Chapter Three:
Partners in Crime

I decided at once that if I was going to win Denny back, I had to think up of a plan, and quick. I knew staying low and giving him fish everyday was no match against Lanna's trips to the beach or their nightly dinner dates. So I had to think of something else that would get me into a wedding dress. However, I couldn't think of anything, so I went looking for some help; the supernatural kind.

"You're defiantly an odd one, Chelsea," the Witch Princess told me after I told her my problem, "Why in the world would you want to marry?"

"I'd like to find someone to spend the rest of my life with, is that so wrong?" I asked her. She had conjured some tea while we talked, most days it was just tea, but there were times where she would try a new potion on me, one made my hair turn green for a couple of hours, but today I was lucky enough to just get tea.

"In all my years all I've never thought of it, but I'm quite happy."

"Never?"

"Well…there was one man, he was quite sweet. I did enjoy his company, but he eventually found another…" the Witch Princess recalled, "Either way, I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of this. Why not just find another man?"

"Because there's no one else…" I admitted.

The witch sighed, "That's never the case," she said knowingly, "But since you insist," she said walking towards her shelves full of potions and ingredients, "Why don't I just make you a love potion? It would be so much faster."

I shook my head no, "Thanks, but I have to do this on my own, y'kow?"

"No, I don't. It's your choice though."

"Anywho! Why not come to the Diner with me tonight? I'm treating tonight so I wouldn't mind paying for you too."

"Oh, Chelsea, I have potions to brew, bears to cuddle, you go and enjoy your night without me."

She always said no.

"Fine, but the invite's always open."

"As always."

Every Tuesday and Thursday Julia, Natalie, and I would go eat at the Diner around six, since Natalie had to work with the shipments at five. However, the day I came back from the Witch Princess' home, Julia found me and told me about Natalie having to work late, so it was just the two of us that Tuesday night.

"Might as well go eat now, huh?" she said.

"Why not? I'm starving."

No one was in the Diner when we came inside, so we quickly got our orders and sat down to start talking. The three of us, Natalie, Julia, and I were all very close seeing as we were all about the same age, hardworking labor girls, and we each saw each other every day because of our businesses. Julia and I started to hit it off first, seeing as I was constantly dropping birdseed and fooder, she was sweet enough to give me a discount every now and then. Soon after I was talking with Natalie and before I knew it we were having out girls' nights out. We talked about whatever came to mind; rumors, work, boys, family, the list goes on. That night though, I could tell Julia was relieved that Natalie wasn't there to join us, and she made it clear as to why almost as soon as we sat down.

"What do you think of Elliot?" she asked.

"Elliot? Well, kid's sweet, reliable too. Why?"

"I—I just might be falling for him."

If I were drinking anything you'd be sure would've spit-taked. Elliot and Julia? A bombshell like Julia with a five like Elliot, ever hear the phrase "cannot compute"?

"That's, uh, a shocker actually," I tried to laugh off the surprise, "I wouldn't have guessed that he was your type. Vaughn—maybe, but Elliot?"

"I couldn't go after Vaughn…besides, I really like Elliot. He's sweet, kind, and so cute, and—"

"Easy to manipulate?"

"Chelsea!"

We laughed.

At that point, the Diner door opened up. Mark went straight to the counter and ordered his dinner.

"Done?" I asked once he made his way to our table. Poor guy was tired, I was having him collect lumber for a chicken coop upgrade, I had more chickens then what I knew what to do with—they hatch incredibly fast, let me tell you.

"Aw, poor, Mark. You overwork him," Julia said.

"He gets paid well I can make him do whatever I want. Right, Mark?" I said.

He raised his glass in agreement, too wiped to even speak.

Among our laughter and conversation, Denny and Lanna must have come into the Diner, because the next time I turned my head, I saw them at their usual table.

For the rest of the night, I juggled watching the two mingle and flirt and talking with Mark and Julia. Being as distracted as I was I didn't notice that Mark wasn't paying much attention to either Julia either as she went on about how she could see herself growling old with Elliot.

Julia left before any of us. Mark and I attempted conversation while I watched Denny and Lanna enjoy their meal and each other up to their leave. By then I couldn't hold my tongue for much longer. As soon as that door closed behind them I let my curse slip.

"Damn it."

I turned towards my left to see who mirrored me. Mark was looking at me with a similar look of surprise I must have been wearing.

At that moment, everything was clear; Mark wanted Lanna. And he had to have known that I was crushing hard on Denny.

"Chelsea…" he spoke first, "I think we need to talk."

"Yeah, yeah I think we do."

That was the beginning of Mark's and my partnership in something other than farming. It was the start of our life of crime.

Author's Note: I wish I could keep updating everyday. No update tomorrow, more likely than not an update on Wednesday, then another skip on Thursday. Sorry it's short too, but this was all I could squeeze out without going too in depth with the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Harvest Moon and all characters belong to Natsume