"How much you wanna bet I can play it with my nose?"
"Play what?" Skye didn't even look up, too immersed in her book to pay attention to Jeffrey and his need to show off.
"How about "Yankee Doodle Dandy"?" Jeffrey waved his harmonica and shoved Skye's legs off his lap so he could settle down better.
"I don't care." Skye finally looked up in irritation at having to find a new, comfortable, position.
"Great, I love your enthusiasm. Prepare to be amazed." Jeffrey held his harmonica up to his nose and began to play the little ditty by inhaling and exhaling through his nose. His success guaranteed him throwing both fists up in the air in celebration, only to lower them in disappointment when he realized Skye hadn't paid the slightest bit of attention to him.
"Oh, c'mon." Jeffrey complained, "Here I am, the most talented person you'll have the pleasure of meeting and you ignore what's right under your nose. Pun intended."
"Poor me." Skye flipped a page, "Guess I blew that opportunity."
"Pun intended?"
"Obviously."
The two best friends were interrupted by a rapping on the window that led to the roof where Jeffery and Skye were sitting.
"Awww man. They found us." Jeffrey slumped as Rosalind hauled up the window.
"Seriously, you two would think it was a funeral not a wedding." Rosalind rolled her eyes, "Don't worry, we figured out that it's a lot less work for the rest of us to have you two out from under our feet."
Skye stopped attempting to figure out the best way to jump off her roof, and let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Thank God." Then, Skye's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "What are you doing here if you're not going to throw us into work again? I swear, if it's to make me sample one more kind of spinach entrée..."
"Trust us, Rosy. Anything with spinach is a terrible idea at this point." Jeffrey almost gagged in agreement.
"The menu is all set." Rosalind dismissed impatiently, "I'm here to talk about what we discussed about last night, Skye."
"'Discussed' is a very unfitting term. It was more like you wouldn't take no for an answer, and my answer is no."
"So an impasse." Jeffrey defined. The two sisters ignored him.
"I'm not going to-"
"Yes, you are. It's a wedding. MY wedding. You're dancing at least once, Skye." Rosalind ordered. Skye hunched her shoulders and scowled. If she were a cat her ears would have been flat against her head and she would have been hissing.
Jeffrey watched the two oldest Penderwick sisters with interest.
"I don't even care who you dance with. It could be Daddy or Nick. You could chose Hound for all I care, but I'm not going to have you sulking around somewhere or trying to sneak off."
Skye did her best to look offended and as if that idea had never crossed her mind.
"I would never-"
Jeffrey snickered before she could even finish her sentence.
"That terrible?"
"I can see why they didn't let you up on the stage for that play."
"I-I can't dance! Remember?" Skye pointed out desperately, "You guys tried and it just wouldn't click."
"You didn't even take one step." Jeffrey pointed back, "I offered to dance with you, and you pushed Rosie on me instead."
"Maybe, but that still doesn't erase the fact that I don't know a tango from a waltz."
"Seriously? You don't know the difference? They're like complete oppos-"
"Great! Jeffrey, you can teach Skye how to waltz. See problem solved." Rosalind crossed her arms almost triumphantly, "With her paying attention this time, it shouldn't be a problem. It's not like you two aren't always together every second of the day anyways."
"We are hardly-"
"Rosie, I-"
Rosalind wasn't listening, she shut the window with a firm click and sauntered back to her wedding planning.
Jeffrey and Skye gave each other blank looks, and then uncomfortably looked away.
"So..." Jeffrey drew out, "Tonight then? Or maybe tomorrow? Which-"
"Uh, yeah. After supper. I, um... Fine."
"Cool."
...
"Did it work?" Jane grabbed Rosalind eagerly as soon as the oldest Penderwick sister stepped out of the bedroom.
"Perfectly. They were so predictable. Skye couldn't help downplaying how little she knew about dancing, and Jeffrey couldn't resist being horrified and corrective. Just as we planned."
"This'll set them right back on track." Jane rubbed her hands together gleefully, "All they needed was the push. It's perfect."
"That's what you said last time." Rosalind reminded, "I think we need to watch carefully this time. But I do have to admit, it's a start. Maybe they'll finally relax and start talking about it. If not to each other, than maybe one of us."
"Ten dollars it's Jeffrey."
