Talk about First Day Back... [Tag!: Laurie!] on Crotalus Commons

Renaye Warren

April 18, 2008 6:36 PM

Talk about First Day Back... [Tag!: Laurie!] by Renaye Warren

Renaye followed Laurie up the stairs to the dorm, feeling guilty for 1) leaving Josh alone with Alexis and 2) not telling him everything in the first place. Who cares if Alexis heard? Okay, so Renaye did a little, but she valued Josh so much more. Raye was grateful that Laurie was there though. Honestly, what would she do without this girl? As they entered the dorm, Renaye flopped onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow and letting out a muffled scream. Cecily was so infuriating! Renaye could deal with fighting with her, but now Josh was being dragged into this! Yes, Renaye got that he could choose his own friends... But it was Cecily! Josh knew how much she despised the girl and her ignorance of her own bitter remarks. She was accusing Renaye of being responsible for all the evil-doing, while she was the one bringing everything up! Renaye wasn't one to just sit there and take it.

Renaye lifted her blonde head of hair from her pillow and looked over at her friend.

"I think," she began, forgetting the pictures for a moment, "I'm being selfish. I don't want Josh being friends with Cecily. I'd be mad that he would be friends with someone who talks so much crap about me all the time! I'm his twin sister! I just thought he'd be sticking up for me rather than befriending her..." She trailed off, proping herself on her elbows. Renaye knew that Josh would never talk about her like Cecily did and that he would stick up for her. But the fact was that he was considering her friendship, which made Renaye wonder where he stood.

"Do you think he wants to be friends with her? I tried not to talk too much about her over the summer becuase I didn't want to say anything in case he had had fun at the ball with her." Renaye let out a long sigh, the conversation in Cascade coming back to her.

"So, after you guys left--" Renaye cut off. "Oh my God! I am selfish! Laurie, is everything okay with... everything? Josh is better at the comforting thing than me, so I figured I'd let him handle it. You seem good now, but I just want to make sure it's not an act," she finished her statement with a not-so-seriously accusing look. "I'm not saying anything about what went on before I'm sure you're okay, so you better make me convinced. I just want to make sure my best friend is okay." Renaye sat up on the edge of the bed and folded her arms and legs, holding a casual tone and a smile the whole time, but making sure that Laurie knew that Renaye was serious.

0 Renaye Warren Talk about First Day Back... [Tag!: Laurie!] 0 Renaye Warren 1 5

Laurie Cider

April 18, 2008 8:21 PM

Girls dorm re-visited. Fun! by Laurie Cider

She couldn’t help the guilty feeling that hit her the moment Renaye began speaking. Hadn’t Laurie been the one to encourage Josh to try and make friends with Cecily? Wasn’t it Laurie who had pushed Renaye and Cecily together in the first place? And all in her attempts at playing the ‘good guy’ as Heidi had put it. She mirrored Renaye in sprawling out over her bed, her arm stretching upwards, reaching toward the canopy overhead and grabbing at nothing but air. Renaye should never have been forced into a situation where she couldn't feel free to act as she liked; and it was Laurie's fault that such a situation occurred. She let her arm fall back to rest over her eyes, hiding her troubled gaze.

“I don’t think you need to worry about Josh on this,” she said after a moment, her voice sounding a little weary. This day was turning into an emotional roller coaster. Was this what people were always talking about when bemoaning their teenage years? “He’s only being polite to Cecily for appearances. I think you have me to blame for that, really. I’m the one always pushing you guys to be friendly with her, and for no good reason. You guys have nothing in common; and Cecily just can’t seem to help herself. Every other word out from her mouth is some kind of insult on you, and that’s my fault.”

She removed her arm and twisted over, letting her brown eyes find her best friend’s gaze. “Don’t even bother with her anymore, okay? It’s not worth you getting all worked up. Loads of better things for us to put our energy to, right?”

She couldn’t help the grin that tugged on her lips as her friend rambled on, plainly concerned. It made her feel better- and worse. She was beyond lucky to have two such good friends on her side; she needed to make sure she returned the sentiments in full, and that would take some pluck. Some of her normal good cheer, and probably, considering the constant bad feeling Cecily kept causing for Renaye, some amount of courage to stand up and prevent that from happening.

“Thanks.” She pushed herself up, propping herself up with her arms and stretching out her legs in front of her. “But I’m okay now; I’m. . .better,” she offered with a crooked smile. “A friend of mine, after you guys left, spent the night with me, and we started talking, and some of the things she said just really got to me. And it didn’t really hit me until Alexis said something about Josh that I completely misinterpreted.” She sighed. “I just got overwhelmed all at once and had myself a good cry- got it out of my system now, though.”

Laurie leaned forward and pulled in her legs to sit more comfortably. She grabbed one of her pillows, recently changed into sweet smelling bed linens, and threw it at Renaye. “Tag. Your turn. So what happened after I ran off? Was it just Cecily, or was it Alexis, too? And-” she hurried on, the stray thought forcing the tangent. “Is it just me or is Alexis a little. . .well, fake feeling? She hasn’t been anything but polite, but something just seems off about her.”

