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last online May 19, 2024 10:52:37 GMT -7
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Oct 22, 2018 17:40:22 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2018 17:40:22 GMT -7
Eli didn't say anything in response to Ashley's challenge, but she was okay with that. She could tell by the determined look in his eyes and the set of his jaw that he was excited at the idea of racing her. There was no way he was going to forget. All right, maybe now she needed to train a little more, just to make sure she didn't do too terribly against her. Though if she was being honest with herself, she knew she was pretty fast. Maybe she did stand a chance. Ashley was extremely relieved when Eli didn't continue to talk about his friend. Cordie. Even thinking the girl's name left a sour taste in Ashley's mouth, which she knew was incredibly juvenile, but she didn't seem to be able to change that. Not right now, anyway. It was ridiculous. He said that classes were all the same to him and she couldn't help but wonder ... was he saying that he was still struggling in them? Did he want her help maybe? "Did you ... I mean, have you found any study groups or anything?" she asked quietly, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She wanted him to say no. So badly. Ashley missed their study sessions together, missed working one-on-one with him. That was okay to do now that they were friends, wasn't it? She pulled herself back to the conversation, realizing that he was still talking about classes and how he loved Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology here. Of course he did. His enthusiasm was contagious however, and Ashley found herself smiling even wider as she listened. "Have you found lots of new things for your books?" She asked curiously, remembering that she still hadn't seen what his books looked like. She wanted to, but things just hadn't worked out last year for it. Eli looked surprised when she said that she probably wouldn't graduate here and Ashley ducked her head a little, embarrassed when he said that he forgot she was a sixth year. "Yeah ..." she nodded slowly, wishing for a moment that she was a year older. Then maybe she and Eli would have become friends sooner than last year. Then she chuckled, "It's fine. I'm just an old maid on the inside and sometimes it shows." Ha! As if. Still, she was just joking around. Ashley shook her head, still smiling. "I don't always have it together." At least, not with everything. Schoolwork, yes, but with her social life or home things, not always. She didn't need to have to be specific though. Elijah Theron Fleming
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Elijah Theron Fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MWRC APPRENTICE RESEARCHER
509 posts
Infatuated with Cordie Smith
played by Chanel
in too much space we hide.
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last online May 1, 2024 15:23:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 12, 2018 15:56:02 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Nov 12, 2018 15:56:02 GMT -7
THERE WAS A FONDNESS TO ELI'S FACE AS HE listened to the concern in Ashley's tone of voice. At one point she had been his study connection. It had been one of the reasons they had become so close. He'd witnessed her at her kindest, a patience in her that he had not expected. Though it shouldn't have been as surprising as it had been, she was Bianca and Katherine's friend, after all. That had to take patience of some sort.
"I'm fine, honestly." He said, trying to reassure her as he looked in to the distance, but a part of him wanted to say that he wasn't. That he needed the old times, when she'd helped him pass his sixth year at Ilvermorny. "I mean, I have Zeke and stuff." Though when Eli turned to face her once again, he thought maybe she was waiting for him to say something else. Tentatively, he shrugged. "I mean, it's not old times." He smiled, nudging her shoulder again. "We were pretty good, huh?"
It felt like a million years since Eli had confided in Ashley about his scrapbooks. He went red around the ears at the mere fact that she'd remembered. "M-yeah," He mumbled, nodding his head as he lifted his hand to rub at his nose nervously, hiding his smile. "I'm on my..." His eyes rolled upwards in thought, fingers twitching as he counted, "Sixth, yeah my sixth." His scrapbooks were a record filled with frozen snapshots of plants and creatures he'd found interesting. "I added your Feverfew," He said, leaning back with a smile. "And some gnomes, recently." He remembered the shot he'd gotten of a gnome over the summer, it had looked like it was flipping him off, a mouthful of jellybeans.
"I'll bring it next time I remember," He declared, knowing that last time they'd fallen out before he'd thought to bring it along. "I only bring my most recent to school." It didn't make sense to hulk around five bulging scrapbooks, especially when he was trying to be discreet. "Maybe we can go looking for a new addition sometime." He shrugged like it was nothing, but in reality nothing would please him more. Working together, his mum's old camera and his scrapbook. "You know, if you want."
