Chapter 3 here we go! please feel free to review and let me know what you think of everything so far! help me get better :)
The next morning, I awoke to a massive migraine. I lay, staring up at the ceiling regretting ever going to the bar last night. I felt absolutely horrible… but I couldn't stay in bed all day. I pushed the covers off when I realized that I was still in my work clothing. Ugh. I trudged over to the sink, took out a glass and filled it to the brim with water. Between sips, I gingerly massaged my temples. It was going to be a long day.
The sunlight burned my vision, only adding to my headache's vigor. I carried the last bottle of milk across the wooden river bridge. The babbling river glistened beneath me as Vesta's farm grew closer. I approached the house, preparing to knock when I heard a voice behind me. "Oh… it's you."
Marlin had just emerged from a nearby building. I squinted trying to make eye contact. The sunlight rebounded off of his jet black hair and his face carried a rather familiar unfeeling expression.
"Hey Marlin." I responded quietly, handing him the bottle of milk that I had been cradling in my arms. His eyes fixed on the bottle for a minute. "What's this for?"
"Well, yesterday I messed up your milk order…so here."
His frown began to curl upward slightly. "Hmmp. Fine." Looking amused, he took my offering.
Pain pulsed through my temples. Vague memories from last night at the bar began to play in my head. "Marlin…" I sighed. "I'm sorry for what happened last night. I just got so worked up. Things have been tough for me recently and I-"
"Don't worry about it."
Another thought raged in my head. "I was also wondering, if you would help me grow some crops...or at least show me how to do it..."
He glanced over his shoulder. There were fields abundant with crops behind us, which Vesta and Celia were currently tending to. He sighed. "I guess… but it'll be later after work… and you'll have to buy your plant seeds from us first."
I nodded. Any help I could get would be fine with me. Marlin took the milk bottle inside their house, leaving me standing alone. Takakura had mentioned before that Vesta sold seeds for planting. Turning, I studied her working in her fields and made my way over to inquire about purchasing crop seeds.
Knock Knock.
A fist pounded on my cabin door. My face scrunched. I didn't want to leave the warmth of my bed.
Knock Knock.
The noise wouldn't stop; my head pulsing with every beat. "I'm coming" I moaned.
I groggily walked to the door slowly pulling it towards me, revealing a man. Both hands shoved in his jean pockets and head looking diagonally down, he spoke. "Come on Jill. I'm here to help you plant."
I wiped the afternoon nap from my eyes. The sky was painted with hues of pinks and oranges; it would be dark soon. I needed to hurry up and plant before then!
"Oh, right!" I turned to my left. I had taken the hoe from the toolshed with me to my house before taking a nap just in case Marlin showed up to help. Clutching the tool with my tiny hands, I exited the cabin.
Marlin and I walked down to the crop field. Bending down to the earth, he picked up some dirt. He sifted it between his fingers before facing me. "This seems like an ok spot. The soil quality isn't too bad."
I nodded. I would have never thought about the soil quality. Always the little things that made all the difference…
"Ok…so now what?" I stared blankly.
Marlin pointed to the ground. "You till the ground."
I gawked at the field. I had never used a hoe before nor did I really understand how to use it.
"Well, go on." His tone hinted impatience.
I raised the hoe high above my head and swung down with all my might. The blade burrowed deep below. I pulled towards my body, dragging the blade though the fertile soil. I looked to Marlin for approval. "Like that?"
He stared blankly at the dirt. "Yeah."
I tilled a few more spaces of crop land before pulling the seed bags from my backpack. Marlin, taking a bag in hand, meticulously poked the seeds into the ground. I mimicked his every action. A quiet chuckle traveled from his direction; he must have thought it was funny for me to mirror him. Finally, I watered the newly planted crops.
"There! All done!" I exclaimed, patting the dirt off of my gloves and shirt.
Marlin maintained his empty stare on the field. "Make sure you water them every day."
I nodded, smiling. The sun had fallen just below the mountains to the west. "Are you going home now?"
He shrugged. "I don't know…I might stop by the bar."
"Well, let me buy you a drink. Its payment for helping me."
He stretched his arms out and breathed deeply. Shoving his hands in his pockets he sighed. "Fine."
The two of us walked into the bar and sat down. Griffin came over. "Welcome. Two drinks?"
I shook my head. "No, just one." I looked to Marlin. His eyes focused on the cupboard of drinking glasses just beyond the bar counter. "Is there anything specific you want?"
He turned his head to the bartender. "The usual."
Griffin went to prepare the drink. We sat silently waiting. The aging bartender returned shortly with Marlin's drink before returning to the task of cleaning goblets. As Marlin took a sip of his beverage, the smell of alcohol seized my nostrils. My stomach turned. Maybe coming here to buy him a drink was a bad idea…
I rested my arms on the counter. "Thank you for helping me."
Marlin didn't answer… just sat there looking at his drink. I quickly glanced at his face. "Just so you know … I'm usually a happy person."
Still, silence.
"Just ever since my father passed away, I've been a mess." I paused. "Some days I just can't stop thinking about him and how badly I want him to be proud of his daughter…then I get depressed and -"
"Why are you explaining yourself to me?" Marlin stared, the same chilling expression peering through me.
"Well…" A friendly smile crept onto my face. "I don't want my friends to think that I'm some depressed little girl."
His eyebrows raised, eyes widening. "Friend?"
His reaction to the word was not what I expected. My smile shrunk significantly. "Yeah…I thought we were friends…"
Marlin took another sip of his drink before responding. "We've only known each other for two days. And… I haven't necessarily been all that friendly to you..."
"But both days you offered me help when I needed it." I tried to smile back but another wave of alcohol fumes reached my nose. Hunching over, I grabbed my stomach.
"You ok?" Marlin looked confused.
My nose scrunched. "Yeah… I forgot about my hangover."
The seemingly permanent frown which adorned his face suddenly lightened. Marlin began to laugh. "You're such a light weight!"
I couldn't help but laughed too. "So… are we friends?"
He smirked. His usually icy blue eyes sparked a warmth that I hadn't seen before. "Yeah… I guess so."
Chapter 4 will be up within the next few days!