Chapter 12
"Would ya just stop glancing ovah at her and go ovah there and ask her?" Snoddy complained. Skittery grumbled and took his eyes off a certain curly-redheaded newsgirl.
"And what, have her laugh in my face?" Dutchy sighed,
"Please, that's pathetic. Ya know Clover wouldn't do that." Skittery remained stubborn,
"Okay, so maybe she wouldn't laugh at me, but she wouldn't say yes either."
"Skitts, come one," Snoddy protested. "It's just asking her ta sell with ya, it's not a big deal, like a date." Skittery balked at the word "date."
"Date? Who said anything about a date? We're just friends; this ain't a date, is it?" Dutchy held back a laugh. Skittery had changed a lot in the past few weeks, but he still had traces of his old cynicism. Significant traces, especially in situations like this.
"No one said anythin' 'bout a date, just that by askin' her ta sell with ya, it ain't askin' her on a date. Now get ovah there and ask her 'fore she gets her papes and leaves." He and Snoddy pushed Skittery in Clover's direction then prepared themselves to coach him on.
***
Clover was chatting with Ebony and Hazel while waiting in line to get their papers when she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Skittery. "Can I talk ta ya for a second, Clover?"
"Sure." Clover excused herself from her friends. "Is there something you need?" Skittery scuffed the ground with his heel. He caught a glimpse of Dutchy and Snoddy, who waved him on. Hazel noted the two urging Skittery on, and pointed them out to Ebony, who rolled her eyes while Hazel covered a laugh with her hand. Clover's heart beat faster as she waited for Skittery to say something. "Uh, Skittery?" The brown-eyed newsie looked up at Clover,
"Yeah?"
"You wanted to tell or ask me something?"
"I was just wondering, um…do you want to sell with me this morning?" Clover tried not to smile. All that for something so simple.
"Aw, Skitts, I'm sorry, but Hazel, Ebony and I are already selling together."
"Oh." Skittery resumed studying his feet with a very dispirited countenance. Clover fought the urge to go hug him around the shoulders to cheer him up. (Clover is one of those people that hug a lot. I'm like that sometimes too, so beware!! Muahahaha…um okay yeah I'm finished now)
"But," voiced Clover. Skittery's shoulders perked and head picked up at the "but." Clover continued. "I can sell with you this afternoon." Skittery smiled one of those cute and goofy guy smiles,
"Okay," and rejoined Dutchy and Snoddy.
***
Ebony and Hazel were whispering excitedly to each other when Clover returned. "So, what did he want?" asked Hazel.
"Was he askin' ya out?" added Ebony. Clover's face grew hot,
"No, he wasn't asking me out. We're just friends, remember?" she stressed. "He wanted to know if I could sell with him this morning. I told him, no, I was selling with you."
"Oh, why'd ya say no?" Ebony scolded in a whine-ish tone. "We'll let ya ditch us just this once!" Clover laughed,
"You're a riot, Ebony, you know that? Don't worry, I told Skittery that I'd sell with him in the afternoon." Ebony's expression brightened,
"Oh, well, that's better, then. Aw, ain't the two of ya so cute!"
"Ebony," growled Clover in exasperation, "how many times do I have to tell you that Skittery and I are just friends? He probably wants to talk to me, but is uncomfortable saying whatever he wants to say around everyone else."
"Then," Ebony countered, "why was Snoddy and Dutchy coachin' Skitts on as he was talkin' ta ya?" Surprise dominated Clover's features for a second until she came up with a reasonable explanation.
"Even though he wants to talk with me, he's scared to ask because he thinks that I'll think it's something else and I'll say no, or I'll just flat out reject him no matter what. It sounds dumb because of how much he's opened up to me, but this is Skittery we're discussing." Ebony was unsure, but this was Skittery they were talking about. She might have pressed her argument further, but they had reached the barred Distribution window. Ebony bought her papers and waited as Hazel and Clover purchased theirs. The three walked off, belting out headlines that, luckily, did not need much improving.