That One Fall

Fall hit Willow’s small town all of a sudden, and with it the season brought a girl named Cherry. She was sweet and bubbly with sleek brown hair and eyes that sparkled green. She was pretty. But she was just passing through for a few weeks.

Willow saw her here and there as she went about her day, but she’d barely spoken to her yet. She knew Cherry was staying at the Bed & Breakfast down the street, at least, so maybe she could catch her there.

Saturday morning found Willow meandering through town in the chilly weather with a warm coffee in her hands. As she turned the corner, she spotted the newcomer sitting outside the B&B with a tarte and her own steaming cup of coffee. The sun made her hair shimmer and Willow was practically in a trance as she made her way closer. She swallowed softly as she reached the table.

“Hi, Cherry, right?” The girl looked up from her computer and Willow stared at her eyes. They were so beautiful.

“Yeah, hi, nice to meet you.” Cherry smiled sweetly.

“You too. Um, I’m Willow.”

“Willow? That’s a pretty name.”

“Th-thank you.” Willow tripped over her words a little. Her voice was soft and gentle. “So, what brings you to Crimson Canyon?” She asked.

“I’m a writer. I’m working on my second novel and I just needed a change of scenery. It’s almost finished, so I won’t be staying long.” Cherry explained, gesturing to her computer.

“Oh, wow.” Willow’s eyes widened. “That’s really cool! What’s your first novel called? I’ll have to check it out.”

Cherry looked down at her keyboard with a shy smile. Her eyes flashed. “If you see it, you’ll know it’s me.” She said simply.

Willow chuckled. “Vauge, but, okay.” Cherry laughed and it might have been the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard. They went quiet and Willow desperately wracked her brain for something to keep the conversation going.

“Actually,” Cherry started. “What do you know about the Fall Fest next week?”

Willow grinned. “Can I sit?” Cherry nodded happily and Willow sat across from her, setting her coffee cup down and clapping her hands together.

“Okay! So, Fall Fest is exactly what it sounds like. We all get together in the big park down the street and there’s games, coffee, snacks, live music, and very fall-esque decor. It’s really fun!” She loved Fall Fest. Really, who didn’t?

Cherry sighed dreamily. “That sounds so fun! Would you maybe wanna go with me and check it out?” She asked. “Or, well, I guess you’ve already seen it. Would you accompany me while I check it out?” She amended.

Willow nodded eagerly. “Yes, I’d love to.” She smiled breathlessly.

“Cool! It’s a date, then.”

A date?

Willow watched her leave and head back inside with a dumbstruck look on her face. A date. She had a date. With a pretty girl who was so sweet. “Oh my gosh,” She whispered to herself, not able to believe it. 

The next Friday, Willow was waiting at the entrance to the Fall Fest, her eyes watching for Cherry. The festival was almost in full swing and she could hear the music from across the park.

“Willow?” She spun around and came face to face with Cherry in a deep orange dress with her hair pulled out of her face into a sleek ponytail.

“Cherry, wow, you look… beautiful.” It didn’t feel like the right word, but Willow couldn’t think of anything else.

Cherry blushed and giggled softly. “Thank you. So do you.” She eyed Willow’s brown flared leggings and black shirt with little fall leaves in the center.

“Thanks.” Willow smiled, her voice soft as she stared at the girl in front of her. Cherry met her eyes and brown locked onto green for a long, quiet moment. Willow’s heart sped up as Cherry’s eyes sparkled at her.

Finally, she cleared her throat and offered her arm. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” Cherry hooked her arm with Willow’s and the two entered the Fall Fest.

They played a few games, tried tons of different treats and snacks, and finally sat to watch the band play.

“Having fun?” Willow asked. Cherry nodded and took a bite out of a frosted donut. Willow smiled softly and reached over to wipe some orange frosting off her cheek.

Cherry met her eyes. “Thanks.” Willow stroked her cheek gently with her thumb, but said nothing. Cherry raised her eyebrows questioningly. “What’s with your face?” She asked softly.

“Just… you’re really pretty.” Willow replied gently.

“Thank you.” She blushed and smiled, looking away towards the band with her gorgeous green eyes. Willow gazed at her softly, warmth blooming in her chest and affection stirring in her heart.

They spent the rest of the night wandering around the festival until people started to close down their booths. Willow walked Cherry to the B&B she was staying at and Cherry paused outside the front door.

