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At The Pitch (Etta)
Author: Jared
Date: 10-05-12 15:24
With all but one exam out of the way, Charms is late Friday morning, Julietta had joined some others for a little Quidditch down on the pitch. Taking a break to watch rather than play, she's stretched out on the sidelines in a recline to better see the action above without putting a crimp in her neck. She cuts her eyes to the side when someone joins her, smiling in the process.
"Where did you get off to after History of Magic?" she asks Alexa Wenlock.
"I went to my room to put my things away and take off the school robes. I think I passed out on the bed. I'm glad I woke up. I don't want to miss supper and I want to go over everything for tomorrow one more time."
"I plan to do that too. I wanted a break first though so when someone said Quidditch, here I came. I can't believe next year is our last on a house team."
"If we make our house teams, though I guess there's no reason to think we won't."
By that time Alexa has lain on the grass next to Etta so she too can better watch those currently playing. As Deak Bennett passes directly overhead she comments, "You had a wistful look on your face when I walked up. Thinking about next year being out last or is it that a certain someone won't be here as a student?"
"Maybe both. Most of the time I don't regret deciding to break things off with Deak but there are times I can't help but wonder if I made a mistake."
"You've seen him practically every day. It's possible once school is out and you don't, you'll better know if you did or not. It you decide you did, when he's around at his parents and spending time with his little brother and sister, it might be awkward for you."
"If I decide I did, you don't think he'd take me back?"
"I don't know. He seems to have moved on but he might still fancy you deep down. Thing is, that you are questioning it even a little means you have no idea what you want."
"I know, but at least I didn't string him along all this time when I wasn't sure if we should be together or not. They're finishing up. There's time for another quick one, we're just playing fifteen minute increments." Etta pushes off the ground. "Come on. We can both get in on this next one."
Energized from her nap and at the thought of getting in a little Quidditch play before supper and returning to studying, Alexa is quickly on her feet. "I don't have my broom. Let me grab one from the equipment locker."
Two minutes later, the teams shuffled again, Etta is enjoy the air rushing over her as the quaffle goes into play.
Blast from the Past
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 10-05-12 18:08
When the little bell above the door at Twice Told Tales chimed, Lysander didn't immediately look up from the auction catalog he was perusing. He was often prompt in greeting customers, particularly when business was slow, but for whatever reason he didn't follow his normal routine this time.
The customer had never stepped foot in the used bookshop before and gave it a quick but interested survey before turning to the familiar figure leaning over the front counter.
"Nice place you've got here," he said. He was tall and handsome and wore tailored business robes.
Recognizing the voice, Lysander looked up and stopped leaning over the catalog open on the counter. "Liam," he said. "I wasn't expecting you."
Liam, who looked nothing like his older brother Lysander, furrowed his brow and queried, "Didn't you get my letter?"
"I did," Lysander replied. "What I meant is, I didn't think you would arrive so soon… if at all."
Liam looked vaguely amused. "I don't know how to take that response. Are you disappointed I came, or are you merely surprised I'm true to my word?" He chuckled then and before Lysander could reply said, "We haven't seen each other in years, Lysander. I know the reason for it is entirely all my doing, or nearly so. Maybe you were right to doubt I would come home. I didn't want to for the longest time."
"So what changed your mind?" Lysander asked. He and his brother had never been close, but they didn't dislike each other by any stretch of the imagination. They just weren't friends, even if they were family.
Liam turned away and walked a few paces around the empty bookstore before answering his brother's question. "I want my kids to know where I came from. I want them to really get to know my side of the family and not just know their mum's. I should have made more of an effort to keep in contact with everyone. It didn't matter so much when it was just me living in Japan, but it's not just me anymore and it hasn't been for a long time."
"Have you found a place to stay yet?" Lysander asked, not all that interested in getting sentimental with his little brother.
"I'm staying at The Leaky Cauldron," Liam replied, turning around to face Lysander. "Midori and the kids will follow once I've found us a home."
"Great."
"Yes."
A brief, uncomfortable silence followed until the doorbell chimed again. Both wizards turned to look at the new arrival.
"Hi," Aralyn greeted Lysander, though her eyes travelled between him and Liam. "Am I interrupting something?"
Lysander shook his head and stepped out from behind the counter. "Aralyn, this is my little brother Liam."
"Your little brother?" Aralyn repeated. "I didn't––wait. I think I do remember," she went on, looking back and forth between the brothers. Then she fixed her gaze on Lysander and asked, "How come you never talk about him?"
