If this chapter is scuffed, it's because I was spaced out doing karaoke during final editing. There were zero thoughts in my head and I refuse to apologize. Hope you lovelies enjoy anyway! ~Shaymie

Angela

It was easy to forget that Molly doesn't have the same stamina that she used to.

She's out like a light and it's barely ten past nine. Then again, she could also just be tired. She insisted on waking up even earlier than normal to make breakfast for Kasey and the kids to celebrate the first day of school. It was technically her turn to cook so it's not like Angela could do anything to stop her. But she didn't have to put in the extra effort of making them lunch, too. On top of that, Angela knew that she hadn't slept well last night.

"You could have at least gotten under the covers," she sighed, brushing some hair back from her sister's face. Molly barely managed to change out of her dirty overalls before collapsing into bed. At least she wasn't pushing herself too much anymore and knew when she needed a break. They might have gone a bit overboard with the crops this time around. Rainy days were definitely going to be their best friend.

Next crop cycle, she'll try not to plant so much. Money isn't everything, and it's definitely not worth working themselves to exhaustion. They'll burn themselves out if they keep going at this rate.

Pretzel hopped onto the bed and flopped next to Molly's pillow with a purr. Looks like she's in good hands. Er... Paws? If he wasn't such a brat, Angela would pet him.

Sweet dreams, Molls. She covered Molly with a spare blanket and kissed her forehead before changing out of her farming clothes into something a bit more sturdier for mining, taking care not to make too much noise. It was a bit uncomfortable having the cat stare at her the whole time but it's not like he really knew what he was looking at. He probably wouldn't care even if he did. She's pretty sure the damn thing is plotting her death. Stupid bastard liked everyone but her. He's lucky Molly loved him so much or he'd be homeless right about now.

She left the door slightly ajar for the little rat and left the room. Luke, Bo, and Dale were stuffing their faces with breakfast. Molly always cooked something for them even though they said she didn't need to. Making food for people was how she showed her love and appreciation for them. That's why Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday. It's barely the changing of the season and she's already planning the menu for the holiday. They still haven't fully made plans for Thanksgiving.

"Is Molls okay? She looked dead when you guys came in." Luke swallowed a mouthful of scrambled eggs and leaned over so she could peck him on the cheek. It wasn't necessary in the slightest. She could reach just fine, but it's become routine for him to do this after she told him how much she liked having a boyfriend that was taller than her. She could actually wear heels now without worrying about a stupid guy throwing a fit about her being taller.

"She's fine, just tired. This is the first time I've let her fully help with the first planting of the season. Guess I wasn't doing her any good by trying to handle everything. She'd probably be able to do more if I didn't hold her back for so long." It was stupid of her. Kasey wouldn't have messed up like that. He's overprotective, but he treats Molly like an adult. Angela still struggled to do that. She still saw Molly as a child sometimes because that's the last time they were kinda close.

Oh, who is she kidding?

They've never really been that close.

Kasey was Molly's favorite. He's always been her favorite, and for good reason. He's always been there for her. He didn't treat her like an irritating burden when she was a baby. He's the best damn brother anyone could have, kind, patient, and understanding. He wasn't filled with stupid petty envy the way Angela was. She hated herself for the jealousy she felt towards her siblings.

Molly's the talented one and Kasey's the smart one and Angela's just the stupid leftover who hadn't done anything worthwhile with her life before moving here. Her biggest achievement, if it could even be called that, was being Mikhail's arm candy. Lot of good that fucking did her. She didn't know what to do with herself after breaking up with him. She felt worthless, pathetic, and unwanted.

The reason she didn't want Kasey to apologize was simple. He was right about everything. He was right about Mikhail being a scumbag, he was right when he said that she was selfish, and he was right to call her a whore. Why apologize for telling the truth? They're both stupidly stubborn, though. He wouldn't give up until he apologized. Maybe she should let him apologize just so there's no more awkward family meals. They couldn't even look at each other at breakfast this morning. She's sure Mara noticed. The kid was quiet but that meant she could pay more attention to the things around her.