“Thank you for tonight, I had a really good time, Willow.” She said softly, her cheeks flushed.

“Me too.” Willow agreed happily. Cherry’s eyes flicked over her face and Willow wondered what she was looking for; and if she’d found it.

“Willow, can I… can I kiss you?” She asked softly.

Willow’s breath caught and she nodded softly. “Yes.” She whispered.

Cherry reached up slowly and Willow shivered as her hands ever so gently cupped her face. She moved her hands to rest on Cherry’s waist, her touch light as they shuffled closer together. Cherry pulled her in and both girls tilted their heads just right, moving closer until their lips brushed together. Willow pressed in closer and Cherry kissed her firmly. Both of them melted against each other and Willow pulled Cherry flush against her. They separated slowly, their eyes locked.

“Willow,” Cherry panted softly.

“Yeah,” Willow nodded.

“That was… perfect.”

“Yeah.”

Over the next few weeks, Willow and Cherry spent most of their time together. A lot of their time together was spent outside the B&B where Cherry worked on her book and Willow worked on her art. She liked to share her art at the local art shop in town. They talked, kissed, and got to know each other and Willow was pretty sure she was in love. She was pretty sure Cherry felt the same way judging by the way she looked at her. The way she kissed her so softly.

Finally, near the end of October, Cherry sent in her book for editing with Willow right by her side. SHe’d been careful not to let her see the title, or, Willow had realized, her real name. She’d gathered that Cherry was definitely a nickname.

“Congratulations, sweetheart.” Willow grinned at her.

Cherry was smiling so wide her cheeks looked like they might crack. “Thank you!” Her hands were shaking slightly. “I hope they like it.” She worried.

“They’ll love it!” Willow assured her, cupping her face and stroking her cheeks with her thumbs.

Cherry nodded. “Yeah.” She breathed. Willow gave her a quick peck and Cherry smiled softer. She looked away, hesitating, and Willow could feel a shift.

“Are you okay?” She asked gently.

Cherry said nothing for a long moment. “Let’s… go on a walk.” She finally stood up and offered her hand. Willow followed and the two walked down to the park where Fall Fest had been held.

Willow could tell something was up. The sun was setting as they walked through the park and it bathed everything in a warm glow.

“Cherry, what’s going on?” Willow stopped in her tracks, causing Cherry to do the same due to their linked hands. Cherry sighed and faced her, her eyes shining sadly. She let go of Willow’s hand and tucked her hair behind her ears.

“Um,” She swallowed and looked down at her feet.

“Cherry,” Willow took her chin gently in her hands. “Talk to me, sweetheart.” She urged. Cherry finally met her eyes and Willow’s stomach churned at the regret and sadness she saw in the green.

“Willow, honestly… I came here to find love. A love I knew I could have.” Her voice was soft as their eyes met. “And,” She took a breath. “I found it. In you.”

Willow let out a shaky breath.

Cherry loved her?

“You love me?” She whispered.

“Yes.” The other girl nodded.

Cherry loved her.

She knew it.

Cherry loved her and she loved Cherry.

She was breathless. “Cherry, I lo-”

“Willow, no.” Cherry put a finger to her lips and Willow went quiet. “I found what I was looking for, but I can’t stay any longer. I’m not… I’m not meant to.” Her eyes sparkled sadly as she gazed at Willow.

“So,” Willow’s heart skipped a beat. “You’re leaving Crimson Canyon? Leaving… me?” Her voice cracked and her eyes welled as Cherry nodded solemnly.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered and stepped away. She hoisted her bag more securely over her shoulder. “Look for my book.” She murmured before she turned and left without another word, leaving Willow with her heart cracked open and a sob in her throat.

“I don’t even know your real name.” She said to no one.

6 YEARS LATER

Willow was hanging up her newest painting in the art shop when the little bell over the door rang softly.

“Welcom in!” Fran, the woman at the front desk called. Willow paid it no mind, making sure her painting was centered on the wall.

“That looks amazing.” A soft, sweet voice met her ears. Willow knew it well. Her breath caught and she froze. She didn’t want to turn around and learn she was going insane. But she also wanted it to be real.

“Hi, Willow,”

The girl finally turned and tears immediately filled her eyes. “Cherry,” She breathed in disbelief. There, right in front of her, was the girl she was still in love with.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”