I've got bigger fish to fry. on Library

Maximilian J. McLachlan

May 26, 2013 5:39 PM

I've got bigger fish to fry. by Maximilian J. McLachlan

It was unusual for Josh to be doing anything but studying or reading in the library, but today he was doing something not so academic. He was creating an alias. If he was going to fully escape his family's clutches, there was no way he was going to be able to keep the name Maximilian Joshua McLachlan. Just Josh was out of the question since Inigo had been the first to call him that. A couple of his family member knew that he went by Joshua anyway.

He had created a list of the most generic and popular names of the time with him. It was just finding one he wouldn't mind being called by and thinking up a surname that was as far from Scottish as possible and still believable.

Josh hadn't worked on his potion experiments in months. He hadn't dared to touch any of his own during his time at Aunt Rhian's and he had no time to do it here. He had more important things to think about and his RATS to prepare for. He needed to do well if he was going to be able to get a real Potions credential. Although if he changed his name and his identity, his test scores wouldn't matter. His fist clenched. This was getting more complicated than he wanted it to be, but he had to be patient with himself. He would think this through.

The list of names weren't exciting, but Josh, who signed his documents and his essays with "Maximilian J. McLachlan" wanted something short. The point was to keep it as generic as possible. The list of names included James, John, Peter, Chris, Tom, Rob, and Nick all crossed out. He didn't like those for himself, but he knew he would have to choose something. He couldn't keep crossing them off if his plan was to work properly.

Money wouldn’t be a problem. If he took the money his parents had left him in his father’s will, he wouldn’t be stealing, technically and there was no way his relatives could hunt him down for it. It would be suspicious once Allister heard that Josh’s supposedly untouched account was completely empty, but it would take a little while for anyone to notice. It would also be tricky to get back to Scotland to drain his funds without meeting any of his relatives on the streets, but he believed he could do it with a little magic. And with the money he could open up his own apothecary in some remote area where no McLachlans lived. That meant Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand were definitely out.

There was so much to plan and it was starting to get wearing. Josh ran his hand through his brown hair and took a deep breath. His facial features had gotten harder the past summer with all he had experienced, though he hadn’t really noticed. What he did notice, however, was the stubble that had formed around his lower face and his rubbed it, an idea coming to mind. He scribbled it down before looking up and noticing the amount of people that were suddenly in the library. He folded up the parchment he had out with names and his scribbled plans before placing it in his inner robe pocket. The atlas he had taken from the library shelf was closed and he stood up to put it away. It wouldn’t do for anyone to ask him questions, though he didn’t think anyone would notice anyway. Disappearing after graduation would be easy. No one would miss him and it was all part of life anyway. If Brianna did, he knew it would fade with time. People came and went. He just had to keep reminding himself it was better this way. He didn’t want to endanger anyone or put them in harm’s way.

Once things had been hurriedly put away, he sat back down at his table and opened up a Potions book to begin his theoretical essays. Now didn’t feel like the time to review his schoolwork and he was confident his RATS would go just as well as his CATS, but there was never any way to be sure except to do as much work as he could possibly do to prepare himself. If he could count being under Aunt Rhian as being an apprentice, then he was set to be an apothecary. At least as long as he didn’t mention her name.

0 Maximilian J. McLachlan I've got bigger fish to fry. 0 Maximilian J. McLachlan 1 5

Brianna Japos

May 27, 2013 12:13 AM

How's that working out for you? by Brianna Japos

Brianna had half wondered if Josh was avoiding her. She knew that he was probably going to try to distance himself from her because he was graduating this year and she was not, but she didn’t want that to happen. He had been her first real friend while at Sonora. Someone that she had trusted and relied on through the worst moments of her life. Her parents trusted him without ever having met him because he had taken such good care of her during the year. He wasn’t a person that she just wanted to let go of because he was no longer attending the same school as her.