Lysander shot her the sort of look he always directed her way behind her back or in his imagination.
"Sorry. That's me putting my foot in my mouth," Aralyn said, incorrectly believing she'd touched on a sore spot with Lysander. She turned back to Liam and stuck out her hand. "I'm Aralyn Fox. I was in Lysander's year at Hogwarts. Same house too, but we didn't run in the same circle. You were a few years behind us, weren't you?"
"That's right. I'm sorry, but I don't remember you," Liam said.
Aralyn smiled. "That's okay. It was a long time ago."
"So, are you two dating?" Liam asked, looking between his brother and Aralyn.
"No," Lysander emphatically answered, while Aralyn simultaneously giggled and replied, "We're just friends."
Liam exchanged an odd look with his brother and then said to Aralyn, "Since you say you weren't in the same circle at Hogwarts, I take it you became friends sometime after graduation?"
"That's right. A while back now," Aralyn said, smiling first at Lysander and then turning back to Liam. "So, what's your story?"
Lysander wrapped his hand around Aralyn's upper arm and steered her to the door. "He's a happily married man," he said, not even knowing if that was entirely true or not. "We can chat later, okay?"
"Erm… okay?" Aralyn answered.
Lysander deposited her on the front stoop, shut the door behind him and walked up to his brother. "Did you want to catch up this evening or another time?"
"What's best for you?" Liam asked, peering around Lysander to look out the window. Aralyn stood at the door and stared at the brothers through the glass.
Lysander ignored her. "We can have dinner after I close up shop. I can round up some people, unless you would rather it just be the two of us… and my daughter?"
"I'm good with anything. Mind if I peruse the store?"
"Be my guest."
Liam ducked into the stacks and Lysander turned back towards the counter, flicking his gaze towards Aralyn in the process. She raised her brow at him, but when he didn't go to the door to speak with her, she finally walked off.
Lysander looked back at his brother. Liam favored the Stratford side of the family very much, while Lysander looked more like their mother. They had always been different––different in looks, in personality, in interests…
Lysander doubted that Liam would stick around for long, but who knew? Maybe he'd meant what he'd said. Maybe he did want to reconnect with the family.
Lysander slipped back behind the counter and returned to browsing the auction catalog, though it didn't hold his attention as much as it had before Liam Stratford had walked through his door.
A Day of Ravenclaw and Slytherin
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 10-06-12 06:32
It was Friday, and not only was it the last day of June, but it was also the last day of final examinations for first through fourth years and sixth years. Today, I had two exams to administer: one at nine and one at two. I was also scheduled to meet with Ember for lunch at Crown & Cauldron this afternoon before my two o'clock exam, and Dex and I would be having a late dinner at my favorite curry place in London after I got the rest of my final marks in for the term.
Currently, I sat at my desk, legs curled beneath me and worked on grading papers before my third year Ravenclaw and Slytherin class showed up. Both my exams today would be filled with students from the same two houses, the two o'clock would be the second years. I finished grading the stack of papers in front of me, and recording the marks just as the first students began filtering in. Flicking my gaze up to the clock I smiled, the term was nearly over for most of the students that were filtering in, an they were decidedly pleased with this fact.
Once the last student was seated, I stood up and moved to stand in front of my desk. "Alright, welcome to, for some of you your final class of the term. In front of you is a copy of your final examination, each test covers the same material, but the questions have been reworded on some of them, so do pay attention to your questions. You will have the complete hour to complete your exam, but if you finish before the hour is complete bring me your exam and you are free to go, just be sure not to disturb any of the others still working."
I flipped the hour glass and smiled. "Your time starts now."
I settled back in my chair for a moment and pulled out the catalog that I'd been looking at, made some quick notations on the order form and smiled. It was ready to be sent off, and it would arrive before the trip to France, and I would ultimately have to hide it within my luggage so that way it wasn't discovered before the trip to Greece later this summer.
"You have thirty minutes left." I announced at the half way point. Sighing lightly, I'd finished, or nearly finished my first year as a teacher and I absolutely loved it.
I'd spoken briefly with Headmaster Dumbledore and discussed my continuation with my position here, and I also assured him that there would not be a breech in my behavior again when it came to having the occasional glass of wine or two. Translation, I would not be coming to work hungover again - that and Dex being a wiz with potions and having that phenomenal hang over cure helped quite a bit.
"Time. Those of you that are not done, please put your quills down and bring me your exams. Enjoy your summer holiday, and I will see you in September."
