Chapter 8
Edmund POV
"So," started Peter, "I hear that you and Jennifer have a little something going on."
I spat out the water I had been drinking, and started to choke. Peter pounded on my back forcefully until my airway cleared. I breathed in deeply a few times to make sure I wouldn't choke again.
"Um, Peter, we have nothing going on. We're just friends," I said. Jennifer was a sweet girl, a little weird, but she was fun to talk to. Well, frankly, she was a lot weird, but I guess that's because of the age difference, and the time difference, and all that jazz.
"That's not what Lucy and Susan told me." Of course, it had to be Susan and, especially, Lucy. They've been talking to me, too. Mostly about Jennifer. I honestly don't know what their deal is. Although, I have to admit, Jenn made my heart speed up, sometimes, and I got kind of nervous when she's near, and I usually try to show off a bit, but that doesn't mean I have "something going on" with her. Honestly, that's completely mental.
"Well, you know Susan and Lucy. They always make something out of nothing," I said, in what I hope sounded sincerity.
"Yes, but I don't think that's the case," he said. Man, now there are three of them. Bloody hell, I think Peter's the worst of them. Usually, the girls just dropped the subject, but I don't think Peter will be that easy to distract.
Well, you learn something new every day. What you, dearest Eddie, learned today: Peter is worse than a girl.
"It's the case, I'm pretty positive," I responded. Peter rolled his eyes.
I repeat: worse than a girl!
"Aw, come on, Ed. Don't you think Jennifer is rather pretty?"
Don't say yes, Eddie, don't say yes.
"I think she's pretty."
Don't say yes, Eddie, don't say—WHAT? Did Peter just say what I think he said? No, of course not, Eddie. You're just imagining things…No you're not. He said it.
"You, uh, you think she's pretty?" I asked him, trying to act nonchalant.
"Yes, I do. Don't you?" he asked me. He almost seemed amused at my attempt to act aloof.
"Yes, I do," I responded curtly.
Well, aren't you a smart cookie. Now he's going to tell the girls, and the girls are going to make your life miserable. Miserable, Eddie, miserable.
"Whoa, calm down there, sass-pants. There is no need for the tone," Peter said, looking (and sounding) rather smug.
Sass-pants? What? I may be occasionally bold, but I'm not sassy! I'm not sassy…am I?
"I don't have a tone," I responded defensively.
"Sure," Peter said sarcastically.
Don't worry, Eddie, you don't have a tone. Ignore your idiotic brother.
I smiled slightly.
"Why are you smiling?" Peter asked me, staring strangely at me.
"Because, I don't have a tone. I'm right, and you're an idiot."
Ha-ha, Peter! Beat that!
"Oh, and what exactly are you right about?"
Silly, silly Peter.
"Having a tone, or, shall I say, lacking a tone," I said, smugly.
"Well, at least I'm right about you liking Jennifer." That wiped the smile right off my face.
Walk away, Eddie, walk away.
I decided to listen to that manly, amazing voice in my head that sounded just like me.
"Just remember that we're going horse riding this afternoon, and I forbid you from mentioning this conversation." He just laughed.
After I had that pointless, silly banter with Peter I was walking outside towards the gardens to take a walk. I needed to clear my head from all the absurd nonsense Peter put in it. I was walking, minding my own business, when something small and warm crashed into me. I looked down into the warm, hazel eyes of the one, the only, Jennifer.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," she said, smiling sheepishly. She looked adorable.
Eddie, don't you remember your conversation with Peter? Friends. You and this incredibly short girl are just friends.
Wow, I honestly had not noticed how short she really was. Her shortness caused me to smile. Her head barely passed my shoulder.
"No, it's alright. I wasn't paying attention either. Where are you going?" I asked her. I don't know why, though. I mean, I shouldn't care where she's going. And why can't I stop smiling. I saw a light pink blush cover her cheeks.
"Oh, um, I was going to the beach. I haven't had the chance to go yet," she said, a really nice smile gracing her soft, pink lips. Her smile was rather…beautiful.
Friends, Eddie, friends. Although, she does have a nice smile. It makes the green stand out in her eyes. And some of the gold, too.
I was confused. Wasn't my voice supposed to tell me I was wrong?
"You're going to love it there, it's so peaceful," I said. A sudden thought popped up in my head.
"Peter and I are going out horse riding later, so if you're back by then, maybe, you want to join me? I mean…us. DO you want to join us…later?" I asked. Good, maybe this will stop Peter from talking about the previous conversation.
Or maybe you just want her to spend time with you, Eddie. I mean, you're practically begging her to say yes in your mind.
My voice…it betrayed me. Traitor!
"Uh, yeah, sure," she said.
You're happy, you're happy!
"Great. Well, I have to go." As much as I hated to admit it, my voice was right. I was happy she said yes, and not just because of Peter.
Oh, well, you know what they say. Carpe Diem, seize the day. I leaned down and placed a kiss on Jennifer's soft, warm, blushing cheek. I suddenly felt shy, and walked away before she said anything. My lips tingled from Jennifer's warmth. It was probably, from all the blushing.
You want to do it again, Eddie.
There were only two thoughts that were passing my brain as I walked towards the library. One, my voice is right. Two, I really hope Lucy, Susan, nor Peter saw that.
Hello, my friends. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I kinda had second thoughts about it, mostly because I'm not a boy and I'm not from the 20th century, but I just loved Eddie's voices. I'll probably do a Josie POV, but not until it's necessary (it will be). So, please review, because they make me happy and I'll be sure to write the next chapter soon. And yes, the next chapter is back in Jenn's POV and it is important. So, :D Review or I'm gonna get Edmund's voices to go after you. :)
