The Big Win

by Winter Morgan

  “They are,” Alana replied, “but your wardrobe is almost full. Why do you need all these clothes? I feel like you’re at this shop every day and you need to take a break.”

  Happy grimaced. “Can you please mind your own business? I can buy whatever I want to if I have enough bells.”

  “I’m sorry,” Alana said. “We were about to purchase all the furniture and a patio for the pool. Everyone has chipped in an equal amount, except for you.”

  “Is that what you’re so upset about?” Happy pulled out some bells from her pocket and threw them at Alana. Alana stared at the glistening bells on the grass, as Happy trotted off without saying goodbye.

  Bobby leaned over and picked up the bells. He said, “I think Happy is buying a lot of clothes and I’m not sure why. What I do know is that isn’t the way you should discuss the subject. You might want to ease into it and maybe compliment the clothes and then bring up why she needed them.”

  Bobby handed Alana the bells and they walked into Tick and Tock’s shop. They perused the catalog until she spotted the exact furniture and patio she had seen in the future. As she looked through the pages, Alana thought about Bobby’s advice and wondered how she could approach the subject in a better way with Happy. She wanted to help Happy, not hurt her. Alana placed Happy’s bells on the counter along with everyone’s contributions. Happy’s pile of bells was a lot smaller than the others. Alana wanted everyone’s share to be equal, and she wanted Happy to realize that what she was doing wasn’t fair to the other residents of Furtopia.

  Tick and Tock counted the bells, but they were short a few hundred bells. Alana pulled some more from her pocket and handed them to Tick and Tock.

  “This is excellent,” Tick said. “You are going to have one of the nicest pool patios in the Animal Crossing universe.”

  The words “I know” almost slipped out of Alana’s mouth, but she kept quiet. She didn’t want anyone to know that she had traveled to the future.

  “We have a week until Lars’s party and we need to keep him away from the pool,” Bobby said.

  “That won’t be easy,” Tick said. “I think you guys have your work cut out for you. You will have to keep him occupied.”

  “At least you have the fishing tournament to keep you guys busy,” Tock said. “I’m sure you’re all preparing for it by practicing all day, right? I’m not participating, but I will be working with D. J. and buying the fish. I can’t wait to see who wins. This is the biggest event to ever occur on Furtopia, and I am so excited.”

  Alana wanted to remind him about the J. J. Swooner concert, but she just said, “I’ve been practicing a lot, but I don’t think I’m going to win. Bobby has been an amazing coach, but I am not the best fisherman. I just hope I don’t come in last place.”

  “It’s not about winning or losing,” Tock said. “It’s about having fun.”

  Alana listened to Tock’s words and tried to believe them.

  CHAPTER 12

  TRICKS OR CHEATS

  Once the last lounge chair was placed on the patio, Alana planted the orange trees that she knew were going to be full size within the week. Bobby suggested they get back to their training. They didn’t have much time to prepare for the contest, but Alana was getting used to the idea that she would come in last. Although this bothered her and kept her up at night with visions of being in last place, she knew that she had to work as hard as she could. She also knew the competition was meant to be fun, and she had to start enjoying practicing. If it was beginning to be a burden, then she told herself she should withdraw from the contest.

  Alana looked at the patio and remembered standing at the very foot of the pool minutes before the contest was to begin. It was strange to see the future. Although Alana knew time travel was frowned upon in the Animal Crossing universe, she was curious who won the contest. She should have stuck around to see who was declared the winner. She wanted to go back to hear the winner’s name announced. Even though she knew it was a bad idea, the thought had made its way into her mind and wasn’t leaving. She wondered if she could go into the future without anyone knowing.

  “Alana,” Bobby prodded, “your mind seems to be drifting.”

  “I’m sorry,” Alana said. “I was just looking at the patio. I think we did a good job.”

  “We don’t have time to give ourselves compliments. There isn’t that much time before the contest.” Bobby pulled out his fishing rod and walked to the water. “There’s one trick I have yet to tell you and I think this will help you a lot,” Bobby said.