I gathered the remaining exams as they were brought to me and tucked them away to be graded later. Got things set up for my two o'clock exam, and set up for a couple of hours worth of office hours before heading to the Village to meet with Ember for lunch.
Time with Lawrence
Author: Maggie Hawthorne
Date: 10-06-12 06:46
I'd spent the last week stressing about where I was going to go after the term was over, or if I was going to stay here at the castle with Lawrence and his wife Ariella...and that seemed like the most promising option until I could get myself situated in a place of my own, or in a dorm room at St. Emrys (but even that didn't sound all that appealing).
"So, what are your plans for the summer holiday?"
I looked up from where I was sprawled on a blanket on the grounds as Lawrence stood over me for a minute before settling himself on the blanket next to me.
"I've not decided yet, though, now that I'm done with school I have complete and total access to the vault that Dad left me, so I guess that means I'm not going to have to worry about anything. I'm considering getting a flat in London, or somewhere. Maybe traveling back to Sydney for a little bit and visit my mum's grave and spend time with a few friends."
He nodded, "Yeah, I know, you need to go to Gringotts and sign the paperwork now that you are of age and done with school. As for having a place to stay, Ariella and I were saving this until after the end of term feast, but I suppose I could tell you now, just keep it a surprise."
I looked at him and quirked a brow. "Wait, wait? What are you two planning?"
He just grinned at me. "You know the flat you ultimately tracked me to? The one that I was in the process of getting ready to sell."
I nodded, still not sure where exactly he was going with this.
"Well, Ariella and I decided that it would make a good graduation gift for you. It is paid for and you'll only have to cover any additional things you want for it. It's on the Floo Network, so that shouldn't be an issue."
I blinked and squeed in absolute delight. "You are the most awesome big brother ever. Thanks, and I won't do anything to spoil the surprise. That just made things a whole lot less stressful for me for the summer."
I kissed his cheek and sighed happily as I flopped back down on the blanket.
"Alright kiddo, I've got a few more things I need to do before I'm done for the term. See you later."
With that Lawrence headed toward the greenhouses leaving me to lounge in complete and total bliss for the remainder of the day. It was the perfect way to spend the final day of the term since I was entirely packed up with the exception of a few things that I need for the last few days of the term.
A Small Intervention
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 10-06-12 07:03
"Celeste, may I have a word with you in my office?" Severus asked as she was getting ready to leave the Great Hall after breakfast.
She agreed, following him into the dungeons. It was the last day of exams, and, since they both taught the upper years, they already had the sixth years taking their respective exams. Severus' office was cold, despite the warm temperature outside and Celeste was invited to seat in front of his desk.
"Tea?" he offered.
She accepted, despite her full stomach. A cup of tea would be good to warm up the body in such a gelid room. But after a first sip she put the cup away: the tea had a funny taste that she did not like at all. Severus dark eyes were observing her and only then she realized her body was changing. The faint reflection of her person in the many flasks exposed on the shelves was enough for Celeste to realize she had the aspect of her old self.
"Funny, I thought you were taller," he said, amused. Her robes were too large for her new body. Celeste had always been taller than her.
"You poisoned me!" she accused him, furious because her voice had changed.
"On the contrary, my dear. I put some antidote in your tea for the Polyjuice Potion. You should always check food and drink that are offered to you. You'll never know who might try to hurt or kill you."
"I do not see why someone would want to do that," Celeste replied, and then she went directly to the point, knowing she wouldn't win anything by arguing with Severus: "Dumbledore told you, didn't he?"
"Indeed. He asked me to try to pursue you to stay."
"Who else knows?"
"Just Minerva. But I got in charge to speak with you first. Now I knew if I confronted you, you might deny everything and so I just skipped to the part where in fact it is revealed that you have been using Polyjuice potion to pretend to be someone else. I just hope you haven't been stealing ingredients from me."
"You think I would be that stupid? I got them myself at Diagon Alley. And now how am I supposed to just go back to my living quarters on the sixth floor like this?" her mind went to the days where she was a student at Hogwarts and used the secret passages to move faster between classes. But at the moment it seemed that her brain was frozen. She wondered if it was an effect of Severus' antidote.
"You will see that there is nothing wrong with it. Unless those large robes. But I think I can fix that," and with he waved his wand. Soon the stitches of Celeste's clothes were rearranged. "Much better."
"What is this Severus? Dumbledore offered me a new telescope but you just decided it would be better to humiliate me in front of the whole school."
"This is just a small intervention. You will go back to the 6th floor and you will see there is nothing wrong with the way you look now. The students and the rest of the school staff won't really care about it. It is not that you gained an extra head or a pair of claws. And let me add that you are even prettier than before."
