"I've been lookin' forward to meeting you ever since I heard that someone else my age was moving to town," Lisette explained as I finished taking a sip of the camomile tea she had made us both. I savoured the taste on my palate, it tasted bright and flowery which were two terms that suited the person sitting across from me.
Lisette worked in the flower shop next door to Miranda's general store. During my short time so far at my farm, I had not had much contact with Lisette on my visits to Westown, I met her briefly when Megan had introduced me to all the residents and we exchanged smiles whenever we had passed each other, but we hadn't sat down and talked properly until today. I had come into town this morning with the hope of buying my first animal, a cute little chicken. After planting my strawberry seeds a few mornings ago, Frank had gifted me with an old fishing rod to use to catch some fish to sell in order to make some extra gold pieces before my produce had grown. This morning I had earned enough money from the fish I had sold, as well as the money left over from Frank, to buy my first animal. I had finished my morning chores and had practically run to the animal stall in the center of town.
"Good morning!" I panted and placed the gold coins I had collected on the counter, "I'd like to buy a chicken please."
"Oh I'm really sorry, but you're a little too late! We've sold out of chickens for today." said the shop keeper cheerfully. Late?! How was I late? The stall hadn't even been open for that long! "However," they added quickly "We'll have some in tomorrow morning, I could deliver it to your farm in the morning for you."
I thought I'd have to go home disappointed, but having a chicken delivered tomorrow was something I can wait for. I'd just have to prepare the small chicken coop that Frank had built for me when preparing my farm whilst I waited. With a spring in my step, I walked away from the stall with the intention of heading back to the farm to brainstorm a name for the newest addition to my farm. That was then Lisette approached me and invited me to have tea in her shop.
Lisette's living quarters was the perfect extension of her. Her tea cups were shaped like rose buds, the tables were adorned with potted plants and every single pattern in her house, such as the wallpaper or her duvet, was in the form of some sort of floral design. It was a tranquil and pretty environment, I was envious of how pristine her place was. Not only was Lisette's place lovely, but Lisette herself was the type of person who was so easy to befriend. She made you feel welcomed and relaxed, I was really glad that I was beginning to develop a friendship with a girl my age in town. I hoped it wouldn't be temporary like my other relationships and would blossom (excuse the pun) into something special. I took another sip of the tea in front of me, it was so refreshing and was honestly an indulgence compared to the diet I had been eating and drinking at the moment.
"Have you always lived in Westown?" I asked.
"No," she smiled brightly "my hometown is real close to Westown though. This was originally my parent's flower shop so I would visit Westown every day when I was little. When it came under my care I decided to move here so I could dedicate my time to it. Westown has always been like a second home a suppose. What was your home town like?"
I paused. I couldn't remember where my hometown was, there was never any place that we could call home growing up because we were never there for very long. "My dad's a business man so because of the nature of his job we had to move around a lot. We've been moving to different places since I was a baby so there's never really been one place in particular that we could call home or assign that term to."
"You must have seen lots of different places, though. Perhaps Westown will become somewhere you can call home! How are you settling into farm life?" She leaned over the table to refill my cup.
"It's definitely been a test of my stamina!" I giggled, "I'm really enjoying it though, right now I'm still learning everything but this has always been my dream so I'm savouring every moment. The only downside is that I don't have a kitchen in my new place so I'm hoping I can avoid the temptation to eat my crops once they've grown."
Lisette covered her mouth and gasped, "Oh my! But how do you eat?"
"At the moment I've been sharing meals with my uncle Frank at his place. I heard there's a restaurant here in town but I haven't really had the chance to go there yet, I feel a bit awkward eating there alone."
"You should come and eat with me in the restaurant! It'll be nice to have some company. Brad and his wife Carrie make such yummy food too. It'll be fun." Lisette suggested.
"That'd be great." I smiled. I felt more relaxed now that I had properly met someone my age who I seemed to get along with. Maybe Lisette was right, perhaps this place will become somewhere I can call home.
