Summer Camp Swimming in the Lake Open Closed

"About what I said before, I was just playing, I can act childish sometimes.. sorry if I confused you."

A knowing smile played on Jay's lips. While the ever so subtle "I hate you" had come as a bit of a shock to him, he understood a lack of seriousness in one's voice when he heard it, and beside that, he had pegged Annie as the type to make a joke like that once in a while. He didn't mind at all; in fact, too much serious talk with no humor mixed in was grounds for a failed friendship, in his opinion. Or just a rather dull one...
"Nah, I knew you didn't mean it," he said to her. "Don't you worry, I can take a joke." Then he glanced sidelong at her, adding in an almost conspiratorial tone, "Besides, I didn't figure we were hitting it off that bad anyway."

Jay listened intently to Annie's reply to his question, noting that she was a half-blood. Not that he cared, of course. It brought to his mind what he had been told of his magical inheritance- his mother was born to two wizards, and his dad had been a half-blood.
As she spoke about her sorting into Hufflepuff, he took particular interest when she said "the sorting hat is never wrong." He knew a little about the sorting hat, but not all that much. He had been told that it would read his mind, but not only that, his heart, his personality. How on earth did a hat learn all that? How did a hat even talk? Did anyone else around here find that weird?
He let out a breath, a bit exasperated with all of it. He knew it was all because of magic, but he feared he would never really understand it.

Annie continued, "I think you'd be find no matter where your put and we can still be friends and hang out even if we're not in the same house."
Jay smiled again. It seemed he had acquired a good friend, and he rather hoped this friendship would last. Judging by the butterflies still fluttering about his stomach, perhaps it could even become something more as they grew older together. Only time could tell.
"I think I'd quite like that," he said softly as she lay down beside him.

Choosing not to lay down completely, he instead leaned back, placing his hands on the ground behind him to prop his body up, legs sticking straight out in front of him.
Romantical thoughts aside, he ventured into another question, "So where do you live outside of Hogwarts? I'm from London; I've really not been out of the big city much at all before coming here."

Mentions: @Jay Azul

Annie smiled, mostly out of relief when Jay knew she was joking about the "I hate you" scenario. "Don't you worry, I can take a joke." She acknowledged his comment before replying with a cheeky grin."That's good because my sense of humor can be pretty bad, just like my jokes." "Besides, I didn't figure we were hitting it off that bad anyway." Annie gave a small laugh at his next comment and rolled her eyes. "You wish! She replied sarcastically but she was honestly thinking the same thing.

Annie watched as he nodded his head slightly and listened intently to her replies to his questions. She chuckled in her head as to why he was so curious and asking so many questions, not that she didn't do the same thing. Now they sat next to each other, Jay propped up on his elbows while she laid back on the grass. Annie told him that they would continue to talk and stay friends no matter what and she really meant it. "I think I'd quite like that," Her heart raced at his comment, she could feel the butterflies in her stomach as he spoke.

Shaken out of her daze by another of his questions a small frown set on her face before replying. "So you ask all the questions in this realationship, wow very one-sided.." Annie sat up, her face broke out into a big smile that showed off her single dimple. She held her hands up in defeat.

"Okay, okay well, I've always wanted to visit and explore London but I actually live in Bray Ireland." Annie's eyes wandered and spotted a small daisy in the grass which she gently plucked and tucked into her hair, shyly. She took a deep breath before continuing. "I was so nervous when I found out I was going to attend Hogwarts and leave my parents, luckily I have an aunt who lives much closer and I stayed with her tell I begun school." Her fingers started to play with a strand of her long, messy brown hair. "No one really knows what to expect at Hogwarts, but I think you'll do just fine if you aren't troublesome or a nervous wreck like me during your first year." Annie looked like she was going to say something else but hesitated and just enjoyed the scenery around her.

“That’s good because my sense of humor can be pretty bad, just like my jokes.”

Jay nodded appreciatively, a bit amused by her claim to a bad sense of humor.
“Sometimes,” he said, “a bad joke is the very best kind of joke.”
This was true; more often than people realized, the sheer awfulness of a joke was the very thing that managed to make it so very funny. Then he had something of a philosophical epiphany.
“In fact, can you really call any sense of humor a “bad” sense of humor? The way I see it, if you think your sense of humor is funny, it’s a pretty good one.” He nodded to himself as he finished speaking, rather satisfied with the thought.