0 Laurie Cider Girls dorm re-visited. Fun! 0 Laurie Cider 0 5

Renaye

April 19, 2008 10:21 AM

Re: Girls dorm re-visited. Fun! by Renaye

Hearing Laurie's words was comforting, but guilt sticken at the same time. Laurie said not to worry about Josh, and Renaye believed her. She trusted her brother to do learn from what he had heard and even seen go on between the two girls. Renaye almost laughed in disbelief when Laurie said it was her fault about Cecily. Laurie was a good witch, but she can't master an Imperius. That would be the only way she was responsible for anything.

"Come again?" she said, her expression confused. "I swear I just heard you saying something about this being your fault... No, no, you must have said something else, because I know you're not insane. I mean, the only possible way that would make sense is if you had an attitude controlling machine or mastered the Imperius, and we both know you haven't done either." Renaye nodded, as if deciding the issue to herself.

“Don’t even bother with her anymore, okay? It’s not worth you getting all worked up. Loads of better things for us to put our energy to, right?” Renaye grinned brightly. That was the best bit of advice she had heard all day. Laurie was right. Raye trusted Josh and she could easily ignore Cecily when she was around. Renaye nodded in response. She took a moment to retrieve her black Magpies blanket and returned to her bed, wrapping it around her as she sat Indian-style, facing Laurie.

Renaye listened as Laurie explained what had been going on with her before. “A friend of mine, after you guys left, spent the night with me, and we started talking, and some of the things she said just really got to me. And it didn’t really hit me until Alexis said something about Josh that I completely misinterpreted. I just got overwhelmed all at once and had myself a good cry- got it out of my system now, though.”

"Okay, I'm glad you're better," she said, just before a pillow came flying at her. Renaye let out a yelp of surprise and caught it. “Tag. Your turn. So what happened after I ran off? Was it just Cecily, or was it Alexis, too? And is it just me or is Alexis a little. . .well, fake feeling? She hasn’t been anything but polite, but something just seems off about her.”

"Alexis didn't really say anything the whole time in Cascade and I wasn't down stairs for very long," Renaye began, "But I remember how she was last year. I didn't get the vibe that she liked you or me much so if she's being all friendly now... I dunno. I think 'fake' sounds like a good word," she said. Renaye stood and joined Laurie on her bed.

"Okay, so Cascade:" Renaye began, "It started right after you guys left. Cecily turned to me and said 'What did you say to Josh. We were great and now he's ingnoring me,' which is ridiculous because that was when he was going after you, which she, of course, made it about her. I said he wasn't ignoring her and that he was just worried about you and that I hadn't said anything. And then I asked if she really wanted to be friends with him because Josh and I are a two-for-one deal. And she goes on about how she "understands" Josh and telling me why Josh is more likable person than I am, which I can understand, and how he's easy to talk to. He doesn't talk! He talks to me, Irene, and you. Period. But anyway, then she follows with how I'm argumentative and blocked out from everyone else's point of view. I'm rude, too forward, and she would rather talk to other people. Okay, so why isn't she? She could have left it at 'Josh is nicer to me and I like him more than you.' So now I'm ticked and she goes on with, “More to the point, I’m not going to stop talking to Joshua just because you don’t like me. Yes you’re twins, but you’re not the same person. Quite obviously.”" Renaye rolled her eyes.

"Did you hear that? Joshua. As in, with a U-A! Sign number 52 why that friendship would never work... And she obviously doesn't know him anyway, because Josh and I agree on everything! We just have different ways in doing it! And she's talking like she's expecting Josh to be begging for her friendship! She's just so self-centered and... I don't like her." Renaye let out a lon steady breath. "And then, almost done, I swear. Then I say 'There are plenty of other people I can talk to without having to deal with all of this. Josh and I aren't the same person, but I know my brother better than you ever could. We're best friends, so if he likes the way I am, and I don't like you, what makes you think he will? Talk to him all you want; I just doubt he's going to want to continue talking to you." And I stood up and left."

Renaye blew her bangs out of her face. "I get the feeling she doesn't like me."

0 Renaye Re: Girls dorm re-visited. Fun! 0 Renaye 0 5

Laurie

April 19, 2008 4:22 PM

WotW: Girl talk time, still fun! by Laurie

Laurie cocked her head and smothered a grin behind her hand; it wouldn't do for her to start laughing in the middle of Renaye's rant. It was both comforting and warming to sit like this with her friend, listening as the words rolled out in a mixed frenzy of indignation and frustration. Plainly, Cecily's choice of a welcoming speech had very bad results. Laurie honestly couldn't blame Renaye for being so annoyed by it. It took all kinds of arrogance to be so presumptuous- trying to tell Renaye about her best friend and twin brother; it was ridiculous.

