AN: Hello everyone! A new story for a new year! It's from Story of Seasons so I hope you enjoy it!

I can do this. I can do this. Can I do this? Yes, I can definitely do this. As Mom always said, there is no room for negativity. I stared up at my new field. It was all mine, along with the house and barn that came with it. It was all my responsibility. I would be the one to either bring this farm to life or watch it crumble into ash…great. I exhaled and pinched the bridge of my nose. No bad thoughts Annie, come on. My ancestors did this right? Before the moved to the city? If they can do it, so can I! I rested my hoe on my shoulder and stared intensely at the untilled field. This is going to be a lot of work but what have I got to lose?

I swung the hoe into the dirt, creating a plot for seeds. See, this isn't so hard. I continued to swing my hoe into the dirt till I had created plots across the field. I breathed a sigh of contentment and wiped the sweat from my forehead. I had tilled my first field. Mom would be proud of me. I smiled at the thought of her and grabbed the seeds from my pouch. To be fair, she would have been proud with whatever I chose to do but I think she would have been extra proud knowing I chose Oak Tree Town. She always talked about her summers in this town when she visited with her parents. She would tell me of the vendors that came from different countries to trade with the farmers and the things she saw traded. She swore that she saw someone buy a monkey from a vendor. I always thought she was joking about that one.

Maybe it's because of those stories that I jumped at the chance to come here. The flyer said they needed a rancher…and while I'm no farmer, they gave me the farm. They asked if I was willing to risk it all, my life in the city, for the uncertain life of a farmer. Veronica, the Guild Master, had made it sound like I was going on a daring quest that I could die on. I said yes. Truthfully, I wanted some uncertainty in my life. I did not want to follow the steps that had been laid out for me. I didn't want to work in an office or in a bank or in any dead-end job. I've been on my own since Mom passed so I had no ties to my life in the city. I had nothing holding me back from the future I had decided on. Besides, I always wanted to know what a farming lifestyle would be life. One of my school friends Rachel had moved out to a farm a few years back, as far as I know, she had never regretted her decision. I hoped I would be the same way. Oak Tree was my new start. I could be whomever I wanted in this town. I did not need to avert my eyes from the strangers and wish they would not speak to me. I could be social. I did not need to be shy anymore, right? Then again, maybe being shy would be best. Then I could focus on my work and make this farm shine. Yeah, yeah, I like shy.

I farmed through the morning, ensuring my turnips were planted and watered. My new cow, given to me by my neighbor Eda, was milked and she stood pleasantly in her pasture. I looked at my watch, it was only noon. I had the whole afternoon to do whatever I pleased. I could go into town and go meet some of the villagers. I had already been living in Oak Tree for two weeks. I had spent about a week at Eda's house, learning the basics of farming, and a few nights at my own house. I had not spoken to anyone except for Eda, Veronica, and a young farmer Fritz. I liked Fritz. His smile was infectious and his energy was never-ending. He was a beginner just like myself but he taught me how to hand fish in the river. But he was a little overwhelming. He could talk and talk and talk never once coming up for air. I'm always nervous around people like that, wondering if they thought why I never talked back or chatted as much as they do. Fritz asked little questions, which had pleased me, and spent most of the time telling me stories about the town or his life. I just sat there listening. I really enjoyed it. I like being a girl of few words. I've never minded being shy. I always preferred it really. I pocketed my tools and started to walk towards town. I haven't taken the time to actually visit my new home. I lived north of the village itself, most of the farms were outside of the village. It was not a very long walk to town, maybe about ten minutes. I didn't mind; I loved walking in the forest and the hills. I hummed along to my favorite songs as I passed the fields between my farm and Oak Tree. The fields were bare except for the recently dug plots. I wonder what grew here and who owns them. Ms. Veronica and Eda had told me there were four farmers in Oak Tree. I knew Fritz was one of them, but who were the other two? They're probably very successful. I'll probably never be as successful as them. My cheeks grew hot with shame. I have to stop thinking like that.

"Hey, Annie!" I heard Fritz's cheery voice behind me. I turned round and saw him running across the bridge from his farm, his arms waving in the air.

"Hi, Fritz." I waved to him.

"How are you doing?" He caught up to me, breathing heavily, "Still happy with the farm life?"

