Chapter Text
It is a truth universally recognized that if a single person moves to a small town with its fair share of single people, they must be in want of a partner.
“Abby? You’re finally coming to band practice?”
The door to Sam’s room had swung open, struggling against the high pile of the verdant shag carpet. The dramatic entrance was nothing unusual for the violet-haired young woman.
“What? No! I came to find out if you met the new farmer.” Abigail flopped down on her friend’s bed in a huff waiting for a response. After a moment of silence, she sat up and added, “Well? Have either of you met her?”
“Oh right! I ran into her the other day on my way to work.” Sam was looking at his guitar, lightly fingering the strings in a repeated pattern.
“And? What did you think? She’s pretty, right?” Abby insisted.
“Very pretty!” Sam agreed, looking off into the distance, “But did you see her sister? She’s even prettier, from what I could tell.”
“What do you mean, from what you could tell?”
Sam stopped his mock playing, “I mean, I only saw her from afar since she was waiting for her sister near the stairs up to the park. Her hair was flowing all around her and she was like, glowing in the early morning sunlight and I-’
Abigail tossed a pillow at her mooning friend, “Oh, Sammy! Save it for a song! You are such a hopeless romantic! First you fall all over Penny, but you never make a move. Will this new girl finally capture your heart?”
Sam blushed, but only picked out a melody on his instrument and shrugged his shoulders.
Sebastian was seated at the keyboard, observing the entire scene in his usual unaffected manner. While the newcomers had become the talk of the town just a few short days after their arrival, he had barely bothered to wonder about them. Surely anyone who would willingly move from the city to the valley could offer nothing of interest to him. He knew from his mother that the girls had come from the city, leaving behind a life of modernity to... what? Try their hand at farming? That old estate was in such shambles that he doubted two city girls could do much of anything to turn it around.
And when his friends asked for his opinion, he said as much.
“Their leaving the city seems foolish to me. I presume they’re just like the tourists that come here for the Valley Fair talking about how ‘authentic’ country life is while they’re staring at trees. I am willing to bet they’ll give up and move back to the city before the end of the month.”
“Sebby! You are too harsh on them!” Abigail exclaimed. He knew by her smile, however, that she delighted in his skepticism and enjoyed his biting remarks. She continued her playful chiding, “You haven’t even met them and you’re already making assumptions! Besides, I hear the older sister is already planning to return to the city in a few seasons.”
“I see. And have you met them, Abigail?” Sebastian retorted.
“No… But I’m sure we’ll meet them at the Egg Festival next week. I’m convinced they’re very lovely girls who will make great additions to our sleepy little town. Everyone is saying they’re both beautiful, and I’d like to see if it’s true for myself.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Are we going to get to practice or should we continue talking about people who are not here in this room?”
Sam jumped at the mention of getting back to practice. “Abby, will you fill in as drummer?” He asked hopefully.
“I’m not in your band.” Abigail deadpanned before turning a heel and walking out, not bothering to pull the door closed behind her.
Sam sighed and shuffled to close it himself. Sebastian watched the carpet fibers slowly return to their upright state as if they were a timelapse of spring grasses slowly regaining life after a long winter.
“I wish I knew why Abby is always like that.” Sam lamented.
“Like what?” Sebastian pandered, knowing exactly what his friend meant.
“Like... that! Like... one moment we’re the tightest of trios and the next, she pushes us away as if she wants nothing to do with us.”
Sebastian shrugged. “I think Abigail doesn’t know what she wants.” Or who she wants , he thought wryly to himself. “She’ll eventually figure it out.”
“I hope you’re right,” Sam replied, sounding more hopeless than before. “How about we work on that ballad melody you were messing around with, Seb?” Sam suggested.
“Sure.” Sebastian agreed. Anything to get off the subject of strange new women or Abigail, who had become even more of a stranger to him as of late.
