Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Harvest Moon, Mr. Brightside, or whatever nonsense I have put in this fic.

Author's Note: Just to clarify, this fic is kinda similar to 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks. I actually read the book AFTER I wrote this, so the similarities are only coincidental. (It's not like it's that much of an original storyline, anyway.) I haven't seen the movie though, and I don't plan to. Seriously though, I couldn't believe the similarities. I thought my story would be quite original. Sigh. I didn't even like the book.

But really, it's loosely based on the song 'Mr. Brightside' by The Killers. You know, a woman sort of has two men, and it drives the antagonist insane. Well, at least that's what I got from the video, lol. I've fallen in love with the song.

Warning: This fic is not for Gray fangirls (if you happen to be one of them).

Mr. Brightside
Mr. Brightside

(Jack's POV)

Laying quietly in my bed, I glanced up at the clock. Even in the darkness, the hands were visible: twelve thirty at night. At this time, most of the town takes its slumber. But I couldn't sleep; not after what happened today. It still pains my heart to recall the events that unfolded.

I had exited my home early this morning (at my usual six o'clock tee time), prepared for the work ahead of me that day. There was so much to tend to that I thought finding a wink of time to myself would be near impossible. So it's not difficult to understand my shock to see none other than Gray, standing a safe distance from me by the shipping box. In his hand was a small, enclosed envelope.

He hesitantly presented it to me. "Read it," was all he would say.

Tearing the envelope on the side, I pulled out a simple, white card and read the contents with a subdued horror:

You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Miss Popuri Elizabeth Henderson and Mister Grayson Douglas Green
On the eighteenth of Summer, 9 o'clock am at the Flower Bud Church.

That's all the invitation said. Nothing else. But further clarification was not necessary.

I bore holes in the card with my eyes. This couldn't be! Popuri was kind, sweet, tolerant, socially graceful, and naturally, very beautiful. She was the kind of girl that men found almost untouchable and women wasted their energy to envy. Above all, she was perfect (at least, for me).

I could vividly recall last spring, when Popuri and I enjoyed a wonderful, albeit short, spring romance. Unfortunately, that's all it seemed to be. Gray, I suppose seeing myself as a threat, began to openly admit his affections to her, as did Karen to me. The tragic thing is, Popuri took Gray's feelings quite seriously. She apologized profusely to me, claiming she had never meant to hurt me. She even had the audacity to offer a friendship as a supplement for our romance.

Feeling hurt and betrayed, I hastily married off with Karen, who is gorgeous in her own right but also a little too easy, I guess. I forced myself to believe that Karen was my future, and for a few days, actually thought my hallucinations held some truth.

However, I quickly came to realize that I was never mad at Popuri. In fact, my infatuation with her had blossomed into something much deeper. Understanding abstract thoughts was never my niche, but I knew for a fact that I loved her. Her previous actions were all with the best intentions, I came to realize.

"So are you going?" Gray's rusty voice cut through my moment of recollection.

But as anyone can plainly see, this occurrence came painfully late.

I had never liked Gray at all. I found him quite the opposite of Popuri; rude, unpleasant, and candid to the point of repulsive. But I forged a formal friendship with him, really to serve my own purpose. I had taken a liking to his younger sister Ann for a short period of time. I was also hoping to receive a few things from his father's shop on the house. I should have known my efforts would be futile, as I got nothing in return.

Sliding the card back into its envelope, I looked up at Gray and feigned delight. "Of course I'll come. I'd be honoured to."

Needless to say, I did not enjoy myself.

As the day passed, and the wedded celebrations resumed, I resented Gray more and more. For the first time since I had known him, he was able to crack a smile. He even bordered to the emotion of 'happy'. That angered me. I didn't want him to be happy at all. He didn't deserve it like I deserved it. He didn't deserve her like I deserved her.

Did Popuri feel as delighted as she displayed for us today? I couldn't take my eyes off her, which worsened my already deep wound. I would find myself more and more captivated by her. She was her usual pleasant self, with that dazzling smile of hers that was never used in modesty. Would she live happily ever after with Gray? Or would she be more content with me? Did she ever think of me the way I thought of her?

Karen stirred softly in her sleep from the position on my left. The more I contemplated about our current existence, the more I despised her. I should have thought beyond her vanity. I didn't love her, and I never did. Now that feeling was now mutual.

I knew she was a nasty creature before I married her, but I did anyway. After I had gotten to know her, she seemed to have changed her demeanour ever so slightly. It brought some false hope. Inevitably, once we were wed, her usual habits came creeping back. She hated living on my farm. And I hated her right back.

It would be safe to say that Karen is a sharp contrast to the lovely Popuri. I don't know why I was waiting so long to discard of Karen when the opportunity was still open. It's rarely done on this island, as every single move by any given person is magnified. Marital bliss is not only recommended, but it's also the expectation.

But if you don't care, then who is there to stop you? More than ever, I desired someone else. But regrettably, she and Gray had begun to become intertwined. I waited with great optimism for him to break Popuri's heart, leaving the door open for me. But this didn't happen, and I never got the opportunity to recapture our spring love.

Putting my hands over my head, I looked straight up and stared at the ceiling. This was no time to mourn. It was weak. If I wanted things to happen, I had to make them happen my own way. Instead of wallowing in self-despair, I came to the conclusion that I would need to devise a scheme to dispose of Gray and attain Popuri for myself. Then the world would reach its rightful state of equilibrium.

Maybe that wasn't the best idea. That's my nature at all. I could never forgive myself if I intentionally hurt someone else just to serve my own selfish purpose. Popuri must love Gray, or at least think she does. I couldn't stand in the way of her happiness, even if it was at my expense. Overridden with guilt, I buried my face in my pillow, hoping this nightmare would manifest itself into something better.

After all, everything inevitably always happens for a reason.

Author's Note: I really do like Gray. He just happens to be the scapegoat this time. I hope you enjoyed the introduction. Of course, more happens in later chapters. It would make for a pretty boring story if all they did was think and stuff, hee hee. Please review! Your input is always greatly appreciated!

What do you guys think of the new 'Hits' thing? It's driving me insane. Over 800 hits and only five reviews! AH! (Sorry, I just really needed to vent.)