When Stars Align

Chapter 9

"What were you thinking!" I say trying to remain calm but failing miserably.

Jamie just woke up an hour ago and I've tried my best to be quiet and let her fully wake up, but I can't handle it any more. I've been here all night waiting to see if she was going to be okay and my brain is full of questions.

"I don't know I was in the mines in the morning trying to kill time before the dance and.. and they all came out of nowhere and... the next thing I know is... when I woke up here." She forces out the words while trying not to burst into tears.

Hearing the pain in her voice and seeing how scared she is take all of the anger out of my body and I rush to her side and grab her hand.

"You're okay. You're going to be okay." I quietly say as I squeeze her hand tightly.

"Hey you're looking good. I'm sad I missed this look at the dance" she says with a genuine smile. I can see sadness in her eyes. From missing the festival maybe?

"You also missed my great dance moves, but there's always next year. Don't worry about that now" I whisper to her with a soft smile.

"I didn't get to thank you for the cupcakes after. I was planning to mention it at the dance and give you a little something in return. I'm sorry Haley" she looks into my eyes with nothing but apology written on her face and I can't help but shake my head in return.

"Hey stop that. You almost died you don't need to apologize for anything. I promise" I say with a smile and another gentle squeeze to her hand. We look at each other for a few quiet moments until we hear a light knock on the door.

Harvey walks in with his clipboard and what appears to be a ripped up bag.

"You should consider yourself very lucky, Jamie. You were not in good shape when we found you last night. We luckily were able to fix you up. You have some bandages on your legs and left arm that you'll need to change in 24 hours and you're going to have to take it easy for the next couple of days. Is that something you can manage?" Harvey asks Jamie while writing down some notes.

"Yeah um, I can go easy at the farm and take some time to rest, I can do that. I should be fine changing my bandages too." Jamie murmurs while examining the marks all over her body.

"You're also lucky to have Miss Haley here. She didn't leave your side all night." Harvey says, finally looking up from his clipboard.

My cheeks instantly heat and I know they are bright red.

"Well yeah I couldn't her be in here alone all night. That's ridiculous." I say while looking down towards my feet and tugging at my uncomfortable dress.

Jamie reaches out and lays her hand on mine. Causing me to look up and our eyes meet.

"Yeah I'm pretty lucky I guess" Jamie says with a striking smile.

I blush even harder which I didn't even believe was possible and I just shake my head. Needing anything else to focus on, my gazes drifts to the torn bag.

"Is that Jamie's backpack you're holding?" I ask Harvey.

"Oh yes, they found this next to your body in the caves. Some things were stolen, all that was recovered were your tools, some rocks, a few geodes, some flower peddles and this piece of paper." Harvey reads off the list in his hand mentioning the contents of the bag and hands it towards Jamie who accepts with a nervous look on her face.

"Thank you so much, Harvey. I'm so happy I'm okay" Jamie gives Harvey a grateful smile.

"Just be more careful next time. You might not get this lucky again." Harvey speaks in a stern voice.

"Oh you'll need to go home with an adult who can make sure you're okay for the next 24 hours. Will that be an issue?" Harvey asks Jamie.

"No issue, I'll stay with her" I speak up without a second thought.

As if I'd let Jamie be taken care of by some random. I can take good care of her no problem.

"Oh Haley, you don't have to do that" Jamie says quickly.

"I want to Jamie." I give her a smile and then we thank Harvey again as he leaves the room.

I turn back to look at Jamie and she's rummaging through the tattered backpack.

"Did you lose much?" I ask with sympathy. I know she's been enjoying the things she can find in the mines.

"Nah, nothing too important I guess. Nothing I won't find again. The important things are still in here which is great" She says with a smile.

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Later that night, Jamie and I are sitting on her couch in the farm house watching a movie. I glance over at her and she looks so focused on the movie. Her eyebrows are furrowed in concentration and it's probably the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I look away and smile to myself, trying not to let her know I was looking. We are sitting close enough that I can feel her heat, but we aren't touching. Which is great, I'm here to take care of her, not to be having these... feelings.

"That was quite the movie" I say as the credits roll on the screen.

"Yeah it was good. This was exactly what I needed tonight. Thank you" she turns to face me with a grateful smile and I can't help but to give her one in return.

"No seriously, it's my pleasure. I love cozy nights in and you've loaned me the comfiest clothes in the world so I can't complain. Plus the company isn't too bad either" I joke and nudge her shoulder.

"Oh! I almost forgot" Jamie slowly stands up from the couch and walks towards the kitchen.

"Huh?" I question while trying to see what she is doing.

It's dark in here, with only the fireplace giving off any light now that the movie is over. I can see the soft features of Jamie and I can't help but stare in awe at her as she starts walking back towards me with her hands behind her back.

I shake my head because- damn it- this is not what I'm here for. I need to keep my thoughts away from my feelings about Jamie but... Yoba, she makes it so hard when she's standing in front of me with a huge smile in this intimate lighting.

"What's behind your back?" I ask sceptically as I stand up to face her. When I stand I realize that it puts us only a few inches apart and my breath catches.

"Remember how I told you I wanted to give you something in return for the cupcakes? Well.. here" She nervously says and then hands me a-

"A coconut!? I love these! How did you?" I ask flicking my gaze from the coconut to Jamie.

I think this woman might be trying to kill me.

"No big deal, I just bought it from the trader. It's the least I can do for you" she says with a grin as she watches me inspect the fruit.

"Thank you so much Jamie. I really really love it" I whisper as we make eye contact. We hold each others gaze for a moment before I clear my throat.

"Okay, time to get the patient into bed. Come on" I say with my hands on my hips and using my stern voice.

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I sit on the couch fighting off sleep over an hour later. I know Jamie is okay, but I don't want to fall sleep incase I'll miss something. I don't want her to need me and me not having any idea.

I stand up and begin to tidy around the farm house. Not like there's much out of place anyways. I see Jamie's bag with the contents spilled out across the table and I shake my head and walk over to pack them back up.

I place some of the items in the bag when my hand comes to a stop.

My note.

She had my note with her in the mines when she got attacked. My heart starts beating so loudly I can hear it in my ears and I can't help but smile.

She kept my note with her.