Lizzy and her sister Jane had not lived in pelican town for a week before whispers of all the eligible single young folk in town were being hinted at in their direction. The older women she’d met had talked about their sons and grandsons. The few peers in age she’d encountered talked about the young men and women of Pelican Town as if trying to gauge where Lizzy and Jane stood on the matter.
Lizzy thought about this with mixed feelings as she crouched in her newly cleared field, poking at the soil she’d just uncovered. The loamy earth was not unlike the town she was just beginning to acquaint herself with; there was more richness under the surface than one could see at first glance. She was sure of that. What she wasn’t sure about was her ability to step into what felt like an entirely new society and start a business she had no business starting, let alone entertain the idea of finding love here.
“Lizzy, you know I can help you with that!“ Jane interrupted her thoughts, awkwardly gripping the handle of a broken old garden hoe they’d found behind the farm house.
Lizzy, who had mysteriously been named the sole inheritor of their grandfather‘s farm, had brought her sister along in her hasty move to the country. She selfishly wanted to hold on to the comfort her sister provided during this huge transition. They both knew it, but Jane was so obliging and dearly loved her sister that she didn’t mind temporarily uprooting her life to help her get settled.
It did not hurt matters that Jane would be starting a new teaching job in the fall and could take an early sabbatical from her last gig for the spring and summer months. There was also the fact that they’d never yet lived apart. The girls had gone to college at the same time, with Lizzy graduating high school a year early. They moved to the city together after, sharing a small apartment while they both started their lives as adults. As the two eldest in a family of five daughters, they shared almost everything. And it seemed this move would be one last shared experience.
“Jane!“ Lizzy responded in a mocking manner, “I know you can help me, but I’m not asking you to. I’ve already asked too much of you by having you come with me as I get settled in. Let me do the hard labor. I know you’re not really interested in becoming a farmer! Besides, that tool is a complete goner.“
“It’s just that I want to be helpful," Jane argued. "Isn’t there something I can do?“
The sisters stared at each other for a moment in a silent war of wills.
Lizzy lost.
“As a matter of fact,” she acquiesced, “I do think you could help me by going to the general store and getting some extra seeds. I wrote a list; it’s on the table inside. Oh! And it would be great if you could fill that order from the message board too. I left the leeks Jodi asked for in the box over there.“ Lizzy pointed to the handcrafted chest that sat beside their front door.
“All right, if you think that would be the most helpful, I’ll do it. But I have a feeling you’re just trying to get me out of your hair!”
“You know me so well!” Lizzy teased. “Really, Jane - it will help. I just need to get these rows tilled so I have space to plant the seeds you’ll bring back. And I’ll need to run up to Robin‘s to talk to her about a chicken coop. I think that’s gonna be a great way to make money in the long run while we get everything else up and running.“
“All right, Lizzy.” Jane smiled softly, accepting her sister’s assignment. “I just... while I’m here I want this farm to be a partnership. Even though you own it I want to be able to contribute so I know you’re ok when I leave in the Fall.”
The younger Bennet dropped her tool and ran to embrace her sister. “Thank you so much, Jane. I know it was hard to leave our life behind and come here to help me start fresh. I am forever grateful that you even agreed to come!”
Jane’s reply was muffled by the flannel shirt surrounding her, but it was clear to Lizzy just the same, “Anything, Lizzy. I’d do anything to see you happy here!“
“Thanks!” Lizzy choked out, releasing her sister. “You know how much this means to me.” Wiping away a tear, her face shifted, “Now get out of here and go get me those seeds!”
“Aye, Captain!”
Jane knew the rare moment of sincerity and vulnerability her sister showed would be short-lived, but she smiled and went about her task anyway. That girl deserved the moon after what she’d been through, and Jane was determined to help her reach it.
The elder Bennet sister made her way into town toward the General Store. Looking at her sister’s list, Jane found that Lizzy wanted five packets of each crop. It made sense. Lizzy was new to the profession and it seemed she wanted to learn everything she could about carrying on their grandfather‘s legacy at Longbourn Farm.
While waiting for the shopkeeper to pull the requested seeds from storage, a striking young woman with bright eyes and aubergine hair confidently approached.
