It was really cold today. I was wearing pink gloves and hat that Yuri created for me. It matched my scarf perfectly. I'll have to shovel a pathway from my door to the entrance of town. It seemed to be snowing each more every day.

Fluffy and Taylor had their full coat of wool, but I didn't bother shaving them. It seems to be getting colder and colder lately. Oreo and Milky, my new yak, mooed softly as I put fodder in their feed ben. I cleaned the farm since I haven't bothered to do that since it started snowing. By the time I finished, I wasn't able to feel my nose. I would have to do something to keep the animals a bit more warm.

The chickens were more frantic, since they had feathers instead of fur. Chica, Shadow, and Silkie were laying in the egg area. I had to work around them, so they wouldn't be bothered. Chicky, the chick, was following Chica around. I thought that was adorable. Hopefully she grows up healthy and strong. I could use more chickens.

"Hey Alex, need any help?" I heard Rod's cheerful voice behind me.

"Not really. I'm just about finished. But thank you for asking. Do you need something?" I threw chicken food into their pan.

"Well, um. . . It's about the Starry Night Festival," He seemed very timid.

"Oh yeah, it's in a few days. I forgot. What about it?"

"Do you think that uh. . . you can help me get the courage to ask Tina out?"

"You like Tina?" I was surprised. He didn't drop any hints that he liked her. I almost wanted to laugh but he might get offended. Tina was talking about how he liked me, when she was the object of his affection.

"It's not that I don't like you. I do, you're one of my best friends-"

"It's fine," I chuckled, "I can help you with that. Tina is very approachable. I can let her know how you feel for you."

"You would?" His blue eyes widened happily and he hugged me, "Thank you so much! How about I make it up to you by buying you lunch today. It's all on me."

"How about breakfast? I'm hungry now."

After we finished with our meal and he paid, Rod stretched, "That was delicious. I love the food in this town. Oh, I gotta get ready for work. See ya later Alex."

I found Tina near the inn and told her Rod's feelings.

"Me? I didn't know he felt the same way. I was so sure that he liked you that I almost gave up on my feelings for him."

"You don't have to do that. I don't feel that way about him. But you do. I'm would be happy if you guys go to the Starry Night Festival. You deserve happiness in your life. He's a sweetheart."

"Thank you! What would I do without you," She hugged me tightly, "I just noticed. Your nose is red! Thank you Rudolph."

"You're welcome, News girl." I laughed, "I'm going to the mines. Don't you have a pet seller to find?"

"Wait a minute, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"The festival. You're going to do it right? Then we need to find you a guy."

"It's fine. I can worry about it when it happens."

"No fun," Tina stuck her tongue out at me, "Have fun mining. And thanks again."

When I got to the forest, I felt a chill go through me. I didn't know what it was. It felt as though I was being watched. I tried to ignore it, but the feeling didn't go away. There weren't any animals in this area. I know the bears were hibernating, but where were the others? I remember seeing the brown boars here. Even a black boar at times.

I made it to the mines when I heard the sound of. . . paws? I turned around to see it. It was a wolf. This particular wolf looked familiar. That's when I saw that it's fur was a dark red. The same animal I saw a while ago.

It stepped towards me slowly as if testing if I was dangerous. I held my hand out and spoke to it softly, "It's ok. Come here little guy." As soon as it was right in front of me, I pulled out my watering can.

The wolf's blue eyes seemed to narrow, as if it knew what I was going to do.

"Don't be like that," I huffed at it, "I need to get that blood off." It growled softly, but stayed still. I splashed a bit of water on it, but the color stayed. It wasn't blood at all? I felt bad for making a mistake. I took my scarf off and dried the wolf off. It was strangely calm, but I was still weary. This was a dangerous creature who could easily kill me.

"I feel like I should name you. You have such beautiful fur." I petted the wolf and it seemed to purr. I saw that the wolf was a male. I needed a name to fit him. His dark blue eyes reminded me of jewels.

"How about Ruby?" He licked my face, and I giggled, "That tickles! Ruby it is then. Whose a good boy? You are. You are." Ruby nuzzled my check and curled down between my legs. He was pretty huge for a wolf, but I've never see a real life wolf before. I didn't expect him to be so calm. I just didn't want him to go near my farm. I wouldn't want Ruby to kill any of my animals.

"Why are sitting on the ground, idiot? Do you want to freeze?" Neil's yell made me look up. He crossed his arm and looked at me as if I was stupid. Ruby growled when he saw the animal seller. The wolf barred his teeth, his hackles raised. My scarf fell to the ground as Ruby got to his paws.

"That's none of your damn business," I glared back at him, "Ruby, it's fine."

"Wolves are wild animals. They don't get names. It's not a dog. You can't teach it to be good with people."

"I know that. I was just treating it. Goddess!"

Ruby growled at Neil again. He rubbed his face against my leg before running off to the mountain area. I watched him leave with a kind of sadness. I wanted to spend a bit more time with him.

"Now he left, happy?"

"Do I fucking look happy?" Neil sighed, "At least with him gone. The animals will be a bit more calm. You're an idiot, you know?"

I couldn't take it anymore, "Look Neil, just let me know. Why do you hate me? I've tried being your friend on multiple occasions, but you always brush me off. Did I offend you in some way? I don't want to be your enemy. I might have to be since you don't even like me."

"I don't hate you," the sudden softness of his voice threw me off guard. I looked up as he grabbed my shoulders softly. "It's impossible to hate you. You're honest, brave, clever, cute, and overall a great farmer. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like I don't appreciate you. I'm just not good with people. Like at all. I'll try harder to be nicer to you. Nice isn't really something I'm good at."

"Neil. . . Thank you. So I'll ask you right now, will you please be my friend?"

All of a sudden, his arms were around me. I froze when I realized that he was hugging me. Neil. Was. Hugging. Me. It was so unexpected that I didn't really know how to react. But his arms felt warm around me and I relaxed into the hug. He didn't need to speak. This was his answer.