It was the morning of the Flower Dance. Jas had woken up early for hair and makeup. Marnie braided her hair in an elaborate updo, decorated with sprigs of cherry blossoms and baby's breath. Marnie had also done the makeup, since Jas didn't usually wear it. Her idea of fancy was wearing the tinted lip balm. Marnie had gone all out, with lipstick and blush and eyeshadow and sparkle.

The dress fit perfectly. The nipped in waist, the tulle and embroidery, the lace and the satin, were a sharp contrast to the normal Jas uniform of jeans and an oversized t-shirt. The white ballet slippers she wore completed the look.

"Ready to look in the mirror?" Marnie could barely hold in her excitement. "Come on, let's go to the full-length mirror in my room."

Jas followed Marnie to the bedroom, then turned to face the mirror on the door. "Oh, Yoba…."

"What do you think?"

"I look...like a princess!" Jas giggled. "I look like an actual princess, this is SO COOL!" She twirled in front of the mirror. "I mean, I wouldn't wear this to school or anything, but … it's amazing! Thank you!" She twirled again, the other way, and leaned in close to inspect the makeup. "I look like I could actually win!"

"I'll vote for you," Marnie said, "But then again, I'm biased. You're my best little girl."

Jas cackled. "Little girl? I'm taller than you!"

"No you're not!"

"Yes I am! Not by much, but I really am taller than you!"

"You're still my little girl, though." Marnie gave Jas a hug. "You should probably go. Charm the heck out of everyone, especially the older people who won't want to vote for Vincent."

"Good idea! I love you, Aunt Marnie, bye!" Jas rushed out of the house.

The mood at the festival was positively electric. A crowd had already gathered. Azalea was already out on the dance floor, practicing her moves. Jas watched for a while, trying to suss out whether Azalea would be able to dance better than her. She saw Maru, in a new dress, looking positively awkward as she waited for Penny to finish talking to Harvey. She saw Juliet, in Azalea's dress from last year, talking to her parents.

Then she saw Sam, talking to Sebastian and Abigail. She hadn't asked him to dance yet. She made her way over to him.

"Hi, Sam."

"WOAH!" Sam looked Jas over. "You look beautiful!"

"She really does!" Abigail chimed in. "I love your hair, Jas!"

"Thanks." She looked down and smoothed her skirt. "Sam, I'm not dancing with Vincent this year. Will you please dance with me?"

"My pleasure." Sam bowed. "I just hope I'm not too loopy with all this allergy medication on board."

"Me too."

"Flower Dancers!" The announcement cut through the air. "Please take your places!"

Sam lightly touched Jas on the small of her back. "I'll do my best."

"Thanks, Sam."

The loudspeaker crackled to life again. "This year, we have four princess contenders for Flower Queen: Jas, Vincent, Juliet, and Azalea! As the princesses dance, please vote for the one who would make the best Flower Queen, based on their beauty, skill, and warmth. The Flower Queen exemplifies all that makes Stardew Valley so wonderful."

Jas looked around as the dancers lined up. She had Azalea on one side and Penny on the other. Maru was across from Penny; she looked decidedly less awkward than before. Vincent was all the way on one end, and Juliet was on the other.

"Jas!" Penny gave her a quick wave. "You know this dance by heart and you look absolutely gorgeous. I know you'll do well!"

"Thanks!" Jas gave Penny a little curtsy.

The music started. Penny was right, Jas didn't even have to think about the dance. She knew every step and every swish by heart. She'd been practicing. She smiled to the audience, smiled to her partner, and did her best to exemplify what makes Stardew Valley wonderful. As the dance ended, she spun a perfect spin, arms up in the air.

The time had come to vote. Most dancers voted for themselves, and this year, Jas was no exception. She quickly made her way to the wooden ballot box, dropped in her vote, and walked over to Marnie and Shane to wait for the results.

"Hey Jas, want a muffin with apricot jelly?" Shane already knew the answer. He handed Jas a napkin with a muffin on top.

