Potential Lovers | ACNL STORY

17 - Treasure

Joe POV
I sniffed the shirt. She made us matching outfits. The shirt even smelled nice.
   The gift made me happy throughout the whole day. I continued my florist job with the new shirt to encourage me.
   Sally was glad I smiled a lot. She invited me over and Anna was a bit upset..But she said to enjoy my time. Hope she wasn't forcing a smile or hiding anything. I want to be there for her like she was for me at the start.
   But I did enjoy being with Sally, she's my friend. I wasn't sure if Anna was lonely when I was away. I shouldn't worry too much, I'm sure she was fine.

~

   It was nighttime, I was sitting on a bench near the illuminated heart.
Lily made so many public works projects, I planted a bunch of bushes and flowers to go with it.
Serenity has a side where there's homes, shops, and special spots full of beautiful flowers and public works projects.
   It's like an area for friends and couples.
   I should've asked Anna to come to this side of the town. I'm such a bad boyfriend.

   I shut my eyes. The night sky was bright today, the illuminated heart made it even brighter.
   Since it's July, the fireflies stopped coming out. But I really missed it.
   Back when I was lonely, I always hung around the river to watch all the fireflies light up the night.
   I wasn't expecting any, but I just enjoyed the feel of the night.
   With my restless back against the bench, I could've fell asleep.
   I didn't care what time it was, I could sleep here anyway.
I relaxed my body and thought of happy memories to start sleeping. But I heard a voice.

"Hi Joe."
It was Lily, she held a firefly lantern that lit up her face.
"H-hey Lily."
She eyed the seat next to me, I nodded as to give permission. She sat rather close, not that I minded.
Lily closed her eyes the same way I did before she came. I wondered if she was spying on me, but I shook it off.
I stole glances from Lily, she was hugging the lantern with shut eyes. I couldn't sort out her feelings, her body language was sort of subtle.
   "You like it here?"
   She pushed her hair away from her face to look at me. Her direct eye contact caught me by surprise.
   "It's nice," I glanced up, "it's comfortable here."
   Lily gave a genuine smile and began to dig through something.
   She placed a flower crown on my head.
   I was startled so I flinched and the crown slipped across my face.
   I tried to catch it, but my hands were met with Lily's. She caught it—-clearing my vision.
   She had a deep stare that bored into my eyes. Her dark pools were enchanting, there was a shine in it that was so captivating.
   She chortled gently at my surprised reaction. I averted my gaze in embarrassment.
"I made many of them a while ago and figured this one matched you."
I wanted to look into a mirror but that would've made me feel worse.
I had two gifts today, I blushed at how both the girls gave them.
"You should keep it," she said, staring at the flower garden. "Besides, these are for all to see, but I want you to keep it for yourself, y'know?"
"Um, o-okay."
I already had a lot of plants at home, but this called me out in a different way.
Lily stood up, holding the firefly lantern up high.
"I hope you like it." She waved and turned around with her dress that twirled in the same direction.
I was confused from her sudden departure, but it left me more time to think.
I never got Lily's way of thinking. She had these looks, gestures, and actions that could confuse people. But it could take someone's breath away.
My hands reached the flower crown, it had red and pink carnations. A lovely combination.
I placed it back on my head and went back to my comfortable position.
I had two gifts on me and was surrounded by a calming atmosphere. I couldn't felt anymore better. So I shut my eyes once again.

~

The setting sun shone through the flower petals, bouncing off beautiful warm hues of all sorts.
It was now the middle of the week, and I was having those moments in solitude.
Anna was hanging with Puddles. Suddenly, Puddles wanted to leave Serenity soon, so Anna came to the conclusion that she has to spend one last day with her before she leaves.
That resulted me being alone, but I didn't mind it much.
I could spend timeless days in these flowerbeds of wonder.
My hand brushed the crown, what appealing colors.
I brought along the flower crown Lily gave me yesterday. I felt like I needed it for some reason.
The longer I laid my gaze upon it, the more I got lost in it.
   I wonder what thoughts motivated Lily to make this, and why did she gave it to me?
I wore it on my head and tugged my knees close to my chest. With my chin resting above my arms, I feasted my eyes on the landscape view of Serenity.
  Strangely, I wanted to see Lily again. Maybe to ask her why she gave me the gift?
   I couldn't figure why I was so curious. She said it "matched me", but how? I didn't question Anna's gift, since we were dating. Does that mean Lily has some sort of feeling towards me?
  I shook my head around to get the thought away. That can't be—It's just a gift, any person could give one, what's the difference?
But for no reason, my body moved itself to go look for her. Maybe to seek an answer for her actions.