“So, you’re the new farmer?“ The newcomer guessed, leaning against the shop counter.
“Actually, my name is Jane. I’m Lizzy‘s sister. She’s the real Farmer. I just came along to help her get settled in the valley. And you are?“
“Oh! I’m sorry for being so rude! I am Abigail. I see you’ve met my dad, Pierre and Caroline over there is my mother.” Abigail pointed in the direction of the shelves where a woman with kelly green hair smiled and waved.
Abigail continued, “It’s a shame really, I used to love wandering those old fields by myself for hours. “
“Oh,” Jane responded sincerely, “I’m sorry we’ve taken away your refuge. There is still plenty of forest area to the south of the property. I'm sure you could continue to explore if you promise to be careful.”
The young woman smiled widely and Jane noticed how lovely she looked, even if her appearance was surprising for such a small country town. She would have blended right into the crowd in Zuzu city, though Jane surmised that she’d likely still draw her fair share of attention.
“I just might take you up on that!” Abigail exclaimed, “So... Would you and your sister like to join my friends and me at the saloon on Friday? I’m sure it’s nothing like the bars in the City, but I can promise you some lively conversation!”
Jane returned the smile. “That sounds wonderful! I will run it by Lizzy and we’ll see if we can make it.” As much as Jane was grateful for Abigail’s attempt to welcome them, she knew her sister may need some coaxing to come out and socialize.
“Great! I’ll let my friends know to expect you!”
Before Jane could correct her that she hadn’t promised to come, Abigail had already spun away and disappeared through a nearby door. Pierre returned with the requested seeds and Jane was on her way for her next errand.
Cutting across the town square, Jane said hello to Evelyn (who sweetly insisted she call her granny). Finally, she made her way to the address written down on the order form.
The elder Bennet knocked on the door having decided this was the correct house. A woman who couldn’t have been older than 40 opened the door with a smile.
“Can I help you?” She looked surprised.
“Are you Jodi?”
“Yes! You’re not the new Farmer!” Jane wondered if that would get old soon.
“No, I’m not,” the elder Bennet smiled, “I’m her sister Jane. I’m helping Lizzy get settled in the Valley while I’m here for a few months. But she did ask me to bring these leeks to you, per your order on the bulletin board.”
“Oh great! This was just what I was looking for! Let me get you what I owe you.” Jodi pulled the door open for her, “Come inside for a moment, you can meet my son, Vincent!”
As soon as Jane stepped into the room, a young boy with a mop of red hair rushed up to her to greet her.
“Hi! Mom says I’m not supposed to talk to strangers!”
“Well, that’s easy to fix! My name is Jane. What’s yours?”
“I am Vincent! I’m going to be just like my older brother someday!”
“Wow! He must be very cool if you’ll be just like him!”
“He is!” Vincent assured her. “Do you like snails?”
Before Jane could answer, Jodi returned with the coins, and ruffling Vincent‘s hair offered her thanks.
“Give my regards to Lizzy, too.”
“Thank you, I will! It was nice to meet both of you! Maybe I’ll meet your big brother someday soon, too.”
Vincent was already working his way back to his drawing on the living room table. “You should meet him! He is the best!”
Jane smiled at the innocent interaction as Jodi walked her to the door.
In a hushed tone, Jodi explained, “My husband is fighting in the war, so poor Samson has had to grow up more quickly than I would have liked. But he is a sweet boy and Vincent adores him.”
“I look forward to getting to know him, Jodi,” Jane replied earnestly. “I can only imagine how hard it must be to be separated from your husband at this time. Please let us know if there is anything we can ever do for you or your boys.”
Jodi’s eyes shined at Jane’s kind words, but she appeared to shake off whatever feeling she had with a nod and a word of thanks.
As Jane walked in the direction of the farm, the sound of the river, the rustling of leaves, and the scent of the forest left her feeling a sense of peace she had never experienced in the city. She decided she would forage for a while and put some of the skills their new friend Leah had recently taught them to the test.
