Only The Goode Spy Forever

Chapter 111: The Hoedown Date Part 1

   "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

     Annalise Goode studied herself in the mirror. She loved her purple dress, but it felt like too much. The dance was a hoedown, yet Anna looked like a city girl. Her parents had bought her that dress for a fancy CIA Christmas party. She'd only worn it once, but she loved it. The deep purple made her blue eyes sparkle. Anna's usually springy, curly hair was straightened. She loved it. She looked older, more mature. Perfect for her date with Peyton. Anna was trying not to show how nervous she was. She put on silver dangly earrings and nodded. She was ready.

 
    Anna meant to walk into town with Peyton, but the two didn't leave at the same time. Anna considered catching up with him, but then she noticed Bree. Chase was nowhere to be seen, and Bree looked a mess. The two were inseparable, more so, as of late. Anna shrugged it off. When they were getting ready to enter the huge barn, Anna's grandpa Solomon stole Bree away. Anna hated to see her go, but she was grateful to get in some alone time with Peyton.

 
    When Anna entered the barn, her eyes immediately fell on Peyton. He was wearing a gray suit with a deep purple tie. Anna wondered how he knew she was going to wear purple. His gray suit made his skin look a smidge lighter. He looked tan, but Anna knew better. His dark chocolate hair was trimmed short, a Blackthorne must. His puppy dog eyes were filled with fear. Anna wondered if he was nervous to see her too. When his eyes landed on her, she saw a wave of relief wash over his face. He grabbed 2 cups of punch and walked towards her.

    "Hey," he said casually, handing her a drink.

    "Hi," Anna said as she took the cup.

 
    "Neat party."

    "Ya," Anna replied. She cringed. She was being awkward. He was being awkward. This wasn't them.

    "So..." Peyton trailed off. Anna bit her lip. This was not the boy she had known her whole life. "I'm sorry, can we just start again?"

    "Um, what?" Anna asked, genuinely confused. 

    "This is... awkward," Peyton began. "We've known each other since we were in diapers. Obviously, we look a bit different, but we're still us. We're still Peyt and Annie, superheroes." Anna burst out laughing.

    "You remember that?" She asked.

    "Of course!" Peyton laughed. "We would always tie blankets around our necks like capes and pretend we were saving the world. I loved our playdates. I always felt like a hero rather than someone's younger sibling."

    "Me too," Anna agreed. "I wasn't just Chase's baby sister; I was a superhero. Yes, let's start again." Peyton looked relieved. He opened his arms.

    "Hey, Annie. I'm glad to see you again," he smiled. Anna stepped forward into his arms and he gave her a bear hug. She started to laugh. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."

   "I've missed you too. I'm glad the boy I knew is back," she replied. 

     "Where's your brother?" He asked. Anna scanned the room.

    "I have no idea," she said. Peyton shrugged as if it was obvious.

    "He's probably off somewhere shacking up with Bree."

   "Hey," Anna said defensively. "He's not like that."

    "How do you know?"

    "He's my brother."

     "He's been to Blackthorne."

   "So have you," Anna protested. "And what does that have to do with anything?"