Open-Hearted

~ First Impressions ~

  Looking for a loose Parsnip, I'd be glad if anyone would bring me one.

-Mayor Lewis

   As my parsnips would not grow for a couple days, I left the request. I found myself standing in front of the glass doors, making sure the store was open so I didn't embarrass myself.
   "Ah, the new farmer!" A male behind the counter exclaimed. Bringing my gaze towards him, I waved and walked up to the counter.
   "Good morning, I'm Pierre! I sell seeds and goods that may be useful to your farm." Pierre said enthusiastically.
   "Nice to meet you, my name is Olivia. I'm just exploring the town." I replied, looking around the store. There were shelves full of seeds and fertilizers. I'll probably come back here a lot.
   "I hope you find your way around here nicely. If you ever need anything, we're open every day except Wednesday." Pierre said, adjusting stuff behind the counter. He must have just opened shop.
   "Thanks Pierre, see you around!" I smiled, making my way back outside.
   What a lovely little shop! I thought. I decided I should meet some more townspeople, so I started heading towards a little house next to the river.

   I ended up meeting a few adults a couple years older than me. Most of them had children, which were very close to my age. Me being bad with names, I can't recall anyone but two of them I've met so far. I surely remember their faces, though.
   I already started to already memorize part of the town's layout, luckily. It was quite easy to navigate through the small town. I walked along the river's edge, where I found a stone bridge leading into a beach. Of course, I had to check it out.
   The beach was a bit windy, perfect enough to cool me down from running house to house meeting neighbors. I took off my vans so I wouldn't get sand in them.
   The warm sand felt comforting against the bottom of my feet. There was nobody else there, so I hummed my favorite Mario melody. I found myself walking along a wooden dock, watching the waves roll under. It was almost hypnotizing.
   I sat on the edge of the dock and let my feet dangle in the water. My humming played against the beat of the waves.
   I watched the water rise and fall against itself. The way the ocean met the sky was almost satisfying.
   The repetitive crashing of the waves relaxed my body. I felt myself slowly getting tired. I'd be fine falling asleep here, right?
   I lightly smiled at the thought, and let my eyelids take my vision away. My breathing slow and-

   YANK!
   I felt myself quickly being pulled back against the dock by my underarms. I yelped as I felt my glasses fall beside me.
   "You alright there?" I heard a scratchy male's voice ask. He seemed to be at a distance.
   "Yeah, I think she's fine." Another male behind me said.
   I whipped my head around to see what was going on. All I could make out was a tall figure with a blue jacket.
   "Hey there!" He waved at me. I squinted my eyes at him, not being able to see his face.
   "Oh, let me help you with that.." he kneeled in front of me and reached to my side. He carefully placed my glasses back on my face.
   Making out his features, I noticed his spiky blonde hair first. He had an orange shirt under his blue jacket, and deep emerald eyes. I felt the warmth creep up my face as he smiled at me.
   "You nearly fell into the water there!" He exclaimed. "Lucky I caught you right as you were falling in."
   "Oh, sorry, I must've fallen asleep.." I laughed. "Bad habit of mine."
   "Let me help you up." He stoop up and held his hand out towards me. I took it and he brought me back up to my feet.
   "You're the new farmer in town, right?" He asked. I dusted off my overalls.
   "Yup, that's me!" I responded.
   "The name's Sam."
   "Olivia."
   "Liv it is."
   "What?" I asked, confused.
   "I give all my friends nicknames. I'm calling you Liv." Sam responded.
   "We're.. friends?"
   "Well, yeah! You have a problem with that?"
   "No no no, I was just-"
   "I'm messing with you!" Sam laughed. I giggled with him. I noticed him looking behind me at the sky.
   "Hey, it's getting late. Can I walk you home?" Sam asked.
   "Sure, I'd love that!" I replied, slipping my shoes back on.

   "Vincent, time to go buddy!" Sam yelled. I saw a little boy run towards us.
   "Already? But we just got here!" Vincent frowned. He looked up at me. "Who's this?"
   "This is Liv, she's the new farmer Mom was talking about this morning." Sam replied.
   "It's just Olivia.." I added.
   "Hi Olivia! I'm Vincent!" He waved to me. I waved back, smiling.
   "Vincent's my little brother. He's pretty outgoing." Sam said.
   "Wonder where he gets that from." I joked.
   "You got me on that one!" Sam laughed.
   The three of us walked to their house, which wasn't far from the beach. It was cute, a nice light blue color.
   "I just need to drop off Vincent then I'll walk you home." Sam said. "Don't be afraid to come in."
   "Sam? Vincent? Is that you?" I heard a female's voice from what I assumed was the kitchen.
   "Yes mom. I'm just dropping Vincent off real quick, I'm gonna walk Liv home." Sam replied.
   "Who's Liv?" Sam's mom appeared in the hallway. She looked over at me.
   "Hello, Ma'am.. I'm Olivia, new to the town." I said awkwardly. I felt like I wasn't supposed to be there.
   "Oh, hello dear! I've been so excited to meet you." Sam's mom came over and shook my hand. "Just call me Jodi."
   "Alright, ready Liv?" Sam asked me. I nodded.
   "Feel free to come over whenever, Olivia!" Jodi waved goodbye to me.
   "It was nice meeting you!" I replied before Sam shut the door behind us.
   "She can go on for hours, dude." Sam groaned. "When I first had Abigail over, she literally talked to her for two hours."
   I laughed. "She didn't seem too bad."
   "She was making dinner, that's why. Her fish casseroles are the best!" Sam exclaimed.
   "Is that what she's making tonight?"
   "Yeah. Every Monday."
   "Cool!"

   We talked all the way back to my house. Finally reaching my front door, I dug through my pockets for the keys. I unlocked the door and stepped inside.
   "Alright, I'll see you soon, Liv!" Sam waved to me.
   "Thanks for everything, Sam." I replied. He gave me a thumbs up and smiled.
   I shut the door behind me and sighed. What a long day.. I thought. I went straight to my room to find my mini speaker.
   I put on my night playlist and dug through my suitcase for pajamas. I practically threw them on and went to find Rotchi so I could feel him again before bed.

   After feeding Rotchi and getting my cup of water, I turned off my speaker and slipped under my covers. I set my alarm as Rotchi snuggled up at the foot of my bed.
   "Night Bear." I yawned. My family and I call Rotchi "Bear" because of his fur. I hear Rotchi sigh as I take off my glasses and switch my lamp off.