Their first meeting wasn't exactly a "meeting" at all. It was a rather rude shoulder bump by him that made her stagger slightly, her body already weighed down by all the ores she had dug up in the mines and the tiredness of doing so and battling monsters. Caked in dirt, bug juice, and monster blood, she turned around halfway to see that he had done so as well, giving her a rather unsightly grimace.

"Sorry," she apologized.

"Watch where you're going," were the words she found herself reciprocating.

She had heard people talk about him. It was a rather small community, after all, and word traveled fast. He was Marnie's nephew, a young man of about twenty-seven, who worked at JojaMart full time. Nearly every night, she had seen him exiting Stardrop Tavern in a drunken state, heading towards Marnie's ranch; what he didn't know was that she followed behind, careful not to be seen, to ensure he made it home safely. While he was rude and abrasive with her, she could feel that perhaps somewhere deep down, there was a goodness to him that was buried beneath whatever ugliness life had thrown his way.

Life had been rather harsh to her, as well, and coming to Pelican Town was a means to escape from all that. As a child, she had visited her grandfather's farm every summer, staying the entire break from school, to be with him and help him on his farm. And she had loved every second of it. Her parents urged her that she did not have to go, thinking that perhaps because of her grandfather's magnanimity she felt obligated; however, that couldn't have been further from the truth. From tending to the crops, milking his goats and cows, watching him sheer his sheep, and taking care of the chickens, she never found herself bored. On the slower days, he would take her fishing or to the beach, where they would collect as many seashells as they could carry. Her favorite was a small, spiraled seashell, which she had encased in crystal and made into a necklace that she never took off after he passed away. Even when her older brother got married, and she was a bridesmaid, despite her mother's nagging to take it off as it didn't go with the formality of her dress, she wore it proudly.

The first few months had been utterly brutal. She'd arrived in the spring, and the field was completely overgrown with boulders, rocks, trees, logs, weeds... Luckily, her grandfather had stored his old tools in the shed, saving her a few bucks and perhaps a trip or two the ZsuZsu City, which was nearly an hour drive away and her without a vehicle. Lewis, the town's mayor, had a pickup truck, but she never saw him drive it anywhere. Everyone walked everywhere, it seemed. Blisters came and went, callousing over, and she started to develop muscles she never knew a person could have, not to mention the tan that was developing on her skin. Other than physical exertion, she found herself lonely, being so secluded from the world and living on her own. Her brother texted her almost every day and called on the weekends, his wife usually talking to her during this calls, too. Her parents, on the other hand... Her father would write to her now and again, and once in a while would send some money to help her when she found herself low on funds. Her mother was another story.

She had met the others in the valley; there were those that gave her a warm welcome, and there were those that, well, not so much. Obviously, Shane had been the latter. He wasn't the only one: Haley, Sebastian, Penny, Pam, Clint, and Abigail were a few. Lewis urged her to keep being cordial and kind to those who were closed off, that perhaps in time, they would open up to her and start seeing her as a friendly face. This wasn't difficult for her to do, as she was normally a friendly person to begin with. On the other hand, there was one person who would perhaps ruder above all others, and that was Shane. With every insult or derisive comment he made towards her, she would only smile in return.

To be honest, it was... taxing.

She had been saving up the money she was earning by selling her crops in order to get a chicken coop built and start raising chickens, as they were the easiest of the animals- that she recalled- out of those her grandfather had. The old coop before was in shambles, so she tore it and the barn down to use the wood in the winter for kindling. With all the trees she'd been cutting down on the farm, she found herself in no short supply of wood for Robin to build her a coop; it was just the money. If she could have done it herself, she would have, but carpentry was a skill she had no knowledge in. Lewis had told her that Shane was raising chickens on Marnie's ranch, and that if she had any questions first starting out to go to him. When the time came, she would gave the decipher that for herself, as she was uncertain if she could handle his unfriendliness.

When the weekend wheeled around, rain was in the forecast for both days. She decided to relax and take a break from the mines, as well as to call her brother later that evening. Her cat inside to keep her company, it was curled up in a ball on her bed, purring in her sleep, as she grabbed her cell phone to give him a call and sat down beside her. In four rings, he answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, James!"