  “You aren’t suggesting I travel to the future again, are you?” Alana joked.

  “No,” Bobby said, as he pulled bait from his pocket and placed it on the hook. “I made this bait from an oyster I found on the beach. Fish love it and I always win fishing tournaments when I use it.”

  Alana had read the rule book for the fishing tournament and remembered the rule stating that all contestants must use the same bait. “I thought we had to use the same bait?”

  “I know, but if you want, because you’re a weaker and more inexperienced fisherman, you can mix this with the bait they provide.” Bobby handed some bait to Alana. “Try it.”

  Alana reluctantly took the bait from Bobby and placed it on her hook. She cast the reel into the water and instantly felt a heavy pull. She reeled in the rod and found two fish hanging from the hook.

  “Wow! This really works,” Alana said as she pulled the two sea bass from her hook.

  Carl walked over to them. “Are you guys practicing? Can I join?”

  “Yes,” Bobby said.

  Carl cast his line and waited for a bite. Alana cast her line and within seconds she felt an even heavier pull. She reeled the line in and found three large sea bass hanging from her hook.

  “You certainly improved your fishing skills,” Carl remarked. “I think Bobby must be an excellent coach.”

  “Thanks,” Bobby said. “I’ve been teaching Alana a lot of great tips.”

  Alana wasn’t certain whether Bobby was teaching her tips or cheats. She wanted to confess that she had traveled to the future and watched the contest. She wanted to tell Carl that his bucket was full of fish and that he didn’t have to worry, but she didn’t want to bring up the fact that she had traveled to the future.

  Carl stood by the river for another few minutes and still didn’t get a bite. Alana cast her reel again and caught another three fish.

  Carl marveled, “How is this happening? I don’t get it. How can I get zero bites and you catch three fish at once?”

  “I don’t know,” Alana said. “Luck, I guess.”

  “Can you teach me any good tips, Bobby?” Carl asked.

  “Sure,” Bobby said, and he showed Carl how to angle the rod.

  Carl felt something and pulled in the line. He pulled a boot from his hook. “This isn’t working. I am going to try fishing at the beach. I have better luck there and that’s where the contest will take place.”

  Alana had never seen Carl so energetic. He rushed off to the beach and left Alana and Bobby at the river.

  “I should have told Carl about the bait you gave me,” Alana said.

  “You don’t have to use the bait,” Bobby said. “I was just trying to help you out.”

  “It just works so well and now I want to use it, but I feel bad about doing it,” Alana explained.

  “I get it, but you’re also an inexperienced fisherman and it would take you months to reach the same level as everyone else in the competition. I wanted the contest to be fair. If you use the bait, you can instantly improve your skills.”

  Although what Bobby said made sense, Alana still knew using the bait would be considered cheating. She didn’t want to be called out for breaking the rules, but then she didn’t want to come in last place either. She didn’t know what to do.

  “Maybe we should go fish at the beach with Carl?” Alana suggested. She wanted to fish alongside Carl without using the special bait and see how many fish she
could catch.

  Bobby nodded. “Sounds good.”

  “And I’m going to fish without the special bait,” Alana informed him.

  “It’s your call,” Bobby said.

  As they walked toward the beach, they ran into Happy jogging. Alana stopped her.

  “I want to apologize for what I said before. Thank you for the bells. We were able to get everything we needed.”

  “It’s okay. I think you’re right—I am spending way too much time at the new tailor shop. I think I was just excited because it was something new on the island.” Happy looked at Alana’s fishing rod. “Are you guys practicing for the competition? Can I join you?” “Of course,” Alana said. She was glad she was able to fish alongside Happy.

  CHAPTER 13

  DECISIONS

  When they reached the shore, they saw Janey, Lars, and Carl having a practice competition. Janey was declared the winner.

  “Can we have another one?” Happy asked.