"It's sweatier than I imagined," I remarked, "Also I have a few blisters on my hands." I looked down at my palms. All that work with the hoe had given me three blisters on my palms. This was only the beginning; I know I would never have soft tender hands again.

"Oh, that's alright! Soon you'll have calluses and you won't even feel blisters." Fritz shot me his cheery smile and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Joy." I sighed, "This is going to be tougher than I had anticipated."

Fritz nodded, "But the rewards outweigh the pain, I assure you. You'll be great at this." As he nodded, his red spiky hair bounced up and down. How did he get his hair to be like that? Fritz was talking yet I could not stop staring at his hair. Does he use gel? No, it looks too natural…maybe he didn't brush it.

"Anyways, are you heading into Oak Tree?" Fritz's question brought me out of my thoughts of his hair and back into reality.

"Yes, I haven't been to town yet. I thought I would go look around, maybe say hello to some of the villagers." Or just stare at them hoping they come talk to me instead.

"That's great! I'll come with you! I'll introduce you to some folks!" He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and guided me towards town. Maybe this was a good thing, Fritz was an extrovert. He could easily talk to everyone around him.

"Fritz!" A girl called to us when we entered town. She had a long bob of brown hair with a white bow headband resting above her bangs. She wore a bright yellow dress that complimented her skin tone. She energetically called Fritz name again, waving at us.

"That's Lillie," Fritz told me, "She's the town weathergirl."

"Why does a village of about thirty people need a weather girl?" I was dumbfounded.

Fritz lifted his finger to his mouth in thought, "You know, I really have no idea! But it helps us, farmers." He waved to Lillie, "Hi Lillie!" We walked to her. She was very pretty, with large blue eyes and a happy smile.

"I've been looking for you!" She spoke to Fritz; "Ms. Veronica needs to speak with you about your rented field."

He waved off her message; "I'll see her later. I'm showing Annie around town." Lillie looked to me in surprise, her blue eyes wide, but she wore a very warm smile.

"Hi! I'm Lillie! It's very nice to meet you. Ms. Veronica told me about you."

"I'm Annie. It's nice to meet you too."

"Are you liking it here in Oak Tree? I know it's probably very different from where you came from, but this is a great town." She asked me.

I nodded slightly, "I like what I see so far. I'm just grateful to be here."

She turned to Fritz, "I like her." She turned back to me, "Well let me and Fritz show you around!" She linked her arm through mine and guided me through the main plaza of town. Fritz followed behind us with a whistle. Lillie spoke so fondly of Oak Tree, I could tell she really loved this town. She introduced me to every person we met then dragged me off before I had a chance to say hello. She taught me the short history of the town and who lived in each building. We floated into another part of town with trees and large beautiful houses. Unlike the main plaza, this area was quiet except for the sound of the breeze. I saw a lone dark-haired man standing near a bench, with a notebook in his hand. Lillie saw him as well and I saw her smile descend into a smirk.

"You'll have to introduce yourself alone I'm afraid," She told me.

"What why?" I spoke surprised. Lillie had been so happy to introduce me to everyone but now she wouldn't.

"Lillie has had this stupid crush on him for years." Fritz piped up, "He doesn't know she exists." Lillie punched up and I heard an 'ow' from Fritz.

"Even if this small town?"

She sighed, "Yeah even in a small town like this. Besides his taste in things, even in women, is more sophisticated than what Oak Tree has to offer."

"Except for Iris!" Fritz declared.

"Except for Iris," Lillie repeated. She unlinked our arms and pushed me towards him, "Good luck!" She winked at me. I inhaled sharply. I can do this. I walked up to the man. He dropped his notebook and watched me approach him. I immediately regretted walking up to him. He was taller than I, by quite a bit. He had a pensive look on his face like he was studying me as I approached him. Well here goes nothing.

I stared up at the dark-haired man with the elegant air. He was older than I. He was also very handsome. His sensuous lips were parted in surprise. He looked at me with golden eyes, puzzled, "Hi." I mumbled.

"Pardon?" His voice was sophisticated, one of someone who had been educated throughout his life. My cheeks grew hot from the embarrassment.

"Hi," I repeated a little louder and clearer, "I'm Annie. I'm the new farmer in town."

