welcome back! thank you @idkwhatwrongwyou for the amazing covers! the one for memory documentation is attached here on the chapter <3 also, the beautiful youtube cover of rainbow connection has served as an inspiration for this chapter, so give it a listen! kindly let me know of any weird mistakes and typos, and i hope you enjoy!

✦✧✦

"For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be."

– Jack & Sally, The Nightmare Before Christmas

✦✧✦

"It's here?"

"Yes! Hurry so we can open it before we leave."

"I'm comi – oh, sorry, dude – I mean sir!"

I snickered at the faint grumbles of a man. With a heave, I pulled the package up from my desk and lifted it out towards the living room. The box was bigger than necessary for a VHS tape, so I was desperate to know what else was inside. I had waited all night to open this box with Chris today, and I wasn't going to also wait a whole school day, either.

"Open, open!" Chris urged before hanging up. I heard the frantic drum of fingers on the front door and rushed to open it. My heart was already skipping in my chest at the thought of opening Suzie's package, but it managed to skip even faster as I opened the door to reveal Chris in his usual dark clothing, greeting me with his usual boyish smile.

For the past week, Chris has been showing up to my apartment in the morning for something. His forgotten statistics notebook, the need for graph paper, borrowing some earphones, helping me with my printer, fleeing as Camryn threw a morning tantrum. Yesterday morning, when he came to deliver some tangerines that Mark had gotten for Papa when he was at the grocery store, I told him that Suzie's package was going to arrive later that day. Thus, my morning has started with another visit by Christopher Radley. But you won't find me complaining. Especially not to the quick hug he gives me every time he sees me.

That was new, too.

Totally not complaining.

"Wow, is that it?" Chris asked as he pulled away and stepped inside. He eyed the box on the table. "It's pretty big for just a tape."

"That's what I was thinking." It's been several days since Suzie and I had our late night conversation, and I hadn't heard from her since. That is, until she sent me a text saying that the package should be arriving the following day. I was thrown off by the size and mistook Suzie's package as an online order at first.

Chris discarded his backpack onto the couch and came to sit beside me on the floor as I grabbed an old pair of scissors and haphazardly cut the box's tape. I sucked in a breath, bracing myself, then opened the flaps. The air left me at once.

"Oh, wow. That's definitely more than just a VHS tape," Chris whispered, leaning forward to take a closer look. I nodded mutely. Wow was right. I could only see so much from just this angle, but there were a whole bunch of things inside. I caught a glimpse of fabric from a piece of clothing, an item wrapped in bubble wrap, and a party size packet of M&M's. On top of everything was a letter.

Darcy,

I hope this letter finds you and Richard happy and healthy. Fortunately, I found the VHS tape up in my attic, lumped in with a collection of things our family has hoarded over the years. I thought I'd send over a few of my sister's things from when she was younger. You have no memory of Eve, so I thought I'd leave pieces of her memory with you. I think your Papa would appreciate it, too. A few photographs, a wooden gazelle carved from our grandfather, a jar of seashells she collected throughout our family trips to the beach, and a book of bedtime fairy tales she'd ask our Nana to read to her. You will also find a dress that Evellyn adored. She loved to spin around in our room wearing it. I had it cleaned before I sent it to you but, otherwise, it's in great condition. I think it may fit you with a few alterations, if needed.  There's a matching set of pearl jewelry, too. Maybe you can wear it on the big day. You'd look darling. Please let me know the date of the celebration. I'd love to come and watch. I'd also like to take you up on that complimentary food and drink from your cafe.

Thank you – for all that you're doing. I wish Eve could have met you.

Take care,

Aunt Suzie

I bit my lip. Aunt Suzie. I've never called her that before. She's never said to.

Swallowing the lump from my throat, I reached for the dress first and stood as I lifted it from the box. It was an all black fit and flare style dress. It had a long, flowy pleated skirt, a modest v-neckline, and small ribbon tied at the waist. I held it up to myself and took a look in the standing floor mirror by the front door.