"I get the feeling she doesn't like me."

“You think?” She replied, the laughter in her voice almost disguising the sarcasm. “Somehow, I’m feeling the sentiment’s mutual,” she winked. Absently, she began braiding and unbraiding her hair, an idea nibbling at the back of her brain. A somewhat intriguing idea. . .

"You know. . ." A brief moment of insight hit her, and she tapped a finger on her chin wonderingly. "Could it be that Cecily maybe. . .likes Josh? And maybe she just feels really threatened by how close you two are. I don't think she has the greatest relationship with her siblings, so she might not understand that kind of closeness."

She clutched her pillow to her chest, her seeming revelation taking on greater interest the more she thought about it. "I mean, she was the one to suggest Josh take her to the dance last year. And, it might be a case where she can't even help it! Josh is almost too nice for his own good sometimes; a girl could really mistake that for a crush, couldn't she?"

It didn't occur to Laurie that her attempts to rationalize her other friend's behavior was merely part of a built-in defense mechanism. It was easier to explain away a bad personality trait than to simply admit it to being what it was. That Cecily was, perhaps inadvertently, apathetically cold in the way that she presented herself, and that this wasn't something Laurie could ever possibly even dream of being able to fix- it was far easier for her to drum up some unsubstantiated excuse for the girl.

Her hands fell into a common gesture for her: the right hand’s index and middle finger extended, the rest of the fingers curled into a fist, the left hand’s palm opened for the other to rest in. It was a gesture that said, for her, Excited! Energized! and a whole litany of other synonyms. “I don’t think that her treatment of you is going to really endear her to Josh, though.”

“Unless. . .” This thought sapped some of that energy from her. She considered the end of last year; Cecily had come in looking so pretty at the dance, and Josh had been just as easy going about taking Cecily as his date. Could it be that maybe Cecily’s one-sided love wasn’t quite so one-sided? “Renaye,” she looked her best friend directly in the eyes, “you think it’s possible that Josh might have a crush as well?”

0 Laurie WotW: Girl talk time, still fun! 0 Laurie 0 5

Renaye

April 19, 2008 5:24 PM

Can't think of a time when it's not by Renaye

"You know. . Could it be that Cecily maybe. . .likes Josh? And maybe she just feels really threatened by how close you two are. I don't think she has the greatest relationship with her siblings, so she might not understand that kind of closeness." Renaye's mouth dropped. No... Josh was a nice kid, but... No... That would be... No... Renaye couldn't get her head around the idea. It seemed so foreign! But when she thought about it, it wasn't. Laurie was right; Cecily had asked Josh to the ball last year, and Josh was always nice to people, unless he had a really good reason not to. Renaye hardly noticed that her mouth was still open in stunned silence.

“Renaye, you think it’s possible that Josh might have a crush as well?” Renaye's green eyes widened at this mention, giving her quite a rediculous look on her face. Renaye closed her mouth and blinked. She knew for a fact that Josh didn't like Cecily. The proof was sitting in front of her. And also in Josh's pocket. Unless he had already given Laurie the necklace. He had told Renaye that he had "just spotted it" and thought he'd buy it. Pshh... She knew better. Josh had probably been searching for something for her. But Cecily liking Josh? She wasn't sure about that, but Renaye knew that Josh didn't like her.

"No," she said. "Josh doesn't like Cecily. I'm one-hundred and ten percent sure." Renaye nodded as if she was giving the statement her stamp of assurance. "I don't think Cecily would like Josh... But I don't know. He's my brother, I don't know if he's a likable guy in that way. But if she does like him, then that's too bad. She should think about her actions and what consequences they might have! If she's mean to me, then I'm going to tell Josh. Which means Josh might get mad. So either she doesn't like him, or she just doesn't think..."

Renaye tried to picture Josh and Cecily actually together, as in holding-hands-in-the-hallway together. She couldn't see it. Cecily was so... typically pureblood while Josh was so down-to-earth, funny (when he talks), loyal, and motivated. Josh was too good for her and the problem was, Cecily wouldn't even think of it in that way. She would probably toss him around like a rag doll, not even considering what he might think, because he would be lucky to just be with her, even though it would be the other way around. There was no way. It couldn't happen. Especially when Laurie was right here! The problem wasn't getting Josh to realize it, he already had. The trouble was getting Laurie to see it. Renaye had already decided that she wasn't going to tell Laurie. Not straight out at least...

Renaye reached into her pocket and pulled out her MVP pin, trying to make her not-so-smooth segway seem a little more so.

"Josh told you about the game, right?" she said, holding up the pin. "Did he give you the necklace he got?"

0 Renaye Can't think of a time when it's not 0 Renaye 0 5

Laurie

April 19, 2008 7:51 PM

I now have the Emo song stuck in my head. by Laurie

“He’s my brother, I don’t know if he’s a likable guy in that way. . .”