He hadn’t answered any of her letters, which made her think two things. Either he wasn’t getting her letters or he didn’t care. Josh wasn’t someone who said a lot, but he had always acknowledged her when she needed it. If it was the former, she had to wonder who was getting her letters because the owl was coming back without it still attached. In which case, she had to think whether or not there had been anything remotely embarrassing in them. But, she didn’t think there had been. Really, just about the verdict, her hospital stay, her positive physical therapy sessions, and the girls who had ganged up on her. They maybe were slightly personal, but these were things she would have told anyone, although probably in less detail. If it was the latter option… Brianna wanted to know what it was exactly that happened for him to close himself off to her so suddenly.

She knew where she could find him. They had spent the better part of their free time there last year when he was helping her with her CATS. She had spent a lot of time with him last year, due to his willingness to help her, both academically and with her physical therapy. Maybe he had just burnt himself out with her and thus needed the summer completely away. She couldn’t blame him. Brianna was aware she was complicated and probably very annoying. If she didn’t have to be her, she wouldn’t spend time with herself either.

Making her way to the library, much more smoothly now that she only needed one crutch, Brianna wandered around a bit until she found Josh looking over his books. He looked like he had at the beginning of last year. Older, yes, but maybe too old for a seventeen year old. She was worried that he was burying things again. “Hey.” She greeted when she made it to his table. “Already studying for your RATS or just looking like you are so that you don’t have to be social?” She asked him, seeming to believe that was a legit thing to ask.

“I wrote to you over summer.” She told him quietly. “Did you not get any of them or just didn’t want to answer any of them?” She couldn’t help but feel a little hurt by the fact that she hadn’t received anything from him over the summer. It would have been nice to have heard from her friend. Especially since she knew how much pressure his uncle was putting on him.

6 Brianna Japos How's that working out for you? 203 Brianna Japos 0 5

Josh McLachlan

May 27, 2013 6:57 PM

Big fish fry slowly. by Josh McLachlan

Josh looked up from his work when Brianna greeted him. He recognized her voice and he was pleased to see her using only one crutch. It was a big improvement from the year before and he was proud of her for doing so well with her therapy. It could take longer for her to heal emotionally, but at least she was doing better. “A little of both. You look much better.” He gave her a short but genuine smile. “Sit down,” he replied as he moved a chair back for her in his seated position. He wanted to ask about her CATS results, but he didn’t get the chance to when she told him she had written him.

When Uncle Inigo had sent him the package of letters, Josh knew they had been opened already. It had been kind of Inigo to send them anyway, though it was all at the end of the summer. But it had been smart. If Inigo had sent Brianna’s letters to Josh one by one, Aunt Rhian would have gotten suspicious of something. At least Inigo knew Josh better and was just a little more sympathetic. He had, after all, donated at least three thousand Galleons to Brianna’s family.

Brianna’s letters had made Josh a little angry that he couldn’t do anything and also a little regretful that he hadn’t received them earlier. He leaned forward again and nodded. “Yeah, I got them, but at the end of the summer. I live in Pennsyvlania now and my uncle sent them to me all packaged together.” Josh didn’t want to tell her they had been opened already. “I’m sorry I didn’t write back. By the time I got them I was going to be at Sonora in a couple of days.” That and the only time he had to read them had been on the wagon over. “I didn’t find out I was moving till I was in Australia and my uncle told me. Did your summer improve at all?”

Josh wanted her to talk more about her summer. He knew Brianna was going through a hard time and Josh didn’t want her or anyone else to know of his aunt. There had been so much to think about when he had learned he was moving to the States that he hadn’t thought to tell Brianna. And overall it was a good thing he hadn’t. He would never want anyone to send him letters at Rhian’s house.

0 Josh McLachlan Big fish fry slowly. 0 Josh McLachlan 0 5

Brianna

May 28, 2013 9:30 PM

I'll keep that in mind for my cook book. by Brianna

Brianna gave a smile as she took the offered seat. “Oh yeah? You should have seen me a couple of weeks ago. Not so pretty.” She said, as truthful as it was since that was round the time she had received the beating from the gang of girls that had set her mother off to finally step up for her, she did not have any tone in her voice. It was nothing more than a statement. Brianna knew that there was no point in harboring such anger towards a group of girls that would never understand anyway. Her mother and father had taken care of her during the aftermath of it, so there were no additional scars and the bruises had healed within a couple of days.