"Don't flatter me that way. It isn't working."
"Too bad. Most women are proud of the way they look. Anyway you will see I am right and there is nothing to be afraid of in changing your looks. Next year you will thank me for this."
"There will be no next year."
Severus ignored that last sentence and he promptly dismissed Celeste. It seemed that suddenly he realized he had some urgent paperwork to work that could not wait. She looked at him with fury, but there was nothing she could do. She left the dungeons on the way to the sixth floor praying Merlin the students would be so busy with their own affairs that they wouldn't notice the new witch walking around the castle with Celeste Quigley's robes.
A Bet
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 10-07-12 12:12
Johanna was packing. She had just arrived to her dorm from her Care of Magical Creatures exam and without even taking a minute to relax she opened her trunk and started to display her things over her bed, thinking of the best way to organize everything.
Since she had found out that she had no chance with Gus she had turned all her attention to her studies. She would spend her days surrounded by books, or using her wand to practice spells. It was a good way to keep her head away from her feelings and she thought it would be better to spend her time and energy trying to improve her Transfiguration's technique and her Potions' skills then spending her days on bed crying over a silly boy, just because he preferred to date another girl.
Sometimes she would study with Kate and Felicia, and she would even help Gus. But whenever he tried to talk about something that was not in their school books she would ignore him.
All her hard work compensate because unlike most of her colleagues she was not nervous at all when the time came to take the exams. Even at Charms, the subject she tended to be weaker at, she had managed to do a good job.
But now that her exams were over all she wanted was to leave the castle and go home. At least there she wouldn't have to deal with Gus and his sudden disappearances. No one knew where he would go but Felicia said she was pretty sure he was spending time with Polly. She also added she thought they were making out. If Gus had told Mark what he was doing he had kept it secret. But Johanna didn't really care and she did not bother to find if Gus was with Polly or not.
She placed her books in the trunk, as well as her quills. She was about to put some of her robes inside when she found Drizella's cat laying on top of her clothes. She tried to shoo it away, but the cat just looked at her as if she was something insignificant. Without thinking she picked her wand, ready to jinx it.
"What are you doing?" Felicia asked, entering the dorm.
"Nothing," Johanna replied, putting the wand aside, making an innocent expression in her face.
"The exams are over! We are going to the grounds and celebrate!"
"I'm busy packing. But I'll meet you all at dinner," she promised.
"You can pack later. Come on, Johanna, it's not the same thing without you."
"Thank you Felicia but I rather stay here. Now go, I'm sure Baltus is dying without your kisses."
"You're being mean," she pouted and then after thinking for a bit she said: "If you come, I promise I won't kiss him until dinner time."
Johanna looked at her in disbelief.
"Want to make a bet?" Felicia challenged. "If I kiss Baltus you can have that necklace of mine that you like so much."
"And if you win the bet?"
"Hum....You ask Gus Hodfuffer or Caerwyn Valentine out. You pick the one you prefer."
"What?"
"They are both attractive, both Quidditch players and both from our school year. "
She looked at Felicia in disbelief but then she accepted her bet lightly. She knew her best friend well and she would never be able to stand so long without kissing Baltus. She smiled and followed Felicia outside to meet with the others. The necklace was practically hers.
Last Day of Finals
Author: Jolyon
Date: 10-07-12 14:27
The doors and windows were open, allowing the summer air to alleviate some of the stuffiness in the barn. Jolyon wished for more of a breeze, however, because even with access to fresh air, it still felt a little bit warm inside the building. He'd considered holding the final exam outside, but it was too nice a day and he worried his students might find themselves distracted by the pretty weather.
Jolyon wasn't naive to think that they weren't already distracted, though. Today was the last day of finals, and this exam was no doubt their very last one. The End of Term Feast was tomorrow, and the next day the students would leave Hogwarts for the summer. Freedom was at their fingertips.
But first, they had an exam to take. The fourth years sat at desks arranged in neat rows in the open area of the barn. Jolyon passed out the test parchments and anti-cheating quills and explained how the exam would run. It was primarily written, but he would call up each student one by one to demonstrate a practical activity with a magical creature chosen at random from a fishbowl on his desk. The one-hour time slot allotted for the exam meant that each demonstration would remain brief.
"Any questions before we get started?" he asked, after the last exam and quill had gone out.
There were none, so he promptly started the exam.