It was... refreshing to be able to identify a few fresh greens and other goodies nature provided freely. Refreshingly different from their fast-paced life in Zuzu city that had nearly destroyed her sister.
After a long morning of work, Lizzy made her way up the mountain road and into the front door of the workshop of her new friend Robin. The Carpenter greeted her cheerily and offered her services. While looking through the price catalog and noting the materials Lizzy would need to provide, Robin made small talk.
“So, have you met everyone in town yet? That seems exhausting!“
“No, I haven’t! I feel like I’m really behind and meeting everyone. I’ve been so busy clearing the land and preparing for crops that I haven’t had much time to socialize. Jane has been to town a few more times than I have and she’s had a chance to meet a few people, though.”
“Oh? And what is her impression?“
“Well, Jane is the sweetest person I’ve ever known… And I’m not just saying that because she’s my sister. She is determined to see the good in everyone and, while I trust her judgment, you won’t get anything but the kindest words for everyone she’s met. “
Robin laughed, “she does sound sweet! But now that makes me really want to know your opinions!“
“Really? Why?” Lizzy was surprised anyone would consider her opinion, let alone value it at all. Not that it mattered much to her, either way.
“Lizzy, in just a few days, I've seen how hard you’re working to establish yourself here. You've been very level-headed, given the state of the property and you seem to have a certain practicality about you. You handled yourself well when Lewis was rude and the way you talk about your sister shows how compassionate, yet realistic you are. Things get a little stale here in the country and you will find you start to overlook things about your neighbors. It’s good to have a fresh perspective from time to time, especially from someone so smart and perceptive.“
Lizzy was taken aback by Robin's thoughtful response. “Wow.. well thank you, Robin. I appreciate your confidence in me." Robin smiled kindly in return, but then a thought occurred to Lizzy. "Say, Robin? Is there anyone I should keep my eye on in particular?”
Robin‘s eyes sparkled with mirth, “Oh... there are a few people I’d specifically love to hear your impressions of, but I’m not going to tell you who they are. Not until you’ve made up your own mind at least.”
Robin’s stealthy smile gave Lizzy a pause, but Robin hadn’t given her any real reason to mistrust her. She assumed the carpenter was just curious to have her own opinions validated by someone outside of the town’s tight-knit inner circles.
Robin continued, “You and your sister should stop by the Stardrop Saloon on Friday evening. Lots of folks will be there - including my son, Sebastian. I’m sure you two would get along.“
The mirth had not left Robin’s smile, and Lizzy could only presume that she meant to fix up her son with the new Farmer. Little did Robin know, Lizzy had given up all hope for any kind of relationship prior to coming here. Having gone through a monumental breakup before completely upending her life to come to Pelican town, Lizzy had determined that no one would be worth fretting over during the first year of her residency in Pelican Town.
She realized she must have made a face, likely some kind of scowl, because Robin simply laughed at her nonverbal reaction.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, it’s just that I think you two would have a lot in common. And I know that you’re just getting started, maybe not even looking to get into anything. But… If you’re looking for friends you have them here, including some people your own age. You may even find someone who shares your sharp sense of perception.”
“Thanks Robin. All I can do is keep it in mind. You’re right that I’m not looking for something right now but…“ Lizzy hesitated, “I guess never say never.”
Robin laughed, “That’s the spirit!”
Before she turned to leave Lizzy spun back to Robin, “is there dancing at the saloon?”
Robin looked up at her from her counter and smiled, “Sometimes. But if you’re really interested in dancing, we have a festival at the end of this season you’d be interested in. Do you like to dance?“
“I actually do love to dance. So does Jane! We will definitely plan to attend and I promise to check out the saloon soon. I might even spare some time for your son!” Lizzy winked with her final statement, hoping Robin would understand her sarcasm.
Robin chuckled and waved her off. “See you later, Farmer. I’ve got to get back to these furniture designs.”
