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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 8, 2018 14:31:57 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2018 14:31:57 GMT -7
Ashley was on clean-up duty after the big Halloween Event. She was glad that she signed up, because she did actually want to help out with it, but she felt lonely standing at the top of the astronomy tower. Most people assigned to help with the cleanup of the spiderweb maze were working on taking down the actual maze, but she'd been assigned to work on the top. Cleaning up the pumpkin station, basically. It wasn't too hard of a task, but she still didn't want to be here alone. The thing that made it okay was the fact that she could hear all the others talking and laughing as they cleaned up the webs. If she finished this, she was told she could join them down there, but she wasn't sure whether or not she'd be able to. Pumpkin guts were everywhere and the entire astronomy tower was a disaster. Oh well, this was what happened when students were let loose on the building. She started humming to herself, Halloween songs that she remembered from muggle movies, as she started to clean up. 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 Apr 11, 2024 16:28:40 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 8, 2018 14:54:01 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Aug 8, 2018 14:54:01 GMT -7
CLEAN-UP DUTY WASN'T ELI'S FIRST CHOICE, when faced with a list of things worth doing. In fact, it didn't even make his top ten. But, there he was, being handed a broom and a bottomless trash bag. But, at least this time it was the astronomy tower. It was a job with a view.
He'd been handed his utensils by a student who was tapping out, his round coming up but the room no cleaner. If the look on the students face was anything to go by, that is. Never mind that the broom handle was sticky with pumpkin juice, the water in the bucket a dirty, lumpy brown. Eli knew he was supposed to spell the water clean for his round, but he couldn't remember the right one off the top of his head.
Rolling the bucket along, Eli swooped the tip of his wand, reciting various charms in his head and then shaking them off uselessly. Just as he turned his back, ready to push the door to the tower open, he pointed his wand at the murky water and snapped out what he was sure was the correct spell. He stumbled back when a sharp spout of water erupted from the end of his wand, pushing him in to the room and sloshing almost every drop of water out of the bucket and down the front of his shirt and pants.
Drenched, Eli gawped down at himself, the wheels of the bucket squeaking at his feet as turned to face the room. It wasn't empty, like he'd been hoping. In fact, the person standing before him was, quite frankly, the last person Eli expected to see. Ashley. Water dripped from Eli's chin, his face a picture as he stuffed his wand in to his pocket and averted his gaze. "S-sorry I'm late," He muttered to anybody and nobody. "Bit of a spill."
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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 8, 2018 15:05:43 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2018 15:05:43 GMT -7
Ashley wasn't entirely sure if her job was a one-person job, or if others would be joining her later one. Of course, she wasn't exactly patient enough to be waiting for others so she started cleaning up the sticky goo of pumpkin, until she heard a loud sound coming from behind her. She spun around, not sure if she was holding the mop in her hand as a weapon or not. What was going on? Someone all but fell into the room, a bucket in tow. He turned around and her eyes widened, her mouth falling open for a second before she snapped it shut, offering a hesitant smile. It was Eli. She hadn't spoken to him since ... since that terrible day at Ilvermorny. She instinctively reached over and touched the bracelet on her wrist, her fingers running over the familiar charms that no one but her knew existed. Well, that wasn't exactly true. Eli knew. He gave her the thing, but he had no reason to think she'd be wearing it. They weren't friends. Which was why she put an invisibility charm on it. No one had to know she wore a charm bracelet from a boy who wouldn't look at her, much less speak with her. At least, not anymore. Not since she ruined everything. She nodded to him, "No problem." Ash answered immediately. She almost turned back to what she'd been doing, but paused halfway. "Do you- can I help you?" Her voice was soft and hesitant. She was almost positive that he would tell her no and that would be the end of their interaction tonight. After all, you didn't have to talk in order to clean. Her grip on the mop handle tightened as she waited for him to turn her down. 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 Apr 11, 2024 16:28:40 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 8, 2018 16:07:19 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Aug 8, 2018 16:07:19 GMT -7
ELI TRIED HIS BEST TO APPEAR UNFAZED, BUT IT was a bit obvious that he was looking anywhere but at Ashley. Summer had been long, long enough that Eli had learned how to pretend. To pretend he didn't care. To pretend he was over it entirely. To pretend like it had never happened at all. But, it was a different story when he was faced with that pretended face.
