Tutoring Session. [Brianna] on Library

Maximilian Joshua McLachlan

April 02, 2013 12:39 PM

Tutoring Session. [Brianna] by Maximilian Joshua McLachlan

In recent times, Josh had been feeling pretty good about things. There was a lot to think about concerning his future, but he still had a year left. His uncles hadn’t really been bothering him much which was a good thing, and he was left to study for his upcoming exams. He had offered to tutor Brianna for her C.A.T.S. exams. Josh had done very well on his with O’s in every subject, as he had expected. He thought maybe a tutoring session would give him a little pocket change, but he didn’t need it and he didn’t think he could handle teaching students he didn’t really care about.

Josh had sent Brianna a message earlier for their regular tutoring session in the library. As an Aladren, Josh loved the library. It was his safe haven and a place where he could relax when the world was getting too tough to deal with. He had come here a lot last term just to sit and read and get his mind off of life. It was also convenient that the entrance to the Aladren common rooms was in the library. It was just another reason why he had been sorted into the perfect house.

Thoughts about the ball had been on Josh’s mind during the Christmas break. He had stayed at school once more, not wanting to see or hear his little cousin whine about not getting enough presents or his aunt-by-marriage lecturing him about appreciating all that he had. Josh knew the only person he wanted to ask was Brianna and, if he was being completely honest, he didn’t really expect her to say no unless she’d already been asked. With how close she and Linus were becoming, he half expected that Linus had already asked her. Despite that, Josh knew he would never know unless he asked.

Sometimes Josh didn’t know if Brianna truly enjoyed spending time with him. Most of the time they ate lunches together or studied together, but it wasn’t like they did anything really fun. What Josh considered fun was not a normally stimulating pastime for others and he realized that. He didn’t want to bring Brianna down. But maybe going to this ball together would be Josh’s chance to prove to her that he could have fun, that he could enjoy those events once in a while. At the very least, he could enjoy those balls and parties if he was with the right person.

It was almost a quarter to four and Josh set his things down on their usual study table. He expected her at any moment now, but in the meantime he set out his books and pulled out the notes he had used to study for his C.A.T.S. the year before. Today it would be good to go over the effects and characteristics of the different spells used in Charms. When Josh saw Brianna walk in, he smiled. He had been smiling at her more lately and opening up a little more. Ever since that incident where he had dumped a lot of his emotional baggage on her, he had considered her an even closer friend than before.

“Good afternoon,” he greeted her when she reached him. "Guess what we're doing today?" He set out his Charms notes in front of her so she could see it. Charms wasn't a bad subject and it was easy enough once all the memorization was done with. He allowed her to settle her things for a moment before springing the question on her. It would be best if he could get this out of the way. That way he wouldn’t have to think about “perfect timing” while they were trying to focus on studying. “Hey Brianna, I don’t know if anyone’s asked you yet, but do you want to go to the ball together? I promise it’ll be more fun than the holiday party we went to last time.” That party had been bad for both of them, but that mess was where their friendship had bloomed.

19 Maximilian Joshua McLachlan Tutoring Session. [Brianna] 184 Maximilian Joshua McLachlan 1 5

Brianna Japos

April 03, 2013 7:49 PM

If only I were an Aladren, I'd like this. by Brianna Japos

Brianna felt better about things since Midterm. It was so strange sometimes for her when she thought about it. She had come into the term truly believing that it would be the worst and she would want to just waste the rest of her life away in the hospital. She thought that people would turn on her and really hurt her the way her classmate, Michael, had. She thought people would make fun of her. With all her secrets spilled out for the whole world to see because of those boys, she thought for sure people would hate her, call her a liar, call her names, or just bully her the way that the boys always had. Instead, she reaffirmed her friendships with Josh, Valerie, and Linus. No one else really seemed to be bothering her one way or another either, so she appreciated that just as much. Really, she felt as though this year was the best one so far. She couldn’t understand how it had flipped around so much for her.

Her main concern after the start of term was falling behind. Being in pain, she often couldn’t focus on what was going on, so she worried that her work would suffer. This was such a big year for her with CATS coming up that Brianna was worried she would completely fail them and never earn the scholarship she needed to get into college. Thankfully, her friends seemed to take pity on her and helped her. Valerie worked with her on the nights were she didn’t feel completely drained or overwhelmed with pain and did their homework together. Linus also helped her with her work and Josh agreed to help her study for the CATS exams.

Although the library seemed so far away to her, Brianna always agreed to meet him there. He seemed more comfortable and since Brianna’s walking was much better (her left side was much weaker than her right, but still far better than back in September), she could manage it just fine. Her only concern was knocking into something accidentally and upsetting the Librarian. Thankfully, that hadn’t happened yet.

