By the end of Skye's first month, a group was starting to form. Skye ate lunch with Simmons, Fitz and Trip every day except Wednesday, when Fitzsimmons had robotics club and Trip went to some weird 'collector's club' or some shit. Honestly, Trip was kind of awesomely weird. Varsity athlete, yes. Big nerd? Yes. Skye loved it.

Lance Hunter some how got roped in once in a while. Or he was already part of it? Skye couldn't really tell. He was a sophomore, like Trip, British and short like Simmons but he was super annoying and yet Skye still kind of liked him?

They were the oddest group ever, really. Like, Fitz and Simmons were so science, and half they time they were one person, but once Skye got them apart they were almost more intimidating because of how smart they were. They finished the others' sentences and sometimes Fitz looked at Simmons like she was a dream that got loose, but Trip told Skye they weren't dating. Skye and Trip were definitely the most socially savvy of the group. Trip was a star athlete, and volunteered for all sorts of service projects. He was just popular and generally well liked, but his best friends were too adorable geeks, a cranky British kid and Skye.

She was still trying to figure out where she fit in. She got where she was in her little group of friends, but sometimes she lost her place in the school. She didn't really want to be trapped in one role.

"You guys doing anything this weekend?" Skye asked at lunch. They hadn't really hung out outside of school much. Skye didn't have a problem with that, really, but she was starting to get bored with it.

"I've got work Saturday. You all should stop by," Trip said. "And the Back To School dance is Saturday. We could all blow it off together," he suggested.

Skye traded a look with Simmons. That didn't sound too bad. "Does the dance totally suck?"

Trip nodded. "Lame as hell. Proms, Soph Hop and the Winter Semi-Formal are all good, but they just phone in the Back To School."

"Alright, let's blow it off!" Skye grinned. "Who's place do you guys normally crash?"

"Well, we used to go to Ward's house. Before he and Trip came to High school, of course. The gang split then, and now Ward's, um," Fitz paused. Skye nodded. She remembered what they told her about Ward.

"We'll just go to my house," Simmons said, settling the issue.

Skye started to get excited. Her first social plans since coming here. It only took her a month.

That was her fault though. She'd been invited to parties and stuff. The first time, she'd been walking with Trip when they were both invited. Skye was going to say yes, but was kind of shocked into silence when Trip swiftly turned his invite down.

"What, you don't go to parties?" she'd asked.

"No, I go. I'm just real picky about it."

She had turned down the invite too, asking why Trip said no.

"Kid who invited us? Justin Garner. Threw Fitz in a dumpster all year when we were fourteen. Fitz was only thirteen. And Garner keeps hitting on girls even when they say no. That shit doesn't fly with me."

Skye was pretty sure that her dad had Trip to thank that she wasn't out at random parties every other night. That little story had made her a little more discerning.

As excited as Skye was to have plans with her friends, she was less excited about telling her dad. Would he be overly thrilled for her, or overly protective? She was just glad her mom was home to back her up.

"So the Back to School dance is tomorrow night," Skye started.

"Why didn't you tell us? That sounds fun!" Phil said.

"Well, 'cause I'm not going. I heard it sucks. My friends decided we'd all hang out together. Remember I told you about Jemma Simmons? We're going to her house," Skye said, twirling her fork in her pasta.

She saw her dad give her mom a look. Melinda didn't respond. "You sure? We haven't even met these kids, or their parents," Phil started slowly. He didn't sound adamantly against it though. That was a good sign.

"Dad-"

"Phil, she's in high school. We don't have to meet the friends anymore. And we don't have to interact with their parents anymore, thank god," Melinda said. Yeah, Melinda had hated playdates more than life itself. It was a testament to how much she loved Skye that she took her on so many when she was young.

"Alright. You can go. I trust you. Besides, I already did background checks on most of them."

"Dad!"

Melinda rubbed her temples.

"Maybe St. Agnes should've run background checks on you before you adopted me," Skye said.

"They wouldn't have found anything," her dad shrugged.

Skye focused on her dinner. She wasn't mad, actually. And they were letting her go, so she was actually super happy. Her dad started talking about his day, which meant Skye had permission to leave. She ate the last forkful of pasta out of her bowl before clearing it into the kitchen. Finally, she pulled out her phone, looking for Simmons' number.

S: Yo. I can go tomorrow.

J: Wonderful! That's everyone! Trip's going to help you get here, yes?

S: Yup.

A night at Simmons' house. What the hell was that going to be like?

Trip worked at a coffee shop. Skye didn't know why this was such a revelation, but when she walked to the address he'd texted her, she was standing under a sign for From The Grounds Up. Ugh. Puns. She walked in anyway.

