Chapter 1: Baskets, anyone?

Walking down the streets of my small, cheerful town has a delight in its own way. The heavy basket I carried was a pain, but a delight still due to the town’s festivities. Purple and blue graffiti hung the town’s square, I noticed, as I headed for the café just across it.

I went inside Still and ordered coffee-to-go. Jerry, the owner of the diner and a friend, handed it to me with a smile.

“Good day today, Raine, huh? The town’s so cheerful and glee of this picnic thing.”

“Yeah, everyone’s so happy. I can’t believe the sad little town of Jadelakes is actually up for the festival.”

Jerry nodded. “After that mourning, everyone seems so light today.”

“Yeah, see you, Jerry. Be over to the square if you wanna bid for my basket,” I tempted him with a teasing smile. I headed out the door.

Just last week, the town lost a rather, important person. The owner of the antique shop, who is a personal friend of mine, died. Well, this was the only antique shop around town and everyone just loved the tea she offered every time someone would come over. She was just so nice and alone. Her husband died ten years ago and her daughter, a doctor now in the big city, had left her three years ago to marry some well-known businessman. Rumors spread that her nephew will be taking over the antique shop. I couldn’t tell for myself for I haven’t been to the shop since she died. It gave me an awkward feeling. She was always the one I run to whenever my house has this unpleasant furniture surprises. She was more like a mother to me.

I’ve also heard that the town’s mayor, Philip Glendale, would be introducing him to us at the town’s square today during the Basket Festivity. It’s a tradition since the time of Merlin that every available girl would decorate a basket and put food that you like in it. It is then put into auction and then given to the highest bidder. The bidder gets to have a picnic with the girl, who owned the little basket, wherever he wants to eat. Before, I had paid guys, who were my usual buddies in town, to bid for my basket. But last year, unfortunately, due to lack of willing guys and money, Philip Glendale, who was still a commoner back then, bid for my basket simply because it had his favorite dish in it—Brazo de Mercedes. I loved cooking and I guess many even opt to get my basket rather than Raven Sanders, the town’s most gorgeous most delicate ballerina. But woman’s appearances dupe men most of the time, so mine wasn’t a buy among the gorgeous guys, especially to Eric Medina, to whom I had a crush on ever since forever. So anyway, having which my experience with boorish, obnoxious and annoyingly relentless Philip, I was scared this time of what I would do with my picnic partner-to-be.

I gave my basket to Philip and gave him a little smile. “Raine, you weren’t here when I introduced Stephen Tyndale. He’s Mrs. Lionel’s nephew. He’ll be taking care of the antique shop now,” he exclaimed, referring to a tall, lean guy in blue plaid shirt, jeans, a pair of boots and a navy blue cap turned backwards.

“Nice to meet you, Stephen,” I said, giving him a huge smile.

“Oh, pleasure’s all mine, too, uh—“ he replied hesitantly.

“Raine Miles,” I interrupted

“The famous Raine Miles? My aunt, she’s always ranting about you. Come by the shop, please. My aunt has left something for you.”

“She has?”

“Yes, this thing she says was so special to her. Come around before I close at eight tonight.”

“Oh, sure. I will.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, guys but I guess I have to start this before everybody complains,” Philip interrupted.

“I’ll see you,” Stephen said with a glance and a small smile. I headed over to the women’s place and just stood there.

The third basket put on auction was mine. I looked around. At least Philip isn’t going to bid for it.

“Ten dollars,” came voice. I looked around. It was Eric Medina. I hid a smile. I made a silent prayer of thanks.

“Twenty dollars,” I heard a different voice. I turned around and saw Stephen. That was something else.

“Twenty-five,” Eric bid again.

“Thirty,” came Stephen.

“Forty,” said a most intrigued Damon Kelly. He was my bestfriend from high school that just came a few days ago because he promised he’d be here for my twenty-third birthday. What I couldn’t understand was he had a fling here in Jadelakes but wanted to have picnic with me. Wait a minute; is this mockery I see in the little devil’s eyes?

“Fifty!” came Eric’s determined voice.

“Sixty,” said Stephen coolly.

“Eighty,” was Damon’s laughing response.

“People, people, this is not a real auction!” interfered Philip.

“Ninety,” said Damon, not considering what Philip just said.

“Ninety-two.” Stephen remained cool.

“One hundred fifteen!” Eric shouted.

I gasped. What was wrong with him?

“Going once, Going twice…sold to the man in black trench coat.” Philip declared.

Eric Medina? That is something. But him wanting to bid for my basket that was everything I ever wanted. I looked at Damon. He gave me a grin.

Was this actually good? I glanced at Stephen, who was looking at me and smiling. I gave him a look that said a reassuring “I’ll see you later.”

Then, I turned to Eric. He had one of those vague looks. Noticing me look at him, he turned to me and gave me a “Hey there!” smile. It was as if he didn’t know the basket was mine.

“So, all ended in peace. Let us now enjoy.”

I just stood there, shocked. But, most of all, stupefied.

I looked around and saw Eric walking to me.

“Hey,” he said

“Hey.”

“So, we better get going. I have this all planned out. We go to the lake near the outskirts of the town.”

I smiled. It’s true, then? It wasn’t a dream. I pinched myself and yet I saw the black trench coat carrying a basket with blue-and-green checkered picnic cloth.

I almost fainted.

Chapter 2: fake basket and yellow applesauce