When Josh admitted that he had moved during the summer, Brianna felt hurt that he hadn’t even thought about telling her. He knew that she wrote to him, why would he be inconsiderate like that? She waited all summer for some sort of response for him and the entire time he was somewhere else? Brianna didn’t like to think sour thoughts about the people she cared about, but she really felt that Josh was a selfish person. Brianna was flawed, she was aware and selfish at times, but she was genuinely trying to be there for her friends. She couldn’t do that though, if they weren’t letting her. “Why didn’t you write me to tell me you moved?” She asked him. Wasn’t that what friends did? “Then I wouldn’t have felt like an idiot all summer expecting a reply that never came.”

She knew it was a whiny response to everything, but she really was hurt. She was alone in NY in a place where she had been a victim on several occasions. She couldn’t even take the stairs without having a panic attack. Support, even by owl letters, would have made her feel less scared and anxious. The person she had felt closest to had been the one who hadn’t responded at all. It was like being punched in the gut by someone she trusted.

Brianna was still very young in a lot of ways. She did not know how to handle disappointment well and because of this, she tended to lash out. If she wasn’t lashing out, she was hiding. Years of abuse kept her from understanding how to react properly in certain situations. She was not a very socialized creature and it tended to show when she felt the most vulnerable. This was also true when she was trying to tell someone how she felt and it always ended with her mucking it up. This was a main reason why she was terrified of starting a relationship with Linus. She was bound to ruin it completely.

“To answer your question, no, it didn’t.” She told him flatly. “The best part of the summer was my mother threatening the parents of the building. But, she didn’t want me leaving the apartment after what happened, so, I was stuck in my room for the last couple of weeks except for physical therapy.” It had been a boring end to her summer, but she supposed that was better than having a run-in with those girls again.

“So, how come you had to move to Pennsylvania?” Brianna asked him while she pulled her books out to begin another year of studying and essay writing.

6 Brianna I'll keep that in mind for my cook book. 0 Brianna 0 5

Josh McLachlan

May 29, 2013 12:40 AM

You have a cook book? by Josh McLachlan

It was hard for Josh to hear that his friend was getting hurt at home, but he didn't let it show. Brianna didn't seem bitter in her comment, but Josh felt it for her. There were times that his emotions released in fits of uncontrolled magic even at his expertise, but he wasn't nearly as emotional to let that happen now. He merely nodded, not knowing what else to say.

Josh had friends once before Brianna, but the only one who had ever written him had been Cecilia. After a time, she became the only one who really cared for him as a friend, but Josh had never truly known how to reciprocate that. He could write fantastic essays and potion write-ups, but he was terrible at writing personal letters. It was obvious Brianna was hurt that he hadn't let her know and Josh could understand that. "I'm sorry," he said, his clear gray eyes meeting hers. "There was a lot going on and it slipped my mind. I would have let you know if I had had the time to." It was the truth and Josh just had to put it out there for Brianna to believe it or not.

Josh was never really good at coddling people or being tactful with the truth, but he tried his best to be there for his friends. Friends meant the world to him and he wanted to give them everything. Even if that meant disappearing despite his feelings about it. He hadn't done a very good job this summer, but he wanted to try as much as possible before disappearing again.

Brianna flatly told him the rest of her summer had been awful and Josh didn't know what to say. I'm sorry? How terrible? What a pity? Josh didn't know what to say, but he put a hand on Brianna's forearm, hoping that conveyed to her his condolences. By now she had to know that physical touch didn't come easy to Josh, but when he did touch her outside of her therapy, it was with more meaning than he could articulate.

