r/tifu
I (36m) live in a small town. Everyone knows each other, and we don't often have new people moving in.
Well, recently, we had a new person move into town (they'll be called "The Farmer" from here on). They inherited a farm from their grandfather, who we all loved dearly. So far, they've been nothing but kind; they help everyone in town as best they can. They've even brought me some things I was looking for! We are very lucky that they joined our community.
This is where the problem starts.
I've had a thing for someone else in town (25f, let's call her "Emma") for quite some time. I'll be honest, I'm not the most confident person. I tend to look down on myself and have trouble initiating conversations. I've written notes to Emma that I've never had the guts to send. You know, typical nervous introvert nice guy stuff.
Well, I asked The Farmer if they wouldn't mind bringing Emma a piece of amethyst (one of her favorites) and let her know it was from me. They did that, but I think it may have backfired. When they told her it was from me, she seemed to not react how I thought she would. They gave it to her while she was at work (she is a bartender/waitress), I was sitting less than 20 feet away. She thought the gift was PURCHASED from my shop (I am the local blacksmith), and she kissed The Farmer! The Farmer just let it happen. It was absolutely embarrassing.
Since then, I haven't had the courage to say anything else to Emma, or The Farmer. I'm regretting asking the Farmer to give her the gift rather than delivering it myself. It seems like The Farmer has a crush on her now, which I had never gotten any signals about before.
Things in town have also felt off. Like nobody noticing my special shoes at a yearly local festival, when normally someone would compliment them.
Not sure where to go from here.
Tldr tifu by not shooting my shot with my crush when I had the chance to, in turn accidently setting her up with someone else in town.