There is something adorable about the enthusiasm with which the Appaloosians attend festivals. I was only half awake this morning when Gussie called me, his booming voice wiping the last bits of my dream from my head. I moaned for a while, just for the sake of it really, because actually I was getting quite excited too (I’m getting assimilated, slowly but surely), and we agreed that we’ll meet there after lunch.

As I walked through the crowd, looking for my friend I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach. The fresh spring air, the flowers with thousands of colours, the warm sun and the sweet music filled me with joy. I felt like love could just be around the corner.

I finally spotted Gussie, eagerly kissing the girl in the kissing booth. As soon as he saw me, he jumped back laughing. I couldn’t help but chuckle, seeing his flushed face.

“For science”, he explained.

“What?”, I think my eyebrows nearly ran off my forehead.

“You know, they say kissing the girl in the booth will bring luck in love”, he said, winking at me.

We spent most of the day hunting for Easter eggs, stuffing our faces with hot dog, and just enjoying the lovely day. When they announced the start of the dancing contest Gussie grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards the dance floor.

“What exactly are you doing?”, I asked, and tried to root myself to the spot I was standing on.

“We are entering the competition, of course”, he said, like this was the most natural thing in the world.

I tried to protest, but Gussie said I’m being ridiculous, and it will be fine. Eventually I gave in, and he led me through the crowd like I was some sort of fairytale princess. As soon as we stepped on the glittering dance floor he grabbed my hand, turned me around, and planted a firm hand on the small of my back, pulling me close firmly.

“Trust me, Abbie, we’ll be fine”, he said. “Just follow me.”

“Is this how you are trying to show off for the prospects what a good catch you are?”, I teased him.

“Maybe…”, he replied, trying to hide a little mischievous smile.

At the end we did not win, the town voted for Tate and Esme Curley, who are seriously my favourite couple ever, so I didn’t even mind that were only in second place.

I must say proper dancing is quite exhausting, so when the announcement was over I just collapsed on the nearest bench.

“Come, I have a surprise for you”, Gussie said, looking down at me.

“No way, I just sat down!”, I blurted out in a not very lady-like fashion, and pulled Gussie down by his wrist.

“Abbie, don’t tell me you are tired of a bit of dancing. You of all people… You ran marathons!”

“Yes, Gussie,” I said and wrapped my arm around his shoulder for more emphasis, “but I don’t run them in high heels.”

We both burst out laughing. Of course I couldn’t resist for very long, especially since he told me we can take a taxi and won’t need to walk.

“So, what is this surprise?”, I asked suspiciously, when we arrived to the tiny park at the Hangman’s Tree.

“You’ll see soon”, was his reply and he walked briskly to a little secluded area.

A picnic basket was there, placed on a red and white checked blanket. Gussie indicated that I should sit down. Then he opened the hamper and produced a bottle of wine and some burgers. He was chatting away while pouring my drink and passing me the food.

“Gussie, I don’t even know what to say”, I said after a few minutes and a sip of wine.

“Say nothing then, just enjoy”, he replied, and swallowed his burger in three big bites.

After the wine was gone I found my voice once again.

“So what are we doing here exactly?”, I inquired. “Apart from having the most amazing burgers I’ve ever tasted.”

“Come,” Gussie said instead of a direct answer, and we walked up to the top of the hill. We sat down and he pointed to the sky. “Do you see that?”

“See what?”, I swear I tried. But I had no idea what I was supposed to see.

“There and there,” he started tracing some stars with his fingers. “It’s a rare constellation, called The Lost Lovers. The legend says there was a prince who fell in love with a princess. But the princess was already promised to another. They ran away together, but the father of the princess cursed them. Since then they can only be together for one day a year. And as you can see, today is that day.”

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, “and so sad…”

As I gazed up at the stars, thinking about the poor lost lovers, I felt Gussie’s warm hand on mine. My skin tingled, and I felt the butterflies again. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes and saw that he was looking at me, his eyes filled with fondness. My heart was beating in my throat. I was about to pull my hand away, when he leaned closer and whispered in my ear.

“Abbie, you are my best friend… I don’t know how to tell you, so I will just say it in the simplest way. You are a wonderful person, so kind, funny, you have a big heart. I know you probably don’t feel the same way, and I thought I’ll be fine being only your friend… I was wrong.”

The last sentence was barely audible. I just sat there, staring at him for what felt like an eternity. His face sagged and he jumped to his feet.

“I’m sorry…”, he muttered. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

He took a step back, fists clenched, and I still didn’t say a word. I wanted to. But my breath caught in my throat. He ran his fingers through his hair as he turned away, quietly cursing under his breath.

I finally jumped to my feet and caught his hands. When he turned to me, slightly surprised, I jumped on him, wrapping my arms around his neck, and made a little giggling sound as I squeezed him tighter.

“I did not see this coming…”, I admitted. “But now it just seems pretty obvious, isn’t it?”

He looked relieved and tried to keep a straight face, which made me explode with laughter. He joined in, and for a few minutes we were roaring like lunatics. Once we quieted down to discreet giggles I suggested we go back to my place. The night was getting chilly.

I guess nobody would have been surprised if we jumped straight into bed to relieve the tension that was building up for the past three years. But it was just too weird tonight.

He kissed my forehead on his way out.

I’m still grinning.