Here's the second chapter. The story kind of goes slow at first, but it gets better.
Year 1, Spring, Day 2
Wow. Today was interesting. I got a tour of the island alright. And I hated every minute of it. But it wasn't the island that was the problem, it was the person who was giving the tour that really got on my nerves. At first I thought no one could be more annoying than Hamilton. I was wrong. Who else but the mayor's one and only son to top him in being annoying. But strangely, he was nothing like Hamilton. He was just the opposite of the smiling, jumpy, cheerful mayor. He was the snobbiest and most stuck up person I have ever met. And I'm not exaggerating. At all. Let me give you an overview of today.
I made my way up to town hall, using the map Hamilton gave me. It wasn't all that far from my house, maybe like a 10 minute walk. I have to admit, I was pretty excited about the tour. I really wanted to see the island and find out what was so bad about it that made me the first new villager in 12 years. I opened the door to town hall and walked over to a desk where a woman sat.
"Hi, umm I'm here to see Mayor Hamilton. I'm Angela, the new villager."
"Oh yes, he told me you would be coming. I'm Elli, his secretary. It's nice to meet you! Hamilton is in his office right over there."
"Thank you very much," I said bowing to her. Then I walked over to Hamilton's office and knocked on the door.
"Oh Angela! Very good, yes, glad you came. I'm afraid I can't give you the tour myself today, as I am much too busy with mayor duties, but I have someone who will more than willing to show you around. Come."
Little did I know that "more than willing" really meant "completely unwilling". I followed Hamilton to a desk beside Elli's where a boy with blond hair in sweater vest was working. He looked about my age, give or take a few years. Hamilton spoke first.
"Gill, this is Angela, the new villager who would like to start a farm here."
Gill looked up at me and snorted. "You? Ya, ok, what are you, like 10 years old? No way you could start a farm."
"Nice to meet you too, Fish-boy!" I replied. Jeez this guy was mean! I sure got my first impression of him!
"Hey! Watch it kid! You don't know who you're talking to!"
Before I could respond, Hamilton yelled, "Gill! Be nice! You will be Angela's tour guide today, as I don't have time to show her around the island."
"WHAT? Must I father? I have work to do! Get someone else!"
"Gill, do not talk to me that way. You will do as I say. Leave your work, it can be done tomorrow."
"Ugh, fine!" he said, and then muttered under his breath, "Why do I always get the stupid jobs?"
He walked past me and out the door, with a wave over his shoulder that I took to mean "follow". Before I could, Hamilton stopped me and said, "I'm sorry Angela, he's not usually like this. Please forgive him; he's really a nice person."
When I caught up to Gill, he started talking and pointing right away, like he wanted to get the tour over with as fast as possible.
"Ok, this is Waffle Town Square where festivals are sometimes held, over there is Sundae Inn, Meringue Clinic, and the general store. The tailor shop over there is closed because the owners are gone for the time being. There, down by the beach is the fishery "On the Hook", and over there is my house. Any questions?"
"Uhh, ya, is Gill short for something?"
"I meant about the tour, idiot!"
"Oh. Then no."
Gill sighed and said, "You're immature. C'mon. let's move along and finish."
He showed me the rest of the island, in a rather brief manner, the whole time criticizing me. We were almost done when he said; "I hate you." I finally lost my cool and just snapped. But when I did, I said something I probably shouldn't have.
I had noticed Gill was wearing a pin on his sweater vest. It was a pin that said "mama's boy". I took my chance and blurted out, "Hey why don't you go crying home to mommy if you hate everyone so much. Maybe she'll fix it. Or do you hate her too?"
As soon as I said that, I knew it hurt him, deeper than what his insults had done to me. His eyes narrowed and became as sharp as daggers, and he looked like he wanted to punch me. I started to feel bad, knowing I had gone too far, but before I could apologize, he said, "Go to hell," and left, breaking into a run. I wanted to find him and tell him I was sorry, but I figured he wouldn't forgive me. At least not right away. I went home, tears in my eyes, running over the insults in my head, trying to figure out why my last insult had touched a soft spot. Eventually I just gave up. What a day, huh? Probably makes my list of top 10 worst days of my life. Oh well. I'll have to figure out how to fix everything tomorrow. Right now I'm going to sleep.
The next chapter sets the story in play. Thanks for reading!
