Plow, plant, reap. That had been my quotidian for the past days already gone on that sunny tuesday. Afterall it still was spring, and I was sure my cauliflowers would bring back its lot of money by the end of the season.

It's been a few days since the "Shane accident" happened ; I didn't approach the guy since then nor Marnie's farm, and was about to head in town during the day to tell Sam I was giving up on the dare. Socializing with an antisocial isn't what I'd call fun, or even interesting to begin with. If he kept being that rude to me I don't see why I should make any efforts.

And so I went, with my mudded boots, walking on the wet dirt from the previous rainy day. The birds were chirping on my way and the sunshine felt nice on my skin, it truly was a beautiful and colorful day.

I noticed a pale figure at distance walking in the direction of the bridge ; Clint? No, he was way too thin. It's only by getting closer that i noticed Shane, on his way to the Joja market.
Hearing footsteps, he turned around and stopped there for a second, in the middle of the bridge. His severe voice broke the silence of the place.

What are you looking at?
- I'm just walking, no need to be so defensive so early in the morning you know.

For a second, he looked away and lost his gaze on the bumps of the water under the stoned path.

I know I've been rude last time. I'm not used to talking to people, okay? Don't get the wrong idea of it. I'm not a jerk.

I stepped to join him, but he moved back.

You look like a jerk and sound like a jerk, tho. But who am I to say anything? I know that some people in that big world aren't really the kindest. You used to be living in the city too, right?

He hesitated for a second, bent his head while scratching his poorly maintained beard and sighed.

Yeah. Tough times.

I crossed my arms under my chest and looked at him again, from head to feets. He was just someone too seemingly, a "someone" who can speak and open himself. At least that was a beginning.

But you're in Pelican Town now, you've got nothing to fear from the people. I've never met such kind and welcoming neighbors to be honest.
- Say that to your friends, huh.

I could already see his jaw creaking from the memory, I just lowered my head. Really, he had to be rancorous in addition to all his flaws?

So, you do remember what happened the other night, afterall?
- If you think it was a one time thing then you're wrong, he's always been such a huge dick and I can't really forget about him no matter how drunk I get.
- Sam can get heat up a bit too quickly, though it doesn't make of him a bad person.
- Can't believe anyone would hang out with that kind.

I shrugged while he turned back on his feet to continue his way to the JojaMart nonchalantly, both his hands tucked into his pockets.

I've got some work now, but you can find me after my shift at the saloon if you want to talk more.

Did he just… Invite me to go take a drink? I smiled, and gave him a hand sign in his back. He couldn't really see it but that was my way of accepting.
Finally, he finally started warming up! I was starting to think his entire being was just a long face and a sprinkle of rude words. But maybe he still felt alone under his mask playing as if he didn't care?
I saw him disappear behind the automatic doors of the building, and turned back myself while happily clapping my hands.
Now, I had my chance to brag in front of Abby and make her jealous!

Forgetting all about my daily tasks, I immediately headed for the lake where Abigail and the two other oddballs spent their day. They were in the middle of what sounded like a deep conversation, but Sam noticed me first and lifted his hand in my direction.

Hey, Nancy! Bet you came to tell us you're giving up, huh?
- Stop with that story already Sam, it wasn't fun to begin with.

I backed against a tree and smiled victoriously, lifting my thumb to Sam.

He invited me to go take a drink, tonight, after his shift. Didn't think I could do it, huh?

Four eyes pointed right at me with a stun, but Seb didn't care. He was sitting on the ground, smoking while gazing at the lake.

Nancy, are you serious?

Abigail stepped to me and gave me a playful arm pat with a jaded expression and a cynical laugh.

Ahah, very funny. Don't joke about that, okay?
- I'm not kidding, he's really told me to come. Seemingly he's just a desperate sicko.

I could see her hesitating, opening her mouth, then looking on the ground with worry in her eyes.

Don't go get yourself in trouble Nancy, that sounds rather creepy.
- Let her go Abby, she's accepted the dare afterall.
- What about you stop being a kid?

She turned to Sam with annoyance in her voice, her hairs floating in the fresh wind of that morning ; but he answered with a sigh.

You're one to say, you began that bottle stuff all by yourself!
- Come on guys, let's not fight over some silly game.

I intertwined Abigail's fingers with mine, barely noticing my own gesture, and looked at her right in her eyes.

I'm gonna be fine, so don't worry about me.

