"He won't do it."
"Yes he will. Won't you, Faramir?"
"Bah to all of you." Why did the other boys have to keep goading him? This was supposed to be Mr. Gamgee's birthday party. Why couldn't they go mingle with some other kids or something?
"See? I told you he wouldn't do it. He's too chicken!"
"I am not! I just... don't see the point." She'd probably be mad at him if he did, and that would be worse than being called a chicken.
"Shhh! Shhh! She's looking over at us!"
Faramir scowled at the other boys. "Now what sense does that make? Goldilocks is too far away to hear!"
"Yeah, but maybe she can read lips!" Everyone started snickering; everyone but Faramir, at least.
"Bah to all of you!" These were supposed to be his friends. Couldn't they see why he hesitated?
"I bet you he won't do it!"
"I bet he will!"
"I'm not going to play this game!" There was too much at stake.
"Chicken!"
"He is not! Are you, Faramir?"
"Fine! I'll do it if it'll make you all stop!"
Faramir balled up his hands and marched over to Goldilocks. The moment of truth came as he stood in front of her with a scowl. "Goldilocks Gamgee?"
Goldilocks grinned at him. "Yes, Faramir Took?"
Before he could regret approaching her, he gave her a quick peck on the cheek, then spun around to march away.
"That's it?"
He froze in his tracks. "What?"
"Well, after that, the least you could've done was ask me to dance."
Faramir's feet shuffled back around, his face red. "Would you care to dance?"
"I'd love to."
As they took to the dance floor, Goldilocks shot a glance at the other boys. "So what did you win?"
"Win?" All Faramir had to offer was a blank stare.
"The bet. You won, so what did you win?"
"I... uh..." He hadn't even thought to make them put something at stake.
Goldilocks smiled again, then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "You shouldn't have to walk away without a prize."