When Stars Align

Chapter 5

"Haley, come on I asked you to clean the couch yesterday and it's still not done." Emily annoyingly states.

That is true, she did ask me and I did agree to do it. But that's when I was out taking pictures and I stayed out much longer than I intended, especially when Jamie decided to join me and I lost track of time I guess. By the time I came home a quickly made dinner and took a shower and fell asleep. When I woke up this morning I had totally forgotten about the chores.

"I know Em! I'm sorry I forgot about it, I'll get it done just relax." I say with an eye roll.

We continue our back and forth about the couch and we barely register the front door opening.

Jamie approaches and I look at Emily and Jamie in confusion. Ugh right I forgot that I asked for some produce from the farm and told Jamie just to come in when she got here.

"Jamie, maybe you can help clear up this argument that Hales and I are having." Emily asks Jamie who is looking very awkward with situation.

Emily continues to explain the situation to Jamie and we both stare at her, waiting for her opinion.

Eventually Jamie clears her throat and begins to speak.

"Haley, why not have this be your one weekly job?" Jamie says with a slight smile on her lips.

"Ugh fine okay. Thanks for helping us with our argument." I say with a tight smile as I take the produce and bring it into the kitchen.

"Since you're here Jamie, I need your help with something." Emily says while leading Jamie into her bedroom.

I finish cleaning the couch just in time for Jamie and Emily to exit the bedroom. They're laughing and Jamie has a different shirt on than she did before and I stare at them in question.

"I'm using Jamie as a model for some of the clothing pieces I'm working on and I needed her to try some stuff on... and well I guess I had my measurements wrong because the shirt was too small and is now stuck." Emily manages to get out these words while still laughing deeply over her mistake.

I laugh at the situation myself, because it is funny, especially knowing what a good seamstress my sister is, it's not often she makes mistakes like this.

"It'll fit better next time Jamie I promise! But I have to go into work so I'll see you guys later" Emily says while packing up the dinner that I made her and walking out the front door.

"So, are you going to the egg festival tomorrow?" I ask while playing with the ends of my loosely curled hair.

"Am I going? I'd never miss out on an egg hunt!" Jamie says in excitement as she sits next to me on the couch.

Of course she's participating in the egg hunt. She knows it's for kids right? I'm not surprised by this though for some reason.

"Hmm" I say with a nod. I didn't even mean for that sound to be out loud.

"What?" She says with a curious look in her eyes. She's sitting so close to me, I can almost feel her warmth.

"Oh nothing.. you know the egg hunt is for children, right?" I say with a teasing smile.

"And? I think it's fun and if I want to do something, I don't see the problem with it." Jamie says with her eyebrows furrowed. She seems so sure of herself. So carefree. Like she just wants to live her life like she wants and no ones opinion of her matters.

"Will you be knocking the kids down to get to the eggs first?" I say with a genuine laugh.

"Abigail might even get an elbow to the side if she doesn't move out of my way when I see an egg." She says with a stern look before bursting out into laughter.

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"You like her." Emily glances at me while we are getting ready to go to the town centre for the Egg Festival.

"Absolutely not! Maybe she's not as bad as I thought, I'll admit that." I say trying to look as certain as my words sound.

"Haley, if you like her, there isn't anything wrong with that. You're allowed to have feelings. You don't have to pretend to be stone cold all of the time." Emily says while bringing me in for a hug.

"I know that Em. But I don't like her. I might be attracted to her, but we are barely even friends.  Plus, regardless of my feelings I've been mean and said some embarrassing stuff to her. There's no way she'd like me anyways." I said to Emily as I pull away from the hug.

"Haley... you can't actually believe that. She is trying so hard to get to know you... and I see the way she looks at you. I think she may have a little crush." Emily says while wiggling her eyebrows.

"Ha-ha as if! I can tell other girls around here have a thing for her, why would she want me after I've been so... strange." I say with a groan.

"Maybe you should try giving her a chance. And maybe try to not be so... strange " Emily says with a chuckle.

"You're not the first person who's told me to give her a chance... but no promises about me not being strange." I say while bumping her hip with my own.

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I have to give it to Jamie, she wasn't kidding about going all out for the egg hunt. I watched the event and she easily found the most eggs, so when Mayor Lewis announced that Abigail was the winner, I have to admit, I was shocked.

Once the crowds started to disperse towards the end of the festival, I found myself walking towards Jamie.

"So, how did you not win? I seen you put the most eggs in your basket." I ask both amused and curious.

"You were watching me, hmm?" She teases with a quick wink that makes my heart flutter and.. what the hell was that?

"No no.. well yeah I wanted to see how serious you were about hitting Abigail with your elbow I guess." I say with a giggle and she has a beautiful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"You caught me. I did find the most eggs I think, but when I seen the kids struggling to find the eggs, I sneaked a few into their baskets but I guess it still wasn't enough to beat Abigail." Jamie says with a nervous smile while looking at her shoes.

Wow- what a kind gesture to do for some kids that she barely knows. Jamie keeps doing these sweet and thoughtful things. From giving me flowers, being a model for my sister, being friendly with the towns people and now trying to quietly help kids win in an egg hunt when she could have easily won herself? There are layers to the farm girl that are so interesting to uncover. I'm not wrong very often, but I can admit that I may have judged Jamie too quickly. Maybe she could be a decent friend.

"You are truly something else, Jamie the farm girl." I say softly, and it comes out much more reverent than I intended.

"Well... I try I guess" she says with blush taking over her cheeks as she fiddles with the hem of her shirt.

I must admit, it is pretty fun to make this outgoing woman turn into a nervous, awkward mess when we talk. Maybe this friendship will be more interesting than I expected.