"Trip! Nice apron."

Trip was behind the counter, making fancy coffee drinks. "Hey, Skye. I'll be done in five, and we'll walk over to Simmons' place."

"It's in walking distance?"

Trip nodded, more focused on making pretty designs in foam and steamed milk than talking. Skye busied herself looking around. Miles would love this place. Seriously, he'd be dragging her here all of the time.

Trip kept his promise. Five minutes later, he was hanging up his apron. The shadows of the buildings were long in the early evening light. They started the walk to Simmons' house just whining about homework and laughing about stupid things. They quickly got onto the topic of Fitzsimmons and why it wasn't a thing. Skye wasn't going to push them. Neither was Trip.

"Oh, also, we invited Bobbi and Mack tonight," Trip said.

"I finally get to meet the infamous Bobbi. Awesome. And Mack is...?"

"He's a Junior, like Bobbi. They're pretty tight. He and Hunter are buds, too. And he's great at watching Fitz's back. Just a nice guy, for the most part. I think you'll like him."

Skye nodded. That was the sucky thing about being the new girl - she didn't know anybody. All of the names that got tossed around were lost on her. Tonight would put an end to that, hopefully. Skye realized that Trip had stopped walking like four steps ago.

"Oh."

Simmons' house was not like she imagined. The again, she wasn't sure what she had actually imagined. A small, cozy English tudor? That was not the case. This house was bigger, and very well tended. It looked like it had come out of some architectural magazine. Well, one that focused on houses that went for less than two million dollars.. Still, it was nice.

The house next door was a little bit smaller, and Fitz was coming out of it.

"Don't tell me-"

"They're next door neighbors. How do you think they met?" Trip smiled.

Fitz walked up the door with them. Simmons' pulled it open before Fitz had even finished knocking. Had she been watching? Or did she and Fitz like, call across the gap between their houses?

"Mum, Dad! They're here!" Simmons' shouted, waving everybody in. "Skye, these are my parents. Mum, Dad, this is Skye!" she smiled brightly. Simmons' parents either dressed really nicely all the time, or were going out. They both had really nice smiles, and looked just as friendly, if not more, than their daughter.

"Jemma's told us so much about you, Skye. It's a pleasure to meet you!" her mom said.

"Hello, Mr. Simmons. Dr. Simmons," Fitz greeted with a smile. They each gave him a big hug, leaving him blushing and not meeting anyone's gazes.

"You two leaving?" Simmons asked eagerly. Her parents traded looks and secretive smiles.

"Yes, yes, of course. We're just going to dinner, we'll be back in a few hours. Don't get into too much trouble, and if you need anything, call. We'll be back in a blink. Oh and Jemma, be a good host," Mr. Simmons reminded, kissing his daughter's cheek before she all but pushed him and her mom through the door.

As soon as the door closed, Fitz stopped blushing. "Are the snacks in the-"

"Basement? Yes. But-"

Simmons didn't even have time to finish before Fitz was stampeding downstairs. "Triplett..." she trailed off.

"I got it. He won't food coma himself," Trip laughed and followed Fitz downstairs.

That left Simmons and Skye. "We'll head downstairs in a minute. Let me give you a tour first," she smiled.

Skye followed Simmons around the first floor, half-listening to whatever the girl was saying. Instead of having a million pictures of their family, there was some nice art here or there. Occasionally there would be a picture of young Simmons. The girl had basically been really pretty and adorable all of her life. Everything was so comfy and tasteful. Skye's parents would love this place. Upstairs, Simmons led Skye to her bedroom. She had the corner room, so there were windows in the back, and on one side. She had a view of the backyard...and Fitz's house.

"Uh. Is that Fitz's bedroom, right across from yours?" Skye asked with a smile. Simmons nodded. "There's a tree almost in the middle." It didn't completely block the view, because it was a little bit behind the houses, but you could use it to cross between the houses, Skye was sure.

"Yes."

"You ever climb across?"

"No. I quite dislike heights. Fitz has done it a few times, but it scrapes him up," Simmons said. Skye gave her a look. "What?"

"He climbs into your bedroom."

"And?"

Skye shook her head. Simmons' really didn't get it, did she? Skye just took that as yes, Fitz has climbed into the bedroom, but no, nothing ever happened. There was an adorable picture of a young pre-teen Simmons with her mom and dad. She had some certificate in her hand. Probably for doing something brilliant. Skye was about to ask her when it was from when the doorbell rang.

"Ooh! That might be Bobbi!" Simmons said, dragging Skye towards the stairs again. "And Mack, of course. Maybe they brought Hunter, he's late."

