Lisa was glad to be out of the class. She sped out of her History of Magic Classroom after promptly turning in her essay to Holden and whizzed down the corridor as quickly as she could. She wasn't running nor walking but she was certainly doing something in between. When she figured out that she was ahead of the rest of the class, she slowed down her pace and took a moment to catch her breath.

She needed to think so she rested her head against the wall of the corridor and closed her eyes, releasing all her stress in a single exhale.

SPOILER!!: Jude's Warrior Princess! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Lisa was glad to be out of the class. She sped out of her History of Magic Classroom after promptly turning in her essay to Holden and whizzed down the corridor as quickly as she could. She wasn't running nor walking but she was certainly doing something in between. When she figured out that she was ahead of the rest of the class, she slowed down her pace and took a moment to catch her breath.

She needed to think so she rested her head against the wall of the corridor and closed her eyes, releasing all her stress in a single exhale.

Jude had noticed Lisa’s off behaviour for a bit now and Evan had mentioned that she had some stuff going on. But that was about it. Jude didn’t pry because he knew that some things were none of his business but the least he could do was offer comfort. Especially to Lisa, who meant a lot to him. After asking Keigh to pack the rest of his belongings and return them to the common room, he had started to hurry after the Ravenclaw.

“Gosh, she’s fast!’’ he muttered to himself. But Jude had already spotted Lisa and quickly moved to catch up with her. Thankfully, she had paused and he was able to do so in no time. The Hufflepuff slowed down as he approached her, trying to gauge her body language. Did she want company right now? The least Lisa could do was yell at him; the most was to hex him. He decided it was a risk worth taking. Jude said nothing but leaned casually with his back against the corridor wall. He reached with his hand closest to his friend and attempted to slip his in hers. His love language was touch and sometimes no words were needed, just someone to lean on or to be there beside you in tough times.

Keigh had taught him that.

As she closed her eyes, she counted backwards from fifty and focused on her breath. She had never been one to worry about things like this but this… this disconnect with a best friend, severely impaired her. With eyes closed still, she felt a hand reach for hers. She allowed it to happen, wondering if it were one of her fellow fourth years. It didn’t seem like V or Daniel. Maybe Jasper? Her heart ached more in that moment. No, not him. Anyone but him. Serena? No, not her. Anyone but her. Maybe one of her roomies?

Scared to open her eyes, she decided to do it and take the risk. Instead, she found Jude was beside her. Seeing him brought tears to her eyes. Tears of relief, sadness, and more… She leaned her head against his shoulder, chuckled, and sang out his name. “Hey Jude… Take a sad song and make it better…”

SPOILER!!: Jude's Warrior Princess! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

As she closed her eyes, she counted backwards from fifty and focused on her breath. She had never been one to worry about things like this but this… this disconnect with a best friend, severely impaired her. With eyes closed still, she felt a hand reach for hers. She allowed it to happen, wondering if it were one of her fellow fourth years. It didn’t seem like V or Daniel. Maybe Jasper? Her heart ached more in that moment. No, not him. Anyone but him. Serena? No, not her. Anyone but her. Maybe one of her roomies?

Scared to open her eyes, she decided to do it and take the risk. Instead, she found Jude was beside her. Seeing him brought tears to her eyes. Tears of relief, sadness, and more… She leaned her head against his shoulder, chuckled, and sang out his name. “Hey Jude… Take a sad song and make it better…”

Jude was quite ready to stick around holding Lisa’s hand for as long as she needed. They didn’t need to talk, much less her finding it obligatory to tell him what was going on. But heartache… yeah, he knew a thing or two about it. Ironically, his heartache was caused by her brother. But this wasn’t about him.

He gave her a small but warm smile; even if she seemed likely to burst into tears… that was fine. He would let her cry on his shoulder for as long as she wanted. Seeing her this way made a tightness wrap itself around his chest. “Remember to let her under your skin then you'll begin to make it better, better, better…” Jude continued the verse, singing it softly as he leaned his head gently on Lisa’s. Did she know that he and Evan had once spent hours listening to the song and analysing the lyrics’ meaning? It was the first song the two of them had bonded over.

“It gets better, Lisa. Whatever it is that’s going on.”

