Sorry for the delay folks, it's just that I felt lazy. Oh well, here's chapter 4 for you folks!

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Operation: Runaway

3:53 p.m. – September 19, 2003 – Valua, Path to Nook's Cranny

I walked reluctantly back towards where Nook was waiting for me. I clenched my fists, working off the previous stress I encountered around him. Stupid raccoon (Thank you superfludd for the correction). I could see that I was nearing the store, apple trees reminding me of that stupid symbol on this stupid uniform I was wearing. Stupid raccoon.

I walked straight in, still thinking to myself when I bumped into him. I looked up into his face, expecting a burst of anger. But instead he looked as though he was keeping a steady composure. I was a bit shocked mind you, but I knew I still had a job to do. I cleared my throat, breaking the silence.

"Nook? Anymore jobs?" I asked a bit quietly, and it seemed a bit weird he was acting so calm. Usually he would be yelling at me by now.....

Nook shrugged and gazed at me silently. "Well, why don't you try posting a message on the message board about my store. Go on." Nook said, making a gesture with his hand to get me going. I stood there for a second, shocked and confused, but then I turned around and walked out of there as fast as I could, having a strange feeling around that raccoon. But I didn't let that get the better of me as I headed over to where I thought the message board was.

A few acres later, I came across the message board in its usual position, right in the middle of the four houses that occupied one of the acres in town. I walked up to the message board, using the spare piece of paper placed conveniently on the slab of wood. I took out a brush I never had before, and started posting my message. Have I mentioned how much weirder this town gets?

There was one problem. I didn't know what to say. So, I just wrote whatever came off the top of my head.

Come over to Nook's shop!

That's the only thing I could think of by far. That was pretty corny, considering how simple it was, but I didn't really care what I was doing. So I added something else in.

The prices are too low!

I scratched that out (I didn't know how I did that), adding something else.

He's got stuff.

I shook my head in disgust. I had to put something!

He's got great stuff!

I smirked, thinking it was simple and effective enough, posting the message on the board as soon as I was done. I then started walking back towards the Cranny, ready to face and ask the raccoon what was up with him earlier that day. I didn't notice where I was actually headed, and I soon bumped into a tree.

"Beehive!!!" I yelled as the object came down from the tree, bees coming out at full force. I started running to the left, weaving through trees, hoping to lose them, but the bees kept up at their fast pace, circling around me until they closed in. I yelped in pain, rubbing the spot where I had been stung. I seethed inwardly, thinking of how stupid I was, and I started to head in the right direction.

After the simple walk, I entered the Cranny, quickly spotting Nook sweeping outside his shop. I wanted to jump him, payment for what had been going on between us, but I hid behind the nearest tree I could find, having a conversation with myself.

"Should I jump him or not?" I asked myself, suddenly seeing a small devil of myself appear on my right.

"Jump him, you know how badly he treats you..." The devil said, suddenly clenching his fist as an angelic version of myself appeared on my left.

"Don't do it Alex, he's the one who gave you a home and gave you a chance to work off your debt."

I was stuck in a position to make a decision (oh goody a rhyme), and I pondered hard. Both the devil and angel whacked the side of my head, catching my attention.

"Do it Alex. You know you want to." The devil muttered into my ear. The angel did the same.

"Don't do it Alex, he's helped you more than anyone else so far." The angel muttered into my other ear. The opposing forces turned to face each other, starting an argument.

"Do it!"

"Don't do it!"

That's what they were saying, leaving me with a big decision to make as they disappeared in a poof of smoke. I wanted to jump Nook, but I didn't want to jump him. Stupid raccoon. Suddenly, Nook came behind me and surprised me, touching my shoulder.

"AHHHHHH!" I screamed, turning around to find Nook staring at me. "H-h-how did you know I was here?"

Nook shrugged, looking over to where he was sweeping.

"I was standing there, listening to your quarrel. I didn't know who you were talking to, so I decided to investigate. And what a big bump on your eye! Did you get stung by a bee or something?" Nook said, watching me regain my composure. I looked up at him, glaring.

Durr... I thought, looking away from Nook. One glance told me he was asking me if I was done with my job. I nodded in response. (I wondered how I knew that.)