"I'll take those odds." Rosalind considered carefully.
...
"Setting: The dark, gloomy basement of Penderwick manor. Music tinkles in the background. As if the ambience isn't depressing enough a body lies on the floor, Jeffery Tifton's body."
"What the heck are you doing?" Skye still hasn't uncrossed her arms.
"I'm just saying, your choice in a place to practice looks suspiciously like the prime location for my murder." Jeffrey shuddered as he walked into a spiderweb. His writhing made him knock into a stack of old cardboard boxes, "I don't think I've ever really been down here for longer than ten seconds."
"It's the most isolated place in the house right now." Skye pointed out, "Would you prefer teaching me while the rest of my family is watching?"
"I actually don't really-"
"Exactly. Now can we just hurry up and get this over with?"
"Alright, alright." Jeffrey approached her, holding out a hand. Skye took it unwillingly. Jeffrey carefully placed her other hand on his shoulder, and gingerly placed his free hand on her hip. Jeffrey only rocked slowly at first, finding his place in the music, then he took a step to the right.
Skye stepped to the left.
"No. Just follow me." Jeffrey said calmly. Skye got flustered and tried to move with him. She stepped on his toes.
"Sorry!" She sprang back.
"It's fine, you're not going to hurt me." Jeffrey insisted, taking her hand again, "You need to relax. Just let me go through all the moves, don't even listen to the music. We all know you couldn't find a beat if it punched you in the face. Here, I'll count for you, okay? One..two..three. One..two..three. One..two..three."
Jeffrey's counting was soothing and swept Skye along. She couldn't stop stepping on his toes at first, and she threw all her attention down at their feet, no matter how Jeffrey tried to make her look up. Once, when he tried to twirl her gracefully, she smacked him in the face with her free hand.
Jeffrey took each each injury in his stride, as if the music made him serene and untouchable. He did seem in more control and comfortable than he usually did. Skye felt herself gradually slip into stride with him at one point, and she held her breath as they successfully moved around for thirty seconds, until she stepped on his toes again.
"That was good!" Jeffrey pulled back for a second, "You're getting it. C'mon, let's try again and relax just like you were doing. You know you've got it now."
Skye really did have it. It took a couple more tries, but soon she was stepping in time with Jeffrey, trusting him to move them to where they needed to go, and it felt...good. Is that why people danced? It felt as if she and Jeffrey were one person, and being so in tandem felt freeing. Skye would have thought she'd feel restrained, but it was the complete opposite.
Skye could only feel Jeffrey's guiding hands, and the music pulsing through them. Jeffrey couldn't feel anything, he felt numb. They were both warm and sweating, but neither cared or noticed. Their eyes were only on each other. Both were filled with something they couldn't understand. Something that didn't make sense, until Jeffrey twirled Skye and she was pulled back into him. Their eyes made contact once again as they met other, and then they both froze.
Skye's heart pounded. Jeffrey's head whirled. They both broke apart at the same time. No. They couldn't feel that way towards each other. It had to be just the music, all the exercise. Anything but this.
Jeffrey's head and heart told him otherwise. He had been in love with Skye for what felt like forever. He just never dared to put a name on it.
That was the thumping, quivering feeling Skye had gotten every time she was around Jeffrey. Why she enjoyed being around him more than anyone else. The thought that she was constantly and consistently pushing out of her head, because it was pointless, they had tried once and it hadn't worked. Why couldn't Skye shove it out?
Skye mumbled something, excusing herself. She bolted, and Jeffrey let her. He ran his hands over his face, alone in the darkly lit basement. His chest stung, and if he concentrated he could still feel how it felt to hold Skye and dance.
...
"How'd it go!?"
Jeffrey shrieked and collapsed against the basement door. Jane had scared him. He had been intent on lurking off to the room he was sharing with Ben without anyone noticing him, or worse, accidently running into Skye.
"Fine. Fine. It was good. Good." Jeffrey mentally cursed at his inability to speak coherently. Jane's eye had developed a gleam, and he began to feel suspicious that she had jumped him on purpose, just to put him on the spot.
"Uh-huh. So Skye's dancing well? Where is she?" Jane made a show of looking behind Jeffrey towards the basement, even though he had already shut the door.
"I dunno." Jeffrey shrugged, forcing himself into a state of nonchalance. He overdid it.
