Reason for Kindness (ANB Neil Fanfic)

Chapter 4-Part 2: Irritating Neil

I stay behind the tree for a few more seconds and think about what just happened. That is, until I realize that I still need to buy a chicken. I stand still for about a minute or so until I feel that it's safe enough to walk out without having them be suspicious of me.

Rod looks up from his stand and gives me a smile. I return the gesture with a small wave and walk past his stand over to Neil's. He greets me with a blank look.

"This is Neil's Animal's. What's your business?"

I grin at him and decide to mess around a bit.

"Hmmmm..." I say as I stare at the animals he has in a little wooden fence. "I don't know...I was thinnnkkkingggg..." I look up to see Neil's expression, and see that he's quickly getting irritated.

"Just say what you want." I give him a harsh look.

"Don't rush me."

He visibly grows more irritated, and I stifle a laugh. This is fun.

"I think that I want...aaaaa....."

"Yeeessss?" Neil draws out, grinding his teeth. I hear a laugh to my right. Rod must be finding this entertaining too.

I stare at the chickens that he has for a few seconds more, and fight back a smirk as an idea comes to my head.

"Aw man..." I say, making sure to sound very disappointed.

"What is it?" Neil asks through clenched teeth.

"There seems to be a problem..." I tap my chin.

"And what would that be?" He asks slowly.

I hesitate before answering for a pause.

"You don't seem to have the chicken I want."

At this point, Neil looks like smoke could come out of his ears. I can't hold in my laughter anymore, so I decide to stop.

"Sorry Neil," I say in between laughs, "You're too easy to mess with."

He seems to calm down for a second as he processes what I just said until it hits him. Rod is cracking up over at his stand, and Neil's cheeks tint red from embarrassment.

"Are you serious? I've got work to do!" Neil shouts at me, startling some of his animals.

"Hey, calm down. I don't wanna buy a stressed out chicken." I chide him, kneeling down to inspect them.

"W-whatever! You're the one who's wasting my time."

"Aw Neil, lighten up! Besides, we're friends now, right?" I freeze when I realize what I said. Now he might know that I heard his and Rod's conversation earlier! I start to casually inspect the chickens as I wait for him to respond. I don't get one right away, so I start to worry that he's suspicious now.

I look up to see Rod giving me a confused look. Does he know too?

"Uh, yeah, I guess we are." I swiftly turn my head to look at the blonde. He's staring at a tree to his right. I hold back a sigh of relief. He doesn't seem to have caught on. However, a certain pet owner keeps his confused expression. I avoid his gaze, but I catch the smile he gives me out of the corner of my eye. He knows.

"Um, anyways, I'd like to buy this chicken." I tell Neil after a few more awkward moments. He picks up the chicken that I'm pointing at.

"She's my newest one. Still pretty young, so she might be difficult to handle." I smile, and shake my head.

"That's fine. My morning work will get a bit more challenging, but I like it that way."

He briskly nods and sets the chicken on the stand.