𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐨, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝟏𝟏: 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

"I'm not going."

Jackie and Grace turned to their best friend in shock. Elizabeth sat on her bay window, shrugging at her friends. Tomorrow was the annual Silver Falls fair, and today was the rodeo that Alex was going to compete in. It was the biggest event right before summer, getting everyone excited for the new season. Except this year, Elizabeth was not feeling it. Ever since Katherine's ceremony, she felt just like she did after Cole broke up with her, which had almost been a year.

"You made a whole outfit," Grace said, walking over to Elizabeth's sewing area and picking up the outfit she had made. "And it's gonna look so cute on you," she added, tossing it over. "I don't wanna go," Elizabeth repeated. "Hey, if I have to wear a cowboy hat, then you have to go," Jackie said.

Elizabeth let out a muffled groan into her pillow.

"You've been looking forward to this fair since the beginning of the year," Grace said, pulling her friend up onto her feet.

"What if I just go to the horse race to support Alex and then stay home tomorrow?" Elizabeth suggested.

"And I love you for wanting to support my boyfriend, but you have to come to this fair," Jackie insisted.

"Yeah, the county fair is a part of Jackie's assimilation into Silver Falls life. You have to be there for it," Grace added.

Elizabeth sighed and glanced out her window.

"What if I see him?" she asked.

"We're back to calling him 'him'? Oh, that fight must've hurt," Grace sucked in her teeth. Elizabeth nodded. "Is it bad that I don't hate him? I want to, but I can't," she confessed.

"It's because you still love him," Grace pointed out. Elizabeth sighed, acknowledging the truth she couldn't deny. She was still in love with Cole, but he wanted nothing to do with her, and that hurt.

"It doesn't matter; he wants nothing to do with me. He made that clear," Elizabeth said.

"Maybe he didn't mean it. Maybe it was his drunk brain talking," Jackie suggested optimistically.

"No, people say honest things when they're drunk. Drunk words are sober thoughts," Elizabeth countered.

"Okay, the next person to say that sentence again is getting hit," Jackie joked. "Didn't he also confess his love for you while he was drunk? Man, Cole really is confusing," she added. Elizabeth groaned and fell back onto her bed.

"Look!" Grace exclaimed, pulling Elizabeth back up to her feet.

"Cole Walter is an asshole, and you shouldn't let him define what you do. You are gonna go to this fair and look hot as hell, and make him wish that he could have you back, because I am not letting you miss out on another hot girl summer because of him like you did last year," Grace declared, causing Elizabeth to smile and feel somewhat better.

"Alright, alright. I'll go. Besides, I don't want my outfit to go to waste," she conceded.

Grace smiled. "Great. Now we have to talk about what we're gonna do with your hair."

__

"Jackie, you look good as a country girl," Elizabeth complimented Jackie's attire with a smile.

"Thank you, but you pull it off best," Jackie responded, returning the compliment, causing Elizabeth to smile.

The girls leaned against the fence, observing the horse riders compete in the contest. Alex was going to perform soon, and they wanted front row seats. Elizabeth had showed Jackie around, sensing her growing familiarity with Silver Falls. Yet, Elizabeth acknowledged Jackie's city roots, a sentiment mirrored by her attachment to the countryside, even if she were to live to New York one day. The bond with one's hometown remained in their heart.