"Hey, kiddo. How's the farm life?"

"Hard," she exhaled tiredly. "It's raining here today, so I'm taking a much-needed rest."

"You're not overdoing it, are you?"

Her muscles ached in response to his question, making her giggle lightly. "That remains to be seen."

"Maeve, listen..."

"I know, I know," she sighed, plopping backwards on the bed. The movement woke her cat up for only a moment, it eyeing her in sleepiness before curling back into a ball and falling back to sleep. "They have a hotsprings here. It's fantastic for sore muscles. I've been using it, trust me."

"Well, good. I- oof, Danielle, wait a-"

"But it's Maeve! I wanna talk, too!" she heard her sister-in-law as she tried to wrestle the phone out of her brother's hold.

"Why don't you put me on speaker, James?" she suggested. At this, she heard-

"Hi, Maeve!" Danielle greeted more clearly.

"Heya!"

"Tell James not to be such a phone hog."

"But I just started talking to her!"

"Yeah, James. Phone hog," Maeve laughed, hearing Danielle laugh along with her as James let out a frustrated and defeated sigh. "So, how's life with me gone?"

"A lot quieter," James joked.

"Hardy-har."

"No, but seriously," Danielle agreed. "When you were here, you brought life to your father. Now that you're gone..."

"Dani, don't tell her that. She'll worry."

Feeling a tinge of guilt, she bit her lip. "How's Mom these days?"

"She's Mom. That's all I can say about that," James answered. "Dani and I get Dad and take him out every few days, just to make sure he doesn't go stir crazy."

"Thanks, guys. I mean it."

"Hey, no sweat. I'm just glad someone took the challenge to upkeep Grandpa's place."

"You getting along with everyone?" Danielle asked.

"Uh, well..."

"That's okay, sweetie. Not everyone is used to a bubbly girl from the city. They'll start to love you in no time, I know it," Danielle assured.

"I think I'm getting through to some, but there is this one guy..."

XXXXXX

She annoyed the hell out of him.

Who the hell did she think she was, coming in from the city and taking over a farm she had no business or no knowledge in doing? Why was she so damn nice all the freaking time? Every time she saw him out and about, she would either say hello or give him a simple smile or little wave. And every time she did, he always quipped back with a rude word or two, or just ignored her completely. He'd been screwed over enough by people, and he sure as shit wasn't going to let her be the next in line. That night when they'd bumped into each other, and he'd barked at her to watch where she was going over his shoulder, and he'd glanced at her face just long enough to see that stupid look that ate him alive.

She wasn't angry. She was sad.

Stacking the shelves at JojaMart, all he could think about was getting off work and heading straight for the bar. Work, drink, sleep. It was a vicious cycle in his life, but it was a cycle. It was more of something he'd ever had in his life. If he happened to cross her path again, he'd just tell her to sod off as usual. That had also become part of his cycle, it seemed. Just another part of his day.

He saw the outer edge of a broom closing in on his feet, but he didn't budge.

"Shane, man, I gotta get this before I can go, if that's fine with you."

The blond youth holding the broom was annoying as well. His father was off fighting a war, but he remained as friendly and jovial as ever. His little brother went to school with his niece, and many times they would share awkward silences waiting on the kids to take them home once Penny let them out of school for the day. Vincent was as outgoing and Jas was withdrawn, perhaps indicative of the raising they each were receiving.

"I'm busy," Shane gruffly spoke, already pissy since he was called into work on a weekend.

"Yeah, I know, but so am I. Let me through?"

With an impatient sigh, Shane moved out of the way, letting Sam sweep. He thought that would be it, but Sam stopped and turned around.

"Hey, you know that new girl?"

"I thought you said you were busy?"

"Yeah, but I've been talking to her here and there," Sam continued, overlooking Shane's hint. "She's super nice, yeah?"

"And?"

Sam shrugged. "I dunno. I think I like her."

Shane continued stocking the shelves. "Good for you."