Spotting Josh when she walked in, Brianna smiled. If she had a hand free, she would have waved too. Pulling her bag over her head and dropping it to the floor, Brianna looked over what he was showing her and realized today they would be doing charms. “Oh, lucky us.” She commented lightly. Charms was probably her best class, so she really didn’t mind doing it, but studying shouldn’t ever be someone’s favorite thing to do. “Better then potions though.” She teased, smirking at him since she knew that was his favorite subject. He seemed to be doing a lot better lately, so she wasn’t worried anymore about him taking secret potions.

Having sat down and pulled out her charms book and notes, Brianna was ready to get down to business but Josh called for her attention and the reason why surprised her and didn’t surprise her all at the same time. She gave a little laugh, “I knew you’d eventually ask me.” She stated, seeming amused. She didn’t want to think about the last party they had gone too, so instead, she focused on his question. “You are too late, my friend. Linus already asked me.” Brianna informed him, she felt a little embarrassed by that, but also happy because he had genuinely seemed to want to go with her. “You are off the hook this time, but you should save me a dance.” She knew he didn’t dance, or so he claimed, but it would be nice if she was able to spend some time with him. “You should ask someone else though. Is there any girl you may possibly be interested in?”

6 Brianna Japos If only I were an Aladren, I'd like this. 203 Brianna Japos 0 5

Josh McLachlan

April 05, 2013 6:22 PM

Lucky you've got me, then by Josh McLachlan

It was strange how much Josh changed when he was around people he considered his friends. He had never taken lighthearted teasing very well except from Cecilia, but he didn't seem to mind completely when Brianna did it. It wasn't like she did it often or mean it hurtfully, and so Josh took it graciously instead of getting offended as he would have with anyone else. "I have faith you will learn to appreciate a true art in time," he replied airily, a little smile on the corner of his mouth.

It had been weeks, almost months since he had last taken a drop of the Calming Draught. The panic attacks had subsided, but he still wasn't sleeping well. He did, however, honor his friendship with Brianna too much to get hooked on a sleeping potion. Every once in awhile didn't hurt, when his insomnia was especially bad or his nightmares were getting too out of control, but he never wanted it to be his crutch. He didn't want to be physically dependent on anything and he was glad he had a friend to stop him when he needed one most.

Josh should have expected that Brianna already had a date, but nevertheless he was disappointed. There was that little voice in his head that told him to withdraw, that she had other friends that cared for her and didn't need him, but he ignored it as he had learned to ignore those bad thoughts for much of his life. After the moment of disappointment passed, Josh felt glad she was going with someone who would probably genuinely have fun with her. Josh would have enjoyed his time with Brianna, of course, but Linus would probably have fun at the ball as well.

It seemed Brianna was happy by this as well and Josh was glad for that. If nothing else, he was glad to see his friend happy and getting better even in her crippled state. Her comment about saving him a dance made him smirk and he dipped his quill into his ink bottle. "Are you going to hook me into dancing with you instead?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow at her half-seriously. He shook his head in response to her next question. "No. You're the only girl worth asking." Josh was being nothing but honest. There wasn't anyone else Josh knew well enough to ask to something like a ball. Or anywhere.

But it was fine. Since it was mandatory, he would wander around a bit, stick close to the refreshments, and duck out early and maybe work on testing his experimental potions while his roommates were gone. He would most likely be bored out of his mind, but he would find something to do to entertain himself. Like people watch.

0 Josh McLachlan Lucky you've got me, then 0 Josh McLachlan 0 5

Brianna

April 06, 2013 9:22 PM

That is a true statement. by Brianna

Brianna’s smiled widened when he joked with her. Last year, she never would have thought they would have been so at ease with one another. In all honesty, she didn’t think it had really come about until Josh had let everything that had built up inside him for so long out in a wall of words to her that day after she had worked in the water. Brianna had come to realize this past year that she was not the only one suffering. She had ignored everyone else’s pain and allowed her own to fester.

She had avoided Valerie when she had been sick and probably feeling so alone and ignored Josh’s hidden pain because she was too consumed in her own. She had been a terrible friend back then. She didn’t want to be one now. “Well, if I pass my CATS exams, you’ll have another year to teach me the ways of appreciation.” She commented lightly. Brianna planned on continuing with all of her core classes after CATS so long as she passed with an E or higher.

