"Pelican Town to Sims Town" - A Stardew Valley, Sims 3 Fanfic

Pelican Town to Sims Town
Continuation of Chapter 5...


After they finished foraging all around the lake, Abigail, Leah, and Maru got back into the car and traveled down to the base of the hills where they happened upon a walking path that led...somewhere. Their curiosity was piqued. It was now midday and the outside temperature was rising quickly. Walking the path in the heat with barely any trees around to provide shade didn’t sound too appealing to Leah, who never cared for hot weather to begin with. “I say if the trail is longer than a mile we turn back,” she suggested. “Besides I’m almost out of water.” They each felt guilty for not packing more.

During their mile walk they all happened upon a few different gemstones sitting around on the grass just off the path which seemed...interesting to them all, but mostly to Abigail. Finding these was too easy, she thought with a raised brow. Then her eyes caught hold upon a tall and massive structure; a water tower. “Oh wow!” she breathed and darted towards it to get a closer look. Leah and Maru followed.

“Oh my goodness isn’t it amazing!?” Abigail asked, clasping her hands together in excitement.
Leah glanced over at Maru and asked, “Are you seeing just a water tower too?”
“Yup,” came the reply.
“Okay. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't hallucinating from the heat or something…”
Maru stifled a chuckle.

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“Sorry girls,” Abigail said, somewhat overhearing, “I know it’s not the usual thing to get excited about, but I’ve only ever seen one in books and they were always kinda cool to me. I’m gonna go stand underneath it! Join me if you want.” And off she went.

Leah and Maru stayed put, standing side by side gazing up at the tower. A light breeze kissed at their cheeks.
“Well,” Maru started with a sigh, “you mentioned being almost out of water so…,” she gestured with her head and winked.
“NO thanks!” Leah emphatically voiced. “I’d rather drink from the lake back there than that smelly, stagnant water that’s been in that tower for goodness knows how long!”
Maru laughed. She felt exactly the same.


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Back at the girl’s house, Emily had been hard at work harvesting the fruits and vegetables that were ready out in the backyard, while Haley hung out on her bed surfing the World-Wide Web from her cell phone, teetering her legs and blowing gum bubbles. Penny was taking it easy, per Harvey’s orders, and sat on the couch reading some books while sipping on water at the same time. Once noon approached they were all hungry and joined up in the kitchen to find something to eat.

At the table, upon finishing her lunch, Haley groaned, “I’m so bored!” Emily just rolled her eyes. “Hey Emily, will you let me play with your hair?”
“No,” her sister answered with a hint of annoyance. It’d been asked many times before. “I don’t know why you keep asking me, you know I don’t like it.”
“Well maybe because it’s fun and,” she then mumbled, “you could use a new style.”
Emily heard and shot her a look.
“Or at least let me put some make-up on you. I promise to use only the colors you want.”
“No…”
“Oooh, are you offering a makeover?” Penny asked in her ever soft tone. “That sounds like fun!”

Haley glanced over at Penny with wide eyes and a bright grin, like she’d just seen a giant diamond. “You'd like a makeover? Because girl I’ve been wanting to play with your hair for a LONG time!”
Penny wasn’t exactly sure what she meant by that, but she smiled and replied, “Sure. I’d love to get some ideas on how to better style my hair. I figure I’m about due for a new look.” She cupped one of her loose buns with a blush and might’ve been thinking about wanting to surprise Harvey.
“Yeah girl because pony buns are SO ten years ago,” Haley said with a dismissive wave. “No offense…”
“None taken. I’ve kinda kept this same look since I was 16 so…”
“Well what are we waiting for?” Haley asked, holding out her hands. “Come with muah!” And she led Penny into the bedroom like an excited schoolgirl at recess.
Emily lowered her head and thought, Oh boy…

Haley pulled a chair up to the vanity and bid Penny sit down. Then she stood directly behind her, studying her, as they both stared into the large mirror.

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“Okay,” the blonde began, “so what we want to do is give you a more womanly look since you’re not in the schoolhouse tutoring kids anymore and...you’re in your twenties now, right?”
“Yes. Twenty-two.”
“Perfect! I have just the right look in mind for you. Let me go plug in the curling iron and then I’ll give your hair a good brush while it’s heating up!”
“O-Okay,” Penny said, suddenly feeling a little nervous.
Emily passed by Haley while entering the room and sat herself down in a nearby chair. She and Penny exchanged smiles for a moment and then she said, “There’s no going back now,” and winked.
“Yeeeah. Should I be nervous?”
“No. She’s the best,” Emily sincerely replied.
“Alrighty!” Haley practically squealed upon entering the room again with a brush in hand. “Out with the old Penny and in with the new!”
Oh dear, Penny thought, with a gulp, I hope this is a good idea…

Haley pulled the hair ties out of Penny’s hair more forcefully than she cared for, but could tell Haley was already enjoying herself. That always made Penny happy, helping others feel happy. The three girls made small talk as Haley ran many brush strokes through Penny’s fine, auburn hair. The time soon came to use the curling iron and Haley didn’t use it as much as Penny, and Emily, were expecting; just curling the ends of her hair and bangs.

When she finished, she set down the curling iron and sighed while saying, “Well...it’s done. What do you think Penny?”
“Wow!” came the whispered response.
“I think you look fabulous!”
“Beautiful,” Emily added.

