Tinkerbell zoomed up to Terence, just as he had done to her. Instead of leaping over him though, she jumped onto his back, pulling his acorn hat tightly over his eyes. This earned wild laughter from Terence, and a wide smile from Tink herself.
''Hey! Tink! What are you doin'?'' Terence had just a hint of nervousness in his voice. He tried to pull Tink's hands off of his hat, but they weren't budging - at all. The two fairies continue to laugh and squeal while Tinkerbell finally gave in and removed her hands from Terence's hat - and not a moment too soon. As Terence replaced his hat and gave Tink a look as if to say, ''You'll pay for that,'' they both noticed just exactly where they were headed - straight for a tree!
''Oh nononononononono!'' Terence wailed. Tinkerbell closed her eyes and braced for impact, but Terence was quicker to think. He shifted around so that Tinkerbell was next to him, and he held onto her waist tightly. Once she was firmly in that position, Terence shifted direction and flew straight upwards, instead of landing face first in a tree, just barely grazing a leaf at the very top of the tree. Though it was a light impact in comparison to what they could have felt, the weight of both of their bodies was enough to send them catapulting out of the leaf, and through the air.
''Ahhhh!'' Tinkerbell screamed and closed her eyes again. But even that wasn't enough for her. She put her hands on top of her eyes as well. Terence, however, was just the opposite. He threw his arms out, screaming ''wooohooo!'' Obviously, the two had two very, very different definitions of what fun was.
After what seemed like an eternity to Tink, and what was way too short to Terence, they landed on the ground just in front of Tinkerbell's house. Tinkerbell landed on her bottom, and continued to throw herself on the ground, sighing heavily, while Terence landed with a flip onto the ground and ended with his legs up against a tree, and his hat falling off. He laughed wildly as he landed - just having way too much fun.
''That was kinda fun,'' he said in between laughs. He replaced his hat, and gave a glance to Tinkerbell, who looked less than amused. After a few seconds of just staring at each other though, they both burst into uproarious laughter.
''You and your crazy ideas of fun!'' Tinkerbell squealed. Terence only giggled and offered his hand to help her up, which she gladly took. He even dusted the dirt off of her, but of course, was a gentleman about it.
''Oh come on, tell me that you didn't find that awesome for even a second,'' he said, a wide grin still on his face.
''Not even for half a second,'' she said insistently, yet playfully. ''You are so weird.''
''Aw, you know you wouldn't have me any other way,'' he said, just as playfully…perhaps even a little…flirtatiously?
''Of course not, silly,'' Tink laughed, and she ruffled his hair.
''Tink! Hey!'' He guffawed and moved her hands away from his hair. But now, down to business, he thought.
''So, I guess this means I win, Miss Tink?''
''What?'' she mock gasped. ''How do you figure?''
''Well, technically, I did land closer to your house than you did,'' he gestured to the spot where he fell from the tree. No way Tinkerbell could fight with that.
''Oh, fine! You win - but don't get used to it,'' she tried her best to look sour, but it was of no use -Terence saw right through it, and played right along.
''Oh, never, milady,'' he said, in a sophisticated type of dialect, and he feigned a bow.
Tinkerbell picked up his dialect and caught on with his joke. '' Good. Then it's time to come in and claim your prize, good sir.'' And with that, she led Terence into her house by the wrist - both smiling as always.
Boy, I love it when Tink touches my wrist, he thought I just wish she would hold my hand…..Shake it off, Terence! Get those thoughts out! Tink's your best friend - she'd never have you… right?
Terence watched with curious and adoring eyes as Tinkerbell went to get their breakfast. He noticed a beautiful strand of golden hair escape from her normally tidy bun, and he thought to himself, Wow, she has really pretty hair - she should wear it out sometime… Woah, shake it off, Terence!
Though she tried not to, Tinkerbell couldn't help but notice Terence stare at her, and it gave her a half nervous, half flattered sort of feeling. This was strange to her; she'd never felt that way before when anyone else looked at her, why was Terence so much different? She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was just something about him that…made her feel, well…happy.
Shake it off, girl! Terence is your best friend - right?
She watched him watch her, and as blue stared into blue, she couldn't help wondering just what was going on in that beautiful mind of his - maybe he was thinking of…her? Nah, impossible!
''Well, here ya go!'' Tinkerbell said cheerily. She flew over to her table with Terence's prize, the very last pumpernickle muffin, and of course, two cups of chamomile tea. Terence was shot out of his daydream, only to discover from Tink's body language that she had been in a bit of one, too. He wondered what hers had been about. Oh well.
