Calm before the storm
Everyone who you had given potatoes to reacted gratefully. Something you liked about living in a small town was the community. Even if the women gossiped a lot. You remembered the older ladies and moms talking about you as you walked by, prodding you to answer them as they asked who you were interested in.
In Zuzu city, if you showed up to someone’s door with fresh potatoes, they’d look at you sideways and ask what you wanted from them. There was no gestures of goodwill between neighbours.
You were at home, preparing for a dinner at Jodi’s. She had asked you to come over, repaying your kindness you had offered with farm fresh produce. You tried to say no, but she was insistent. And now, you had the job of deciding what to wear. The truth was, you cared a little more about Sam than you wanted to admit to yourself, so you found your brain agonizing over every choice.
You held up a white blouse. Too serious.
You held up a Jean jacket. Too casual.
Why don’t I have any clothes?
You made a promise to yourself to ask Abby, Maru, and Penny to go shopping with you before the flower dance this weekend.
Finally, you settled on a simple black shirt and threw your hair up. You redid your eyeliner, and put some blush on your cheeks. Not that you needed it. Farming made you incredibly tanned, and your cheeks rosy.
You headed out the door, walking past your patch of green beans. You saw your chickens walk back inside their barn for the evening and smiled.
You made it to Jodi’s house, knocking on her front door. You waited for a minute, your heart racing, anticipating seeing Sam.
The door swung open. Sam was standing there, like you’d expected. He ran a hand through his long blonde hair and grinned at you. “Hey, Y/N. Come in, tables all set.”
You stepped in and kicked off your shoes. You made your way to the kitchen table, where Vincent was already sitting. He was busy fidgeting with a small plush toy in his hands, but looked up with cheer. “Miss Y/N! Look! It’s a grasshopper.” He held up his green plushie and wiggled its antennas at you.
“Cool!” You said, sliding into a chair. The air smelt amazing, like a pot roast and gravy. Jodi was just finishing up at the stove.
“Welcome, Y/N. Sam, get her something to drink please.” She said without looking up.
“We have water, Pepsi, apple juice…”
“Just water is fine.” You said.
Sam filled you a glass with water from their cooler, and dropped a few ice cubes in it.
“Thanks.” You said as he placed it in front of you.
“Welcome.” He answered, sliding into a chair beside you.
Jodi carried a big tray of meat to the table and set it down ceremoniously. She grabbed the mashed potatoes and gravy, and then the honey glazed carrots. “Sam, would you say grace, please?” She asked as she sat in the spot next to Vincent.
“Sure.” He said. Jodi grabbed Vincent’s hand, and Vincent reached over for Sam’s hand. Jodi reached for your hand from across the table and you shyly offered it to her, and Sam confidently grabbed your other one. He quickly said a small prayer, then dropped your hand after giving it a squeeze.
I can’t remember the last time I was at a dinner where they prayed first. You thought.
The food was delicious, of course. Jodi was an amazing cook. The conversation around the table flowed easily, and you found yourself laughing, and fitting into this little family.
After dinner, Jodi brought out a pie, and then cleared the dishes.
“Jodi, can I help you with the dishes?” You asked.
“Sure, sweetheart. That’s sweet of you. If I wash, will you dry, and then Sam can put away?” Jodi suggested.
And so Jodi put on her yellow gloves and went to work washing the dishes. You dried them, then passed them to Sam. You all worked with ease.
“So, the flower dance is soon. Are you guys excited?” Jodi said in a leading voice. She didn’t look up from the plate she was scrubbing.
“I am.” Sam smiled. You kept your gaze on the ground.
“Y/N, how about you?” Jodi asked.
She knows what she’s asking, you thought. She wants to know if I’m dating her son.
“I’m kind of nervous. I suck at dancing.” You smiled politely.
“It’s easy, if you have a good partner. Sam could practice with you, if you like.” Jodi said.
“Oh, that’s alright.” You shook your head.
“Come on, if you practice with me, it’ll be easier to dance with me on the real day.” Sam said.
You paused. You knew you had to tread lightly here, especially because you were talking to him in front of his mother. “I already got asked by someone to go as friends.” You explained.
“I’m just teasing you, Y/N.” Sam beamed at you.
“Who’s the lucky guy?” Jodi asked.
“Elliot. We’ve been friends since I got here.”
“Elliot, huh? I don’t see him much. He seems nice.” Jodi said.
“He really is.” You said.
“I bet he is…” Sam said in a lowered voice.
~
After helping with the dishes, Sam insisted on walking you home.
“Anyway, that’s why you have to watch it.” Sam explained. He was telling you about the anime that he watched with Sebastian and Abby. “If you get on episode 36 you can watch with us.”