Jane stared him down, and Jeffrey met her eyes stubbornly. Neither spoke, and the tension was starting to gnaw at Jeffrey's chest. Jane was unusually, deadly silent, and it was terrifying to just stare in those probing, accusing eyes.
"Alright!" Jeffrey crumbled under the pressure, throwing up his hands, "It was...it kind of ended badly. I don't know what's going on. I keep thinking there's something between us, but..."
"But what?" Jane demanded, "It's been two months since you guys went on that date, and it's like you two haven't changed at all. What happened?"
"Nothing..really." Jeffrey sat down heavily, his back against the basement door, " I think we mutually decided it best to just stay friends, but without ever really saying it out loud."
"You think?" Jane was disbelieving, "So you never bothered to ask Skye if that was how she felt?!"
"It just never seemed like the...right time?" Jeffrey excused weakly.
"Did you ask her if she wanted to go on another date?"
"...No."
"Did she make any hints about a second date?"
"...No?"
"What exactly did you guys do on the date?" Jane threw up her hands in frustration, "Stare at the ground the whole time?"
"No, we ate supper, we talked about soccer and school. We talked about the wedding and all that kind of stuff." Jeffrey felt defensive as he crossed his arms.
"So nothing at all about the date you were on at that present moment or even what the date meant for you two?" Jane felt like grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him.
"She didn't bring it up; so, I thought she thought it was awkward, and...ugh...You have no idea how nerve-racking it was just to go on a date with her. I kept thinking I was going to mess something up, or like spill food on myself. I didn't want to make her uncomfortable by bringing that kind of stuff up."
"Well what about at the end? When you dropped her off? You didn't even say anything then? What did you do then?"
Jeffrey studied a hole in his sneaker, trying to pretend he hadn't heard Jane's question.
"Jeffrey. What. Did. You. Do?" Jane got a sinking feeling.
"It wasn't entirely my fault." Jeffrey was turning red.
Jane eyes looked determine to drill a hole through his head.
"She went for a hug. I thought she was going for one of her shoulder punches, and it turned into this awkward shuffle, until we just shook hands." Jeffrey rushed through his explanation in one short breath, before burying his face in his knees.
Jane went through a jumble of multiple reactions in the space of ten seconds. Horror, shock, disbelief, dismay, and finally humor. It was all just too grotesque and absurd, she cracked up on the spot and bubbled over with laughter, collapsing on the floor next to Jefffrey.
Jeffrey lifted his head to watch her ruefully. His pride felt wounded, but he didn't blame Jane. He had made a big mess of the whole thing after all. It was all embarrassing, but it was his fault. Or partially so.
"And you two have been pretending the date hasn't happened ever since. As if nothing happened whatsoever."
"What's the point? She obviously hated it, she would have said something otherwise." Jeffrey picked at the fraying cuff of his jeans.
"Really? This is Skye we're talking about." Jane scoffed, "Skye wouldn't dream of being the one to bring it up. She's been waiting on you to say something. Between the two of you, you're the more likely one to bring that kind of discussion up and you know it."
"Yeah, well, maybe I'm sick of being the one who always has to initiate the more awkward conversations." Jeffrey scowled sullenly.
"That's understandable, but put yourself in Skye's shoes with the facts that you have. Wouldn't she decide that your silence means that you didn't enjoy yourself? That you decided that you guys were better off as just friends. After all, you were the one who asked her out in the first place. Technically speaking, that kind of makes you the one in charge of broaching the subject."
Jeffrey floundered. Jane's argument made sense. Now that she had cleared his mind-block, it did shed a little more light on Skye's perspective. It was something he should have seen sooner and on his own. Did that-could it mean that Skye maybe did- Could be willing that there be a step up in their relationship? Jeffrey felt his windpipe close.
"Just think about it." Jane patted his shoulder, a little condescending, "I think you can take it from here."
Jeffrey didn't share Jane's confidence.
...
Skye twitched slightly. Her ankle itched.
"Do you take Thomas Jonathan Gieger to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
It was bizarre, so surreal. Sure, Skye had known they were getting married, but now that it was happening...she didn't know what to think. How to feel. Tommy was the greatest, he and Rosalind really did love each other, but still...this was Rosie. Rosie was the oldest, always in charge, and responsible. She was always there. Sure, she was grown up now, but old enough to get married? It was insane.
