Thayer Gallup
Thayer's smirk never faltered as Jenny spoke, clinking her glass with his. It was always good to see when she let herself loose on nights like tonight. She seemed to be worrying about something constantly, even though everytime he asked she assured him it was nothing. Thayer had known her long enough to be sure that wasn't true.
That wasn't going to be on his mind tonight, though. As she sauntered off towards the dance floor, making it a competition out of getting their first, his eyes just followed her, happy that whatever usually occupied her mind didn't seem to be home tonight.
Suddenly remembering Keevan's comment, "Why don't you two break tradition for once and go dance as a duo?" that he'd said just before Jenny was out of earshot, he turned and rammed his elbow into his best friend's gut. Luckily, it didn't seem as though she had heard his remark (or at least she had acted as if she didn't). As Thayer turned to scold him, he opened his mouth once more and added, "No dancing as a group for this song, big guy. I want to see hands around waist, with at least two feet of space in between you. Wouldn't want to feel too intimate, would you?" Then he'd shoved further towards the dance floor.
With half a mind to go back, and the other half to do it and just use Keevan's taunting as a motive for action, he hesitated standing in no man's land. He wasn't quite on the outskirts where those who choose to sit back and watch reside but he also isn't yet in the space used for dancing. Rubbing the back of his neck with downcast eyes, a small smile tugged at the corner of Thayer's lips and a breathy chuckle escaped his mouth as he notices the trail of daisies Jenny left in her trot to dance.
What a lightweight. He thought, rolling his eyes before jogging over to where she's dancing. "No breadcrumbs?" Thayer teased, motioning down to the flowers littered in the grass. "I literally gave you one shot. Unless-" He feigned shock, throwing one hand over his heart. "Did little Jenny pregame? Or are you just that much of a lightweight?" Using the liquid courage he'd already had four cups of, he offered her an uncharacteristic wink, sure that he looked ridiculous doing so.
There was a battle going on in his mind, his want to dance, really dance with Jenny this time mixed with the courage from the alcohol and Keevan's comment about it being his last year, last chance, versus the unknown. The two had been close for years and he'd never picked up on any sign pointing to her having feeling for him as he did for her. It was too soon. He wasn't ready. He couldn't do it. His hesitation was definitely noticeable for anyone watching the two close enough, which he was sure Keevan was.
He had already opened his mouth in case he was able to force the words out, so now he closed it again. It opened again a few seconds later and still he could get no words to come out. Damn it! He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Usually the alcohol made him braver and more fun, not stupid and mute. Offering her an apologetic look, he shrugged, sighed, and gave up, closing his mouth again.