Laurie’s lips opened to respond and then just as quickly closed. She knew what Renaye meant, but at the same time, she didn’t. She had never had a crush; perhaps it was mostly due to growing up with mainly girls for friends. She knew that there were some boys who she felt a little differently around. Her heart might beat just a smidge faster than normal, or she might suddenly become overly aware of how close his shoulder was to hers. And then there were the scents. . .a catalogue of smells that changed ever so slightly whenever that particular he might come by. But she hadn’t put that kind of consideration when thinking of her friends now who were also boys. And there were a few of them. . .

There was Zane who struck her as serious but earnest- he was too easy of a target for Muggle jokes she had learned recently, he took every thing at face value; Raoul who was sweet, almost overly sugary; and then Talen, who was so formal and introspective that she couldn’t help but feel just a little more. . .girlish when he was around. He brought out her motherly side, her desire to take care of and be concerned over. But that wasn’t what Renaye meant, was it? Besides, Renaye was talking about Josh being ‘a likable guy in that way.’

Her brown eyes softened without her realization. It would be remarkably easy for Cecily to think of Josh in that way. He was kind, thoughtful- often comforting in being quiet. He was always on hand to offer help or advice. He was athletic and energetic; game for a good bit of fun, or just a few minutes of mute companionship.

Unbidden, she cheeks began to warm. A snapshot of last year, when Josh had helped her learn to dance came to the forefront of her mind, when she had stood barefoot in the Gardens’ grass, with his hands guiding her along. He was. . .that was the first time she had really taken a good look at his eyes. They were so blue, much like Renaye’s but not- there was the same glint, despite the color difference. Josh was, though. . .his eyes were special, a special kind of different- and so, how could Cecily not think like that?

How could any girl not think like that?

“So either she doesn't like him, or she just doesn't think..."

Laurie shook her head purposely, disguising the motion with a slight stretch of her arms and shoulders. “I’m voting on the latter,” she admitted in a slightly distracted tone. “I’ve had a theory about Cecily for a while. I think the reason why she befriended me was because I’m not much of a threat.” She rushed on before Renaye could try to say otherwise. “I’m not terribly talented; I don’t have any kind of pureblood pedigree like either of you guys. No famous parents, no stunning looks- I’m just,” she smiled with a slight shrug, “me. So there’s nothing for her to feel defensive about.”

She gave a pointed look at her friend, her eyes playfully reproachful. “Now you on the other hand are completely up front with your opinions. You just stand out, whether it’s when you’re flying or at the beach or just in the class. People notice you, Renaye, and so maybe when you’re around, Cecily realizes that there’s a little less limelight on her.”

She shrugged again. “Or something like that. It could just be that she thinks of me as a puppy or something that needs careful training and I'm mistaking it for friendship.”

“Josh told you about the game, right? Did he give you the necklace he got?”

Laurie pulled the chain free from underneath her t-shirt, the tiny silver snitch coming to rest an inch below the hollow of her throat. “Yep,” she stated happily, still very much pleased by the thoughtful gift. “See, this is why I keep you guys around. I get cool things. “ She finally tied off her dirty blond hair from the braid she’d been messing with for the past couple of minutes. “Seriously though, thanks for thinking of me. You guys really are the best- and how cool is it that I’m best friends with Michigan’s most famous twin Quidditch MVP’s? I am so,” she dragged out the ‘o’ until the word turned into four syllables, “proud of you guys. And excited. Once you and Josh (and Zane) make the team, I’ll have to find new seat buddies for the games, and then make sure they won’t mind the excessive cheering.”

0 Laurie I now have the Emo song stuck in my head. 0 Laurie 0 5

Renaye

April 19, 2008 9:24 PM

I don't jump around when I go to shows. I must be emo. by Renaye

Over the summer, Renaye's main focus had been on tanning her winter-paled skin and enjoying everything. The tanning part was accomplished within a week at Laurie's. She had the rest of the summer to accomplish goal number two. Summer came to its last month, also the month that Josh and she began the tournament. Renaye had been expecting a repeat of last year's team, same friends, same annoying girls who didn't want their hair messed, and same third or fourth place. She didn't expect to see all the new faces, especially the new Keeper. Joe Rodney. Recently moved from Virginia. She wouldn't call it a summer romance. Just being flirty friends. Renaye was prefectly fine with that. It was a fun way to end the summer. But Joe was one of the few boys she had ever really liked. She normally dismissed most of them as obnoxious or just plain weird, but Joe was an awesome mix of cool. He was a friend, that she might have to consider come summer. But summer was a long ways away... Renaye knew what she would want if she ever had a serious crush on someone, but that was something that usually differed for everyone, right? So Renaye had no idea what Cecily would like in a guy. For all she knew, Josh might be a knight in shining armor to her... It was weird, thinking of Josh in a outsider's state-of-mind. Very weird.

