Wooooow. Not a whole lot of reviews. Maybe that's why I took two weeks to update .

Naw, I just had too much homework XD This is a shorter chapter, but it's massive amounts of unplanned-fluff and the fact that I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean 3 should make up for it :3

And this chapter was supposed to be totally different. In fact, I was only making it up as I went along (like COMPLETELY) and I'm so happy with how it came out! Review, please, if you want an on-time update! AND THAT'S NOT BRIBERY.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon or any of it's characters.

There I sat, yet again, on my bed. It was three days after Valentine's Day, making it Winter seventeenth already. I would wake up, put on my sweats, put my hair back in a loose ponytail, feed my animals while sighing at the lack of snow, then watch stupid shows on TV before bed. That became my new schedule, because I just couldn't bring myself to face the town yet.

Anywhere I would've gone, someone would be there to comment on my humiliating show at the Inn. Cliff was always either at the Vineyard or the Church. Doctor was at the Clinic, of course, or at the mountain. Rick was at the Supermarket or the Poultry Farm, because that's where his two loves reside: Karen and chickens. Ann was at the Inn most of the time, but sometimes she'd be up at the hot springs with Popuri, and Goddess knows I couldn't go to the Library.

Then there was Gray. He was probably the biggest reason I wouldn't leave the safety of my farm. For one thing, he was always getting off work at the Blacksmith right when I'd finish my farm work, so I'd run the risk of bumping into him if I decided to leave. Also, ever since that oh-so unfortunate dance with Mary at our party, he would never go to the Library in the afternoons, so I had no idea where he spent that time.

Of course, if it had snowed after that incident at the Inn, I would've felt much better about… Well, everything. If it had snowed that evening when I was walking to the Inn, I would not have come. I would have stayed home or something and played around, or just sat in the cold fluff. If it had snowed while I was running home, crying, my mood would've been instantly zapped so that I was the most cheerful and happy person in the world. If it had snowed any day since then and the present, I would have forgotten my woes and ran into town, declaring that it had finally snowed after weeks of waiting.

But it didn't snow.

I hauled myself over off my bed and onto my couch as I grabbed the remote for the television and clicked it on. It was on the news, blaring the same information it'd been blaring for over a week.

"The holidays are coming up fast!" The TV announced. I hadn't really taken it to heart, though, seeing as how I was too busy wallowing in my self-pity. But now I really did realize: The holidays are coming up!

In just one short week, it'd be Christmas Eve and the Starry Night Festival, followed by Christmas Day.

Quite frankly, I had no idea what I was supposed to do. It was my first winter in Mineral Town, after all, and I hadn't the slightest bit of knowledge on how people here celebrated these days. And in my hermit-like sate, I was sure I was going to end up staying all alone in my house, staring at those big bright stars from out my window, wishing I'd have someone to spend time with. But at the rate things were going, the only possible person who'd fit any criteria to spend that time with me was going to be so awkward around me I'd end up having a better time with that snow lady in my field.

Of course, I was talking about Gray.

I sighed, clicking the television off. My clock read two twenty-four, so I figured I'd just take a quick walk to clear my head since Gray would be wherever he was going by now.

Grabbing my white hat, mittens, and scarf, I walked out of my modest home. As I secured the hat on my head, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. My lungs absorbed the cold air and I exhaled, feeling amazingly well. I slipped on my mittens and wrapped my scarf loosely around my neck as I walked out of my farm and past the Blacksmith. Rick was at the Supermarket and Popuri wouldn't come out in this cold, so I was alone on my walk while I passed the Poultry Farm.

I noticed May wasn't outside playing. Barely probably assumed it was far too cold for her to be out; and he was definitely right. It was freezing, to say the least. I had my blue sweater-clad arms huddled up near my chest, and my breath was so thick in the air it almost made it hard for me to see when I exhaled. I didn't mind it, though. In fact, I preferred it to the scorching heat of summer and the endless humid rain of spring. Autumn was actually a very good season. My second favorite, that's for sure. The holidays in fall are almost as good as the ones in winter. The beautiful colors and the cooler temperature –along with the wonderful scents- made it a cozy time of the year.

