a Home Visit
You peered out your window, watching Sam work your fields. He was wearing a muscle shirt, and beads of sweat glided down his muscles. You stared at him for another second, drinking in his appearance. He turned and made eye contact with you through the mirror. He waved sheepishly, and you waved back and smiled.
He quickly went back to work. It’s really nice of him to do this for me, you thought. It wasn’t just Sam, either. Many people in the community had been coming to help you with the fields while you recovered from your hospital stay. You sighed and flopped back on your couch, turning your attention to the hospital drama you were watching.
You were deeply interested in your show, but you were interrupted by a knock at your door. You got up quickly, expecting Sam.
You swung open the door to reveal a petite blonde girl and a stocky brunette man. The girl was holding a wrapped package, and the man was holding a bag of groceries.
“We brought some stuff.” Alex said. “Can we come in?”
“Stuff?” You asked.
“Yeah. Groceries. They’re from Granny Evelyn.” He said, running his free hand through his fluffy brown hair.
“I baked you a cake.” Haley said, avoiding your gaze.
“Wow. That’s super kind. Yeah, come in, guys.” You opened your door and allowed the two in. Haley placed the wrapped package gently onto your counter, and Alex swung the groceries beside it, landing with a thunk. You curiously looked at Haley. Of all the people, you never expected her to bring anything to you like this.
“I have to say… I never really understood what people meant when they said living in a small community is much better than the city. Now I kind of get it. Everyone’s been so kind…” You said, starting to trail off. “You guys want some lemonade? I have some in the fridge.”
“Sure.” Alex said, immediately making himself at home and sitting at a stool at the kitchen counter.
Haley nodded, her golden hair swinging around her bare shoulders. She was wearing a blue tank top that accentuated her sharp collarbone.
You poured them and yourself a glass. “So… You two are… friends?” You asked. You knew Haley had been protective over Alex when you spoke a while ago, but you didn’t know if it was reciprocated.
“Friends. Hales and I went to high school together. The same year as Abby, actually, but she doesn’t like us.” He said. He took a long sip of his drink.
“I always invited her to things but she thinks she’s too cool for us.” Haley rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Alex and I are just friends.” She said.
That omission from Haley surprised you. You had always assumed she had lingering feelings for Alex.
“I mean, you were my prom date, though. Don’t deny you’ve always secretly wanted me.” Alex laughed.
A blush creeped into Haley’s cheeks. “If I wanted you I could have gotten with you by now, don’t you think?”
You suddenly felt like you were eavesdropping on an important conversation.
“In your dreams.” Alex smiled.
You cleared your throat.
“Anyways…” Haley said, her voice as delicate as a soft rain, “When we got to high school, Abby started ignoring us. She preferred to hang out with Sebastian and Sam. Sam was a year above us, and Sebastian a year above him. She followed them around until they got annoyed with her, and then she’d hang with us for a little bit… and so the cycle continued.”
“Because she’s in love with Sebastian.” Alex smirked.
“Yeah. It’s so obvious. And sad. I thought once she got out of high school she’d finally confess or something, or at least move on, but no. They are all the same as they were.”
“Is she? In love with Sebastian, I mean.” You asked.
“You don’t see it?” Alex asked.
It made sense to you. You thought about how she had told you before that she assumed her and Sebastian were end-game. But that was before she had started discovering her attraction to girls. But still… the way she looked at Sebastian….
And you knew Sebastian wasn’t interested in her. He only had eyes for you.
You sighed. “Sebastian isn’t interested.” You said.
“Oh, we know. We heard about the fight he had with Sam. You got a number of guys vying for you.” Alex laughed huskily.
Your face grew hot.
“In that case, don’t think I’m letting you off so easily, farmer.” Alex winked.
You didn’t know what he meant, but decided not to ask.
Haley noticed the show on your television. “I love Grey’s Anatomy!” She said, jumping out of her seat. “What season are you on?”
“I’ve seen the whole show before, but I just restarted.” You said.
“Me, too. I’ve seen it like, eleven times.” She said. You realized you had never seen her smile so big. “My favorite is Meredith. And Arizona.”
“I like Arizona, too.” You smiled. “And I loved Mark.”
“Yeah… I didn’t like him as much…”
“Please, please, I’ve heard Haley talk about Grey’s Anatomy way too much over the years. Can we not?”
“Sorry Alex.” She giggled. “I still think you’d like it if you gave it a fair shot.”
“Yeah, come on.” You smiled. “I can play the first episode.”
“PLEASE!” Haley smiled, tugging on Alex’s arm.
“Jesus, how can I say no to a girl who just got out of the hospital? Fine, fine. But just one episode.”
Haley squealed, and suddenly you found yourself in a Grey’s Anatomy watch party.
~
After five episodes, Haley and Alex said goodbye and headed out. Sam had long finished on your farm, and now you were alone again.
But something was bothering you. The comment about Abby being in love with Sebastian was ringing in your brain. You dialed her number and she quickly picked up.
“Hey, how are you?” She said.
“Are you in love with Sebastian?” You asked.
“Wow. Um… Okay…” She stuttered. “What happened to ‘hello’?”
“I’m not accusing you of anything, and I’m not upset. I know how confusing this all must be for you. I just think honesty might be the best here. So… Are you?”
“Well… I don’t not have feelings for him.” She said quietly.
You felt your stomach dip. “Okay. Thanks for telling me.”
“But relax, I know he’s into you. Like, super into you.”
That didn’t make you feel better. It only made you more confused. “Abby, I…”
“I know you didn’t ask for that. Truthfully, I’m a little worried about how psycho he’s been acting. But… yeah. It bothers me. It hurts me to see him act that way around you. And it’s even more confusing that I have feelings for you. But I’ve known him forever. That doesn’t just go away…”
“I get it.” You said.
Silence hung in the air. Finally, Abby spoke. “Um, we were actually going to come by tomorrow. Me and Sebastian. See how you are…”
“Maybe hold off.” You said, before you could think.
“Oh.” Abby sounded surprised. “Okay… To be fair, you’ve also been seeing guys. Remember when I covered for you and Sam? How is it fair to expect me to be chill about that, but this is allowed to hurt you?”
“Were you upset? Covering for me and Sam?” You asked.
“It didn’t feel fucking awesome, if that’s what you’re asking.”
You felt guilty. Of course it didn’t. But she was your closest friend here, and you didn’t have anyone else to ask the time Sam fell asleep at your house. You just didn’t want people to gossip. “You’re right, I should’ve been more thoughtful.”
“I’m a mess. Ever since you got here… nothing makes sense anymore.” She said.
“I’m sorry.” You said.
“Yeah, me too.” She answered.