Author's Note: No words can express how sorry I am for such a late update. Writer's block has been keeping me from updating any of my stories for several years. I was inspired to write this chapter just recently. The italicized words you will read are diary entrees.

Chapter V: The Goddess

Taylor yawned as he got out of bed. He turned to look at the clock hanging on the wall. It was still 5:15 a.m. He groaned before he lay down on the bed again. He wasn't used to waking up this early; he usually woke up at 6 a.m. sharp. He reached for the calendar on his bedside table and looked at the date. It was the 8th of Spring. What was it about this day that he kept forgetting about? He tried to recall.

The Spring Goddess festival! Gem had told him all about it. It was a festival to commemorate the coming of Spring and the Spring Goddess who brought it. She had suggested that he go but she had said nothing else. Should he? He supposed he could since he didn't have much to do. He got up, knowing he wouldn't be able to fall asleep again.

With a quick hot bath and a change of clothes, he felt wide awake and ready to face the day. He left the room at 6 o'clock. As he stepped out onto the cobblestone street, Taylor knew that it was still too early to go to Rose Square. He then decided to take a hike up to the peak of Mother's Hill.

A cool breeze greeted Taylor as he walked along the mountain path. Usually he would find it annoying; but this morning, it felt refreshing. Feeling invigorated, he went to the peak and looked over the valley. Everything seemed so small from where he stood. He could see a bit of smoke puff out of the chimneys.

Taylor looked about him and spotted a tree stump nearby. He walked towards it and sat down. Sitting there at that moment, he could feel a sense of peace and serenity. He could see himself living in the village...perhaps married and raising a family. His thoughts moved on to a certain girl and he blushed. Ever since he had met her, he could not stop thinking about her.

He shook his head. What was he thinking? He needed to go back. He stood up then and walked down the path. As he was about to reach the foot of the hill, he looked at his watch and was surprised that it was already time for the festival. He hurried to the square.

Rose Square had been decorated with fresh flowers and tables inlaid with fresh fruits. In the center of the square, a platform, decorated like the rest of the square with fresh flowers, had been erected as a stage for the girls who would perform the Spring Goddess dance. Chairs were prepared in neat rows for the villagers to sit on as they watched the performance. The sun shown down on the girls, dressed to look like the Goddess, wearing beautifully gowns decorated with flowers. A crown of Spring flowers graced their heads. Traditionally, the girls would have worn pink dresses but, as the years passed, the villagers decided that the girls would be allowed to decide the color of the gown they would wear as long as the design remained the same as the traditional dresses.

The festival was already underway when Taylor arrived. His gaze fell on one particular girl talking to her parents and his heart stopped for a moment. Gem looked...breathtakingly beautiful. Her light blue gown emphasized her sapphire blue eyes while the crown on her head made her look like a forest nymph, even a goddess. He felt his heart beat like a horse running the winning lap at the races.

Their eyes met at that moment and Gem, excusing herself from her parents, moved towards him. She looked like she was gliding. "Good morning, Taylor." She said softly.

"Good morning." He was able to say when he calmed himself down.

"I am so glad you came." As am I, he thought.

Mayor Thomas stepped onto the stage and looked about him. "Welcome everyone. The Goddess has blessed us with another wonderful spring. Today, we show our gratitude to her as we celebrate this festival in her honor."

Gem turned to Taylor. "I had better go. We will be dancing soon." Taylor nodded and watched her move towards the stairs of the platform behind brown haired Theresa, whom he had met a few days ago. She was wearing the traditional pink dress.

Taylor found a vacant seat in the middle row and sat down just as Mayor Thomas left the stage and girls slowly ascended the stairs then stood in one neat row.

The five girls were Mary Anne or Maan, as she preferred to be called, wearing light green, Lily in a delicate light yellow, Gem, Theresa and a pink-haired young woman Taylor did not recognize, who wore a light purple gown. Allie had been allowed to watch the dance practice but was not allowed to perform since she was still too young. Her mother Ann watched with a look of wistfulness as she remembered dancing in the festival years ago and imagined Allie dancing it in a light orange dress when she was old enough.

