I realize while hugging James that I'm kind of, like... unpleasantly hungry. My stomach is snarling at me, and I wish I could have one hug with somebody that isn't brought about by me, or the person I'm hugging, crying first...
He eventually releases me and flicks me a wry smile.
"How do I look?" He asks, "I don't want to be a mess when Crash gets back."
I reply, "I've got an idea: we rate each other on a scale from one to ten on how attractive we look. Go on three...
"One, two, three."
James looks at me nervously and says, "Ten."
I say, "Six." at the same time.
"Ten!?" I shout, not knowing whether he was serious or just joking. "What do you mean 'Ten'!?"
"I mean you look cu... uh... great." He says precariously.
I breathe in musingly and sigh, "What would you have said if you didn't have a crush on me half an hour ago?"
"Three..." He says, defeated.
"Well," I say, "I guess falling off a mammoth doesn't do any good for one's looks... But you can have a seven for the honesty."
"Wait," James stops me, "Why do I get a seven?"
"Dude, the only thing wrong is that you look like you've been crying for an hour, which you have." I say. "And... I've always been a sucker for puffy eyes and tear streaked faces."
"Stop doing that." He says flatly.
"Doing what?" I ask, smiling affectionately.
"Making me have a crush on you again."
"Oh, I'm sorry." I say quickly, blushing.
"It's fine. That was kind of just a joke..." He says a bit downheartedly. But I can tell it wasn't a joke.
"No," I say, "I'm really sorry. Please don't... I'm kinda really in love with Peaches, and I can't put you through what I've been going through for the last fifteen years. You'll hate me for it, and I'm not even sure if it's worth all this waiting anymore." I'm staring at my feet and running my hand through my spines fearfully. James puts his hand on top of mine. I look up at him. He's probably crying, but I can't tell because I'm definitely crying.
James smiles and says, "It's worth it."
"Thanks." I say soundlessly.
"And," He announces rather swaggeringly, "I've got my own idea."
"And that idea might be?" I enquire.
"I'll ask Crash out if you ask Peaches out." He says.
"Promise?" I ask mockingly, copying him.
"That is my line." He says in that weirdly attractive accent again. "But, yes. I promise."
We're about to shake hands when a scratchy, high-pitched voice interrupts, "Well, aren't you two just the cutest little things."
It's Granny; she must have just woken up. Currently, she's doing a little dance in a circle, shaking her arms back and forth and laughing.
"How much of that did you hear?" James asks, shy and terrified, but in a cute way... I nod my head at Granny; I'd have asked the same question.
"Most of it," She says while she stops dancing, "and, boy, I'd have to say I know more about you than I know about the rest of the herd combined, and I don't even know your name." She points at James.
"You can't tell anyone what you heard!" James commands. "I didn't even know you we in here..." He starts walking out of the cave, babbling to himself about how busted he is. I don't get why he's so concerned. Nobody would care if they knew his secret. I wish I could say the same for me... Manny might crush me if I ask Peaches out. I jump when I realize that Granny is right next to me.
"What's his name?" She whispers loudly.
"James." I answer.
"He's a bit of a worrier, isn't he?"
"Yeah, but it's definitely warranted." I say. "He's been through a lot."
James walks back into the cave and asks, "Just to be clear, you're not actually going to tell anyone, are you?"
Granny laughs and says, "I've got more secrets between the two of you than I've had the rest of my life all put together."
…
Peaches ambles into the cave holding a trunk full of fruit.
"I thought we could eat together." She says as she lays all the delicious-looking food down in front of me.
"Of course we can." I cheer. "I'd love that."
I grab the first fruit that roles to me, an apple, and Peaches sits down. I take a mammoth-of-a bite, at least for me,
and I'm either starving, or it's the best apple I've ever tasted.
I notice Peaches staring at me as I dig in. "What're you doing?" I ask.
"Um…" She clears her throat. "Would you believe, I was watching you eat?"
"It's fine. You should eat some, too. It's really good."
"Don't mind if I do!" Crash and Eddie say in unison as they take a seat. I wasn't, in fact, talking to them, but whatever. James sits down next to Crash, who hands him a slice of melon and begins to eat his own.
James takes a bite, "Wow. You were right, Louis. This is great." He takes another bite, his eyes straying toward Crash.
"Ahem…" James gathers our attention, "Peaches, I believe Louis has something important to ask you."
I drop my apple and freeze. Blushing and stammering, I manage to say, "It's… it's nothing, like, really important… I was just, uh, just wondering if you… if you would like to, I don't know, maybe… go down to the pond and hang out… together."
"Like a date." James adds.
"What!? No! Nothing like that. Just, uh… hanging out. We could all go." Well… crap… James looks at me with a 'what-the-heck-are-you-doing?' face and laughs a bit at my awkwardness.
James words "That doesn't count." at me silently, and, believe me, I know it doesn't.
This chapter's song is "Crazy For This Girl" by Evan and Jaron.