“Okay, okay, fine.” You giggled. “You’re all going to keep bugging be about it so I’ll just do it.”
“Aw, yes! They’re going to be so excited you’re joining us.” Sam said enthusiastically.
“You’re cute.” You blurted without thinking.
Sam stopped walking. “Wait, wait, wait. Did you call me cute?”
“Um… maybe. But don’t let it get to your head.” You said, looking down. You took a few steps forwards, not stopping like he did.
“Wait, wait.” He said, rushing to catch up. “You think I’m cute.”
“Leave me alone.” You laughed.
“Okay, well, this might blow your mind, but I think you’re cute.” Sam smiled.
Your stomach did a small flip, and you were grinning widely. You couldn’t stifle your smile. “No way.” You said sarcastically.
“Yes way. Aw, just wait, if you think I’m cute now, wait ‘till you see me in my blue suit for the flower festival.”
“Well, just wait until you see my dress.” You teased.
“I literally cannot. Y/N, why did you even say that? How am I gonna wait?”
“You’ll just have to.” You smiled. You reached your destination. Your porch light was on, and moths were buzzing around it. “Well, this is me.”
“I had fun tonight. Thanks for coming for dinner.”
You smiled, looking up at Sam’s face. His skin was so clear, and his blue eyes were so bright. His eyes got puffy underneath when he smiled, and you couldn’t help but smile back. “I had fun, too.”
“Look, I know you’re not wanting to date right now, Y/N, but you know I dig you, right?” Sam asked. His grin was wide, showing off his white teeth.
“I figured. You did kind of ask me on a date when we went to the carnival.” You smiled.
“Yeah, but, I just wanted to say it, I guess. Make it clear.” He smiled. His gaze broke from yours, and he looked at the dirt. “I should let you go inside, hey?”
You reached out a hand and touched the side of Sam’s soft face. He looked up at you with surprise, but tilted his head into your palm. Without thinking, you wrapped your arms around him and pulled him into a hug.
After a few prolonged moments, you tore yourself away. “Goodnight, Sam.”
“Night, Y/N. See ya soon!” He called as you walked up to your porch and opened your front door.
~
You laid in bed that night awake. You decided to pull out your phone and get help with one of your many problems.
You: help.
Maru: what’s the emergency?
Abby: a new group chat.
Abby: I love it.
Abby: whaddup?
Penny: Are you ok, Y/N?
You: I need a dress for the flower dance
Abby: oh heck ya
Maru: Zuzu mall!
Abby: when can we go????
You: tomorrow? Meet at my house at 12? I’ll drive.
Penny: I’ll be there!
Maru: I’m so there.
Abby: niiiiiiice
~
You got yourself ready for your trip to the mall with your friends. You were glad Penny wanted to come along. She had confided in you that while she had Maru as a friend, she always felt on the outside in Pelican Town. You decided this was the perfect time to get closer to her, and also get her closer to Abby.
At 12, Penny and Maru were waiting outside. Penny was wearing a white shirt and a long yellow skirt, and her hair was up in a braided crown. Maru had on Jean shorts, sandals, and her usual red glasses.
“Just waiting for Abby.” Maru said, checking her phone. “She hasn’t texted either of you, hey?”
“Nope.” You said.
“I’m here I’m here!” You heard a frantic voice yell from by the bus stop. Abby was running towards you all at full speed in her black converse.
“It’s okay, Abby! Don’t trip!” You called.
Maru laughed. “Classic Abby.”
“SHOTGUN!” Abby called, while doubling over to steady her breathing when she finally reached you all.
~
You all went to a few stores, but you hadn’t found anything yet. The dresses all seemed to be cute on the hangers, but when you put them on they all didn’t fall right on you.
“It’s because your shape is too good for these clothes.” Abby remarked.
“For real.” Maru agreed.
“Y/N, you’re so beautiful, and clothes should fit you. You don’t need to fit the clothes.” Penny offered.
It made you feel touched, having a few female friends who wanted to make you feel good. For the longest time, you’d only had one really good friend and not much else. “Thanks guys.” You said.
“I have a good feeling about the next store, don’t be discouraged.” Penny said, slipping her arm around yours. She was short compared to you. She stood at maybe 5”0. You liked her hanging on to you. It made you feel strong, like you were protecting her. For a moment, you imagined yourself sweeping Penny up into your arms and carrying her away. She was so beautiful, and dainty, and kind, just like the princesses in storybooks you used to read.
With Penny on your arm, you walked to the next store. You saw a dress on display that was white, and long. It had off the shoulder sleeves which showed off the mannequins shoulders and back, and it was flown.
