The next evening...

"That will be the first of them. Could you answer that for me, Skye?"

Chuckling at the sight of Dr Breskow once again half inside the refrigerator, Skye walked over the front door and opened it. And promptly took a step backwards.

Skye wasn't one to be attracted to men. In fact, even at the ripe young age of seventeen, she had never felt so much as a flutter towards any male she had ever met.

And yet, as she stood there face to face with this stranger, she experienced the previously unknown sensation of gallons of hormones rushing into her blood stream. Knowing perfectly well that it was nothing more than a momentary physical attraction, she smiled and held out her hand.

"Hello. I'm Skye Penderwick."

He grinned in return and shook her hand. "Chase Stevenson. It's very nice to meet you."

As his warm grip left hers, she realized that she could no longer feel her right hand. Instantaneously deciding that she hated anyone who could have that much power of her, she turned around and walked into the kitchen, Chase right on her heels. Penelope Breskow smirked as she saw them enter together.

"I knew it would be you, Chase." Turning to Skye she smiled. "He's always the first one here." Skye nodded, fully believing it. He seemed the punctual type. "Why don't you guys go sit in the living room? I'll bring some snacks in while we wait for the others."

As the two sat down on the floor next the warm fire, Chase smiled at her again. "So, Skye, where do you hail from?"

"Cameron."

"I'm afraid I don't know where that is..." He looked rather sheepish.

She just laughed. "Not many people do. It's about 2 and a half hours West of here. It's a very small town."

"I like small towns. Where do you go to school?"

"Just our local public school. It's not great, but it's not bad, either."

"High school?" He looked rather surprised.

She smiled. "Yeah. I'm a senior. If I get lucky, I'll be right here in Boston in the fall."

"Then you're what: seventeen?"

She nodded. "What about you?"

"Eighteen. It's my first year here at MIT. Home's still upstate New York."

"Do you like it?"

"Which one? Upstate New York or MIT?"

"MIT."

"Yes, I really do. Everyone's so focused."

"What's your major?"

"Black holes and dark matter."

Skye just stared at him for a moment. This was getting ridiculous. It was like the universe was just trying to break down her walls.

"Really? Black holes are my favorite, actually that's why I'm here, and my step-mother's last ten years of research have been dedicated to dark matter."

"Wow. What's her name?"

"Iantha Penderwick."

His jaw literally dropped open. "Are you serious? She's the dark matter expert. Every single class I have ever had on it cites her studies. That's incredible."

"She's incredible. Best step-mother anyone could ever ask for."

"Not wicked then?" He winked at her.

"No, not at all."

They sat there laughing and grinning at each other like idiots until the doorbell rang again. Returning to her senses, and silently scolding herself for being a silly fool, Skye hopped up to answer the door. She really had to do something about this temporary bought of insanity.

3 hours later...

She shut the door behind her and stepped into the cool night, smiling at the dark-haired, grey-eyed young man standing in front of her.

"It was very nice to meet you, Skye."

"You, too."

"I hope you end up coming here in the fall."

"So do I."

"You're a very enjoyable person to be around."

Skye swallowed, suddenly not liking where this conversation was going. Trying to put some distance between them, he had moved quite close, she took a step backwards, and promptly ran into the front door.

He followed her movements, and placed a hand on the door behind her. She was trapped. He smiled softly and looked down at her.

"So beautiful, too."

She blushed, and hated the hormones that caused her to do so. What was happening? She was acting like some giggly girl with nothing in between her ears but air. Swallowing hard, she opened her mouth to say goodnight, and give him the hint to leave, but he stopped her with what he said next.

"Skye, would you have dinner with me tomorrow?"

She just stared at him. She didn't want to have dinner with him. She knew that she didn't have to have dinner with him. Her was poised to tell him so, when she looked into his eyes and was swamped by yet another wave of hormones shattering all of her logical thoughts.

"Yes."

The word came out breathlessly, as she fought to keep it in. And yet, standing there with him so close to her, she couldn't seem to control her words. She didn't understand. She had never felt this way before. His face broke into a smile and she cursed the laws of life that made her heart speed up. Oh, why did humans have to react so chemically to each other?! Why couldn't they just be logical about it?

"I thought for sure you were going to say 'no'. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that you didn't, but I just didn't expect it. What sort of food do you like?"

Still in a state of shock, Skye didn't answer for a moment. Finally, she swallowed horsely and managed to get out, "Oh, anything."

"Alright then, how about Thai food?" She nodded, not really processing what he was saying. She was too jacked up on hormones to think straight. "Does seven work for you?"

She nodded again, her brain wishing that he would just leave, and her body wanting nothing more than to have him stay forever, but stop talking and just kiss her. Apparently, her body wasn't the only one malfunctioning, because in the next second, he did just that.

For the next moment, Skye was a battlefield. Every muscle in her body ached to kiss him back, while all she wanted to do was pull away and punch him in the nose for causing her to feel this way. In the end, she just stood there, stock still, and let him kiss her. He pulled away and, with a bright smile, scampered down the walk and drove away.

Skye couldn't see straight, so much was going on inside of her. She felt like she was being pulled in two. Her body was alive. Every cell was on fire and she couldn't even feel her lips. To make matters worse, her brain had to scream to be heard.

What were you thinking, you idiot?! He kissed you and you didn't do a thing to stop it! Have you gone completely raving mad?

Nodding her head, she shut her eyes to get her body back under control and turned around. Storming in to the house, she slammed the door behind her. Dr Breskow looked up from her snack and raised her eyebrows. Skye glared at her and growled. She stalked up the stairs and into her room. All the way downstairs, Penelope smiled as she heard the young girl yell in frustration. Her words were easy to make out, even over the distance.

"God, I hate biology!"

Chapter number two! Yippee! I think Skye might be a bit OOC. I've been trying really hard not to make her that way, but I'm have a bit of difficulty. If anyone has any helpful suggestions, please let me know. Just to clarify, I am a firm believer that Skye is perfectly capable of falling in love. I didn't say she'd like it, but I think she can, and the chances are she will. Part of love is chemical, and I don't think even Skye is able to fight that off with pure logic, try as hard as she might. :-) That was what I was trying to illustrate in this chapter. There will be more Jeffrey in the next one, I promise. Thanks for the reviews, and please keep them coming.

PS: We seem to be suffering from an epidemic of un-creativity when it comes to names. :-) Guests: please name yourselves. Nothing fancy, but some way that I can classify everyone, of you don't mind. :-)

Guest I - Thanks! I hope you enjoy this chapter, too.

Guest II - Haha Someone has to keep this fandom going... :-) Thank you!

Guest III - Part of that is just my writing style, I'm afraid. If you have any suggestions for how I can make it unique, please let me know.

I really do value feedback, so please keep giving it. Thanks!