Through The Eyes of Hailey O'Connor [One-Shot]

The normal day passes like every other. Hailey sat at the window of the shop "Herbert's Toys." People passed and passed. Kids were pointing at the window, begging their mom to buy them a truck or a doll, but their mother returned with a yanking of the arm as they continued on their path.

This was normal in Hailey's eyes.

People always spent their money on unnecessary items such as toys for their children. The richer ones would buy the big sets while the poorer ones would go for the teddy bears that went for about 50 cents. It was busy in the store due to that.

Hailey was born differently than other dolls. She was given feelings. She felt happy when she saw a little girl smile at her, or sad when they commented how ugly her dress was. Hailey was happy to have these types of feelings, for it made every day even more exciting.

"Mommy! Mommy!" A girl pulled her mother's sleeve, pointing at Hailey. "I want that one."

The mother stopped walking and looked at Hailey. Hailey had long golden locks that were cut at her butt. She had a very distinct face that was altered to look like the deceased daughter of the toymaker. The dress she had worn was a bit tattered and needed some fixing, but either than that, it was fine.

The mother, however, just shook her head. "I'll find you a better-looking doll, Louisa. This one looks too cheap."

The mother and the little girl both carried on their day, leaving poor Hailey to feel depressed. There were days like this that left Hailey to wonder if she was an actually pretty doll.

Then, the next person arrived.

This time, it was a young boy, possibly around the age of twelve. He looked pretty dirty and poor. Hailey didn't expect much from him.

The boy looked carefully at Hailey, smiling after he decided on something. He then scavenged through his pockets for money. Turning his head and swerving his body, he had no luck. He then took out his wallet from his back pocket, and all that was stored in there were a few coins and a couple of used tissues.

After trying, the boy gave up. No money meant that Hailey was going to be left in the window for the rest of her life.

The boy waved at Hailey, mouthing the words, "goodbye," through the window. He walked away after, shocking Hailey with his actions. He was much nicer than she'd thought.

Her heart began beating, wanting to meet him again.

The next day came, and, around the same time, the boy arrived. He started his ritual again, looking for the money he didn't have. He then waved goodbye to her again.

Her heart beat louder this time.

The next day came, and then the next. Every day, he would come and come. She would expect him to come and come.

Her heart began beating faster and faster every time he came. It was then she realized, she had fallen for the boy.

However, she knew that she was only a doll and she was a human. If it weren't for that fact, she would have been able to be with him.

"What is this I see?" An older man came to the shop at night. "A doll having feelings for a human?"

"..." Hailey sat there quietly. She wished she had the ability to talk so she would be able to tell him that she did.

The man, on the other hand, understood. "So you do. I understand. Then I shall give you a day to become human and tell the boy your feelings. Do it before the time limit so you won't regret anything."

The man then swung his hand in the air over the window, putting a spell on Hailey.

Before she knew it, she was able to move her limbs.

"Wow..." Her voice came out. She then covered it quickly, shocked. "I can talk?"

"Go tell the boy before it is too late." The man gave his last words before leaving.

Hailey stood to her feet being able to move them.

A smile was painted across her face. She was never able to do that until now, but it was different. She could do all the things she wanted to do now.

Hailey stood outside of the store in front of the window, waiting.

She was now the size of a twelve-year-old girl. She wondered if she would be able to reach the height of the boy.

Morning came along, casting light onto Hailey. She waited for people to walk by, which began happening around 6:00 am.

Kids and mothers looked at her weirdly, wondering what she was doing standing there. When the shop owner came, he even asked her, "What is a little girl like you doing in front of my shop?"

"I'm waiting for someone," Hailey answered him truthfully.

The man nodded his head. "Then why don't you sit on the bench in front of my shop instead. That way, you won't gain that many stares."

"Thank you, sir." Hailey nodded her head, making her way to the bench.

She continued sitting there, waiting for the boy.

As time passed, the boy finally showed up.

He looked in the window and noticed the missing doll. "What? But it was here yesterday. Did someone buy it?"

