45. LOVE IS IN THE AIR

May 15, 2026

The Country Music Festival in Chestnut Ridge. For a week now, that was literally all anyone could talk about. The preparations took over the small town’s daily life and gave the locals a whole new spark. Even the weather chilled out a little, it got warmer, and the snow was melting fast.

The schedule obviously included performances from famous musicians, charity fundraising, food, drinks, and overall good vibes. That’s how Chestnut Ridge celebrated Kindness Day.

Mrs. Grove kept a sharp eye on everything. She watched critically as Ehane and Don attached taps to the juice barrels. Don didn’t exactly nail it, what a waste of perfectly good juice. Good thing Marissa and Dani had delivered enough nectar. The party was just getting started, and they couldn’t afford to run out of anything.

Ollie was glad she hadn’t let herself get talked into buying the dress her mom picked out at the store. Trendy jeans and a loose top were way more her vibe. The new hairstyle her mom suggested, though? She was actually obsessed with it. Not to mention she was finally allowed to wear a little makeup!

Wren: There’s Ollie! Hey! We’re over here. You already know Ninovan, and this is her brother, Aranck.

Aranck: I remember you dancing at the Winterfest party.

Ollie: OMW, that was literally my first time doing line dancing, so I probably looked ridiculous.

Aranck: Not at all.

Wren: You look kinda different today. I just can’t figure out what changed.

Ollie: Seriously, Wren? If you can’t tell on your own, I’m not helping you.

Aranck: I think you look really pretty.

Ninovan: Hey, the band’s back. So, are we heading closer to the stage or what?

So they went to dance, and soon the space in front of the stage was all theirs. But then a slow song started. Wren began dancing with Ninovan, and Ollie felt that same tightness in her chest she felt during the New Year’s party. Like something changed, and things would never really be the same again.

It was weird, because she’d seen Elena flirting before and honestly hadn’t cared at all. Then again, she’d been younger back then. She just didn’t take things this seriously. But now that she was older, suddenly everything felt way more real. And Wren, her best friend Wren, was falling in love right in front of her...

For real, it shouldn’t surprise her. People their age were constantly crushing on someone and going on dates. Totally normal. But did that mean she was supposed to be doing that too? Did she even like anyone? No... not really, not like this. And did anyone like her? How did people even figure this stuff out? You can’t just straight-up ask someone, right? Or… could you?

Meanwhile, Sofia was finally living her fairytale. Or at least trying to.

Clayton: I’m really glad you came.

Sofia: Me too.

Clayton: Maybe we could find somewhere a little quieter?

Sofia: I didn’t know you were such a romantic.

Clayton: Told you I have many talents.

Sofia: Clay, I… I’m not perfect, you know?

Clayton: Nobody’s perfect.

Sofia: What I mean is… I am a very high maintenance Sim.

Clayton: Yeah, I noticed.

Sofia: And I’m clumsy. And an annoying vegetarian.

Clayton: I know.

Sofia: Plus I get jealous… irrationally jealous.

Clayton: Anything else?

Sofia: I could probably keep going…

Clayton: Sofia…

Sofia: Listen, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, you know? My previous relationship fell apart because of me. I was the bad guy in that story. So tell me… what are you even doing here with me? You could have anyone in this town. Honestly, not just this town.

Clayton: But I don’t want just anyone. I only want you. I don’t care what you did years ago or what mistakes you made. I see who you are now. I see how hard you try every single day to become a better person, for yourself and for your daughter. Everyone in this town sees it. It’s time you saw it too.

Clayton: I fell in love with you at first sight. And I’m only asking for one thing. Let us try.

And a few days later, on Love Day, following a long-standing Drozd family tradition that had lasted already for few generations, wedding bells rang through the cathedral in Ciudad Enamorada… although for a completely different couple.