Waaiiiittt, there were already girls figbting about a boy? Ohh this term was a fast one.Fee was sure there would be a lot happenings if it started like this."Oh man girls tend to do stupid things sometimes",the girl shook her head,"love potions are never a solution."Maybe she was different but the Slstherin wanted a boy that really cared for her not just because she tricked him.

"Nope its actually not.",she sighed,"he cant stand my other best friend and wants me to choose but i cant."t was just not fair, no matter who she would choose there would be a loss and Fee hated that."People do assume what?",she asked a little confused.Did others see something she didnt?!Hopefully no one knew she was discovering some weird feelings for him...

"You shouldn't have to choose. I mean if you keep the friendships separate and they do not bother one another, then what is the problem. Maybe his attitude is from something else? Is he really mad at you or this other friend. Because if they both care about you they won't ask you to choose. You should just remind them how important they are to you. They'll come around."

When she brought up Hugo Selina blushed and continued, "Just all of the flirting, I assumed that you two were.... it's not important."

"I've never asked him," Jake stated, kind of looking... blank. "I should do that."

And he would.

Jake himself was so very much like Truebridge as well but he'd never noticed it, never even considered it.

"You are kind of different I guess," he said warily, not knowing quiiiiiiiiite how... just that he was.

Errr... was this small talk? "What are you doing?"

"I guess."

If he felt like it. Jared had no reason to stop him.

"Yes," Jared agreed. Pause. "I believe I am." He had a feeling Jake liked Truebridge, and did not exactly like him, and could not exactly say he knew how to take the comparison.

"Escaping."

He paused, face deadpan, the silence stretching for a moment.

"You?"

Jake was quiet for a moment, ever so slightly confused.

"The same. Only it's not that easy," he added. When you wanted to escape from the castle, you were just… THERE. "What do you have to escape from? Everyone likes you," Jake said, almost accusingly as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a little booklet with just a purple front page.

Fee listened to Selina intensly.That girl was sooooo right but what could she do?!If she stayed friends with Alex, she would loose rexbecaus ehe couldnt stand Alex. What the hell did it matter to their friendship?!"He is not mad at me",she sighed,"he is hurt."Fee never meant to hurt him, he was like the world to her.And he knew it."Its only one of them that hates the other",the blonde explained,"i really hope it will work out."fee didnt know what she would do if not.

WHAT?!FLIRTING?HELLOOOOOOO?!"Urmm..eeehh... Hugo and i we arent flirting",the Slytherin coughed,"he would never flirt with me."They were just friends,right?!Good friends that spent the whole summer with eachother and enjoyed it right?!At least for him they were only friends...

"Probably," Jared agreed. He could make use of a Disillusionment Charm, if push came to shove. He glanced down at the purple booklet, reflecting that for Jake to say such a thing, the Hufflepuff must not count himself in 'everyone.'

"It'd be a dull life if everyone began to like me." He paused, momentarily considering some of the people in his life that had made it abundantly clear they did not like him. The sentiment had never bothered Jared. "What do you have to escape from?"

Heh. Jake couldn't imagine what it must be like for so many people to like you that they just did everything you said and fawned over you, etcetera, etcetera. He had no idea how that could be dull.

"The castle, the people, the intolerance," Jake said simply. "I've been walking up to the owlery, down to the dungeons and around the edges of the grounds all day and the place is still too small. I feel trapped."

He FELT like a prisoner.

The young man held up the purple booklet. "I have this for anyone that considers me to be rude or weird. Only staff, of course." Students didn't need to know. In fact, it was fun when they didn't. "Would you like it?"

He stalled, and glanced at the booklet, well aware he hadn't said what it was. "It would benefit you as well. A little."

Because... he had some traits positively NAILED.

Selina listened to Fee. She could tell her wisdom, or as wise as a first year could be, did not ease her mind as she had hoped. But when personal situations are involved it can be hard to step away and see them logically. "It will all work Fee. I promise. And if doesn't, he doesn't deserve you."

"Oh-um riiiighhhhtttt. So everything I've seen between the two of you was fabricated?" Selina laughed.

"Know about interdependence?" Jared asked, scratching his chin, something he tended to do when his tones picked up that touch of mild thoughtfulness.

"Let it out. Try a punching bag."

"I don't consider you a rude person," Jared said neutrally. He reached into one of the pockets of his robes, and took out a black, suede glove. "Would you still like me to see it?"

Benefit him? Jared had yet to see for himself if Jake's opinion could be a fact.

It was soo sweet of Selina that she listened to Fee.Hopefully she was right and Rex would work it out."Its really nice of you to say that",she nodded,"hopefully there wont be na ydrama this term anymore."This was just enough of it.But what would Hogwarts be without the gossip?!

Everything she has seen between them? Huuuh?!"And what should that be?",the blonde asked confused,"we are still friends.Close friends."Where was he by the way? They hadnt met for daaaays and the Slytherin so wasnt used to that after spending her whole summer with him.Meeeh the girl missed him terribly.