"It's beautiful," I murmured, running my fingers from the bodice and down the length of the skirt. I could understand why Evellyn adored this dress and why she loved to take it for a whirl. The pleated skirt was light-weight and fluid. With movement, it would look gorgeous. I couldn't help but take a turn for myself, even if I was merely holding it up to my body. I closed my eyes and spun once, then twice, enjoying the feel of the cool fabric as it glided with me. When I opened my eyes, they connected with stormy blue ones. Chris remained on the floor against the couch, one hand propping his head as he watched me intently, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"It is," he said.

I blinked. "What is?"

He held my gaze. "Beautiful."

My cheeks blazed. I broke our eye connection. "Oh, right. It is. It was Evellyn's. Suzie thought I could wear it during the dance. I'll have to see if it fits." I draped the fabric over my arm and went back to sit next to him, careful to avoid eye contact as I rummaged through the rest of the box. Inside one of the bubble wraps was the small gazelle sculpture, carved from a light wood. Aside from the tip of its left horn missing, the animal was poised, tall, and elegant. As someone who was always in the ocean rather than the sand, I found myself fascinated by the jar containing the collection of seashells. Beneath it was the children's fairytale picture book, worn and pretty tattered. The edges of the book's hard cover was peeling, and the book's spine had begun to crack. No matter, though. These signs of constant use meant that this book had been well loved through many years. Tucked onto the side of the box was a manila envelope that held four old photos of Evellyn at different ages: one as a baby, two as a young child, and one of her as a teenager. The last thing was the VHS tape.

"Here she is, all in it's vintage glory. Are you sure we're going to find something to play this on?" I asked, taking the object delicately from the box.

"Yup. Actually, we can watch it today after school if you wanna bring it with us. Oh, you forgot this." He reached into the box and pulled out a small plastic bag. Inside was a gold chain necklace with what looked like a three branch charm, a pearl at each end. It came with a pair of dangling pearl earrings. Gently, I shook the delicate jewelry out onto the palm of my hand and held up the necklace, admiring its simple beauty.

"She sent so many things. I can't believe she would let me have this, too. It's so pretty, isn't it?" I looked at Chris to find him looking at me, not the necklace.

"Wanna put it on?" he asked.

I lowered the necklace, feeling the familiar pang of guilt rising in me again. "Am I allowed? To just... wear Evellyn's things like this?"

Chris took the necklace. I didn't object as he climbed onto the couch behind me and gently lowered the necklace down onto my neck. Goosebumps rose on my skin at the brush of his fingers fastening the necklace's clasp.

"I know things have been really hard for you lately since Sylvia died. And now, on top of it, you've been feeling at war with yourself over Evellyn and Gray," Chris murmured, gently pulling my braid out from under the necklace's chain. "Just remember everything you've done and are planning to do comes from a place of good and love. Suzie gave you these things knowing that. She wants you to have them, so don't feel bad wearing them."

I craned my neck to look up at him. Once glance at him, along with his comforting words, was enough to quell my guilt. "Thank you."

He smiled. "Always. We better get going, though. First, school. Then, tape time."

I was aware of Evellyn's necklace all day. With the cut of my shirt, the tree branch charm lay cool against my chest. It swayed and bounced whenever I'd be rushing to class or going up and down the steps. Sometimes, I found myself absentmindedly playing with it in class, sliding it up and down the chain, squeezing it, or even just glancing down to look at it. It was a beautiful necklace. Simple yet charming.  The earrings, I left back home with the rest of the things and a note to Papa explaining the contents. I was careful to take the letter Suzie – or should I say, Aunt Suzie – had written to me. I couldn't blow the plan before the plan was even in full play.

Chris was already waiting for me at my locker after last period. "You ready for dance practice?" he asked as I approached him.

I looked around. "Where are the others? Won't they like to come watch it, too?"

"They'll catch up later. C'mon –" I gave a little jolt as he took my hand and began to pull me towards the stairs leading to the second level "– everything's all set up."

