Tiger Eye - Sam (Stardew Valley)

21

Fall 14

Wren thought her first trip to Calico Desert would be under different circumstances.

She thought maybe she'd bring Abby and Hailey along, spend the day looking for shells and laying in the sun, slipping away to see if she could find the entrance to the cavern she'd been reading about, check out the store, and find some cactus fruit for Sam.

She had envisioned it being a victory, that she accomplished, that her hard earned money paid for something so valuable for the town, and to experience that first step off the bus with her friends.

Instead, she sat alone, her headphones in her ears, her hair in a messy clip covered by the hood of her sweater, traveling over so she can buy emergency contraceptives from someone who won't put two and two together, that there was only one guy in the Valley that could have been involved in this.

While she would never miss Zuzu city, she'd never have this problem. She finally understood how annoying small town gossip is. She hated that by now, everyone and their mothers knew her and Sam had a messy break up, that Penny was involved.

She needed to keep this secret to herself. She couldn't have more rumors about her. And the last thing she needed was a baby.

She closed her eyes, guilt building in her chest as she remembered the look on his face when he realized their bathroom hookup wasn't them getting back together, it was simply a bathroom hookup.

She'd closed the door behind him quickly, suddenly feeling dirty, filthy, and drenched in shame for doing that to him, but also letting him do those things to her. How was she going to walk out, no one knowing what she was up to with her tights torn up her thighs? 

She had turned the sink on, using wads of toilet paper to try and wash herself off, fighting tears back.

He was right. She knew what he would think. She knew he'd sleep with her. She knew she could have him. But she missed the comfort of being held, the consistent and good sex.

She felt cruel.

The bus squeaked to a stop, snapping her attention as she pulled her headphones out.

Pam didn't say much as she got off the bus. She couldn't tell if she hated or pitied Wren, and she wasn't sure she wanted to know. 

The sun was far warmer than in town, so she pulled her sweater off, tying it around her waist.

Following the trail in the sand, she found the small shop she'd heard of.

The bells jingled as she pushed the door open, startling the girl behind the counter.

Her face lit up, excitement in her eyes as she sat up straight, smiling large.

"Oh- a customer, uh, hi! Welcome! Let me know if you need anything!" She said eagerly.

Wren smiled softly, heading down the isles, her fingers crossed she wouldn't have to ask for it.

She felt the ladies eyes on her as she browsed, burning into her skin. After a few rounds, she accepted her defeat and made her way to the counter.

"I... uh... do you have... plan b?" She asked quietly, her eyes not meeting hers.

"Um, yeah. I do." She responded awkwardly, dropping below the counter, pulling it up.

"That's 100 gold." She smiled softly.

Wren dropped the gold on the counter, watching as she counted it.

"You from Pelican Town?" The woman asked.