Hailey felt extremely happy. Never once was she able to hear the boy's voice, but now she was able to. His voice was like that of an angel's.

Hailey walked behind him and tapped his shoulder. The boy turned around, and, just as she suspected, she was the same height as him. Hailey then gave him a big hug.

The boy was confused when he heard Hailey mention, "I've been waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?" The boy questioned.

"Oh, yes. My name is Hailey O'Connor. Please do tell me your name." Hailey grinned.

"Baron. Baron Arman. You're Hailey O'Connor? You have the same name as the doll that I wanted to buy for Heather." Baron looked at the space that used to be where Hailey sat.

Hailey's grin then fell to a frown. "Heather? Who is that? Is that the girl you like?"

"No. She is my sister at the orphanage. I've been trying to save up money to buy the doll for her, but it seems like it has already been bought." Baron looked to the ground with a sad face.

Hailey was filled up with empathy, wanting to cry with him. "Oh, don't worry," she tried to comfort him, "The doll hasn't been bought yet. They just...took her away for cleaning."

"Is that so?" Baron's tears stopped.

"Yes." Hailey was relieved that he stopped his crying.

"I'm glad." He let out a sigh.

Hailey then grabbed his hand and looked into his chocolate-swirled eyes. "Why don't we go for some tea? I would like to get to know you better, Baron."

Baron then wiped the tears off of his cheeks. "Alright."

Both Baron and Hailey then made their way to the tea shop where they served cake with tea.

Baron looked at the menu for a bit but then shook his head. "I can't afford any of these."

"That's alright! I've been saving up for this day, so I'll pay for you. My make—dad left money in my purse, so I have enough to pay for you." Hailey took out the money from her purse to show Baron.

"But I need to pay you back for that." Baron felt guilty.

"No need. I want to pay for you."  Hailey refused him. She knew this was the only chance she would have with him.

"Here is your cake and tea, Miss and Mister." The waitress brought them their order.

Baron took the first bite out of his cake, expressing a smile when the taste filled his mouth. Hailey was happy to see that he was happy.

"Aren't you going to eat? You didn't order any tea either." Baron questioned when she noticed she didn't order anything.

"I'm alright." As a previous doll, Hailey still had some doll-like aspects. She didn't feel the feeling of hunger. When she tried eating the candies in her small bag that was left by the toymaker, she wasn't able to taste them. She rather found enjoyment from watching Baron enjoy his food and drink.

After they finished, they both walked outside. The sun had disappeared and it was night.

Hailey knew it was time.

"Baron."

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Baron was shocked when hearing this. To him, they just met today. "But I don't really know you that well."

"But I do." Hailey interrupted him. "I saw you walk by every day. You waved and smiled at me, even when others didn't. I fell in love with you because of your personality, Baron."

After her confession, Hailey noticed her hands disappearing away, sparkling.

"What?" Baron was in awe, watching her disappear.

Hailey then wrapped the last of her arms around his neck, moving her lips towards him. The warmth of his lips left a lasting impression on her cold, doll-like lips. Her heart hurt releasing her lips for the last time.

She smiled as she suddenly disappeared.

She was gone from Baron's sight. But when he looked on the ground, he noticed "Hailey O'Connor." He picked her up and dusted her off. He realized that was why they both had the same name. She was the doll.

The next day, Baron returned Hailey to the toy store, trying to explain to the owner what happened the day before, but, to no success, the owner didn't believe him.

Hailey returned to her usual spot, and Baron went off with his life.

Every day, Baron came back, committing his usual routine as he did previously. Each day, he grew older and older. Soon, he never came back to the shop again.

Hailey assumed it was because older people didn't enjoy toys like how the younger ones did.

So, she continued living on.

"This doll isn't selling at all. I've had her for 10 years now. I think it is by time to throw her away." The shop owner said while taking Hailey to the back of the store. There was an incinerator for different toys that didn't sell.

The fate that was left for Hailey O'Connor was fire.

The tragedy of the story through the eyes of Hailey O'Connor; the doll that fell in love with a human boy.