"Can we have the rings please?"
Skye barely registered Nick stepping forward with the rings. She was twenty herself, Rosy was twenty-two. Jane was nineteen, technically speaking she was old enough to get married. Skye almost snorted out loud at that thought. Nope, Jane wasn't going to get married anytime soon, not if Skye had a say in it.
"You may kiss the bride."
Jeffrey caught Skye's eye, and he made an overly exaggerated grossed out face at her, as Rosalind and Tommy kissed. Skye rolled her eyes at him.
What about Jeffrey though. He was...the same age as her too. Holy...they had been friends for about eight years. When had they grown up, all of them? No, it really wasn't that extreme. Skye still felt almost the same as she had around twelve when she had slammed her head into Jeffrey's. None of them had really grown up that much, especially Jeffrey, Skye noted to herself as Jeffrey stuck his tongue out at her.
"I introduce you for the first time to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Rosalind Geiger."
Mrs.
Skye couldn't believe her ears, she regarded Rosalind with new eyes. She didn't look any different, ecstatic maybe. She was smiling at Tommy as if he was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Tommy looked equally sentimental, and Nick was clapping him on the back. Jane was cheering along with the rest of the wedding guests, and Skye cringed as her younger sister let out a particularly loud whoop in her ear.
Then, they had to make their exit. Skye took Nick's arm just like they had practiced at the rehearsal, and they followed Jane and Jeffrey down the aisle, Rosalind and Tommy behind them.
...
Skye had really grown up. Jeffrey mused to himself, watching her stand proudly at the table of honor as she gave a speech. He smiled absent-mindedly, she didn't look like she was going to faint this time. Though, she had been so nervous about this part of her maid of honor duties that she had had him proofread her speech.
"...you've been so incredibly patient with me and Jane and Batty. Daddy too." Skye grinned at her father, and he laughed along with everyone else, "But admittedly, it was probably with me the most, and I just want to let you know how much I appreciate that. I wouldn't be who I am today without you helping me out."
Rosalind was crying, Jane was bawling. Almost everyone was having a hard time keeping their eyes dry. Jeffrey couldn't tear his eyes away from Skye though. She was struggling herself.
"If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you, Rosy. I'm glad you found someone who can do that for you; though, I'll be the first to knock you flat if you don't make my sister happy, Tommy. You know I can too."
Tommy nodded in acquiescence, Rosalind rolled her eyes at Skye.
"To the new couple, I give you my best wishes and love. To Rosalind and Tommy!"
Everyone raised their glasses, Jeffrey started and hurried to follow suit as everyone echoed Skye's last line. He gave her an encouraging thumbs up when she looked his way, and she nodded gratefully but looked away quickly.
...
"No. That's not..Move over." Skye ordered with a groan, pushing Jeffrey aside, "I thought you said you could DJ."
"I didn't have the heart to tell Tommy that just because I can play twelve different instruments, doesn't mean I know how to use sound equipment properly." Jeffrey said sheepishly, "He was already overly-stressed because the guy he asked before bailed on him."
"What's supposed to be playing right now?"
"The bride and groom's song, 'L.O.V.E' by Nat King Cole." Jeffrey read the paper, and watched over Skye's shoulder, "There."
Skye clicked the song that Jeffrey had pointed at, she hurriedly plugged in a few cords and fiddled with some knobs and hit play. She handed Jeffrey the mic as she began to adjust the volume.
"Ladies and Gentleman give the newlyweds a big hand as they share their first ever dance as a married couple." Jeffrey announced. He watched with a smile as Tommy led Rosalind out to the dance floor and they began to slow dance to the mellow tones of one of Jeffrey's favorite artists.
"What are you going to do when I'm not around to save your butt?" Skye scoffed, walking up to stand next to him and punch his shoulder.
"I try not to picture that dark day." Jeffrey said somberly, not daring to look at her. She was wearing her bright blue dress a little too well. It combined with her blonde hair and blue eyes so perfectly, that Jeffrey was having a hard time forcing himself to not stare. They both watched the new couple dancing, Jeffrey felt self-conscious the whole time and very aware that he needed to say something...Just not yet.
