Chapter Text
SEBASTIAN
I hate people.
Okay, never mind. That sounded really melodramatic. People actually aren’t that bad, if they don’t talk much. Unluckily for me, all the people in Pelican Town talk. A lot. That’s why I’m alright with loneliness. Most people are loud. They care too much. Ask too many questions. I don’t need people. I really don’t. And yet, I seem to always attract them. Abby. Sam. Mom. Maru. I’m a people magnet, and I hate it.
You know what’s horrible about being a people magnet? Being stuck at a picnic on the beach with all the people who like talking to you. Doesn’t that sound horrible? Well, I can tell you, it’s absolutely abhorrent. Alex is staring at Sam, and I think he’s blushing. Of course. I guess Abby's winning the bet. I totally thought he was straight. Oh well.
“Seb, what are you thinking about?” I glance up. Abby is smiling at me. I lean back on my hands. “My project.” I say, slightly unwillingly. Alex tilts his head. “Project?” Sam jumps in before I have to answer, thank Yoba. “Yeah! Seb’s working on developing a game.”
Sam, Alex, and Abby practically run away with the topic, somehow landing on a show they all watch. Mom and Maru join into the conversation, and I’m allowed to zone out long enough to notice the stranger sitting at the docks.
I stare at them, surprised. I’ve never seen this person in my life, which is almost impossible. We don’t get newcomers in Pelican Town, ever. Especially ones this… pretty. Or handsome. I can’t decide which words fit them better. Mom follows my gaze and gasps. “I can’t believe I forgot! Mayor Lewis invited me over the other day to meet the new farmer…” She goes on to explain how she met the new farmer who, it seems, is the old farmer’s grandchild. They’re non-binary, and their name is Felix. Apparently, their favorite colour is green, and they have a cat named Jeni- wait. Why am I paying attention to my Mother’s long speech about the new farmer?
I don’t care about a new farmer. Even if they ARE the most pretty- er, handsome? Well, the most attractive person I’ve seen in forever. I stand up and brush the sand off my jeans. Maru looks up at me. “You’re leaving?” I nod. “Yeah, I’m tired of the sun.” My mom laughs. “Alright. You know, if you didn’t wear those hoodies all the time, you wouldn’t mind the heat as much.” I roll my eyes and head back up the beach
A couple days later, I’m sitting by the side of the lake, smoking a cigarette lazily. I hear footsteps behind me, and I assume it’s Abby coming to try and hang out with me. “Abby, can you leave me alone for once?”
“Abby’s that girl with the gorgeous hair, right?” I jump a little, and look behind me. It’s the new farmer. “Y-yeah. I guess.” Their name is Felix, I think? They’re even prettier up close. Or handsome. I still can’t decide. They smile, their fawn-coloured hair falling into their face as they hold out their hand with a grin. Up close, I can see that a few streaks of their hair are dyed a whitish-blonde. “Hey, I’m Felix. Mrs. Carpenter is your mom, right?” I take their hand (to my own surprise) and shake it. “Sebastian.” I respond simply with my name. I suspect Mom’s already talked about me, so why should they know more than my name? Felix smiles, their brown eyes twinkling. “I like your hair, Sebastian.”
FELIX
I never liked Zuzu city.
Even though all my friends live there and I grew up there, I never liked it. The smells, the sounds, the people. That’s why, when I remembered Grandpa’s letter, I didn’t hesitate to move to Pelican Town. I love it here. It’s so quiet. All the time. And the people are so welcoming. At least, the ones I’ve met. So far, it’s only been Mrs. Carpenter, (or Robin, as she wants me to call her), Mayor Lewis, and now, this guy, Sebastian.
I look into his dark eyes and smile as his eyes narrow in confusion. “What?” My smile widens. For some reason, I like teasing this guy. “I said I like your hair, Seb. I can call you that, right?” Sebastian shrugs, brushing his hair off of his forehead. “I guess.” He’s pretty cute… I wonder if he’s single… wait, Felix, stop. You can’t just go develop a crush on the first remotely attractive guy you meet. Again. “So what are you doing here?” I blink, looking back into his eyes. “Huh?” He sighs in annoyance. Annoyance? Why annoyance? “What are you doing here? In Pelican Town, I mean.” I pull my hand from his grasp, and he looks a little surprised, like he had forgotten we were still holding hands. “Nothing much. Just fixing up Grandpa’s old farm. I found a cat on my farm, actually. I named her-” Seb interrupts me. “I’ve heard. What do you want?” I smile. I ‘m going to enjoy teasing this guy. A lot.
I shrug, and shove my hands into my pockets. “I was just going on a walk. Tomorrow I’m gonna do a little exploring around the village, just to meet everybody.” Sebastian nods, and turns back to the water. He pulls out a cigarette from the pocket of his sweater, and lights it. He walks a little way down the water, and I sit down at the edge of the lake.
I ruffle around in my bag, then pull out my sketchbook and pencil from my bag. I start drawing Jennie, sleeping in the window of the cabin with sunbeams lighting up her fur. As I struggle a little with the tail, Sebastian’s voice sounds from behind me. “That’s pretty good. That’s your cat, right? Jennie?” I look up at him. He knows my cat’s name? “Yeah… thanks.” He shrugs, and sits down beside me. “Whatever.” His eyes wander across the lake, watching the reeds blow slightly in the breeze. His hair falls into his dark eyes, and he purses his lips a little… oh. I realize I’m staring, and look away quickly. I can feel my cheeks grow hot, so I hunch over my sketchbook. What is with me today? “Uhm… see you tomorrow, Felix.” His voice startles me, and I take a moment to answer. When I finally gather my wits, I smile at him. “See you tomorrow.”