This was beyond weird, he just wasn't understanding. Why did Hady care that he left Maggie? And why was Maggie telling Hady things? This is why girls were scary, because you couldn't understand them - most of the time anyway. Her 'okay' though seemed as if his justification was accepted. Of course, he felt right to at the time, but in hindsight, he was an idiot. Whether she was fair or not, he did say that he would stay... and went back on his word.

He watched curiously as Hady looked up at him again and apologised. Why was she apologising? "It's... okay," he said slowly, because really, there was no reason to be upset with her. "Honestly, I'm just surprised Maggie told you about it, but I guess it makes sense that she would." Secrecy only applied to him, she seemed to be able to tell whoever she wanted about things.

Since he wasn't saying anything neither would she. She was beyond done with this conversation now. It was like the more she said the worse she made it. For now on she was keeping her mouth shut when it didn't concern her. Friend or no friend she was keeping opinions and comments to herself.

Now why was he looking at her like that? No. No it wasn't okay. Didn't he see how this wasn't okay. Hady shrugged. "I don't think she meant to...I happened to see her after she got back is all. We spoke for a little bit." Spoke about some weird stuff that confused her even more then this. Could they just stop talking now please?

This felt, off. Being with Hady was supposed to be effort-free, but he felt as if effort was required to get through this non-conversation. He still didn't comprehend why it was happening.

When Hady did reply to him, he nodded. So Maggie had accidentally told her he was an idiot and left? Geez. "How was she?" he asked, wondering how she'd coped after the ordeal. For him it wasn't such a big deal, but he did lay awake for a while. But actually, he had another question on his mind, because if Maggie had been in a state of mind to unintentionally tell Hady things, then... "How badly did she want to hex me?" Meaning, how much space should he give her? For now.

He was still talking. Why was he still talking. Hady slowly lifted her her head so their eyes met. As much as she wanted to say nothing it was Zeke asking her these things. It was like the boy knew if he was the one to ask she'd answer even if she truly didn't want to.

"No...I think she mainly told me cause she needed someone to tell." And Hady just so happened to be the only one there. Letting out a breath slowly she fixed her attention on something just over his shoulder so when she spone again she wouldn't have to see if he was hurting just like Maggie had been. "She said the same thing at least three times, that you left her. I'd say she was more hurt then angry Zeke, give her sometime and if it meant anything to you go talk to her." Cause even though Maggie had claimed it was nothing more then snogging she didn't believe her. That girl had asked her specific questions for a reason. And Hady noticed things. She may be silent but she wasn't stupid even if she felt that way right now.

Were they done yet? Could she go and hide now? Like maybe forever?

Kaycee returned his grin with a smirk. That's right, Dante. She was on to you.

"Only a sickle?" she asked considering. "How about you pay me back in a secret." She bit her lip and looked at him with a raised brow. Yes? Yes.

She watched him for a second casually checking out the extent of Dante's upper body strength. For future competitions research reasons, of course.

"Should I be in a skirt to do it? I could go all out and pretty myself up for this occasion." She was just go ahead and assume they had a deal.

Slow poke! Had she just called him a slow poke? Sabbath shook his head and chuckled. He was standing at the base of the net watching her struggle on the ropes. He couldn’t help but laugh, he could hear her giggling as she glanced back down, her hair a teased mess, she was adorable.

His own hair was escaping from the tie, so he quickly scraped it back into a knot while watching her climb. He could see her trying to tackle the large gaps, he had to admire her determination. “Well, the slow poke is gaining on you”, he teased as he started climbing up behind her closing the gap between them.

The net was swaying as she tried to climb. How did you keep it still to you could climb? Noelle was rocking while she slowly pulled herself up. She could hear Sabbie not far behind her. She needed to hurry.

More giggling ensued as she tried harder to get up this darn net. Who even thought this was a good idea? What was the purpose of it? Noelle was trying to think of a spell she could use to send her flying over but the few spells she knew so far wouldn't work here.

She decided to try anyways.

