high voltage [addy]

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

April 2027

There was a resounding crash at the force with which Brígh slammed open the door to her bedroom. She called a brief apology to Irina, who would likely be irate at the noise she was making, but this was more important. Addy had texted her to let her know the drama, and Brígh was furious. With both of her best friends, really. But Addy was much more accessible as she lived in the bedroom next to hers, and Cheese was off in Horizont Alley and she couldn't very well barge in on them. Well, she could, but she wouldn't if she ever fancied an invitation back. She didn't even think that Eli would appreciate the disturbance she would call.

"Addilyn," roared Brígh as she took the steps two at a time. "Elara," she went on, turning into the corridor that they shared. "Slater!" Brígh burst through Addy's door in a towering temper, her jaw set in a way that spoke volumes of the anger coursing through her veins. "Do you mean to tell me you texted me about your breakup?" asked Brígh, lowering her voice to a deadly tone. "Because I don't think my best friend would do that."

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

how long ntil we find our way

in the dark and out of harm

April 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy really didn't know why she expected anything different. This was Brígh they were talking about. The same Brigh would have attempted to assault Addy with a rather large Transfiguration textbook in the Hogwarts Library. From the corner of her bed where she was reading and taking notes, albeit, with only half the focus she usually had, Addy heard the door slam open. She could picture the look on Irina’s face at the commotion, but something told her not even her own locked door would stop the fiery girl. Addy sighed and prepared for the hurricane that approached. She’d texted Brigh, eventually getting to her point about why.

The reaction was expected, especially considering the amount of work it had taken for Addy and Cheese to finally get together, and for what? But Addy didn’t need matchmaker-Brígh. She needed her best friend. It hadn’t even been a month, yet Addy couldn’t shake off any of it, like a wound that wouldn’t heal. Brígh’s voice grew louder as she approached, and Addy could hear the dramatic reprisal of her full name. And then, just as should have been expected, her door flew open. Addy didn’t flinch, or at least she tried not to but didn’t move from her spot. Only looking up from her notebook with tired blue eyes and a clear unamusement.

Addy shook her head slightly, even tempted to roll her eyes. Instinctively at her core, she became defensive. That unmovable mountain she was known to be. Some things didn’t change despite the heartbreak. ”If I’d waited until you’d returned, you’d still find a reason to yell.” Addy responded flatly. She would have mentioned ‘throwing things’ but didn't want to give Brígh any ideas. ”I told you because you’re my best friend. And I—“ Addy paused, willing herself to not look up because all those feelings she had stuffed down with the weight of work and everything else were threatening to come up. ”—I can’t do this alone.”

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Addy's door banged open as Brígh arrived, her face red as her hair. She was nearly quaking with rage as she rounded on Addy, who was sitting on the corner of her bed. But Addy was never afraid of Brígh or her outbursts. In fact, it had drawn them together on more than one occasion. Brígh was the feral dog, and Addy the calculating owner. She grunted as Addy pointed out that she'd find a reason to yell regardless of if the information had come over text or in person. She wasn't completely wrong - but Brígh wouldn't give her that satisfaction.

Brígh was half tempted to snatch the notebook from Addy's hands and smack her upside the head with it. It would be in her fashion to do such a thing. After all, she'd knocked some sense into Addy with her transfiguration textbook just a few years ago. Instead, miraculously, Brígh deflated. The corners of her lips turned downwards as she slunk into the room, sitting on the edge of Addy's bed with her. Perhaps it was something in the quaver of Addy's tone, but Brígh couldn't stay angry. Not this time. "Oh, Addy," breathed Brígh, gathering the blonde in her arms. She rested her chin on top of Addy's head and just held her in silence. Sometimes, that was just enough.

After a long moment, Brígh released Addy, but rubbed her shoulders reassuringly. "Alright. Look. What's the craic. Tell me the whole story. If you can," said Brígh, tacking on the last bit after a moment of thought. "And just... you know. Let it out."