I tried not to focus too much on the way Chris held on to me even as we reached the upstairs landing. He guided me through the corridors until we reached a classroom I'd never been to. Inside were different posters of human anatomy. There was a variety of visuals and lists of arteries, vessels, and bones. An older man sat at the desk in the far corner of the room, putting a stack of papers into a leather book bag. He looked up at our entry.

"Ah, Chris," he said. "Here to use the TV?"

"Yes, Mr. Snell. Is that all right?"

"Perfectly all right," the man replied. He gestured to another door. "It's set up in the lab room. Don't take too long now, I'll be heading out in about thirty minutes."

We thanked him, and Chris (still holding my hand) led me through the door and into the other room that contained benched tables, as well as cabinets and sink counters lining the walls. In the front was an old TV cart with an even older looking TV sitting on top of it. It was bulky, grey, and square, covered in a fine layer of dust.

Chris whistled as we observed it up close. "They sure don't make them like this anymore. Here's where you should put the tape, Darce." He tapped the VHS player that lay on the shelf beneath the TV and finally released my hand so that I could retrieve the tape from my backpack.

"How did you know that our school still had something like this?"

"Cooper and I have Mr. Snell for Anatomy and Physiology. Our seats are by his desk in class, and I was telling Cooper about how we would need a VHS player to play your tape. Mr. Snell overheard and said that our school had one. It's the only one, too."

"I sure hope this thing still works," I muttered. Neither of us spoke as I pushed the tape into the player and hit play. The machine hummed and made a few odd noises, but it worked. The video popped to life on the TV screen and the buzz of a crowd filled the room. A voice was caught speaking mid-sentence.

"–nt to see everyone on the dance floor!" The camera spanned over a dimly lit hall. Muted blue and gold curtains draped the walls. Circular tables, each littered with dishes and loose belongings, were placed close together. Then, the camera stopped on what could only be the dance floor. It was packed full of family, friends, and couples dancing to their heart's content. I laughed aloud at the sight, feeling myself get swept by the energy the crowd was emitting. This one glimpse into the past was filled with so much joy. People were laughing, smiling, clapping, twirling, hugging, kissing, and dancing. It was truly a celebration of love.

The video cut suddenly. It was almost like a scene change. The dance floor was now completely empty aside from two people and what looked like a live band at the far end, almost out of frame. The same voice from earlier spoke again. "And now, please welcome the newly married couple as they perform an original dance choreographed by the lovely bride herself!"

My breath caught in my throat. I instinctively reached for the necklace while my other hand shot out to grasp Chris's arm. "It's them. It's happening," I whispered.

Papa and Evellyn stood in the center of the dance floor hand-in-hand. Papa's face was turned away from the camera so all I could see was his black tuxedo and head of brunette hair. The camera zoomed slightly closer, and I was able to get a better look at Evellyn and her smiling face as she looked at Papa. The skirt of her wedding dress flowed down to her ankles and reflected slightly in the light of the hall. Her bodice was much more fitted, decorated in intricate lace and sleeves that puffed out at the shoulders. Her black hair was left down, complete with a white headband and a short, full veil.

The first notes of an instrument rung out through the hall. The rest of the band began to play. Papa and Evellyn came together, and the dance began.

Neither of us spoke as we watched Papa and Evellyn perform their waltz. I was entranced, standing so close to the screen, almost as if I could pretend I was one of the guests watching from the sidelines of the dancefloor. They moved with such grace, held each other with such care, and gazed at each other with such fondness. Their movements were smooth and fluid, light and precise. They were floating. Gliding. The smiles that touched their lips never slipped as the two of them stepped and spun across the dancefloor. And though the crowd rang out with the occasional cheer and awe, Papa and Evellyn never faltered. They were in a world where only the two of them existed, connected through love and dance.

Finally, the singer reached the final lyrics, and the dance ended with Papa lowering Evellyn in a dip and kissing her. Then, the tape ended.