Letting go of the rope, she went to grab her wand out of its holster. Oh no! She lost her balance and was falling. Of course she hadn't gotten too far up but went crashing into Sabbie on her way down. She felt a pull and half her body was still in the air, he foot had been caught in the rope. She felt the pop of her ankle and pain shot through her leg.

Biting her lip to keep back a groan, Noelle was half sprawled on the ground and half in the air with her foot still caught in the rope... And possibly a twisted ankle. Sabbie seemed to be under her too. She'd say sorry but she was trying to keep her mouth shut so she wouldn't let him know she was in pain.

Merlin, Noelle had come crashing down on top of Sabbath. He was unhurt and scrambled to his feet quickly and he dashed to her “Oh No, Nells, don’t struggle. I’ll get you down.” He could see that her foot was still caught in the netting and he grabbed her up in a scoop hold and lifted her so that her foot could be disentangled. He sat her down gently on the floor, propped against the netting. Kneeling down beside her and brushed the hair away from her face, so he could see her expression. He could see she was in pain! “Where does it hurt, Nells” he questioned, his eyes were full of concern.

"Im s-sorry Sabbie. Noelle said softly as Sabbie scurried around picking her up and helping her out of the tangle. Her ankle was throbbing and when he pulled the rope from around it she yelped in pain.


She pushed herself up into a sitting position and pouted at what she'd done. Her clumsiness struck again.. But at least Sabbie seemed unhurt. " I think I did something .. " She had to stop and wince at the pain. "Something to.. To my ankle." It was swelling already. Ow. It hurt.

Don't let Sabbie see you being a big baby.

Noelle managed to keep it together, although she was sniffling. "Please don't touch it. I'll be fine." She tried moving her ankle but oh... Boy the pain was bad. "Are you okay?" She asked him and looked him over, making sure he was. "im sorry... I was just.. Trying to do a spell to send me over."

Gosh, No, don’t be silly, I’m fine, no need to apologise. Lets take a look at you. He scuttled down to her feet and could see that already her ankle was starting to swell, he could tell she was putting on a brave face. He rolled up her pant leg a little “I think you’ve hurt your ankle badly, Nells, it’s already swelling, look”. He could tell there was no way she was going to be able to walk on it.

Don’t worry, everything will be OK, I’m going to get you to the hospital wing. I’m sure they can fix this in a flash.

He wondered how she’d react to his next suggestion. I’m going to piggyback you there. Do you think you’ll be ok doing that? I’ll walk carefully so as not to jolt your ankle.

"What do you think i have money pouring out of my pockets"

He only had a sickle on him. It is not like his parents gave him anything during the year. Well maybe if he asked if he went home during Christmas. But that was it unless he made money here sell Beard potions, formerly helping Cutty sell candy.

"Fine. Just one secret though"

Basically if he said no. She would pressure him till he said yes anyway. So he made it easier on himself. Probably.......who was he kidding. Definitely not easier on himself. Ah, he did not think this far ahead. He was just joking. But no that there was money...secrets on the table. He guessed this was going to happen.

"Of course, go all out. Since a secret and a sickle are on this"

Guess this was definitely a done deal now.

"You are wearing gym clothes." Kaycee responded. So, no, she didn't expect money pouring out.

She nodded. "Well, if I'm dressing up, this has to be a pretty epic secret. I don't doll myself up for just anyone." In fact, back when she was dating someone, she could only recall once that she actually put any effort into her looks.

... whoops. ... maybe that contributed to the fact that she ended up single?

Anyway. "So when do you want to do this?" Since they were making a spectacle of it, planning had to be done. Dates had to be set aside. Outfits had to be picked.

"I also want flowers." Because that was pretty much the rule associated with dressing up.

There was definitely tension here, it was, awkward. Why was it awkward?... he really didn't know, nor did he like it.

Deciding he needed a little space from Hady, not that she was being herself anyway, he held the edge of the pillar as he lowered a foot down to the bar he had been hanging on before. With that foot planted firmly, he allowed the other to follow, resulting in him standing on the bar, leaning against the pillar where Hady sat. He looked at her as she spoke, but it all just seemed strange.

