That Kiss (Revised)

Chapter Five - We're not in the 2000's anymore...

                Savannah knew something was definitely not right when the small woman, who she learned to be Mrs. Crock, led her to a beautiful and extremely familiar white house. That’s when it all clicked. This was Joey’s house. The oak trees and all. Granted, they weren’t as busty and broad, but they were still in their prime branching way overhead. “Joey!” she hissed.

                He ignored her, probably making the same revelations in his head.

                “Thank you for escorting us, Mister Buckweed. I will prepare Miss Nelson and she will see you at the ball. You better get ready yourself. Prince Michael is waiting.” Her voice was stern, but she was still smiling. Something told Savannah that Mrs. Crock could be considered an ally and any ally was extremely valuable. As Joey began walking towards the house, Savannah begged him with her eyes not to leave her. As much as she hated them right now, he was the only one aware that she had no idea what was going on.

                “Miss Nelson,” he stepped forward grabbing her hand. “I shall be seeing you at the ball.” He bent down and kissed her knuckles whispering, “Just do what she says.”

                Way to play the party Joey. Savannah shot him a tight smile and reluctantly followed Mrs. Crock to a nearby horse drawn carriage. It was then that Savannah was forced to realize, she wasn’t in the 2000’s anymore…

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                Joey felt ridiculous in the outfit his ‘assistant’ had so kindly given to him. He felt more feminine then he had in his entire life. He had black trousers matched with a deep purple tail coat, falling just before the back of his knees. His white bow tie was tied entirely too tight making him weary to eat or drink anything in fear he might choke.

                He dreaded to moment Savannah would lay eyes upon him. She was never going to let him hear the end of it. That is, if they ever reached the end of whatever was going on. Fear of being stuck in the past forever tore at Joey. Yet, for some odd reason he felt like this wasn’t going to be all negative.

                Joey was left in a foyer, next to a grand staircase while Madame Nelson was fetched. Apparently she wanted to speak with both of them before they made their grand entrance, as late as they were. Savannah was due any moment. He wished she’d hurry. He didn’t want to have to face Madame Nelson alone. Besides, it was imperative that both Savannah and Joey acquire as much information as possible. He’d seen Back to the Future before. If they made one mistake who knew what their present, or future would hold.

                A soft giggle drew his attention towards the top of the stairs. There stood Savannah, laughing at his appearance like he predicted. But at that moment, he didn’t care. He was too mesmerized by her.

                Savannah’s strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into tight ringlets pinned to her head. Her dress was a sheer pink that rested near the end of her shoulders, leaving the majority of her chest exposed. Her waist was dramatically drawn in making her curves flow into the long, ruffled train of her dress. She wore white gloves that reached nearly to her elbows and a small smile on her lips.

                “What are you looking at?” Her green eyes brushed with a light pink shade narrowed at Joey. “Haven’t you ever seen an evening gown before?”

                “Not with you in it…or from this decade.” He laughed.

                Reaching the last step, Joey offered his hand to Savannah. She was slowly becoming aggravated at his continuous attempt to be a gentleman of the 1800’s. She wasn’t sure if it was due to the seemingly endless torture she just endured putting this dress on, or the fact that she was becoming soft to his way. Regardless, she wasn’t having any of it. Instead, she pushed his hand away and finished the last step on her own; one step for Savannah, one giant leap for women empowerment.

                “Where have you two been?!” a sharp voice cut through the silence like a machete. A tall, troll of a woman wearing a scarlet dress lurked in the corner. She had an impatient scowl resting upon her lips and Savannah swore she could hear a quick tapping of her shoe against the hard wood floors. Her hair was a deep brown, twisted up in some sort of intricate up do. With her piercing brown eyes shooting daggers in their direction, she lived up to the reputation Savannah feared: a woman she didn’t want to cross.

                “We were walking in the woods and lost our way. My deepest apologies Madame.” Joey took a protective step forward, cutting between Savannah and the scary lady.

                “Madame?” she hissed back. “Since when did you get manners, Buckweed?”

                “Always in the presence of a lady,”

                Madame Nelson gave Joey a long hard look and Savannah thought right then and there they were discovered. Horrible scenes of beheading and public hangings filled her head. She had absolutely no idea what would happen if they did get discovered, or even how it could but in this moment, she was terrified.

                She sighed as if dismissing Joey like a peasant. “The King has been waiting on your arrival, Savannah. I don’t understand how you could make such a stupid mistake at such a trivial moment.” Her eyes shined with frustration, “Luckily, I’ve managed to hold him off, ensuring him that you wanted to be at your very best for tonight’s ball.”

                Savannah lowered her eyes mumbling a quick, “Sorry,”

                “And you,” she faced Joey now. “…tell him you fell in a hole and couldn’t get out for all I care! Now follow me, let’s not keep the king waiting any longer.” She spun on her heels and pushed open the double doors to their right.