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Penny’s smile beamed while gazing at her reflection. For a moment she could hardly believe it was her. She felt prettier than she’d ever felt before, and more confident. Like a woman. I wonder what my mom would think of it? She dismissed the thought rather quickly though...because she knew exactly what the reaction would be.

“Well? Do you like it?” Haley asked, feeling a little antsy.
“I love it,” Penny expressed, “I feel like a whole new person.”
“Yeah yeah girl! That’s the point!”

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“The guys will be lining up outside the door just to ask you out,” Emily said with a wink.
Penny blushed and pulled at the end of her hair a bit while looking away. “Oh I doubt that…”
Then Emily playfully slapped her shoulder. “Yeah right! One of them is bound to get all googly-eyed over your new look like say...I dunno...SAM!”
Penny whipped her head around and faced her with a look of shock.
“Ohhhh yeah!” Haley chimed in. “I forgot about what that little squirt Vincent was going around and telling people.”
The color drained from Penny’s face. “What was he telling people?” she asked, heart pounding.

Now it was Haley who playfully slapped Penny’s shoulder. “Like you don’t know!” she exclaimed. “How he saw his older brother pinning you against a tree and--”
“No,” Emily corrected, “he wasn’t pinning her against the tree, he was lifting her up into the tree and ‘they sat on a branch for hours flirting.’” She grinned at Penny. “Those were his words not mine.”
Penny facepalmed. “Vincent saw that?” she whispered. “And told everyone about it?”
“So it DID happen!?” Haley about squealed. “Oh now you gotta give us the details girl! What were you two doing up there?” She smirked.

“Nothing!” Penny replied with a tone, her hand slapping down upon her lap. She felt mortified by the implication that’d been going around town against her knowledge. “We were just climbing a tree together, like we always did as kids, chatting about...oh I don’t even remember what we were chatting about.” Then she looked both of them straight in the eye. “Sam and I are just friends, nothing more. Sure I had a crush on him when I was thirteen, but...he never showed any interest in return so that faded and we continued on as friends.”

Emily’s eyes lowered in remorse. “I’m sorry Penny...I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m sorry too,” Haley added.
“It’s okay,” Penny kindly assured. “I can understand both of your curiosity.”
“And if I’m being honest,” Emily added, “I had a hard time believing you and Sam were an item. You two are like total opposites to me.”
“Well you know what they say? Opposites attract,” Haley said, picking at her nail.
“Not in this case,” Penny politely said, then smiled. “I can see how Vincent misread what he saw. He’d sometimes ask me if I would ever become his big sister.” She chuckled, with a glimmer in her eye. “I love that kid. I miss him…” Now the smile disappeared as she tried not to let her emotions get the best of her again.
Emily placed a comforting hand upon Penny’s and smiled.
“I will say this, that Sam is mighty fine,” Haley said, fiddling with Penny’s hair again. “He and Alex both are. The best looking of the bunch I say!”
Hearing that, Penny and Emily looked away for a moment, disagreeing.

Once the short silence passed, Penny spoke. “Say Haley, do you have any cute outfits I could try on to go with my new look?”
Haley’s face beamed. “I thought you would never ask!” She then had Penny stand in front of the floor mirror to get a better look at her.

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“Hmm,” she mumbled, gripping her chin. “While I agree that yellow is a great color on you, it’s bright and screams energy, which is so not complimentary to your calm and quiet personality. We need something lighter, and I don’t want to go with any shade of green because it’s such a commonplace color for redheads.”
Emily just shook her head with a slight grin.
“Let me see what I can find here…”

After trying on numerous different tops, Penny and Haley finally settled on one they both agreed with. Not only did it match with her hair, but with the darker shade of red in her skirt as well. Haley picked out a few accessories to go with it, as well as promptly ditching her stockings and fuchsia pumps for some matching strap heels. Lastly she applied a little makeup.

“That should do it,” Haley concluded, gazing into the mirror with Penny.

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“Girl you look amaze! Not to mention that top really shows off your amazing cleavage!”
“HALEY!” Emily cried. “My gosh…”
Penny blushed.
“What!?” Haley cried, with her hands spread out. “‘If ya got it, flaunt it’ right? And this girl’s GOT it! It’s about time she flaunts it.”
Emily gave her an unamused look. “There’s nothing wrong with being modest about it,” then she addressed Penny. “That aside, you really look stunning Penny. You’re gonna surprise everyone with your new look.”
“Thanks,” came the sweet reply. I sure hope so… She then turned and gave Haley a hug, thanking her as well.

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“It was my pleasure,” Haley said, giving her a quick squeeze before breaking the embrace. “Come back to me anytime you wanna change up your look.”
“I think I’ll stick with this one for now, but thanks.”
Emily came over and gave Penny a hug too. “Now go take on this new world sweetie!”
“That’s the plan,” Penny said with a grin.

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She now had a feeling that great things were going to come to pass for her here. So many opportunities had already opened themselves up before her. It felt glorious and freeing, something she really hadn’t felt in years. Her anxiety was gone and replaced with a renewed hope in the future.

Jas and Vincent, take care sweeties. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart. And mom...I hope you know that I understand and...I forgive you for it. I pray you’ll be there to greet me when I return.


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Continued in the next post (hopefully :lol: ) below! ?