Finally! I got an update in! This chapter will shock you so much you'll fall out of your chair. Sorry for not updating. I just couldn't think of anything! But I thought of something near the end of this chapter, and it was an Aha! moment. Soooo, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Hopefully it makes up for the lack of updates.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon or any of its characters.

Choking on my Words

I didn't see Vaughn at all the next day until the evening. He was wandering around on the beach, staring at the sky and the waves.

I silently walked over to him, trying not to disturb him. He looked deep in thought... worried, really.

"Hi," I said quietly, not wanting to scare him. He still jumped.

"What do you want?" he asked, annoyed. "Go annoy someone else!"

"I-I'm sorry," I said. Sometimes, Vaughn made me feel like a little, puny mouse.

Vaughn sighed. "No, I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that... I was... thinking."

"About what?" I asked, brightening up.

NOOOO! My "conscience" screamed.

What?

Maybe he doesn't want to tell you what he was thinking about. THINK, DARN YOU, THINK!

I'm sorry! I don't think before I say things!

Well start! It'll help you in the long run, trust me!

"My family," Vaughn muttered. "I just wish I remembered them... The only things I know about them are what Mirabelle told me, and that's not much, considering she wasn't in my life until... they died..."

"I'm really, truly sorry," I said.

"About what?" Vaughn asked, looking down at me.

"Everything," I said, and hugged him. It was just like the last time; he was nervous but loosened up after a while.

We both stood there, hugging each other, watching the waves hit the sandy beach. I felt... peaceful, and happy.

I wondered if Vaughn felt the same way...

Vaughn left the next day, like he did every week. I actually kind of missed him. He was sweet and kind, once you saw through that mean, nasty side of him.

Just like Mirabelle said.

Julia started talking non-stop once her cousin left. I guess she knew better than to get on Vaughn's bad side.

"Sooooo," she said as we started walking from the beach. "Do you like Vaughn? Huh? Huh? Do you like him?" she reminded me of a squirrel that had had two shots of espresso with whip cream.

"First of all, calm down!" I said. "Second of all, I don't know him too well."

"But you've hugged him TWICE!" Julia said.

"Yeah, bu─" I froze. "How did you know I hugged him a second time?"

Julia's hand flew to her mouth. "Oops," she said behind her fingers.

"You were following me!" I yelled, and hit her on the arm.

"No, not true." Julia said. "I was following VAUGHN, not YOU."

I rolled my eyes. "You stalker!" I continued walking across the sandy beach to the path.

"I am not a stalker," Julia pouted. "I'm just curious, that's all. I wanted to know if he was going to go see you."

"Why would he be going to see me?" I asked.

"I don't know," Julia shrugged. "I thought maybe he liked you..."

"Julia, that man wouldn't like me if I gave him all the money in the world," I stated.

"I don't know about that," Julia said sceptically.

I sighed. "I don't like him, Julia," I said.

"Ok," Julia pouted. "I believe you..." she walked away solemnly.

"Oh my god, Chelsea!" I was woken up the next morning by Julia, banging on my door. When I opened it she was in tears.

"What happened, Julia?" I asked.

"V-Vaughn..." she gasped.

"What about him?" I felt scared inside, and didn't really want to hear what happened.

"He... He..." Julia choked on her words. "He's..."

"He's what?" I screamed at her. I grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently.

"He's..." Julia coughed violently, and began shaking helplessly.

Tears were streaming down my face now. Something horrible must have happened to him. I tried to wipe the tears away, but they kept falling.

"What happened to him, Julia!" I was screaming at the top of my voice.

Julia fell to her knees, and cried into her hands.

I knelt down in front of her, put my hands on her shoulders. "What happened to Vaughn, Julia?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"He's..." She looked up at me with huge, tear-filled eyes. "He's... dead."

Me: H-Hello, and w-welcome to Ruins T-Talk Show!

Noe: What's wrong with you?

Me: Have you read this chapter?

Noe: I can't read...

Me: But you're a Harvest Sprite!

Noe: So? Can you tell me what happened?

Me: Vaughn dies!

Noe: :O

Me: Yeah... *breaks into hysterical tears*

Noe: O_O *silently slips away*

Me: R-R-R-R-Review, please... *continues sobbing*