Chapter Six
(Tori POV)
She saw over Ashley's shoulder that Jimmy and Preston were coming back into the galley. Tori motioned towards them and Ashley turned around, coming face to face with Preston. "Hey Preston," Ashley said with an innocent smile. "What were you and Jimmy talking about?"
Preston shook his head as he walked around the counter and into the kitchen. "Nothing. I just asked him to take over my few jobs I had so I can help Tori more in the kitchen," he smiled at Tori.
"Well isn't that nice of you," Ashley said, winking at Tori before walking away. Tori watched her return to her spot next to Jimmy at their table.
Tori snickered and shook her head. "What?" Preston asked, looking in the direction she was.
Tori just pointed to Ashley and Jimmy. "Them. It's just…cute," she grinned.
Preston nodded. "It is."
"Does he like her?"
"Wh-what?" Preston asked nervously.
Tori narrowed her eyes. "I know you know, mister. So tell me."
Preston sighed, "I really shouldn't." Tori pouted at him. "A-alright!" Preston stammered as he blushed. "Yes, he does. He asked me for some advice."
Tori squealed happily and stirred the rice. "I'll have to give him some too!" She pulled her apron off and hung it on the hook. "Can you handle this while I talk to him?"
Preston had an unsure look, but he still gave a nod. "Go. I got it," he finally smiled.
"Thanks Presty!" Tori said as she scurried out into the dining area and over to Ashley and Jimmy's table.
Ashley looked at Tori curiously. "Why are you cheerful?"
Tori simply grinned and looked at Jimmy. "A word, Jim?" He exchanged glances with Ashley, then nodded. Tori stood up and motioned for him to follow. The two walked out of the galley and onto the deck. "Jimmy, do you like Ashley?"
Jimmy's face began to turn an avid shade of red. "Um…"
Tori held in a laugh and patted him on the head. "It's cute. You outta tell her."
Jimmy shook his head. "But what if she doesn't like me, Miss…I mean, Tori."
"Then I'll smack some sense into her," she joked, ruffling his hair. "Ask me if you need anymore advice, kay? I know Ashley better than most people."
Jimmy nodded and rushed back through the door and into the galley. Tori took this as a chance to look at the sea. She walked over to the railing on the side of the boat and watched the waves hit the side of the ship. It was oddly calming to her. After staring at the water for minutes, she heard footsteps running somewhere behind her. Tori looked over her shoulder and saw Jimmy pulling Ashley out of the galley towards an unknown destination. She laughed to herself.
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(Ashley POV)
Jimmy was pulling her out of the galley. She almost tripped twice, and the ship swaying didn't help. 'Where is he taking me?' They stopped at the bottom of the crow's nest. "What is it Jimmy?" Jimmy, panting slightly, pointed to the ladder. "You want me to go up?" Ashley asked.
Jimmy nodded vigorously. "Please."
Ashley smiled at his kindness. "Just cause you asked nicely," she turned to the ladder and started up. Once she reached the top, Jimmy was right behind her and hoisting himself up. Ashley looked up at the newborn night sky and smiled. "I am glad I'm not scared to death up here. It's too pretty to be pessimistic."
Jimmy smiled and leaned against the railing. "Can I uh, tell you something?"
Ashley gave him a sideways glance. "Sure," she said suspiciously. 'Why do I get the feeling Tori's involved with this.'
Jimmy paused, gnawing on his lower lip for a minute. Ashley turned and leaned against the railing to face him, fixing the hat she still had on her head. "I like you."
Ashley blushed and a smile came across her face. "I like you too Jimmy."
Jimmy shifted his weight onto his heels. "Like a friend?" he asked.
She stuttered. "I, uh…erm…" He flashed a crooked smile as she tried to get her words. "M-more than a-a friend," she sputtered nervously. 'I always turn to blubber with these kinds of things.' His grin grew wider and he moved over to her, wrapping his arms around her. Ashley leaned against him. "What about you?"
"I feel funny when I'm with you, see. I um, really like ya Ashley."
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(Tori POV)
Tori was clinging dearly to the ladder of the crow's nest, just below the top, listening to Jimmy and Ashley's conversation. 'Good job, kid. Tell her how ya feel!' She heard Jimmy tell her he liked her in his own way, she made her way back down. Tori hurried back to the galley, hoping to help Preston clean up in return for leaving him alone so long. To her avail, Preston wasn't there. His apron was hanging up on its hook and she didn't see him anywhere in the galley. 'I wonder where he went.' She walked out of the galley and went to her room in hope of writing the day's occurrences with Jimmy and Ashley. Tori walked in her room and found Preston, peering over a small black notebook. She cleared her throat and he shut the book nervously. "What are you doing?"
Preston eyed her nervously, trying to hide to book behind his back. "N-nothing. I was looking for you."
"Oh yeah? Then what's that behind your back?"
He sighed and held the book out to her. She grabbed it away and held it close. "Did you read it?" He went to answer but she cut him off. "Never mind. It's obvious you did," she said huffily.
"I'm…I'm sorry Tori. I didn't mean to," he said with a shake of his head as he walked past her out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Tori sat on her bed and returned the book to her coat pocket. 'Gotta find a better hiding place…' She sighed and got up, making her way back out onto the deck. She ran into Ashley, literally. "Crap. Sorry."
Ashley had a giant grin plastered on her face. "That's okay. Hey guess what?"
Tori shrugged her shoulders. "Dunno. What?"
Ashley leaned her head down and whispered, "Jimmy told me he likes me. That's good for this era, right?"
Tori smiled. "Yeah, it is. So are you done with your work yet?"
Ashley shook her head and held up her hands. "Not sure. Jimmy didn't mention that. D'you want me to go ask?"
Tori nodded her head from side to side. "Sure. I'm free until supper so c'mon." The two walked past across the deck to the crow's nest. Tori looked up and saw a pair of boots hanging over the side. "That Jim?" she asked quietly.
Ashley leaned her head back to look up. "I think so," she said. "Lemme check. Hey Jimmy!" She cupped her hands around her mouth as she shouted.
Jimmy looked down, keeping a hand on his hat so it wouldn't fall. "Yeah?" Ashley waved for him to come down. He climbed down the ladder quickly, jumping down the last few steps and turning to them. "Somethin' wrong?" he asked.
Ashley smiled at him and Tori rolled her eyes. "What else do we have to do today?" she asked.
Jimmy put his hands in his pockets. "Nothin'. I was talking to skipper about some music after dinner, though."
"Music after dinner?" Tori asked with a certain excitement in her voice. "I love music!"
Jimmy chuckled and shook his head. "Right well I've gotta get back up there," he pointed up at the nest as he looked at Ashley.
"See you later Jimmy," Ashley said in a dreamy tone as he started back up the ladder. She watched him get up to the top in a trance.
Tori snapped her hands in front of her face. "Ash. Get down from your imaginary place."
Ashley shook her head. "Sorry. Spaced out."
"Yeah I know," she said with an eye roll. "Let's go. You can tell me everything about your conversation with Jimmy while I cook." She pushed Ashley towards the door to the galley.
