Joining the seeking game [Tag Stephen] on Labyrinth Gardens

Jennifer Zucchero

February 12, 2008 4:32 PM

Joining the seeking game [Tag Stephen] by Jennifer Zucchero

Jennifer had only stayed in the library a few more minutes than Geoffrey, and that was only because she had to finish the section of what she had been working on before she as interrupted, otherwise the half-completed paragraph would have driven her crazy. The entire situation that had just happened had seemed so…surreal, too surreal to just go back to her books like nothing happened. She needed to talk to someone about it.

Perhaps it was understandable that it had taken her as long as it did to figure it out. After all, she had a history of, if not completely missing things that could cause problems, then conveniently and unconsciously ignoring them until a better time, and any feelings that Geoffrey may or may not have had for her were definitely a problem-causer.

The realization of what could easily have been going on hit her almost as soon as the fourth year had smiled. It wasn’t the type she normally associated with him, which was the first indicator. In her original scenario, her already having a date wouldn’t have been a big deal. Maybe she was hopelessly naïve, but it seemed the sort of thing one should be able to laugh off, not something that warranted that kind of look and an abrupt departure.

Regardless of whether her newest theory was right or wrong, it was important that she talk about it with someone, especially someone she hoped might already know enough to tell her how off her idea was. If Geoffrey didn’t like her, then there was no reason to waste energy worrying. If he did, then there was definite potential for complications. And she wanted to know as soon as possible.

That was why Jennifer was in the gardens searching for the person who probably knew Geoffrey Spindler the best. It had been a 50/50 shot over whether he would actually be in the gardens or off somewhere else, but it had been the closest of the most likely locations, and so the one she had started with.

It actually didn’t take very long before she spotted her target ahead. “Hey, Stephen, wait up!” she called out, and lengthened her stride to catch up. Despite her worries, she managed to continue to look completely normal as she finally got there. “Hey,” she repeated, with a touch of nervousness. This conversation was not one of the ones she had learned how to initiate. “Listen, I was wondering…could I talk to you about Geoffrey?”

0 Jennifer Zucchero Joining the seeking game [Tag Stephen] 48 Jennifer Zucchero 1 5

Stephen Baxter

February 12, 2008 8:02 PM

Now, now Jenny, I thought you already had a boyfriend ;) by Stephen Baxter

Stephen was wandering around the garden, and unusually thoughtful look on his face as he thought about the upcoming ball and the girl who he'd been trying to ask to it. It was annoying. Asking Ty out hadn't been hard, and Mia, once he'd remembered his brother's advice had been a piece of cake (and some worrying about what she'd decided over the holidays). But this one was a bit more difficult. He tried bringing the subject up, but never managed to get anywhere, and was getting to the point where he was wondering if it was worth all the bother, especially when he was well aware that, if he was so inclined, he'd probably have his pick of the other girls at the school.

With the exception of a few who were strangely enamoured of other boys, anyway.

The paths were a good place to wander when you were thinking, mostly because if there was usually plenty of warning before you came across anyone, so he could try not to look so introspective in those cases.

He'd found he was a lot more prone to being like this these days, but as everyone else usually seemed more comfortable when he was being energetic, spontaneous and hopelessly cheery he tried to be like that whenever he was around others.

“Hey, Stephen, wait up!”

Stephen paused and turned around, conjuring his usual grin - the kind that made his otherwise ordinary face into something quite extraordinary. He'd recognised the voice, of course, and there - as expected - coming towards him was Jen.

He was considering joking about how surely she had Jake to go to the ball with and so didn't need to go begging for Stephen to take her when she caught up.

"Geoffrey?" he asked, surprised and forgetting his own joke. "Why? Did his Mom do something again?" There hadn't been any communication since midterm last year so far as he was aware, but it was the first thing he thought of when Jen approached him with a weird tone in her voice asking about his cousin.

"Or is this something to do with Quidditch." He stopped, remembered all the fuss that his "Aunt" whatsisface - Cindy or Cynthia or something like that - about Quidditch. It could have been both. Or maybe it was Geoffrey. His expression eased a little. "What's the kid gone and done?"

39 Stephen Baxter Now, now Jenny, I thought you already had a boyfriend ;) 49 Stephen Baxter 0 5

Jennifer

February 12, 2008 9:00 PM

<i>Obviously</i> I realized the error of my ways by Jennifer

Perhaps this is one of those plans that makes far more sense in theory than practice, Jennifer admitted to herself as she looked at Stephen. What was one supposed to say to describe a situation like this? ‘I think your cousin has a crush on me, which could be really bad?’ Somehow, that just didn’t cut it. Surely there was a more tactful way to put it than that. And one that would make her look less like an idiot if she was reading too much into the situation.

“No, there’s nothing going on with his mom, at least not that I know of,” she replied hesitantly, still trying to figure out the best wording. “And everything’s fine with quidditch. He—” she broke off, and then tried again. “He asked me to the ball, and when I told him I was already going with Jake he looked like I had avada kedavraed his puppy, or something. And if I’m right about the…situation, then the repercussions could be ugly, because quidditch at least might be problematic if…” she let the question hang, still not quite brave enough to suggest that she may have emotionally hurt Geoffrey with her refusal yet. “And I figured that, since you’re his cousin and all, you might know something, or at least more than I do.”