"Uh, no- nah I got it." Eli stuttered, grabbing the handle of his broom and slamming the dirty mop head in to the bottom of the bucket. "Thanks." He most certainly did not have it, because he wasn't sure how to spell himself dry. In the meantime, Eli retrieved his wand once again and in an effort to regain his pride, selected a different charm this time. The one Lusie had used to clean his burn earlier in the year.
Water spouted from the tip of Eli's wand and he jolted slightly, splashing more water on the ground before he realigned the tip and managed to fill the bucket with a steadier hand. It wasn't soapy or what he'd originally intended, but it was something. He still felt like an idiot, though. Especially when he halted the charm and flicked his wand, landing a good last splatter on his face. He pretended like that didn't happen as well.
With his head dipped, Eli whistled slightly as he went to work, first cleaning up his own mess the hard way. And then, starting on the great array of pumpkin matter dotted around the room. The tension in the air was palpable, but Eli didn't want to break it. He wasn't weak, he told himself. He'd meant what he'd said.
Eli wasn't angry any more, that had faded with time and effort. It was more the absolute absence of her. Like a hole in his gut, which he hadn't realised still existed until he seen her. Until he felt her presence all around him. His clothes were sticking to his front and his shaggy brown hair was dripping on to his forehead, but he didn't look up.
That was, until he spun himself and the bucket, having almost forgotten he wasn't alone as he did it with flare. The bottom of his sneakers skidded slightly and before he knew it, Eli was on his ass. A sharp pain reverberated up his spine and he hissed, still holding the mop handle.
This really wasn't anything new, Eli was a picture made up entirely of cuts and bruises. A new school meant uncharted territory, from the silvery burn scar on the palm of his hand. A fading yellow bruise splashed lightly across the bridge of his nose, marred by a healing scab. And a cut up by his eyebrow. He'd been busy. But, this was decidedly less fun. Especially with Ashley watching.
"Dammit..." He groaned, his feet struggling to find purchase on the slippery ground as he tried to scramble to his feet. He was like a baby deer on ice as he tried to steady himself with the mop handle, knees wobbling.
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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 8, 2018 16:23:55 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2018 16:23:55 GMT -7
He wasn't looking at her. Even before he spoke, that was all Ash needed to notice. He still hated her. She felt sick, even though she prepared herself for this. The problem was, she never planned on actually talking to him again. She thought in a new school with so many people, there was no way they would run into one another. Of course, that didn't stop her from noticing him sometimes, like at the opening feast and occasionally in the hallway, but she didn't say anything. She nodded, immediately turning the rest of the way so her back was to him when he said no. That way he didn't have to see how disappointed she was. Despite the fact that Ashley was normally a master at controlling her facial expressions, she was tired. It'd been a long day and she didn't want to put effort into hiding things. "Welcome," she replied, her voice a bit lower and gruffer than she meant it to be. Hopefully he wouldn't read anything into that. She heard him doing stuff behind her, splashing water it sounded like. He was probably trying to clean himself off, but Ashley tried to convince herself not to listen. He didn't want her help, so she had no reason to turn and see what was going on. As she continued to clean, she heard Eli start to whistle. Several times, she almost turned to him to say something. Once she actually turned all the way around, but grabbed her bag of trash instead of talking with him. He didn't want to talk to her. As she worked, she focused on keeping her back to him and on what she was doing. It was easier to focus on work if she could pretend like he wasn't there. Impossible, but she was trying. She was trying to be strong and not let him know how much she missed him. He wouldn't care. Then she heard something that was definitely not cleaning and Ashley spun around, her eyes wide. Eli was sitting on the ground, and then struggling to get up. Ash only watched for a second before carefully approaching. "Here, let me help," she spoke firmly, offering her hand to him. If he rejected her again, she'd leave him alone for good. At least, that's what she told herself. Truth was, deep down Ash just wanted him to be her friend again and if it worked, she'd give him as many chances as it took. 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 Apr 11, 2024 16:28:40 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 8, 2018 16:45:45 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Aug 8, 2018 16:45:45 GMT -7
ET WAS ELI'S SUPREME DESIRE THAT HE WOULD turn invisible at that very moment. But, he did not. Instead, he floundered on his little, slippery patch of water until he heard Ashley approach. "N-" He began, but he almost rammed the top of the mop handle in to his own throat as he did.