“I’ve had a theory about Cecily for a while. I think the reason why she befriended me was because I’m not much of a threat. I’m not terribly talented; I don’t have any kind of pureblood pedigree like either of you guys. No famous parents, no stunning looks- I’m just me. So there’s nothing for her to feel defensive about.”

Renaye smiled lightly. "Hey Laurie? Remind me to buy you some self-esteem." Renaye left it at that. She was sure that Laurie knew that Renaye thought she was the coolest person at this school. It went without speaking, or so she hoped. It was then that Laurie continued with a list of what Renaye was. She made a face at her friend, though considering what she said. Renaye knew she was a loud girl, so people did end up looking for the source of that loud voice in the room, but it wasn't because she was a shining beacon or anything. But maybe Cecily mistook it for that? Or maybe they were over-analyzing. Either way, it was making Renaye feel very much better.

“Or something like that. It could just be that she thinks of me as a puppy or something that needs careful training and I'm mistaking it for friendship.” Renaye laughed, suddenly getting a picture of Cecily, leading Laurie around on a leash.

"Aww Laurie, you poor not-pureblood baby... You should be thanking her for training you up right and for giving you a great mentor to look up to!" Renaye said sarcastically, patting her friend on the head.

When Renaye inquired about the necklace, Laurie retrieved it from beneath the neckline of her shirt. “Yep. See, this is why I keep you guys around. I get cool things." Renaye laughed.

"And you know that we're just using you for your Dad's cooking and your house in Florida," she retaliated, still laughing.

“Seriously though, thanks for thinking of me. You guys really are the best-"

"I would say 'don't worry about it', but I didn't do anything," she said with a grin, "I spent my summer cash on food, flip-flops, and t-shirts at Universal."

"And how cool is it that I’m best friends with Michigan’s most famous twin Quidditch MVP’s? I am so proud of you guys. And excited. Once you and Josh (and Zane) make the team, I’ll have to find new seat buddies for the games, and then make sure they won’t mind the excessive cheering.”

"Don't get too ahead of yourself. There's seven spots and I doubt they're going to put three second years in there. Josh and I will be lucky to get both beater positions. So I might be keeping you company!" she said, "But, if we do make the team, my cousin Irene will be happy to sit with you. She will most likely be on the Pecari team, so unless Crotalus is playing Pecari, she'll be your cheering partner!"

0 Renaye I don't jump around when I go to shows. I must be emo. 0 Renaye 0 5

Anabel McIntosh

April 21, 2008 8:32 PM

Curiosity Awards the Nosy by Anabel McIntosh

The summer had been an amazing one, filled with one trip after another, visiting relatives, attending weddings, touring continents and penning letters to friends. In fact, she had been so busy whirling from one location to another, she had had little time to herself. The only fault she could truly find was one which caused her constant grief. Frowning, Anabel studied the dark spattering of freckles which line the bridge of her nose and cheeks, leaning further into the mirror to see the damage the sun had caused. It seemed that no amount of elixirs would rid her of the burdensome freckles. Sighing, Anabel leaned back from the mirror, biting her lips and pinching her cheeks to give them the slightest tinge of color. She still looked a bit dingy from travel, but it would have to do if she planned to eat.

Having spent the second half of her summer touring Europe with her parents, Anabel had only just managed to return to the United States in time to depart for Sonora, having only a mere hour between her travels. Upon arriving at the school, she had darted immediately to the Crotalus commons, forgoing the feast for a bit, in order to run to her dormitory to do a bit of freshening up.

Having washed her face and run a brush through her hair, Anabel finally decided it was time to head to the feast. She took one last glance at the mirror, pleased with her tanned complexion, compliments of the weeks spent on the Mediterranean, but still unhappy with the freckles that marred her skin, before moving to the door. It was then that she caught the sound of muted voices coming through the door. "...Was it just Cecily, or was it Alexis, too? And- is it just me or is Alexis a little. . .well, fake feeling?"

Anabel's brows raised in curiosity as she pressed her ear against the door. She had always known that Laurie and Renaye were spiteful, but she had never quite realized that were the type to talk badly about others. A smirk began to make its way across Anabel's features as she continued to listen to the pair gossip about their roommates, and her friends.

Reaching into her pocket, Anabel removed her wand, casting a spell she had learned from her cousin Trey. Soon the voices in the other room became clearer and Anabel found herself plotting against the pair. So, Renaye couldn't stand the fact that Cecily had befriended Josh. Having always disliked the freak, Anabel found herself coming up with ways to only further annoy the pair. Laurie, who tried to pretend she was so naive and nice, was in fact just as much of a snake as Renaye. It was beautiful. Laurie and Renaye pretended to be the nice girls, the victims of cruelty from Anabel, Cecily and Alexis. Oh the glory of it all.

Anabel forgot about the feast and dinner and concentrated only on the conversation that she was overhearing. Some might call her nosy. In fact, some might even believe that she should have outed herself at that first moment she had overheard them but she wasn't about to miss out on this perfect moment. She now had the Felix Felicis.

