Out On The Water (Toby)

[Deleted]

September 2024

Kinsey leaned against the corridor wall, outside of Toby's charms class. She was so bored! This school year started with a bang, her losing Riley before she really knew what happened. The whole situation was hard for her to take in, to really understand, but the two of them weren't talking anymore. She'd see Riley in classes, sometimes around the school too, but he was always with his fiance. The word left a sick taste in Kinsey's mouth. She didn't really have any reason to dislike Priscilla Rosier, but she did. 

Without Riley, Kinsey's days felt more empty than she'd expected. Last year, once they'd become friends, they'd started spending almost all their time together. She'd been looking forward to doing the same this year, so all that time when she wasn't in classes felt useless now. One of the only things that helped with it was her best friend, Toby. Toby was the one person who understood everything Kinsey was going through, since she actually told him about all of it. 

Today she hoped that he'd want to do something once he got out of class. Kinsey was fairly certain this was his last class of the day and she just wanted to do something outside. Toby loved being outside, so she was sure that he'd want to join her, if he didn't already have plans. Kinsey really hoped he didn't. If Toby was busy, her afternoon would go back to being empty. 

The bell rang and students started pouring out of the door. Kinsey, still standing by the opposite wall, stood on the tips of her toes, trying to spot her best friend coming out of class. Where was he?

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Charms was one of Toby’s all time favorite classes. This year he was taking NEWT levels for all of his courses. The workload was very strenuous, but he liked a challenge when it came to his academics. It was the one thing he was confident in himself. Today the Ravenclaw took a little longer than usual putting his items away and exiting the classroom, he wanted to be sure that he had detailed notes for himself later. If he knew Kinsey was outside waiting for him, he wouldn’t have taken his sweet ass time.

When he was finally satisfied with his work, he packed up his quill, capped his ink, and neatly stacked his books into his bag. Toby slung his backpack over his shoulders and headed for the door with a lazy gait. It was the last class of the day so he had nowhere to be.

Much to his surprise, Kinsey was standing outside the classroom, appearing to be looking for him on her tip toes. Well, he hoped it was him, or else he was about to feel lame for assuming. Toby’s lips instantly curled into a smile when he saw his best friend, walloping her with a friendly hug. She always put him in a better mood. ”Yooo. Who ya lookin’ for, mate?” he asked with a snort, giving her a squeeze.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey was starting to wonder whether or not Toby missed his charms class today. It wasn't like Toby to skip class, and she was almost positive that if he was sick she would know, but where else could he be? Maybe he was already outside and got distracted by creatures and missed class on accident? She was about to turn away and head somewhere else to look for him when she saw the familiar head of dark hair leaving the classroom. Kinsey rolled her eyes at him, even though he'd have no idea why she was doing so. What in the world made him take so long? 

Still, she smiled when she saw Toby, unable to help herself when he started smiling. He walked straight to her, giving her a tight hug and Kinsey laughed as she hugged him back, pulling away from the hug as she answered his question. "You, of course. Though you took so long I almost thought something terrible happened to keep you out of Charms," she teased, nudging his side with her elbow. "Or were you just trying to avoid me? I can go somewhere else ..." Kinsey added. 

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby was glad when Kinsey revealed that she was waiting for him, then she admitted that she was worried something bad may have happened to him. He snorted, bending over slightly with a chuckle, "Aw, thanks mum." he chirped jokingly with a grin. When she followed with the comment about  him ~avoiding her, he shot that down with an overly animated eye roll and his lips tugging downwards, "Shut up!" Toby nudged her, shaking his head in fervent disagreement. There had NEVER been a time he ever avoided her, ever. Kinsey was his best friend, she was one of his favorite people. His mum being number one, but he didn't share that with many people because it made him sound pathetic. 

"What're we doin' then?" he asked her expectantly, she looked like she already had something in mind. Toby was up for anything with Kinsey. He was always happy to tag along if there was something particular she had in mind, if not, he was always happy to think of something, or maybe just read outside since it was a nice day outside.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey made a face at Toby when he called her his mom. She knew he was teasing, but she wasn't just going to stand there and take it. The problem was, she couldn't think of anything to say back. So Kinsey stuck her tongue out at him. She knew it wasn't polite or mature at all, but at the moment Kinsey didn't care. She laughed when Toby told her to shut up as he nudged her. "What?! I'm just saying it's a possibility," she answered, smirking with pleasure at his outright denial. She was glad that he wasn't avoiding her, not that she really thought he would. 