Though it was quite clear from Eli's face that he didn't really like the idea of her not graduating alongside him. It was a degree of separation he'd forgot to consider. He'd be leaving after the summer, and she'd probably be back in the US. Eli didn't know where he would be, he wanted to be at some creature sanctuary, but he'd probably end up in some stuffy office or something. "Far from an old maid," Eli laughed, though it was a little bit stiff. "You're just smart." And he wasn't. Eli had no doubt she'd end up exactly where she was supposed to.
"Well," Eli muttered, searching Ashley's face for some sort of confirmation. "You play it very well." Eli's every emotion played plain all over his face. He was terrible at keeping secrets. His friendship with Ashley back in Ilvermorny was one of Eli's biggest accomplishments yet. Though he still much preferred their new, open arrangement. "Wh-why don't you have it together?" He asked, a slight frown between his brows. "Is there... is something wrong?"
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last online May 19, 2024 10:52:37 GMT -7
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Nov 12, 2018 17:59:11 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2018 17:59:11 GMT -7
Eli wasn't looking at her when he answered her question, saying that he was fine. Ashley couldn't help but feel disappointed. She wanted another reason to spend time with him, another excuse that might actually make her believe he needed her, in part. Ashley was delighted at the idea of their being friends again, but wasn't exactly sure how to do that without offering to help him. It had been such a major part of their friendship before. She nodded, unable to speak but definitely frowning a little. It wasn't the answer she'd wanted, that was for sure. She nodded again when he said that he had Zeke, but was still frowning. Was there a reason why he didn't want her help? Or did he just want to make sure she knew their friendship wouldn't be going any further than normal friendship, since it all changed with them during that one study session. Her mind was racing, but when Eli turned to look at her again she forced a smile, a second too late. Hopefully he was too distracted to notice. He mentioned that it wasn't old times, nudging her shoulder and Ashley's smile grew just a little bit. Ashley nodded, despite the fact that she hated him using the past tense. "Yeah, we were ..." she trailed off for a second before blurting out, "We could always do it every once in a while or something. I-I mean, if you want. Or not," she shook her head, feeling a blush coming on, "I mean, you did say you're doing fine. It's fine, I-" Ash cut herself off, looking back to the Lake and literally biting her lip to keep herself from rambling more to him. Why did she say that? He just said he didn't want her help, she should have just left it alone. Instead she had to go and make everything all awkward. The scrapbooks was definitely a safer topic of conversation, despite the fact that Eli was the one to feel a little embarrassed now. What, did he think she'd forget? Giving him an empty book for his scrapbooks had been her Christmas present, so shouldn't she remember something like that? Absently, she couldn't help but wonder if he'd used it yet. Or maybe he tossed it after his birthday. She didn't know if he'd kept those gifts either. He answered her questions, pulling Ashley back to the conversation at hand. "That's great!" she answered, excited that he was still doing more with them. He'd been at four -or was it five- the last time they talked about his hobby. Eli added that he'd bring his book sometime and Ashley nodded, "I'd like that. I never got the chance to see one last year." Huh. That was a pretty smooth way to reference everything that happened last year. She smiled, proud of herself for not getting awkward. At his invitation her eyes widened. "Really? You'd want me to come with you?" Ashley's smile was actually more like a grin now, her eyes glittering with excitement. "Of course I'd want to!" she exclaimed, laughing and shaking her head a little. Then Eli was telling her she wasn't close to an old maid, just smart and Ashley nodded with a smile, liking the compliment but not really wanting to say anything else about it. She didn't want it to seem like she was trying to brag, or just talk about herself. Her shoulder almost touched her ear when he said she was pretty good at acting like she had it together. "I've had a lot of practice." She hesitated, but continued after a second. Ashley didn't want to keep things from Eli anymore. "Not many people can tell when I don't have things together." She glanced away from him, down to her lap. Ashley could sense the question that was about to come and she knew she'd lose her composure. Maybe looking away would help. Of course, he asked just what she thought he would. A small smile touched her lips. "Not anymore," she muttered, "but I've been a complete mess the last six months or so." Since everything happened with them. "I just ... hid it all away, like I normally do." Ashley's voice was a whisper now at the confession, mostly because she was fairly certain Eli would know why she was a mess all that time. She was good at bottling up her emotions and feelings and never letting anyone in. Sometimes she let Joe in, but that was only when he noticed something was wrong. Most of the time she just kept it hidden away from everyone. It was easier that way. Elijah Theron Fleming
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Elijah Theron Fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MWRC APPRENTICE RESEARCHER
509 posts
Infatuated with Cordie Smith
played by Chanel
in too much space we hide.
