Jacob watched Abele go and heaved a sigh. Once he left, Jacob's shoulder slumped and his smile faded. He shook his head and headed out. It took about and hour to walk to the city. Jacob wasn't going especially fast either. He wasn't in any hurry to meet Abele's fiancé, to meet the girl that would be taking Abele from him. Jacob paused, face flushing. He hung his head in shame, mentally berating himself. He wasn't supposed to think like that. He couldn't think like that.
Jacob mossied around the marketplace. He had a basket with him, filling it with the things on the list, checking them off one by one. He was at the fruit cart, eyeing the selection.
"Excuse me," a voice chimed behind Jacob making him jump. He turned around to see a girl around his age giggling at him. He flushed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "S-Sorry." The girls blue eyes flashed with amusement. "It's fine really," she spoke with a southern twang that Jacob found enjoyable. For the rest of the day Jacob walked with Mary, he'd learned her name after their meeting, picking out the groceries both of them needed.
"So Jacob, where might I see you again?" Mary asked as they approached the gates to the city. Jacob looked at her surprised. He hadn't expected that answer. "You want to see me again?" Jacob, and his limited social skills, was quite happy someone wanted to see him. "Why yes silly!" Mary said laughing. "Oh, okay," Jacob said, flashing a smile. "Um, tomorrow," he said. Mary nodded seemingly pleased. Jacob turned to head home when she called out to him. "It's rather late, would you...care to walk me home?" Mary asked shyly. Jacob felt dumb. He didn't know why she was blushing but her nervousness made him nervous and a blush grew on his face. "Oh, uh okay."
Mary took Jacob's arm as they walked home. Her farm was surprisingly the one that neighbored his. Mary was especially excited to learn this. "I'll tell father to invite you over for lunch!" Jacob nodded just going along with it. He walked her to her door where she dropped his arm. "I had a lot of fun talking with you Jacob," Mary said with a smile. "Me too Mary. Uh, you're very nice," Jacob said scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Mary leaned forward, quickly pecking Jacob's cheek. "Goodnight Jacob." Mary disappeared inside as Jacob froze. His face was red as he walked robotically home.
Celia met him at the door, wondering why he was so red. Jacob looked at her, face only getting redder. "Is it a girl?" She whispered. Jacob nearly choked, beyond flustered. "It is a girl!" Celia gasped. "What's her name? Where did you meet? Is she close? Is she pretty?" Jacob wanted to crawl into a hole and die. He wasn't ready for these questions. "I-I uh, her...her names Mary. She's pretty. I met her in the market. She lives on the farm next to us," Jacob answered in a small voice. Before he could be interrogated more he retreated upstairs to his bed room.