Lizzy took that as a cue to head back to the farm. Hopefully Jane would be there with plenty of seeds that she could get into the ground tonight. She’d have to tell Jane about the saloon and see if she’d like to join.
Upon reuniting after their respective days out with the villagers, Jane and Lizzy agreed that on Friday they would take a break to relax and meet more people at the quaint country saloon. And when the date rolled around, each sibling was pleased with their selections of clothing for the outing.
Jane wore a knee-length light blue dress that she had sewn herself from a pattern she had borrowed from a friend in the city. The frock was gorgeous: a square neckline with a little ribbon woven through the empty spaces in the lace edging the bodice. The empire waist, which accentuated her bust, and Long Bishop sleeves capped off the sixties-inspired ensemble. It was, in essence, so Jane .
Lizzy’s outfit, on the other hand, was assembled from a mix of her favorite vintage and boutique items. A well-worn album t-shirt that she had stolen from their father's grunge band collection was paired with a dark denim skirt and her favorite sneakers. She had found the pair of high top lace ups at her favorite boutique in Zuzu. They had a vintage-looking apple print on the fabric. To top off her outfit, she wore an olive green cardigan with elbow patches she was certain had originally been owned by a man. She loved the juxtaposition of nerdy professor and rock geek her clothes gave off.
As the sisters applied their makeup in the tiny bathroom, Lizzy couldn’t help but giggle at how different they looked. Jane‘s long blonde hair, lightly curled around her shoulders. She’d pulled some of it up, leaving a few wispy curls to wave freely around her narrow face. She was the picture of their mother, though her personality was much softer and her self-awareness much greater. Her hair tied half-up with a matching blue ribbon tied in a bow made her look like a prairie goddess.
Meanwhile, Lizzy’s wild dark curls and smokey eyeliner made her look like a goddess of chaos. Lizzy’s confidence in herself had taken a hit with her recent disastrous relationship, but it hadn’t been concerns about her looks that had shaken her. No, it was her own judgment, her usual ability to see people for who they really were. She had some soul-searching to do to regain her trust in herself before she could trust others again.
Well, others besides Jane.
Now, as Lizzy closed up her eyeshadow palette and looked at her sister, she was filled with a sense of wonder at how her sister’s inner beauty seemed to reflect in her outer appearance.
“You look absolutely stunning, Jane my dear!”
“Thanks Lizzy! You look pretty gorgeous, yourself!
“Oh yeah? Do you think I’ll catch a husband tonight?“ Lizzy made a joke of posturing with her hands on her hips.
“Lizzy! Don’t even joke about it unless you’re serious! You know our mother would love for you to have a husband by the end of the year!”
The siblings erupted in laughter. Catching her breath, Lizzy finally responded, “you know she already called me to ask about all the single people here?”
“No! When?”
“While you were with Leah foraging yesterday! I pretended the phone had bad reception to end the conversation!”
“Lizzy!” Jane chided, “You shouldn’t!”
Lizzy’s smile slowly faded. “I had to, Jane. She was insisting that I talk to Lydia. I have nothing more to say to her or that asshole.”
Jane placed a hand on Lizzy’s shoulder, hoping to stem the tide of negative feelings threatening to burst from her sister at any moment.
“I’m sorry, Lizzy. She has no right to ask you to forgive her... or him. Let’s not let that ruin our first night of fun, ok?”
Lizzy’s shoulders relaxed and Jane could see her sister’s efforts to let it go.
“You're right. You’re right. Let’s not waste looking this hot on the parsnips!”
Giggling, the sisters made their way to the Saloon.
Sebastian both craved and loathed the routine of pool and drinks at the Stardrop Saloon every Friday. He and his friends had started this tradition as soon as they were allowed into the bar and had maintained it with very few lapses over the years.
The predictability was grounding. They’d meet up, drink, and eat. Sebastian would demolish Sam at pool. Abby would posture and try to seem interesting and uninterested at the same time.
It was... easy.
Still, as he got older he began to find the monotony of it all... boring? No - Unsatisfying. The novelty had worn off and it was now a tradition of motions, rather than genuine connection. He suspected his friends may have felt the same, but none of them were brave enough to break the pattern.
