Disclaimer: I don't own The Penderwicks

Chapter 4 (Skye's POV)

I felt the weight of the soccer ball thumping against my knee as I eyed Jane narrowly. In a match all that really mattered was scoring a point, and whether you had or not wasn't ever hard to figure. It was certain, reliable, sorta like math I guess.

But life was different. That's why I preferred math most days.

After lining up my target I gave the ball one last bonce that send it a little higher into the air then the other times. Then slamming my foot into it I gritted my teeth and watched it fly past Jane's head.

For a second I grinned at what should have been a good shot, but the feeling didn't last too long, since I knew that had been way too easy. Jane smirked as she walked over to the ball and playfully rolled it under one foot. "That would have been a good one Skye, but I can't lie, I let you have it."

I frowned, a little annoyed. "Well why'd you do that?"

So much for always knowing when you scored a point... Was even soccer getting more confusing as an adult…? Jane rested her hands behind her head as she beamed a grin that made me hope she wasn't about to mention love. "Because I'm in a great mood today Skye!"

I shifted from one foot to the other, not really sure I wanted to know where this was headed. But all the same I figured Jane wanted me to ask. But I didn't get the chance.

"And do you know why? Because it's spring! A season of revival! Of fresh new beginnings! Just think Skye, we're young and free to shape our own destiny at this very moment!"

I blinked a few times, not really sure if this was the part where I tried to reply… But before I could decide she walked over and slung an arm around my shoulder and squeezed.

"I think Rosalind is an inspiration! We shouldn't be afraid to embrace the future! To forge ahead down the path of our generation!"

And there it was, love, I had guessed right after all.

I gave a half smile as I nodded slightly. "Uh well I'm happy for her yeah…"

Jane patted my shoulder. "So am I! And it has me excited to think where the rest of us might be down the road! Or better yet, just around the next corner!" Jane let go off me and swayed dreamily, lost in an artistic tangent. I knew there wasn't really any way to shake her out of one of these once it was already happening.

So I didn't bother trying. Strange as it seemed a part of me smiled at seeing her like this. It wasn't my cup of tea to say the least, but she was my sister, and I wouldn't have charged her for anything. Losing Rosalind was teaching me that. That you should enjoy your family while you have them. Even if they are a little nuts.

I rolled the soccer ball from one foot to another as what I had just thought clicked together in my head. I guess the truth was I wasn't as happy about Rosalind getting married as I was unhappy about it. Did that make me selfish?

I let go of a little sigh as I tried to form my feelings into something I could express. Something that would let a little pressure off my head without the whole thing spilling out.

"Aren't you upset about losing her?"

Jane snapped her head to look at me. The expression she had told me she thought what I'd asked was pretty ridiculous. About now I was starting to wish I hadn't said anything.

"That's silly Skye, we're not losing her, we're gaining Tommy. He'll be a real Penderwick now."

I smirked a little playfully. "What, did she convince him to take her name instead?"

Jane rolled her eyes just as playfully. "You know what I mean."

With a kick I lunched the ball into our fence post and caught it as it came flying back at me. Holding it under my arm I looked back at Jane. "Yeah I know, but you don't have to go and marry somebody just to make them a Penderwick."

Jane thought silently before she tried to guess what I'd meant. "You mean how it is with Jeffrey?"

I admit I felt myself tense a little when she said that. It is who I was thinking about, but something told me I shouldn't have brought Jeffery into this conversation.

"Well yeah…" I said slowly.

She nodded. "Sure that's true, but it's not the point Skye. I mean we're not kids anymore, Rosalind and Tommy are in love, and that's more important than who is or isn't a Penderwick."

I felt myself chafe a little at that. But I'd learned to let the frustration go with a shrug "Yeah I know… Let's just forget about it."

Jane squinted her eyes as if she was trying to see right through me. And when that grin appeared on her face I guessed she'd read into me whatever it was she wanted to find.

"But that's not to say that Jeffery is any less a Penderwick than Tommy will be… Especially if…"

I felt my blood pressure rise. So turning on my heels I looked away from her as I dropped the ball and crossed my arms. "Don't Jane."

I heard her laugh. "Calm down Skye, I'm only kidding with you!" She then got a mischievous look on her face. "Besides who's to say you'll marry him, it could be me or even Batty, I mean if you give it a few years."

I snapped around to face her as I felt an unusual prickling feeling race up my spine. I couldn't figure out what to say, but I guess the look on my face was words enough for Jane.

"Hey easy girl! I was kidding about that too you know!" Then she laughed a little. "But you do seem pretty jealous!"

I felt my face going a little red as I bit my tongue. When we were younger I would have blew my top for sure, but since then I'd gotten a bit better at cooling my temper. So taking a deep breath I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

"I don't think any of us should marry him. Why try to change something that works just fine how it is?"

Jane just stared in an amused disbelief before she replied. "Uh because if you're in love with him then you need to do something about it! Honestly Skye, some of the funny things you say…"

I guess a part of me wished I saw things as simply as Jane did. Or maybe saw things period for that matter. The truth was I didn't see the world as black and white as that. To me it looked more like a confused blur, and I could hardly believe I was almost talking about it.

"Of course I love Jeffery, we all do." I said weakly.

Jane smiled gently, almost like she felt sorry for me. Then wrapping an arm around my shoulder she spoke slowly.

"Not the same thing Blue Skies."

I knew that, I wasn't completely dense. But that was all I knew. What I didn't know was what side of it I fell on. And frankly I was too afraid to try and find out.

But either way it didn't matter much. Love like that wasn't something that one person could just decide. If I did care what would it matter since he didn't? So I'd figured out a long time ago to stop asking myself that question.

I felt her squeeze my shoulder a little tighter as her voice turned a little comforting. "Anyway, no one is losing anyone Skye. We were sisters first, which means we'll be sisters forever."

Nodding I mustered a slight smile. "Yeah...I know…" Because I did. Even if it took me until now to realize it…

Jane grinned a little playfully. "Penderwick family honor?"

I smiled back with a lopsided grin. "Yeah, Penderwick family honor."

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