"I... think... I... got it." He ground out, but instead he found himself reaching out for her outstretched arm. He snagged her sweatshirt and instead of it helping steady him, well he ended up yanking her toward him as he fell back down. It was a tangle of limbs, the mop clattering on the ground and Ashley half sprawled up across him. Eli flat on his back.
"I..." Eli was trying to muster up an apology, but he was embarrassed and winded. "Jeez, could I be any more of a disaster?" And then he dissolved in to laughter, a small chuckle turning in to a helpless giggle as he heaved with it. It was cathartic, it was necessary.
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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 8, 2018 16:56:18 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2018 16:56:18 GMT -7
Ashley heard him start to say no, watched with her hand outstretched as he continued to struggle. Did he really want to stay away from her so badly? He said he thought he had it, and Ash was about to pull away when she noticed his hand reaching for hers. He was going to take it? She felt a small smile touch her lips as her heart lifted ever so slightly. Then, before she really knew what was happening, she found herself jerked forward and she was falling on him. Reflexively, she grabbed his shirt with one hand, not wanting to fall ... wait she was already falling. It was so awkward, but at the same time, she was close to him. Physically, at least, and it was a larger relief than she'd admit. Even if he didn't want her there. He started talking and Ash started squirming to get off of him. She slid right into the mess on the floor and made a face, trying to stop herself from giggling when she saw her clothes. She was a mess! Eli started talking and she turned to look at him, not knowing what to say. He started laughing and the giggles came back to her. What? His laughter was contagious and at least he wasn't angry at her in this moment. "You're just fine," she inserted amidst her giggles. "Promise I won't tell anyone about it." She'd seen him a mess before and she hadn't told anyone, not that he would know that. She hadn't told anyone about him, keeping their memories locked away in her heart. 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 Apr 11, 2024 16:28:40 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 9, 2018 15:26:43 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Aug 9, 2018 15:26:43 GMT -7
FOR A FEW BLISSFUL SECONDS ELI WAS JUST ELI and Ashley was just Ashley. Their conflict dissolved in fits of simple laughter and God, it felt good. Like old times, almost. But, eventually she spoke again, promising not to tell anybody and Eli sobered up. Right, because the people she could tell well, they would love to poke fun at the clumsy loser.
Eli's expression flattened and he pushed wet hair from his face, his stomach clenching as he held his breath. "Yeah, right..." He muttered, licking his lips. "Everybody already thinks I'm a clumsy idiot." He said with a dry laugh, moving his hands under him to scoot up onto his backside. His clothes were truly wet now. "I'm sure I can take it even if you did."
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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 10, 2018 15:09:09 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2018 15:09:09 GMT -7
Laughing with him felt just like old times and Ash smiled down at him. Being with him was easy and simple and Ashley felt lighter and happier than she'd felt in months, like she always felt when she was around him. It didn't last long, however. All too soon, Eli's laughter stopped and he grew serious again. Ashley glanced at his stoic expression for a moment before she turned her face away and started to try and get up. She was starting to realize that nothing was going to change between them, no matter what she tried to do. He was too determined to not let her in and, as much as she wanted to, she couldn't blame him. She was hurting, but that was her fault. She was the one who pushed him away first. Getting onto her knees wasn't too hard, but it was the transition from her knees to her feet that Ash knew wasn't going to be easy. She heard Eli's bitter comments and clenched her teeth. She didn't need to say anything. Getting angry wouldn't help solve anything, she