I suddenly heavily blushed and let her hand go while realising. What on earth just took me?

I mean…
- Take care, Nancy.

She glided her arms around my shoulders to hug me, right now, without any warning. I almost could feel my heart getting out of my chest by now.

S-Sure!

I noticed Sebastian's eyes stuck on my face, looking troubled, before quickly switching back to the lake in a complaint.

I'm gonna vomit.
- Don't get sick now, Seb.

Sam crossed his arm behind his head as Abby was releasing her embrace, her embarrassed eyes travelling elsewhere.

I'll go back home now. My father wanted me to help a bit with the shop today.

And without waiting a single second, she hurried elsewhere in the direction of the town, leaving me alone with the two guys.
We all starred, waiting for her to get further before talking.

She's obviously all over you, you really wanna hang with Shane?
- Not if she asks me to drop him first, of course.

Sam gave me a thumbs up and a large teasing smile.

That's a plan I like!

Sebastian stood up abruptly following this discussion, and simply started walking away, throwing his cigarette in the lake and shoving both his hands in his pockets with a bleary face.

You're such brats.
- You're never no fun anyway, Seb. What's wrong this time?

He didn't answer and walked past the trees behind the hill to enter the door of the carpenter shop. Silence installed itself while we both were watching the black haired disappear inside, until Sam broke the quiet of the place.

Anyway Nancy, good luck on your date with the psycho. I wanted to train my guitar moves a bit this morning before my mom comes back from Pierre's, I'll leave you there. Give me news later!

As I laid my back against a tree trunk, Sam left heading straight to the town. I stayed, watching over the waves that the fish were stirring on the surface of the lake. Maybe I really was doing something wrong, toying with someone's feelings isn't something I would do in normal time… Right?
Maybe I was taking too much from their childish games.

I slipped back on my own two feet and walked over to the bar already. I didn't have anything else to do for the day beside waiting and thinking anyway.

Shoving my face into my crossed arms, Gus was staring at me with a questioned look on his eyes.

Nancy? You won't take anything?
- Don't mind me, I'm waiting for someone.

I mumbled while raising my head to face the barman who simply nodded with a smile and walked away to clean some more glasses. He surely was preparing himself for that night's shift.
I sighed, and set back my head to rest on the wood of the bar.

Gus, you ever had weird friends asking you to do weird things?

I heard a chuckle in front of me.

I've been young too, you know. Something's wrong with Abigail?
- Not especially.

He didn't answer anymore, and I simply fell back in my own wonders on how that night was going to turn out.

I felt a tapping on my back and immediately opened my eyes. Did I fall asleep? The usual customers were already all in the saloon, I could see the blacksmith already at a table in the corner of my eye and the voices of Pam and Emily in the back.
I straightened my back immediately and looked at the source of the tapping.

Shane?
- Don't tell me you passed out drunk already?

I sighed and looked away.

Nah, probably passed away from boredom.
- Gus, two beers please.

He raised his hand while speaking before focussing back on me.

Did you wait that long?

He smirked as I stretched my arms far above my head.

Yeah, I had nothing to do with my afternoon. The farm's already been taken care of so I waited for you.
- Didn't know you'd just sit there and fall asleep.

The beers arrived as Gus put them on the table without a word, he simply turned around to clean some more glasses far from us.

Listen, Shane. I think we both started off the wrong foot.
- … Maybe.
- You don't sound like a terrible guy either. You're just… Super rude.

He looked away with an uncomfortable gaze and took a sip from his beer.

Yeah. Being social isn't my strong point, you guessed.

Silence set up as I was looking at the beer foam slowly liquifying in front of my eyes.

Eh, so… Why are you so all over me all of sudden?

My eyes locked with his for a second in confusion, I raised an eyebrow and he immediately lowered his eyes.

No, I didn't mean it that way- I'm just… I don't get why you wanna hang out with me.
- I don't know either.

I took a second to look at the wall and think fast. If i was sincere and told him that Sam dared me to flirt with him, he'd probably storm off and never speak to me again. But there was really no other reason than to make Abby jealous.

You're just an… Interesting guy, I guess.
- Weird. Nobody ever said that about me.
- There's always a first.

I smiled and looked around, seeing him from the side of my eye finish his drink in quick sips.

Gus, another.

He pushed his glass with the tip of his hand and burped.

You shouldn't drink too much.
- I'll need much more than two beers to make me feel anything.