I could feel the weight of Chris's gaze on me, but my eyes stayed glued on the screen, at a moment frozen in time. Evellyn was cupping Papa's cheek as he held her in a dip, kissing her. I thought back to when I was young and light enough to stand on Papa's feet as he danced this exact dance with me. He would do it anywhere – in living rooms, at parks, in backyards. To me, it was nothing but a game and a ride. It was simply movement. But it wasn't just that. It was a product of love. A performance meant to signify unity and eternal love. For every time Papa would perform this dance for me, he'd be dancing with the weight of Evellyn's ghost in his arms. Hopefully, soon, he wouldn't simply be dancing with the air of her. I would be able to do it with him. The only thing was...

"Evellyn was a professional dancer. We're not dancers at all. This dance isn't exactly complex and out there, but it's not that simple, either. How are we going to learn this by ourselves?" I asked Chris, a tinge of hopelessness and panic seeping into my tone.

"I told you. You get the tape, and I'd handle the rest," he said.

I quirked a brow. "Well, how did you handle it?"

He smirked and put a hand on my head. "I called a dancer."

Before I could ask who, a voice answered.  "That's me!" I jumped with a little shriek as someone grabbed my shoulders from behind. I whirled around.

"Marissa!" I exclaimed, clutching at my heart. "No way, you didn't tell me you were a dancer!"

Her curly red hair bounced as she laughed. She pointed a thumb towards herself. "I've been dancing since I was seven years old. When Chris told me what you were planning, I was so excited. It was so hard to keep myself from saying anything," she said. She took my hands in hers. "Don't worry, Darce, I can help. I'll teach you and Chris the dance. Be prepared, though, because my fee rate is friendship and I charge by the second."

Pulling on her hands, I brought her in for a tight hug. It was the first time I've ever hugged her, but I was so full of gratitude that I wanted her to feel all of it. "I can afford that. Thank you so much." From over her shoulder, I saw Cooper, Bryson, and Phil file in through the door. "You guys!" I exclaimed.

"Hey!" Cooper greeted. "We're here to make sure Marissa doesn't have all the fun."

"Yeah," Bryson piped, crossing his arms. "I don't know how well you dance, Darcy, but judging by Chris's moves, Marissa's got a lot of work to do."

I gave Marissa my best apologetic look. "Sorry, but I'm not gonna be a star pupil, either."

Phil came up behind her, a look of fondness softening his features as she tilted her head to meet his eyes. "Marissa will be a great teacher. I'm sure you'll be fine," he said.

Bryson made a bleh noise as the two of them kissed, but Marissa quickly pulled back to throw Bryson a hot glare. "Oh, get over it. Once you get a boyfriend, I'll make barfing noises every time you kiss! How about that?"

Bryson shrugged. "That'll be the day. All the boys in this school are ugly or they're assholes." His face turned musing. "Although, there was that one guy I saw when I went into Ms. Barbry's class to deliver a slip."

"What category am I in?" asked Cooper, already pulling a look of utter offense.

"Both. Ugly and an asshole."

The two began to roughhouse, and Mr. Snell came in yelling. The boys had to wait out in the hall as I rewinded the dance to record on my phone. Marissa watched closely the entire time. "That was beautiful," she said once we finished. "Her form is fantastic! And your dad didn't do bad, either, Darce. Though, his arm was a little too high up her back during this one part so you'll need to watch that, Chris. You'll restrict Darcy's movement."

Chris tapped his head. "Got it. Noting it. Memorizing it."

"You better," Marissa said, pointing a finger.

The voices of the boys grew louder out in the hall. Something about Cooper having way better hair than an Aiden. Chris shook his head. "I'll go tell them to shut up. Grab the tape and meet us outside, 'kay? Bryson said his mom invited us to his place for dinner. They had a party recently and have a lot of leftovers."

Only Marissa stayed with me as I removed the tape from the player. When I turned to retrieve my backpack, she was giving me a look. "What? Why are you giving me that face?"