tried to convince herself. However, when the foot she was trying to rise onto slipped and she found herself crashing back onto her knees, she found herself retorting without even meaning to. This happened sometimes, when Ash was focused on one thing, she let her thoughts out. It happened more when she was frustrated, which was definitely the case right now. She was frustrated with her inability to get up and with Eli and the fact that she didn't have a choice but to be here with him right now. "Oh Merlin, just stop it will you?" she growled as she rose to her knees again, focusing on sliding from her right knee to her foot. Why was it so hard to balance in this slippery mess? "Anyone who thinks you're a clumsy idiot obviously doesn't know you well enough to have you care what they think." Her foot was sliding around, but at least she had one foot up now. Ashley started trying to shift her weight to her right foot so she could pull her left foot under her and be standing once more. She wasn't paying attention to anything she said as she focused on her balance, but her mouth ran away with her all the same. Ashley's voice was lower than normal as she focused on what she was doing. "You're fun and kind and ... accepting, and what they think doesn't matter because they don't deserve you." She grinned triumphantly as she finally succeeded and found herself standing, though her knees were bent and she was hunched over in an attempt to keep her balance. The grin slowly faded as she realized what she just said to him and she spun around, meaning to run away so she didn't have to see him or hear him say anything back. Ashley entirely forgot she was still standing on the wet, slippery surface. Unsurprisingly, she slipped instead of running. As she fell to the wet floor again, her elbow slammed into the bucket before she found herself lying on her back. She groaned, rolling over and turning her face so it was hidden in the crook of her right elbow, the one she hadn't hurt when she fell. She didn't know where Eli was, but she certainly didn't want to see him right now. Her stomach was rolling, but Ash was fully aware that it was because of nerves and because of who was with her. She ignored her throbbing elbow and bit her lip to keep herself from whimpering, breathing deeply through her nose to try and calm herself. How was she in this situation, with Eli here of all people? 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 Apr 11, 2024 16:28:40 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 10, 2018 17:58:47 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Aug 10, 2018 17:58:47 GMT -7
ELI WASN'T EXPECTING ASHLEY TO ANSWER AT all, he'd grown accustomed to the newborn silence that had naturally bred between them. But, she did. Slipping and sliding all over the floor he had flooded. His arms twitched as if to reach for her, but she was too busy passionately berating him for his self-deprecation.
"Uh..." Eli's mouth flapped, eyes wide as he simply stared at her. And on she went until she found her feet. Her words opening a fissure in his chest. He pulled his legs up, trying to find traction on the ground so that he wouldn't be sitting dumb when she finally stood. As for what she'd said, he wasn't sure how to reply.
Ashley seemed to realise what she'd said about the same time Eli did. Her rapid attempt to flee making him jump to his feet. It was by miracle alone that he didn't slide, digging his heels in, his arms outstretched for balance. "Ashley- wait!" He tried to call, looking down at his feet as he attempted to figure out how to follow her without dropping. But, before he could do anything at all he heard the nasty thud of Ashley going down. His adam's apple jerked as he practically skated toward her.
"Ashley!" He yelled, concern colouring his words as he managed to get to where she'd slid, not far from where they'd both gone down. He slipped down on to one knee. "Are you okay?!" Turning, he slipped down to sit beside where she lay, pulling one leg up to rub where he'd knocked his kneecap on the hard floor. She was hiding from him, he knew it, but he wasn't going to leave her to it either. "So..." He said, breaking the silence. "You still think I'm funny?" Eli said, snorting lightly as he leaned his chin against the wet knee of his school pants, they were a little torn.
