Reason for Kindness (ANB Neil Fanfic)

Chapter 6: What Went Wrong

The next few days I spend on my farm, only leaving to go buy something. I try to act like my normal self around people who visit my farm, but all I want is for Neil to come back and apologize. I know that will never happen though.

I trudge into the barn and stroke Hikari as I go to grab the brush. Groaning, I realize that I should probably get a new one.

"Great..." I mutter. "Now I have to go see Neil."

I've been trying to avoid Neil ever since the incident, even though I know that I shouldn't. I did tell myself that we would only be acquaintances...and acquaintances do talk to each other.

"Ugh, come on Yuki. Grow up. You're only talking to him for business." Nodding my head firmly, I take several long steps toward the door. But as soon as I reach it, my steps halt. I groan again, covering my face with my hands. Why is this so hard for me?

"Mooo!" I turn around to look at Hikari who's impatiently flicking her tail. A wave of guilt passes over me. This isn't about me! I need to go buy a new brush for Hikari.

Making my way into town, I start to head toward the plaza. I slow down as I near the two stands. It's about noon, so Rod and Neil should be taking their lunch break soon. It's now or never...

"Oh, hello Yuki!" Rod greets me. I smile and give him a small wave. Neil looks up, and gives me his trademark blank expression. My heart sinks.

Who cares? He obviously wasn't going to be happy to see you.

Still, I can't shake the feeling of disappointment. Apparently, Neil's words from several days ago still sting.

I walk up to Neil's stand with a sudden burst of courage. I keep my held high to show him that I don't care how he views me. I'm perfectly okay with not being his friend. I don't even know him very well anyways!

"Hello Neil." I say. He gives me a curt nod.

Silence.

Well, he could have at least greeted me...

"I would like a brush."

Another nod.

He turns around and grabs a brush for me. Setting it on the stand, he looks at me expectantly.

"That'll be 60 Gold."

Frustrated, I hand him the needed amount. I don't pick up the brush right away, but stare at my feet.

......

"Are you going to take it or not?"

Snapping my head up, I hold back from glaring. Seriously?

"Yeah." Snatching the brush from the table, I turn away briskly and march back to my farm, annoyed and frustrated. What's his deal? He's acting as if nothing happened!

I walk back to the barn and bang my head against the wall. My original plan was to act as if nothing happened as well, and to just move on. Of course, I had to forget that and expect too much from him. He could of at least greeted me...even acquaintances acknowledge each other!

"Now I'm in a bad mood. Great." I put the brush away and sit down on the chest, crossing my arms while staring at the floor. I stay that way until I hear someone entering the barn. Snapping my head up, I see Toni, the architects nine year old son, happily walk over to me with a bright smile on his face.

"Hey Yuki!" He waves. "Wanna play tag?"

I smile sadly at him, not wanting to be rude. Just because I'm having a bad day doesn't mean that I should ruin Toni's. But I still have all of my chores to do...

"Um..." I say, looking at Hikari. Toni tilts his head and gives me a confused look.

"Are you okay Yuki?" He asks. I look down and shake my head.

"No, I'm not okay." I sigh. All of my frustration and anger has now been replaced with sadness. It hurts that he doesn't even want to try to be my friend. What's wrong with me?

"What's the matter?" He takes a seat next to me, and I give him a small, grateful smile. Toni's always up and about, running around the village looking for something to do. He's not one to sit and listen, so I appreciate his efforts.

"Ah, it's really nothing. I'm just letting something that someone said get me down." 

"Is it what Neil said to you?"

I jump and almost fall off of the chest.  I regain my balance again and stare at Toni with wide eyes.

"Wha...how do you know what Neil said to me?"

"Rod told my mom when he went to buy some supplies." He grins. "I overheard a bit."

"It's not nice to eavesdrop Toni. Your mom wouldn't be happy with you." I give him a scolding look, attempting to change the subject.

"Please don't tell her!" He pleads. I laugh a bit.

"I'm just teasing. I won't tell her." My laughs die down, and I fidget a bit.

"How much did you hear?" I'd rather not have a nine year old boy running around town telling the world of my problems with Neil.

"Not much. It was mostly just Rod getting all mad about something that Neil said to you." He informs me. It's touching to know that Rod is looking out for me. But still...Rod wasn't there when it happened. Neil must have told Rod.

"Ugh!" I groan. "How much of the town knows about this!" I cover my face with my hands.

"It's a small town. Stuff gets around fast." Toni tells me, starting to squirm. It's obvious that he wants to go play.

"Well, thanks for listening Toni. I don't think that I will be able to play tag with you today though."

"Aw man!" He frowns and crosses his arms. "Oh well. See you later then." He waves and runs out.

I sigh again and shake my head. I wish Neil would just tell me what the problem is...what did I do?

Realization suddenly hits me.

"That's it!" I yell, standing up a bit too quickly. My foot gets caught and I tumble to the ground.

"Oof..." Shaking my head, I stand back up with a new found determination. "I don't know what I did wrong! I must have offended him somehow. I should ask him, and then apologize." I grin, and hurriedly start to finish my chores. Once the shops are all closed, I'll meet up with Neil to fix the problem.