"Well, we've got to find someone who can work this equipment" Skye broke into his thoughts, "We're going to be too busy making sure everything runs smoothly and you know..."
"Vandalizing the car?"
"I wouldn't trust anyone else."
They grinned mischievously at each other, and for a moment they were able to slip into their normal comfortable selves.
...
In the end, Skye found a second cousin on Tommy's side who was aspiring to be a DJ. That left the music covered, but as soon as that was done, Ben gathered the wedding party for pictures, and when that was over it was time to cut the cake and then start the dancing back up again. Skye had been running about so much, she felt a little strange standing still at last, watching everyone else dance.
Mr. Penderwick and Iantha were moving slowly and smiling fondly on everyone else bobbing around to the music. Nick was spinning Batty around so much on the floor, Skye felt sick watching them. Jane was dancing with one of Tommy's friends chattering away the whole time. Skye made sure she caught the young man's eye and gave him a warning glare. He held Jane at more of an arm's length after that.
"Wanna dance?" Jeffrey asked, his bow tie askew and out of breath. He had already danced with Aunt Claire, two of Tommy's little cousins, and Skye's grandmother on her mother's side. He leaned in and whispered, "I'm only asking out of show, we should sneak off when no-one's looking and this is the perfect excuse."
Skye gave him a blank look. What was he talking about, sneaking off together? Was he-? Oh. Right. The car.
"In that case. You may have this dance." Skye bowed eloquently. Jeffrey bowed back and took her hand. Skye pushed down the thought of their last dance and followed his lead like they had practiced. Jeffrey moved slowly at first, making sure she remembered what he had shown her, then he picked up the pace, waltzing around with a comfortable ease. Skye once again felt the stirring feeling of being so in tune with another person. With Jeffrey. She was certain that she couldn't have danced like this with anyone else, as if they shared the same thoughts and senses. Inevitably, no matter how hard they both tried, they wound up staring into each other's eyes again. Skye felt the urge to bolt, but an even stronger part wanted to stay. Did she imagine it, or did it seem as if took a large effort on Jeffrey's part to release her?
"It looks clear." He said, still holding her by the hand.
"Let's go." Skye agreed, tugging him along as an excuse to not let go.
...
"You see that?" Jane had dropped Tommy's friend to fraternize with Batty and Rosalind.
"See what?" Tommy looked around clueless. The three sisters ignored him.
"They went outside together." Rosalind looked equally excited, "It's working."
"Knowing Skye and Jeffrey, they could be doing about half a million things that don't involving them actually talking." Batty said skeptically, "Remember when we got separated at the fair, and we thought they were going on the swanboats, but they were actually seeing who could eat the most fried dough and not get sick on the teacups?"
"This is different though. I can feel it." Jane said staunchly.
...
"I call the blue one." Jeffrey snatched the washable marker out of Skye's bag.
"Fine with me." She shrugged taking the remaining green marker, and a roll of toilet paper. Jeffrey seemed excited to just write on a car period; so, Skye just paid attention to the more important aspects of defacing. She scrawled the traditional, "JUST MARRIED" on the back window, and stuck the toilet paper anywhere it would go. When she checked up on Jeffrey, he was just drawing random hearts and cupids all over the hood. He looked proud of his work. Skye sighed and just tossed him a can of silly string.
"Go nuts." She ordered, "Get all the handles, maybe even spray down the seats."
Jeffrey grinned like the five year old he was and saluted with the can of silly string, accidently spraying some in his own face. Skye set to work on one of the final touches, tying some tin cans on the back of Tommy's car.
"I made heart shapes with the silly string!"
"Why?" Skye grunted tightening her last knot. Tommy was going to have to physically cut the cans off of his car.
"...Because why not?"
"Here's a better idea. Coat the whole windshield with that stuff."
Jeffrey spelled out the word 'love' with the silly string, obeying Skye's orders. Then, Skye pulled out a bag of wedding rice and confetti.
"Now we pour all over the windshield wipers, and when Tommy goes to clear off your sappy message..."
"Genius. It'll take them years to clean this mess." Jeffrey nodded appreciatively, he casually slung an arm around Skye as they admired their handiwork. Skye forced herself to make herself reaction-free and blank, and so the pair just beamed at a job well done.
One peaceful moment passed, and then a sinking realization settled in the pit of Skye's stomach.
