It's been eight years since Poppy passed away, although it seemed only yesterday. I remember being a young girl of twelve, standing by his bed late into the night. The memory was so foggy, I don't remember what he said. But I knew it was important.
"Ash, whenever you have nowhere to go, remember that Darrenson Farm will always be there for you..." He croaked to me with his feeble voice.
"Y-Yes, Poppy. I... I will." I replied with a shaken voice. At that moment, my mom walked into the room. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she was wearing her reading glasses.
"Now, now, Ash. Let Poppy sleep." Mom said as she took my hand and lead me out the room. That was the last time I ever saw Poppy.
I gasped and panted for breath as my co-workers stared at me with a puzzled expression.
"What is she doing?" I heard one whisper.
"She's nuts!" Said another.
I ran as fast as I can out of that place. I had just quit my boring job, at "Joja" companies. They were running everything these days. I quickly dialed up my close childhood friends, Linden and Roco. I merged the calls and slapped the phone against my ear.
Please pick up, please!! I thought desperately. I started groaning with impatience, hoping they would pick up. I started hopping up and down in impatience until I heard rustling on the other line.
"Hello?" Said a voice.
"Linden! Hi! I just wanted to tell you that I just quit my job at "Joja" companies. I'm heading to Pelican town." I gasped. Suddenly, Roco picked up too.
"Hello?" He asked.
"I just quit my job. I'm heading to Pelican town. Remember when our Grandfathers gave the farm to us? I'm going there, ASAP!" I replied.
"I'm in!" Roco exclaimed.
"Same," Linden chimed in. I hung up and started my car. I drove as fast as legally possible, relying only on my memory to get to Pelican Town. I was lost in thought while doing so.
My name isn't really Ash, it's Ashalerina. I would always like to wear a too-too and wouldn't leave the house without my giant pink bow on my head, regardless if it matched my outfit. But one day in second grade, Claire Bernstein told me that my outfits were stupid and my name, Ashalerina, was super duper stupid. I came home and cried on my mom's lap that night. I stopped wearing my bows and too-too, and I was really depressed for, like, a week. Until I discovered "cute" clothes. I loved them and would wear them all the time. Since every time in winter, my favorite thing was to sit by the fire, I decided to shorten my name to Ash, although sometimes my mom and dad would call me Ashy but I didn't mind. And I had my super close friends, Linden and Roco.
All three of our grandfathers ran Darrenson farm and our families were very close. We lived on the same street and everything. Our grandfathers all passed away around the same time. First mine, then Linden's, and then Roco's, less than six months apart. But they all made us the same promise. If we had nowhere to go in life, then Darrenson farm would always be there, in Stardew Valley on the southern coast.
I arrived in Pelican town and got out of my car. To my surprise, there was a woman, standing there, waiting for me, with Linden and Roco by their side. The woman had short orange hair and green eyes.
"We've been waiting for you," She said, "I'm Robin, the local carpenter. Mayor Lewis sent me to shows you guys to your new home. Come along!" Linden, Roco and I followed Robin down a long path where we reached the old Darrenson farm. It looked old, with overgrown plants and shrubbery everywhere. The three of us started freaking out.
"What's the matter?" Robin asked. "Sure, it's a bit overgrown, but there's good soil under that mess! With some dedication, you can clean this up." Robin leads us to a good-sized log cabin. Out the door stepped an old man with a green shirt and a tan vest and a hat.
"Oh! Here are our new farmers! I'm Lewis, Mayor of Pelican Town! Everyone in town's been asking about you. So, this was your grandfathers' old cottage. Very... rustic." The man said. Robin laughed.
"Rustic? That's one way to put it. Crusty, might be more apt, though." She replied. Lewis glared at Robin for her "rudeness" while Robin chuckled.
"Don't listen to her, guys. She's just trying to make you dissatisfied so you'll buy one of her house upgrades." Lewis replied.
"Hey!" Robin snapped. We all laughed, except for Robin.
"Anyways, you guys better get some rest. You've had a long journey. Make sure to look around town and meet some people tomorrow, though! Oh! And I almost forgot if you have anything to sell, place it in this box here. I'll come at night to collect it." Lewis said, gesturing towards a box. Robin and Lewis left, and we waved. Roco wiped the sweat from his brow.
"They sure are nice people," He commented.
"A bit too nice," Linden mumbled. We headed inside the cottage to get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
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