Potential Lovers | ACNL STORY

20 - Memorable

Anna POV
"Today's the Bug Off," the announcement said.
I close my door shut when I got outside and brought my net out. Lily followed along since she slept over at my house.
   Lily and I woke up early before the Bug-Off, to discuss our plans.
"Got it," she nodded.
We hugged each other before going on the lookout for the boys. Ready for the day.

~

Lily and I caught butterflies, crickets, and grasshoppers. We went around the whole town, but we saw no sign of the boys, strangely.
"Are they are at the island?" Lily questioned. "All the best bugs are there."
"True," I trailed off. Tom and Joe have got closer these days.
"Wanna check the shore just in case?"
"Yeah," I agreed. The shore had palm trees and seashells like the island.
We passed by villagers who were catching bugs and millions of flowers.
When we reached there, it was pretty vacant besides the view of the tree's leaves blowing and the ocean's small waves hitting against the sand.
"I always wonder how you walk on sand with just your feet Lily," I said when looked on the ground, also glaring at the seashells.
She shrugged. I chuckled and checked again.
I then saw the boys,
they were far in the distance. They're quiet because of bug catching.
I pointed to them and we tried to walk with stealth. I had an urge to scare them, but I didn't.
"Caught it!" Joe exclaimed. The cyclommatus beetle wiggled in his hand and he stuffed it into his pockets.
"See? You're a natural! You're probably better than Anna." Tom pat the other boy's shoulder.
Joe being himself, his face started to tint from the compliment.
"I heard that!" I yelled.