"Um..Jeffrey?"
"What?"
"Isn't Tommy's car a Suburu?"
They both stared blankly at the Toyota symbol.
"... ... Well sh-"
...
"A whole hour." Jane muttered to Batty as they watched Jeffrey and Skye come striding nonchalantly back in, "Why else would they be out there so long?"
"I don't know...They don't look any different." Batty scrutinized the pair. It was true that Jeffrey was trying way too hard to look innocent, but Skye only looked annoyed about something and she appeared to be scowling all her frustration at Jeffrey. In other words they didn't look any different.
"Fine. You go get Jeffrey to dance with you, and I'll take the opportunity to grill Skye. They'll crack under pressure, or at least Jeffrey will."
Batty nodded in agreement and they split up.
"...yeah well at least I didn't draw a million tiny hearts." Batty thought she heard Skye mutter as she approached her sister and Jeffrey, but she didn't get any more than that because Jeffrey elbowed Skye alerting her to Batty's presence.
"Hey, Jeffrey, mind if I get a chance to dance with you? Skye's been hogging you all night."
"More like he's been bugging me all night."
"Not true, she's been practically begging me to lend her my charming presence." Jeffrey waggled his eyebrows, "And yes, it would be my honor to dance with you Battykins." Jeffrey tugged one of her curls fondly.
Batty wasn't surprised when Jeffrey knew all the steps to 'Single Ladies', or that he was better than any of the girls dancing to it.
"So you and Skye were outside for a long time." Batty couldn't think of an appropriate way of eluding to her mission.
"I love the subtlety, Bats." Jeffrey's eyes crinkled in amusement, not breaking his stride.
"Thank you." Batty tilted her nose in equal sarcasm, "But you're dodging. What were you two doing?"
"What do you think we were doing?"
"I wouldn't be asking if I knew."
"Fair enough." Jeffrey waved his hand along to the tempo, "We were vandalizing Tommy's car."
"Oh." Batty split up in laughter, "I thought you two were acting a little more sneaky than normal. Did you do a good job?"
"A little too good." Jeffrey grimaced, "But in the end, yeah. It looks pretty spectacular."
"Tommy's going to be so annoyed. He really treats that brand new Toyota like it's his baby."
Jeffrey froze and turned a pair of panicked eyes on Batty, "What did you say?"
"Tommy's going to be annoyed?"
"No, the last part. Tommy's car is a Toyota?"
"Yeah, remember? He wouldn't stop showing it off to everyone? And you and Skye were trying to be as disinterested as possible about it just to annoy him?"
Jeffrey ran. He didn't say a word, he just went off in a streak, looking rather on the pale side. Batty watched in confusion as he grabbed Skye's arm and whispered something in her ear. Skye's eyes bulged in horror, her expression identical to Jeffrey's and then the two bolted for the doors, much to Jane's equal confusion and chagrine.
...
"I hate you so much. I hate tiny blue hearts and confetti and rice. And I absolutely, one hundred percent hate silly string." Skye announced in a dismal tone. She looked tired. Jeffrey felt tired, but also kind of warm. The first part was due to a busy day of rushing, dancing, and vigorously cleaning a vandalized car twice. The second feeling was due to the fact that Skye was sitting so close to him, her head on his shoulder. They were the last of wedding, left to pack up all the leftover food and sweep the rice-covered floor. Though, Jeffrey knew Jane's more ulterior motives behind volunteering the pair of them.
"Look on the bright side. You won't have to deal with this again until it's Jane's turn." Jeffrey reminded her with a yawn.
"Or your's." Skye retorted, her eyes still closed. Jeffrey's stomach twisted, and he barely stopped himself from saying stupid.
"Or your's." He pointed back in return.
"Nah, you think so?" Skye opened one eye and looked at him intently.
"More likely than me." He almost shrugged, but stopped himself in time. He didn't want Skye to move her head.
Skye scoffed, "You? Mr. Chivalry and Romance? Plus, being a musician. You're kind of like the leading man stereotype of a chick flick. The stereotypical sweetheart that a million girls gush over."
"Maybe, but I'd have to find someone I like back, and after-. Well, it'd just be pretty hard."
"After what?"
"Hmmm?"
