Chapter 3: Home

When we finally let go of each other, I felt somehow… sad. I nervously coughed and scratched my head; she looked down at the floor, blushing. I broke the awkward silence by asking Chelsea if she would like something to eat.

"You cooked for me?... Thank you very much."

Chelsea began to blush a deep red again as I handed her the hot soup and warm drink. She slowly finished the food and once again we were surrounded by an awkward silence.

"So umm… Mira- I mean I would like to know if you would come to the Café with some of my friends this Saturday."

Chelsea pondered this thought a while. "I'd love to."

She stayed in bed and we talked about nothing really, until she fell asleep. I cleaned up the kitchen and straightened up the rest of the house as she slept soundly. As I was leaving, I turned off the lights and whispered,

"Goodbye… Chelsea."

I figured she wouldn't be up for awhile and I finished the rest of her chores. And I had to admit, it was hard work. The next day I went over to Chelsea's farm and helped out with her chores again. (She had to have said thank you at least 100 times.) Chelsea and I were becoming good friends. I learned that her parents owned a bakery in the city and she always wanted to be a rancher. I also learned that she was always a sickly child. She always fell ill in the colder seasons with an unknown sickness. On Saturday morning, after she fed her animals and watered her crops, then she came over to the animal shop.

"H-hello... is Vaughn here?"

I walked out to see Chelsea in a sky blue sundress, her hair pulled up in a loose ponytail (without her bandanna) and with a little bit of makeup on. It was my turn to start stuttering…

"C-Chelsea… Y-you look …."

Chelsea played with her ponytail nervously...

"I'm ready to go to the Café," she squeaked.

Julia smiled at Chelsea brightly when she saw her.

"You are sooo adorable! I just love your sun dress, where did you get it?"

Chelsea glanced nervously at me as I shook my head in amusement. I chuckled while my girly cousin fawned over Chelsea's dress. After Julia was done admiring the stitching, we left, heading to the Café. Chelsea began to get anxious as we got closer to the Café.

"Don't worry these people are weird, but they're nice."

Chelsea nodded slowly... "If you say so…"

We opened the doors to see Mark, Denny, Elliot, and Natalie, smiling and laughing… they were being their plain old weird selves. Chelsea grabbed my arm in reassurance.

"Don't worry."

She nodded and slowly let go. We sat down at the table silently. Soon Julia and Natalie were talking with Chelsea like they have known each other for years. The sight of Chelsea laughing and giggling, for some reason warmed my heart. Things went like that from then on… things were happy, fun… and those were the times I wanted to hold onto the most.

I left the Café an hour after Elliot did. It seemed Chelsea would be fine with the girls…

On my home I bumped into two young girls. One of them had light hair; with a blue dress with a white looking apron thingy… the other was mousy girl with long, black hair and big glasses.

"S-sorry sir…"

I shrugged and was about to leave when the light haired girl peeped,

"Excuse me, but may I tell your future?"

Man, what was with me and bumping into weirdoes?

"NO. I have to go."

The girl just ignored me and pulled out some cards. All of a sudden she lost her grip and dropped all of the cards.

"You will have a very romantic moment with a nice girl."

… "Huh?"

The girl laughed and walked away, but the other stayed.

"Don't mind her… but I must say her readings are quite accurate. Her name is Alisa, I'm Sabrina."

"Vaughn."

"We're new… I hope we can become g-good friends, V-Vaughn." I shrugged,

"My friends and I usually meet up at the Café. Come over any Saturday we'll be there."

Sabrina blushed, and then ran up to meet with Alisa.

I went to bed that night… for the first time in years… I fell asleep actually happy I came to this island. Happy I have friends and family… happy I met Chelsea.

That morning, I checked the calendar and groaned. Sure enough today was the day. My father's birthday. Every year I go to the city to see my drunken father, attempt to celebrate his birthday and usually end up arguing with him. Last year we got into a huge fight, I broke his nose and he broke my arm… This was going to be just like last year…

I was over at Chelsea's house that day trying my best to hold a conversation. Chelsea was a chatterbox when you got past her shy side, but I still tried to listen.

"Vaughn, are you alright? You seem distant..."

I sighed in defeat…

"It's my dad's birthday."

"Oh! How wonderful w- "

I stopped Chelsea mid sentence and shook my head.

"I hate him."

"…. Oh… why is that?"

I held my breath and tried to find the words to explain me and my father's relationship. I bit my lip, then slowly told my story.

"When I was too young to remember, my mother died in a car accident. When she died, my dad became depressed and started working less and less. He began to gamble and drink. We got into fights constantly; soon I decided to live with Mirabelle and Julia. Now I don't talk to him often and the only time I see him is on his birthday… even that turns into screaming and broken plates."

Chelsea just sat there silently and began to tear up. I chuckled and wiped the tears away.

"You are such a cry baby sometimes."

Chelsea nodded then smiled,

"I have an Idea! I have to go to the city and see my parents on Thursday. I could come with you and if things get bad at your place, just come over to my place… My parents won't mind."

I was hesitant about the idea, but what choice did I have? I reluctantly agreed. I packed an overnight bag and grabbed my dad's present. I left the island with Chelsea early the next morning, hoping I wouldn't come back with any broken bones like last time. Unlike me, Chelsea was very excited to see her parents again. She talked the whole time about her mom and Dad's crazy antics.