"It's just..." She looked over her shoulder. Through the lab's window, we could see the boys talking. Chris looked to be a mediator between Cooper and Bryson, while Phil leaned against the lockers as a silent but amused observer. "The dance. It was pretty... romantic, wouldn't you say?"

"I'd say so. It was their wedding dance, after all."

Marissa cocked her head. "Have you watched professional dancing before, Darce?" she asked. I shook my head. "Well, a choreographed dance like this is a performance. You're putting on a show, and this is not a solo. The way two partners dance together, their connection, really makes a dance look its best. Without chemistry – or the look of it – the dance is lackluster."

A blush began to bloom on my cheeks as I realized what this meant for me. What made this dance even more beautiful was that it was performed by a pair of lovebirds. You could see the affection and devotion in the way that they moved, the way they held each other, and even in the way they looked at each other the entire time. If Chris and I didn't convey that same chemistry, will it not be as great?

"Of course, I'm sure you dad will be grateful for the performance no matter what, so that's not really what I wanted to talk to you about."

"It isn't?"

Marissa glanced back again. The boys were still occupied with each other. Despite this, she took a step closer and lowered her voice. "Do you like Chris?"

My blush deepened instantly. My mouth flopped open. Was I really showing it? Am I too obvious?

My struck look and inability to answer must have been answer enough, because Marissa let out a small squeal – even jumping in delight. "I thought you might!"

I quickly reached out and held her shoulders down, ceasing the jumping before the movement could catch the boys' eyes. "Marissa! I..." I blew out a defeated sigh. There was no use in lying to her. I wouldn't be very convincing, anyway. "Okay, yes. I do  – but you can't tell him!"

Marissa took on the offended face Cooper had earlier. "As if I would! Girl to girl honor, Darce, I promise I won't say."

I slumped in relief. "Thank you."

"But also girl to girl –" she leaned in again, dropping her tone back down to a whisper "– I think Chris might like you, too."

"Wha – no!" Startled by her words, I jerked back with such force that I accidentally knocked my backpack off the table. It fell with a loud thud, and I hurriedly picked it back up, peeking inside to see if the tape was okay.

"Yes!" Marissa urged. "Darce, really, I see it. I really think he does."

My mind was whirling, my heart was skipping, but my walls were climbing in defiance. "See what?"

"Lots of things. Small things. I know he cares about me as a friend, but with you it's way different. He always looks for you when we walk into a room and gets distracted texting you when you're not there. Sometimes he just brings you into the conversation when something reminds him of you. And anyway, hasn't he been coming to your house, like, every morning? You two have been walking into school together before first period starts."

"That's because he usually needs something or wants to get away. He helped me with my printer once so I could print my essay."

She rolled her eyes. "All of that stuff you could have given to him here. If he wanted to get away before, he'd come to school early because Bryson is usually here grabbing the breakfast they serve at the cafeteria. And your printer? Well, that's understandable, but –"

"Marissa, I don't know. I don't want to get my hopes up." I really, really didn't, but my mind was beginning to run through other "small things" Chris has done for me in the past few months. The way he held me in his arms the day I found out Sylvia died. All the times he's been determined to stay by my side or occasionally skip class to check up on me. He's stayed up many nights for me and has sat through countless Disney films to lift my spirits. He's never been one to say no when I need him most, no matter the hour. I thought these were all best friend duties, and maybe that's really all they were.

And maybe, rather than being signs of him falling for me, they were really just the acts that were making me fall for him.

I found it difficult to keep Chris's gaze for the rest of the night. The six of us headed to Bryson's house where we gorged ourselves on lumpia, or Filipino spring rolls. Bryon's mom was delighted to have so many guests over and encouraged us to eat as much as we could. After, we lounged on the carpeted floors in Bryson's room and played Papa and Evellyn's dance on his TV so that the boys could see for the first time.

Cooper whistled at the end and gave us a wicked, mischievous smile. "So, is that kiss part of the choreography?"

I really couldn't look at Chris after that.