She kept her eyes closed as she squeezed his hand. Just having him beside her was comforting even when they were both silent. Part of her had wanted to keep her eyes closed forever but she couldn’t forever. Eventually she’d have to face reality which was now. She smiled as he sung back the words of the song that aptly contained his name. The feeing of his head against hers was also comforting and it allowed her to breathe deeper. Just knowing that he was there… That was all the comfort that she needed. She didn’t know that he and her brother had spent hours analyzing the song. It was just a happy or perhaps touching coincidence that she had sung it to him. Then again, she wondered if people serenaded Jude a lot with this song.

Breathy inhale, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “I hope so. I’ve never felt so alone… I… I have Daniel and Stewie… but Serena and V… I can’t… Jasper…” she spoke, becoming more upset and more incoherent as she spoke. “Remy and Atlas are fine… Lia was there… but I feel… weird. Growing up sucks. Emotions suck. I hate feeling this.”

SPOILER!!: Her! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

She kept her eyes closed as she squeezed his hand. Just having him beside her was comforting even when they were both silent. Part of her had wanted to keep her eyes closed forever but she couldn’t forever. Eventually she’d have to face reality which was now. She smiled as he sung back the words of the song that aptly contained his name. The feeing of his head against hers was also comforting and it allowed her to breathe deeper. Just knowing that he was there… That was all the comfort that she needed. She didn’t know that he and her brother had spent hours analyzing the song. It was just a happy or perhaps touching coincidence that she had sung it to him. Then again, she wondered if people serenaded Jude a lot with this song.

Breathy inhale, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “I hope so. I’ve never felt so alone… I… I have Daniel and Stewie… but Serena and V… I can’t… Jasper…” she spoke, becoming more upset and more incoherent as she spoke. “Remy and Atlas are fine… Lia was there… but I feel… weird. Growing up sucks. Emotions suck. I hate feeling this.”

Silent moments were more than therapeutic. It worked just as well if your company happened to be someone you were comfortable with. As far as Jude was concerned, Lisa could have kept her eyes closed all she wanted, for as long as she wanted; he’d have gladly been her sight. He heard her breath deeper than before and silently encouraged her to do more of that. Deep breathing worked great too; it helped to control any anxieties. His mother, in fact, had serenaded him with this particular song. But back then, he had only latched onto the chorus; learning the rest of the song came sometime after. But! A lot of people tended to greet him with “Hey, Jude!’’ and that always brought him quite a bit of joy.

The Hufflepuff chuckled. “Definitely. It does.” Trust him, he knew. He had spent months wishing there was an off switch to his emotions. Putting together what Lisa said, he got the impression that there was friend and/or boy trouble in her life. “Relationships are messy, any relationship. It’s easy to feel alone but there are always those who look out for you. You’ve got your siblings… and me.” Jude didn’t say it but he was more than willing to lend a shoulder whenever she needed it. “I can offer this advice because I think I’ve been where you are… it’s okay to step back from those who have hurt you for a bit. You need that time to process what you’re feeling. They may or may not understand why you’re doing so; at times you need to put yourself first."

Lisa remained silent at first, focusing on her breathing. In and out. She looked up at him when he said that he knew emotions sucked. Relationships were messy. She looked up at him and smiled when he mentioned that she had her siblings and him there… always. She hated relying on people but she leaned a little more into Jude. “Thanks… so it’s okay to want to feel alone and by yourself? To think through things? I haven’t talked to Serena… nor V…. Or Jasper.”

“Maybe I like the wrong type of people? Is that possible?” Was Daniel… more into her than others had been?

SPOILER!!: Heart you, Lisa! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Lisa remained silent at first, focusing on her breathing. In and out. She looked up at him when he said that he knew emotions sucked. Relationships were messy. She looked up at him and smiled when he mentioned that she had her siblings and him there… always. She hated relying on people but she leaned a little more into Jude. “Thanks… so it’s okay to want to feel alone and by yourself? To think through things? I haven’t talked to Serena… nor V…. Or Jasper.”

“Maybe I like the wrong type of people? Is that possible?” Was Daniel… more into her than others had been?

Jude didn’t mind how much Lisa leaned into him. She could lean on him for days and he’d be there for her. No one knew better than him that it was times like these that support from a loved one mattered. Not that he was asserting himself as a near and dear one of Lisa’s; she probably had many others to play that role. He was just content being a background friend helping her along at all times. “Yes, it’s okay. Being alone for a bit will help you process, understand things… figure out what you need to say to everyone involved. And Lisa? Don’t let anyone rush you to process things. Take as long as you need. If your friends try talking to you, let them know you need some time.”