It was so bad that Maggie had needed to tell someone? That was surely bad. And on top of that, the fact that she was repeating words... that he'd left her, made the bottom of his stomach drop out completely. It was all his fault. He would give her some time, and he did want to go and talk to her... though how long was long enough for someone to have time? He didn't know.

Zeke simply nodded in response. Unable to say anything, completely lost for words.

Noelle was trying hard not to pout. Darn obstacle course. She looked down at her ankle as Sabbie examined it. It was swollen already. "I probably just sprained it.... " Which she probably had.

Noelle listened to Sabbie's suggestion and slightly nodded. "Dont drop me though.. Okay?" She could just hobble up there with his help but that would probably take more time and the pain was stinging pretty badly.

Putting her good leg on the floor, she stretched her arms out for him so he could help her up.

SPOILER!!: Zeke

There was definitely tension here, it was, awkward. Why was it awkward?... he really didn't know, nor did he like it.

Deciding he needed a little space from Hady, not that she was being herself anyway, he held the edge of the pillar as he lowered a foot down to the bar he had been hanging on before. With that foot planted firmly, he allowed the other to follow, resulting in him standing on the bar, leaning against the pillar where Hady sat. He looked at her as she spoke, but it all just seemed strange.

It was so bad that Maggie had needed to tell someone? That was surely bad. And on top of that, the fact that she was repeating words... that he'd left her, made the bottom of his stomach drop out completely. It was all his fault. He would give her some time, and he did want to go and talk to her... though how long was long enough for someone to have time? He didn't know.

Zeke simply nodded in response. Unable to say anything, completely lost for words.

Great. Just great.

First the boy went from talking and asking questions she hadn't wanted to answer to not saying a word at all. Hady didn't know what was worse. Zeke's questions that he had deserved answers to, answers she had given only because of how close of friends they were or his complete and utter silence. After about a minute she knew her answer. Silence. Silence was worse then anything especially this kind. The awkward silence that hung thick in the air all around them and one didn't know how to fix it.

And then there was that. She watched as he slowly and carefully moved away from her onto the bar beside the pillar. It might not have been far that he moved but just the fact that he did on top of his silence felt wrong. This wasn't her area of knowledge and now she didn't know what else to say without making things even worse. All she could think about now was had she betrayed Maggie's 'friendship' or whatever it was they were now by telling Zeke and trying to help him understand. Did he even understand what was going on or had she made the situation between Zeke and Maggie worse? What about her friendship with her Lion, where did that stand now?

Pulling her gaze off of the hazel eyed boys with some much needed effort she fixed them on her lap all the while fiddling about with her locket. Did someone have a timeturner or something she could borrow to go back and re-do all this, say nothing about any of it. Cause right now the more she said the worse the silence got. The more she thought about it the more she couldn't get it out of her head AND it wasn't even her problem! Yet she felt like she had to help them, both of them.

How in the world was she a Slytherin when she cared about others like she did?

He still didn't know what to say, and so he just stood around, balancing, not balancing, catching him footing before falling, watching Hady..

...

And geeez.

She was playing with that locket of hers. Had he... done something wrong? Said something wrong?

"I'm sorry," he blurted out. What for, he really didn't know. But when it came to girls, he knew you didn't always have to know... because they were usually right. "Did you... wanna call it a day? Or..." continue? He wasn't sure how much longer he would manage to stand here is all.

SPOILER!!: Zeke

He still didn't know what to say, and so he just stood around, balancing, not balancing, catching him footing before falling, watching Hady..

...

And geeez.

She was playing with that locket of hers. Had he... done something wrong? Said something wrong?

"I'm sorry," he blurted out. What for, he really didn't know. But when it came to girls, he knew you didn't always have to know... because they were usually right. "Did you... wanna call it a day? Or..." continue? He wasn't sure how much longer he would manage to stand here is all.

Out of the corner of her eye she could still see him standing there. He wasn't moving and he wasn't talking.

Letting out a slow breath Hady dropped the locket and tucked it safely beneath her hoodie.

Sorry? What in the world was he sorry about?!