And so each Friday remained the same.
Until this particular night.
This night, he laid eyes on Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
It began as it usually did. Sam was first to arrive and by the time Sebastian got to the arcade, his friend was racking up the balls and beer and pizza was already on its way from the kitchen.
Abby arrived last and casually walked to her usual spot on the cracking, red vinyl couch. She sat down and sighed dramatically, prompting the ever-gullible Sam to inquire after her state.
“What’s up with the sighing, Abby? Pierre piss you off again?”
“Yes, always, but that’s not it.”
“Well,” Sam asked, breaking away from the game to hand his friend a beer. “What is it?”
With another sigh, Abby replied, “I invited the new girls to come tonight, but I think if they’re not here by now, they’re probably not coming.”
“Abby, it’s not even six o’clock - maybe they’re still doing... farm stuff?”
“Maybe, but Jane - the one you said is soooo pretty - acted like she wanted to come but made it seem like Lizzy, the real farmer, would be the deciding factor. Like - what’s her problem? She can’t stop farming for long enough to come out on a Friday night?”
Sebastian watched Sam basically abandon the game as he was drawn into Abigail’s web. There was a time when he, too, had been less... aware of her ability to steer those around her with just her words and an implied promise of a deeper connection, romantic or platonic. He’d learned that lesson the hard way, however, and had since endeavored to be more aware, more discerning in who he let in. He did not desire to be caught in another emotional web by anyone.
It would see Abby’s pitiful complaint was for naught. A commotion drew the attention of the trio shortly after Abby’s arrival.
There, speaking to Gus and Emily was a lovely blonde woman, tall of stature and very stylish. She seemed to be discussing her clothing with Emily, who was pointing and having the girl turn. Was this the farmer everyone was so excited about? She hardly seemed fit to work a field, though he could agree with his friends that she was very pretty.
Sebastian let his eyes wander for the sister that Sam claimed was even more beautiful. The woman who had inspired his friend to finally write some lyrics for an original song.
Leaning against the wall that separated the game room from the main bar, he scanned the sea of familiar faces and finally landed on a new one. Her side profile didn’t reveal much at first. She was talking to Leah and Elliot on the far side of the bar. Lush, ebony curls cascaded down her back. She tilted her head while listening to her companion’s replies now and then, revealing a long, slender neck. Sebastian noted the more ‘lived-in’ clothing she chose to wear. The choice was no less stylish than her sibling, but it sent a different message. Sebastian imagined she was perhaps the kind of person it took longer to get to know.
She still hadn’t turned from her conversation when Sebastian was brought out of his musings by Sam’s arm around his shoulder.
“Just look at her...” his friend swooned, “isn’t she gorgeous?”
“She is... tolerable.” Sebastian admitted, not willing to divulge just how intrigued he actually was by the woman in question.
Sam scoffed, “Tolerable? Are you nuts? She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen! Oh shit, Abby is going over there. How do I look?”
Sebastian slid his eyes to his oldest friend, “the same as you always look, Sam.”
“That’s good enough for me,” Sam laughed, patting his friend on the back and walking toward his quarry.
Sebastian was then surprised to see him stop to introduce himself to the blonde woman. Was that the sister? That must mean that the dark-haired woman...
His eyes roamed the scene again trying to find her as the townsfolk swarmed the room like bees searching for bits of pollen.
There.
She had turned to join her sister and Sam. The woman was watching Sam speak animatedly and Sebastian noticed a kind of glow in her eyes. But he was perceptive enough to notice it was not directed at Sam himself, but rather at how he was making her sister smile. It was subtle, but it spoke volumes.
She loves her sister.
He watched Abigail slide in next to the farmer, slipping her hands around her arm as if they were old friends. Abby gestured in his direction, and when the farmer finally faced him - with with no other villagers to block his view - he could see her fully.