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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 10, 2018 22:37:46 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2018 22:37:46 GMT -7
Before she tried to take off running, Ashley heard the now-Hufflepuff boy call for her to wait. She didn't want to. She didn't want to have to talk to him, to explain what she said and tell him why none of the people who berated him were good enough for him. She didn't want to have to actually admit out loud that she wasn't good enough for him, despite the fact that it was true. So, she tried to run. And fell. As she crashed to the ground, she heard Eli shouting her name, his voice sounding ... concerned? Why would he be concerned for her? Her thoughts were racing until she realized that he would probably be concerned for anyone who fell in front of him, especially since he probably blamed himself for the slippery mess. It had nothing to do with being worried for her, she tried to convince herself. Ashley refused to get her hopes up. They'd already been dashed too many times in the past few minutes and she really didn't want to have to deal with any more disappointment at the moment. She couldn't stand it, which was why she laid there, semi-curled up on the wet floor, her face hidden. Only an instant later, Eli's voice was nearby, asking if she was okay. A part of Ashley wanted to ignore the question, pretend like she hadn't heard it, but she couldn't. She nodded, keeping her face hidden still. "Y-yeah, I'm f-fine," she stammered, realizing only when she spoke that she was shaking. She had no idea why, though she assumed it was either nerves or because she was chilled. "Are you?"What she expected then was to hear Eli stand up and walk away, or slide away if he could manage it. She already knew he didn't want to talk with her or interact with her and since she was alright, what reason did he have to stay? She took deep breaths, forcing her body to relax and her heart-rate to slow down just a bit. Then she heard Eli's voice asking a question, coming from right in front of her. She opened her eyes and turned her head a tiny bit, surprised to see him sitting in front of her, leaning against his knee with the smallest of smiles as he laughed softly. Her eyes widened and the corners of her own lips turned up. "I've always thought you were funny," she answered in a soft voice. "Ever since I ran into you that day when you skipped class and I had a headache." Ashley gave a breathy, soft laugh as she remembered the day she really met Elijah Fleming. She moved to sit up, leaning on her sore elbow and hissed, crossing her legs in front of her quickly and cradling her sore elbow against her. It wasn't broken, she probably just slammed it hard enough that it would ache for a bit. She focused her attention on that instead of looking up to see Eli's face. She didn't want to know what he was thinking right now. Besides, he was probably about to leave any second. 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 Apr 11, 2024 16:28:40 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 14, 2018 16:10:27 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Aug 14, 2018 16:10:27 GMT -7
SITTING AT ASHLEY'S SIDE ELI'S EYES FLITTED across her prone figure. He had been worried about her, looking for injury. What was worse was, if she was hurt it was his fault. They might not be friends, but he didn't wish her harm. He wondered briefly if she thought he'd done this all on purpose.
"I'm good at falling on my ass," He reassured her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He wasn't sure if she'd seen it, but it was there. It was strange, but all Eli wanted was for her to smile and know that he could smile too. If only to prove she was okay. So, he found himself prodding at her, his tone surprisingly light. Given the fact that the last proper conversation they had had, their friendship had ended.
Turning his face away, Eli shifted forward and gently bit a grin in to his covered kneecap. "That was a good day," Eli said, though he felt a noticeable dip in his gut at the same time. It had been a good day, one of his best. "It's sad, though," he murmured, his breath hot against his school pants. "All of that, everything from that day, it's all gone now." The medical wing, those hallways. Maybe even their meadow.
Turning his face, Eli's hands clawed against his calf, his expression unnaturally serious. "Do you think anything will ever be the same again?" His words held a double meaning, though he didn't realise until it was too late. On one hand, would Ilvermorny ever be restored. And on the other, the two of them. Two entities destroyed by one summer.
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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 14, 2018 16:42:12 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2018 16:42:12 GMT -7
Ashley saw his small smile when he told her that he was used to falling down. That wasn't really a surprise, though Ashley didn't consider him clumsy. It was just, she remembered the Eli was normally sporting some sort of cut or bruise when they were friends last year- he even had a few now as well. She assumed he simply got into enough mischief that he ended up falling every now and again. Even though Ash was focused on her own elbow, refusing to really look at Eli, she allowed herself a smile when he admitted that the day they met was a good one. She was incredibly relieved that he still thought about it fondly. She certainly did. The memories of all the things they did together last year was what helped her sleep in the night when she had a hard time because of her guilt. When he said that it was sad, Ashley glanced over at Eli with furrowed eyebrows. He was talking into his knee, not looking over at her, which didn't seem like a good omen. As he continued, her heart shriveled. Everything from that day was gone. His words were yet another reminder that their friendship was over, that he wouldn't forgive her. It was "all" gone. All the lightheartedness and fun and simplicity that she enjoyed around him. She could hardly bear the thought. Ashley's eyes started to flood with water and she turned her head sharply, moving her body just enough that Eli wouldn't be able to see her face. In case she couldn't keep the tears in. She had no intention of crying in front of him again if she could help it. She focused on her breathing, trying to keep it steady instead of letting it catch, which would surely give her away. Ash started to straighten her arm slowly, moaning ever so slightly as the ache returned. It wasn't too bad, but definitely annoying. Then she heard Eli's question and she froze. Why would he ask her this? Her breath caught, but she wouldn't ignore him. "I ... would love for things to go back to the way they were, but I don't even know if that's possible." How could it be possible, after all she did to him? Honestly, Eli was better off without her, no matter how much she hated that. "What do you think?" she breathed, unable to force herself to speak any louder. She blinked furiously to keep the tears from falling. Ashley did not want to cry right now. 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 Apr 11, 2024 16:28:40 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Aug 15, 2018 16:45:19 GMT -7
Post by Elijah Theron Fleming on Aug 15, 2018 16:45:19 GMT -7
SO CONSUMED BY HIS OWN TRIP DOWN MEMORY lane, Eli didn't see the tears fill Ashley's eyes. He was too afraid to look at her, because he didn't just miss Ilvermorny because it had been his school for many years. He missed it more because of the memories it consumed with its destruction. Memories that included Ashley. If it hadn't been destroyed, would they be sitting together? Or, would a return to familiarity brought them together again much sooner? He thought maybe the latter.