Brianna snickered at his comment. “Of course.” She replied with ease. “I went with Linus at the first ball so I know how he dances. I want to see if you can dance. I like dancing, it’s fun. Besides, I know that if I trip over myself, you’ll catch me. Plus, you did just say you’ll make up for the awful costume party we went to last year. Which means, dancing. Even if it’s only one dance.” Brianna explained. It all seemed so logical in her head. Surely, he wouldn’t turn her down for just one dance.

“Oh, that’s not true!” Brianna said with all seriousness. She appreciated his comment, really she did, but it was Josh and she believed that he would always say that instead of opening up to someone else. Had Josh asked before Linus, she would have said yes because Josh was the person she depended upon the most at Sonora. She knew this. He probably knew it too. And, as a result, they had this weird co-dependent relationship with one another. This was something she was trying to break from. Not entirely break away because Josh was special to her, but be less dependent upon him. Although, she wasn’t really sure if she was breaking from Josh only to become dependent upon Valerie and Linus. She was still trying to work it all out.

“There are a lot of pretty girls in our school.” Brianna told him, thinking over the list of available girls he might be able to stand. She immediately crossed out the fifth year Aladrens from the list. Nora was betrothed, Sally was strange, and Kitty would probably get on Josh’s nerves. For Teppenpaw, Reggie was out as rumor had it she and Derry were dating now, but the others seemed okay, although she thought there was something between Hope and Josh’s roommate, so she’d cross her off. Crotalus was a no. Alice was part of the Carey group along with Fae, Valerie was betrothed, and Brianna was going to keep Josh as far away from Attoria as she could. “Oh! I know! Josephine Owen. She’s cute and intelligent. As far as I know, she isn’t seeing anyone.”

She thought Josephine would be a good choice. Of course, Josephine might have made a packed with her friend, Addison, for the two of them to go together, so that wouldn’t work… Another idea popped into her head and with excitement, Brianna grabbed his arm, “Oooooh, Mellie! I like her. She’s really nice and sweet! Take her to the ball!” She really wanted Josh to have fun at the ball and not feel alone. Mellie was a good pick for someone he could spend the evening with.

0 Brianna That is a true statement. 0 Brianna 0 5

Josh

April 07, 2013 6:01 PM

I'm nothing but honest. by Josh

The thought of dancing made Josh a little uncomfortable, but he didn't show it. "Don't remind me of that," he said, referring to their experience at the costume party however long ago that was. It just brought up bad memories, but compared to that, Josh was in a much better place now mentally even if he wasn't currently in the easiest situation. It helped now that he actually had a friend that wasn't in danger of being harassed by his relatives. "As for dancing, don't let your expectations get ahead of you. I haven't danced in years." The last ball he had gone to had been with Cecilia in third-year at the New Zealand Academy. It had been fun, but it was because of Cecilia, not because of the ball itself. Cecilia had always seemed to find ways to brighten his days.

"However," he continued, "if I must, I will dance with you. If Linus won't get too jealous, that is." He ignored the part about catching her when she fell. That just came without saying.

With Josh's comment came Brianna's attempt to pair him up with a potential date to the ball. Josh's mind was already set on going on his own. There was no way he was going to make a fool of himself asking a girl he hardly knew. There were plenty of pretty girls, certainly, but that didn't matter as much as their level of intelligence. However, above that was the girl's ability to tolerate someone like him, a handsome young man who thought more than he spoke and was a wallflower at all social occasions. Good luck to him finding any girl who could handle that.

It showed that Brianna understood Josh's "type" when she included that Josephine Owen was not only cute, but intelligent as well. However, it still didn't change his decision. She added Mellie and Josh only raised an eyebrow. He had seen Mellie and Michael together often, but since Michael was dating another girl they were most likely not going to attend the ball together. "It's alright, Brianna," he said, looking a little amused at her attempts. "I'll be okay going on my own. It's not like I haven't done that before."

That was only a little lie. He had never gone to a ball by himself, but he had gone to mandatory school events on his own. This would just be like any other. He would linger around here and there, dance once with Brianna, and duck out early. Perfect plan. "There's always lots of drama that goes on at balls like these," he said, though he usually prided himself on being above all that petty drama especially when it came to relationships. "It'll be fun to watch." It was a weak excuse, but an excuse at that. In all honesty, he didn't think any witch would be willing to go with him with the reputation he had gained here and with the infamous reputation his relatives had. And he had been honest; he didn't want to take any other girls.

0 Josh I'm nothing but honest. 0 Josh 0 5

Brianna

April 11, 2013 8:16 PM

Sometimes brutally so. by Brianna

“You mentioned it first.” Brianna commented lightly, her eyes on her charms work as she said it. That night had been a difficult one for her. She had felt so ashamed of who she was or rather, had been. She was getting better about herself, but she was well aware of how difficult this process would be for her. Her friends were helping her with that. But that night was the first true night at Sonora where she felt so unwanted and ugly. That feeling had continued on into the summer when the attack happened. It wasn’t a good memory for her to have, but she had many of those, so it fit right in.

