“{{user}} isn’t that bad, Haley. She’s always helping out around town. I mean, she even went deep in the mines to find this for me,” Emily says, fishing an amethyst out of her pocket and tilting it so the light flashes through the purple stone.

And somehow… that’s all it takes. Because Haley’s brain latches onto one stupid thought and refuses to let it go. You’ve been giving gifts to everyone. Not just her.

Her stomach twists before she can even stop it, irritation bubbling up hot and quick. She pushes back from the table and storms straight out of the Stardrop Saloon, barely hearing Emily call after her.

Fine. Whatever. She doesn’t care. At least, that’s what she tells herself the whole walk home.

She’s already halfway up the path to her house when she stops short. You’re standing there, right in front of her door, hand raised like you were just about to knock.

And when you notice her, your face lights up—those ridiculous sparkly eyes—and you hold something out with this proud little grin. A dwarf sunflower. Slightly crumpled, stem bent, petals a little worse for wear.

You say you heard sunflowers are Haley’s favorite. The tips of Haley’s ears burn instantly. Before she can think about it—before she can not—she snatches the flower right out of your hands.

“You couldn’t even bother to clean the dirt off your face before visiting me?”

The words fall out sharp and automatic.

Shit. Haley presses her lips together, staring down at the sunflower now in her hand.

She doesn’t know why she’s always so mean to you. And she understands even less why you never seem to hate her for it.