Til There Was You - Dr. Harvey x Farmer, Leah x Shane Stardew Valley Fic

chapter 1 - jensen

Prior to inheriting the farm, I had never even managed to keep a houseplant alive. And now, here I stood, no experience, no guidance, and no idea what I was doing, with a completely empty and humongous plot of land. Empty besides the log cabin where I watched my grandpa take his last breaths.

    Weeks had passed since that pivotal night, and I couldn't recall having a single coherent thought since then. The weight of inheriting the farm had left me numb. I knew that I should feel grateful for inheriting anything at all, but at the same time I felt such a profound sense of confusion. Surely, my grandpa must have known someone more capable, someone better suited to tend to this farm than me. Stardew Valley must have had individuals with far more expertise - individuals my grandpa could have trusted more than his granddaughter who he hadn't even seen in years. Nonetheless, I found myself on yet another bus, traveling back to the farm after leaving behind my lonely dorm room at Zuzu State University.

    I wish that I could say that the decision to drop out of college was a difficult one. I wish I could recount nights spent pondering, sleepless and torn between preserving the three years of arduous work I had invested and throwing it all away for a brand new start. But in all honesty, I can't say that I really thought much at all when I withdrew from college. I did it the day after my grandpa died, acting on an undeniable inner pull that urged me to take this path. Advice from my advisor and professors flowed through one ear and escaped from the other. They seemed disappointed and saddened that I was leaving, but they didn't press too forcefully, understand the extenuating circumstances. What they didn't know was that I had been needing an excuse to leave for a long time now.

    Throughout that whole bus ride, I gazed out the window, observing as towering skyscrapers gradually receded into the distance. The land grew more empty with each passing moment, but at the same time, it seemed so much more alive. Flocks of birds gracefully soared through the sky in perfect formation, and squirrels ran through the tall grass gathering nuts for the upcoming winter, visible only by their bushy tails peeking out through the underbrush. It was quite a change of scenery from what I was used to, but I realized in that moment that it was a very welcome one. This may be the new beginning that I so desperately needed.

    As the bus rolled into the station, my attention was captured by a woman with a vibrant orange ponytail standing outside in the swaying grass. She seemed to be waiting for someone to arrive, and I realized that I had no idea if anyone in town knew that I was coming today, or, with the exception of Leah, that I even existed at all. The doors of the bus slowly groaned open and I grabbed the handle of my duffel bag. I gave it a tug, only to realize that it was stuck under the seat in front of me. Determined not to make a scene, I yanked on it with all my might. Finally, it came loose, and I stumbled backwards from the momentum, falling right on my backside into the aisle. I felt my face turn red hot with embarrassment, and suddenly felt a presence behind me. I looked up to see a stocky man with dark purple hair and a blue hoodie looming over me, his eyes shooting daggers.

    "Excuse you" he grunted, his words dripping with hostility.

    All I could do was mutter a "S-sorry..." under my breath as I rose to my feet, hastily stepping aside and watching him trudge off the bus. What was that guy's problem?

    I didn't have much of a chance to think about it, because as soon as I stepped off the bus I was greeted by the very same woman with the orange ponytail I had noticed earlier. With a warm smile and an extended hand, she approached me, radiating enthusiasm. Her presence was a pleasant surprise, especially considering my less-than-stellar bus experience.

    "Hello! You must be Jensen!" she beamed with excitement. I had never seen her before, and I was surprised to see that she had been waiting here for me, but my heart was warmed by her kind gesture.