Chapter Four: Getting to Know You

After brushing, feeding and milking Ushi, I head out to Neil's house. He's lying on his bed, sleeping, even though it's already about 9:30 in the morning.

"Neil?" I ask softly. He doesn't respond and I'm not sure what to do. The only thing I know is that I'm not going to sit here and watch him sleep.

I repeat it. "Neil?"

A crimson eye opens to look at me. He bolts upright. "Oh. Juliet. What're you doing in my house? When I'm sleeping?"

"I was just coming to give you this." I hand him a plate of Shrimp Chili. "I thought you could have it for-"

He takes it from me. "Huh, what is this? Is this for me? No, I can't take this, Juliet."

"Yes, you can. You give me a cow, I give you this. Why, do you not like it?" I worry.

"I do. I'll take it, but I'm not giving it back, you know."

"That's the meaning of gift. The giver generally doesn't take the gift back." I grin.

He blinks. "Thanks, Juliet. Do you mind if I start eating, now?"

"It's your house," I point out. He eats. "How is it?"

"It's good." He stops. "I mean, it's okay. Um. Yeah."

This is the way we speak, now. It seems that Neil is better at interacting at animals than with humans. Still, we have this relationship that no one else in the town seems to understand. Hana insists I'm changing him, but I'm not too sure.

"Hey." He snaps me out of it. "Thanks."

"Uh-huh. Neil?"

He looks up. "What?"

"Are we... friends?"

He regards me. "Whatever. I mean, I guess. You could say that. Why, are we friends to you?"

"Yes. We are."

"Then, sure. Why do you care, anyway?"

"I don't know," I respond honestly.

He asks, "You're friends with Hana, right?"

"You could say that." I reply.

"Isn't she a little... weird?" he asks. He eats a little more of the dish, closing his eyes.

I tell him, "Sometimes, but she said she hardly ever talks to you."

"Lately, whenever I see her, she calls me over to talk to me. You know what, why am I telling you this? Thanks for the chili, now please leave. I have to work, and I bet you do, too."

"Right." I get up and wave. "Bye, Neil."

Author's Note: By the way, I change some words or punctuation in heart events because I think it works better that way. Please review!