A Shy Meeting
Serena walked through the library for her weekly book grabbing, but today was different then most. Instead of just looking for the normal books she got for studying and classes, she decided to look for some story books. Which if anyone were to see her doing so that normally saw her any other time, they would definitely note that it was strange behavior for this young Hufflepuff.
Serena placed the last book she wanted on the piles she had on a desk, another fantasy love novel. "If my mom saw me with this, I would be in soo much trouble, but now that I'm here I get to read what I want to." she thought to herself as she started to lift the books separately to get a better look at them to make sure she had all that she wanted. She picked up one of them and looked at the cover; it showed a couple kissing. "I wonder what it would be like to kiss someone..." she thought to herself before she shook her head, continuing her thoughts with, "Who cares anyway? Its not like I'll ever get a chance. All the boys I've gotten close to have ran from me."
She then picked up all fifteen of the books off the desk, holding them in her arms in a cradling like position. Serena was always getting too many books then she should carry, but she always did anyway. As she walked to go check them out she suddenly tripped on a chair and fell forward, the books scattering along the floor, the one book with the couple kissing fell less then a foot from Serena's face.
@Jake Morris
Serena placed the last book she wanted on the piles she had on a desk, another fantasy love novel. "If my mom saw me with this, I would be in soo much trouble, but now that I'm here I get to read what I want to." she thought to herself as she started to lift the books separately to get a better look at them to make sure she had all that she wanted. She picked up one of them and looked at the cover; it showed a couple kissing. "I wonder what it would be like to kiss someone..." she thought to herself before she shook her head, continuing her thoughts with, "Who cares anyway? Its not like I'll ever get a chance. All the boys I've gotten close to have ran from me."
She then picked up all fifteen of the books off the desk, holding them in her arms in a cradling like position. Serena was always getting too many books then she should carry, but she always did anyway. As she walked to go check them out she suddenly tripped on a chair and fell forward, the books scattering along the floor, the one book with the couple kissing fell less then a foot from Serena's face.
@Jake Morris
A Shy Meeting
Jake had discovered the Hogwarts library, and ever since it had been one of his favorite places at school. There were lots of books there...about magical history, about magical things...and lots of books about magical animals - those were his favorite. Jake had looked at many books, but he often gravitated to the children's sections, which were easier to read, and even more importantly, had a lot of pictures. Jake's love of the pictures had nothing to do with there being fewer words. Jake just wanted to see the artwork. There, Jake could see creatures that he had never even dreamed of before
The shy boy liked to sit by himself, in an area that was private. He still didn't like talking to the other children, especially in neutral zones like this one. Most of the Hufflepuffs he had met had been really nice...which had surprised Jake who had thought all of the other kids were going to be bullies. He had finally decided that maybe the Hufflepuffs just weren't...even if the other kids were. The common room then, was kind of safe but the library was a place where he didn't know what he was going to get and it was best that he stayed on his own...just for safety.
Just then he saw...a mountain of books coming his way? At least that's what it looked like. A second later though, the mountain toppled...and he saw the girl behind them fall to the ground. Even through his shyness, Jake hopped out of his chair, and hustled over. "A...are you ok...?" the little Hufflepuff asked with concern, fidgeting with his robe.
Just then, he looked down and saw the picture that had landed by his feet. Jake tilted his head to look at it...and saw something he hadn't been ready for. Jake made a face, wrinkling his nose. "Ewwwww....." the disgusted boy couldn't help but say.
The shy boy liked to sit by himself, in an area that was private. He still didn't like talking to the other children, especially in neutral zones like this one. Most of the Hufflepuffs he had met had been really nice...which had surprised Jake who had thought all of the other kids were going to be bullies. He had finally decided that maybe the Hufflepuffs just weren't...even if the other kids were. The common room then, was kind of safe but the library was a place where he didn't know what he was going to get and it was best that he stayed on his own...just for safety.
Just then he saw...a mountain of books coming his way? At least that's what it looked like. A second later though, the mountain toppled...and he saw the girl behind them fall to the ground. Even through his shyness, Jake hopped out of his chair, and hustled over. "A...are you ok...?" the little Hufflepuff asked with concern, fidgeting with his robe.
Just then, he looked down and saw the picture that had landed by his feet. Jake tilted his head to look at it...and saw something he hadn't been ready for. Jake made a face, wrinkling his nose. "Ewwwww....." the disgusted boy couldn't help but say.
A Shy Meeting
Serena laid on the ground for a few seconds, but her head darted up as she heard the boy's voice as her if she was okay. She nodded to him and said, "Yeah I'm fine..." She was clearly embarrassed as she brought her elbow up to try to get a look at it, saying, "I think I got some rub burn though." She then noticed that he had looked at the certain book, making her face turn crimson as she looked away, but when she heard him clearly show his disgust for what was on it, she slowly looked back at him, asking, "Its just a couple kissing, what's so wrong about that?"