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

how long ntil we find our way

in the dark and out of harm

April 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy had always marveled at how so many cowered in fear when a red-faced Brígh approached, including Cheese, even though he was about a foot taller. Focusing on her notes on the conductive properties of transfigurable copper was the farthest thing on her mind, and the past few weeks had been frustrating because she simply couldn’t focus. Maybe this was why she hadn’t bothered dating during her school years. The temptations and opportunities had been there. Addy was a pretty girl, but her focus was on her studies and future. Even the uncertainty of her final year had been confusing, let alone something like this.

But she looked back down almost at an instant, but not a few seconds later, Brígh was pulling her toward her. As much as she fought her feelings, it was like all of a sudden, she couldn’t breathe. It took about a minute, and she tried to relax her body. Her notebook forgotten to the side and the work she had to do. But then her body tensed up, and slowly she began to cry. Instinctively she tried to plug the hole in that leaking dam, but it would only last so long. Merlin, she hadn’t been able to talk to anyone about this—not really. Eggy was nearby, but she’d always been closer to Cheese since they’d grown up together.

Brígh simply let her be for a few moments. The angry edge of her voice was long gone. But Addy had to wait until she reached a point where she could breathe properly to speak. Finally, she took a few deep breaths. ”I just feel like it's my fault.” Anyone with common sense (typically Addy) would see that it wasn’t the case, but it didn’t stop her from feeling it. ”We were barely talking.” That was the truth of the matter, wasn’t it? They were so focused on their own things, but there was no balance. Addy worked far too much to show up for his birthday on time, or when she did, make Cheese far more focused on his cameras and photos. ”I’d just—he’d spend the night…and we would try and talk like we used to, but we’d just fight…” She let out a little sigh. ”All the time.” Addy didn’t miss the fighting or the things that had frustrated her, and she wasn’t sure how’d she even get started explaining his birthday or their anniversary.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh's anger dissipated like mist on the wind. She quickly realised that Addy needed her, and that this was more serious of a situation than she had thought. Though Brígh knew it was likely a combination of both Cheese and Addy's stubbornness, Addy had reached out to her. Addy wanted to explain things to her. Addy needed her friendship more than ever. And though Brígh had been a Gryffindor at school, she had an unwavering streak of loyalty.

She listened to Addy silently, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she thought. Brígh rubbed Addy's arm methodically, like clockwork. She didn't need platitudes or sugar coating. She needed the truth. "I imagine it was a bit of both. Growing up is hard, especially when you've been so accustomed to being together all the time," Brígh began, trying to place herself in Addy's shoes. "Things started out because we were always together, right? And then I was gone and it was just you two. Now, Cheese is a bit more absent, and it's often just the two of us." She sighed, trying to straighten her thoughts. "Lots of things can break a relationship. But I don't think you can take the blame only for yourself," she added after a moment.

This was more difficult than Brígh had expected. She'd never experienced real fights with significant others. Her relationships just sort of... fizzled out. If they could be called relationships anyways. And she and Aidan didn't see enough of one another to argue. She was speaking theoretically, but she knew the heart was a funny thing. "When you were together... did you just sort of think everything would be the same? Or did you both bend with the winds of change or whatever, you know." Brígh halted. That wasn't right. "What I'm trying to say is that the two of you are different people from who you were at school. You need to remember that. And your priorities have shifted too. Maybe... well I dunno. Maybe a bit of time apart will make you realise that the other is a priority?"

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

how long ntil we find our way

in the dark and out of harm

April 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

A few tears began to stream down her face, and then another realization hit her. Merlin, when was the last time she’d cried? Or at least cried in front of her friends? Addy shared her sister’s cold glare when she wanted to and typically kept a calm demeanor. She didn't show it even when her emotions were a whirlwind inside. Now Addy felt even more frustrated. She felt weak that something such as ‘boy troubles’ was knocking her off-balance. Brígh let her speak, and Addy stared at the bed in front of her, the tears stopping only leaving her eyes slightly welling up. There was reassurance that it wasn’t just her fault; hindsight always brought the bigger picture.