Angharad Carter-Cardin was the first to get called up to his desk. She dipped her hand into the fishbowl, in which a number of small pieces of parchment were folded in half. She picked one at random and unfolded it to reveal the word Diricawl.
"Please offer the diricawl an appropriate meal," Professor Kent instructed, gesturing to a table on which a variety of food from millet to dead ferrets had been arranged.
Angharad went to the table, selected a handful of nuts and another of bulbs and went to a corner stall, behind which stood a tall, flightless bird. The diricawl watched her hands with interest and then ducked its head to the ground to eat the food she had tossed there. She turned back to her teacher, who nodded and indicated that she could return to her seat.
The hour passed quickly. Jolyon collected the exams and anti-cheating quills, bidding his students adieu and wishing them a happy summer. They fled the barn in high spirits, finished at last with the school year.
Jolyon looked after the creatures he'd pulled aside for the exam, penning them back up where necessary. Then he rearranged the barn so that the main area was clear of desks. Finally, he climbed up to the loft and began to mark the exams his fourth years had just taken.
He was reading Blake Holloway's, when he heard his mother call out to him from down below.
"Jolyon, are you up there?" she called out again.
"Yes, I'm here, Mum. Wait a moment." He got up and climbed down the ladder, where he was met not only be his mother but by her new boyfriend, Gaius Lorey. Jolyon tried not to scowl, but it wasn't easy. He forced himself to shake the man's hand.
"Gaius," Jolyon curtly greeted.
"Hi, Jolyon. I hope you don't mind that we dropped by. You aren't in the middle of something, are you?" Gaius asked.
"I was marking final exams," Jolyon told him bluntly. "What can I do for you?"
"We were wondering if you wanted to eat with us tonight. Maybe at the Imperial Crown & Cauldron?" Bridget answered. "We keep meaning to have all three of us get together and really get to know each other, but somehow it hasn't happened yet. Are you free tonight, Jolyon, so that you can finally get to know my Gaius?"
Jolyon bristled at the words "my Gaius" but he forced himself to smile at his mother. He was glad she was happy, but he kind of wished she would have found a hobby like knitting or scrapbooking instead of a new boyfriend. "Sure. Let's go eat. I can finish marking parchments later."
"Are you sure?" Bridget happily exclaimed.
Gaius nodded and looked very satisfied with Jolyon's answer.
"Yes, I'm sure," Jolyon said. "I can't wait to get to know everything there is to know about Gaius Lorey."
"Great!" Gaius exclaimed. "Shall we?" He held out his arm for Bridget to take. She smiled at him and looped her arm through his.
"Yes, we shall," Jolyon answered. He walked out of the barn behind his mother and Gaius and then led them off the grounds and into Hogsmeade village.
Reluctance on Willow's Part
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 10-07-12 15:09
"Do we have to go?" Willow asked in quiet tone of voice.
She, Rowan and Elgiva and Cyrus Finch were sitting on the back patio eating salads made from vegetables harvested from the garden. They also had fresh bread from the baker and an ice cream cake waiting to be eaten for dessert.
"I won't make you," Elgiva said gently, "and I don't think they can either, but I think the appointment at St. Mungo's is important."
Willow looked pensively at her salad bowl and wondered why garden vegetables always tasted better than what you could get at the grocery store. Was it because they were homegrown that they seemed that much fresher and sweeter than store bought ones? The cherry tomatoes were like candy.
"What do you suppose they want to know?" Rowan spoke up from her side of the table. "The Ministry, I mean."
"I can't say I know for sure," Elgiva admitted, "but I would guess they are still trying to figure out how you came to be human again. As for Willow, I suppose they just want to see how she is doing."
Willow exchanged a look with Rowan that suggested, Yeah, right.
Rowan supposed she understood why the Ministry of Magic wished to see her and Willow, even if she didn't know what exactly they wanted. The how and why as to how they came to be two in a set of nesting dolls was known, but why the curse lasted so long and then faded in Rowan's case were questions as of yet unanswered.
The appointment at St. Mungo's was merely a checkup to make sure the girls were healthy and developing as they normally would if they had never been frozen in time. Since coming back into her body, Rowan had dreamt once that she had started rapidly aging but instead of stopping at 40 years of age, she had turned gray and wrinkled and no doubt been over 100 years old. Growing older quickly wasn't impossible, given her situation and the mystery of it all, but the healers who had already checked her out thought it unlikely to happen.
Rowan didn't exactly feel like she belonged anymore, but she didn't want to get old in the blink of an eye, especially when she hadn't lived her life yet. She looked at Willow, who was picking at her salad.