“You wish!” Annie said, ever so kindly throwing his heartfelt words back in his face. He chuckled at this, though, catching the sarcasm in her voice. He thought he was beginning to see what type of relationship he was to have with Annie - one of ribbing and sarcasm - and he was perfectly happy with that. There would never be a dull moment.

“So you ask all the questions in this relationship, wow very one-sided..”
Jay gazed at her, his mouth opening incredulously, though no sound emerged. Before he could force his brain to work, she continued.
“Okay, okay well, I’ve always wanted to visit and explore London but I actually live in Bray Ireland.”
He shook his head, the smile returning to his face. He watched as she retrieved a small flower and tucked it into her quickly drying hair, which seemingly glowed as the sun shone upon it, defying its naturally dark color. He looked into her brown eyes. They say the eyes are the window to one’s soul, and if that was, in fact, the case, he liked what he saw. It struck him again that this girl was really very pretty, her smile at that moment seeming to shed more light than the generous rays of the sun itself.

As she spoke, further opening up about her life, his thoughts drifted once again to his own mother, who had quite hated the idea of him leaving home - leaving the country, even - for so long. It had been hard enough for her to allow him to attend Hogwarts in the first place, let alone leave even earlier for Summer Camp; but in the end, her wish to allow him to pursue his own dreams had won out, and here he was.

“No one really knows what to expect at Hogwarts, but I think you’ll do just fine if you aren’t troublesome or a nervous wreck like me during your first year.”
Jay regarded her curiously at this but said nothing of it, opting to address something else instead. “So you didn’t have to leave your home country to come here,” he said. “My poor mum would have liked it much better that way.”
He could think of more questions, of course, but in light of Annie’s sarcastic comment, he changed his approach.
“All right. Seeing as you hate talking about yourself so much, you ask me a question.” He raised his eyebrows and watched her expectantly.

Mentions: @Jay Azul

Annie's moth opened in an 'o' shape as Jay started to speak in a really philosophical manner. She was amazed by how smart he sounded and a small smile slipped onto her face before she muffled a laugh by her sleeve. "I never would have pegged you as a logical guy, oh not to ne rude though, it's cute." Her cheeks turned light pink as a small blush made it's way onto her face.

Jay always kept Annie laughing and smiling. She was super happy they had stumbled upon each other and couldn't wait to spend more time with him. She returned her gaze to Jay just in time to see his hilarious reaction to her cheeky comment. Annie noticed he kept staring at her hair, not saying anything. She felt the butterflies soar in her stomach before getting slightly shy at the attention. Soon they both snapped out of their gaze when he asked her a question.

“All right. Seeing as you hate talking about yourself so much, you ask me a question.” Annie bit her lip as she thought to herself. "Well, I'm no better at asking questions then I am at answering them, gosh this is hard uhm.." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a small pout appeared on her face. "Well, what's your family like? I mean if you want to tell me, or you can just tell me anything, I'm a good listener I think, oh am I being too straight forward? Sorry!" Annie looked up into Jay's eyes getting lost in her own words. She then quickly brought her knees together and buried her face, letting out a loud groan of embarrassment.

"I never would have pegged you as a logical guy, oh not to ne rude though, it's cute."

Cute, eh? Is that what she thought of him? He may have preferred strapping, handsome, manly... but he certainly didn't mind this opinion, evidenced by the fact that a little thrill coursed through his body when she said this.
As long as she continues smiling, he thought lightly.
Now, as far as the "logical" part of that statement went, she couldn't be blamed for not guessing such a thing about him. Most people would write him up as an oblivious bloke who loved to hear himself talk. Fact was, he was often oblivious because he was lost in thought, hopelessly entangled in the maze that was his mind. Admittedly, that maze was rather confusing and unmanageable at times, but he would occasionally stumble upon something that could pass as slightly intelligent.

Chuckling, he replied happily, "Not to worry. It might actually be a bit concerning if you did think me capable of intelligent thoughts. I don't show much ability in that category; any time I have a reasonable thought is a fluke, really." He shrugged. He was really quite happy to put himself down at times, as he didn't take himself too seriously.

"Well, I'm no better at asking questions then I am at answering them, gosh this is hard uhm.." Annie said. She than launched into a bit of a train wreck of an attempt at asking a question before finally uttering a flustered apology and burying her face in her knees.
Jay sat there for a moment, unsure of how he had made her so uncomfortable and not quite sure what to do. He wanted to reach out a comforting hand, but wasn't sure if he had the courage to do so yet. Would she find it odd when they had only just met? Was it even necessary?
After a bit of worrying, he finally took a deep breath. You'll never get any results if you don't put forth any effort, he told himself firmly. Besides, it was her needs over his own; if he thought that giving her a touch of reassurance may help her, then he had to put his concerns aside.

