Skye hated this part.
Waiting impatiently in the green room as she mentally prepared answers for an interview she's done thousands, no, millions of times. She took in a deep breath and slowly released it. She couldn't sit anymore. Sitting was making it worse. She decided to stand, which only lead to her pacing the floor and fidgeting nervously with her hands.
She needed to do something with her hands.
It was almost a saving grace when her phone vibrated in the front pocket of her jeans. She reached in, pulling it out. Her body stiffened at the name that sat mocking her at the top of the message. Her jaw clenched and her eyes narrowed as she read it.
So, I hear you're running away?
Skye growled internally and typed back. Her fingers moved faster than they had ever moved before. I'm not running away. And, honestly, what I do with my life from this point on is none of your business. She hit send and ran her hand through her long dark hair.
Before she knew it, she found herself pacing again. She prayed their wouldn't be another message. She just wanted to be left alone. Why couldn't she just be left alone? Her phone vibrated again. She closed her eyes, releasing a more audible growl this time. She bounced her phone in her hand for a moment. Debating on whether or not she wanted to look at it.
Against her better judgement, she slid her finger across the screen and unlocked the phone.
It's been six months, Skye. Don't you think you should be over us by now? I know I am... :)
"Ugh!" Skye grunted as she raised her hand and threw her phone across the room.
"Woah, Woah, woah!"
Skye turned at the sound of the male voice. Her bodyguard, Grant Ward, walked slowly toward her, his hands raised in mock defense. Skye would say she saw a hint of amusement on his face, but she would be lying. The anger must have caused her to become delusional.
He walked passed her, eyeing her the entire time. He leaned down and picked the phone from the floor. "You're lucky you didn't shatter this thing again." he said, tossing it back to her. "Coulson would kill you if he had to put yet another phone on your expense report."
Skye's anger lessened as she forced herself to smile. "Thanks." she muttered, sliding her phone back into her pocket. She was fidgeting with her hands again, cracking her fingers as she turned and paced once again.
Ward raised a curious eyebrow. "Should I ask what caused the phone tossing?"
Skye refused to look at him. "I'm just nervous about this interview." she lied, finally taking a seat on the couch again. "I hate doing interviews."
"It's part of the job, kid." He took a step closer, crossing his arms against his chest. He stared down at her. "Now, how about you tell me the truth?"
She sighed, looking down at her hands. "It was Victoria..."
"Oh for Christ's sake." Ward grunted, rolling his eyes. "Remind me to request a number change."
"Thanks..." The sad smile returned to her lips. She raised her eyes to look up at him. "They're going to think this is because of her."
"Then it's up to you to make sure they understand it's not."
She sighed and looked down at the floor. "You know how these things work. You've been through enough of them with me." She shook her head. "No matter how adamant I am, they are still going to think I'm running from a relationship that ended six months ago."
He placed his hand on her shoulder. It was honestly the only time he's been somewhat comforting. Ward was such a hardass. It was the reason Coulson hired him. He knew he would care about Skye, but, most importantly, he would protect her in anyway she needed.
"Look, you need a break. They'll just have to deal with the fact that not everything in your life revolves around that girl." He squeezed her shoulder gently. "You're an amazing performer who just needs some time to herself."
A small, crooked smirk crossed her lips as she gazed up at him. "Was that a compliment?" she inquired, a lace of laughter in her voice. "I don't think I've ever heard one of those come out of you."
Ward rolled his eyes and released her shoulder. "You see? This is why I can't be nice to you."
There was a light knock on the door. A petite blonde stuck her head through the tiny crack. "Skye, they're ready for you." she announced as Skye nodded and she left the room.
The popstar stood, taking in and releasing another deep breath. "Okay, here goes."
"Go get 'em, kid." Ward said, giving her a light shove.
Skye stumbled forward before shooting him a look. She rolled her eyes then walked out of the room...
Jemma Simmons loved her roommate, she truly did. He had been her best friend for as long as she could remember. Even with going in different paths for college, they still remained together. When he suggested they get an apartment that was the perfect distance between both of their schools, she jumped at the chance to live with her friend.