I shrugged.

So… What do you like to do in your free time?

He sneered and grabbed the second drink Gus was offering him as soon as it presented itself.

Don't you know? I'm at the bar every day. Though I help Marnie with the barn too.
- And that's all? No friends, no hobbies?
- Just look at the miss here who judges people from what they do in their free time.
- I wasn't judging-

He glanced over me, shutting my mouth almost immediately in awkwardness.

It's fine. I just don't care about hobbies.
- You just sound kind of... Lonely.

In a simple nod, he leaned his glass at the tip of his lips. I copied, gulping my drink straight under his curious eyes

Fast drinker, huh?

Looking at the distance, Shane showed an odd smile on his face.

Woman after my own heart.

Hey Nancy, what about hanging around a bit more?

Shane was closing his jacket, mumbling his feeble words with hesitation. It was cold outside, and I could notice Gus closing the door behind us with a look of worry over Shane.

Be careful if you stay out you kids, it's really dark out there.
- Don't worry, we won't stay long.

I waved at him, before turning back on Shane. His eyes sparkled in mine as he started walking down the path.

Follow me, there's a nice place near the barn.

I didn't say a word, following his footsteps in the darkness, only lightened by the soft glow of the moon.

At least this time I don't have to lift you home dead drunk.
- Hey, no comments. You're ruining the mood.
- What mood?

I caught up to his pace, walking besides him in silence.

... Forget about it.

He whispered these words, but I wasn't listening anymore. I could already spot some fireflies floating in the air, above the river that separated the beach from the rest of the town, pouring through the forest.

That's so pretty…
- Wait 'til we're at the lake, the view's even better over there.

We kept walking for a few minutes in utter silence, before sitting on the side of the wooden deck. I let my legs hang near the water that was reflecting the thousand little light spots flying around, rhythmed by a gentle blow above the surface. It was spectacular, and such a calming view.

Why did you bring me here?
- I don't know. I just like the place.

He stood up, looking over to the sky with some kind of disbelief in his eyes.

I might sound dramatic but...

He stopped mid sentence as I heard him gulp hesitantly.

Hm?
- I don't know. You're the only one who's ever interested herself in me.

My eyes faltered back to the surface of the lake as I took a deep breath. My lies weighed on my chest for a second.

So, please hear me out on this one. You never felt like, no matter what you do… You'll just fail anyway?

I took a second before answering, I could feel the pressure above my head. Where was he coming from all of sudden?

It used to be the case when I was in the city...
- It just feels like… Like...

I looked up to him, I could see the green of his eyes getting lost somewhere on the horizon as his mouth opened and closed itself, searching for his own words.

Like you're stuck in some abyss, and you're so deep inside you just can't see any light...

Was he trying to open up? To talk about his feelings? I listened silently, I didn't want to suddenly break what beginning of trust he had in me. And yet, despite how much I forced myself to be near him, the way he looked at the distance with his lost gaze felt so familiar, like an old struggle itching on the back of my head.

I don't know why I'm telling you this.
- It's fine, Shane...

I looked up to him as he lowered his eyes with surprise.

I know what it's like, when no matter how hard you try you just can't find a way to climb out of that hole. That's the reason I left everything behind me and came to live in this farm.

We both smiled at each other, as I gently pushed him with my fist on his side to playfully tease him.

Though, light drinking is making you soft. That doesn't fit you! Aren't you supposed to be a big mean mouth and that's all?
- I know. I'm just glad at least one person is willing to listen to me in this shithole of a world.

He turned around and started walking away from me, he sounded both relieved and pained, giving off an odd feeling of melancolia that filled my soul entirely.

I'll see you tomorrow, if you still wanna talk to me.

He chewed these words out while scratching the back of his head, and I simply shrugged when he stopped to turn around and look at me, waiting for an answer.

I'll wait for the end of your shift outside Jojamart, is that alright?
- Yeah.

He showed off a big smile on his face and walked away, as I stayed over the dock, deep in my thoughts. My feelings felt messed up, I didn't expect to relate to this old and lost alcoholic. But here he was, pouring his heart out for me to listen about his pain and struggles. What was I supposed to do now? Keep lying, give up on the dare? Was it even about the dare anymore?

The light from Marnie's house turned on as Shane's silhouette walked in and closed the door behind him, far in the distance.
I couldn't just leave him and forget about what happened tonight anymore, right?