"I'm sure Molls knows you were just trying to help." Angela bit back a frustrated response at that, instead giving Luke a smile. He's just trying to be a nice boyfriend and comfort you. Don't say something stupid and ruin the one good thing you've had happen to you this past year. Luke's been more patient than she thought she deserved. He tucked a bit of hair behind her ear and grinned. His smile was enough to warm her insides. "We'll try to keep things down so she can sleep."

"Thanks, babe. Lunch at the inn today?" She didn't think Molly would feel up to cooking, if she even woke up in time for lunch. She left the house after grabbing her hammer from the closet she stored it in to make sure Gideon didn't mess with it (and to keep it away from that stupid cat) and ran into a surprising sight outside her house: Chase, walking around examining their fields. He looked up at the sound of the door closing and almost seemed embarrassed to be... caught?

What the hell is he doing? He didn't come over unless Molly dragged him over—

Ohh...

"Why the hell are you the one I keep running into?" he groaned as she walked over with a smirk on her face. She promised Molly that she'd mind her own business and not meddle but messing with Chase is just too fun. What's he going to do, snitch on her? Tell Molly that she's been teasing him? His manly pride probably wouldn't allow that.

"I should be asking you why you're creeping around my farm. Are you really that desperate to see Molls? Careful lover boy, she might catch on to your little crush." She had to wonder how Molly hadn't clued in on it yet. It's easy to understand her missing the way he'd look at her sometimes, the rare smiles he had just for her, because she wasn't that observant. It was part of her charm. But he brought a whole handmade cake over just for her at six in the morning. You don't do that for just a friend.

...Well, Molly probably would. She's so sweet and filled with so much love for her friends that she'd definitely stay up all night just to do something nice for them. Molly could get away with that. But that's the thing. Molly could. Chase definitely couldn't. Even though he's nice to Molly (and clearly liked her), he always acted like he just tolerated her. He's not the type to call just because he was thinking about you.

"Crush? You're being ridiculous," Chase scowled. Angela raised an eyebrow. So he's still going to be in denial? When it was so obvious that he was jealous of Selena flirting with Molly just to get under his skin? When he went out of his way to try and make Molly jealous? Molly's too sweet to be messed with like that. She probably didn't even know what jealousy felt like. Mark was an asshole but he showered her with (fake) affection, and Ash only ever had eyes for her.

"You're the ridiculous one but whatever. Mind telling me what you're doing here?"

"Freckles didn't come by and she always apologizes even when she's just a couple minutes late, so I was... worried..." Chase mumbled the last word under his breath. She smirked at the blush that spread across his face. Yeah, sure, he didn't like Molly. "What's with that look on your face?"

"As you can tell by the fields, today's been a busy day. Molly really needed a nap. She's probably going to be out until the afternoon so you might as well go home. Maybe you can make her another cake to keep yourself busy."

She still couldn't believe he actually went to the effort to make Molly a cake. He made every excuse under the sun to explain why he did it: he couldn't sleep, the ingredients were going to go bad if he didn't use them, and (probably the best one in her opinion), it's not like he had anything better to do. All his excuses faded off into silence when Molly gave him a sleepy smile and quietly thanked him.

Poor fool was head over heels for Molly. It would really be easier for everyone if he just admitted it to himself. Kasey's going to have a fucking field day when he finds out about this. He's been so busy that he hasn't gone to the bar yet. Chase is such a loner that he's the only person in town that Kasey hasn't met yet. Well... him and that fortune teller guy, but Angela and Molly haven't met him yet either.

"If she's sleeping then I'm going home. That chicken's been watching me since I got here." Chase's lavender eyes locked onto Bell, who was standing near the entrance to the coop with fire in her beady eyes. Angela didn't think it was possible for a chicken to be expressive before Molly got Bell. How did they keep ending up with animals that had such big personalities? Maybe Molly really was an animal whisperer, because she's the only one who can keep them under control. Pretzel and Bell would have probably shanked someone by now if she wasn't around.