“That one’s nice.” Maru suggested.
“I’ll try it.” You said.
You took it and a few others to the change room. As soon as you slid on the display dress, you loved it. You looked at yourself in the mirror and saw a dress that showed off your body in every way you wanted it to. Your boobs looked great, your skin was tan against the white, your back was showing a tasteful amount of skin, and your backside protruded in just the right way. You came out of the change room, excited to show your friends.
“It’s amazing!” Abby squealed.
“Haley’s going to be so jealous.” Maru giggled.
“You look like a princess! Or a bride! A princess bride!” Penny smiled.
And you knew you had found the dress.
~
You all went back to Maru’s house to make your flower crowns for the festival. You chose white roses and green foliage to match the dress.
You giggled as you made your crowns at her kitchen table.
“Mine looks so shitty.” Abby said, holding up her twig stems.
“You never try.” Maru rolled her eyes. She set aside her perfect and finished one that was adorned with red roses. “Give it here, Abby, I’ll help.”
Penny was carefully braiding wildflowers into her own crown. “I can’t figure out how to make this one stay.” She said, while poking in a purple flower.
“I’m also struggling. Maru, help us.” You whined.
“We do this every year, guys, it’s not that hard.” Maru said, fixing Abby’s crown, then picking up Penny’s.
“I know, but I always forget how. We only do it once every three hundred and sixty five days.” Penny said.
“And I’ve never done it.” You said.
Maru worked at all your flower crowns, and returned them. Abby put hers on her head, then Penny did the same, then Maru and you followed suit.
“You all look soooo cute!” You said.
“You do, too!” Abby smiled.
You shook out your hair, and it fell around your face.
Just then, Sebastian walked into the kitchen. You weren’t expecting it, so you jumped back slightly in your seat.
“Um… am I interrupting?” Sebastian asked, looking at you and your friends. He was wearing jeans, and a black hoodie, and his dark circles were prominent. He looked tired. You also wondered how he could be wearing that on such a hot day.
“Yes.” Maru said matter-of-factly.
“Just grabbing a snack.” Sebastian said with an edge in his voice, walking behind your chair to get to the fridge.
“Do you like our flower crowns, Seb?” Abby asked.
Sebastian grabbed a jug of cold black coffee from the fridge and poured it into a glass. “Totally, I’m super into flowers.” He said in a high voice, imitating the way girls talk about flowers.
“Boo. Don’t be a jerk.” Abby said. “It’s Y/N’s first flower festival. Look how pretty she is in her crown.”
You turned towards Sebastian, lifting your head. You made eye contact with his hazelnut coloured eyes and he furrowed his thick black eyebrows. You looked away quickly.
“Isn’t she pretty?” Penny asked sweetly, admiring you.
Sebastian didn’t say anything, but he leaned against the counter and sipped his black coffee.
“All the boys are going to ask you to dance.” Maru giggled.
You hadn’t realized that in your day of shopping with your friends, you had failed to tell them that you already had a dance partner.
“Who do you hope asks you, Y/N?” Abby asked innocently.
“Sebastian, you’re lingering.” Maru quipped.
“I’m interested in hearing her answer.” Sebastian said.
You felt heat stinging your ears. It started to creep up your cheeks. “I hope no one does, because I’m already dancing with a friend.”
“WHAT? Who?” Abby asked.
You looked up at Sebastian, who took another sip of his coffee. He cocked one eyebrow up at you, as if asking you ‘who is it?’
“Elliot.” You answered.
“Good choice. He’s cute.” Maru said.
“He’s a true gentleman.” Penny offered.
“Isn’t he a little old for you?” Abby asked.
“We’re going as friends.” You clarified.
“Hm.” Sebastian cleared his throat. “I’ve seen guys use that tactic before. They ask you ‘as friends’ only to hope you end up feeling for them.”
“Oh yeah, who’s used that tactic? You?” Maru asked.
“Nah. I’m not a dancing guy.” Sebastian sighed, opening the fridge up again. “Just be careful. Sometimes it’s the ones who seem like gentlemen that’ll be the worst.”
“You’re so negative, Seb.” Abby said, throwing a loose flower at him.
“Realistic.” Sebastian corrected.
Sebastian grabbed some kiwi from the fridge and took it downstairs with his coffee without saying anything else.
“What a negative Nancy.” Maru sighed.
The three of you went back to adding the finishing touches on your crowns.
~
You got home that night and set your flower crown safe on your dresser. It stayed there for the next two nights, until the day of the flower festival was coming next.
You had your white dress all hung up and ironed, and your flower crown out, and your curling iron out. You were prepared.
Tomorrow was the flower festival.