Katie slid down in her seat as she settled into the bus bench. She was finally taking over her grandfather's farm, Dianite Farm.
She felt her stomach clench as she thought of all her anxiety problems coming true. Meeting new people, being away from her parents, having to start a new life.
She sighed, and curled up on the seat, trying to shut out the groans and sputtering engine of the bus. Her stomach groaned as her carsickness set in. She always got carsick, no matter what the vehicle.
The driver could see Katie's sadness, and felt a little bad for her. She lived in the town neighboring Dianite Farm. She could already tell Katie was going to have a hard time settling into her new home.
She spoke, making Katie sit up. "Cheer up, kid. I'm sure you'll love your new home."
Katie sighed, curling back up. The driver stopped the bus as they reached their destination. "here we are. Stardew Valley."
Katie grabbed her bags and made towards the front of the bus, wobbling slightly from the carsickness.
As soon as she got off, she set her bags down, and ran over behind a bush to throw up.
The driver looked concerned. "You okay, kid?"
Katie stepped out from behind the bush. "Yeah, I just get carsick."
"Oh." The driver looked relieved. "Didn't want you having to see Doctor Harvey first thing you got here. If you ask me, he's a little…odd."
Katie looked mad. "You shouldn't have opinions like that. That's what hurts people the most."
The driver sighed. "but, it's true. Doc Harvey's always been…a bit….peculiar. Anti-social, anxious, and all around weird."
Katie felt like the driver was describing her. If Harvey was like that…maybe she could have someone to talk to.
Katie sighed. "Just point me in the direction of the farm." She said coldly.
"That way." The driver said, pointing west.
Katie picked up her bags and walked towards her farm. As she walked down the road with her bags, she felt…sick. Her stomach was tied up in knots, her palms were sweaty, and she was shaking.
"Calm yourself down." She took a deep breath. "You don't want to raise panic."
She bumped into someone as she walked down the path. It was an old man.
"You must be Katie, right?" He said.
"Yeah." She gulped.
"I'm Lewis, Mayor of Pelican Town." He smiled. "Come, I was just preparing your house for your arrival."
Katie smiled. "That's very sweet of you." She said.
Lewis looked closely at her. "You seem to look at little sick. You feeling okay?"
Katie nodded. "Almost had an anxiety attack, but I'm good."
"Anxiety, huh?" Lewis smiled. "Perhaps you should get to know Doctor Harvey. He's had issues with anxiety. Maybe he could help you."
"If he's willing to help. The bus driver called him weird, which really hurt me because that seems harsh."
"Pam is just a little judgmental." Lewis said. "Harvey's a really nice person. Poor guy's been lonely all his life. He's had a lot of loss in his life."
"Loss?"
"Lost his sister, his brother, his friends, pets." Lewis sighed. "He's only got his parents left. And every day they get older, is another day closer to when Harvey will have to say goodbye. He shouldn't have to go through that alone."
Katie sniffled. "Poor guy."
"I hope he'll find love one day. He deserves a sweet girl." Lewis sighed. He brightened up. "Well, let's go get you settled."
After she was settled in and Lewis left, she went to bed, and woke up ready to start the day.
A week went by. No one really saw the new farmer girl much. Robin said Katie had been busy trying to get her supplies to add on to her house. Robin was told by Katie; "I'll start meeting locals soon. I just want to show I'm capable of being a farmer."
That night, after her kitchen was built, Katie felt a little on the ill side. So, she went to bed, feeling the worst in the morning.
She felt a fever settling in. She had told herself she'd go and try to commute with the people in town. That's what she was going to do, sick or not.
Meanwhile…
Doctor Harvey sighed as he opened up the clinic. It was probably gonna be another boring day. Well, maybe not. The new farmer might stop in.
"I highly doubt it." He told himself. "Who'd want to talk to someone like me?"
Harvey shook his head, and sat down at the desk. About an hour later, the door opened.
"Uh…hello? Is anyone here?" an unfamiliar voice said.
Harvey looked up to see a beautiful young woman standing there. Her eyes were a warm, baby blue. Her hair was a matching silky blue hue, she wore a purple button up shirt, blue jeans, and brown leather muck boots. He almost drooled. She was beautiful.
"Hey." He said.
She looked at him. "Oh, are you Harvey?" she asked.
"Yes." He smiled. "Are you the new farmer?" he asked.
"Yep. I'm Katelyn Dianite, but you can call me Katie. I prefer Katie."
He looked at her face, which he noticed was very pale. "You feeling well?" he asked.
"Woke up with a fever." She smiled brightly. "It's nothing, really."
Harvey smirked. "You sure?"
"I think so. I feel fine other than really cold." She shivered.
Harvey smiled, blushing a little. She'd probably kill him for what he was about to say.
"Well, I feel your fever coming towards me, or maybe it's because you're hot." He said cheekily.
She giggled, blushing slightly.
There was an awkward silence before Katie spoke.
"Well I best be going. I need my rest. Don't want this fever getting worse." She smiled.
"That's very smart." Harvey smiled. "I'll see you later."
"See ya, Harvey." She left with that.
Harvey chuckled as he looked over her file later that day. He just stared at her picture. He snapped out of it as he glanced at her records and saw something in red letters: 'Anxiety Issues'
Harvey's heart pounded. He was familiar with anxiety, and thought for a strange moment that he and Katie might go somewhere together in life.
"That's ridiculous." He sighed. "Who'd want me? An anxious doctor with a sorry excuse of a job?"
Maru rushed in. "Harvey! Get your medical bag! We got an emergency out on Dianite Farm!"
Harvey jumped up. Was it Katie? "What's going on?!" He asked.
"My dad and I were going to visit Katie when we saw her laying on the ground. She's really sick Harvey."
"Where was she when you found her?" Harvey asked.
"Right beside the mailbox." Maru said. "Come on, we have to help her!"
Harvey grabbed his bags, running behind Maru towards the farmland.
Hang in there, Katie. I'm coming for you. His thoughts said.
