A/N: So, I posted this chapter before, but after re-reading it, I decided I did not like it and wanted to re-write it.

There just was not enough detail as compared to the last two chapters and it just came off as rushed.

Anyway, some of the dating protocols in this story are tweaked, but let's be honest, teenagers have been sneaking around and having sex for years, even back then. But aside from that, Royce and Emily have been friend's since they were babies, so her parents don't really bat an eye at them being alone together. Even after they start dating.

Also, a few small hints of Emily's psychic ability are in this chapter. So, read carefully.

Only you
Can make this world seem right
Only you
Can make the darkness bright
Only you and you alone
Can thrill me like you do
And fill my heart with love for only you

Only you
Can make this change in me
For it's true
You are my destiny
When you hold my hand, I understand
The magic that you do
You're my dream come true
My one and only you, only you

"Only You (And You Alone)"
Platter
1955

Crescent Valley Elementary School
March 1944

Four-year-old Royce Clayton patted the sand in front of him into a semi structure as his best friend, Emily March worked on a castle beside him, humming quietly to herself. While most boys his age were off to the side, horse playing and wrestling, Royce preferred Emily's more quiet company. It was easier to control his tantrums around someone that didn't make him angry all the time.

Plus, even when he did get angry, Emily could usually calm him down easily.

Miss Marigold observed Royce and Emily for a moment before switching her eyes over to the other side of the enclosed playground where Emily's rotten half, Emilia, sat with Johnny Sullivan and his best friend Ricky Sanchez. Emilia was sporting an unpleasant grin as she eyes her fraternal twin while whispering to Ricky. Dread struck her hard like a punch to the gut when Ricky rose from his seat and crossed over to the sandbox, making a beeline straight for Emily.

Unfortunately for Ricky, however, Royce spotted him before he even got within sniffing distance of Emily, easily catching the foot that was no doubt aiming to kick sand into the little girl's moss green eyes.

"Don't."

The word was full of menace, Royce's pale blue eyes glinting like sheets of ice as they peered up at Ricky from his seated position, grip still firm on his foot. Ricky merely glared back at him, showing petulant bravery even in the face of the richer boys quickly escalating fury.

Miss Marigold sighed, already knowing based upon the look on Emilia's face, that she had put Ricky up to it. The little girl had it out for her sister and no one was sure why.

When it became apparent to Royce that Ricky was not going to back down, the blue-eyed boy gave a quick yank to the foot in his hand, making Ricky lose his balance, the back of his head smacking hard into the ground. Emily chose that moment to look up, watching as the pain registered in Ricky's brain, and he dissolved into tears. She glanced at Royce, who merely quirked his lips up at her, intertwining their fingers, and went back to patting the sand in front of him with his free hand.

Crescent Valley, Ohio
Pauly's Diner
Valentine's Day, 1955

Emily observed Royce from the safety of the counter. Anyone with eyes could see how attractive he was with his black hair and icy blue eyes. Girls flocked to him like moths to light, but he was dismissive of all of them. Not cruel, just not interested. In fact, now that she was thinking about it, the only girl he ever paid attention to was her.

Could Becky be right?

Was Royce Clayton, her best friend for as long as she could remember, in love with her? The thought had never occurred to her. Royce had always been around. And she had never really noticed anything particular about his behavior until now. It was always her. Even when they were little. It had always been her he paid attention to. Her he would walk to and from school. Her who was always invited to his house for dinner.

And when her sister had ambushed him into a relationship, he had used it as an excuse to visit Emily in her home. Which she had enjoyed immensely. She couldn't really name when her feelings for her best friend had changed. But change they had. She often found herself dreaming about him when she was awake. He haunted her dreams when she was asleep. And forbidden thoughts crept into her head when she lay in bed at night, her fingers sliding down her abdomen, and dipping between her thighs until she was writhing on her sheets.

Heat spread down her neck as those thoughts swarmed to the forefront of her mind and Becky appeared beside her, poking her lightly in the forehead.

"Are you and the slugger just going to keep staring at each other or are you going to communicate?"

She snapped back to reality at Becky's words and realized that, at some point during her internal monologue, Royce had turned to look at her. She broke their stare down and turned to look at Becky instead.

"What am I supposed to say to him, Bex?" she laid her head upon her folded arms on the counter. "I don't know how to be a normal girl."

Becky shrugged.

"I don't think Royce knows how to be a normal guy, either, Em," she looked over at the boy in question, who was still staring at Emily. "So, maybe you guys figure it out together."

After a moment, she lifted Emily's chin with a finger.

"Seriously, it is obvious to everyone that you two are head over heels," she shook her head. "Don't let your evil bitch sister get in the way of that. She didn't even have real feelings for him. Not like you do."

Emily was quiet for a moment before the sound of a familiar thumping met her ears. It was the steady thrum of Royce's heart. Her hearing was getting sharper every day and she could easily tell his heartbeat over everyone else's in the diner. She lifted her head to see him standing on the other side of the counter.

"Hey Kitten," he gave her a smile, Becky excusing herself to a table that was trying to get her attention. "Can we talk?"

She stood up straight, dusting an invisible crumb off her white apron. "About what?"

"I think you know, Emily," he leveled her with a look that sent a pleasant thrill down her spine. "I think you've known for a while how I feel about you." Her lips parted but she said nothing, allowing him to continue. "And I'm positive you feel the same way about me."

After a moment, she walked around the counter and stood in front of him, playing with his fingers.

"You sure you don't want to go outside to talk about this?"

He arched an eyebrow.

"Why?" she cocked her head in her sister's direction, making him roll his eyes. "I'm not ashamed of what I feel for you, Emily. And I could care less about your sister's feelings."

A small gasp escaped her lips when Royce took her face gently in his hands. People were looking at them and for the first time in her life, Emily did not care that she was the center of attention. Royce's heartbeat was steady but hers was hammering away in her chest, like it was trying to break through her ribcage. She felt his thumb sweep across her cheekbone, and her tongue slipped out to moisten her bottom lip.

"I'm in love with you, Emily March," despite her recent revelation of his feelings, her heart still stuttered at his words, an unknown joy leaping to life and filling her with warmth. "I love you."

She wasn't sure why he repeated it, but he could say it as many times as he wanted. She would listen.

"I love you, too, Royce."

He smiled that sweet, breathtaking smile and lowered his head, nudging her nose with his, before pressing their lips together. It was as soft as a butterfly's wings, cautious. He was requesting, not demanding. A soft sound escaped his throat when she kissed him back, her fingers intertwining into the collar of his jacket.

A screech, that in the back of her mind, she knew to be Emilia, echoed through the diner, but for once in her life, Emily did not care. She was tired of backing down from things just because Emilia would be mad.

She was going to let herself be happy.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this updated version of the chapter. It was more detailed and much less rushed.

Reviews do help in the process of writing.