FINALLY, someone called her back to discuss one of the thousand resumes she had sent out.  She had a real, honest, job interview! 

“Oh crap, that means nice clothes.  That’s fine, this is worth dipping into the funds for!” 

In between her gardening and painting, Miera tried to keep up her studies on home remedies- they had helped her out so much in the woods! 

It turns out that Joaquin lived on the island just south of her house, and when he returned home he asked around until he found out where she lived. 

He came over often, sometimes staying the night, and helped her set the tent back up, for guests…  ♥‿♥ 

Outstanding bill, outstanding bill, yup, she’d missed them both.  Oh well, she would make sure to remember next time. 

When Miera woke up, she was confused.  It was later in the morning than she expected.  Why hadn’t the alarm gone off?  She got up to turn on the light.  No result.  “What is going on here!?” she asked the dark room.  When she used the toilet, she found that it wouldn’t flush, and the sink wasn’t working either. 

After some groggy thought, Miera realized that she had not paid her bills before going on vacation, and the power and water had been shut off while she was gone. 

DANG IT.  Someone really should have paid attention to those pop-ups in the corner… 

Well Granite Falls, I guess this is goodbye, for now. 

Sigh.  Home sweet home… 

Exhausted, she threw her camping gear out behind the house, her keys on the counter, and crawled into bed without further thought. 

Frustrated with herself, but determined not to let this chance slip by, Miera followed him and apologized for her faux pas. 

He laughed and shook it off.  “Don’t worry about it, we all have those moments.  Would you like to play horseshoes with me?” 

Instead of hunting down more ingredients, Miera spent the rest of the day with Joaquin.  He was very chatty, and goofier than anyone she had ever met. 

As a matter of fact, he was so distracting that she totally forgot she still had to pack up camp, and like Cinderella, she had to steal a kiss and make a speedy surprise exit. 

While looking for more fireleaf on her last day, Miera met a cool guy named Joaquin.  He liked music as much as she did, and after a few false starts, a promising conversation picked up. 

But, inevitably, Miera said something that embarrassed them both and Joaquin wandered over to the horseshoe pit. 

Why Am I Like This!?

But even with a full belly, Miera just could not seem to shake her sadness.  The alleviation cream she made only helped so much; what she really needed was someone to talk to, and hug.  Someone nice. 

For a moment she thought to call Caleb and see if he wanted to spend a day up here with her, but at last moment she recalled that he was out of town visiting some vaguely referenced ‘relatives’.  She was half-inclined to think he was lying, but she was already depressed and didn’t want to think about it. 

She distracted herself by roasting beetles over the crackling fire pit. 

To take her mind off of the lost birthday, Miera decided to try catching a few fish for dinner.  She managed to catch a good handful, and returned to camp with a greater sense of accomplishment.  =D