  “Of course!” Janey exclaimed. “I love these practice competitions.”

  “That’s because you seem to win every one,” Lars said. “I just want to hang out at your place and relax in the hammock.”

  “No,” Alana said, “you have to participate.”

  “Also, my place is messy,” Janey said. “After the competition we should hang out at your place.”

  Janey’s job was to keep Lars away from the pool until the party. It wasn’t an easy job, but she had committed to it. Everyone believed Lars was growing suspicious.

  “I’d love to practice,” Alana said. “Can we start the new practice competition?”

  “Yes, let’s go,” Janey said. “Everyone ready?”

  There was a communal yes and Janey started to count down. “One, two, three, begin!”

  The gang cast their lines into the sea. Alana decided against using the special bait, and she barely caught any fish. Within the three minutes, she felt about six tugs and reeled in three fish and some garbage.

  “Ready to count our fish?” Janey asked.

  The gang counted their fish. Carl called out, “I have seven fish. How many do you have, Alana?”

  “I have three,” Alana replied.

  “I told you that I do a much better job fishing in the sea,” Carl said with a yawn. Then he excused himself and went to take a nap. Carl didn’t stick around to see who had won and to find out that Alana came in last place.

  Happy said, “Although Carl isn’t here, can we do another practice contest? I’m usually a much better fisherman, but I only caught five fish. I know I could do better than that. I think I’ve been so preoccupied with the new tailor shop that I haven’t been practicing my skills.”

  Alana had spent the last few weeks practicing, yet she only caught three fish. She decided to use the special bait for this practice competition. She placed the bait on the hook.

  “Ready, guys?” Janey asked.

  They began. Within seconds, Alana felt a tug on the rod and then another and another. She could barely keep up, and when the contest was over her bucket was overflowing with fish.

  “Wow!” Janey exclaimed. “I guess Alana is the winner. We don’t even need to count the fish because her bucket is so full.”

  “That’s strange,” Happy remarked. “I don’t understand how someone can go from last place to first place.”

  “It happens,” Bobby quickly responded.

  “You must be the best coach in the universe,” Janey said.

  “I think I was just lucky,” Alana said. “I mean, I did lose the first competition.”

  Lars suggested, “Let’s do one more competition, and then I want to soak in the rays for the remainder of the day.”

  Janey counted down. Alana cast her line and waited, but nothing bit. In the last minute of the practice competition she was able to reel in one fish.

  “This is strange,” Happy said. “I don’t understand how you won once but came in last twice.”

  “As I said before, it’s luck,” Alana replied.

  “I hope you’re lucky on the day of the competition,” Janey said.

  Lars said, “Now that the practice games are over, who wants to eat coconuts with me and relax by the water?”

  The gang all joined Lars on the beach. Alana liked feeling the warmth of the sun. The summer was ending, and they didn’t have much longer to enjoy the lazy days at the beach. As she listened to her friends laugh and tell stories, Alana realized it had been so long since she just had fun. She was so focused on getting Bobby’s house built, preparing for Lars’s surprise pool party, and endlessly practicing for the fishing competition that she wasn’t making time to hang out with her friends. She remembered all the lessons her friends taught her when she was hyper-focused on Furtopia winning the Prettiest Island Award and having J. J. Swooner play a concert on the shore. She promised herself she’d never act like that again, but she was falling into old habits.

  Lars asked Alana if she wanted to have a barbecue at his house after the beach, and she said yes. Happy said she’d also join but she wanted to go to the tailor shop first. Alana realized that she and Happy were a lot alike. They both got hyper-focused on different activities. Alana wanted to help Happy because she understood her.

  “Do you really need to go to the tailor shop? Can’t you just hang out with us? I feel like you’re acting the same way I did when I was hyper-focused on Furtopia hosting the J. J. Swooner contest,” Alana remarked.

  “Am I really acting that way?” Happy asked.

  “Kind of,” Alana said.

