I pushed the door open and stepped into the warm rustic glow of the Saloon, squinting slightly against the contrast in light. When my vision finally focused, I saw two malachite eyes before me accompanied by a big smile. "Hi, Shane!"

"Oh, h-hi, Rain…" Shit. I'd usually get to the Saloon first bar the very rare occasion, so I was hoping to have a little time to drink and work up a buzz before talking to her. After everything it really didn't make sense to be so nervous - I knew that. But logic didn't mean a thing when she was smiling at me like that. "...I'm gonna go get a drink."

"Okay! I'll be in the usual spot," she beamed. Usual spot? Questions aside, was this really okay? We were supposed to be taking our friendship slow, right? I was getting a headache. I placed my elbow on the sticky bar, almost thankful that it was Gus' head I was looking at the back of and not the shrill blue-haired barmaid. "Gus. A beer."

"Coming right up, my friend!" Gus bellowed heartily, twirling his moustache. Moments later he lifted an overflowing glass onto the bar before me, the froth rolling down the sides. Without stopping to wonder if Gus ever wiped the bar down, I picked up the damp glass and dawdled over to where Rain was sitting, trying to piece the right sentence together in my head and, of course, failing to do so. I sat down on the barstool beside her and took a long sip of my beer. I didn't notice it before, but Rain's overalls were covered in dirt - they were more brown than blue. That was just one of the small signs that it was the start of a new season. I smirked to myself.

"What's funny?" Rain tilted her head.

"Oh, nothing," I mused, glancing at her clothes.

"H-hey!" her now red cheeks puffed out as she tried to pat the dirt off of herself, "Don't make fun. I've spent the past few days doing nothing but planting pumpkins."

"Well, that explains it," I laughed. I took another sip of my drink and sighed. I had to ask her for Marnie, and if I didn't get it done soon then knowing me, I probably wouldn't do it at all. "Hey… Rain."

"Yeah?"

"What, uh… What are you doing for the Valley Fair?" I shuffled my feet nervously. Stop freaking out, you idiot. It's not like you're asking her on a date.

"Huh?" she gave me a wide-eyed look. "Ohh, that. Mayor Lewis mentioned it to me a while ago but I've not really made any plans for it." she rubbed the back of her head with an awkward smile. "Honestly, I don't think I'm ready to commit to making my own display or anything like that… I'll probably just watch the contest and go play some carnival games."

"I see."

"Why do you ask?"

"W-well, uhh…" my heart jolted. It felt like a spotlight was on me as my brain scrambled to find the words, Rain's expectant eyes interrogating me silently. "I was wondering if- n-no no, Aunt Marnie wanted me to ask… Uhh…" my eyes flitted around as I steadied my breath. All at once and with a long sigh I asked her; "do you want to help us with Aunt Marnie's display this year?"

"Huh? Me? Really?" Rain asked in a high pitch voice like a kid being picked for the school play.

"Yeah," I exhaled all of my built up tension, "Marnie thought it might be fun if the four of us competed together."

"I'd love to!" Rain exclaimed. "But… wouldn't it be more fun if you guys just did it as a family? I don't want to get in the way, you know…"

"A… family?" Is that what we were? Sure, it was really starting to feel that way lately, but the idea of 'family' was still so alien to me. "Well I- we thought it'd be more fun with you there, I guess. And, well…" I glanced over my shoulder and lowered my voice, "It's Marnie's birthday a couple days after the Fair and I thought the first place ribbon would be a great early gift for her, and… I figured since you're a farmer and all, you could help us have the best possible chance…"

"Marnie's birthday?" the doubt in her eyes disappeared all at once. "In that case I'd love to help out! Though I've never done anything like this before, so…"

"Me neither," I responded between sips of beer, "I'm honestly not too sure what I'm supposed to be doing, but I guess we'll figure it out."

It was at that time that the blue-haired bar maid emerged from the back room of the Saloon. Her eyes scanned around the room, and when she noticed Rain, her walk evolved into a silly jog, her red-lipped smile almost maniacal. Or maybe that was just my imagination. Great, I thought, another quiet evening ruined. I leant back against the short back of the barstool, drink in hand - whatever this obnoxious bundle of eccentricity was going to strike up a conversation about, I wanted no part of it. "Mira!" she squealed excitedly. "I was hoping I'd catch you tonight!"

"Emily!" Rain smiled, almost surprised, "what's up?"

"Well," she mumbled, reaching into her pocket and revealing a crumpled up pink envelope, "my sister wanted me to give you this if I happened to see you."

"Haley did?" Rain cautiously began to tear open the seal. I could tell from her forced shrill voice that she wanted to hide it from the barmaid, but I knew she was apprehensive.

"Oi, Emily! Over here!" Pam slurred from across the bar, waving a tankard in the air.

"Oh! Coming!" the barmaid shouted back jollily, waving at Rain and then skipping across the bar. Meanwhile, Rain was carefully appraising a salmon-pink piece of paper covered in annoyingly curly handwriting. I'm not sure what else I expected, to be honest. "So? What's it say?"

"Oh, apparently it's Elliott's birthday tomorrow. They're having a party…" She sighed, "But tomorrow night's when Marnie's giving me my dancing lesson this week."