"You were saying after, but then you cut yourself off." Skye played along, though she knew Jeffrey knew what she meant. Jeffrey didn't reply; so, Skye didn't push it. "We should get cleaning. I want to go to bed as soon as I get home." Skye got to her feet, but Jeffrey was slow to follow.
"Hey, Skye?" Jeffrey asked a she handed him a broom. He looked at the broom instead of her, "Why'd you go on that date with me?"
Skye looked at a loss, "Why'd you ask me out on one?"
Jeffrey groaned and rubbed a hand over his face, "Never mind. Let's just drop it, ok-"
"No. Let's get this out in the air; so, we can push it out of the way once and for all." Skye cut him off, "It's been hanging over us for like two months and it keeps coming back as tension. It was a bad date; so, let's just get over it."
"It was bad?" Jeffrey winced.
"Would you say it was good?" Skye demanded, "We both avoided the fact that we were on a date, like it was a plague, we talked about stuff we've already covered a million times over, and to be honest the food wasn't the greatest. Not to mention the handshake at the end."
"Alright, it was bad." Jeffrey sighed, "Sorry, I guess I kind of wrecked that whole chance, huh?"
"What chance?"
"Us going on another date, or-"
"I never said I wouldn't go on another one." Skye reddened.
"Pardon?" Jeffrey said hoarsely after a long pause.
"I thought you were having second thoughts during the date, and that you decided we wouldn't work. You never mentioned anything about a second date, and when I went to hug you. You kind of jerked back. It was kind of clear, you didn't think we were a good idea as more than friends."
"I didn't think it was-?! I was the one who asked you on the date in the first place! And I ducked away because you looked like you were about to punch me! I might not have talked about the date, but may I also point out that you were the one bringing up all those discussions that we had already 'covered a million times over'."
"Because you weren't even looking at me, much less saying anything."
"Yeah, well, it's kind of hard to think of something to say when you're sitting right there across from me on a date of all things. With me! You have no idea how long I wanted that exact thing, but when it actually happened, I couldn't believe it! You weren't actually supposed to say yes, I never planned on you saying yes! It was just something that I knew I had to try or I would die of not knowing for sure."
Skye was taken aback, "I agreed because it felt...right? I don't know, I just keep getting this feeling when I'm with you, like there's something more there? It's-" Skye frowned trying to figure out how to put it into words, "When we're together it just makes sense, even though I can't work out exactly why. You're someone I trust with everything, even stuff I've never told anyone before, but even more you trust me with your stuff too. And it's messed up, because you'd think that that make things twice as hard then when you're on your own. Maybe it is, but it doesn't feel like it when I'm working next to you."
"Like when we're dancing."
"Exactly!" Skye looked at him, thrilled at being understood, but also caught unawares that he had been thinking the same thing.
"It felt like...we were one person, but also two separate people at once. We're a team, but more, because I've never felt so connected and in tune with another person before. I'm messy, I can't stop while I'm ahead, I'm too proud for my own good, and a bit of a stereotype when it comes to chick flick romance male leads. And you can be too stubborn, logical, fiery, you're insanely neat and always so sure of yourself..."
"You know when you said you can't stop when you're ahead?"
"Point is, it doesn't make sense how we combine so easily. It sounds like we should be constantly at each others throats, but instead I think we balance each other out. You bring out this other side of me, and I feel so comfortable and myself with you. Coming from where I grew up and all the constant work at keeping a good relationship with my mother, it's just the most amazing, freeing feeling in the world." Jeffrey took a huge breath and held out his hand, "Skye, you're my best friend and even though our only date together was a huge disaster, I don't think it really mattered other than make me scared that I lost my only chance with you. Would you consider going out steady with me?"
For both of them it appeared as if time was slowly running to a stop. Jeffrey's heart was pounding and his mouth felt dry. Skye knew her answer, it was just terrifying to say out loud. Who knew what would happen as a result? She was horrible in these kind of situations, but she had to meet Jeffrey there. He had already put himself out in the open, she was the one stuck behind. So, Skye gathered everything she had and took her best friend's hand. She felt a sigh of relief run through him and he was busy scanning her face with a hopeful expression.
"Yes." Skye couldn't think of anything else to say, but it didn't matter to Jeffrey. It was the one thing he had wanted to hear, and he didn't waste a second wrapping her up in an enormous hug. Warmth and comfort washed through Skye, and after a long and wearing- but needed- conversation, it felt healing.