"Good. I won't be needing your services anymore." Nook muttered.

"You mean.....I'm done?" I asked hopefully, as Nook nodded his head. He seemed sad. I wondered why, but I didn't care. I was free!

I yipped and hollered while I walked down the path towards my house, smiling brightly as the sun gleamed off of me. I thought it was never going to be over.

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Operation: Runaway

4:24 p.m. – September 19, 2003 – Valua, Alex's House

I entered my house, and plopped down on my bed. (Did I have a bed? Oh whoops I didn't.)

-Rewind-

I entered my house, and plopped down on my chair (yes that's right, a chair). I thought about what I was going to do with the rest of my life here in Valua. Oh wait. I forgot everything Nook told me. Stupid raccoon. I only remembered when he said I could go talk to the townsfolk, or go visit the museum, police station, and the post office, but I didn't know what else to do. So I decided to ask the townsfolk.

I walked outside, spotting Ace walking right by me. I caught his attention, asking him what he did for a living here in Valua. Long story short, talk talk talk, answer answer answer. I guess this is what they said.

Ace: "Get some exercise or something caw, you seem to be getting a little big."

Aurora: "Did you ever visit the Able Sisters? You can make your own designs there you know."

Cherry: "Stare at the flowers."

Dizzy: "Sleep."

Horus: (I didn't get an answer out of him.)

Everything started to go downhill. I went bored for a few days.

-Fast Forward-

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Operation: Runaway

8:26 a.m. – September 22, 2003 – Valua, Alex's House

I had tried to take everyone's advice. But it still didn't seem to be working. I sighed openly, sulking in my exotic chair, staring at the wall in boredom. Suddenly, I heard a knock at my door. I looked up slowly, getting up from my chair to answer it. It was Nook. Stupid raccoon.

"Oh ho, good to see you again Ale....woah, what happened to you?" Nook said, a little startled by my condition of depression. My eyes looked sad and droopy. I growled menacingly.

"Why you little....!" I snapped at him, clenching a fist, while Nook seemed more cautious. He backed away a few inches.

"Easy there Alex, I'm only here to offer you a chance to join the HRA!" He exclaimed, adding a smile that made me disgusted. I was a bit confused.

"HRA?" I asked, scratching my head while Nook just chortled a bit.

"Ohoho yes, the House-Rating Academy. Or at least that's what I think it is...." Nook replied, tilting his head to the side a little bit. This raccoon was weirding me out.

"So, what does this academy" I added a little exaggeration with my fingers, "do?"

Nook seemed to ponder a bit, tilting his head at different angles. (?)

"It is an academy who will rate your house! It's not hard to understand." Nook said, breaking the silence, while I raised an eyebrow.

"So these guys are gonna infest my house, and inspect it, then rate it? I'm not up to that." I replied, shaking my head. "Besides," I added. "This house you gave me isn't considered a house at all."

Nook thought some more. I kicked his shin to give him a jump-start.

"Ow! Alright alright, if you join, you get a free upgrade to your house!" He exclaimed, while I seemed a bit more interested.

"Oh really?" I said a little bit suspiciously, eyeing his expression carefully. Nook nodded, and I thought. I couldn't resist an upgrade, but I didn't know if he was lying to me or not. Before I could stop myself, I found my head nodding yes.

"Good! Well....the fact is.....I lied about the upgrade." Nook said, adding a little sneer. I nearly burst out in anger, clenching my fists even tighter until my knuckles were white. Nook backed off even more, adding something else.

"Well....I didn't lie completely...it's just that you're going to have to work for it." Nook said cautiously, and I let some of my anger subside, but he made me join a stupid academy who rates houses!

"Anywho, bye bye!" Nook cried as he scurried off back to his shop. I was left standing there, stunned. I noticed Nook handed me a letter, and I went into my house and read it.

Dear Alex,
Thank you for joining the HRA. You will have three days to prepare your home for rating. Remember, feng shui is very important!

From,
The HRA

I was in shock. Freaks were going to come and inspect my house in three days!

"Argh!" I cried out in frustration, but realizing I still had another question.

Feng shui? Stupid raccoon.