Little Wonder (Phan)

Chapter Ten.

"Darcy! Grab him, before he escapes!" I watched with amusement as Winnie instructed Darcy on what to do, Tabitha waiting for her command on what to do. Darcy did as she was told, grabbing the boy's arm before he could run away, and he was suddenly wailing. As if though they were going to eat him alive. And I suddenly remembered being that age, thinking girls were the scariest things alive, and I still do, but I'm a tad more grown up then I was then.

Darcy was the strongest out of the bunch, though I knew Winnie could pack a wallop if you got on her bad side, and she held him down on the ground. Though I noticed she was gentle as well, trying to coo to him softly so he wouldn't scream anymore. "You /will/ play with us! And you will be the prince. /Our/ prince." All 3 girls eyes lit up, and the boy only looked more terrified, and I knew it was time to interfere, but Eve held me back, shaking her head.

"That poor boy is going to be scarred." But the grip on my arm only grew tighter, and I watched as the boy eventually gave up and Darcy let him go, and he even willingly began to play with them. Wow, kids of this generation must not be as scared as I thought they were.

The grip on my arm vanished, and I sat back down. "Why do you seem to know everything?" But I already knew the answer to that question. 'Because I do', which wasn't really an answer, it left for more questions, but she'd end up shushing me until I gave up, or got frustrated, though both usually happened. We were currently at one of Zoe's parties, Louise had invited us, and Eve wouldn't let me say no, so of course, we came. But I couldn't really complain, Winnie looked adorable in her little party dress. It wasn't to fancy, and it wasn't to plain. It suited her just right, and was the most adorable shade of pastel blue, something I would personally never be caught dead in. Pastel in general, usually.

"Are you two enjoying yourselves?" And there was Zoe herself, but the greatest host in all of existence, and all we could do was nod. "Well, if you need anything, never be afraid to ask me, okay?" And then she was whispering to me, "I didn't know you had a little one, Dan. She is beyond adorable." Her light eyes were shining, and she didn't her signature smile, she gave her natural smile. Which I thought was a hundred times more beautiful.

I patted her arm, "Thanks, Zoe. You are being so wonderful, thanks for opening your home up to us." She only blushed, waving the compliment away, before pecking my forehead, waving to Eve, and then scampering off to talk to other guests, and Eve nudged my side. Her eyebrows wiggling. "What!? No, never. Besides, there are two issues. She's a female, and she has a boyfriend. A boyfriend who would kick my ass if he thought I liked his girl." Then she exploded into laughter, and I pouted. "I hate it when you joke like that, Eve. Gosh."

"You just get so flustered, and don't know what to say half the time! It's so funny to watch, Daniel. I'm so sorry, though you know I'm not really sorry." She rested her hand on my arm, and rested her hand on my shoulder, closing her eyes. I knew she'd gotten barely any sleep these last 2 weeks, what with her job stretching her thin, and then Tabitha needing her, though she never complained. But I could see the gratefulness in her eyes whenever I offered to watch Tabitha for her. "Thanks for allowing me to come with you, this is fun."

"I would've rather you get some sleep, Eve. You're exhausted." She scoffed at my accusation, but honestly, it was more of an observation. She'd almost fallen asleep against me, and I was fully ready to let her. She needed some rest before her night shift started tonight, which meant I was getting Tabitha again, but of course, I didn't mind in the least. Watching the way she drifted off, I smiled and put my arm around her, thinking nothing of it, but to keep her safe. I'd found out she was older than me, by at least 2 years, though due to the way she acted, I might as well have been older. "We'll leave in a few minutes, Eve. And I'll let you rest at my place until it's time to go to work." I watched the scene in front of us, the girls playing, having recruited a few more boys, Louise off near the alcohol with her new boyfriend, Liam, and Zoe snuggling with Alfie. Even Carrie was here with Pete, sitting on his lap, and happily talking about her new role as Wednesday Addams. And there was one thing they all had in common, they were all with the ones they loved. And I was not.