I didn't leave my house much the following week. I only left to take care of my crops and animals. Just because I was suffering, didn't mean that they had too. My face had gone numb from crying so much. I didn't want to enter town. I would see him and I'd start sobbing again. I lifted my head up from my sheets when I heard a knock on my door. What in the world did Dunhill want now?
It wasn't Dunhill who had entered. It was Tina. She was holding a bouquet of flowers? Lucky for her. I wonder who gave those to her. It wasn't any of my business though.
"I came to see how you were doing. Everyone in this town loves you. When we don't see you acting like you usually do, we can't help but worry. If you want to talk to someone about your breakup-"
"I don't want to talk about Neil ok?" I felt my throat tighten. If that's what she was here for, then she can leave. I don't want to think about him at all. I would just start crying again. I kept thinking about moving back in with my parents, but I had too many responsibilities here. Echo village was starting to feel like a prison. I couldn't move on if he was still going to be around. Ever since the animal sanctuary, he hasn't said a word to me. It was like I was invisible and that made the pain even worse.
"Then we won't talk about him then. Also these flowers are for you." She put the roses in the vase next to my bed, "I've been told not to tell who gave those to you. I'll let you know when you start to feel better. We should go have fun somewhere to empty your mind. What do you say, Alex?"
"I'm not in the mood to go out. What if we bump into him?"
"Then we ignore him of course. I think the whole village knows about you two. The fact that the both of you have been acting like someone took your hearts away. I guess this happens when you live in a small town."
"Fine," I got off the bed with a yawn. Didn't surprise me that the village knew about this. Rumor spread quickly in a place like this. It was only a matter of time. She left my house so that I could change out of my pajamas. I stared at the flowers with confusion. Who would send me these? I didn't think any of the other guys in town felt anything for me. I was with Neil for a while. I shook my head. It didn't really matter.
I could tell that Tina was trying to make me feel a bit better, but I was too depressed. It felt like the sky was too bright and happy. If it rained or something, then it'd match my mood, but the sun had another opinion.
We were hanging out in the restaurant when it happened. I was eating when I saw Neil enter the building. It wasn't raining, so he clearly has a stall to be at. When he saw that I was here, he walked up to me.
"Alex, can we talk?"
"I don't know. Can we? Is it humanly possible?" I couldn't help but snap. What gave him the nerve to just ask like I was nothing then decide to ask me to be alone with him?
"Go away Neil. She doesn't want to speak to you at the moment," Tina stood up, grabbing my arm, "Come on Alex. Let's go somewhere else."
I couldn't speak, but nodded anyways. I didn't want to look at him to see what expression was on his face. I followed Tina out of the building, while everyone either gave me a look of pity, or Neil a glare. She let go of my arm and sighed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't expect to see him there." I couldn't help the tears that were starting to form. My head started to pound and my heartbeat could be felt in my ears. I was not prepared for this.
"It's fine. I'm going to bed. See you later." I would say tomorrow, but don't know if I'd have to spirit to get up.
"See you. Remember Alex. Everyone in this town loves you. You're the reason we are all here. Anyone of us can help get you through this. Just let me know what I can do for you. You're my best friend. I want you to feel better no matter what it takes."
I rolled over in bed, unable to sleep. I sighed, hoping that my heart would stop hurting. I felt more dead than ever. I didn't know how long I can go on feeling this way. I've never had this happen to me before. It was like glass was in my stomach. I didn't have as much of an appetite anymore and it was starting to show. I had a lot less stamina than normal and the summer's heat wasn't helping at all.
I closed my eyes and tried to relax but I couldn't. I wondered what to do to get out of this mess. I couldn't think with this heat. I was really starting to hate this season. I wish I could go back to spring when my life was a lot happier. I missed the light breeze in the air as I ran through the woods, foraging and looking for something to make for my lover. I guess that I'd have to move on. I couldn't stay like this forever. I would try to forget Neil and take control of my life again. I couldn't let the memories ruin my life forever. It wasn't going to be easy, but it's the least I could do.