Toby asked what they were doing and Kinsey shrugged, "I was thinking we could go out on a boat ..." She really wasn't sure if Toby would be interested in doing something like that, but Kinsey hadn't been out since last year with Riley and she couldn't stop thinking about that experience today. Maybe going out with Toby would help, she wasn't sure. 

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby couldn't think of a time he had ever avoided Kinsey after all of the years knowing her. She had always been one of his favorite people, they were constantly glued to each others sides. Toby cared about Kinsey as much as he cared about his sisters, she was practically extended family to the Watkins over the years. He knew that she wasn't completely serious about her previous comment, but he knew how self conscious she could be at times, just like him... Shaking his head in disagreement, Toby pursed his lips in distaste, "Aye, a possibility. A very unlikely possibility." Toby stated with a smirk to match hers, not willing to agree with her statement because he didn't agree with it. 

When Kinsey proposed the idea of going out on a boat, Toby was slightly surprised, but very interested in that game plan. "It's nice out, perfect weather to hang out on the lake and read or something..." Toby agreed easily, nodding his head up and down. There wasn't much convincing there, he was always game if it was an activity outside or involving animals. "Well, lets go!" he said, looping his fingers in the straps of his backpack as he started in the direction toward the lake. This would be fun.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey gave a small laugh when Toby agreed that him avoiding her was a very unlikely possibility. She appreciated the fact that even though he had his own things going on, he always took the time to try and help her self-esteem. He was good for her, in a way that could never be replaced. 

She was a little surprised how easily Toby agreed to go out on a boat with her, but Kinsey was also very pleased. Ever since her excursion with Riley last year, she wanted to go out again. She'd thought they could do it together again this year, but that definitely wasn't going to happen now. "Yeah! I thought we could have fun getting out there and just talk or study or whatever," she agreed right back. She laughed when he didn't waste any time before starting off toward the boathouse. 

"Have you ever been on a boat before?" Kinsey asked as they started to draw near. It didn't make a difference to her, but she realized it was something she didn't know about her good friend. She might as well ask him about it. 

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

As the pair made their way over toward the boathouses with a quickened gait, Toby nodded his head when she asked if he had been on a boat before. "It has been a while and my dad used to do all of the work." he admitted with a chuckle and a shrug of the shoulders, "How hard could it be?" Toby asked foolishly optimistic, very much underestimating the activity they were about to partake in... "Just row and go, yeah? The brightside is it's a lake and we don't have to worry about drifting off to sea.." he said, surprisingly confident about the activity.  Toby enjoyed to be outside any chance he got, it wasn't every day he got to hang out on the lake with his best friend. Since it was Kinsey's last year at Hogwarts, they had to do as much as they could together.

As they approached the boat house, Toby pushed open the door with a loud squeak. The sound of water lapping gently against the boats and the small docks were the first sounds greeting his ears upon entering the small house where the boats were kept on the water. "Lets do this." he encouraged her, "You can do the honors of picking our ride." Toby gestured dorkily with his hands, pulling her along the docks that were bobbing in the water. All of the boats were practically identical, but Kinsey could choose the one they decided to board.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Toby talked a bit more to Kinsey about his experience with boats and she smiled and nodded as she listened. “Well, I guess you and I are going to have to see how hard the work is?” she teased. It wasn’t too hard. She and Riley rowed one of the boats last spring. She actually enjoyed it quite a bit, but she couldn’t remember if it was hard work or not. All she really remembered from that was the kiss, her first kiss with Riley. She laughed, “I’m sure we’ll be fine. It’ll be fun!” Really, Kinsey was just excited to spend some time with her best friend.

They arrived at the boat house and Toby opened the door, telling Kinsey to choose a boat. She laughed, “Okay, since it is such an honor,” she teased, walking with Toby along the docks. “I like this one,” she said, choosing a random boat. It looked like it was in good repair, like there wouldn’t be a problem. She carefully stepped into the boat, sitting quickly so she didn’t tip it over. “Come on, Toby, we don’t have all day,” she teased with a soft smile.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

It had been a while since Toby had ridden a boat last but he was sure it wasn't something that could be too hard. Riding boats was an activity that Muggles often enjoyed as a 'leisurely activity', so this couldn't be too hard! Toby had his book bag strapped to his shoulder and he attempted to steady the boat while Kinsey hopped on, "Well done." Toby commented as he continued to untie the rope docking the boat. When she urged him to jump onto the boat, joking that he was taking too long, he let out a snort. "Goodbye Kinsey..." Toby joked with a sentimental wave while he pushed the boat with his foot, pretending only for a moment like he wasn't going to jump on with her. 