Winter was cozier, though.

I turned the corner into the square and saw, much to my relief, no one. I walked over to the bulletin board and saw a new message put up by the mayor:

Residents of Mineral Town:

The holidays are coming closer! To commemorate the festivities, there will be a shindig at the Inn on Starry Night, before and after the star viewing at Mount Moon. There are a few requirements to be met by everyone in town:

-EVERYONE must participate in the get-together at the Inn

-EVERYONE must have a partner/escort when going to see the stars and attend the party

-EVERYONE must close shops on the 24th and 25th, as the town must be a carefree place to stroll about

-NO ONE can break these rules unless they are ill or an urgent matter comes up

The celebration begins Winter 24th, 5pm at the Inn. BE THERE.

-Mayor Thomas

I rolled my eyes. I needed to go to this thing, it seemed. I knew I'd never find a willing escort. I'd probably end up going with Carter or something. I shuddered at the thought of going out with the town's pastor, who was probably closer to twice my age than to my age.

I sighed again, my vision blocked momentarily by my breath. I decided to go to the beach, since it was always deserted in winter and it would be a tremendous place to just sit and think. Knowing myself, I'd probably end up thinking about guys, even though that was the thing I hated at the moment.

I walked carefully down the frozen steps and down onto the cool sand, surveying the bitter-cold misty waters. I walked very slowly down the pier, as it was icy and I did not wish to slip into the frozen water and die of hypothermia. I got to the end safely and sat down with my legs dangling a good five feet above the water.

Then, I thought.

What am I going to do for Christmas…? I need to think this out completely. Okay, first let's decide on a good date.

Cliff… Cliff is too shy. He did give me that adorable handmade necklace, but… I just don't think of him like that. Plus, if he went with me, Ann would kill both of us.

Doctor… He's too serious. And he scares me. Besides, Elli is so totally crushing on him, and she's like my best friend, so I couldn't do that to her even if I wanted to.

Rick… No. Just no. He's completely infatuated with Karen, anyways, so it's not like he'd even consider going with me. Not to mention that we don't exactly see eye-to-eye when it comes to poultry…

Kai… Wait, he's not even here. Anyways, he's too much of a player for my liking, and Popuri is undeniably in love with him.

That leaves Gray. Like I'd actually ask him… Huh. Well, I'm sure Mary would mind, but I don't care about her feelings. And I doubt Gray would go with her after how badly she embarrassed the two of us. But still, would he want to go with me? I'm not that great. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty awful.

I don't look very pretty, regardless of how Ann and Popuri made me look on Valentine's Day. I have plain, straight, straw-like blonde hair that's lucky to even be brushed daily. My skin may be clear, but it's far from beautiful. It's too pale to be desirable, I think, and I have freckles across my nose and cheeks, even if they're hard to see. My body is… so-so, I suppose. I'm most certainly not overweight, but I'm not pencil-thin, either. I'm not exactly the LARGEST gal around, but I'm not, well, nonexistent…

Then there's my personality. I'm too spacey. I get lost in my thoughts, zone out, and daydream way too often. Even though I do too much thinking, I'm not all that intelligent. I tend to be sarcastic. I get so random and annoying sometimes when I keep talking and talking and can't shut up. I'm also pushing insane, seeing as how often I get into arguments with myself... That's it. I've officially convinced myself.

No guy will ever want me.

I'm surprised I even have friends.

"Why the hell would you say that?"

I was startled out of my thoughts by some stranger's voice, apparently puzzled at my thoughts. Wait, how do they know what I was thinking?!

"What?!" I said, shocked and somewhat afraid that I'd pondered all of that out loud. I turned around to see who was speaking to me. I was extremely disgruntled to find an angry-looking, hat-wearing, short-tempered blacksmith staring at me intently.

"Why the hell would you say any of that, Claire?! Goddess, it's like you are thinking about committing suicide or something!" He shouted heatedly at me, causing me to shrink back.

"Wh-what did you hear…?" I asked, hoping desperately he'd not heard me give my opinions on the men in town.

