I'm Only Human (Addi)

[Deleted]

As per usual, Edmund was walking around the grounds. He couldn't help himself. First of all, the cold helped him feel less numb and secondly, it helped distract him from his thoughts of Addi. After almost a month, he still missed her, still wished that things hadn't changed. He stopped talking to people about it (even his sister) but it still hurt. However, now he'd turned it to an inner hurt. In fact, Ed was rather proud of himself. For a while he took his frustration out on others, but now he was able to handle it personally and still treat others the way he should instead of getting angry with them. It was a big step for him, one that he'd always wondered if he'd be able to learn to do or not. And it wasn't easy, but he was learning. 

He shuffled around the grounds, looking at his feet and not paying attention to anything around him. Or anyone. Right now he just wanted to be alone.

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
<3

The whole month of January was a blur for Addilyn Slater. She remembered things here and there, though none of it really stuck. After her breakup with Edmund, almost everything became more difficult. Eating, doing school work, even sleeping. So many things clouded her brain all the time that she wasn't sure how she could process anything during classes to do coursework or notes. But she did it, and that's all she cared about.

After speaking with Grey, Addi knew she had to get out more. Even if it was just to get a little fresh air. She was looking terrible lately, and her outside appearance was starting to reflect how she felt on the inside. Stone like and emotionless, yet broken to pieces. So, taking her brother's advice, she left the castle and decided a twenty minute walk on the grounds would do her some good. She kept her fee to the ground, not wanting to see anyone around her as she walked along a small path. And if irony was truly a thing, the one person she was broken about was also staring at his feet, and they crashed right into each other.

[Deleted]

The one thing Edmund was not expecting today was to run into someone while outside. Honestly, most people looked where they were going outside, and when they saw Ed, they avoided him. He hadn't run into someone all month, but he did today. He crashed into her and instantly moved to try and catch her before she fell to the ground, grabbing her forearms instinctively. Then he looked up and saw who it was. Addi. He wasn't trying to be mean, but once he knew she was stable on her feet, Ed instantly released her and took a step back. Out of all the people he could run into, it would have to be her, wouldn't it. He stared at her for a second, not knowing what to say or how. Really, there wasn't anything to say. At least, not that hadn't already been said. He should just walk away.

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
<3

Addilyn’s eyes widened at the sight of Edmund. Suddenly her entire body was feeling everything. The large breath that graced across her cheek. The feeling of his hands squeezing hers tighter, holding her up to make sure she didn’t fall. Her blue eyes deeply looking into his brown. Her heart began to race, and the butterflies in her stomach acted up. Addilyn felt as if she was seeing him romantically for the first time again, but this time, with much more fear. What was he going to do?

Nothing. He let go of her and just stared. Addilyn swallowed, feeling like she was about to burst into tears. ”I’m sorry. Are you alright?” Why was this so uncomfortable? This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.

[Deleted]

He noticed her reaction to being so close to him. At least, he recognized some of it, her eyes widening and staring at him and Ed looked away for a second. She looked like she was about to cry and he felt anger seep into his heart. Really? After everything happened, everything she did, she was acting like it was his fault? His eyes narrowed, but he kept his mouth closed. He had a promise to keep. (about not losing his temper with her) Then she apologized, asking if he was okay. He nodded shortly, "I'm fine. Didn't hurt you, did I?" His tone was curt, but surely she didn't expect anything else. He wanted nothing more than to leave, but he could take a second to make sure she was alright.

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
<3

Edmund's response was anything but expected. Addilyn knew he was hurt, but so was she. And he wouldn't even talk to her about it. He just continued to leave. But with this meeting, she might not bring it up. Susan, his sister, suggested leaving him be for now. But she was still worried if she did that, he'd never talk to her again. And she just missed Edmund. Edmund's question on if he hurt her at all could really go any way, but Addi knew what he meant. If he just hurt her by running into one another. Coughing quietly, she shook her head, her blonde curls moving with her. "No, you didn't."