Brianna gave him a slow smile as thoughts ran through her head. She knew he hadn’t meant anything by his comment, but it was perhaps that he had forgotten her current predicament. “Well, really, the one worrying about expectations should be you, Josh.” She said, trying to keep it sounding light. “I’ve never danced with two bum legs before, so who knows how it’ll be.” She shouldn’t have said that, she knew it, but that bitter part of her brain always enjoyed making her look stupid and weak in front of others. She needed to be sure she didn’t say something similar around Linus to make him regret asking her to the ball to begin with.

“Anyway, I don’t see why Linus would get jealous. We’re just friends.” She meant that towards her and Linus, but realized it could also be said for her and Josh as well. She knew that she would never be anything more than that for anyone. After all, why would someone want an ugly cripple like her?

“Don’t give me that look.” Brianna said, making a face at him. “That’s no fun, Josh.” Brianna stated with a shake of her head. “You really should branch out a bit and make some friends before you graduate. People aren’t so terrible here.” Well, she was making a broad statement since she didn’t really know anyone other than a small selection, but she hadn’t heard anything negative one way or another about people. Besides, Josh came from a powerful family, she didn’t doubt the fact that he was likely to fit in with others of his status and wealth, but a part of her was selfish in hoping he wouldn’t go down that route. She didn’t think their friendship would last if he became like the others.

“You could always take Valerie.” Brianna suggested. “She’s already betrothed, so it’s not like anything will come out of it. We can all go together. I want her to have fun too; she always misses out on things because she’s sick.” That would be a nice little solution. The four of them going together. Josh was a gentleman, so he’d be polite to her friend. Even if it were to be awkward, Brianna was sure they would warm up to one another. Of course, getting them to agree to it was a whole other story.

0 Brianna Sometimes brutally so. 0 Brianna 0 5

Josh

April 12, 2013 5:16 PM

I could potentially work on my tact. by Josh

The little reminder of Brianna's condition didn't faze Josh. He was used to her reminding him of her problems and he had heard most if not all of her problems. And it wasn't like he had any expectations when it came to dancing in general. "Don't plan on putting your feet on top of mine," he warned jokingly. "If anything, I'll levitate you and twirl you around. That way you'll be off your feet and hopefully it won't hurt too terribly." He raised an eyebrow. "Then you'd just have to worry about me leading."

Josh didn't have any inkling of Linus having feelings for Brianna, but he could see that he was protective of her. Being protective was one thing, but Brianna would also be Linus's date to the dance. He could see potential problems, but if Josh acted enough like a gentleman he didn't think Linus could say anything to stop him from dancing once with Brianna. He didn't want to cause trouble, but it would still be safe to play it by ear.

It was inevitable Brianna was going to push her point till she got her point across. Josh listened patiently as she spoke. He could believe people here weren't so awful, but he had so many bad experiences under his belt that was usually his fault or his family's fault that he was tentative in exploring or making new relationships. The reason why he had been so looked down upon at his old school was because the purebloods at the Academy were afraid of his family name. And if they weren't afraid of him, they looked down upon him for his family's infamous ways for gaining their fortune and power.

There was no danger in him becoming friends with other rich and powerful purebloods. If they were rich and powerful enough, they knew of the blood-thirsty, greedy McLachlans with enough dark magic under their belt it was ridiculous. He didn't know if Brianna knew the extent of it, how he had grown up in a cold and silent household, how his adolescent years was filled with fears for his non-pureblood friends and quick-witted comments to save his own skin. It was too much to share with anyone in Josh's opinion, but at least he was learning to let go. Going steady in this close friendship first with Cecilia and now with Brianna was what Josh needed.

It was a difficult concept for Josh to grasp that balls could potentially lead to a date or something. Did people usually expect relationships to come out of these sorts of events? Apparently so, which just solidified Josh's resolve to go alone. "Going alone for me will be fun enough. That way I don't have to worry about entertaining anyone but myself."

He had been honest. There really wasn't anyone else to take. "I'll be sure to ask you for that dance." And he would. If nothing else, he was true to his promises. "Now let's get on with this tutoring. You want to do well on your C.A.T.S., don't you?" That was his way to end the conversation and get on with this. He didn't think the others in this library would appreciate their non-academic chatter. He spread out his notes, hoping that would convince Brianna to drop the subject.

0 Josh I could potentially work on my tact. 0 Josh 0 5