"Oh yeah, my mom isn't very good at making bread and once my dad said something about it, without realizing she was behind him and she ran out crying. My dad stuffed his face with her bread and chased after her saying. 'I wuv 'vem!'"

I listened with an amused look plastered on my face the whole time as Chelsea laughed at her memories of her parents. The good thing about Chelsea was she was so easy to talk to. Her presence made feel relaxed somehow…

By the time we got to the city, it was already noon. Chelsea insisted that we go around the city for a while and then go to her parents' house. We played at the arcade, got lunch and she decided to go on a shopping spree. Chelsea kind of looked like a little kid holding a giant stuffed teddy bear and an ice cream cone. I laughed at the image of the little kid-like Chelsea. As we were walking around, Chelsea saw a very old music box shop. A music box made of glass and colored the most beautiful shades of green and blue… it kind of reminded me of the ocean. It was very small and Chelsea picked it up, holding it in the palm of her hand. As she opened it, a gentle melody began to be played. Chelsea smiled and hummed along with the tune.

"I know this song… my parents used to sing it to me when I was little… I love this song."

And then Chelsea began to sing along… her angelic voice making me forget the noise of the city.

"Dango, dango, dango, dango, dango, daikazoku dango, dango, dango, dango, dango, daikazoku…."

I laughed as I began to recognize the song.

"You are so weird Chelsea."

Chelsea just smiled and nodded.

"I'm getting it!"

Then Chelsea looked down at the price… her cheery and happy face disappeared.

"I can't afford that…"

She sadly put back on the shelf. I grabbed the tiny music box and looked at the price myself.

I nearly choked at the high price… I can't believe I'm going to do this…

"I'll get it for you."

Chelsea shook her head no, and sighed.

"It's much too expensive…"

I just shrugged.

"Happy early birthday."

Chelsea's face lit up as I handed her the now purchased music box.

"Thank you Vaughn… You're the best! I'm so glad we're friends!"

I blushed and smiled at the childish look on Chelsea's face.

"Me too."

We walked up to a small building with a large sign that read: 'FUROKAWA BREAD'

"This is your parent's bakery?"

Chelsea nodded happily.

"The one and only."

"Chelsea!"

Out of no where, two figures ran past me and grabbed Chelsea.

"You're home," they both yelled enthusiastically. One of them was a young- looking man with a cigarette in his mouth and the other was a woman who looked exactly like Chelsea. Her Mom and Dad.

"Hi Mom! Hi Dad! Guy's this is my best friend, Vaughn!"

The woman smiled warmly, "Hello Vaughn. I'm Chelsea's mother, Claire; this is my husband Greg."

Greg grumbled then chuckled.

"So you're the boy Chelsea's been talkin' about huh? Put it there!"

He put his hand out for me to shake and I shook it nervously. Then he laughed at me!

"The boy has no grip!"

I let go then scratched my head, trying to pretend no one heard that. The old man insisted me play baseball, Claire brought a picnic and we all had a good time… even I did. Chelsea looked so happy to be back home again. Then I realized how dysfunctional my family is compared to Chelsea's. I shook my head, refusing to let my dad ruin this day for me… already. I decided to see my dad tomorrow and I spent the night in the guest room. I fell asleep, dreaming of having my own family.

That morning I snuck out with dad's gift and a cake. I don't know why I wanted to go alone, maybe it was the shame I feel admitting that this was my father, this is how he lives. I walked slowly towards the old, tiny apartment and pulled out the key to unlock the creaking door. As I opened the door I could hear beer cans being pushed to the side. The TV was on full blast and my father was sleeping on the floor, snoring loudly. What I really hated was the fact I looked exactly like him the silver hair and even the oddly colored eyes. I grabbed a broom and a trash bag to begin my annual birthday clean up. I was finishing up when my father woke up. The apartment actually looked nice when it was clean.

"Vaughn. I didn't think you would come this year."

"I come every year don't I," I replied harshly.

My father smiled as he picked up my gift. He opened it slowly and ran his finger over the picture frame. It was a picture of me, with all my friends and family. We were either smiling or laughing. A tear fell on the glass picture frame.

"You must be very happy."

I ignored him and brought out the cake.

"Happy birthday," I said stiffly. My father cut the cake with his shaking hands and handed me a piece of cake then served himself. We ate in silence. We were both strangers now. Strangers who happened to be father and son. I left shortly after finishing my cake... As I walked back to the bakery, I realized I was crying. I brought my hand to my eyes, surprised I could even shed tears anymore. Then Chelsea came walking by…

The crisp, cool fall breeze was blowing her chestnut brown hair back. She turned slightly, and I saw her sapphire blue eyes shimmer in the dim sunlight …. She smiled so gently, I thought the sight of her smile would make me break down crying again.

"Hello Vaughn. Would you like to join me?"

I nodded slowly and ran up beside her. We walked, going nowhere in particular, we walked silently, but nothing needed to be said. We walked together and that was all I needed to forget how miserable I was and to be instead…happy.

Wow... that was a lot of typing for me! I hope you like chapter 3! P.s.: If your confused or anything please tell me and I'll be happy to explain/change anything you feel I should! Also, letting you know the characters are supposed to be a little OOC … to match the characters on clannad. Please review/ write any suggestions. (I'm glad to receive any kind of feed back so don't hold back…)