''Hey! Thanks, Tink! Looks great!'' The two young fairies clinked their glasses together and sipped their tea in silence. That is, it was silent, until Tinkerbell saw Terence put a hand on her empty plate. When his hand left her plate, she saw what looked like, muffin, on her plate. Confused, she set her teacup down and stared at him.
''You're…giving me my muffin back?'' Terence laughed, pointing at the muffin on her plate. ''Just half. See? I even gave you the bigger half.'' Tinkerbell picked up what Terence had left on her plate, studied what was left on his, and saw that he indeed had given her the bigger half.
''But, you pretty much gave me the whole thing back,'' A small smile escapred Terence's lips as he put his cup down to explain. ''No, see - I gave you the top half, see? That's the best part - everyone likes the top half of the muffin, that's where all the flavor is - nobody wants to just get to the bottom half.'' He giggled and finished his tea, while Tinkerbell blushed and smiled. He wanted her to have the good part of the muffin…that was the sweetest thing that he had done for her in a while, and something no one else had ever done with her. What is this feeling in my stomach?
''T-Thank you, Terence, that's so sweet!'' She gave Terence her sweetest smile ever.
''Aw, not what kind of friend would I be if I sat here and ate while you went hungry? I'd never do that to you. I'd share anything with you, even -'' he stopped right there. Better not go there. ''Well, even half of my victory breakfast.'' He placed a lopsided and unconvincing smile on his face. Somehow, Tinkerbell got the feeling that's not what he truly wanted to say, but for now, she was willing to let it go.
''Well, thanks,'' she said sweetly. She smiled at him as he smiled back. What is this? Terence wondered. Why do I want to…I don't know…hold her, all of a sudden?
I wish he would hold me, Tinkerbell secretly wished. Meanwhile, about a million thoughts were whirling through Terence's head, but all that seemed to come out was,
''Oh, you're welcome, I mean what are friends for, right?'' Friends - was exactly the last word he wanted to use, but right now, he thought that it would probably be the safest word to use.
Ah! Tinkerbell thought. See? He said 'friends', so just drop it girl! He'd never have you.
The both of them were brought out of their uncertain and cloudy thoughts when Tinkerbell's cricket clock struck. Terence shook, and looked up at what time it was. Unfortunately, he decided to use the time as an excuse to try and avoid any further embarrassment for the day.
''Well, I had a great time, but I'm afraid I gotta get going. Besides, Fairy Mary will be expecting to see you in Tinker's Nook soon. So, um, I'm just gonna, um..go.. I'll stop by later..ok..bye!''
''Wait!'' Tinkerbell grabbed him back by the wrist again, making them both look at their hands. Tinkerbell let go quickly, and placed both her arms behind her back.
''I -I had fun too, and - of course, I LET you win today, I mean after all I just got tired of winning.''
''Oh really?'' Terence chuckled. He placed his hands on his hips, trying his best to look serious.
''Well, you know, defeating you mercilessly every day gets very tiresome after a while,'' she fake yawned and stretched her arms to illustrate her point.
''Well, in that case,'' he said, placing a hand over her mouth, '' I insist on a rematch first thing tomorrow morning, and I want nothing but your best work, Miss Tink.'' He put on that same sophisticated dialect again, and moved in such a way that made Tink laugh. Again, playing along, she said, ''Yes, I think that can be arranged.''
''Done then,'' Terence said, holding out his hand. Tink too it, and the two shook hands, but after more than a few seconds, two took their eyes off of their hands, and placed them on each other, completely oblivious that they were still holding hands. But, of course, all good things much come to end. The spell was broken by Fawn, who happened to be flying by and noticed the two of them at the door.
''Hey again!'' she said, and she waved. The two of them shook from their thoughts, looked at each other, and then nervously waved back at Fawn, who obviously realized what she might have interrupted. Then, focusing on their hands, the both gasped and immediately broke hands. Out of sheer nervousness, Terence removed his hat, placing it on his chest, and searching for just the right thing to say.
''Well, um, I better be going then,''
''Yeah,'' Tinkerbell reluctantly agreed. Terence replaced his hat for the last time, but he turned around one last time to say, ''Have a good day at work.''
''I will, thanks,'' she said with a sweet smile. And she waved.
Terence turned to her and waved and gave her his sweetest smile. ''Bye,'' he whispered. As he took flight, he turned one last time to take a last look at her. When Terence was out of sight, Tinkerbell closed the door and plopped down on the ground, a happy and slightly perplexed sigh escaping her lips. ''Terence.''