He withdrew his hand as she began pulling out her books and looked down at his parchment. Here was the question he had to think about carefully to answer. "My uncle, the one in Scotland who's been sending me...well, remember the letter I told you about last year? He sent me to my aunt's house in Pennsylvania to train as an apothecary. The kind of apothecary they want me to be. It was a hard summer." A hard summer in more ways than one, but Josh wouldn't elaborate on that. "I swear I would have written to you if I could have." He would have endured a hundred jinxes just to receive Brianna's letters, but he knew for her sake and for his that it was best it hadn't gotten to him then. But he didn't think she would understand why without him having to tell her things he did not want to get into.

Wanting to get off the topic, he looked over at her. "How did you do on your CATS?" Josh guessed in most of their serious conversations, either one of them broke down or he tried to change the subject. It didn't seem to work most of the time with her, but it was good enough to try. Now he wanted to savor every moment of his seventh year beginning with his closest friend.

0 Josh McLachlan You have a cook book? 0 Josh McLachlan 0 5

Brianna

June 02, 2013 1:59 PM

It's on my To Do List. by Brianna

Brianna knew that Josh found his response to be a decent enough reason to have not written her, but it only made her feel like she was not important to him for even a second thought. She knew that Josh didn’t really like people, but he had been pretty reliable for her during the school year. Brianna just didn’t realize that outside of school, she wasn’t even a thought for him to have. It was upsetting beyond the point of her being able to comprehend at this moment. Perhaps she had put deeper meaning into their friendship than she should have?

She didn’t say any of this though. She didn’t want to start an argument or hear any sort of excuse from Josh. Maybe his summer had been super busy, Brianna didn’t know because he had never bothered to tell her. She was really trying not to be bitter about everything, but everyone was making that so hard for her to do. If she wasn’t so desperate to get into college, she might have dropped out of school altogether and just run off somewhere remote where she never had to deal with another person again. But, that was not in her future at the moment. School first, scholarship next, college third, and then the world.

His hand surprised her as he was never one for physical contact. She stared at it wishing to pull her arm away because she was angry and wanted him to feel rejected as she did, but she didn’t. Brianna wasn’t cold enough to do that. She just waited until he was finished before moving on to other things. Deep down, she knew that contact had been difficult for him as it would have been for her and had she not been so upset with everything, she might have been able to truly appreciate the gesture.

She listened as he explained how his summer went. He didn’t seem as though he had a good time being with his aunt. Brianna hadn’t even been aware he had family in the states. She thought they were only in Europe and Australia. He must have really hated his aunt to never mention her before. She felt a little guilty for being so angry with him over the letters, but not enough for it to fade. Even a busy person could find a moment to scribble out a simple letter letting his friend know he was okay. “Is that where they want you to be permanently?” Brianna asked. His family must have known how much he enjoyed potions to have him working with his aunt doing that all summer. “Any plans on how you’re getting out?” She had meant what she told him last year, she’d help him through it as best as she could.

“I did pretty okay, I think.” Brianna told him. “I received mostly Os on Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense. I got an E on Transfiguration, but only an A on Potions.” Brianna admitted to him. “Sorry, I know that ‘s your favorite subject. I’m great at the theory, but actually working the potions I always seem to miss some step somewhere. But, so long as Professor Fawcett allows, I’m going to keep taking it.”

6 Brianna It's on my To Do List. 0 Brianna 0 5

Josh McLachlan

June 05, 2013 9:14 PM

Along with "Improve on Potions?" by Josh McLachlan

The thought of staying permanently with Aunt Rhian made Josh’s skin crawl. He didn’t even want to entertain the thought. “Hell, I hope not. When I turn eighteen I’m high-tailing out of there.” He said it with a frightening intensity. He hadn’t meant to make his feelings about his stay there known, but he felt comfortable enough with Brianna. He just didn’t want to tell her other things about his aunt and Josh didn’t want to think about it right now.