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last online May 1, 2024 15:23:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 17, 2018 17:14:56 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Nov 17, 2018 17:14:56 GMT -7
WISHFUL THINKING WAS A HELL OF A THING. IT made Eli see things he wanted to see. Like, the hesitation in Ashley's answering smile. As if she had wanted him to ask for her help. So perhaps that was part of the reason that he let slip about the good times they'd had. If she asked he'd say yes, but he didn't want to ask because she'd also say yes. Even if she didn't want to. Obviously, she had better things to do. Or, so Eli told himself. He thought her too nice to refuse him, and that was not how he wanted their second try at friendship to go. However, when she suggested it, Eli's heart jumped.
"Yeah!" He blurted immediately, pressing his lips together afterwards to stop himself from saying anything more incriminating. "I want to." He added after a beat of silence, turning his head to face the ground as he kicked up a toe of dirt and cleared his throat heavily. "But, only when you're free or whatever." He shook his head and dashed a hand up the back, ruffling his hair so that it stuck up in odd ways.
Eli was much better at talking about his scrapbooks. He didn't do it often, and usually always with his younger brother. With Ashley it was different because he'd told her in confidence and now that they were friends again he could tell her some more. Maybe even have her join him. Even Atticus didn't bother with that any more. Though despite the fact that they were fairly comfortable with one and other, he still felt his face heat up at her excitement for him. As it turned out, old habits die hard.
"Mm, yeah..." He couldn't help but smile, his neck prickling awkwardly because they both knew why he hadn't been able to show her in the end. Shoving his hand in to the pockets of his trousers he shrugged his shoulders up around his ears. "Obviously..." He answered quickly, a faint smile on his face. "You're like... one of my favourite people-" There was a beat when he didn't say anything, like the rest of his sentence was caught in his throat. "To uh- to go on... adventures with." There was no sound then but the scuff of his heels in the dirt and the hum of the castle in front of them.
Alas, even Eli couldn't ignore the heaviness that fell over them. His head turned as he scanned Ashley's face over and over again. Even when she turned away from him he watched her hair and the flex of her throat as she swallowed. Why had she been struggling? He wanted to know. He needed to know. "I want to know," He said, not liking that she might feel like she had to put a face on for him. "Don't- you don't have to pretend with me." Untucking one of his hands, he reached over and tugged on one of the sleeves of his robe, just so she'd feel him close by.
Sighing in relief, Eli shook himself out and tried on a smile for her. 'Not any more' was important, and he checked her face again just in case she was lying to protect him - or herself. He couldn't tell for sure, but he thought no. "Good." He nodded his head, nudging her shoulder again. Though when she whispered that she put on a good face he closed his eyes for a second, his smile a little bitter for her, before it dropped.
They'd reached the stairs to the castle now, a warm orange glow emanating around the seams like there was a fire on the inside. He turned to face her before they climbed them, clearing his throat and placing a hand on her upper arm, rubbing at the familiar fabric of his robes with the tip of his fingers.
"Hey- I..." He had to say something before they parted ways, before he headed down and she headed up. "I know that it's hard- that you have... particular friends..." Eli stretched his neck and rolled his eyes at his own poor choice of words. "I get that you have expectations that I don't." Rubbing his lips together he blew out a breath through his nose. "But don't... if you ever feel like you want to hide for me.... don't."
Twisting his lips awkwardly, Eli couldn't help it when he pulled her in for a hug. Folding her in to him with the mixture of her sweet shampoo and the earthy green of his well worn robes around her. "If we hide, we hide together, yeah?" He said in to the crown of her head, dipping his chin down in to her shoulder, his lips unintentionally brushing the side of her face before he pulled away. "I'm glad I chased you today." He muttered, shifting lazily from side to side.