So he did. He reached out a cautious hand and placed it softly on her shoulder.
"Hey," he said quietly. "There's nothing for you to be sorry about. I'm happy to talk about my family." He gathered his thoughts for a moment before continuing. "Both my mum and dad came to Hogwarts. Mum was a Ravenclaw, and Dad was a Hufflepuff, like you. I'm their only child, so Mum has always been really protective of me. She hated the idea of me coming to Hogwarts, but her and Dad wanted me to pursue my dreams. She loved me enough to let me come here." He paused, unsure if there was anything else he should add. In the end, he concluded to wait until Annie recovered from her embarrassment; he had always seemed to have a knack for calming others around him, and he hoped that he could help Annie now.

Mentions: @Jay Azul

Annie poked up her head from her hiding place at his comment. Was he putting himself down..? She regarded him for a second. "It takes a strong man to admit to his faults, but don't worry for the short time that I've known you your no man but you also don't have any faults that I'm aware of." She finished her bold, lightly sarcastic statement before huffing to herself. Now look whose being logical?" Her eyes sparkled, teasingly.

Annie jumped at the touch of Jay's hand on her shoulder but soon felt her anxiety drift away. All of her concerns just disappeared and she felt rather peacefully. Forgetting about Jay's hand she leaned into his touch, a small smile pressed upon her lips as she closed her eyes, content.

"Hey," "There's nothing for you to be sorry about. I'm happy to talk about my family." Annie's eyes fluttered open to meet Jay's own gaze, her small smile curved up a bit. She listened to him talk about his parents, about their time at Hogwarts and supportiveness towards Jay attending school here. "Hm, that sounds nice, and thank you Jay I know I can be a lot to handle, but so far you've been there for me and dare say I enjoy your company. You and your calm aura and sarcastic personality have always brought a smile to my face for the time we've shared together and hopefully some time in the future as well."

Annie waited for Jay's reaction, her tone changing to add a lighter, sarcastic quality to their conversation. I can be serious and truthful when I want yah know?" She then realized his hand was still on on her shoulder so she carefully took his hand in her's and held it for a second to long before placing it down. Her hands then fidgeted with the grass that lay all around her. I felt a spark when I touched his hand, maybe he felt it too? Nope I'm probably just crazy as usual.. Annie shook her head, small butterflies buzzed in her stomach as well as a feeling she couldn't quite name.

"It takes a strong man to admit to his faults..." Annie began, and Jay's heart lifted, a bit of pride swelling in his chest. "But don't worry for the short time that I've known you your no man but you also don't have any faults that I'm aware of."
Immediately, his budding pride was viciously vanquished, snuffed out without a second glance. Of course she was teasing, but he still found a way to feel a slight amount of depression at those words. Thankfully, the situation was made salvageable by the sentiment that she had not seen any faults in him.
Quite different from the pride he had briefly experienced, he felt something else touch his heart. Something warmer, sweeter. Obviously he had faults - a tragic plethora, in fact - but hearing this from someone like Annie seemed to make him believe in himself a little more, giving him a feeling that perhaps he wasn't quite so far from being the person he wanted to be as he had previously thought.

He felt her jump at his touch, but she quickly relaxed and leaned into his hand, causing him to become very conscious indeed of where his hand was. But there was something about it... something special about the way she leaned on him that just seemed right somehow, almost like his whole point of existence at that time was to lend her his strength, giving her whatever support he could offer.
That feeling only intensified as she opened her brown eyes to stare into his own, that sweet smile growing larger as she replied.
"Hm, that sounds nice, and thank you Jay I know I can be a lot to handle, but so far you've been there for me and dare say I enjoy your company. You and your calm aura and sarcastic personality have always brought a smile to my face for the time we've shared together and hopefully some time in the future as well."

His own smile spread wide. I'll gladly handle what you can throw at me, was the thought that crossed his mind, though he tossed that one aside before it could reach his lips.
This all seemed strange- Jay was eleven years old, and Annie was twelve. To top it all off, they had only just met! He had heard talk of love all his life- not a passing infatuation, the kind of true love that only grew stronger the more time you spent with a person, until you would do anything for them, give everything for them, even so far as to be willing to die for the one you loved. With all such talk passing through his memory, he couldn't help but wonder at the feelings he was experiencing now. If he felt this way when he had known Annie for less than a day, as an eleven year old, what could that fabled true love really be like?
Jay thought he might be starting to understand what that kind of love could do to a person, how it could come to mean more to someone than anything else in this life.