~~~
"Howdy Nanami" called out a familiar voice, I turned and waved as Wayne approached me. I scanned the surroundings just to make sure what I've dubbed as 'The Fanclub' wasn't present. I had only just gotten the mud and dust out of the clothes I was wearing when I knocked over by them as people didn't have the luxury of a machine to do their washing for them here. "Morning Wayne, how are you?" I smiled.
"I'm swell, thank you. Come to run some errands?" he enquired as he fastened his satchel bag. I assumed he must have been in the middle of his deliveries.
I nodded slightly, "I came into town to run some errands this morning and then I visited Lisette from the flower shop and had some lunch with her. Are you running errands too?"
"Me? I'm on my way to go see a friend of mine." his mouth formed a slight smirk "Y'know what? Why don't ya tag along, too? I'll introduce ya."
Did this mean there'd be more hugging? "Sure.." I said hesitantly, "who is this friend of yours?"
Wayne gestured for me to follow him, "You heard about how the doc for the clinic was out on a business trip for a while, right?" I cast my memory back to my first day in Westown when Frank and Megan were showing me around the town. I remember Frank making a comment about a doctor, it was something along the lines of him being away on a fancy doctor's seminar. I also recalled him making a comment about the doctor being even sterner than Frank was - aren't all doctors stern though? I'm sure this friend of Wayne's would be as friendly and approachable as him and the other residents. "He finally came home just the other day." Wayne added, "If you're ever feelin' out of sorts, he's the one who'll getcha back on your feet. I reckon it's worth your while to go and say hello."
"I'm sure it will. I can be quite clumsy at times." I grinned and walked with Wayne until was arrived at the outside of the clinic. The outside of the clinic was adorned with a small garden with what looked like radishes sprouting from it and an old fashioned porch. Whilst I couldn't say the same as the interior until I saw it, the exterior didn't look sterile and clinical like a lot of the clinics I was dragged to as a child for my yearly shots and check ups. I shuddered at the thought of needles, hopefully, I'd never have to experience one again.
Just as I was about to walk up the front steps onto the Wayne stopped me. "Oh wait! Pardon me. Could you hold still for a sec?"
"Hm...?" I stood still, confused at why I needed to hold still. Wayne encircled me and inspected me, I feel awkward and tried not to slough instinctively. "Is this really necessary?" I let out a small nervous laugh. Wayne stepped back "Hmmm... Not too dirty. I guess it'll have it do." Not too dirty? It'll have to do? I really had no idea what was going on. I dusted my skirt off shyly. Wayne smiled sheepishly, "Oh, uh, the doc can be kind of... finicky about cleanliness and the like. Don't worry about it. C'mon."
Wayne entered without knocking and called out, "Ford? You in?" They must have been close friends for him to walk inside unannounced. I glanced around to see if I could spot this 'finicky' doctor friend of his but he was nowhere to be seen. A minute later a door opened, the door wasn't open enough to fully see the person behind it but I was still about to clearly make out what they were saying when they spoke.
"Hm? Wayne is that you? I am in the middle of brainstorming right now. I am not to be disturbed unless there's a patient who requires my immediate attention. Wait quietly over there. I will get to you later." He commanded strictly. I glanced at Wayne awkwardly. Was this our cue to leave and come back another time? This man didn't really seem in the mood for company at all. Wayne rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. He gets this way sometimes. How 'bout we have a seat over on that sofa and wait?"
"Sure. Are you sure we shouldn't just come back later when he's less occupied?" I asked as I followed him to his seat. "Nah, he'll make an appearance soon." He smiled as he sat beside me.
We sat quietly for a few moments. Whilst I had met Wayne a few times now there was still something that made me feel shy around him. Whilst I knew a few things about him I didn't know much so it was difficult to try and think up a conversation starter.
Luckily, Wayne started speaking. "Hey, Nanami, do you have any books you'd recommend?"
Does Wayne have time to read with all the ladies he hangs around with? "I've always liked reading non-fiction books about farming but I have a few books on myths and fairytales that my grandmother left me when she died."
