( junie can feel his eyes widen as the mood at this cafe table visibly takes a nosedive — not ideal. like super not ideal, because selfishly, she's maybe now a little scared of word getting back to skye's scary powerful dad.

but worst of all? and most importantly? he's making the new kid feel bad the very first time they've met when he's already clearly having a hard time.

she frowns, gaze flickering upwards, clearly thinking Very Hard and then — junie softens a little. a sweet smile plays at the corners of his mouth, and a hand reaches across the table to give skye's a squeeze. )

Hey, let's forget the boring school stuff for today, okay? ( and that smile spreads into a grin, confidence returning to her body millisecond by millisecond. ) I think we should go to the party and have some fun. What do you think?