[Deleted]

Ed stared at her for a few seconds. Really? That was all she was going to say? A part of him almost expected her to try and explain what happened at the Yule Ball, but she hadn't tried that since the day after so he didn't know why he thought she'd try now. She didn't look happy, but maybe that was because she was face-to-face with him. Ed made a point of not looking at her lately. He didn't want to see how much she was hurting because he didn't know if he'd be able to handle that. Despite how he was struggling lately, he knew what he could and couldn't deal with. "Well good," he said gruffly, turning around to leave. He hesitated for a second, not knowing why, but unable to stop himself all the same. He glanced back at her momentarily. 

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
<3

Addilyn's eyes widened slightly at his stare. She knew that stare. He was shocked at something. But by what? Her words? Her reaction? She wished he would just speak to him, just spit out what was bothering him so they could talk about it. Even if they fought and yelled at each other, if it was fixed in the end that was all that mattered to Addilyn. Though she highly doubted that was going to happen anytime soon, just as Susan had said to her. His comment back was rough and unexpected, and then he immediately moved to turn. But she saw that one glance, as if it was a sign to her. As if Edmund wanted her to stop him, wanted her to talk to him more. Addi blinked twice, and then jumped, moving around him quickly and stopping him. "How are you?"

[Deleted]

This was ridiculous. What was he still doing here, close to her? Ed should be far away by now and yet, he'd paused. He gave her the chance to say something if she wanted to. And what she did was ask how he was. Why in the world would she ask something like that? Didn't she already know how he was? Even though he hadn't watched her over the last few weeks, the fact that he hadn't searched her out was sign enough of how he was. His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. "I'm fine," he grumbled before turning so he could move around her. He wasn't in the mood for games and trivial talk. If she wanted to really talk to him, she was going to have to say something fast because he was already leaving.

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
<3

Addilyn was thoroughly shocked at his reaction. He had looked back at her, so she took that as a chance to say something to him. And here he is, basically glaring at her? What in the world? She has paused for a moment, in which Edmund took the chance to turn once more. Addilyn became angry, sick of this childish act. She marched back in front of him, glaring back. "Well I'm glad you're fine Edmund. But don't be disrespectful. I'm trying to speak to you and have a conversation." He could be angry all he wanted, but if he didn't want to speak to her that bad he wouldn't have given her the chance to talk to him.

[Deleted]

Now Addilyn was mad at him. Well, good! At least he wasn't going to be the only one upset. Honestly though, this was ridiculous. Her asking short, silly questions instead of starting up a real conversation, if that's what she wanted to do in the first place. When she stalked in front of him, telling him she was glad he was fine, he huffed. Before the Yule Ball he would've teased her, saying she sure didn't look like she was glad, but not anymore. "Some start to a conversation, asking questions you already know the answers to. You know I don't like small talk." Or talking in general, but that still went without saying. 

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
<3

Her jaw dropped, and she glared angrily at him. "It's called respect, Edmund! Something you'd know if you ever thought about anyone but yourself!" What was his problem? This was beginning to become obnoxious, and if this was how Edmund planned to act every time they had an argument or something came up, Addilyn wasn't sure she wanted to deal with it. She hadn't done anything wrong, and he couldn't be mature enough to even speak to her about it. And now with the sarcasm? "Fine. Hell with the small talk, Edmund. I didn't cheat on you. Goodbye." She scoffed at him and flipped her blonde hair, walking away.

[Deleted]

This was not going well. Ed hated the fact that he was arguing with Addi, but this conversation was a waste of his time. "I know all about respect," he told her honestly. Growing up in a castle, respect was one thing that had been drilled into him his entire life. "And to be quite honest with you, I haven't shown you a lack of it yet. You asked me a question, I answered it. You called me disrespectful and I responded in kind." His eyes narrowed slightly at her next comment. "Just because you know me well doesn't mean you know everything, Addilyn. You have no idea who or what I think of." He was tired of this. Tired of the arguing, of her obvious fury with him. Why was he talking to her when he never could do anything right? Because of course it was all his fault. It always was. His whole life, everything had always been his fault. Then she was saying that she didn't cheat on him and turning to walk away. He didn't know whether to believe her or not. He knew he was prone to overreaction, but he also knew what he saw. Ed also found it highly ironic that she would force him to talk to her about nothing and then run away once the conversation turned real. He shook his head, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture as she walked away. He wasn't going to chase after her. Maybe they'd talk later. He wasn't going to force it though.

@jill2
(OOC: Ed out! You can do one more if you want)