Wayne nodded and smiled. I noticed he was very good at looking interested and engaged when someone else was talking. "I've noticed I've been sticking to only a few genres lately. My shelves are pretty much all astrology and mythology books."
I glanced up quickly, I shouldn't have shallowly assumed Wayne wouldn't be the type of person interested in such genres or even reading at all but I just automatically assumed he wasn't that type of person. Perhaps I shouldn't have placed him in the same category of handsome males that are popular. Wait. Did I just call him handsome?
"Now then. What is it?" Commanded a stern voice from the doorway. I glanced up quickly. The man had the type of voice that made you feel in trouble, even if is words weren't saying anything of the sort. Wayne stood up smirking, "Wow, Ford. That was faster than I expected. Congrats."
"I heard a voice other than yours. I could hardly concentrate with the two of you nattering on over here." Ford shot a glare at me.
"H-Hello, my name is Nanami..." I stuttered. I felt the need to speak as formally and carefully as possible. "I'm Frank's niece who recently moved here. I'm pleased to meet you..." Wayne walked over to Ford, wrapping his arm around his shoulder and grinning. In one swift movement, Ford shrugged his arm away and folded his arms. It was an odd juxtaposition seeing the two men stand side by side. I couldn't get my head around the fact they were friends. I know opposite attract but these two were TOO unlike.
"Hm, well isn't that a proper greeting. My name is Ford, and I am the doctor of this establishment. So you are Frank's niece, hm? You look like a perfectly healthy young woman, so I presume you're not here for my services." He moved away from Ford and signaled with his hands for me to stand up. I obliged awkwardly. "Actually Wayne invited me along so I could introduce myself."
For the second time today my appearance was observed from all angles. Ford walked around me slowly, like a vulture. He observed me closely as if I was some patient with a strange anomaly. "... Yes. Passable for now, I suppose." He muttered. Passable? What was passable? Me? I bit my lip, I wanted to speak back to him but the thought of what his response would be put me off.
"Allow me to make one thing clear: I have no patience for slobs or ragamuffins. If you wish to see me, come clean and properly attired!" Ford declared, I awkwardly mumbled a 'yes', stopping myself before I instinctively added a 'sir' on the end. I had only come here to introduce myself, not to be disciplined by some stranger. "Now, is that all?" Ford sounded annoyed, as if he had been greatly inconvenience and wasted his time. Perhaps it was a mistake to assume that everyone in Westown was super friendly...
"Yeah, I guess that's it." Wayne chuckled which seemed to irritate Ford even move. I glanced between Wayne and the door, hoping that Wayne would leave quickly so I could get out of her.
"I see. Well then, off with you both. Dismissed." Ford sighed and retreated back to the room he had come from without saying goodbye. Wayne gestured towards the front door, I had never been so happy to follow someone somewhere. I walked out of the clinic quickly, overtaking Wayne. I felt so awkward and embarrassed after this encounter that I just wanted to go home. When I had made it onto the front porch I took a deep breath. So this is what breathing feels like.
Wayne looked slightly awkward too, he squeezed my shoulder and tried to smile. "So, uh... Yeah. Like I said, he can be kinda weird like that. He's a good guy, though, honest. If he didn't scare you off too bad, go on and visit him again sometime. Ford can be blunt to the point of harshness but we're still good friends. He's just as knowledgeable as you'd expect a doctor to be, too. We get into some interesting discussions."
"Thank you for inviting me along, Wayne. I really appreciate you introducing me to people, that was really kind of you." I lied. I didn't appreciate this introduction but I knew that was no fault of Wayne. I hoped I wouldn't have to have any contact with this friend of his again though. I vowed to myself to try and remain as healthy as possible. I'd probably die (literally) of fright if I had to go there again.
"I better get back to my deliveries, I'll see ya around Nanami." He smiled genuinely this time and squeezed my shoulder reassuringly again. He ran off hurriedly to complete his errands.
I shuddered and walked quickly as far away from the clinic as possible and back to the safe retreat of my farm.