Through the Valley

For the community

Spring 🌦️

Chapter three

Through thin cracked blinds the sun invited itself in, making a home amongst the hard wood floors. I laid in bed, savoring the warmth under quilted sheets. Homesick and alone. I wasn't ready to begin my day and last night had cursed me with a migraine that could bring a god to tears. I needed water.. Just like the crops outside- Ones that would now depend on me to care of them. So I lifted my tired frame, a hurried wave of nausea forcing me to bend forward and vomit into the once empty bin next to my bed.

Then the second wave hit- Regret.

I kissed a man I had just met- And I couldn't remember his name. I groaned into my palms, praying that whatever was left in my system would stay put. Was this what I came here for? To uproot my mundane life for one of struggle, addiction and recklessness? I could practically add self-lothing with the way I glared at my reflection. Copious amounts of wild brown hair, as faded and knotted as the dust bunnies hiding under my night stand. And her golden eyes, round with a hint of displeasure.. Mainly from the knock on the front door.

"Come in.." I moaned, not thinking of who it could possibly be. In walked a man I hadn't seen in years- And one I didn't want to see me in such a state.

"Harvey..!" I sat up, tucking my mop of hair behind my ear; as if that could erase the night that passed. He was tall now, a neatly trimmed mustache covering the small scar I gave him at 16- the year I vowed not to return to Stardew.. And him the very reason.

"Aspen... You look like shit." His eye twitched, a reaction that sent me back a decade- Two lost kids, making the most of life. We were closer than we had ever been that summer. Harvey was 3 years older than I, and all he ever wanted was to practice medicine. Every year I visited the valley he would steal my attention. The handsome boy that lived off of Pierre's shop- Old Billy's son.

Harvey's old man owned the local medic center, the same one that Harvey must now own. He always hated working there- Despite his love for the practice, Harvey always had big ambitions. Dreams that Stardew Valley threatened to hold back.

"Feel like it too.." I braced myself for his touch, the softness of his still fingers. He was bent over, running small tests on me.

"Take a deep breath.." His muttered, hands snaking their way up my back; I shuttered at the cold touch. The crisp scent of spearmint toppled with the normal disappointment of Harvey.

"Why are you here Harvey?" Another twitch from my loaded question.

"Mayor Lewis sent me, something about you leaving with one of the guys.." His brown eyes accused me, his glasses the only saving grace of the cold glare. I shouldn't have laughed, but part of me found humor in the dry situation. After all these years he was still 19.

"Well I'm fine. You can go now.."

"Are you? Seems like you brought some of the city-"

"Don't." I whispered, and how I hated how my voice would crack under even the slightest pressure. "You have no right to judge me."

"Look," His brown eyes softened, tone reverting to an all-too familiar song. "I know the people here- Most of them have never left this town. Having someone as.. experienced as you may not be in their best interest-"