She considered adding something lighthearted to the conversation, talk about the way life was going for him or make a joke, as people were wont to do in Stephen’s presence if he hadn’t already made enough for the both of them. However, she decided that could wait. It definitely needed to happen, since it had been far too long since she’d had a good talk with the Pecari. However, the serious stuff needed to be taken care of first.
\r\n\r\n

0 Jennifer <i>Obviously</i> I realized the error of my ways 0 Jennifer 0 5

Stephen

February 13, 2008 12:48 AM

Well, it was only to be expected, and no one can blame you by Stephen

Stephen winced in sympathy with how he expected Geoff was feeling right about now. No one wanted an outright rejection, however nicely it was phrased. And the way she'd described how he'd looked...

"Aww, Jen... you mean you hadn't known? I figured most everyone knew about how Geoff feels about you. I mean, he's been following you around like a, well, like a lovesick puppy almost as long as I've known him. I kind of tried to steer him away, because of you and Jake and all that. Guess he didn't listen, huh?"

Stephen sighed, and looked distractedly towards the school building. He didn't really know how Geoff would be taking this, excepting that Geoff wasn't one to take things quite so lightly as he himself might. When Ty had left he'd been a bit sad, but there'd been a) plenty of other girls and b) plenty of things to do that he didn't dwell on it or worry about it for too long. With Mia, that had been a mutual decision. And they were friends now, so no big deal.

Geoff on the other hand...

"I think," he said, "that the best thing you can do is pretend it never happened. I mean, it's kind of embarrassing, putting yourself out on the line and then finding that it's all just you. Well, for some guys anyhow," he amended. "Give the guy some space. That said, any idea where he'd went? Might be an idea if I just check to make sure he isn't going to hang himself or anything," he grinned again at the last part, letting Jen know that he was kidding and didn't think that Geoff would do anything of the sort.

Well, mostly kidding anyhow.

The kid had saved his life - keeping an eye on him to make sure he was ok was not only the best way to repay him, but something he'd do anyhow.

After all, guys needed to stick together when the chicks were leaving them out in the cold. \r\n\r\n

39 Stephen Well, it was only to be expected, and no one can blame you 0 Stephen 0 5

Jennifer

February 16, 2008 12:54 AM

Will you be the one to tell him? by Jennifer

"Aww, Jen... you mean you hadn't known? I figured most everyone knew about how Geoff feels about you.”

That had definitely not been what Jennifer had expected, and it hit her a lot harder than she would have thought, like a lump of coal had settled in her midsection. She actually had to stop for a few minutes and stare at her companion. “You’re kidding.” It was said hopefully, but without much conviction. However one would describe Stephen’s sense of humor, this wasn’t his type of joke. She cursed under her breath (something she normally didn’t do, but she felt the circumstances warranted it).

“No, I had no idea. I mean,” she shrugged, “It just…I don’t know. Apparently everyone decided to leave me out of the loop.” She thought for a moment. “And Jake.” Merlin, telling her boyfriend about this, if necessary, was not a conversation she was looking forward to. Sure, maybe he’d be perfectly fine about it, but…maybe he wouldn’t. She doubted she’d take the same situation but with him and a girl on his team well.

She shot him a wry look as she started to move again. “No, Stephen, I thought I’d go find him and recite all the reasons I’m just not that into him multiple times while he’s tied to a chair or something so he can’t escape.” She gave him another look, “Any bondage jokes and I will hurt you. As for where he is, I have no idea. Maybe he went back to Crotalus, which wouldn’t do you much good, maybe he went to the pitch, maybe he went to Cascade, or maybe he went to a dark corner to go slit his wrists.” Alright, so the joke was in bad taste, but he had started it and she had just had a traumatic experience, even if hers wasn’t as bad as Geoffrey’s.

“Finding him is probably a good idea, though. I wish you happy hunting, and…tell him, if the right moment comes, how sorry I am again.” She considered him for a moment, then leaned over and gave him a tight hug. She was not going to melt down in proper hysterical-female fashion, and she needed something to hold on to. Jennifer pulled back after a moment, and then looked up at Stephen. “Sorry, it’s just…kind of a shock, and I appreciate you listening and trying to help, even if it is probably more for your cousin than me. I suppose I’ll see you later, then.” She was not going to cry. She refused to allow herself to cry. However, despite her resolve, it really was only a matter of time. With any luck, though, Stephen would be gone by then.

0 Jennifer Will you be the one to tell him? 0 Jennifer 0 5

Stephen

February 16, 2008 9:48 AM

Eh, he's not completely dense; he'll work it out by Stephen

"Would I make any bondage jokes?" Stephen asked, with mock-hurt tones. He nodded at the suggestions. "I'll head to the pitch first, and then check the hall. If I don't succeed there... I'm sure I'll think of something."

“Finding him is probably a good idea, though. I wish you happy hunting, and…tell him, if the right moment comes, how sorry I am again.”

"Yeah, I'll tell him," Stephen nodded, already working out the fastest way to check through the multiple hiding places he knew of around the pitch. He wasn't sure that he would tell Geoff that, it'd depend on whether it seemed a good idea at the time. As things were, he was slightly surprised when Jen hugged him.

Never one to let surprise hold him back, Stephen gave Jen a squeeze back before she moved back.

"Hey," he said, "Don't worry about it. You're my friend, he's my cousin... I'll do it for both of you." He reached out to tap her on the nose. "Cheer up, it'll be ok. Trust me." And with a wink he headed off.

There was Geoffrey to find, but also Jen had looked pretty upset still, only trying not to show it. In those cases he thought it best to leave her to it - both to avoid having to deal with her actually crying if it came to that, and because he knew from experience that when he was upset, he preferred not to have people witnessing it.

Girls might be completely odd at times, but he figured that was something that most people would appreciate.

39 Stephen Eh, he's not completely dense; he'll work it out 0 Stephen 0 5