"Thanks! This looks delicious!" She took a small bite. "Tastes delicious, too. I'll have to be careful not to get any on my dress."

Jas looked out at the dance floor. A large crowd of kindergarteners, most likely Sage's class, were all dancing with Vincent. Vincent looked surprisingly good in an A-line dress with eyelet details, and a bright yellow tulip tucked behind his ear. He waved at Jas. She waved back, then turned her attention to her food again.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" The announcement crackled through the air. The kindergarteners hurried to the sidelines. "The time has come to crown the Flower Queen!"

Jas crammed the rest of the muffin in her mouth and walked back to the dance floor. She stood with Vincent, Azalea, and Juliet.

"In third place this year, Flower Princess Azalea!"

Azalea walked up to the mayor, curtsied, and held that curtsy until Pierre placed a small flower crown on her head. The crowd applauded.

Vincent and Jas looked at each other. Both looked positively confused.

"In second place, Flower Princess Vincent." The crowd erupted into cheers, whistles, and laughs. Vincent curtsied first to them, then to Mayor Pierre. Pierre reluctantly crowned him, and then Vincent hurried back.

"I bet you're gonna win," he whispered to Jas.

"I bet Juliet's gonna get it," she whispered back.

"I voted for you." Vincent glanced over at the mayor, who was holding a large and elaborate flower crown.

"You didn't know you could vote for yourself?"

"Well, I did know that, but I figured it would be between you and Azalea."

"And in first place, the Flower Queen of Stardew Valley, congratulations to Jas!"

"REALLY?!" Jas covered her mouth. "Yoba, I finally won!" She dissolved into relieved sobs. She gave a quick curtsy to the cheering crowd, then hurried up to the mayor and curtsied for her flower crown.

Pierre put the microphone back in its holder so he could place the elaborate crown on the Flower Queen's head. "You won by one vote, Jas." He clipped the crown on with bobby pins.

"What? Just one?" She sniffled hard. Pierre gave her a tissue, and she blew her nose.

"Just one." He clapped Jas on the shoulder. "Well-deserved win, Jas."

She ran back to the dance floor, back to Vincent, and wrapped him up in a warm hug. "Thank you, Vincent!"

"Huh?"

"I won by one vote!" She sniffled again and wiped her nose with the tissue. "One vote! And you voted for me!"

"NICE!" He stepped back and took her hand. "Like I said, I swear-to-Yoba thought it was gonna be you and Azalea trying for the top spot! I always vote for you because you're the prettiest one out there and you're such a good dancer."

Again, Jas dissolved into tears. Again, she hugged Vincent tightly.

"Flower Queen Jas, please make your way to the dance floor with your prince for the last dance."

"Be right back," she told Vincent. She ran to the sideline. "Sam?"

"Congratulations!" He gave her a high five. "Do we need to dance again?"

"Actually, I was hoping to ask Vincent. Would that be okay with you?"

"Dude, that would be hilarious! And adorable! Yeah, ask Vincent!"

She hurried right back to the dance floor as Vincent was leaving. She caught him by the wrist.

"Huh?"

"Vincent, will you dance the last dance with me?"

Vincent laughed. "That's never been done!"

"Neither has a guy in a dress trying to be the Flower Queen," Jas said. "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission anyway. Wanna dance?"

Vincent laughed again. "Heck yes I do!"

He put his hand on her waist and took her other hand. As the music started, he stepped confidently back, leading her forward. They settled into the groove of a waltz.

"I'm glad you know how to waltz," Jas whispered. "I didn't even think to ask."

"Maru taught me."

"No wonder you're so good."

Vincent spun Jas around. "You know how to lead, too?"

"Yep. Want me to?"

"Sure!"

Jas stepped back to lead Vincent, waltzed him around the dance floor, then spun him around so his skirt flew outward. He flounced back to Jas, nodded at her, and started leading her. They continued like this, taking turns leading and following, spinning each other around the dance floor, until the song ended.

They then curtsied to the audience on all sides together, curtsied to each other, then wrapped each other up in a tight, giggly hug.