"I guess we could go and if we don't like what they are asking us or doing to us, we can just leave, right?" Rowan asked.
Elgiva nodded. "If that's what you want. I'll stay with you the whole time."
"Thanks. I guess we can decide for sure on Sunday night."
"That works."
Willow said out of the blue, "Do you think the others will be like Rowan or like me?"
Everyone knew what she meant. Cyrus spoke up first. "We don't know if you wouldn't have turned out like Rowan yourself. Maybe the curse would have waned on its own with you too."
Rowan grinned. "I don't think I'm that special, Willow."
"Yeah, you're not," Willow replied, sticking out her tongue and smiling for the first time all night. She found her appetite again and polished off the salad and a hunk of bread.
The conversation shifted from the girls and their unique circumstances to summer plans, which was a decidedly happier topic for everyone.
Firsts and Lasts
Author: Ella
Date: 10-07-12 16:21
"So, we're agreed then. You'll floo to my house, and then we'll leave together for Quidditch Con," Francis said.
He and Ella were lying side by side on the bank of the Black Lake. Ella wore shorts, while Francis had his jeans rolled up. Both had their feet in the water. The water lapped gently onto the shore, very rarely moving past their ankles.
The couple had completed their N.E.W.T. exams last week and had spent this week sleeping in, relaxing outdoors, and generally enjoying being free from classes, homework and, of course, exams. Tomorrow would be their last full day at Hogwarts… their last ever. It made both of them feel very sad, but also very excited. After tomorrow, their grown-up lives would begin.
"That's the plan," Ella agreed. She was looking forward to spending part of the summer with Francis, even if they had only planned to meet for certain occasions like Quidditch Con and Emrys Fest. If Britain made it to the World Cup, then both hoped to score tickets to the game.
But Ella also looked forward to spending time with her dad. They had had their ups and downs, but they were on good terms with each other now and hopefully always would be. Besides her extended family, her dad was all she had left. She also knew that he felt lonely without Rosemary who had died, or Delilah who had betrayed him, around to keep him company.
Well, that would all change now that Ella wouldn't be at Hogwarts anymore. She would see him everyday, since she hadn't made any plans to move into a dormitory at St. Emrys and she wasn't getting her own place. She didn't have any money to pay for one anyway.
"Everything will be different now," Ella said after a moment of companionable silence.
"Yeah," Francis agreed. He reached over to take her hand. "But not us. We'll still be the same."
Ella rolled over onto her side so she could look at him. Something in the water tickled the bottom of her foot, but she wasn't sensitive enough to respond with a jerking movement and a peal of laughter. Instead, she fixed Francis's profile with a serious look.
"Francis?"
"Yes, Ella?"
"Do you ever think about Ashleigh?"
His whole body stiffened. He turned his head to look at her, his expression a mixture of anger and confusion. Francis tried to be patient, however, and asked, "No, why would I?"
Ella shrugged the one shoulder she wasn't lying on. "I don't know. She was your first girlfriend. Probably your first kiss. Your first love…"
"She was my first girlfriend," Francis agreed, "but she wasn't my first kiss or my first love. For your information, my first kiss was Grizelda Eubanks when I was five and she was six. All I remember about it is how big her freckles looked when I got up to her face."
Ella laughed and sensed Francis start to relax. He rolled onto his side to get more comfortable.
"That's so cute," Ella said. "Hmm, but should I be jealous of this Grizelda person for being the first to taste your lips?"
"My five year old lips, need I remind you?"
Ella laughed, and then Francis joined in. After a while, they stopped and just looked at each other. Francis was still wondering why Ella had brought Ashleigh up. At the same time, it occurred to Ella that there was something Francis hadn't confessed to yet.
"Francis?" she asked.
"Yes, Ella?"
"Who was your first love?"
He didn't say anything in response for a long time. Ella let her hand slip from his, and she rolled back onto her back before sitting up and drawing her feet out of the water. She wrapped her arms around her knees and asked, "Was it Eithne? I know you two were close before she moved away."
"It wasn't Eithne," Francis immediately answered. He sat up too and admitted, "Maybe it would have gone that way if she would have stayed, but I don't know. We were both really young then. Too young to be in love."
"So…" Ella started, but Francis cut her off and said, "It's you, Ella."
She relaxed, smiled and asked, "Really?"
"Really!"
Ella laughed and threw her arms around his neck. "Me too! I mean, you're my first love too!"
And that was the absolute truth. Francis wasn't her first kiss or her first boyfriend, but he was without a doubt her first love.