Skye let Simmons pull her downstairs. The Brit yanked open the door, a ridiculously big grin on her face. Hunter walked in first, carrying a case of beer.

"Look what I got!"

"Oh, lovely. Take it downstairs. That's where we'll be," Simmons said. She was a lot more calm about the beer than Skye would've thought.

"Don't take credit for the beer, Hunter. Stop trying to look cool."

Hunter waved off whoever the voice belonged to and another figure emerged in the doorway. She was ridiculously tall, and very pretty. This was Bobbi Morse? Skye wasn't sure what she was expected, but it wasn't this. Trip had told her that Bobbi was Hunter's ex. Now that she could see Bobbi in person, it was way harder to believe.

"Jemma, look at you. Freshman at last," Bobbi laughed. Simmons was smiling even bigger, if possible. Fitz might've been on to something about that crush. She made Simmons look so small.

"Bobbi, it's great to see you. This is Skye. She's quite awesome. I'm sure you two will get along beautifully," Simmons said.

Bobbi smiled at Skye as she stepped into the house. "Good to meet you." She looked behind her. "Mack! Come on, stop tinkering with the car!"

There was a grunt from outside and in a second a guy, presumably Mack, appeared. He made Bobbi look normal sized.

"Whoa. Mack is very...muscly," Skye said. Bobbi laughed, resting a hand on Mack's shoulders. Simmons ushered him in, closing the door once more. Than she led them all downstairs.

The basement was all decked out. Fitz had brought over his xbox and hooked it up to the TV, there was table tennis, a foosball table and a pool table, too. Skye grabbed a cue. "Trip. Bet you ten bucks I can beat you."

Trip jumped over the couch, grabbing his own cue. "I will take that bet, and I will run with it. I'm gonna take you down."

Hunter was the first to open the case of beer, pulling out a bottle. "Pass 'em around, Hunter," Mack said, grabbing one for himself and one for Fitz.

'I'm surprised Fitz and Simmons would be drinking," Skye said, setting up the balls. Simmons made an offended noise.

"We're not tight-laced, grumpy sticks in the mud, you know. Fitz and I know how to party."

Skye smiled, taking a beer that Hunter handed her. It wasn't like they were getting black out drunk. This wasn't really a party so much as it was a chill night to avoid a horrible dance. Still, Simmons' was surprising her a lot that night. Trip tossed Mack his iPod. Once it was hooked up to the sound system, some great, chill, alt music started to play. Skye shot Trip a look. He gave a shrug.

"My boyf- my friend Miles, would like this shit. He would still complain it's too mainstream, but he'd be jamming," Skye said, lining up her shot to break. Mack, Fitz and Hunter were already on the xbox.

Trip and Skye alternated between playing their game of pool and sitting with Bobbi and Simmons. These were cool people. She liked Bobbi and Mack. Thank god she finally met them. Bobbi and Simmons were trying to mess up the boys' game. Bobbi would mock Hunter, Simmons tossed snacks at Fitz. It was ridiculous.

Skye's phone buzzed in her pocket. Miles, of course.

M: I'm bored. What are you doing tonight?

S: I'm at a friend's house.

M: You have friends?

S: Shut up.

Skye was smiling at her phone. She opened up the camera. "Group selfie!"

Trip was the first to join her in the photo, standing right behind her. Hunter joined her up front, cause he was so short. Simmons and Fitz were smushed together on her left, with Bobbi and Mack in the very back. Skye handed Mack the phone. One picture was all happy smiles, the other was silly faces, eyes closed. Total idiots. Everyone went back to whatever they had been doing and Skye looked at the pictures.

They were good. She didn't look at all out of place. Skye couldn't help but feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy when she looked at the picture.

She sent it to Miles.

S: Me and the crew.

M: Preps!

S: Fuck you, Lydon :P

Skye slipped her phone away and walked back to the pool table. Trip lined up his shot as Skye nursed her second beer. Only the eight ball left. His shot was just a little too soft. The white ball was almost in the pocket, but not quite. The perfect set up for Skye. She laughed as she set up hers, sinking the ball easily as Trip pouted.

"Girl, you got so lucky."

Skye shrugged, smiling innocently. "Ten bucks, Antoine."

Their game done, they joined everyone on the couch, where they were debating what movie to watch.

"Star Wars."

Fitz, Simmons and Bobbi had all spoken at the same time.

Skye smiled to herself, squished between Simmons and Hunter. She could get used to this.

A/N: Okay so a lot of fluff I know, but who doesn't love fluff? Next chapter will really get the ball rolling with Ward :)