Five days.

Five days.

It might as well have been five weeks, Blue still wouldn't be ready. He wished things were simpler. Luna and Swordtail would be going together, and it was natural and not awkward or new.

Why was he so worried about this? It's just Cricket! It's not like this is the first time talking to her.

The bell rang and kids started packing up their backpacks around him, they would be heading for the cafeteria soon. Blue carefully and slowly started packing pencils and notebooks into his bag. He was in no rush. Except every moment he wasn't there with her was a moment wasted, and he had to admit that he felt a buzz of excitement enerytime he thought about the dance with Cricket.

As he hurried through the double doors of the cafeteria, his eyes shot to their table. There was Cricket, and concern flashed on his face. She looked rather nervous. Sundew wasn't there, and probably for the better. This would be hard enough without her watching.

He looked around a bit more and saw her sitting at a table not too far away with Blue guessed was Willow. Sundew was sitting facing Cricket's table and winked when she saw Blue.

So she will be watching.

Blue sat down at the table and looked at Cricket. Not only did she look nervous, she hadn't touched her food and didn't have a book in front of her.

"Are you ok?" Blue asked gently. "You look anxious."

"Oh, well, maybe. I just have a lot on my mind." She stared at the table between her hands.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Blue felt just as anxious as Cricket looked.

"No, thank you. I'm fine." They were quiet for awhile now, Cricket staring at the table and Blue out the window.

Ask now!

"Can I ask you something?" They both said at the same time. Blue blinked at her and Cricket looked embarrassed.

"You first." Blue said.

"No, no, no. You started first, I can wait."

"But I asked you first."

"No it's fine." Cricket buried her face in her hands. "Yours is probably more important."

This is it. No more stalling. Blue tried to gather the rehearsed words in his head. "Do you think," he paused for a moment.

Cricket lifted her head from her hands to smile. "Yes, occasionally. Is that what you needed to ask?"

"No." He smiled back. "Do you think you could," he stopped again, gathering his courage.

"Go to the dance? With her? Are you stupid?" Bombardier had sauntered over and heard what Blue was saying. "Cricket's going with me, not some stuttery Mama's Boy." He sneered nastily.

Cricket stood up so fast from the table, she nocked her book bag to the floor, but she didn't even look at it. Blue had never seen her so angry. "I am never going anywhere with you." She said quietly.

"Than not at all." Bombardier said hotly. And then, almost as quiet as Cricket, said "If you don't come with me, I'll make sure no one will ever want to go with you for a very long time. You have one day to except my offer for the dance, or feel the consequences." He turned to Blue. "And you, if you don't stop hanging around her, not only will I ruin you, I'll ruin your face. Understand?"

Beyond Bombardier, Blue say Sundew look over at the table with unsteady confusion. She had gotten up from her seat, said a word to Willow, and was coming over. But Bombardier made his exit before she got there, so the only people she could question, were a stunned Blue, and a crying, livid Cricket.

"Who was that?" Sundew sounded like she was on the verge of going to find out herself, and if she could knock some teeth out of him. She asked this to Blue, giving Cricket time to wipe the remnants of tears from her face.

"That was Bombardier." Blue cast a worried look at Cricket. "He asked Cricket to the dance."

"Asked? He demanded and gave me no choice. If I don't except, he said he'd make sure no one would ever want to go with me again." Her voice was steady and firm, the tears were gone, but she was still furious. "And he threatened Blue! I'll kill him for that."

"Leave it to the professionals." Sundew said darkly.

Blue got up from his seat and sat down next to Cricket. He put his arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Don't be. It's not your fault." Cricket leaned on his side.

Blue cast Sundew a look, saying please don't make a comment on this. And thankfully, Sundew seemed more preoccupied with Bombardier's death than making a shipping comment.

"How long did he give you?" Sundew asked.

"One day." Cricket closed her eyes. "If I don't except in one day, I don't even know what he'll do."