As Serena waited for his answer she started to pick up the rest of the books, leaving that one on the ground as if to let him think about it as he looked at it. After getting the third book back into her arm pile she suddenly says, "Oh! Where are my manors? I'm Serena Davies, Hufflepuff." She then gave the boy a reassuring smile as she used her placed the books on the ground again, pushing some of her loose, brown hair out of her eyes so she could get a better look of the boy, her eyes lighting up as she thought to herself, "Oh my gosh...he's so cute! Maybe not in a cute like lovey dovey way, but he's cute in a childish way."
As Serena waited for his answer she started to pick up the rest of the books, leaving that one on the ground as if to let him think about it as he looked at it. After getting the third book back into her arm pile she suddenly says, "Oh! Where are my manors? I'm Serena Davies, Hufflepuff." She then gave the boy a reassuring smile as she used her placed the books on the ground again, pushing some of her loose, brown hair out of her eyes so she could get a better look of the boy, her eyes lighting up as she thought to herself, "Oh my gosh...he's so cute! Maybe not in a cute like lovey dovey way, but he's cute in a childish way."
A Shy Meeting
Jake was relieved to hear that the girl who had fallen was ok, but worried about her burn. But she wasn't crying, and she seemed to be alright. Then she asked Jake an odd question. He had felt bad about his declaration of disgust - because it was a book she was carrying and he didn't want to make her feel bad. But at her question, the eleven-year-old was unable to stop from making another face.
"'C-Cause...kissing's gross," Jake said bluntly. His eyes flickered up nervously. He hadn't meant to hurt anybody's feelings - he just hadn't been able to help it. Kissing WAS gross. Jake covered his eyes when even his own parents kissed. Sometimes in Disney movies they did it, but Jake didn't think they should have in things like that that were meant for children. Kids just weren't meant to look at that kind of stuff.
"I'm Jake," the boy said shyly. "I'm a Hufflepuff too."
As the girl began to gather her books, Jake realized that one of the books was left on the floor. Unfortunately it was the kissing one. Jake blushed. He looked down at it, but not too directly, kind of like looking at the sun. The actual picture felt much too grown-up for Jake to be looking at. Serena might not have seen him if he did since she had her own books to worry about...but...Jake didn't want to. Finally he made a decision. The little boy bent down and turned his head to the side, fumbling around with his hands on the carpet until he felt the book, and then lifting it back up.
"Here ya go..." the boy said shyly, holding the book out towards Serena while being very careful to keep his head turned away so he didn't have to see it.
"'C-Cause...kissing's gross," Jake said bluntly. His eyes flickered up nervously. He hadn't meant to hurt anybody's feelings - he just hadn't been able to help it. Kissing WAS gross. Jake covered his eyes when even his own parents kissed. Sometimes in Disney movies they did it, but Jake didn't think they should have in things like that that were meant for children. Kids just weren't meant to look at that kind of stuff.
"I'm Jake," the boy said shyly. "I'm a Hufflepuff too."
As the girl began to gather her books, Jake realized that one of the books was left on the floor. Unfortunately it was the kissing one. Jake blushed. He looked down at it, but not too directly, kind of like looking at the sun. The actual picture felt much too grown-up for Jake to be looking at. Serena might not have seen him if he did since she had her own books to worry about...but...Jake didn't want to. Finally he made a decision. The little boy bent down and turned his head to the side, fumbling around with his hands on the carpet until he felt the book, and then lifting it back up.
"Here ya go..." the boy said shyly, holding the book out towards Serena while being very careful to keep his head turned away so he didn't have to see it.
A Shy Meeting
Serena giggled as she heard the young boy's answer, her face clearly showing that it wasn't a mocking giggle, but one of honest humor. Hearing his name and that he was a Hufflepuff too she said, "Well, Jake, I agree kissing too much can be gross, but I think its also shows a deeper connection in the relationship of the people who are doing the kissing. You know...unless there are other...variables that caused the kissing, but best not talk about those. The point is kissing is just another part of life." She used her hands to tuck her hair behind her ears to make sure it wouldn't pass in front of her face again and block her vision.
Serena watched the boy turn his head and pick up the book hesitantly before holding it out to her. She took it quickly and placed it on the pile face down so he didn't have to see the picture anymore. She then asked him in a sweet voice, "So why is it you think kissing is so gross?" Giving the boy a big smile as her eyes not only looked curious, but excited and caring too. A thought popped into her mind as she then asked, "And do you want to go sit down at a table so we don't have to talk while we're standing?" Gesturing to the different tables around the library.
Serena watched the boy turn his head and pick up the book hesitantly before holding it out to her. She took it quickly and placed it on the pile face down so he didn't have to see the picture anymore. She then asked him in a sweet voice, "So why is it you think kissing is so gross?" Giving the boy a big smile as her eyes not only looked curious, but excited and caring too. A thought popped into her mind as she then asked, "And do you want to go sit down at a table so we don't have to talk while we're standing?" Gesturing to the different tables around the library.