Brianna asked about his plans to get out and Josh hesitated. He fought with himself, wondering if he should tell her bits of it so she didn’t get mad at him or if he should make up lies. It was true that he hadn’t thought it completely through yet and so didn’t want her to jump to conclusions that he hadn’t even made. They did have a tendency to argue about Josh’s behavior towards things, but in his mind he was right. What he was leaning towards right now was the right idea and he couldn’t risk anyone getting hurt in the process. But, he thought, it wouldn’t hurt telling her at least a little bit of it just to see her reaction.

He let her talk about her CATS scores first and he nodded. Three Os, one E, and one A. In Potions. Josh knew that Potions wasn’t everyone’s strength, but he had been the one to tutor her. Maybe this was a sign he wasn’t meant to be a professor. “It’s not a subject for everyone,” he said with a shrug. “You can always just buy your potions at my shop.” Though his mouth didn’t turn up, his facial expression let her know he was just teasing her. Sometimes it was difficult to tell when he was teasing and when he wasn’t, but he and Brianna were good enough friends now to understand each other. “Good job on your three O’s.” He didn’t know if O’s were difficult to get for other people, but in Brianna’s physical and mental condition he was sure taking exams had been the last on her mind.

It came time to give her an answer and Josh had formulated what he wanted to say. “Well, I’ve got a few,” he said without making eye-contact. “One of them is to stay in school for as long as possible. I could make my way to university and then graduate school and then to an apprenticeship and continue my education till I’m in my thirties and no one believes that I am actually capable of opening a shop. I was also thinking of opening a shop in secret, but I don’t think that would really last.

"I could work as a mere theorist and write down all my theories and experiments in solitude till I die, but I would probably die of poverty first.” The teasing look was back on his face, but it faded quickly. “I also thought of changing my name and identity and disappearing. And if all else fails, I’ll just run away and stay on the run like a true rebellious teenager.” He finally looked at her. “What do you think I should do?”

0 Josh McLachlan Along with "Improve on Potions?" 0 Josh McLachlan 0 5

Brianna

June 08, 2013 6:08 PM

...yes, that is on there too. by Brianna

So, by his reaction, Brianna could only guess that his Aunt was just as evil as the rest of the family. She hadn’t wanted to make assumptions based on her choice of work being as it was simply the fact that his aunt might have been forced into it. But she trusted his judgment and if he wanted to get out of there as fast as possible, it must have been a very terrible situation for him. “That bad?” She asked, half believing he wouldn’t tell her anything or would sugarcoat the answer for her as he probably did for most things in his life.

She let s grin slip across her lips with his comment regarding her Potions score. She could have done better. She knew this. It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried her best to do well in Potions, but last year had been a stressful time for her and as much as she had hoped to get O’s and E’s on everything, she knew something would have to slip. Unfortunately, it happened to be Josh’s favorite subject. It wasn’t so surprising for her due to it being her worst subject, but she felt that an A was fair. “Thank you. They are my easiest lessons, so I suppose if I hadn’t done as well in them, I’d have been upset.” Brianna commented. She had studied really hard last year to manage to take the CATS after falling behind in her studies last summer. This year, she was ahead again having read through all of the chapters in her books over the summer. She had a lot of time to fill being as she didn’t have any friends back home.

Brianna pondered his thoughts for a moment. The first one she could see maybe working through college and graduate school, but she didn’t think it would last much beyond that. “Well, before I give my thoughts on this, I have to say that I’ve lived in poverty my whole life and managed to make it at least 16 years. I’m sure you’d survive just fine.” She said, looking at him just as teasingly. “But, that one still sounded a little boring and as much as I know you love your solitude, you still need to have some human contact.” Brianna told him. He might feel otherwise, but after summers full of them, she knew he would eventually crave it.

