SPOILER!!: Theodore!
BAD MOVE, KINSLEY.
He knew it all along, buuuuuuuuuuut curiosity. "Right... well... that was lame of her." There, he wouldn't take it any further. He would just let Bliss know that he was on her side over that meanie Elodie Robins. Was that her name? Back to the home discussion, there was another thing that Theo wished he hadn't brought up, too. He nodded slowly as she answered. "That's good." He managed. gAHH... he was terrible at comforting, okay?! Did she want a hug? He had gotten good at those, you know.
"I'm glad you're back, by the way." Progress.
"Ehh..." He shrugged his shoulders but tried his hardest not to look too miserable. "It's been a crappy term..." Theo considered his own answer and wasn't sure if he could even explain his reason. He paused and then looked at her with a less serious face, "But at least I'm still gorgeous, right?" Compared to all the old fogies wandering round the school. Honestly, he would never get tired of seeing them all moping and whining, it was flipping hilarious.
His expression softened a little, just in case Bliss was feeling sorry for the others. Didn't wanna annoy another Hufflepuff, did he?
"Oh? Sure!" Theo said a little enthusiastically. He hadn't played Quidditch for fun in ages - it was aaaaaaall about the competition, but maybe it could lighten the load a little. "And... if you want, you should come and watch one of mine and West's matches." Did she know he was on the Under 17s team now? He wanted to tell her... casually. Especially since he wouldn't be on the team much longer since he was almost of age.
Lame? She supposed it was, but she just shrugged.
"I deserved it," she muttered, trying not to dwell too much on that memory. Stop thinking, Ryans. Thinking wasn't .. it wasn't .. good for her. Also, Theo clearly wanted to move on from the topic, so moving on they would do. There. All water under the bridge now, or whatever.
"Yeah ... yeah, things are certainly better. Getting to be good again." At least she hoped so, but she didn't want Theo to think she was all doom and gloom, yeah. He didn't need to know she was still pretty miserable.
What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
Not that it would hurt him if he did know ... maybe.
"You are?" Bliss said, trying and failing to keep the tone of genuine surprise out of her voice. Theo was her friend, of course he'd be glad.
Silly, Ryans. "I'm glad to be back. I really am." Thanks to some specific people, anyway. Theo, for example.
What she wanted to say was, 'crappy doesn't cover it, from what I've heard,' but she didn't want to give away how much she knew. Not that it was all a big secret. But being so .. uncareful about it would only make Theo feel awkward and she didn't want that to happen.
"So I've heard," she said gently and left it at that. Theo knew she was there for him. They didn't need to get all soppy on each other - but the option was still there. That kinda summarised the best kind of friendship for her. She would offer a hug, though. Hugs were always good.
Always.
"Anything a hug can help?"
Aaaand so much for being serious.
Bliss burst into laughter, taking the opportunity to really look at Theo and before she could stop herself, the words were out of her mouth.
"Understatement of the year, Theodore." Well ... it was true. So .. yeah. Awkward. She kinda did feel a tad bit sorry for all those going around with greying hair - but it was all fun and game ... until it happened to her. Merlin, she hoped it wouldn't.
Hm. So. Quidditch was a go then? She grinned up at Theo.
"Great. I really miss playing," she admitted. She'd been practising at home, but it definitely wasn't the same as playing in school. Playing competitively. Plus she'd been too nervous to tryout for the team in France, so that'd never happened. It'd be good to get in the air with a friend or two again.
"Yours and .. West's? You made the team too!?" She thought he might have after West mentioned making the team himself, but she wasn't sure. This was great for him!
"I'd love to go to a match!" Quidditch was great to watch and it would only be made better if she was watching her friends play. Namely Theo and West.