Still, she couldn't resist one last barb.
"Oh, so we do actually hug now? I thought handshakes were our thing."
"Laugh all you want." Jeffrey kept his eyes closed and Skye in his arms, "Nothing can get to me right now. I'll get you back later."
"Like to see you try." Skye scoffed.
No matter how she joked though...she wasn't pulling back anytime soon either.
...
[Epilogue] Setting: The following morning. After breakfast. Jeffrey's making his goodbyes.
"See ya, Ben." Jeffrey tousled the sleepy boy's hair, "Batty, don't forget for that Bach piece really lay into that section. You've got three fortes there, and keep the part in A minor nice and crisp with those staccatos."
"I'll have it down pat next time I see you." Batty hugged him.
Iantha came next, "It's always a joy to have you over, Jeffrey. Do try to make your way over here more often."
"I'll do my best." Jeffrey promised hugging her back, before stepping aside to shake Mr. Penderwick's hand next, "Thanks for letting me bunk down here."
"Compared to all the help you gave with the wedding, it means nothing. We would have been lost without you."
Jane tackled him next, sloshing her coffee and almost spilling it on Jeffrey. Skye tactfully pulled it from her hand just in the nick of time.
"Seriously, though Jeffrey." Jane muttered in his ear, "The sooner you get it over with the better. Just talk to her."
"I don't know." Jeffrey said solemnly, "I think I'm just going to let it be, Jane. It's too late."
Jeffrey pulled back before Jane could drag him back into a scolding rant, and he turned to Skye before Jane could see his grin.
"See ya, Jeffrey." Skye said loosely, and punching his shoulder a little harder than usual, because she was overplaying trying to be normal.
"Bye, Skye." Jeffrey swept forward- as if he had done it a million times before- and kissed Skye firmly. When they broke apart, Jeffrey smirked at Skye and poked her on the nose, "Gotcha back."
Skye's eyes widened in horror, as she pieced together the meaning behind his words. Her family was watching the whole thing, and unlike Jeffrey she had no escape. He was out the door, before her family could recover from the shock.
As Jane flung her arms around her in excitement, Skye swore that she was going to kill Jeffrey without a trace of remorse the next time she saw him.
...
Dang, it's been like a month and a half since the last update for these oneshots. Hopefully, the length of this one makes up for it slightly.
KoalaLover-ABC-123: I'm glad that you liked the last oneshot so much, it was pretty fun to write. And you quoted one of my favorite scenes too, I'm happy it made you laugh. I always love hearing from you.
OldButYoung: Thanks, I enjoy writing about Martin, because he feels a little under-appreciated sometimes. I love your suggestion. It sounds like a challenge, but I'm definitely going to go for it when the opportunity arises.
GM01: Haha, thanks. Tbh, the scene where Jeffrey was annoying Pearson is almost based entirely on me too. I don't know when to shut my own mouth sometimes, or when it's not a good time for a joke. Thanks for pointing out my mistake, it was a typo; though, I suppose I could also technically blame it on Jeffrey's ignorance of astronomy too. Thanks!
Nijibrush: I really can't help myself, no matter how hard I try to think of something a little different, or just as I'm setting down to write something about someone else, three more Skyffey AU's jump in my head. I have like four running through my head that I want to type out right now; so, I'm glad that you haven't gotten sick of it yet.
Readwriteedit: I'm relieved you liked what I did with your prompt. Reading through your list of reactions made me smile like an idiot. So I've decided to reply to each one.
1). No, thank you for the prompt. I loved writing it immensely,
2). I couldn't help myself with the pen.
3). The beach setting is the cynic, beach-hating side of myself. I was really channeling a similar bad beach experience I had.
4). Though, I've never read Madeline L'Engle, I think I recall you mentioning her in one of your stories. So I'll take the compliment with humble honor. The astrophysics were challenging, but a little fun to study.
5). Yes, but I'll never get tired of you expressing how much you liked the one-shot.
6). I'm sorry in return for taking so long to answer your lovely review.
7). I feel as if Iantha has an abundance of hidden talents that she breaks out nonchalantly at the most astonishing of moments.
8). Thanks. You made my week too :)