"Molls sleeping didn't stop you from hanging around before." Angela set her hammer down and pulled her phone out. The corners of her mouth twitched as she scrolled through endless selfies with Luke and pictures of her crops to find the picture she'd taken the night of the Firefly Festival. Molly and Chase seemingly spent the night together and fell asleep on the couch. Even back then it was clear he had a soft spot for her. It was incredibly satisfying seeing the way he got flustered when she turned the phone to him.

"Wh-Why did you take a picture of us?"

"You're blushing like it's something scandalous, Chasey. Don't worry. I know you didn't do anything." That reminded her... She tucked her phone away and leaned on her hammer, expression growing serious. "Let me tell you something right now, Peaches. I tease you a lot about Molly but I take my sister's happiness very seriously. If you play around with her heart, I swear to god I will fucking break you."

"Angela—"

Shit, I told Molls I'd mind my own business. Oh well. She doesn't even know she likes him yet, but he knows that he likes her. The last thing I want is him fucking things up before she even realizes.

"Really, you're getting it easy from me. Kasey would have your head. You're lucky I've gotten a chance to know you."

"You saying you're gonna break me is getting it easy? What the fuck, Angela?!"

"I could have said something much worse, y'know. I told Mark I'd kill him if he came anywhere near Molly." It probably wasn't that threatening, considering how close she'd been to a breakdown. She's surprised he even left. Luke might have said something to him but it was hard for her to hear anything over her rushing thoughts.

Mark was just a reminder of one of the many ways she'd failed Molly as a sister. She had a bad feeling about him from the start but didn't do anything about it. She could have warned Molly about guys like him. She should have known Molly would be too trusting to know that he was bad news. At seventeen, he was her first ever boyfriend. Of course she'd be absolutely infatuated with him and see every red flag as rose-colored.

"Do you always fight your sister's battles? You know she can take care of herself, don't you? She handled Chelsea without your help."

"Yeah, well... Old habits are hard to break, y'know." Angela sniffed, cheeks burning at being called out by Chase, of all people. Stupid, irritating little know it all. "Anyway, you should go home. I have to meet up with Owen and I don't want to leave you alone with the chicken. Bell has probably committed some crimes in a past life."

The last thing she saw before he turned to leave was him rolling his eyes. She slung her hammer over her shoulder and sighed as she walked off towards the Garmon district. Hopefully she didn't keep Owen waiting too long. She felt bad enough about dragging him with her whenever she felt the urge to go mining. She'd go by herself if she could, but he didn't trust her going down there alone. Molly didn't like her going down there at all. Kasey also didn't like the idea of her going in the mines, but he was smart enough to not say anything about it.

Maybe she should take a page from Molly's book and take it easy today. If she let herself stop and think about it, she was actually really tired. She could feel an ache in her bones. But it wouldn't be good to bail on Owen after making him put off the start to his day. There were apparently some hot springs lower down in the mine. She could stop by there after she finished up, if she managed to get Owen to trust her enough to be alone down there.

No, she should just hold out until she can get to her own hot spring. She's not as desperate for money as she was before. Her bedroom was paid for and her employee discount also applied to the furniture, so she wouldn't be in a bare room. There was still a part of her that was convinced Luke had made up the employee discount to stop her from working herself into an early grave. It was just too convenient. But Dale said it was a real thing and she wasn't about to tell him he was lying.

Dale still scared her a bit.

She was almost expecting to see Chloe waiting outside of the blacksmith's before remembering that she was at school. It's always odd getting used to the silence after the school year starts. She hoped the kids were behaving for Kasey. Paolo's a good kid, but Chloe and Taylor could be little menaces even at the best of times. Angela's seen how good Kasey is with his own kids. It didn't feel like he played favorites the way their father did.

She tried to not let it bother her. Dad still loved her. He was just prouder of Kasey and Molly.

"There you are, Ange!" Owen greeted her with a grin. She smiled back and forced herself to push down her tiredness. He had a tendency to act like a big brother to everyone. She did not want him going full Mama Hen on her. "Ready to go?"

"I know it's like, none of my business, but what happened with you and Kathy?"