She was shorter than her sister. A heart shaped face was prettily framed by soft curls. Her blue eyes then caught his attention. They were the color of the mountain lake reflecting the early sky on mornings when he’d been up all night working, only to surface for a smoke and to remind himself he was a person with a body and not just a brain with fingers for typing code.
He saw now that she wore a band shirt, vintage from one of his favorite ‘slightly-before-his-time’ grunge bands.
Did she know the music or was she just a poser? She probably found it in a thrift shop and thought it fit her latest aesthetic.
They finally reached him and he had to look down to meet her eyes. She was looking up to do the same.
Their eyes locked. Time stopped.
Sebastian was acutely aware of the smaller woman before him.
It seemed she had been just as busy taking him in as he was her.
“Hi there, I’m Lizzy. You like Chronic Lizzard?”
It took him a moment to recognize that she’d both stated her name and asked him a question.
“Sebastian. Yeah - how do you know?”
Abigail and the farmer both chuckled.
“Your hoodie, Seb....?” Abby replied.
“Oh.” He looked down, and indeed he’d worn his favorite zip up, which happened to be the vintage Chronic Lizzard jacket his mom gave to him as a memento of his father’s he could wear. Suddenly, Sebastian felt his skin heat in embarrassment. He hadn’t thought about the connection of this hoodie to his father in a long time and he certainly owed no one an explanation...
“Cool. I like them too,” the farmer replied shyly, “Um, I was sort of named after them...”
...Even if he was a little intrigued by her claim.
“Really?” Abigail asked, incredulous, “Lizzy is for... Lizzard?”
The farmer seemed a little sheepish, “Not exactly - I was born shortly after the band came out and our dad liked how they spelled it with two z’s. So I’m Elizabeth because he wanted to call me Lizzy.”
“Have you seen them live?” Abigail inquired.
“Um, a few times... before they stopped touring, yeah. You?” Lizzy looked in his direction, but Sebastian couldn’t muster the words to answer.
He could have said many things like -
‘Once when I was a kid before my dad died. It’s the best memory I have of him.’ or ‘I’ve listened to every album about 10 times over but never had the means to see them before they stopped touring.’
But he did not feel the impetus to open up old wounds on a casual Friday night to a complete stranger. Thankfully, Abigail supplied a sufficient answer as he remained stone-faced pretending he wasn’t about to dissociate from the conversation entirely.
“Nah! We were too young and didn’t have any way to get out to see them. My dad hates that kind of music and would NEVER have let me go to a concert on my own back then.”
“Ah, totally understandable,” Lizzy replied, seeming sympathetic. “Our dad loves music. He was always dragging us kids to shows. My mom hates the scene, though, so if Dad wasn’t around we couldn’t go. At least not until we were older.”
Sebastian noticed how she tried to make eye contact with him, leaving small pauses for him to naturally join the conversation. Abigail already knew better, though and finally the farmer gave up. She shrugged and seemed to change the subject. Sebastian simply watched her walk into the room past him, taking in the ancient arcade games and classic pool table set up.
Lizzy looked around nervously, finally asking, “So, what do you all do for fun around here?”
The question engaged Abby and Sam easily enough and soon the four of them were excitedly chatting in the corner. Sam had managed to sit with Jane (as Sebastian had learned was the name of the blonde sister), quietly getting to know each other. Meanwhile, Abby kept Lizzy busy with questions about their lives before Pelican Town.
College. Work. Nightlife. Travel. All of her responses seemed sincere, but mundane.
Perhaps there wasn’t much to her after all.
Sebastian had retreated to the pool table, deciding practicing was a better use of his time than mindless discourse with people he had little interest in.
The problem was... he could not deny his eyes strayed to the farmer more than once. All night, in fact. He was painfully aware of her presence as if every atom of her being was magnetized to his own. Each time she laughed or smiled or animatedly spoke with her hands, his eyes darted in her direction. Every movement showcased her glossy locks, the slope of her neck. She held a knowing smile while she listened to Abigail describe her life working for her father and taking online courses.