A smile spread across his face and he removed his backpack, throwing it onto the boat before slowly hopping on. The boat tittered back and forth for only a moment, Toby quickly sit his bum down to gain his balance. "Alright...we did it.." Toby bobbed his head up and down at Kinsey with a satisfied smile. He grabbed one of the oars for himself and passed one to Kinsey. "You ready to rock?" he waggled his eyebrows, his dorkiness was oozing out of him because he was happy to be outside in the sunshine partaking in a new activity with his best friend.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Toby congratulated her for getting in the boat without tipping it over and Kinsey smiled, rolling her eyes at him and waiting for him to join her. To her surprise, he started untying the boat and pushing it away, waving goodbye. She frowned, though she was fairly certain he was teasing her. "You wouldn't," she started, but then he was moving again, tossing his backpack onto the boat. He was bringing his bag with them? They were gonna have to be careful not to tip the boat then. She didn't want to ruin his things. 

"You're mean. You know that right?" Kinsey asked, fighting to keep herself from smiling at her best friend. Toby, her bright spot in the mess that was now her life. She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm so proud of us. We got on a boat without tipping it over. Maybe we actually will be able to make it in the real world," she retorted sarcastically.

She couldn't keep herself from laughing when Toby started joking around. "Ready ready!" She answered, waiting to see what he was going to do next. If nothing else, it would be nice to get some peace and quiet with her best friend. 

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

"I have my moments." he agreed with a nod and shrug, although Toby knew she didn't state it out of malicious intent. The only person Toby could be truly 'mean' to was his sister, Claudia, but she was usually the one to dish it out first.

Toby reached for the oars of the boat, pulling them toward his body, and they away... The boat slowly began to drift toward the entrance of boat house. Toby turned toward his best friend excitedly, "We're doing it!" he exclaimed goofily out of excitement, barely clipping the back end of the boat with the boat house. "Oh-fu-Okay.." he laughed nervously for a second as the boat titter and readjusted. Toby carefully faced his best friend, offering a dorky pish posh accent, "Where to, Miss Bainbridge?" he asked, ready for her direction.

@kinsey  

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey laughed when Toby said he had his moments of being mean. Yeah right. Honestly, Tobias Watkins was one of the nicest people she knew. His intentions were so sincere. He actually cared about people and wanted to help them, including her. He was the best kind of friend to have. "Yeah, whatever," she muttered at him, rolling her eyes. 

He started rowing for them, extremely excited that he was doing it, and then knocking the side of the boat house. "Hey, don't sink us," Kinsey teased, trying not to be tense as the boat rocked. At least if they tipped they would be close to shore. Then Toby was asking her where they should go. "Hmmm," Kinsey thought a moment, dragging it out just to tease him. "What if we go to the other side of the Lake? I don't think many people go over there on the boats. We could explore a bit?" She expected that would excite him. Toby loved to explore. "See if it's the same on the far side as it is on the close one," Kinsey added, just to clarify. 

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

As they made their way out of the boat house, Toby maneuvered the boat after Kinsey's simple instructions. "Aye, aye, captain." he commented dorkily, rowing the boat with ease once he got the hang of it. This was nothing. "Hopefully the grindylows don't give us any trouble." Toby snorted, immediately flashing back to a couple of weeks ago with his new American friend, Eli Fleming. They had a rather interesting encounter with the water demons. Hopefully they were too stupid to remember him. As they made it across the lake, he stopped the boat and turned to his friend, "How's this?" he asked, taking a moment to admire the view. They were located at a nice, secluded section of the lake. The sun shimmered perfectly against the glittering water and there was a slight breeze in the air. It was the perfect day for a boat ride.


@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey rolled her eyes when Toby teased her, though seh also laughed along. He was a punk, but he was also her best friend, which made her not really care if he was teasing her. At least she could let loose and relax with Toby. He understood her like no one did. Her eyebrows furrowed at his next comment. "Why would the grindylows give us trouble? You're not planning on bothering them, are you?" She smiled over at him when he asked how "this" was, referring to where they were. Kinsey nodded at him, "Perfect!" She glanced around. "I really don't think many others are going to be joining us out here anyway." She looked over the edge of the boat into the water. It wasn't exactly clean, so she couldn't see much, but Kinsey still enjoyed looking into the water. She sighed happily, feeling peaceful for one of the first times in a long time. 

tobias charles watkins