She merely nodded rather than argue. Brígh spoke again, asking questions, and Addy took a heavy breath to think. ”We knew it would be different.” It would have been incredibly naïve to think otherwise. It wasn’t every day your school burned to a crisp. Addy still felt a little bit haunted by the things she’d seen. But she never said anything. It wasn’t like what the Aurors or other Law Enforcement had seen. There was no comparison. ”After everything last year, I just threw myself into work, and you know how hard they work trainees and interns.” Addy gave her best friend a look. Surely, she could understand that part. She sighed, there was so much she wanted to say, but not even she could find the right words.

Time apart. Well, breaking up was certainly that. ”Yea…maybe.” She managed to mumble, though not very convincingly. Brígh was right—they were different people now, so what did that even mean for them? She sighed heavily again, leaning back against the wall since her bed was pushed up against the corner of the room. ”I need a favor.” Addy began, feeling absolutely ridiculous that she had to ask this. She’d run into a burning castle, yet she couldn’t do this. ”I need you to return that jacket to him.” Her eyes moved to the jacked she’d recently discovered that was now hanging on the back of her door. Addy had thought about giving it to one of his roommates but didn’t want to run into him, plus Brígh could tell her how he was doing. And at least for now, she’d run out of words to describe her pain.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Rather than replying immediately, Brígh hummed a thoughtful tone. She couldn't remember ever having seen Addy cry before. It was jarring. Instead, she rubbed her friend's arm soothingly."Yeah," she said noncommittally. "It doesn't help, everything that happened last year. It's hard enough to move on... but you do have a tendency to narrow your focus too much," Brígh admitted. "And when you do that, sometimes good things pass you by," she added thoughtfully. Brígh had never worked as hard as Addy a day in her life. She didn't want premature wrinkles from hours of concentration. That was just who Addy was, however. Steadfast and determined.

"There's nothing to be done about it now. You broke up... but it happened. You can only think of what is ahead. What do you want? Forget about me and Cheese and your family. You have to think about yourself," said Brígh, steeling herself for a flurry of argument from Addy. How was she supposed to forget about other people? It wasn't easy, that was certain. "You're an incredible girl. If Cheese doesn't see that, he's blind. You need to work on yourself," she added with a nod.

At Addy's request, Brígh almost laughed. Then she saw the stricken look on Addy's face. "No, you're actually serious?" said Brígh, gobsmacked. "You know I'm not going to do that. You ran into a burning castle, worked your ass off on the Quidditch team, got a highly contested internship at the Ministry. And you're afraid of seeing your best friend?" The mere thought of it was laughable. "That's not my Addy."

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

how long ntil we find our way

in the dark and out of harm

April 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

While Addy was by far the calmer of the duo, Brígh had always surpassed Addy in delivering the facts. When Addy pointed out something like that, it definitely didn’t land as softly. One day she might admit that it was perhaps something to work on. Not everyone had a thick skin to hear what they didn’t want to hear. Addy didn’t respond. What was she supposed to say? That defensive feeling came back. What was wrong with focusing on a goal and working hard? It wasn’t like it was one-hundred percent of her life, but apparently just not enough for everyone.

But this time, Addy didn’t answer simply because she didn’t really have one. She wanted to do well at work and stand out, but she also wanted that comfortable dynamic her friends had provided at school. ”Well—but what I want still affects all of you.” Whether she liked it or not. Her decisions would elicit reactions from her parents, siblings, and then her friends. She remembered Claire’s response when they’d finally reunited at The Three Broomsticks. And all because she’d forgotten to respond to her Patronus. Addy sighed. She was supposed to have it figured out by now or at least know the path forward and just walk it.

