When Stars Align

Chapter 8

"So you seen her working on her farm, and you had a gift to give her and you... decided to lay it on the table with a note instead because that would be... less weird?" Emily reiterates my explanation of the situation that just happened while she wipes the bar down with a cloth.

"Yup... exactly." I say tapping my fingers on the glass of soda that she poured for me when I slumped down on the stool in front of her.

It's not busy at the Saloon tonight. There's only the regulars here, Shane and Pam, both who have no interest in what I'm saying so I don't mind ranting to Emily here on nights like this. Especially when I need to talk about what's on my mind.

"And you signed the note with a heart because.....?" Emily questions with a raised eyebrow.

"Well I mean I send you hearts all the time! And Alex and Leah! I do that with friends. I don't know why you think it's so strange. I was in a rush and it was just the first thing that my brain came up with." I say while biting at my lip, thinking over my actions. I really am hopeless.

"While that is true, do you send hearts to a person you've only known for about a month?" Emily states. Knowing that she's right.

"I know I know. Okay so it's weird. What am I suppose to do now? Hope she doesn't think I'm crazy? I don't know what's going on in my head." I groan while resting my forehead on the bar table.

"Can I tell you what I think is happening?" Emily asks while moving to stand in front of me.

"I think you're going to tell me no matter what I say so sure, go ahead." I say without lifting my head off the table.

"You are right about that. I think that you have feelings for the farmer and you're scared to admit that to yourself. You're trying very hard, and not succeeding I might add, to push away these feelings and it makes you act in a confusing way when you're together. I get it feelings are hard, especially when you're... well you." Emily rests her hand on my shoulder, making me lift my head and finally look at her.

"Okay so sure, maybe after getting to know her I have developed a little crush... but that doesn't mean anything. I still don't know if the feelings are mutual and I also don't even know how to act on them. Let's not forget that I've had one kiss in my life and it was with ALEX of all people. I'm not very good at this stuff.... And what do you mean about the last thing you said? Feelings are hard because I'm me?" I speak with frustration over my feelings as they're still very confusing and hard to understand. I look at Emily and wait for an answer and see that she's trying not to laugh.

"Haley, sweetheart. I'm so happy you've FINALLY said that you might have some feelings brewing in that cold little heart of yours. And what I mean is that, you're not commonly known for letting people in. So the idea of doing that is probably very scary. But you know she'd be crazy to not like you back. I know that you come across as cold but I know how nice you actually are. And come on you're basically a beauty queen." Emily walks around the bar and comes to give me a tight hug and she rubs my back lightly.

"It's going to be okay Hales" she adds on in a whisper.

I give her a squeeze back and pull away and sit back down in the bar chair.

"Thanks... for that." I say while taking a sip of my drink.

Emily gives me a smile in return as she pours another pint for Pam across the bar. On her walk back I look at her curiously.

"Have you... have you heard if Jamie is going to the flower dance tomorrow?" I ask Emily hoping she's heard some gossip from her late nights here at the saloon.

She glances upwards trying to remember some of the conversations she's heard from the past few days and she taps her fingers on the counter.

"I haven't heard anything. But I can ask around if you want?" Emily asks with a slight smile.

"No, that's okay. I was just curious anyways." I reply with a sigh.

I push myself up off of the stool and gather my things.

"Speaking of the dance, I need to go home and get my beauty sleep!" I say with big smile, spinning on my heals to face the door.

One more year of being the flower queen won't hurt right?

"Okay see you tomorrow Hales!" Emily shouts at me as I'm leaving the building.

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I don't know why I thought about skipping the festival this year. I love this dance. I love being the center of attention, I love getting this dressed up and I just love dancing. Letting the music take over your body and feeling all of the rhythm and beats. It just makes me feel so good.

I stand practicing my dance moves and I don't even notice everyone piling into the forest, getting ready for today's festivities. I notice Emily finally arrive so I decide to take a break from dancing to grab some water and talk.

"Hey Em!" I say to Emily as I give her a smile on my walk over.

"Hi! I see you wasted no time. Already practicing?" Emily laughs and shakes her head.

"Well duh, you don't be flower queen every year but just showing up and hoping for the best" I say with an exaggerated eye roll.

I take a quick look around and see that the whole town is here now. Okay great. Wait-

"Jamie's not here?" I say while continuing to look around at everyone.

"Maybe she's running late? Or decided not to come?" Emily looks around at everyone and shrugs.

"Yeah maybe." I say while biting my lip.

She seems to like to be involved in this community. It feels weird that she didn't show up to this. Even weirder that I haven't heard from her since I dropped off the treats and the note yesterday. I expected her to come here to at least let me know if she liked the cupcakes.

Fuck, I hope I didn't creep her out with going into her home and leaving that note. What if it's not even about that, is she okay? Did anything happen?

I'm broken out of my thoughts when Alex starts dragging me to the dance where the event is about to start.

Okay I'm just being worried and anxious. I'm sure all is well no one here is worried about her whereabouts and I'm sure someone must know where she is.

I take a deep breath in and let it out slowly and the music starts.

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As soon as the dance is over, I find myself running out to make sure that Jamie is okay. I've come to the conclusion that something has to be going on. I haven't known her for long, but I know she wouldn't just miss out on a main event.

I'm walking up through the farm and there's no sign of Jamie. I knock on the door and there's no answer. What the hell.

I speed walk into town as fast as I can, as I'm still wearing my heels and big dress.

I stop dead in my tracks as I watch Harvey carrying Jamie in his arms through the clinic door.