"Have you even talked to her since she's been here?"

"Should I?"

Sam shook his head, leaning his body forward on the broom handle. "I've seen her around Vincent and Jas. Vincent likes her, at least."

"Vincent likes everyone."

At this, Sam let out a laugh. "True. I know the spring dance has already passed, but maybe I'll ask her to the luau. Think she'd like that?"

Shane shrugged, not particularly caring. Sam got the hint this time and sighed.

"Whatever, man. See you Monday."

When Sam left to resume his sweeping, Shane felt relieved. The luau was just some gimmicky event that Lewis used to try to cozy up to the governor... not that it ever worked. The soup was always terrible, the governor always left disappointed, and Lewis would always call Marnie over to his house that night to "make him feel better". Shane wasn't fond of Lewis, for to him, he was as two-faced as any other politician out there. Not to mention he used his aunt all the time, making sure to keep their relationship, if that was what it could be called, a secret to everyone in Pelican Town. He hated him for using her, and he was disappointed in his aunt for letting him do it. Yet, who was he to judge, when he was even more of a piece of shit?

And if Sam wanted to ask the new girl to a stupid, gimmicky event such as the luau, what did it matter to him?

Heading to the tavern that night in the pouring rain, he half expected her to appear as if out of nowhere, her usual smiling face gentle to a man that didn't deserve such tranquility. When she didn't show around or inside the tavern, he thought perhaps she had been in the mines and would show up outside while he was walking home. When that didn't happen, either, he was caught by a feeling he didn't expect at all. He was... let down? It was because it was a part of his route that had slipped up, surely. Entering Marnie's house, he found her and Jas asleep on the couch watching Snow White. Too drunk to care, he staggered into his bedroom and shut the door, slipping out of his shoes and onto his bed, his world fading away as he fell to sleep.

XXXXXX

The next day, he was relieved to not be called into work and spent the day drinking. Jas entered his room once or twice, asking him if he wanted to play or watch a movie with her, but he had more important things to do. Discouraged, she retreated into her room to play with her dolls, her muffled singing reaching his ears from time to time. Rainy days sucked even more for him, because it meant Jas was locked up inside with pent up energy that only the outdoors could handle. Shane didn't have the patience for that. Shane didn't have the patience for much.

He heard the door to the house open and close, then Marnie giving her usual greeting to whoever had walked inside.

"Hello, Marnie. How are you on this rainy day?"

It was her. He groaned and took another swig. Even on rainy days, she was as sunny as usual.

"Well, hello, Maeve! What brings you here?"

Maeve took the hood of her raincoat off her head and glanced around. "What a beautiful home you have. Must be really nice to do all your business from it. Oh, uh, well, starting tomorrow, Robin is going to be building a chicken coop-"

"You finally got the money for it! I'm so happy, dear. I know you've been wanting to start raising chickens ever since you moved here."

Maeve smiled. "I'm glad, too. It'll be a couple days until she finishes it, but I don't want to be blindsided when I get chickens by not knowing what I'm doing." She laughed. "It's been quite some time since I have taken care of any, you see. And Lewis told me that your nephew was helping you raise chickens, and if I had any questions to come to him."

"Sure. He even had one chicken that seems attached to him. Let me call him. Shane, dear?"

Dammit, he wasn't even drunk yet. Buzzed, but clearly not drunk. He stood up with another groan and walked out of his bedroom, through the kitchen, and to the entrance to see Maeve and Marnie there, and instantly was greeted by Maeve's smile.

"Think you'd be able to give Maeve some tips on raising chickens?"

He looked Maeve over then crossed his arms. "Can she not read books about it?"

"Er, well, I spent most of my money on the coop, so..."

"So you bought a coop first and not a book about how to raise chickens. Makes sense."

Marnie's eyes widened as Maeve simply stood there, her smile faltering just a little. "Shane."

"No, he's right. I wasn't thinking it through," Maeve nodded. "Sorry to bother you." She put her hood back over her head and opened the door. "See you later."