Selina thought it was sweet how nice Fee was. Like Kurumi it seemed that everything she did was to please other people and make them happy. In their happiness they found joy. The only downside is when others were upset they shared in that.

"Yeah, I hope so too. I'm here for Qudditch, I mean school not for drama."

Back to Hugo, "Uh huh. And I'm good friends with Demitri too."

...

"No."

...

"People keep mentioning this stuff to me. Interdependence, self-preservation..." It was all... soooooooo confusing. Just let Jake be Jake!

Hmmm... a punching bag. "I could use the Room of Requirement. I've never been in there." Oh man, he should SO do that!

Heh. "You don't? You'd be the first," Jake commented, finally handing over the booklet. It would make sense but he didn't believe many people he handed it to would read it.

"I knoooow so excited about the tryouts",Fee nodded,"it would be so cool to be in the team."But than again what if she failed? In front of a bunch of people? Sooo embarrassing and changing school wasnt an option noo.

"But Selina thats totally different",the blonde shook her head,"Demitri is your boyfriend and Hugo isnt mine."Nope Nope, there were no signs coming from him that he liked her...

Had Fee really just missed her overt sign? It was obvious to everyone but the pair that they liked each other. Fee deserved someone sweet and nice like Hugo. She did not know about her previous boyfriends, but she was sure that Hugo was much better than all of them. He was just an all around good guy.

"Fee listen to my comment again: Me and Demitri are good friends too. But we like each other. And you like him... so what is stopping you?"

"It's probably because they care," Jared said, before glancing at the booklet again.

Glancing.

"I've never been in there, either." He smiled, a light smile that might have been real or fake. It was hard to tell with Jared. "But give it a try. Don't do it bare-handed," he added. He doubted Jake might do it bare-handed, but better safe than sorry.

"I'm quite sure that isn't the case." Tones still neutral, Jared pulled on the glove and accepted the booklet. He flipped it open, face deadpan and, after several minutes, calmly closed it.

"You believe this -" He held up the booklet - "Applies to you?" He neither sounded disbelieving, nor condescending.

Fee just shook her head.Why did everyone think they were so cool for eachtother?Really they werent meant to be."He doesnt lik me back",Fee shook her head,"when he liked me i was with another guy but he left and Hugo helped me getting over that guy and now he doesnt like me anymore."It was a long story and actually totally stupid.It was the Slytherin's own fault. No one waited a year for someone."And nooooow he doesnt even miss me when i am not around."When she did terribly.

Selina had spoken to Hugo about this very subject. It seemed like Fee was wrong in this area. Hugo still cared very much. The two of them were simply too impervious to the other's emotions to even notice. But she could not blame them, when you like someone your vision is somewhat clouded.

The little ginger blew a stray hair out of her face and continued, "Look Fee. I think you should do whatever makes you happy. Because one day when you look back at this time you want to do it without any regrets. The worst thing would be to realize that you had the choice to try and do something that made you happy."

Ellie walked down the corridor slowly in order for Braeden to keep her pace with 5 books in his arms. They had finally reached the third floor and no broken bones! Yet... Ellie noticed something moving around Brae's feet. "Oh, Braeden, you're shoe is untied." She told him.

Back to his picture. "No, I am not stalking you. Although I highly doubt you would mind..." Insert evil smirk here. "I guess I just have a really good photographic memory. Relaaax." She said coolly. This would be the best birthday gift ever.

Braeden was feeling quite proud of himself as they entered the third floor corridor. They had gone down the stairs, walked over to the girls' bathroom (where the boy gave his arms a short rest while Ellie was inside cleaning up), and back up to the third floor without him tripping or falling or dropping a book or stampeding on a first year. And his arms had even adjusted to the weight they had to carry; this was going better than he expected! YEAH. That's right, Braeden is no weakling! He can carry five books at a time! He shall be addressed as 'Hercules' from now on.

And then Ellie announced his shoe was untied.
But Braeden saw nothing wrong with that. He shrugged (or tried to, it was kinda hard when he was carrying so much weight). "I'll tie it when we get to your classroom," he said, not very worried about this.

As Ellie assured him that she wasn't stalking him, though she was sure he wouldn't mind, the boy laughed. "Well… should I mind? It'd be pretty cool, actually, I'd feel all… famous and important," he said with a grin. Aw… now he wanted to be stalked. Hopefully he'd earn himself a stalker. Poor boy didn't know what he was wishing for. "Yeah sure, photographic memory… I still think you're probably dra--GAH!" CRASH!

He did it. He stepped on his shoelace and fell face-first onto the marble floors, with all five books following after him and each hitting the boy on the back of the head as they fell, before bouncing off onto the floor almost mockingly. "Ooowww…" came the poor boy's muffled voice, his face pressed against the cold floor and void of any feeling. That… Well, to say the least… it hurt. A lot. More than a lot. To the point that he couldn't even really feel the pain anymore.