"I heard enough to understand you think way too lowly of yourself to be healthy, and that you think no guy will ever want you." He said, sitting next to me on the dock, "And that you argue with yourself."

I crossed my arms, "Well, the truth is the truth, and I've just realized that I'm…" I thought for a moment, trying to find a good enough word to describe myself entirely, but I failed, "I'm… Me…"

"Exactly,"

My eyes shot up to his face and I watched at him expectantly. He looked like that was all he was going to say, as he was just watching the waves with his mouth shut. I sighed and shook my head.

"No, it's not… Um, it's not a good thing! You don't get it! You just heard me give an accurate explanation that just proves my point! Ugh! Why don't you get it?!" I exclaimed, flustered. Why would he think any different than I?

He sighed and shook his head, just the same way I had done a moment before, "Why don't you get it, Claire? You have to be pretty damn stupid to believe anything you said about yourself."

Oh no he didn't.

"What the hell, Gray?! Now I'm stupid?! I should've guessed! I'm stupid to think you'd even understand where I'm coming from! And no one was even supposed to hear any of that stuff, anyways…" I said, dejectedly. I was shocked to discover I sounded on the verge of tears.

Honestly, I don't think anyone would have ever found out that's how I thought of myself if Gray hadn't accidentally heard me that day. It wasn't exactly supposed to be heard by anyone. Ever. It was the inner workings of my mind, and to know those things is a right only I have. Not Gray. Or anyone. I have to say, though, I would've expected Gray to be a lot less… Mature about it than this, what with trying to convince me otherwise.

Whoops, here they are, I thought. The tears had begun to flow. I blinked and two clear drops rolled down my cheeks, and I was starting to hate myself for it. I didn't want to cry, especially not in front of anyone, or rather, especially not alone with Gray.

I pulled my knees up to my chest and hugged them feeling the freezing ocean breezes. I wiped my face with my sleeve, although I knew it wouldn't do any good if I couldn't keep the tears from coming. I looked down, laying my forehead on my knees, and just… cried. I didn't care if Gray was there anymore. He could leave if he was uncomfortable; I didn't care.

I'd come here expecting to be alone, after all.

I didn't look up. I didn't even check to see if he was still there. I assumed he'd already left, as it was completely silent except for my sobs.

So when I felt an arm hug around my shoulders, you can imagine my shock.

I knew that it was Gray who was consoling me because I could smell his jacket. It smelled like ore, coins, and smoke from the Blacksmith. I turned towards him and wrapped my arms around him under his arms, embracing him as I sobbed into his shoulder. He put his arms around my neck loosely, staying as silent as the inside of the winter mine during the summer.

"You're not stupid, or ugly, or insane, Claire," He said quietly, "You're the complete opposite of how you make yourself out to be. Goddess, how long have you been thinking that stuff was true?"

I just shook my head, unable to respond properly. The truth was I'd thought that stuff for most of my life, after I'd realized I was the only girl in my fourth grade class who didn't have a 'boyfriend' at the time. That sent me home crying much like at I was now, but it also got me thinking: Why? Why didn't any of those boys like me enough to be my 'boyfriend'? I thought and thought, and came up with the same conclusions I had earlier when Gray overheard. I knew after I got out of Junior High that the whole 'boyfriends in fourth grade' thing was a tad obsessive, even for a nine-year-old.

"F-fourth grade…" I whispered, and I could tell he was confused and curious, but he didn't ask about it. I'm glad he didn't, because it seemed like such a juvenile reason to let my self-esteem drop so dangerously low and stay that way, looking back.

He hugged me tighter, and that was when I realized a few things: One, I was hugging Gray, and that was… Interesting. Two, Gray had basically called me pretty, or at least not ugly. And three, I wasn't all alone, and I would probably have company this Christmas.

I smiled slightly, my tears slowing down to a near halt as I hugged Gray tighter.

"Thank you, Gray."

:D TEH FLUFF IT BURNZ

Oh, And I still have that poll in my profile! Make sure you vote on who should be the pairing in my next fic if you haven't yet! :3 This chappie was so fun to write, I think I'll start on the next one (After I finish my history homework X3)