“You could probably get a few years out of going to school, but eventually, your family will demand that you work for them. I don’t think you’ll get to thirty before that happens.” She said to him. “I thought about running away many times. Many many many times. After this next summer, who knows what will happen.” Brianna stated. When she entered into her 7th year, her parents were planning on leaving the Condominium. They would have nothing to keep them there. Her Aunt had said they could stay with her until they found some place, but by then, Brianna will be gone. “School first though. Disappearing from your family may work, although they seem to have a lot of connections, so it would have to be a really good disguise for you.”

Brianna pulled her hair out of her face, it had fallen over when she had looked down at the book in front of her. “Anyway, I don’t what I can do, but I’ll try to help you, just so long as you promise not to disappear from my life too.”

6 Brianna ...yes, that is on there too. 0 Brianna 0 5

Josh

June 24, 2013 9:41 PM

Don't worry. I've got my own list. by Josh

If Josh's reaction at the thought of living with his aunt forever didn't convince Brianna that it had really been "that bad," he wasn't sure what else would. "Yes, that bad," he said. "She is the epitome of McLachlan witches and wizards." He wasn't sure how a person became so cruel unless they were completely abandoned or forsaken by their parents. He could imagine that happening since his aunt had been the only girl with three brothers. Maybe she held some deep grudges and had been bred to be just as cruel as her eldest brother and Josh's eldest uncle. He feared for his aunt's children though they had already grown and moved out.

Brianna's responses to his thoughts weren't completely ridiculous and he found himself nodding. Maybe she could contribute something to his escape plans since, at the moment, all he had decided on currently was his disguise. Or at least part of it. Her last comment, however, made him hesitate slightly. He had planned on cutting her away just as he was planning on cutting everyone else. It was for reasons that he was sure she wouldn't understand. How else could he disappear completely while still holding onto old friends? His relatives, once they noticed he was gone, would not hesitate before swooping down on her.

Unless he could make them think he was dead.

Another bright idea filled his head as he stared at Brianna without really seeing her for a moment. "You're brilliant," he said, suddenly excited. He ripped a piece of parchment from the stack he had in his bag and scribbled down his idea on it. "Of course I wouldn't cut you out." He looked up at her, his grey eyes completely sincere. "You and your friendship does mean a lot to me. I know I didn't prove it this summer, but it really does." He flashed her one of his rare smiles before scribbling down some more.

Once he was finished, he waved the scrap of parchment so the ink could dry before he put it into his pocket. "What do you think if I could convince my family I had died somehow? If my trail could run completely cold once I'm free from the Trace, they wouldn't bother looking for me. I've got a lot of potential alive, but they would have no reason to find my body if they think I'm dead." He paused. "Although it would have to be good enough to convince the McLachlan History book." He frowned.

Josh didn't want to make this conversation just about him, but he didn't know if he wanted to ask Brianna about Linus. From the last he heard, they had simply gone to the ball as friends. At least, that's what he had assumed. Things might have changed. Josh was no fool. He had seen how Linus had looked at his friend and how he had come to help Brianna out of the blue. He wasn't sure he liked Linus, but Josh really didn't like anyone. "Did you...did you have a good time at the ball?" he asked, clearing his throat a bit. He hated asking about these things, but things happened at these events that he wasn't sure if Brianna wanted to talk about or not.

0 Josh Don't worry. I've got my own list. 0 Josh 0 5

Brianna

July 06, 2013 9:45 PM

Somehow, that's not surprising. by Brianna

Brianna knew that everyone probably saw her as a victim and felt sorry for her. What a rough life she must have lived. To live without money or status, to have parents who could not protect her, etcetera, etcetera, but the truth was, Brianna felt that people like Josh had it far worse. He didn’t have parents because his family murdered them. The family that took him in abused him and used him to their advantage. At least Brianna knew her parents loved her and if something were to happen, her Aunt would have taken her in and cared for her as best she could. No matter how terrible others were to her, she still had her family. Josh didn’t even have that. Brianna’s way out was possible and likely, Josh’s would be dangerous.