Finally, when the conversation seemed to turn to Quidditch, Anabel found it high time to announce herself. Ending the spell, she replaced her wand in the pocket of her robes, pushed her hair behind her ear and opened the door just as Renaye finished speaking. Offering each girl a brilliant grin, she moved from the entrance of the bathroom and into the center of the room. "Ah, my two favorite roommates. Did you each have a wonderful summer? I did."

0 Anabel McIntosh Curiosity Awards the Nosy 120 Anabel McIntosh 0 5

Laurie

April 21, 2008 10:53 PM

I tell my friends I bleed black and cry during classes by Laurie

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself. There’s seven spots and I doubt they’re going to put three second years in there. Josh and I will be lucky to get both beater positions. So I might be keeping you company!”

Laurie rolled her eyes good-naturedly. She had no doubts in regards to her friends’ abilities. At the very least, the twins would be auxiliary players. “Do you know, that’s how Cecily and I became sort of friends last year? At the first Crotalus Quidditch match; hard to believe, right?”

And then, as Renaye was volunteering her cousin to join Laurie’s stadium watching, she twisted around on the bed, leaned over and dug into her trunk, straightening back up once she had the album in her hands. The album’s cover was a very pleasant periwinkle blue, and she had decorated it with a variety of stickers and glitter glue that spelled out:

f I R S T S U M M E R

She opened to the first page, which was done up in a beach motif, with palm trees and sunglasses. There was a picture of herself and her oldest brother who was shown hamming it up, flexing his muscles. Another of Josh and Renaye getting attacked by a particularly mischievous wave, and third of her and Josh, both grinning cheekily.

The next few pages of the album followed similar themes. There were photos from when they went tubing, from their first few days at the amusement parks; photos- and these were of the wizarding kind- of the three of them in her dad’s kitchen, stealing food from behind his back, and dodging tastes of not quite perfected recipes. She handed the book over to Renaye, gesturing to the back of the album as well where there was a little pocket that zipped. “So I’ve done about eight pages on this; if you look in that pocket there, you’ll find all the pictures I took. Tell me if there are any you want, I’ll ask my dad to make duplicates of the muggle ones, and I,” she grinned, “will use my new found talents to make any doubles of the wizarding ones.”

She bent backwards, over the edge of her bed, again and this time came back up with a camera that, to the average muggle, resembled a camera from the early 20th century. “Ta-da! With this camera at my side, I just think I might get a place on the newspaper.” She ducked her head, feeling a little shy about it. “I’m going to try out for the paper, and if I make it, I’m so going to write a story about you guys.”

“Ah, my two favorite roommates. Did you each have a wonderful summer? I did.”

Laurie almost closed the album by reflex and had to purposely force herself to keep it open. Somehow she knew that Anabel would have no scruples about criticizing the book, the photos, and the people appearing in them- mostly herself and the twins. As much as Laurie had conflicting feelings regarding her friendship with Cecily, Laurie had no issues whatsoever with defining her relationship with Anabel.

There was none.

She cleared her brown eyes of any irritation and attempted to answer politely to the plainly sarcastic greeting. ‘Two favorite roommates’ her foot. “Hi to you, too, Anabel. And yes,” she added with a slightly strained smile, “we each had a fantastic summer.”

She wanted to brag about Renaye’s Quidditch accomplishments, but held back. She didn’t want to give their roommate any unnecessary ammunition in what was plainly a cold war armistice in their dorm room. She also didn’t feel the need to return Anabel’s inquiry; she was sure the girl probably had done all sorts of rich, overly entitled Pureblood things, and there was no way Laurie was going to encourage descriptions that were sure to be delivered with excess derision.

0 Laurie I tell my friends I bleed black and cry during classes 0 Laurie 0 5

Renaye

April 25, 2008 12:28 PM

I'm just a bad, cheap immitation of goth by Renaye

“Do you know, that’s how Cecily and I became sort of friends last year? At the first Crotalus Quidditch match; hard to believe, right?” Renaye's eyebrows met as she comprehended this unlikely meeting place.

"Hmm..." She said, looking confused for a moment before her face broke out in a grin. "Yeah, I remember that one. Josh just about died watching Irene be on her house team and he wasn't allowed to play..." Renaye looked down to her criss-crossed legs. "He has to go pro. There isn't anything else he would want to do. I mean, "Most Likely to work in Government?" Yeah, politics has 'Josh' written all over it," she said sarcastically. "Josh is smart, but doesn't politics involve some amount of... I dunno, speaking? I can't see him in a heated debate." Renaye looked up to see Laurie holding a scrapbook. Renaye's previously blank expression brightened and she scooted closer to her friend, hoping to get a better look. Laurie flipped through the pages, showing pictures of the three of them, grinning broadly and being carefree during the summer's sunny memories. Raye looked through the pictures in the pocket Laurie had pointed out, taking time to relive the memory of each picture. Pictures from throughout the summer came up as she flipped through. However, Laurie's words snapped her out of her reminisce.