Shaking her head, she disagreed. ”He isn’t blind…I just wasn’t there.” First tears and now the smallest of acknowledgments to what she’d known all along. From the moment they had stood looking at one another and asking, ‘what are we doing?’ She looked back, however, glancing at the sweater and then back to Brígh. ”I’m not—Brígh, you know I’m not scared of him. I’m just not ready to see him.” The thought made her heart leap in the most foreboding way. No, she definitely was not ready for that encounter. What would she even say? Would she just make it worse? With a last sigh and roll of her eyes, she leaned her head back against the wall. ”Well ‘your Addy’ would have never been so completely distracted with boy problems either.” She responded flatly. It was a little mildly infuriating how she couldn’t push herself to focus on her work, her thoughts disorganized and off-topic all the time. She just wanted it to go away.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Between the two of them, it was a very rare occasion for Brígh to be the level headed one. The one providing sage advice. Addy was calm, clever and collected. Brígh was impulsive and impossible. But having been so close for so long meant that they could be what the other needed - and right now, Brígh had to put aside her regular fire and be the best friend that Addy needed. She held her, stroking her arm softly. "That doesn't matter. We will worry about ourselves. You just need to think about you," said Brígh.

"I understand... it seems you've both made mistakes. Nothing's perfect, right?" said Brígh. Not even she and Aidan were perfect - though she adored his energy, she did sometimes wonder if he felt he was making the right choice by being with her. She was an outsider to him. The worry ate at the back of her mind, where Brígh forcefully stuffed it into a box and refused to consider. "But he knows you. He always has known you. That you work yourself to the bone. And you know he gets distracted too." Sighing, Brígh smoothed back Addy's hair and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I know you're not afraid of him, not really. But you can't hide behind me. When you're ready, you'll give it back to him. In the meantime, he can miss it. Miss you," she replied firmly, offering Addy a smile. The smile widened as Addy rolled her eyes at Brígh, a sign she was feeling better anyways. "Okay fair, but really you were just proving that my Addy was an actual human and not an android put on this Earth to be my best friend through thick and thin," she teased. "You're only human. You don't need to be so hard on yourself. Especially not around me and Cheese. I know it hurts... but we're not your parents. We love you no matter what, and that will never ever change. I can promise that."

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

how long ntil we find our way

in the dark and out of harm

April 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

‘You need to think about you.’ How often had Addy heard that from her friends and other people? Merlin, she’d even heard it from her parents—but differently. ’Think about how good it would look for you.’ Well, is that what she’d done? Addy wanted to do well and succeed, which required working harder than everybody else, and look what that had gotten her. Her chest whirled with emotions. Annoyed that she couldn’t figure it out. Sad because her phone didn’t buzz with random messages or photos of random things in a particular light during the day. And absolutely frustrated that this had not worked. Addy had failed. She hadn’t been able to make her relationship work. Failure.

She just let Brígh talk, they were reasonable points, but Addy wasn’t particularly interested in logic at the moment. Is this what being on the other end of one of her lectures was like? It did hurt to hear her say it, however. It was true. Addilyn Slater and Raphael McLaggen knew one another better than most couples ever would have. Best friends since age eleven, taking that next step at seventeen but not even making it to twenty. Her heart flipped and ached. There was that void. ”As if he’ll notice it's gone.” Addy mumbled. The boy would lose his head if it wasn’t attached to his spine.

Addy sighed again. She was tired. While talking with Brígh had helped her feel more grounded, Addy wished she knew some potion or spell to move past this faster. Giving Brígh a weak smile, she leaned her head on her best friend’s shoulder. ”I’m sorry I waited to tell you.” She spoke, her voice not very strong. Before dating and all that going downhill, Addy would have settled on some point made five points ago and dug her feet in for a fight. Arguing her point and pushing back with all her will. But she found she couldn’t muster the strength. But she was glad Brígh was here because she had far too much work to do to linger in this misery for too long.

[ end addy ]

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