Until she realized how loud he was in the morning.
She had only been asleep a few short hours. The performance rehearsal for her graduation piece had run late. She worked a full shift at the restaurant before that. She was so exhausted when she came home, she flopped down on her bed without even changing out of her sweatpants and tank top. So, any normal person could understand her annoyance when she was woken up by the sound of the television blaring through the tiny apartment.
Jemma growled as she pushed herself up from the mattress. She stood, her feet shuffling cross the carpeted floor. She made her way to the living room and stood behind the couch. Fitz was sitting there, his feet on the coffee table, eating from a bowl of cereal. His eyes were fixed on the television. He had no clue Jemma had walked up behind him.
She cleared her throat before speaking hoping that would get his attention. When Fitz didn't turn to her, she took a step closer. "Fitz." she called out, softly.
Fitz continued to stare at the screen. He shifted a bit on the couch and brought another spoon full of cereal to his mouth. Jemma watched him for a moment, patiently waiting for some sign he heard her. Her brow scrunched as she turned her head in the direction he was staring. A young woman appeared on the screen. She had dark hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a mesmerizing smile.
Jemma huffed a small laugh followed by an eye roll when she realized who it was. "You really interrupted my sleep to watch yet another interview of this girl?" she inquired, smacking the back of his head.
Fitz jumped at the contact and almost spilled his cereal. "Jemma!" he exclaimed, reaching for the remote and pausing the screen. "What are you doing up? You didn't come home until-"
"Three in the morning, that's correct, Fitz." She shuffled around and forced him to move over. She sat down hard on the couch causing the cushion to release air. "You see, I would still be asleep if someone hadn't decided to blast his entertainment show so loudly." She forced a smirk and patted his leg.
Fitz ducked his head apologetically. "So sorry, Jem." He raised his spoon and pointed at the screen. "But, it's Skye. It's her final interview before she goes on a break."
Jemma hummed her response before returning her attention to the television. Fitz unpaused it and the interview began to play. Jemma never understood Fitz's love for this Skye person. Her music was just- alright, she supposed, but Fitz had overplayed her cd's so many times, Jemma started to despise everything about it. She didn't see anything appealing about it at all.
She found herself being sucked into the interview. Not by the words coming from the popstar's mouth, but from her. She was very pretty. Gorgeous, actually. Her smile had many different forms. One moment it would be perfectly beautiful. The next, it was this adorable little smirk followed by an awkward laugh. Jemma tilted her head to take it all in. She could see the attraction, but not the obsession.
"She's decided to come back home for a bit before her new cd and tour." Fitz noted, breaking into Jemma's thoughts. He smiled broadly when Jemma turned to look at him. "Guess where home is?"
Jemma furrowed her brow and shrugged her shoulder.
"Here! She lives in here!"
"Oh, God, Fitz. You're going to stalk her, aren't you?"
Fitz made a face. "No..." he mumbled with a small, guilty smirk. "I'm not saying I'll be totally against trying to run into her."
Jemma rolled her eyes. "Well, don't expect me to tag along." She pushed on his thigh as she stood from the couch. "I'm not getting arrested for you." She walked around the couch and back toward her room.
Fitz turned and looked at her from over the back of the couch. "She plays for your team, you know."
Jemma stopped in her tracks. She turned slowly to look at her friend. "What?"
"She's a lesbian." He frowned slightly. "So, even if I found her, I wouldn't have a chance in hell." His frown suddenly turned to a mischievous grin. "But you would."
Jemma rolled her eyes. "Right because some famous girl, who I have zero interest in meeting, would want to date me."
"How could you not want to meet her!?" Fitz turned, pausing the screen once again. He held his hand out toward the screen. "I mean, look at her."
Jemma sighed and looked toward the screen again. Fitz would pause it on the adorable smile. She fought herself from becoming lost in the screen by clearing her throat and shaking her head. "I don't have time for your shenanigans, Fitz." she responded, avoiding the question at hand. "I'm going to take a shower and prepare for work." She pointed at him. "You'd be smart to do the same."
With one final glance at the screen, she lowered her head and walked back into her bedroom...