   We caught up to the boys and greeted one another. We chatted while we caught bugs. It was so much fun, especially when we'd "accidentally" hit one another with a net.
   I ran across the shoreline, Tom, Lily, and Joe behind me. We were all sun kissed and glowing. Bright smiles and laughter.
   Tom splashed water onto to me and that began our mini splashing game. Our shoes were off and my feet felt the cold water wash along with the waves. The water now made us glisten with sparkles, I thought I spotted a rainbow in the sky too.
   After some time, Lily was shaking a coconut tree because she said she was starving. What scared me was Joe was right below it, but I was able to save him from the falling fruit just in time.
   "We should take a break y'all," Tom whined. "Too much bug-catching and chasing."
   "Agreed," Joe said as he sits on the blanket Lily laid out.
   "Here," Lily gave us bananas and coconuts to quench our thirst.
   It was 4 pm and the sun's gonna set soon. How did time breeze by so quick?
   I downed the coconut water and munched away the bananas.
   "Who'll win?" I asked when I showed off my Horned Elephant beetle. "Hm, I wonder."
   Tom gave me an icy glare. "Nah, obviously this we get me the score," he proudly said while showing off a flea.
"A flea?" Lily asked, clearly stumped.
"Oop, my bad." He dug for another thing in his pockets. "This!" He held an Emperor Butterfly.
"Hm," I said. "But not enough to beat my bug." Certain bugs are categorized for the points it counts for the Bug-Off. My bug beats his for sure.
"Yeah, yeah."
Lily pulled out a bee. "I thought this bee was cute."
   "That's not much points Lily," I said and everyone laughed.
   "I caught a Golden Stag, is that alright?" Joe muttered.
   "Whaaa? That's an automatic first place right there!" I shouted.
   "Guess Joe is better than Anna," Lily giggled.
   "Good one!" Tom put his arm around Lily and smiled.
   I sighed but I complimented Joe for his catch. "When did you get it?"
   "Um, I just took it out from my basket near the dock," he explained,"it was from my last trip to the island."
"You didn't sell it?" I was puzzled.
"I kinda forgot about it because I had to water the flowers that time since it was so late at night-"
I shook my head and gave a peck on his cheek.
"Let's all turn in our entries."
   We all agreed to head up back to the town. The clear path with flower bushes help guide the way to the Plaza. The tiles on the ground sparkle underneath my feet as I walk against it step by step.
   I could see a green tent from afar and I sped up my pace to reach there. Tom followed right after, along with Lily and Joe.
   Nat, the chameleon that hosts the Bug Off, was standing there waiting for entries.
   I gave him my bug and so did the others. We shared our results and Tom complained how I could've turned mine last so he could get prizes for beating a score. I didn't care too much honestly, but I thought his pouting was amusing.
Lily made a suggestion to hang at the café while we wait for the ceremony.
As soon as I opened the door, the familiar aura flew pass me. Refreshing~
We ordered our coffees as soon as we got seated. The café always put me at peace. The smell and the music, it's like heaven.
The whole time we were in there, it was 5. We spoke and told stories to one another. I noticed myself smiling a lot, I felt happy to spend my days with them.
Especially Joe, I never knew we'd be a thing. His sweet demeanor, mysterious look, and perfect gardening skills..
   I took a final sip of my cup, the others were really talking themselves away.
   Lily being there for me, I couldn't ask for a better friend. Tom, who makes jokes of me 24/7, really is better than I first thought he'd be.
   So interesting to watch people evolve for the better. It's like the person you hardly hang out with, you actually end up hanging out with. I don't know what it's called——is this fate?
   The cheesiness started to gnaw on me. I let those thoughts subside and went back to reality.
   It was probably 5:30-ish, the others are discussing about the villagers' coffee preferences.
   "Sally loves Kilimanjaro beans" Joe said.
   "With a little bit of milk," Lily added.
   "And 1 spoonful of sugar," Tom finished.
   "Wow y'all either worked loads of hours or just creepy." I laughed. I don't remember the last time I helped Brewster.
   "Nah, you just don't drop here often," Tom corrected.
   "Whatever!" I punched him in the arm playfully. He returned the gesture in which I groaned in reaction.
   "Have any of you played Desert Island Escape?" Lily brought up.
   "I beat each level, it was almost too easy," Tom bragged.
As expected. "No need to brag weirdo."
   "What can I do? I have mad skills girl." He winked at me but I just rolled my eyes.
   "I never got a Wii U or 3DS from the fortune cookies I buy," Joe said with a sad face.
   "I can lend you mine if you want," Lily offered.
   He nodded with his usual rosy cheeks.
   "Did you beat the game Lily?" I asked.
   "Half-way there, it's hard in the middle," she sighed. "Let's say I'm not a gamer."
   We chuckled in unison and they all drank from their cups.
   "Care to spare some?" I lifted my cup to the three. "I finished mine a while ago."
   Joe poured his to mine and I gulped it in one go. Super sweet! I shivered from the sensation. "You love sugar huh?"
   "Y-yeah-" he agreed in embarrassment.
   "Taste mine," Tom shoved his cup into my face and I swore I almost choked. That's in indirect kiss! I sipped it trying not to care.
   "Tastes..." I smacked my lips for seconds, "very plain."
   "Yeahuh, I like mine with zero milk or sugar."
   "Talk about healthy."
   He downed his drink and Lily poured her last drops to my cup.
   "Yours is so flavored!" I exclaimed from shock after sampling hers.
   "I prefer lots of milk," Lily said.
   Interesting tastes, I thought. Is this also what they taste like? I smacked my head to purify my mind. Anyways—
"You good?" Tom laughed from my sudden—um—I don't know what to call that—
"Nothing!" I sheepishly laughed. "Uh-it's late! Let's head out! I'm sure we'll be late to the ceremony if don't leave!"
I exited from the café and took a steady breath, and exhaled. Get yourself together!
It honestly wasn't a big deal, what's wrong with me?
Joe was the first to head out after me.
"I'm alright," I said to reassure his worried look. "Just had some disturbing thoughts..haha.."
"Oh, y-yeah I can relate," the black-haired boy admitted. I smiled awkwardly and I intertwined our hands together.
Tom and Lily came out after a couple minutes, also hand in hand.
The loudspeaker spoke before they said anything: Time for the ceremony!