Trees and Butterflies
Sebastian went through the motions of the Flower Dance, but his mind was elsewhere. Why had Al seemed so taken aback when he said he was dancing with someone else? Did she actually want to dance with him? Maybe she was just a vain person and wanted him to want to dance with her. She didn’t seem like a vain person, though; if anything, she seemed insecure. Would he have wanted to dance with her, had he not already been paired up with Abigail? She was cute—that was something he had already admitted. He also had to admit that she looked stunning in her Flower Dance dress. On the other hand, he hardly knew her.
--
Al watched as the rest of the bachelorettes danced with their bachelors. It really was an archaic ritual, and to what end? To cause unnecessary rejections? To leave an odd one out when there wasn’t an even number? She was feeling a bit like she only came to the festival to be left on the sidelines. Of course none of the bachelors would ask her to dance, why would they opt for some new girl in town? And of course Sebastian wanted to dance with Abigail; they’d known each other for years, and in a small town like this they’d probably already decided they’ll settle down together. She felt her stomach drop. Everyone in this town was probably already spoken for, except maybe Shane, but she wanted to steer clear of him. She hadn’t felt lonely at all since she arrived in Pelican Town, Abigail and Sam had made sure of that, but suddenly she felt very alone. Everything began to look blurry, and everyone began to feel simultaneously far away and entirely too close.
--
Sebastian looked over to where they’d left Al on her own, except she wasn’t there. He looked around the field and caught a glimpse of her disappearing around the corner of the clearing, into the woods. She was leaving. Why did the sight make him sad?
-
“What’s gotten into you, Seb? You seemed way more distracted than usual during the dance,” Abigail pried, concern evident in both her expression and tone. Where Sam was loud, Abigail was emotive.
“I think it’s the people,” Sebastian replied, not entirely untruthfully. “I’ll feel better when I leave.”
“You should probably make your escape now, while your mom isn’t looking.” He was thankful for how understanding she was being. At the same time, he felt bad that she had been stuck with him as a dance partner.
“Thanks. See ya next band practice.”
He quickly made his way out of the clearing, starting the long walk home. The Flower Dance clearing was as far as one could get from his house without taking a bus. He took off his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and slung the jacket over his shoulder. He was used to wearing jackets even when it wasn’t cold, but the weather was starting to get hot. He could feel Summer coming.
He knew that the air would be cooler by the water, so he moved in the direction of the river as he made his way through the woods. He did feel better getting away from all those people. Large gatherings made him nervous. When he arrived at the river, however, the topic that had really been troubling him came back. There, sitting at the bank of the river, was Al, slowly kicking her feet in the water. The trees left patterns of shadow and light across her, and the wind rustled her silver hair and white dress. She was a part of the landscape. Sebastian felt his stomach flutter.
Fuck you, stomach.
She looked over at him, and he felt pierced by her vibrant brown eyes. She seemed to be looking straight through him, and there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. Without quite realizing what he was doing, he sat down in the grass next to her and looked out onto the water.
“The dance is over?” she asked.
“Yeah, thank Yoba. The Flower Dance is the worst festival of the year by a mile.”
“The other ones are better then.” He wasn’t sure if she was asking him a question or reassuring herself.
“They’re better, but honestly I'm not too big on festivals. Lots of commotion, too much social interaction... More stress than fun, if you ask me.”
“That’s why you’re out here then? To get away from it all, too?”
“Yep. Most people stay until all the food is gone from the buffet, but I usually find some way out before then. You know, you’re not doing a very good job avoiding social interaction staying out here.”
“Neither are you.”
“Touché. Why are you by the river, though? Why not just go home? You wouldn't need to worry about people there.”
“I’m just... I’m trying to be here, y’know?”
He furrowed his eyebrows in response.
She sighed and continued, “Sometimes, when it’s all too much, I feel like I fade a bit. Nature helps me feel real again.”
He poked her arm.
“Hey!” she yelled.
“You seem real to me—ow!” She’d poked his side, hard.
“I guess we’ve established that we’re both real.”
“We’re both real—no more poking. Damn, you’re feisty for a shy girl.”
“And you’re half-decent company for someone who hates socializing.”
“Thanks?”
“I had half a mind to tell you that the river is best enjoyed alone.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry about that. I was in a pretty bad mood, and I guess I'm usually better at listening than talking.”
“I like it better when you talk to me,” she said, a soft smile on her lips.
There were those stomach flutters again.