Angela perched herself on the shipping box outside of the mine to rest and looked at Owen a bit enviously. He wasn't tired in the slightest and she knew he was going right back down into the mines after lunch. She was probably going to end up napping after all. Her legs felt like jello, and she's glad Bo fixed the minecart. She'd probably die if she had to walk all the way to the inn.

"Me an' Kat just thought we'd be better as friends," Owen laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's really not that serious."

"Then why haven't you come to the bar in weeks? It's fine if things didn't work out, but you don't have to hide from her. I mean, Molls and Ash broke up and they're still talking."

Luke was scared to ask either of them about it, saying that he didn't want to make things awkward. Angela was used to being between two friends after a break-up thanks to Jack and Muffy's constant breaking up and getting back together. She had no problem asking what was up. She missed the three of them hanging out at the bar together (though she's sure her liver is grateful for the break). She spent some nights at home with Molly, talking about anything and everything, while Luke hung out with Owen at his house.

"I've just been thinking about stuff." Angela raised an eyebrow at that. Owen's face reddened as he looked around. Was he trying to check if anyone was outside? If he wanted to have a private conversation, they could just go back into the mine. She's tired but it would be worth it to help one of her best friends. She's been working on listening and giving advice more. No guarantees it's good advice, but it's the thought that counts, right? "You're from the city so you're like... cool with shit, right?"

"You're gonna have to be more specific, dude." She wouldn't judge him for anything unless he like, killed someone or something, but she needed details. She hated when people danced around saying what they really wanted to.

"I, uh... Think I might be like... gay?" Oh. Well, that wasn't what she was expecting. The deep breath Owen took in was shaky and unsteady. She almost didn't realize how big a deal it would be in a small town. Everyone was nice here, though. Nobody had a thing to say about Ash when he was visiting. "I know it's supposed to not be a big deal but it's just kinda weird to think about. My whole life, everyone's thought that I was going to marry Kathy and then we start dating and I don't like her like I should. I feel bad because I know she likes me and I thought I could make myself like her like that but I just... couldn't."

"Well, you're a damn good actor, then. You definitely had everyone fooled." Angela hummed and tilted her head. She assumed he hadn't told Luke yet. It actually meant a lot to her that Owen trusted her like this. She was also the first person that Reina came out to back in high school. It was after rehearsal for their school's production of Rent, which their friend group decided to do for extra credit. Reina was the Mimi to Kasey's Roger, and after kissing him, she realized that she had no interest in guys.

"Y-You're cool with it?" Owen asked, gray eyes wide with shock. Angela snorted and scooped up her rucksack.

"Dude, my sister's bi and my best friend is gay. I'm not even sure if I'm straight. Trust me, I'm completely fine with it." She hopped down from the shipping bin and stretched. The amount of popping she heard concerned her. Should her body even be doing that at 25? She grinned up at Owen and slapped his back encouragingly. Instant regret. Somehow she forgot that he's built like a brick house. She tucked her hand into her pocket and nudged him towards the minecart, inviting him to lunch with her and Luke.

He looked relieved, like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. She really fucking hoped that Ramsey wasn't one of those stupid old-fashioned geezers. He cared about Chloe and Owen a lot but she's seen how prejudice can ruin a family. It doesn't matter how much you love someone when you can't look past your stupid religion to see what's right in front of you. She didn't have a clue what religion was like here in Castanet. All she really knew was that they worshiped the Harvest Goddess.

Maybe the Goddess was nicer than the other deities people swore their lives to.

"I'm working on tellin' more people," Owen said as they passed the school. They had to be having lunch about now, too. The school definitely didn't have enough space for a cafeteria. Did they just eat at their desks? Kasey better be enjoying the lunch Molly made for him. It's definitely not going to be an everyday thing. Molly loved to cook for people but a line had to be drawn somewhere. Maybe in the winter, when they weren't breaking their backs every morning, she could have her nice family meals. Maybe Angela would even conveniently sleep in sometimes so she wasn't in the way.