Blinking once. Twice. Hady lifted her eyes to meet his giving him a confused look. "Sorry? You're sorry? What for?" He hadn't done anything at all did he not know that? Well besides asking questions and then being silent but then again she'd done the same exact thing. Sooo if anything SHE was the sorry one and the look in her eyes showed this.

Shaking her head she suddenly gave him a small grin. It might have been forced at first but it quickly turned into a genuine one. "Don't be but just know that I am too. For bringing any of this up." Hady glanced over her shoulder to the foam bit assessing his next words. "Let's keep going. Have some fun?" That is what they were there for right? Put this whole talk behind them and move on. She'd stay out of it now unless someone needed her help and she kinda prayed that no one would. Not on this matter anyhow.

Sigh.

He was trying to be sarcastic. But it appeared to have failed. Now she wanted an awesome secret. Well sorry to burst your bubble. But he did not have anything like that.

"I can promise you one thing. It will not be an epic secret. Don't have any of those. Sorry"

He also had not planned on any of this happening so when she asked him when. He had no idea. "I don't know. I just go with whatever you decide" Its not like he had a time in mind off the top of his head. What she wanted flowers now as well. What was this even turning into.

"Flowers might be a bit overboard"

Really, Flowers.

Kaycee glanced over at him. "You should work on getting more secrets." It would make exchanges like this more interesting. "The ones over the summer were pretty interesting."

And still secret. For the most part. Yup. Kaycee was totally an awesome friend like that.

She thought for a moment. "I guess it depends on how much effort you want me to put into this. If you don't care too much, we could do it now. If I'm actually, like, looking awesome, maybe on Saturday?"

Because. Effort.

"Flowers aren't overboard. Especially if your secret isn't going to be amazing."

Like he can just magically work on getting more secrets. If he did spontaneous and stupid things. Then sure he might have some stories and secrets to share. But that was not him.

"See, interesting is not the same as epic."

Now that was a good question. He did not really want to do it now. Plus her look awesome would be a plus. "Let go with Saturday and you looking awesome"

Flowers were most definitely overboard. But whatever. He did not are enough to argue over something like that.

"So flowers can take the place of the secret?"

"True, but I can work with interesting." Kaycee replied. It was part of her potential leverage material project. She needed a snippier title for it.

"Saturday it is." she said with a smile. "Complete with an awesome looking Kaycee. Wanna meet me on the seventh floor before dinner or something?"

And good for him for finally admitting flowers were totally normal. She considered his counter offer for a second. "How about the flowers just lessen the need for an epic secret. It can just be a normal one."

Sabbath took Noelle's outstretched hands and gently helped her up to balance on her good leg. He turned knelt down on one knee in front of Noelle so that she could get a hold around shoulders and neck. He started to rise to his feet, carefully collecting her legs with his hands and positioning her on his back. He hitched her up carefully, "Is that Ok, Nells? Are you comfortable enough?" he said as he took a few tentative steps to test if she'd be ok to travel.

Well seemed liked this was a done deal. Even though Dante was still confused as to what he was agreeing to here. What were they even going to be doing on Saturaday. Oh whatever. He was confused. But this was normal for him with Kaycee.

"Seventh, before dinner sounds good."

Dante nodded. Well that made sense for the flowers. Since he did not have an epic secret. Guess those would have to do. Though he did not know why.

"So normal secret and flowers it is then"

Still what did he just agree too?

Noelle got helped up and managed to stay off her swollen ankle. She put her arms around his shoulders and hitched her good leg around him. Then she held on tight as he started to rise. Who knew Sabbie had the strength to pick her up. "Im good but are you sure you can make it? Maybe we should cal a professor?" She didn't want him faking and hurting something because he was trying to help her.

Kaycee nodded. So it was settled then. Saturday before dinner. Seventh floor. Dress. Dante will bring the flowers.

"Cool." she said standing up. "Should we finish the race?" Or maybe she should push him back in. That could be fun.

"And you should really work on the epic secrets thing. It would be interesting." Of course, he'd have to stop being casual about everything all the time first. Maybe that would be the first step.