"Ah yes. I've heard about you from Ms. Veronica."

"Hopefully, it was all good things," I remarked quickly.

If chuckles could be elegant then this man had mastered it, "Yes quite, you do not need to worry about that. My name is Klaus. I am a perfumer."

"It's really nice to meet you." I smiled, "My mother always loved perfume."

"It enhances the senses. An excellent perfume creates an experience for its wearer and the people around her. I long to make such a perfume." He held himself high yet I could hear the doubt in his voice. This man has two faces. The face he shows the people around him, and then the face he only shows himself. He wanted to create this perfume, but he doesn't believe he can. His thoughts were akin to mine, as are the faces.

I brushed a stray hair from my face, "If you ever create such a perfume, then I love to experience it."

He smiled earnestly, "And I would love to share it with you."

My smile grew larger, showing my teeth, "I-I should go. There are still so many people I have to meet. I'll see you again, Klaus."

"I hope so," He replied. I turned around to walk away, "Fresh grass and mint." I heard Klaus mumble behind me. I bit my lip to hide my growing smile and walked back over to Fritz. He was still chatting with Lillie. They stopped talking as soon as I approached.

"What did you think of Klaus?" Lillie asked, "He's quite the gentleman isn't he?"

I nodded slightly, "He's very…sophisticated."

"And he's extremely handsome!" Lillie added then sighed, "But I'm afraid he is not interested in the girls in town. I have a theory that he thinks we're all too common for him. He's looking for a princess and not a pauper."

I looked back at Klaus, he was walking towards the forest, a small notebook in his hand, "Yeah I think I agree with that theory."

"He's alright." Fritz shrugged.

Lillie playfully poked him, "You're just jealous because all the girls in town fawn over him or Raeger."

He batted her finger away, "No I'm not! I just feel really stupid when I talk to him. He likes to talk about poetry and perfume and what do I know about that? If he wants to talk animals or dirt, then we'd be best friends. The other day, he asked me what my opinion was on Wagner's operas. I said I had no idea who that was and I swear he gasped. Then he proceeded to tell me about the operas. My mind wandered away about two minutes into the lecture." Fritz crossed his arms, "But don't let my experience deter you, Annie, or anything! He's just…different than the rest of us."

"Except Iris and Mistel." Lillie piped up.

"Except Iris and Mistel," Fritz repeated, "Come on, let's go see Gunther and Corona! They're the carpenters and you'll probably buy most of your material from them. They're super nice! Gunther also fishes and last summer he caught a fish that was 400cm!" Fritz told me more stories as we walked towards the house. I watched up ahead at the trade depot, which was empty as always. But I saw a young man and a young woman exiting. They were chatting and walking towards the stairs. I looked at the young man; he wore a long red apron over his black pants and a black vest of a white shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had brown hair that fell over his forehead. He had an easy-going smile on his face as he chatted with the girl beside him. I felt my heart pound, he was very attractive.

"Oh hey, there's Raeger!" Lillie noticed them as well.

"With his new girlfriend no doubt." Fritz groaned, "Man how does this keep happening. All the out-of-town girls just flock to him. It's just not fair! How does he keep getting all these new girlfriends!?"

"Does he have a lot of them?" I found myself asking. I kept my eyes on the two ahead of us. The girl was laughing at something he said. She touched his shoulder playfully before looping her arm with his. I tore my eyes away.

Lillie looked to Fritz, "Yeah I guess. He's the town's lady-killer. But they never last long. All the girls return to their homes with a story-book vacation romance to tell."

"I've never seen one last more than a season," Fritz added, the back of his head resting on his entwined fingers, "He's a super great guy, though. He's my best friend. Don't let our gossip prevent you from talking to him! He's kind and he's hard working. He runs the restaurant about five days a week all afternoon into the night. Today's just his day off today so he's spending it with a tourist."

"You'll meet him eventually, maybe just not today," Lillie added. I nodded and continued to follow the others to Gunther's. But I could not get his image out of my mind. He looked very kind. He looked happy. Before we enter Gunther's, I glanced back at the stairs and watched him walk away. I had a feeling this was a sight I would become very familiar with. I should turn away yet my eyes remained on his figure, wishing he would look my way.