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last online May 19, 2024 10:52:37 GMT -7
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Nov 17, 2018 17:49:33 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2018 17:49:33 GMT -7
Of course he didn't comment on her bumbling awkwardness, instead agreeing almost immediately. Ashley couldn't resist the smile that covered her face instantly. He wanted to. "You do? Oh good," she sighed, laughing a little from relief. "I miss our study sessions, Eli," Ash admitted, wanting to make sure he knew that. "I want to whenever you do." All the time. If she had her way, the two of them would at least study as much together this year as they did last year ... as long as he wanted. Part of her wanted to make up for lost time, but she also didn't want him to get tired of her. When she asked if he really wanted her to go with him, Ashley didn't think he'd really answer. It was more a rhetorical question than anything, but he answered and her smile grew at the sight of his. He looked so awkward, but so cute at the same time. She'd missed this. He said she was one of his favorite people and Ash's eyes widened in delight. She took a step with him, grinning even when he added that he was talking about going on adventures. She chuckled, nudging his shoulder, "You're one of my favorite people too ... for adventures and other stuff." Ashley was looking where they were walking instead of directly at him, but she was feeling strangely open. She wanted to tell Eli stuff. Maybe it was just because she felt giddy that the two of them were actually friends again. Despite that giddy feeling, the awkwardness came. Eli insisted that he wanted to know and that she didn't have to pretend with him and Ashley glanced over at him, unable to hide her surprise. He didn't already know? "I don't want to pretend with you," she answered in a whisper. "That's one of the things I lo-liked last year. You didn't make me feel like I needed to hide things. You, you're a good listener." She sighed, feeling like she needed to explain a little more about her hard summer. "I missed you, that was definitely a big part of it, but it was more than that. I ... realized that I - I'm not the kind of person that I want to be and it hurt. I don't ... know how to change either." She exhaled heavily, forcing a breathy laugh to try and lighten the mood, to pretend like it wasn't a big deal. "So ... still working on that, I guess." Ash couldn't meet his eyes. She didn't even realize that they were to the castle steps until Eli turned around, suddenly much taller than her, more so than normal. Ashley finally looked up to him, listening as he started to talk, to explain that it was hard and that she had friends and expectations. She bit her lip, glancing away for a second. Where was he going with this? Then he told her not to hide from him. She nodded, smiling at him with obvious relief. Then his arms were around her and Ashley found herself squeezing him tightly. She'd missed this. She loved how he could make her feel important and special and noticed, just by putting his arms around her. She nodded when he said that they could hide together if she needed. "Okay," Ashley answered in a soft breath. Her heart was pounding as he held her and she shivered, her arms tightening around him momentarily when he felt his lips on her cheek. Was that intentional? He pulled away from the hug and Ashley smiled widely back up at him. "Me too. Thanks for being there for me too," she added, shivering as her mind flashed back to the owlery. "I'm glad things are ... back to normal now." She reached forward, pushing his shoulder gently. "Should we go in? It's getting a bit chilly out here." Ashley shivered again, but it wasn't on purpose. Elijah Theron Fleming
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Elijah Theron Fleming
ILVERMORNY ALUM MWRC APPRENTICE RESEARCHER
509 posts
Infatuated with Cordie Smith
played by Chanel
in too much space we hide.
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last online May 1, 2024 15:23:25 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Nov 17, 2018 19:09:56 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Nov 17, 2018 19:09:56 GMT -7
WHILE ELI HAD SOMEWHAT SUSPECTED THAT Ashley would like to study with him again, he had still allowed doubt to drive him first. Probably because he was afraid of pushing something that still felt a little fragile. New and fresh, but so familiar that Eli couldn't help but bask in it. It was an odd arrangement of emotions and sensations, but he didn't hate it. In fact, he loved it.
"Me too." Eli said readily, a pleased smile on his face. "And... I never thought I'd say that about school.." He added with a snort, shaking his head at her, as if she'd enchanted him. Which, he supposed, she had in some ways. He missed their study sessions because he missed her. "I could do Friday?" He asked, before someone asked either of them to do anything else. As if locking it down before it was too late.
For a moment it was like breathing. Eli was still fumbling around his words, but the more that he was met with Ashley's own enthusiasm the better he felt. She had a way of making him feel the same way as her. Her emotions radiating from her and infecting him. He didn't care at all, it beat overheating and stuttering and making a mess of himself around her. She was one of his favourite people, period. And one day he'd have the guts to say that out loud.