"You don't have to rush it if you're not ready. Just take your time." She made sure to keep her words vague since they were in public now. She's not going to be the kind of person to accidentally out her friend. There's no need for Owen to stress himself out about this. Maybe Reina could offer some advice, as long as she's not busy fawning over her super cool partner. She still had to plan a trip to visit some day. Olive Town was only a couple hours away.

Luke was right when he said that she's been working herself to the bone. Between the farm, helping out the carpenters, and mining, it felt like she barely got any time to herself. She's never been a super hard worker. Something about moving to Castanet made her want to work harder, do something more than just squeak by with the most minimal effort. But she might have taken it a bit too far.

"I'm really glad I met you." Her steps faltered when Owen said that. In a very Molly-like manner, she tripped over literally nothing and would have fallen flat on her face if it wasn't for Owen catching her. She chuckled anxiously, her face feeling like it was in flames. She wasn't expecting that from him. "You okay, Ange?"

"Y-Yeah. Sorry about that. You just really surprised me. I'm not used to people being all sentimental and shit." Especially not towards her. She loved Muffy and Reina and they've all said that they love each other, but they've always had each other. It was just to be expected. She hasn't really had any close friends outside of them. There were people she would talk to sometimes but she wouldn't consider them friends.

Knowing that Owen appreciated her friendship the way she appreciated his meant a lot.

"I don't need ya crying on me, Ange! Luke would kill me if I made his girl cry." Owen laughed and ruffled her hair. She smiled at being called Luke's girl, though she had a hard time imagining what Luke would be like when he got mad. She knew that even the best people could be pushed to their limits. Molly was the perfect example of that. Chelsea pushed her to the absolute fucking brink until even she couldn't hold her tongue anymore.

Angela paused before they entered the inn and fixed her hair. It was bad enough when Kasey messed with her hair (not that he's done much of that lately), but now she had to deal with Owen doing it? Great. Just great. She shot him a playful glare and walked into the inn, eyes immediately searching for Luke. It doesn't seem like he's here yet. She froze at the sight of a familiar brunette at the counter, wearing the blue blazer and jeans she helped him pick out for his first day of work.

Kasey called her over one day in a panic, saying that it was an emergency. She came over as fast as she could, scared that something had happened to the kids, only to find that her brother was just having a wardrobe crisis. Apparently he just needed help deciding what to wear. He wanted to look professional. Professional. Like anyone would give a shit about what he wore. He's going to be inside the school all day. The only people who'll see him are maybe Gill (who'd been the previous teacher before him) and the students, who definitely won't care.

But Kasey wouldn't be Kasey if he didn't worry about stupid shit like this all the time.

"Hey, Kase!" Angela greeted him with a grin and slapped his back. He stumbled forward and caught himself on the counter. Whoops. Kasey coughed and glared at her, but there wasn't any real fire behind it. It was completely different from any of the other glares he's given her in the past year. It was refreshing. "What're you doing here?"

"Jesus Christ, Ange, you almost killed me!" She rolled her eyes. Always so dramatic. "I kinda, uh... dropped the lunch Molly made for me. Knocked it off my desk, actually. Gill's watching over the class while I get something to eat."

"You and Molls are both a couple of messes. The other day, she tripped over the cat and dropped a whole bowl of frosting." Kasey laughed under his breath and shook his head. Molly had a lot of clumsy moments but it was rare for them to be caused by someone (or something) else. It's surprising it took her this long to trip over the cat, considering how much Pretzel hung around her. That cat acted more like a dog.

"That sounds just like her," Kasey smiled fondly. He brushed some hair back from his face and looked around the inn before his gaze settled on the only occupied table in the building. Owen had taken his usual seat at the usual table and looked to be texting Luke on his godawful flip phone. The thing looked more like a relic than a functioning phone but he said that it still worked fine so there was no need to replace it.

Angela looked between the two of them and tilted her head. Kasey's been so busy unpacking and preparing for his first day of work. He hasn't really gotten to hang out with anyone in town yet. Maybe she could invite him out to the bar so he can relax a bit. Get Owen and really make it a party.