When the door closed behind her, Marnie shot Shane a glare, that had he been sober, would've chilled him to his bone. He raised his arm up and used it to lean it against the wall, ready for whatever lashing he was about to receive. Instead-

"You are going to walk her home right now. It's pouring rain, and you can talk to her about chickens on your way. You hear me?"

"Fine, fine," he murmured, putting his boots on and grabbing a hoodie.

"Apologize to her, too."

"Marnie-"

"I mean it."

He sighed as he opened the door and walked outside into the pouring rain, closing the door behind him. He spotted her at their silo, where she slipped in the mud and fell to her hands and knees. Wordlessly, he made his way to her and held his hand down to her, which in return earned him a surprised look from her. For the first time, he noticed that she had green eyes... pretty green eyes.

"Er, sorry. For being rude, I guess."

"I guess?" It was a start. She smiled a thanks and took hold of his hand, letting him help her to her feet, the mud on her hand getting on his hand.

"Oh no... I'm sorry," she apologized.

"For what? Mud? It's fine."

She glanced around. "What are you doing out here?"

"Marnie wanted me to walk you home."

"Oh."

He gave a single nod.

"Okay. Well, it's this way."

"I know where you live. We're neighbors, after all."

"Right," she muttered, walking forward. He followed suit, walking alongside her with his hands now in the pocket of his hoodie that was beginning to get soaked in the rain. It was about a fifteen minute walk from her place to his, and after a moment or two of silence-

"So. Chickens."

"Huh?"

"You wanna raise them, right?"

"Oh. Yes."

He nodded again. "They're pretty chill creatures. At least I think so."

She smiled. He was actually talking to her, not being rude. "Marnie said you had one that really liked you."

"Charlie."

"Charlie, huh?"

"I've named all of them."

"And you can tell them apart?" She heard him grunt in reply. "That's amazing."

Amazing. What an odd word to associate with him. It made his chest warm, almost as if there was a small fire inside. It was not a feeling he was used to.

"You got enough feed?"

She started to answer, but slipped in the mud again, this time, Shane catching her by her elbow. She was stunned- his hold was strong, but tender as well. Embarrassed, she straightened herself and put a hand on the back of her head.

"Shit, that's twice. What's the matter with you?" He glanced down at her feet to see rain boots and scoffed. "Those aren't the shoes you wear in weather like this."

"Well, my boots aren't waterproof, and these rain boots-"

"Typical city girl."

While his hold had been gentle, his attitude was far from it. Cheeks pink from embarrassment, she took her arm out of his hold.

"Yeah, well, I'm doing the best I can."

"Sure."

"Don't 'sure' me! I am," she huffed. "Look, my grandfather died when I was sixteen, okay? It's been a really long time since I'd been here, and I certainly couldn't take over the farm when I was just a teenager. I wanted to, believe me, but-"

"Don't recall asking for your life story," he interrupted. "I plainly recall you asking help to raise chickens."

"And I don't recall ever asking you to be such a dick!" she hurled back. "Look, if all you're going to do is be mean and hateful, I don't need your help. I'll figure it out on my own."

"For the love of Yoba, no. The chickens don't deserve that."

Something about his comment made her suddenly start laughing. She laughed so hard, she bowed over and held onto her stomach, the sounds filling his ears. Confused, he merely watched her as she kept laughing.

"What?"

"You're right," she giggled, "guess the chickens don't deserve that."

When he finally realized how silly the statement sounded, he found himself starting to laugh along with her. It was the first time she had seen him laugh, let alone smile, in the three months she had been in Pelican Town. She was right. Underneath the hardened exterior, there he was. After a moment or two of laughing, they stopped, Shane letting out an awkward cough.

"How about this. When will the coop be done?"

"Robin said in two to three days."

"When it's done, call the house and ask for me. I'll bring a chicken or two over, let you keep them until you get the hang of it. I'll even show you how to take care of them when I get off work."

Once again, she was shocked. "You mean it?"

"I'm doing it for the chickens' sake, not yours."

She snorted then nodded. "Sounds great. Thanks again, Shane."

He gave her a crooked smile before resuming walking her home, and it was then she knew.

He was different than the rest.