Though it was not ever-lasting. There was still a lot of ground to cover from their separation to the present and Eli felt out of touch from the bad stuff. The kind of topics they didn't talk about because it just felt good to feel good for a minute. But, he wasn't a coward and he couldn't run from reality forever. He wanted her to know that.
While Eli stared at Ashley, he watched the curve of her lips as she spoke. As she opened up to him in a way she hadn't yet. In a new way. Eli listened raptly, rejoicing as she traded sentiments he could only agree with. It felt good for him to know that she felt the same way - to an extent. That their time together was equally shared. But to know that he contributed to her suffering over the summer hurt. It stung like a slap to the face, but he maintained composure, releasing only a breath as his mouth flapped loosely with a desire for words. The kind that would fit and mean something.
"You don't have to rush anything..." He assured her first, shaking his head with a soft smile. "As long as we're like this-" Gesturing between them, Eli took a half step closer to Ashley. "As long as we just... do it right this time I-" Shrugging his shoulders, Eli closed his eyes. "I don't want to... have to miss you like I did, again." He nudged her shoulder with his, trying to lighten the heaviness he felt. Because he was starting to think that maybe friends didn't miss friends like he missed Ashley. "We'll do it right this time." With a definitive nod, Eli felt sure. "Together."
Eli wasn't exactly a wordsmith, but he gave it his best shot when it mattered. He thought he hadn't done a terrible job when he'd faced Ashley. He even risked a hug, which she didn't appear to dislike, though he perhaps lingered a moment too long. But, he felt better when he pulled away, more sure of himself since he'd marched up to her by the river. "Always." He muttered with a nod of his head, because there wasn't very much Eli wouldn't do for Ashley. "Normal..." Eli echoed with a little laugh, humour finally injecting its way in to his smile as he nudged her back. "Yeah, lets go." Though Eli wouldn't have minded standing out there all night. Talking about everything and nothing.
[END ELI]
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last online May 19, 2024 10:52:37 GMT -7
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Nov 17, 2018 20:06:10 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2018 20:06:10 GMT -7
Ashley couldn't hide her pleasure when Eli said that he missed their study sessions too. Good. For a second there she wondered if he was only agreeing to do this because he knew she wanted him to. Of course, she did, but she also wanted him to want to spend the time with her. "Wow. I'm going to have to write about that in my journal later," she teased, unable to help herself. When he suggested that they could study together on Friday she nodded repeatedly. "I could do that!" Her tone was overly excited, but she didn't even care. The idea of studying with Eli was too exciting for Ash to care if she seemed too enthusiastic about it. Eli was really a good listener. He walked with her, listening silently as she explained how she'd felt over the summer and just let some of her feelings out. It was relaxing to be able to talk to him about this. She felt like she'd been so out of sync with things lately, but now that things were better with her and Eli again everything seemed to be falling back into place. When she finished explaining, she looked over to Eli to see that he was smiling at her, telling her that she didn't need to rush. She shrugged a little, but didn't argue with him. The truth was, she felt like she did need to rush. She needed to be a better person, to be more uplifting and kind to people. If she didn't, there was no way she would ever deserve him. Wait. That's what she was going for? The realization was new, but not altogether surprising to her. She liked Eli. She never got over him, she just thought that she'd lost all chances with him. That might still be true, but becoming friends was at least a good first step. Ashley smiled when he started talking about doing it right this time. "Yes, I want to do it right too," she answered, her tone soft. She didn't think she could stand going through that again. Losing Eli hurt more than anything she'd experienced and she didn't want to do it again. He spoke, actually saying the words that were going through her head and nudging her shoulder. Ashley stepped closer, so they were walking shoulder to shoulder now. If she were brave enough, she'd loop her arm with his, but she didn't want to make anything awkward. "Together," she agreed with a firm nod back at him. Eli said he would always be there for her. If they hadn't just pulled away from a lingering hug, she would have wrapped her arms around him and given him a tight hug for saying that. As it was, she grinned at him, laughing along with him when he echoed her. Things never were super "normal" with the two of them. Their hidden friendship, their secret kiss and private blowup were clear examples of that, but Ashley wanted to have a normal friendship with him. Together they walked into the castle, going down into the basement, walking in silence before Ashley gave Eli a hug and made her way to her own common room, somehow feeling lighter than she'd felt in months. --- the end --- Elijah Theron Fleming
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