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Post by Chris Strongheart on Mar 20, 2006 10:52:39 GMT -5
Christine tucked the same lock of hair behind her ear for the seventh time that hour. She glanced about the room making sure all the decorations were in place. It was Sky's birthday today and it was a good reason to celebrate.
"Stella, I'm nervous," she said, tugging on the hem of the sparkling blue dress Stella lent her for the occasion. "What if he doesn't show?" she asked, looking worried. "I mean we set up this huge party for him, but..." Her voice trailed off and she blinked her blue eyes. What was that noise outside the door? Was Sky early?
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Post by Sky on Mar 20, 2006 11:13:44 GMT -5
"Hey, guys, you would never belie-" Sky stopped mid-sentence as the sight before him registered in his mind. His face lighting up as he realized that his friends had thrown him a birthday party, he exclaimed with a surprised laugh, "Hey now, what's all this about?"
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Mar 20, 2006 11:16:59 GMT -5
"Did someone forget that today's his birthday?" Christine teased. She was feeling horribly self concious in this dress that Stella lent her. What had she meant when she said that this would leave little to Sky's imagination? She offered him a warm smile before walking over to him and giving him a quick hug.
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Post by Sky on Mar 20, 2006 11:21:11 GMT -5
Sky grinned sheepishly as he replied, "No, of course I didn't forget . . . I just thought that no one would really care." Jokingly, he continued, "I mean, after one's eighteenth birthday, it's all downhill from there, right? So there's really no need to celebrate. Why, I'm nineteen now - I'm practically an old man. Where is the fun in celebrating that?"
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Mar 20, 2006 11:26:06 GMT -5
Christine lightly punched him in the arm. "Idiot," she lightly teased. "Of course, we'd celebrate. You are our friend. Age doesn't matter." She gave him a smile. "Besides, it's us females who fuss over our ages," she added with a wink. Her right hand reached up and touched the locket that was still not there. It took her a moment to remember that her locket was gone and that caused her to droop for a moment.
She recovered quickly. "I hope you like chocolate. I think Flora and Layla went overboard when they whipped up the chocolate cake."
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Post by Sky on Mar 20, 2006 11:35:13 GMT -5
Seeing her drooping shoulders, Sky lightly chucked her under the chin as he teased, "As the birthday boy, I order you to be happy. I'll even make it worth your while if you do as I please . . ." Reaching into his pocket, Sky continued mischievously, "For you see, I just might have the proper incentive."
His voice suddenly taking on a more serious tone, Sky said as he took Christine's hand and held it palm up, "You see, even though technically it is my birthday, I have something that I think you should have. I would have given it to you sooner, but, I had to search like a madman to find someone to repair it to my satisfaction." Gently, Sky covered Christine's palm with his hand for a brief moment and then withdrew it - leaving behind in her hand a certain restored locket.
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Mar 20, 2006 11:38:10 GMT -5
"My locket," she breathed. She looked up at him, a joyful smile on her features. "You fixed it!" she grasped it tightly in her hand and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Oh, thank you." She quickly slipped it on and smiled up at him. "Thank you!"
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Post by Sky on Mar 20, 2006 11:44:16 GMT -5
"My pleasure," Sky replied with a smile as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back. After a moment, he quietly continued, "I figured that it was the least I could do to make it up to you for all the things that have happened in the last month."
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Mar 20, 2006 11:46:58 GMT -5
Christine reached up and placed her hand on the side of his face. "It's already been forgotten and forgiven," she said quietly. "You did what you had believed to be right. I can't fault you that." She gave him a soft smile. "It's in the past, and we all have a future to look forward to."
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Post by Sky on Mar 20, 2006 11:56:48 GMT -5
Hearing footsteps behind him, Sky quickly pulled away from Christine and turned around to face the approaching visitor. Seeing Layla, Sky breathed a deep sigh of relief - the last thing he wanted was for Bloom to misinterpret his actions and think that he was having "a moment" or whatever with Christine. Because he wasn't. Christine was strictly his friend now. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Giving Layla a smile, Sky greeted teasingly, "I can't believe you actually came - let alone that you helped make my cake." Arching a brow, he nudged her arm as he continued, "I must say, I think I'm growing on you."
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Mar 20, 2006 12:01:21 GMT -5
Christine drew back, letting Sky talk with Layla in private. She needed a bit of alone time - that and she wanted to make sure things hadn't exploded in the kitchen. She squeezed her locket lightly, content that it was back where it belonged.
Sky was a friend. That's all he could ever be. No matter how much her heart wanted it otherwise.
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Post by Layla on Mar 20, 2006 12:04:47 GMT -5
Crossing her arms over her chest, Layla snorted as she replied, "I wouldn't be so confident, your highness." Seeing Sky's confused expression, Layla burst into laughter as she reached up to give him a friendly hug. Rolling her eyes good-naturedly, she teased, "You shouldn't take things so seriously, Sky - it'll put you at risk for coronary heart disease, you know."
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Post by Sky on Mar 20, 2006 12:08:09 GMT -5
Watching Christine walk away, Sky sighed and then turned his attention back to his and Layla's friendly banter. "Lovely, Layla. Just lovely. No, really - thanks for painting such a pretty picture of my future. You've really brightened up my day."
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Post by Demeter on Mar 20, 2006 12:08:32 GMT -5
Flora watched the scene play out, shaking her head. Honestly. When it came right down to it - Sky, Chris and Bloom really needed to get their acts together. She mentally giggled as she thought about those comic books Chris had lent her - ElfQuest, if she recalled correctly. She could only imagine the chaos if there was a three-way pairing between those people.
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Post by tashii on Mar 20, 2006 12:11:54 GMT -5
After watching Chris walk away from Sky and Layla, Tash made her way over to her. Tash still could not believe that she had agreed to come to this little event. "I would say congratulations for pulling this off, but I have a feeling that you don't want to talk about that right now."
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