"The newspaper?!" Renaye exclaimed, her face brightening at this news. Laurie lifted her camera from under her bed and Renaye saw how well the image clicked. "That's so... you! Laurie Cider, reporter extraordinaire," Renaye said. When Laurie mentioned writing a story about the twins, Raye's jaw dropped. That was so sweet. Renaye was so grateful to have a friend like Laurie. She was so considerate and nice to everyone. She was vibrant in her own way and was a great mix of everything someone should be. And she was her best friend.

"A story on us?" she said slowly. She returned her gaze to the pictures in her lap, flipping slowly through them, looking for the right one... There. Renaye pulled out a picture of the three of them, Laurie's oldest brother behind the lens. The three of them were at Laurie's pool, arms around each others' shoulders, Laurie in the middle, sitting on the edge of the pool side.

"There's your picture for that."

“Ah, my two favorite roommates. Did you each have a wonderful summer? I did.” Renaye wanted to let out a sigh at the sarcastic appearance, but kept it to herself, not letting the emotion show on her face. She didn't want to talk to any of the other girls right now... She just wanted to talk to Laurie, the only girl in this dorm who actually cared about being her friend. Laurie's replied, stating Renaye's thoughts out loud. Renaye grinned and nodded, slipping the pictures back into the pocket, closing the album, and setting it under her knee. She remembered the outcome of the yearbook awards. Worst Enemies. Renaye knew that wasn't true anymore. She could deal with Anabel if she could deal with her.

"Agreed," Renaye said. "This was the best summer I have ever had."

Renaye had the urge to leave, take a trip to the gardens, or go somewhere she didn't have to listen to the Pureblood girls go on about the "oh-so-boring" balls they had attended and the this-and-that, all said in a tone that suggested that there was no way that Renaye or Laurie could have had a better summer, as if they were not worthy of their world. Renaye wanted to show off her accomplishments, show them that she had a reason to be passionate about her sport because she was good at it! They may hate it, but Renaye and Josh (more so Josh) succeeded at something that was more wide-spread in the wizarding world than any party they may have attended. But bragging may be taking it too far, and stooping too low. Leaving would mean rejoining Josh downstairs, who she suddenly had the need to be near. Leaving would also mean rejoining Alexis, who she wasn't sure about yet. Laurie had her suspicions, but Raye would let Alexis prove it to her. She would support Laurie though, no question. If leaving would give Anabel some sort of satisfaction. Yeah... not likely. Renaye was staying put until Laurie suggested they do otherwise, which she would gladly oblidge.

OOC: Sorry for the delay!

0 Renaye I'm just a bad, cheap immitation of goth 0 Renaye 0 5

Anabel

April 29, 2008 8:16 PM

And I'm a Princess...Contessa, Really [WotW] by Anabel

It had been decided a long time ago that while Anabel, Laurie and Renaye were roommates, they would never be friends. They were too different. Anabel was a pure-blood of the first rate. She was rich. She had beautiful clothes and went on amazing trips and had friends just like her. She hated sports and, really, anything that caused her to act anything but absolutely ladylike. She had been voted the class princess last year, after all. Although, she was almost positive that award should have been given to Holly.

Renaye and Laurie were of a different sort. They cared about different things than she did. They talked about things that she just didn't understand and they, especially Renaye, participated in that horrible sport Quidditch. It wasn't that they were eccentric in their ways, they just seemed more tomboyish than anything, at least in Anabel's mind. She had nothing in common with them. Nothing to talk about. While some might find that entertaining, Anabel found little comfort in the abnormal. In fact, she wasn't quite sure she liked anything that was truly different than she was. Laurie and Renaye were like her cousin Lizzy, and Anabel and Lizzy did not get along at all.

Upon hearing their responses, Anabel's shifted her weight, taking a step further into the room. "Good. That's good to hear. I had a great summer too. I spent most of it traveling through Europe with my parents. Although I'm sure you don't want to hear about it." Running a hand over her hair, she smoothed it out, pushing a stray piece behind her ear, a diamond stud twinkling. Her parents had finally relented, allowing her to get her ears pierced over the summer. It was a simple pleasure, but it had made Anabel feel all the more mature.

Ignoring the uncomfortable air in the room- it was obvious that the other two girls wanted her to leave- Anabel continued on. "Have y'all seen Cecily or Alexis? I couldn't help but hear y'all talking about them and I haven't seen them yet. I have a lot to talk to them about." At this her grin only widened causing the dimples in her cheeks to become pronounced. She had a feeling this year would be much better than her first.