The music began and the girls twirled about on the stage, performing the dance they had practiced weeks in advance. They followed the traditional steps, with each girl taking center stage at specific intervals during the dance.

The dance ended with the girls lifting bouquets from spots on the stage. With one final twirl, they formed a circle and lifted the beautiful bouquets up in the air as an offering to the Goddess. The music ended and the villagers gave the girls a standing ovation. Loud applause echoed through the square. The girls formed a neat row again then curtsied before they left the stage the same way they had entered. The girls were congratulated by their proud parents and family members. Adam had discreetly moved away from his family to talk to Theresa, who had excused herself from her parents. After a few minutes, they walked out of the square together, taking the stairs leading to Yodel Ranch.

They're probably heading up to the meadow on Mother's Hill, Taylor thought as he waited for his chance to talk to Gem. He saw his chance when Mr. and Mrs. Landers approached her parents and they began a long conversation as old friends often do.

This time it was Taylor who walked towards her. "You danced divinely." He sincerely said.

Gem's cheeks turned a becoming pink. "Thank you." She had tried her best to keep up with the music, having been busy with piano lessons and helping her mother on the farm. She had not been able to practice as much as the other girls and she knew for a fact that Maan and Paprika, Popuri's daughter, had been the best dancers in the group. Rika herself had only come to the village for the Goddess Festival since her parents lived in the city.

"I…was wondering if you would like to go to the beach with me." Taylor rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

Gem's cheek turned a rich shade of pink, making her look more beautiful at that moment. "I…Yes, I would like to."

Taylor almost sighed with relief but controlled himself. He could not explain why he had asked or why he was glad she had not rejected him.

After bidding her parents goodbye, Gem joined Taylor near the stairs leading down to the beach. He offered her his arm, which she took and they descended. Gentle waves lapped the shoreline, the sound soothing to the ears. Taylor led her onto the pier and the two looked up as the sun began to set in the horizon.

Taylor turned his attention to Gem. The sunset cast a halo over her head, making her look truly like an angel. He felt his rapid heartbeat again and could not explain why. "Gem."

Gem turned to look up at him. "Yes?" She was surprised when she felt his lips softly touch hers.

Taylor pulled away. "Gem, I am very sorry. I…" He looked away, embarrassed. His cheeks had turned red. What had he been thinking?! He expected her to slap him, the usual reaction a girl would have after being kissed by a stranger. He mentally counted the seconds. When the slap never came, he looked at her and was surprised.

Gem's cheeks had turned a deep shade of red, her eyes looking away hinting at shyness but there was a small smile on her face. Did she…did she have feelings for him? A part of Taylor hoped she did. They stood there in silence until the stars appeared in the clear night sky. He escorted her home and they walked in companionable silence.

After saying good night to Taylor, Gem closed the door and felt like twirling around the house. She had had a crush on him ever since the day she had shown him around. He had been sweet to her, giving her flowers but she had never expected him to have any feelings for her other than friendship. She went to her room and changed from her costume to her favorite comfortable lavender pajamas that her mother had given her on her birthday last year.

She knew Adam would not be home until later and the fact that there were no lights on in his room confirmed that. She lay on her bed and took out her diary. Her mother had taught her how to write in a diary as a child and she had continued to do so since then.

The 8th of Spring

We celebrated the Goddess Festival today. I was so nervous but when Taylor arrived at the square, somehow his presence helped to calm my nerves. I was so glad that he had gone to the festival. He even said I had danced well afterwards.

I had not expected him to ask me to go to the beach with him. Even more surprising was he kissed me. I did not know he had feelings for me. I felt my cheeks warm and I knew I was blushing then. Today has been one of the happiest days of my life.

I hope I get to see him again soon.

-Gem

Gem closed the diary then held it to her chest before putting it away. She got into bed and hoped she would have sweet dreams tonight. Perhaps she would dream about Taylor…