The moment passed with some teasing, laughter, and a very pointed look from Marissa. Thankfully, she went on to describe to us the different techniques and moves of the dance. I was relieved when she expressed confidence that we'd be able to do the dance for sure. I dared a glance at Chris to say, "You sure you still wanna do this? Say it now or forever hold your peace."

"I'm committed, Darce. I'm not going to bail on you now. I would never." The implication of his last words and the determination in his eyes was enough to still me. I looked away and was met with another pointed look by Marissa, albeit more subtle. Small things, she had said. Or it could just be best friend duties, I countered.

Or not.

I twisted my braid around my fingers, then dropped my hand to the necklace. I squeezed the charm. "Thank you for doing this, Marissa. I don't know how well we would be able to do if you weren't helping us."

"Hey, this is going to be a whole party, isn't it, Darce?" asked Cooper. He was lying flat on his back, continuously tossing a pack of gum into the air. "Your dad had a live band playing in the video. Did you want that, too?"

"I don't know where'd we find one or if we could afford it."

He tilted his head to look at me, letting the gum packet rest against his chest. "I'm no band, but I'd sing. Maybe Bryson can play."

Phil turned to Bryson with a raised eyebrow. "Would you?"

Bryson's eyes lit up at the idea. "Oh, shit, you're right! Here let me –" He quickly got to his feet and jogged out of the room.

"Play?" I asked. Curious, I looked around his room for an instrument. Other than a few anime posters decorating the walls, a bed, and a desk cluttered with work and a gaming PC, there was no sign of an instrument. Then, Bryson came back with a ukulele in hand.

Marissa squealed and clapped. "That would be perfect! Will you two perform the song while Darcy and Chris dance?"

"You read our mind, M."

I didn't think I could ever feel so grateful and lucky in my life. "Y-you guys would really perform at the party?"

"Duh, why not? Like I said, we can't let Marissa have all the fun." I couldn't formulate the correct words to express my gratitude before Bryson took a seat at his desk, typed something into his computer, and began to strum. We watched as he tested the chords for a bit, then the song quickly began to take form. Cooper joined him at the computer and the two of them began to sing. The first run-through wasn't perfect, and they restarted and practiced plenty. But by the fifth time around, even Marissa began to sing along with them.

"Have you been half-asleep?

And have you heard voices?

I've heard them calling my name.

Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?

The voice might be one and the same."

I felt a hand take my own from where it was tucked slightly under Bryson's bed. My eyes were drawn down to our conjoined hands, then traced up a black sleeve until I met stormy blue eyes. Chris's eyes stayed locked on mine as he, too, began to sing.

"Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.

The lovers, the dreamers, and me."

It was in that moment that I knew I was a lost cause. Hopelessly held captive by stormy blue eyes and a boyish smile. It was undeniable what I was feeling for him, for my best friend. Every day, I find myself falling faster. For every night he's stayed up to hear my troubles. For every morning he starts by checking up on me. For everything he's done to show that he's always by my side.

My heart beats a little bit faster with every look and smile he throws my way. I was in dangerous territory, and my feelings were a brewing storm that continues to pull me deeper and deeper. And I knew, I just knew, that doing this dance with him would only pull me in deeper into no return.

before i say anything else - black lives matter. to my black readers, i stand with you. the injustice angers me. we are all humans and we must be united. and just because the buzz around the movement seems to be dying down, it doesn't mean the fight is over. links on my profile. 2020 is turning to be a difficult one. i hope you are all staying SAFE (remember we're still in a global pandemic even as things reopen again) but also are remembering to be gentle with yourself during everything that's happening.

for the chapter, i hope you enjoyed! this was a fun one to write. we're preparing for the darcy/chris ship to sail, let me tell ya. i'll be sticking to my bi-weekly update schedule and i'm excited for what's to come. chapter sixteen is already nearly done hehe.

this week's chapter question is: what is/are your favorite song(s) to dance to? slow, fast, whatever genre! make this comment thread a playlist of ~bops~

follow my instagram for updates/sneak peaks. if you liked this chapter, drop a vote and a comment, and i'll see you guys very soon xx