ok let me start off by saying I reeeaaallly don't like this chapter, but it's necessary if I want chapter 3 to happen, which, I do. I promise the next one will be better.
Instead of leaving the café, which I thought she would do, Chelsea crossed the room to introduce herself to Denny. He had his back was to her, so to get his attention, she uncertainly tapped his shoulder. I chuckled. I guess Chelsea hadn't quite mastered the art of social skills, much like myself.
When he turned around, I was amused to see the shock on his face from seeing Chelsea. After formal introduction, and a squawk from Popper, they started talking. Even I could see from across the room that he liked her. But Denny was what you would call a player. He had already dated both Lanna and Julia. This wouldn't bother me so much except for the fact that he had given Julia something to continuously complain about and now Lanna won't leave me alone.
I was about to leave the café myself, when I started wondering if it would be ok it I left Chelsea here with Denny. I quickly remembered she wasn't my responsibility, she never was, so I left a tip on the table and left.
As soon as I opened the café door, I was immediately attacked by a blur of aqua, pink, and yellow. Lanna.
"Hi, Vaughnie!" she sang.
"Don't call me that," I growl.
"Oh, come on, you know you like it!" she said sweetly.
"No, Lanna, I really don't," I sigh.
"Yes, you do! I can tell! You just don't want to ruin your cowboy image!"
I give up. "Okay, you got me."
"I knew it," she grinned. "Sooo… Vaughnie? Sabrina told me that tomorrow was your birthday, and I wanted to know if…"
Lanna kept talking, but I wasn't really listening. I was too busy trying to come up with an excuse to end the conversation. Sadly, and painfully, I was fresh out of ideas. But I couldn't be mean to Lanna. Sure, I was mean to Julia, but she's more like a sister, or a pet. Lanna's just… Lanna.
"Vaughnie? Hell-o?" Lanna called waving my hand in front of her face. I made a sound that resembled a snort. She giggled. "So, are you coming?"
I had completely spaced out a minute ago, so I for one had no idea what she was talking about. "No." I say.
"W-why?" Lanna's face fell.
"I have plans already." I was completely winging this.
"With who?!" Lanna pouted.
"Uhh… Mirabelle and Julia?" I lied.
"Ok, Vaughnie, but if you change your mind, you know where to find me," she smiled.
Hell, I think. "Ok. Thanks," I say and turn on my heels toward the diner. I was getting hungry, and let's be honest: Lanna was exhausting.
I didn't really have plans for my birthday. I never do. I just do see it as something to celebrate. So what if you're a year older? It just means your closer to dying. Not exactly something I would want to celebrate with cake and presents.
I walk past Mirabelle's shop. Maybe I did forget to feed the chickens. Oh, well. It's not like Mirabelle could do anything worse than yell at me, which she has made a habit of doing anyway.
As I pass the shipping bin, I see Chelsea running around, picking up herbs, sticks, anything she can find, and I couldn't help but smile as I pulled my hat over my face. Something about her was just… appealing.
At the diner while waiting for my food, Lanna kept smiling and waving at me. I did my best to ignore it, but seriously, she was sitting with Denny. Why not smile and wave at him?
Denny had told me that he and Lanna were trying to stay friends, and I guess that meant eating together every night discussing the whodunits and whatchamacallits of fishing. I usually eavesdrop on other people's conversations to pass the time, but seeing that the only other people in the restaurant were Denny and Lanna, I really had no interest in what they were talking about.
I lean back in my chair and prop my feet on the one across from me. Rude, yes, but I was tired. Besides. It wasn't like anyone ever sat with me.
Suddenly Chelsea stumbled into the diner. She looked awful with her hair tangled and dark circles under her eyes. I quickly leaned forward in my chair, returning my feet to the ground. "You ok?" I call out.
Chelsea looked in my direction. "Oh. Um, yeah. Just a bit tired. Thought I'd come get something to eat." She stumbled over to my table and sat down across from me. I was a little taken aback. No one ever sat with me.
"What's good here?" she asked drowsily.
"Hmmm," I ponder. "Well, there's the tofu," I start to say.
Chelsea wrinkled her nose. "Tofu?"
"Well, yeah," I say ignoring Lanna's piercing glare from across the room. "But there's other stuff, too. The fish here give you a lot of energy."
"Sounds about right," Chelsea said peering at the menu. "Ok. I'll get this. Oh, wait…"
"What?"
Chelsea groaned. "Well, I don't exactly have enough to pay for it. I just spent all my money on this damn fishing rod," she said motioning to her rucksack.
I couldn't believe it. Was this a test from the Harvest Goddess or something? "I'll spot you."
"W-what?"
"I'll spot you the gold," I repeat.
She smiled. "Really?"
I shrug. "Call it a gift."
"Well, thank you. I owe ya one."
"Don't worry about it," I say.
My rice arrived a couple minutes later, just as Chelsea was placing her order. As I ate Chelsea asked me questions about myself like, where was I from, what was my job, what kind of music do I like. I didn't really feel comfortable talking about myself. I answered as bluntly as I could. But she was persistent to get as much information out of me as she could.
I roll my eyes as Lanna's obnoxious laugh echoed the diner. Chelsea looked over her shoulder at the two fishermen. She bit her lip. "So, what's up with them?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" I say through bites of rice.
"Well, you know. Are they, like, a couple?"
"Hm? Oh, no. They were once, but now they're just fishing buddies."
"Oh." I didn't say anything, but after I answered her, Chelsea's face became bright red and she was smiling ear to ear.
I stare at my empty bowl. "Well, I'm done," I announce getting up. "See ya, Chelsea. Hope your meal's good." I head for the door, my face turning red. What just happened? I felt really strange just a minute ago. I almost felt… jealous. I just needed to clear my head, that's all.
As I make my way to Kirk's boat, I suddenly realize how unusually dark it is. I could barely see the tops of my boots. I hope I don't fall asleep on the boat ride.