  Lars added, “I think you should put shopping on hold for one day and have some fun.”

  “But I find shopping fun,” Happy explained.

  “It’s a lot more fun hanging out with friends than buying things,” Janey said. “I was on my island all by myself and I was so lonely. I was so happy when Lars invited me here. Don’t take your friends for granted. You really have to spend time with them. They are more important than filling up your wardrobe with more clothes.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Happy said.

  “She is right,” Lars said.

  Alana was talking about the food they were going to cook at the barbecue when she spotted an oyster wash up on the shore. She wanted to point it out to Bobby, so he could pick it up and make some more bait with it. Alana decided not to point out the oyster. She didn’t want her friends to question her about it. She had a big decision to make. Would she use the bait or not? Alana decided to put that decision on hold. Tonight, she would have a barbecue with her friends and enjoy the last days of summer.

  CHAPTER 14

  THE CONTEST

  Alana couldn’t sleep at all. She tossed and turned all night, but every time she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, she’d dream about the fishing competition and would awake in a panic. In one dream, she was catching lots of fish, but when she looked at her bucket, it was empty. In another dream, she stood by the water and didn’t get one bite. Alana looked over at her clock. The fishing contest was twenty-four hours away and Alana was worried. She decided to go for a swim in the ocean to relax.

  The sun was shining, but there was a slight cool breeze, alerting Alana to the fact that fall was on its way. It was already mid-September and summer was days away from ending. She knew she had to enjoy the last days of swimming at the beach. When she reached the shore, she raced past the waves and dove deep into the water. As she swam, she passed a school of fish, which caused her to think about the competition. There was no escaping the contest. Alana thought about quitting, but she knew her friends would be upset with her. She swam to the shore, got out of the water, and relaxed on the beach. While she soaked in the rays and ate a coconut, Alana spotted another oyster in the wet sand. She picked up the oyster, put it in her pocket, and pulled out her phone. Alana scrolled through the list of DIY recipes on her phone, searching for one that would show her how to make bait. She only had a small amount of Bobby’s bait left and she wanted to make sure
she had enough for the competition.

  Happy came jogging over to the shore. “Alana, are you ready for the contest? I already met D. J. He’s on Furtopia preparing for tomorrow’s big event!”

  “He’s here? Wow, that makes it seem even more real,” Alana said as she tried to close the bait recipe that was frozen on her screen.

  “Is that a recipe for bait?” Happy asked.

  “Um, maybe.” Alana’s face turned red. “I was just looking at the recipe. I wasn’t going to use it.”

  “You know you can’t use your own bait in the competition,” Happy reminded her.

  “I know,” Alana said. And then she confessed, “I just don’t want to lose.”

  “You just have to try your hardest, but you can’t cheat,” Happy explained. “Remember when you told me that I was shopping too much?”

  “Yes.”

  “That really helped me. It made me realize that maybe I was shopping a bit too much. I was just so excited about the shop and the newness of it all that I didn’t realize how many things I was buying. Then I went home and looked through my wardrobe and saw how full it was, and I knew that I had to put a pause on the shopping,” Happy admitted. “So now I want to help you. I want you to know that I understand you’re nervous about the competition, and everyone knows you’re a beginning fisherman, but I can see you’re becoming hyper-focused on winning.”

  “It’s not about winning,” Alana’s said as her eyes swelled with tears. “It’s about not coming in last place. Bobby has been coaching me, but it just doesn’t seem to work at all!”

  “Stop focusing on the outcome. Just focus on enjoying the fun of a competition. Even if you come in last, it will be fine,” Happy said.

  Alana realized Happy was right. She closed her phone, and when she placed the phone in her pocket, she pulled out the oyster and handed it to Happy. “Please take this. I don’t want to be tempted to use it.”

  Happy smiled. “I know you’re going to have fun at the competition.”

  “I hope so,” Alana said.

  Just then Janey called out to Alana and Happy. “Guys! I want you to meet D. J.”