A/N: Another response to the Pure Horace Mantis challenge! This weeks challenge is a "What If" challenge. SO here we go, friends! Enjoy! And go check out the challenge in suburbs's profile and participate! It's been a lot of fun so far!

Handshakes and Musical Laughter

By angellwings

What if Macy hadn't shut Kevin's hand in the locker during the apology scene in "Chasing the Dream"?

"How about we both stop feeling bad for each other and we start in a new place. How about friends?" Kevin asked desperately to keep Macy from looking hurt and wounded. When she smiled and nodded he knew he had succeeded

She took slow deep breaths, "Okay, friends."

He let go of the side of her locker and reached forward to shake her hand. She quickly dropped the javelin and it fell onto her locker door and slammed it shut. Kevin stared at the door in shock. Good thing he moved his hand. He cleared his throat and turned back to Macy as she shook his hand eagerly.

His hand tingled when she touched it and he fought back a small gasp. What was that? Macy giggled and Kevin sighed happily. It was nice to have this Macy back. Giggly Macy didn't break his heart the way Teary Macy did. After they shook hands Kevin reached down and picked up Macy's javelin.

"I think I'm gonna hold onto this while we talk," He told her gently. "Just in case."

Macy blushed, "That might be a good idea."

"Do you have a Track and Field meet coming up soon or something?" Kevin asked as he kept the javelin at his side.

Macy nodded, "Tomorrow is our first meet of the year."

He nodded, "What ti-"

"Hey, guys," Stella said as she approached hesitantly.

Kevin jumped and dropped the javelin. Stella narrowly dodged it and it hit the ground with a loud crash. Kevin blushed and turned to face Stella, "You startled me."

She quirked an eyebrow at him and spoke up dryly, "I couldn't tell."

Macy laughed lightly and picked up the javelin, "Maybe I should prop this up in the corner for all of our sakes."

Kevin smiled brightly at the sound of her laugh. For some one with no musical talent she certainly had a musical laugh.

"You guys seem to be doing okay," Stella said as Macy propped the javelin up away from herself and Kevin. "Everything worked out?"

Macy's smile grew, "Yes! It's all worked out. Right, Kevin?"

Macy resisted adding "of Jonas" to the end of Kevin's name and then straightened her shoulders up proudly. She was making progress if she did say so herself. Kevin seemed to realize she'd achieved something as well because he was suddenly beaming down at her with his eyes shining.

"Right, Macy."

Macy and Kevin shared a smile and shy look while Stella looked on with interest. She grinned mischievously like the cat that ate the canary. Her two friends had just shared a moment. She cleared her throat.

"Well, I'm gonna go," She smirked as she began to back away from the two. "You two have fun. Maybe Kevin can walk you to the track, Mace? Later, guys!"

Stella hurried off. Matchmaking schemes were already forming in her mind. Would it be too cliché to secretly set them up on blind dates with each other? Or maybe she could invent a secret admirer for Macy and make Kevin so jealous that he would HAVE to make a move. That could work, couldn't it? Stella sighed contentedly. She loved matchmaking…even if it did occasionally backfire.