By the time Eli turned to look at her, the tears were gone. But, he could tell his words bothered her. Probably for the same reason they bothered him, he figured. Except when she spoke it told a different story. Eli was late in catching on. "No, probably not," He replied dumbly, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "Construction could take years and even then, the ground will never be the same again." This thought had scratched at Eli all summer so it was no surprise he fell back on it again. The grounds had always been Eli's safe haven. Especially the meadow.
However, when Eli finally looked back at Ashley, it was with a startling realisation. "Oh." He said, blinking rapidly. She had meant them, their friendship. And so had he, but he hadn't expected her to comment on it. "No, Ashley- I didn't." Eli dropped his knee and scooted around to sit parallel to where she lay, crossing his legs and almost reaching out to her as she dropped his chin soberly.
"That's... not impossible." He said after a beat, his fingers fiddling with a piece of pumpkin rind on the floor by his feet. "I mean, it can't be, not while we're both around, right?" He snorted, shaking his head. "It's been a long summer, Ashley." And in that single sentence, Eli meant a thousand different things.
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last online Apr 19, 2024 4:37:57 GMT -7
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Aug 15, 2018 17:09:02 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2018 17:09:02 GMT -7
It was all for nothing. All the practice at controlling her emotions, schooling her expressions to keep her thoughts and feelings hidden from others, all of it was destroyed the second she heard him say no. Silent tears started to course down her face and she didn't know how to stop them. She could reach up and wipe them off, but wouldn't that give her away? She was almost sure Eli wasn't looking at her, that he wouldn't notice the tears unless she made it obvious, so she sat there, her back ramrod straight with perfect posture as her hands clenched into fists in her lap. Then he continued, talking about ... construction? The tears didn't stop, but suddenly her attention wasn't arrested by them any longer. He was talking about the school, about Ilvermorny, and even though that was a relief, it also made her ache inside. He hadn't been thinking of them after all. He was worried about their school. Of course he would be worried about that. The only positive thing now was that her tears finally stopped, as quickly as they'd started. That didn't mean the evidence of them was gone though. She lifted her hand that was further away from him, trying to discreetly wipe away her tears, but she only got one side before he looked at her. Crap. He said "Oh" and that he didn't ... who knew what he was trying to say now, but he was moving, scooting to sit right in front of her. She was sure he noticed the tears, but she hurriedly lifted her other hand and wiped them away, not meeting his eyes. She didn't know what he wanted to talk about now, but all she really wanted to do was go to her dorm and cry some more. She wished she could have some ice cream, but she didn't feel like heading towards the kitchens. He said that it wasn't impossible and Ashley finally looked up to meet his eyes. Was he talking about them now? She bit her lip, not wanting to say anything else to give herself away. She'd already revealed so much today. "You really think that?" her voice was so soft Ashley could hardly hear it. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but she already was. She missed his friendship so badly. She nodded when he said it was a long summer, coughing to clear her throat before she spoke again, this time more audibly. "It really was." A summer where she really didn't enjoy any parties her parents took her to, where she spent most of her free time outside running just because it was something that reminded her of him. He wouldn't care to know that though. "I ..." missed you. She couldn't bring herself to say the words and finally pulled her gaze from him, looking at the muck that was covering her. Elijah Theron Fleming
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