Shaneanigans

1 - The Flower Dance

Jacob just wants to dance.

~~~

Shane sees him wandering towards Pierre's little stand.  They chat.  Jacob smiles and Pierre hands him a packet of Stawberry seeds.  Of course he buys that.  Pierre doesn't sell that normally.

Jacob stops and talks as he makes his way towards him and the table with all the food.  He waves at him and smiles.  Shane gives him a weak smile and continues eating his food.

He hasn't lived here for long.  Marnie said something about it being his grandfather's old farm and that Jacob was taking over it.  The old Westbrook Farm.  He's pretty sure Abigail used to hang out there sometimes.

He'd been greeted well and been very nice to everyone, to Shane's annoyment because he no longer could enjoy a beer at the bar alone without Jacob coming over to talk to him.

"Nice suit," He says.

Shane snorts.  "Marnie made me wear it," He replies.  "Everyone has to wear  it.  Every damn year."

"Well, I think it looks nice.  It suits you."

"Thanks."  He glances at him, a faint smile on his lips.

They fall silent.  The chatter from the others by the table taking over.  Shane gets back to his food.  It's the best part of this whole thing after all.  Except maybe the smile on Jas' face as she'd tried on the dress Emily had made for her for the flower dance and how excited she had been on the way over.

Even though their conversation is over Shane can't help but keep glancing at Jacob and notice how he's staring at the field and the people dancing there with an unreadable expression.

After a few minutes he just can't take it anymore.  He sighs, dropping his fork.

"Alright, what is it?"

"What?"

"You keep staring at them.  Why?  Because there is something."

Jacob looks down at his fiddeling hands and purses his lips.  Shane waits for him to respond.

"I want to dance," He suddenly burts out, stealing a quick glance at him before his gaze returns to his hands.

Shakes brows furrow.  "Why aren't you dancing then?"

"I don't have a partner."

"Why haven't you asked anyone?"

"I don't know anyone," He says.  "Not like properly and they all have partners already."

Okay, now Shane feels a little bad for him.  He supposes it's one thing to talk to people and another to actually be friends with them.  Especially after so little time.  He'd probably spoken to Shane the most out of all the townsfolk too for some reason.

Shane glances out at the field and then back at Jacob.

"Okay," He says.  "Want to dance with me?"

Jacob's cheeks turn red as he stares wide eyed, with his brown eyes, at him.

"Really?"

Shane rolls his eyes.  "Yes," He replies.  "Now come on.  I don't have all day."

Jacob tentativly takes Shane's hand and allows himself to be led to the 'dance floor'.

"I actually don't know how to dance."

Shane laughs.  "Are you kidding me?"

Jacob shakes his head, a bashfull smile on his lips as he averts his gaze down to his feet.