Forcing himself out of the deep corner of his brain maze that he had accidentally wandered into, he mustered a reply.
"If I really make you smile, then I couldn't think of a better reason for me to show my sorry self quite often," he said.

"I can be serious and truthful when I want yah know?" Annie joked.
Jay chuckled, but before he could reply, she reached for his hand, taking it in hers and simply holding it for a moment. He reveled in it; the softness of her skin, the gentleness of her touch. He felt as though he could stay that way for hours, but she released her hold all too soon.
He watched her a moment, studying her face as she picked at the grass. He came to understand that he really didn't know what would transpire if they stayed that way, so he came to a decision.
Standing up, he offered her a hand to help her to her feet as well.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starved. Would you like to head over to the barbecue?"

Mentions: @Jay Azul

Annie saw Jay almost puff up his chest in pride as she commented on his faults. As she finished speaking he looked like a deflated balloon and she giggled a bit. He seemed to wander off in his head, a small smile curved onto his lips. Annie's eyebrows furrowed. I wonder what he's thinking about? Is it me, did I do something wrong? Did I say the wrong thing? No.. he's smiling that's a good thing right? Ah Jay your going to be the death of me.. Annie let out a long sigh she didn't know she had been holding.

She noticed how Jay never pulled away as she leaned against him, enjoying being near him. He put on his "content face " which Annie quickly figured out it meant he was in deep concentration. She decided to let him think to himself while she quietly observed him. Her heart beat quickened as she saw his fluffy black hair. Before she could stop herself she asked Jay a question. "Could I touch your hair- erm I know it sounds weird but it looks so fluffy and soft kind if like a kitten." Annie's face turned a light shade of pink at her upfront question but shook it off quickly. "If I really make you smile, then I couldn't think of a better reason for me to show my sorry self quite often," She puffed out her cheeks in defense, slightly pouting. "Well I want you to be normal around me and if your 'sorry self' is normal than so be it. It's so unfair you can make me feel calm and smile so easily."

As she took his hand in hers and placed it down she could see some sort if hesitation in this moment from both herself and Jay. Annie could feel his gaze as she played with the grass next to her. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starved. Would you like to head over to the barbecue?" Her head lifted up at his offer and she nodded. "I don't see why not? Sure I'd love to, let's go then!" Annie reached for his hand as he pulled her up from the grass, this time holding onto it, as a small dimpled smile appeared on her face.

Annie Morgan has left the thread

"Could I touch your hair- erm I know it sounds weird but it looks so fluffy and soft kind if like a kitten."

Jay's eyebrows knitted together in a puzzled look as the words emerged from Annie's lips. He was utterly uncertain how to respond to that. Being asked by someone if they could touch his hair was an entirely unique experience for him, and he wasn't even sure how he should respond.
However, as he noticed the redness flush back into Annie's cheeks, he quickly decided that he ought to find a way to save her the embarrassment. So, wiping the confused expression from his face, he attempted to make it look as though he had been asked this question on a daily basis throughout his life and found it completely ordinary.
"Well, I suppose I can allow that," he replied civilly. "But be careful- you don't want to tear it all out. I don't figure you'd like to see me bald, would you?" He raised his eyebrows in a joking manner.
Absently, he reached to touch it himself. Interesting how he had never seemed to contemplate the delicacy that was his hair. He supposed it was soft, having only just dried out.

"Well I want you to be normal around me and if your 'sorry self' is normal than so be it," Annie said.
Jay nodded- his "sorry self" was, in fact, the rather underwhelming state of his being.
"It's so unfair you can make me feel calm and smile so easily."
He smiled inwardly at that. He personally found the points that she mentioned as being quite acceptable, and much more. It seemed to him that he would never tire of hearing her say how he made her smile, made her feel good. Those were words that he would get up in the morning to hear.

At his inquiry about heading to the barbecue, she affirmed that she would like to go and reached to accept his hand. He pulled her to her feet, then became very aware of the fact that she refrained from releasing her hold.
He glanced at their joined hands, then back at Annie's face, only to see that wonderful dimpled smile that evoked so many emotions inside of him. It felt as though this smile was an affirmation of sorts, telling him that the contact was okay, that it was welcome, even.
Smiling warmly back at her, he began pulling her in the direction his nose led him.