He knew she saw him staring, but he couldn’t find it within himself to care or feel ashamed enough to stop.
Eventually, the sisters put him out of his misery and left, citing the need to be up early as their reason for heading home. He did not miss the final glance the farmer sent in his direction, though he could not quite decipher its meaning. She appeared... suspicious? Or was it inquisitive? It was directed at him and his unsociable behavior, no doubt. He knew he’d be teased about it later. Sam and Abigail were much better at socializing than he was.
He did not care, really. Who did he need to impress? Certainly not Jane, or his friends, and certainly not a mildly good-looking farmer who happened to probably like his favorite bands.
He made his way home that night reassuring himself of these facts several times over while indulging in his favorite vice.
“What was with that Sebastian guy?” Lizzy asked Jane as they entered the tiny farm cabin. “He was so... standoffish. Like he didn’t want to be there.”
“Well, he was certainly quiet,” Jane supplied, “I’m sure he was just shy, Lizzy. Not everyone finds it so easy to talk to strangers, you know.”
Jane was slipping out of her dress as Lizzy was pulling on her comfy pants.
“Maybe you’re right, but it rubbed me the wrong way. Like he didn’t even say anything about the band. I opened up the door for that conversation... I don’t usually do that, but since he had that hoodie I thought, ‘oh maybe he’s a real fan.’”
Jane rolled her eyes, “I’m sure he’ll talk to you more if you try again.”
“Try again? Why would I try again?” Lizzy called from the bathroom while scrubbing the makeup off her face.
“Why wouldn’t you? You seem really into him if you’re this bothered about how he ignored you all night.”
Lizzy stopped short and stomped out of the bathroom, suds coating her face. Jane laughed at the picture she made - mascara and eyeliner making her sister look like a drowned raccoon.
“I. Am. Not. Into. Him.” Lizzy punctuated each word.
“All right, if you say so, I believe you.” Jane relented, holding her hands up in defeat. “While it was a bit rude that he didn’t say much, I really think you should give him another chance. It was one night and we invaded their usual space. Maybe it made him uncomfortable!”
Lizzy, now with a clean face, grunted, “UGHH. Why must you always be so right when it comes to peopling!?”
“It is a well-honed talent, Bits. You have many others, let me have this one.”
Lizzy stalked toward her sister and gave her a hug from the side. “Fine, fine. I’ll give him another shot to have a normal human conversation. But I’m not telling him or anyone about our connection to Chronic unless they prove they’re trustworthy.”
“I can agree to that. You never know how people will react... remember that guy in undergrad who wouldn’t leave you alone until you agreed to bring back a signed copy of Tortuga?”
“Do I remember having to call campus security twice?” Lizzy asked incredulously.
“Right... right. Well, let’s not have a repeat of that here, please.”
Lizzy climbed into bed, snuggling into her soft pillows. “No disagreements on my end!”
“But I’m glad we went. I really like Samson!”
“Samson!” Lizzy exclaimed, “is that his true name?”
“Mhmm,” Jane hummed. “He likes music and skateboarding. His little brother is very cute - I met him the other day - and he adores him. He works at Joja- but don’t hold that against him, Lizzy. Their dad is deployed and Sam has to help out his mom. In the meantime, though, he has been working with Sebastian to write songs. Oh, he wants us to visit their band practice next Saturday.”
Lizzy listened to her sister go on about the new boy, her smile widening as each new fact was revealed.
“You certainly used your time well getting to know him tonight! And he certainly paid special attention to you!”
Jane huffed, but agreed, “He did. But Lizzy, he seems really sweet! I’d like to get to know him better, even if it is just as friends, since I’m only here temporarily.”
“Well, I like him. You’ve liked many stupid boys, and he’s much better than all of them!”
“Lizzy! Enough! Go to sleep!” Jane jokingly commanded, hoping her sister did not see the blush forming on her cheeks.
“Goodnight, Jane. Sweet dreams!” Lizzy sing-songed.
“Sweet dreams, Bits.” Jane whispered.