Although they were having a conversation, Brianna had become used to talking with him while she studied. She supposed that meant she was bettering her multitasking ability. She hadn’t realized he was staring in her general direction until he called her brilliant. Looking up, Brianna found him looking at her but his attention quickly turned to that of a piece of parchment. She had no idea what she had said that had caused a reaction. She had been merely stated her opinion of some of his ideas. Brianna could only assume something triggered his reaction and he had thought of something else.

She wasn’t sure if she could trust his words, not because of his lack of commitment to their friendship, but because Josh had a different way of thinking. She wanted to believe him when he said that she’d still be a part of his life, but Josh was like Brianna, they drifted away from people when it became too uncomfortable. She smiled at him though because she knew he was trying and that mattered.

Brianna gave it some thought. Faking a death was probably relatively easy if one thought about it, but the book was ancient magic and as she didn’t know that sort of magic. “There are certain poisons that could slow your heart to the point of it not registering, but I’m not sure if that would be enough to convince the book. Or, even if your heart does stop, if it starts up again, the book might not be tricked.” Brianna commented. “It might be best to figure out the sort of magic that compels the book before you can really think about tricking it. Then you can work your way around the sort of best ‘death’ to fake.” She suggested.

The conversation turned to her and Brianna gave a frown. “It was alright. A little difficult to maneuver on the dance floor considering, but it hadn’t been terrible.” She stated. She thought about asking him what to do about Linus, but she wasn’t sure if that was something he cared to hear. Then again, he was asking about the ball and that was what started it. “I feel a little guilty. I think I might have hurt Linus’s feelings. He wanted us to date, but… I wasn’t really ready for that. He told me to take the summer to think about it, so, we’ll see how things are once he actually talks with me.”

6 Brianna Somehow, that's not surprising. 0 Brianna 0 5

Josh

July 12, 2013 1:27 AM

I doubt anything about me surprises you by now by Josh

Brianna's suggestions were brilliant and Josh found he was glad that he had included her in his planning. He had thought of the book and of how to trick it. It was tricky business and he would have to do intense studying on family traditions and ancient magic. He wondered if it had anything to do with wands, but he disregarded that. If anything it would have to do with the magic in a person. If a person lost that magic, perhaps the book would consider them dead to the McLachlan race. However there was no feasible way or reason why Josh would give up his magic even for a little while.

"Yeah, I'll have to think about it. It's not perfect." There was so much to think about concerning this and Josh had his work cut out for him. Through simple time management and discipline he was sure he would be able to find a way. He always did, though this was so much bigger than situations he had escaped from previously. He had read so much, but he didn't know if all he had read was going to be enough when it came down to carrying out his plan. "Thank you for your suggestions. They're helpful."

The stilted conversation that Josh had started about the ball made Brianna frown and he wondered if he shouldn't have asked. He was glad she didn't have a terrible time. Josh had only lasted there for an hour before retiring to his dorm room. He was an introvert to the very core. She mentioned Linus, then, and Josh wasn't sure if he wanted to hear this. But, considering, her talking about boys with him meant she trusted him and his opinion. Having her trust made him waver in his decision to completely cut everyone from Sonora off. His plans for the future weren't solid yet so there was still a chance to let her in. And, if there was completely no way of getting Cecilia in trouble, then maybe he would get up the courage to get in contact with her too. But, as much as he cared for Brianna and Cecilia, he would not let his feelings concerning them get them into trouble with his relatives.

This was about Brianna and Josh didn't know how to respond to Brianna's confession. "If he feels strongly for you, his feelings shouldn't change too much. You didn't slap him, did you?" He couldn't imagine Brianna slapping anyone much less a friend, but she could have done it out of reflex or if Linus had been getting too close. Josh didn't like the thought of letting Brianna have a friend closer to her than he, but he tried to let his selfishness go. If he was going to leave, he ought to leave her in good hands. "Do you...do you think you're ready now? To date?" He felt awkward asking, but it was an important question. He didn't want Brianna to feel pressured to do something she thought she should just because she felt guilty.

0 Josh I doubt anything about me surprises you by now 0 Josh 0 5