The Ravenclaw’s other question made Jude feel as though his heart had been wrung by an invisible hand. He thought of his response carefully, because in a way, it was a question he needed answered for himself. “It’s never a bad thing to like someone. But sometimes our focus is so much on the person we really like that we fail to see that there’s someone else who likes us even more. Someone who would do all the things for us that we would do for the person we like…” His voice trailed off, his mind and brain doing some serious thinking.

Being alone would help her process things. It did help but she did find herself mulling things over too much. Sometimes the thoughts led to not great thoughts which made her feel more isolated. She looked up at Jude, took a deep breath, and nodded. "It's okay to need extra time right? I just worry if I take too long... will I lose them?" Was that a possibility? Surely it had to be, right?

His words started sinking in. Maybe she was focused so much on her affection for Jasper that she failed to realise that there was someone who liked her so much more than he did? Huh... So did that mean.... Had she gone about thsi the wrong way? If Lisa had been more perceptive, she would have taken Jude's words and immediately thought of sweet Stewie. Her Ravenclaw best friend who was always with her. Who always cared for. Who was literally the goofiest but smartest person in the most awkward way. He had a great smile. However, Lisa was not perceptive to Stewie's feelings especially since she had run away from him the other day. She needed to talk with him and Serena. Oh, and Jasper too.

"You sound like... you've had a similar experience. Do you like the person who likes you very much?"

Did it all work?

Happy endings were a thing, right?

SPOILER!!: The most adorable baby Claw <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Being alone would help her process things. It did help but she did find herself mulling things over too much. Sometimes the thoughts led to not great thoughts which made her feel more isolated. She looked up at Jude, took a deep breath, and nodded. "It's okay to need extra time right? I just worry if I take too long... will I lose them?" Was that a possibility? Surely it had to be, right?

His words started sinking in. Maybe she was focused so much on her affection for Jasper that she failed to realise that there was someone who liked her so much more than he did? Huh... So did that mean.... Had she gone about thsi the wrong way? If Lisa had been more perceptive, she would have taken Jude's words and immediately thought of sweet Stewie. Her Ravenclaw best friend who was always with her. Who always cared for. Who was literally the goofiest but smartest person in the most awkward way. He had a great smile. However, Lisa was not perceptive to Stewie's feelings especially since she had run away from him the other day. She needed to talk with him and Serena. Oh, and Jasper too.

"You sound like... you've had a similar experience. Do you like the person who likes you very much?"

Did it all work?

Happy endings were a thing, right?

Jude wondered if he would ever let on to Lisa just how similar their experiences were. Maybe… maybe he should? It could help her, to show her that things start to get better eventually. “It’s always okay to need extra time,’’ he replied, smiling gently at her as he met her eyes with his. “Do you know why? Because there are times when you need to put yourself first. It’s not being selfish. You can only be the best version of yourself if you take care of you.” Ah, yes. The overthinking and worrying about losing the person or persons. “Not if they value and truly care about you.” Up until then he’d been avoiding making this about him but he wanted to show Lisa that taking time for herself didn’t always mean losing her friends. Besides, he assumed that she knew about him being in love with Evan by now. “I thought being around Evan would get easier after I told him how I felt last summer… despite him not feeling the same, we were still best friends. But it didn’t. And just like that, I stepped back from him. We didn't hang out and we certainly didn’t speak as much but he understood me. He knew that I needed time and he gave me it. Lisa, I took about three months until I felt up to resuming our friendship the way it had been. Evan held nothing against me.” Of course Jude still hurt about his feelings not being reciprocated but he was so, so grateful for Evan’s friendship and understanding. This Hufflepuff was always going to love that Ravenclaw.

