I chopped the tree down with more force than necessary. I made sure to stay at a safe distance so that it wouldn't land on me. I couldn't help but feel irritated. People wouldn't stop pestering me. Especially old man Dunhill. I don't want to do the stupid gardening tour. It was ok the first few times I participated, but now I'm just sick of him entering my house every second of the month. The people in Echo were very hard to please, so this festival has gotten under my nerves. And I might see Neil there.
I felt my nerves tighten at the thought of his name. I swung my ax at the next tree so strong that I felt shivers go up my arms. I didn't want to think about that guy. He's the reason I was like this. I remember his words with a pang. I shook my head and continued chopping. I tried to clear my mind so that I wouldn't keep getting distracted, but I kept thinking about him. He was my first real relationship and the first guy I had met in Echo when he gave me my first cow. How did we get like this?
I put my ax away, drained both physically and mentally. There was no way I was going to get any work done if I don't get over this. I picked up whatever lumber I had managed to chop and went to have a break at Olivia's tea place. She was good for advice and was easy to talk to. I ordered tea and sat down at one of the tables. I watched Toni and Niko playing with one of Rod's puppy. The pet seller was speaking with Hossan outside. Hina was outside the salon, looking through the window. I sighed. Everyone else was happy but me.
"Is something the matter? You haven't touched your tea."
"Oh, sorry. I'm just upset at the moment. I'm having a bad week." I put my head down on the table.
"It's your birthday today. You should be a lot happier. Just forget about whoever made you upset. There are other people out there that can make you a lot happier." She gave me a large slice of cake.
"Is that so? What do you do when you're not in a good mood?"
"I read letters from loved ones that I've received. It reminds me that no matter what or who hurts me, someone is there to help me off my feet. Also you don't have to pay for the cake. It's on me, since today is special."
"Thank you Olivia." After eating at her place and listening to her advice I felt a little bit better. They say that a guy's usually crankier when he's hungry, but I guess that works for me as well.
A few days after my birthday I decided to go to the animal sanctuary. I would have to talk to Neil, but my animals were stressed, so I had to put aside my pride for them. I saw Allen hanging out near Rod's stall. The ginger friends waved at me then went back to talking about who knows what. I tried to focus on them as I told the animal salesman that I wanted to go to the animal place. He said nothing as he took me there. The ride there was uncomfortable. I was too mad at him to speak. He was going to act like nothing happened between us? He didn't even check to see how I was doing.
When I got there, I checked to make sure that my animals were fine. Oreo, Fluffy, and Taylor all loved this place. It was a pity that I couldn't bring Chica. She could use the stress relieving paradise. After a few hours, I went to stand near Neil. He fixed me with an irritated look, "What?"
"Nothing." I glared back. Jerk. Where was the warmth that we had? It was like a candle with the flame blown out.
"If it's nothing then stop giving me that look like I did something wrong."
"You did do something wrong! You had a very stupid excuse for dumping me. If you thought I was boring why did you go out with me in the first place?" I spat at him, "What did I do to you?"
"You never used to be boring. But I don't feel as happy with you as I did in the beginning. If you can't accept that, then that's your fault, not mine."
"You're an asshole! Take me home. I don't want to be here anymore."
"Fine with me."
After another awkward ride, we made it back to Echo. As we entered town, I took my animals from Neil and walked them to my barn myself. I ignored what happened today as I made it to my house. I couldn't stand his attitude, I swear. He was turning back into the Neil I met in my first spring here. I sighed. I guess there was nothing I could do to change him.
After entering my house, I noticed I still had a picture of us on my bed table. I took it out of the frame and put it into my closet. I couldn't deal with this. I made myself some hot chocolate and sat on my bed and read. It was a book I had borrowed from Soseki. He said that I'd like it, since the main character was also a farmer. I felt a little sad that a fictional character had a better love life than I did. Feeling lovesick, I closed the book and put my head on my pillow. I was too lazy to turn off the light. I closed my eyes, hoping that I'd actually have a better day tomorrow.