Care.

Maybe.

"Not bare-handed? What would be the point in that?" Jake said blandly. Surely you just wanted to take it aaaaall out. Meh.

Wait... "Why are you wearing a glove? Do you not trust me?" he asked, and kind of went quiet for a moment at Descoteaux's question. "I know it does, sir. Somewhat."

Ellie laughed. "You'd actually like to be stalked?" What an odd child... He was mocking her photographic memory when all the sudden...

Books were flying, and so was Braeden. Well no, more flailing. To the ground. Ellie squeeled as Braeden fell face-first on the hard marble floor with the books landing on top of him. "Braeden!" She yelped as she got down on her knees next to him. Why oh whyyy did everyone get hurt when she was around them?

She began carefully lifting books off of his head. Well he said 'Ow' so at least was alive. "Braeden, are you okay?!" Stupid question, of couse he wasn't okay!! She gently grabbed his head and turned his still ash-blackened face towards her so his nose wasn't pressed up against the floor. Oh Merlin. Something was wrong with his nose. It was all crooked. "Speak to me, Brae." She said in a panicky voice, trying not to gag at the sight of his mangled nose. She didn't say anything about that yet.

Ellie's voice seemed muffled to the boy whose head was buried under a pile of books and whose senses seemed to go a bit dull as all sensation - mostly pain - focused on his nose and forehead and chin. Basically, right where he had landed - his face. He was eventually able to make out the words the girl said as she turned his head, but he didn't have the energy to reply right away. What was this horrible pain?! For the love of Merlin, was he dying?! Oh crap. After a minute of just groaning and moaning the boy finally opened his brown eyes, only to be greeted by the sight of a completely terrified Ellie, her big blue eyes watching him worriedly.

Braeden blinked a few times before speaking, "Am I dead?"
Yeah, because, y'know… when you can still breathe, see, hear, smell, and feel it probably means you're dead and not at all alive. The hit might've made Braeden a little dumber. After watching Ellie for a moment, trying to decide if it was really her and he was alive or if he was dead and was just seeing an Ellie-looking angel or something, the boy brought a hand up to his face. Big mistake. "OW!" It was so… sensitive. Just touching the bridge of his nose (which felt strangely… crooked, and.. where did that bump come from?! He'd never had a bump on the bridge of his nose! His nose had always been straight - what's this all about!?) hurt enough to get the boy to wince. His forehead was throbbing and when he looked at his hand again, it was covered, once again, in the black ash that had been smeared on his face.

The boy then sat up very slowly, his whole body aching, but most of all his head. It felt like it was going to burst any second. He turned an inquisitive look in Ellie's direction. "What happened?" he asked. He knew he had fallen all of a sudden, but… why was his face feeling so weird?!

Ellie still sat in front of Braeden who was groaning and making unintelligent noises. That was a good sign, right?! And his eyes opened! She watched him blink and take in the sight of her face so close to his. That probably unnerved more than anything, having her terrified face in front of his.

She grinned when he asked if he was dead. "No, no you're not! You're alive!" She exclaimed, grabbing his face. Before she could stop him, Braeden brought a hand to his face and touched his broken nose. Ellie grimaced as he yelped in pain.

Ellie helped Braeden as he sat up. "Careful, careful." She hushed. What happened? Did he not remember? Oh Merlin, please say he didn't lose his memory! "You... You were carrying my books, a-and you tripped over your shoelace and... Fell. And the books flew up and then landed on your head." She told him, worried. "Do you.. remember at all?" She asked with a positively frightened look on her face.

Braeden, looking still rather dazed and out of it, listened as Ellie explained to him that he'd tripped on his shoelace and fell with all the books landing on his head. Oh. As she asked if he remembered at all, the boy gave her a smile that looked more like a grimace. Ow, even smiling hurt. "Yeah, I remember… I just wasn't sure what had caused it or what that was hammering my head when I fell," he said, rubbing the back of his head where he could feel a huge bump under his messy and burnt hair, where all the books had hit him.

The poor boy looked a fright - his nose was broken, his face was completely blackened, his burnt hair was standing in all ends… A few first years that happened to be passing by ran off in the opposite direction screaming after seeing the boy. He must've looked like a Death Eater or something. Braeden watched them go before returning his attention to Ellie, watching her for a second before smiling once again and announcing, "I think you're going to be late to class." He raised his eyebrows at her for a second before standing.

Or, rather, trying to.
"Ow… bad idea…" he winced as he tried to straighten up but failed to. Ow, his knees hurt too… and his elbows… Was there a part of his body that didn't hurt?! Well. He'll worry about that later. For now, he was on a mission! He couldn't have his master friend be late to class 'cause of him! As quickly as he could (which was a rather sluggish pace), the boy began to pick up the books from the floor with difficulty, but determinedly. They were on a strict schedule.