Anyway, The fifth year only hoped that his words of wisdom and experience would help Lisa in some way. He was silent for a moment when the question was asked. Jude thought of Davet and his messy hair and kind, smiling face. He shook his head slowly. “Not as much as I like your brother,’’ came his response, one that was maybe a little too blunt. Just heart hurt just thinking about Evan not liking him back but he was going to deal with his own feelings later. Right now, there was more advice for his other favourite Ravenclaw. “Whatever happens, you can come to me when you’re having trouble dealing because it’s not easy, Lisa. Some days will be good but others will be so heart wrenching you’ll want to do nothing but curl up and cry your eyes out. Come to me and we’ll have ice cream or watch cheesy movies in the tech room or do whatever you want even if its crying together.” Jude reached out a finger to boop Lisa’s nose, much like what he did regularly to Keighley. “You’re a warrior princess. You can handle anything but it’s okay to have shoulders to cry on” And his were always available. "I adore you and I just want you to be okay, just so you know.'' Never afraid of showing or speaking how he felt, this one was.

She felt tears form in her eyes once more when he told her that it wasn’t selfish to focus on herself. She believed him but didn’t believe herself not to be selfish.. She wiped her eyes with her hand, glad she hadn’t decided to experiment with make up today, before hugging him. She buried her head in his chest. “I’m not worth it… surely.” Puberty was an awful thing. It made her have these thoughts… unwelcome thoughts plague and challenge her once confident self.

Glancing up, she took a step away and then listened to Jude as he spoke. “I knew things were weird based on how you two interacted but at least you told him… I should at least tell him how I feel bad not accept defeat.” She’d rise to the challenge and tell Botros how she felt even if it cost—- no, it didn’t matter. Serena had proved to her that she didn’t want to be friends so why should she concern herself with how Serena felt.

Lisa didn’t care…. She tried not to care.

“Im sorry that you had that experience. Rejection sucks,” she spoke quietly. And then she listened to him more and found herself hugging him again. He always looked out for her, didn’t he? Despite his relationship or lack there of with her brother, he was always Jude. Her eyes twinkled with tears. “I love you, Jude. You’re the best adopted brother ever.”

SPOILER!!: She who has so much love to give <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

She felt tears form in her eyes once more when he told her that it wasn’t selfish to focus on herself. She believed him but didn’t believe herself not to be selfish.. She wiped her eyes with her hand, glad she hadn’t decided to experiment with make up today, before hugging him. She buried her head in his chest. “I’m not worth it… surely.” Puberty was an awful thing. It made her have these thoughts… unwelcome thoughts plague and challenge her once confident self.

Glancing up, she took a step away and then listened to Jude as he spoke. “I knew things were weird based on how you two interacted but at least you told him… I should at least tell him how I feel bad not accept defeat.” She’d rise to the challenge and tell Botros how she felt even if it cost—- no, it didn’t matter. Serena had proved to her that she didn’t want to be friends so why should she concern herself with how Serena felt.

Lisa didn’t care…. She tried not to care.

“Im sorry that you had that experience. Rejection sucks,” she spoke quietly. And then she listened to him more and found herself hugging him again. He always looked out for her, didn’t he? Despite his relationship or lack there of with her brother, he was always Jude. Her eyes twinkled with tears. “I love you, Jude. You’re the best adopted brother ever.”

Poor Lisa. Jude conjured up a small cotton handkerchief with a murmur of an incantation. He held the light blue fabric out to her silently. At least his magic was getting back to the proper level at which it was before he had experienced the heartbreak; he had experienced the damages emotional trauma could do to one’s magical abilities. The Hufflepuff put his arms around Lisa’s shoulders and held her. In truth? He wanted to cry with her, not for himself but because of her words. “Don’t you ever go doubting your worth again, Lisa. You’re worth it to me. To Ev. To a whole lot of others. The important thing to think about during times like these are the people who love you and would do whatever they can to not hurt you.” If Lisa could do that, she would feel so much better. Not completely but enough to keep her grounded.

Jude nodded. “That’s because of me. It hurt being around him, seeing him and knowing that he didn’t see me as anyone but his best friend. I honestly don’t think anyone should hide their positive feelings for another. Regardless of how it works out when you tell them, you need to trust that you’ll be okay.” At the end of the day, he realised he was glad he told Evan his feelings.

“Thank you. It does, and I’m even more sorry you're going through it.” the fifth year sighed. “Life would be far easier if feelings didn’t have to be this complicated.” These hugs! Jude loved these Lisa hugs! He didn’t hesitate to squish her back, though not so much to squeeze the breath out of her. The boy nearly melted due to all the feels. “I love you too, Lisa. And I’ll always be here for you, I promise.” Yes, even after he graduated. “Are you feeling even the slightest bit better now?”