OOC: Sorry about the delay. Had to work and been having trouble getting over a cold. \r\n\r\n

0 Anabel And I'm a Princess...Contessa, Really [WotW] 0 Anabel 0 5

Laurie

May 03, 2008 4:32 PM

I'm dark, and sensitive with low self-esteem by Laurie

Laurie couldn't help the surprise that fell over her features. Anabel was speaking and it wasn't coming across rude or arrogant or smug; the words simply sounded polite and matter-of-course. It was off-putting, just like that morning's interaction with Alexis. While she wasn't rearing to go and makes friends with Anabel just yet, it did serve to remind Laurie that she was just as susceptible to prejudice as anyone else. Just because her dislikes were pointed toward a group of people who happened to have a nasty tendency to think anyone who had Muggle in their immediate bloodlines was less than human. . .

She shook her head; she was perfectly fine not liking that sort of thing. Perfectly fine.

"Sounds like you had a great time," she responded politely, although she did nothing to contradict Anabel's supposition. Ordinarily, Laurie would have loved to hear about someone's travels. She had grown up in Florida, had never traveled beyond North Carolina until coming to Sonora, and her world was very much contained within that. She knew her geography from classrooms and the Discovery Channel; but to her, those countries were little more than imprinted postcards and colored shapes. If it was anyone else, she might have replied with an inquiry, if only just to have something to expand upon.

But this was Anabel and there was only so much sneering Laurie could tolerate before starting to believe it was deserved.

"Have y'all seen Cecily or Alexis? I couldn't help but hear y'all talking about them and I haven't seen them yet. I have a lot to talk to them about."

She turned her head sharply, wincing slightly from the unintentional pain. "Alexis should be down in the common room and last I saw Cecily, she was in Cascade Hall."

She pushed off from her bed, the comfortable feeling from before all but dissipated. "Raye, I'm going to unpack, but afterwards you want to grab Josh and go elsewhere? After being cooped up all day, it'd be nice to stretch the legs a bit."

She flashed Renaye a smile that she hoped explained her sudden want to escape. It wasn't just because of Anabel and predictable conflicted emotions that the girl summoned; it was also from their entire House. There were times when Laurie wished that her nature had been more in line with the temperate Teppenpaws or the excitable Pecaris. She knew that it was unfair to type-caste the houses, but there were certain traits that were carried in a large portion of her House that she completely hated.

And being in Crotalus after a summer of uncomplicated fun was stifling.

0 Laurie I'm dark, and sensitive with low self-esteem 0 Laurie 0 5

Raye

May 04, 2008 11:33 AM

The way I dress makes everyday feel like Halloween by Raye

Most of these conversations seemed to be getting boring quickly. She felt like the same questions were asked everytime hse went up to someone. That was expected, but that didn't stop it from getting repetitive. 'Hi! How was your summer?' and then the question is returned and then you may or may not talk about being ready to go back to school. Anabel's response seemed to follow the norm for speaking with one of the Pureblood girls, because of course they wouldn't want to hear about it. Renaye couldn't help but think she may be right. Why did that tone come up everytime she talked to one of her roommates this year? Like a 'I do fabulous things all the time, it's okay to be jealous,' sort of tone. Renaye could retaliate with many responses about Europe, maybe throw in Japan, Egypt, Russia. Renaye wondered how well she could pull off a 'I travel around the world all the time. I'm quite use to it,' tone... She bit her tongue, feeling it would be best to refrain from fueling the fire.

"Have y'all seen Cecily or Alexis? I couldn't help but hear y'all talking about them and I haven't seen them yet. I have a lot to talk to them about."

Ohh... Ouch. That's what was going on... Renaye's expression remained quite apathetic. It wasn't like Cecily was going to be surprised. If she was mad, then that was simply ridiculous. Renaye knew that Cecily hated her, so if someone came up to her and said "Cecily was talking about you, and it wasn't nice," her response would be something like, "No... Really? I thought we were friends! What a jerk!" Sarcasm. Alexis, though, had been nice from what she had seen. Maybe she should talk to her first. That might help. Anabel had nothing to do with anything. She was just creating drama for entertainment.

"Alexis should be down in the common room and last I saw Cecily, she was in Cascade Hall." What a great girl. Laurie's response was perfect! No reaction whatsoever. Renaye really wanted to grin, but held it back. Laurie's question gave her a reason though. Renaye smiled back at Laurie and said,

"Yeah, sure. Tradition says we have to have a walk," she said, standing up and going towards her own things. Renaye reached into her trunk and laid out her black Montrose Magpies blanket over her bed. It smelled like home and gave Renaye a feeling of comfort in the conflicted dorm. Her bed being next to Laurie's was helpful too. Renaye set out her normal photos of the family in Michigan and one of her family in Italy on her bedside, but this time two new ones joined the group: The three of them, the twins and Laurie, were standing knee-deep in the ocean, grinning broadly at the camera. Renaye loved his humorously burned skin in that one. Another featured a group photo of the team, all reaching out to touch the shining trophy. Renaye was squished in between Joe and Josh, the three of them standing directly in the middle of the group. Renaye loved her pictures.

"How you think Josh is doing down there?" She asked, setting down the frames.

0 Raye The way I dress makes everyday feel like Halloween 0 Raye 0 5