"Oh right, that." I almost forgot that she even had dancing lessons. "I guess it is a bit short notice."

"Yeah… Well, they're meeting at 3pm tomorrow. Maybe I'll just show face for an hour or two."

"Fair enough," I shrugged.

"So, got any ideas for our Fair display yet?"

"Well, we were thinking…" And just like that, we talked the night away. Before I knew it my reservations about moving too fast all fizzled away like the bubbles in my glass.

Mira's P.O.V.

The yellowing leaves rustled in the afternoon breeze as I walked through town, carefully balancing a basket of blackberries in my hands. I honestly didn't know Elliott well enough to know what he'd want for his birthday, but I figured handpicked fruit would at least be okay. It's the thought that counts anyway, right? I approached the river and sure enough, everyone was gathered. Haley was sat on Alex's coat - probably avoiding the dirt on the ground - and Alex was stood up next to her, showing off with his football. Maru and Harvey were chatting to Elliott, who was sat next to a typically quiet Penny. Sam and Leah were eating sandwiches and laughing together. "Long time no see," a familiar voice came from beside me. It was Sebastian, who was standing in the shadow of the cliff. "Oh! Seb!" I smiled, "yeah, sorry about that. I've had a lot going on."

"It's cool. I'm just glad you're here now," he replied unusually warmly, "mum says you should come over for dinner sometime soon. If you wanted to, that is."

"I'd love to!" I replied with a grin.

"Mira! Hey!" Leah called over to me, causing everyone to turn their heads in my direction. I covertly gulped before making my way over to them. "Hey, guys! Happy birthday, Elliott!" I held out the basket to him nervously, feigning confidence. "I picked you some blackberries. I hope you like them!"

"Marvellous!" Elliott responded with all of his usual bravado, "a thousand thanks, Mirabelle. I shall enjoy these in my boudoir with a nice slice of carrot cake." Boudoir? He lives in a shack… regardless, I kept grinning and took a seat down by the river. Haley stood up, flicking her hair. "Who wants to play truth or dare~?" She squealed excitedly, yanking the not-quite-finished bottle of soda out of the now disgruntled Alex's hands. "Fine, but nothing weird," Leah responded with an eye roll.

Several ridiculous questions and dares later, the sun was beginning to descend. "Oh!" I stood up sharp. "I have to go. I'm supposed to be at Marnie's house."

"Aww, you're leaving already?" Haley faked a pout, but I was well aware she didn't really care.

"Yeah, sorry." I smiled. "I'll see you all soon, okay?" I made my way over the small stone bridge.

"Wait." Leah's stern voice rung out from behind me. I turned around, and she was pointing the bottle dead at me. This didn't feel like a game anymore. "I have one more question for Mira." Everyone went silent. "Why are you still hanging around with that drunken loser?"

"Wh-what?" I stammered. Leah had lost her usual caring 'older sibling' demeanour and now held me in her piercing gaze as if I were on trial.

"You heard me. Are we not good enough?"

"Yeah," Haley started too, "what do you see in that dirty old man?"

"But he-"

"Don't you think he's just using you?" Maru too? Harvey sat beside her nodding in agreement. In fact, they were all nodding along. I couldn't quite believe what was happening, how quickly this had all escalated. "Nothing good can come of hanging around with him. You should know that already."

"W-well, I-"

"He's just a waste of space. You're better off with us."

"Listen." I clenched my fists and spoke up finally. "Who I hang around with is my business and my choice."

"But Mira, he's-"

"No, Leah." I stared daggers right back at her. I'd had enough. "I'm friends with Shane whether you like it or not. We're not hurting anyone, so it's no one else's business what we do. You told me that before didn't you?" At last she went quiet. I scoffed quietly before turning around again. "We're preparing for the upcoming festival. Don't expect to see me for a while." I walked away, encompassed by the silence, the gravel crunching under my shoes the only sound I could hear. As I walked I caught sight of Sebastian's blank expression, clearly dumbfounded by the events that had just unfolded. Our eye contact lasted for a few seconds before I held my head up once again and faced forward, leaving the scene behind me. A single stream rolled down my cheek and splashed against my shoe. I took a few deep breaths as I approached the edge of the forest, the light from Marnie's house illuminating the darkened trees. I wiped my eyes on my sleeve, gently pushing the door open. Shane was leaning against the counter. "Hey, Rai-" he stopped dead when he caught sight of my expression. Was it that obvious? He walked over and gently placed his warm hands on my shoulders, steadying my shaking. "Are… are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm alright now…" I forced a smile, staring up into his worried hazel eyes, his beer-scented breath thawing out my cheeks. "I'll be just fine."

Author's Note:Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Sorry it's been a while. Thanks so much for your reviews and support :D

I just wanted to address something real quick; I've had a few people messaging me saying "I can't find your Twitch channel". I've noticed what I think might be the issue - people have been spelling my username wrong when searching for me. Just to clarify, the last letter of "Nyannygiri" is an "i" (pronounced 'eye'), not an "L" (pronounced 'ell'). Hopefully that helps. :P

See you soon! ~Nyannygiri