A Shy Meeting
Jake looked at the other girl like she was crazy. All that stuff about deeper connections Jake didn't understand at all, but hearing that and her giggle made his face flush. Kissing was something that grownups did, and it didn't seem like anything that kids could understand. That was just how it was. Grownups did weird things sometimes, and they probably thought that kids did too. Jake didnt think any of the kids did anything as weird as kissing - but what was really weird was Serena seemed like she understood it. Why? Jake wanted to ask. Why does putting one mouth on another mouth mean anything about 'deeper connections?' His face showed visible doubt when she said that it was a part of life. Jake wasn't so sure about that...
When Serena asked if he wanted to sit, Jake blushed and nodded his head - he DID want to get to another table...but not so much because he didn't like standing. Jake had to get to another table because he didn't want anybody to overhear what it was they were talking about. He scurried over to the one that was farthest from any other kids, and took a seat. He waited nervously for Serena to sit down too, and then scooched his chair closer, leaning forward - his legs hanging in the air. Only then did he answer her question.
"W-well...'cause...'cause o'course it's gross. I-I mean...th-they put their mouths on each other. They get spit in each other's mouths," he whispered, turning very bright red, barely able to say it. His eyes darted around to make sure nobody was listening. Talking about this was bad enough - talking about it with a girl?? He squirmed in his chair. He didn't know why he had to explain it anyway...wasn't it obvious?
But Jake paused for a moment. She had said something else too...and the boy tried to figure out what she meant. It had sounded important. "Um...what's a vare-able?" Jake asked, hoping that whatever they were there weren't any of them nearby - ESPECIALLY if they caused kissing.
When Serena asked if he wanted to sit, Jake blushed and nodded his head - he DID want to get to another table...but not so much because he didn't like standing. Jake had to get to another table because he didn't want anybody to overhear what it was they were talking about. He scurried over to the one that was farthest from any other kids, and took a seat. He waited nervously for Serena to sit down too, and then scooched his chair closer, leaning forward - his legs hanging in the air. Only then did he answer her question.
"W-well...'cause...'cause o'course it's gross. I-I mean...th-they put their mouths on each other. They get spit in each other's mouths," he whispered, turning very bright red, barely able to say it. His eyes darted around to make sure nobody was listening. Talking about this was bad enough - talking about it with a girl?? He squirmed in his chair. He didn't know why he had to explain it anyway...wasn't it obvious?
But Jake paused for a moment. She had said something else too...and the boy tried to figure out what she meant. It had sounded important. "Um...what's a vare-able?" Jake asked, hoping that whatever they were there weren't any of them nearby - ESPECIALLY if they caused kissing.
A Shy Meeting
Seeing Jake nod his head Serena smiled as she watched him move over to a far away table, picking up her books into her arms again, walking over to the table carefully so she didn't trip before setting the books on the floor beside the chair she was going to sit in. She then sat down and listened to what he was whispering to her, giggling a little loudly as he mentioned spitting in each other's mouths. She then shook her head and said, "You don't spit in each other's mouths. Its called swappin' spit. That's just something older people say. That mostly just happens when the people kissing rub their tongues together." She shivered a little when she said it, closing her eyes for a second before opening them again.
Hearing his next question Serena thought for a second before saying, "A variable is like a reason that something could happen. Like me tripping, one of the variables or reasons for it happening was cause I'm clumsy. There's also I could have tripped on something, or maybe even someone tripped me. That's what a variable means." She then thought to herself, "This kid seems really...sheltered. I mean I know my parents went a little crazy when they just started introducing me to everything in the world, and I know variables is a hard word and most kids my age don't know it, but this kid seems a little...oblivious. I guess I better just answer his questions then, I don't mind honestly. She then smiled to him again and asked, "Anymore questions?"
Hearing his next question Serena thought for a second before saying, "A variable is like a reason that something could happen. Like me tripping, one of the variables or reasons for it happening was cause I'm clumsy. There's also I could have tripped on something, or maybe even someone tripped me. That's what a variable means." She then thought to herself, "This kid seems really...sheltered. I mean I know my parents went a little crazy when they just started introducing me to everything in the world, and I know variables is a hard word and most kids my age don't know it, but this kid seems a little...oblivious. I guess I better just answer his questions then, I don't mind honestly. She then smiled to him again and asked, "Anymore questions?"
A Shy Meeting
Jake blushed again self-consciously as the girl giggled, and he lowered his eyes. Why did she have to laugh? She kept laughing at him...He never should have asked anything at all. He knew they didn't really SPIT in each other's mouths but...but how was rubbing tongues together any better? Once again, he couldn't help but make a disgusted face. Couldn't they talk about something else? It was just gross, and the last thing he wanted was for anybody to find out he had talked about kissing
It turned out a 'variable' was just a reason. That was good...since it meant there wasn't some magical thing that made people want to kiss. But what other reason COULD somebody have to kiss unless it was two grown-ups who loved each other? That was the only reason Jake had ever seen it. That was why his parents did it, and that was why people did it on TV.
Jake spoke again, his voice still hushed and embarrassed, but he did have some questions and he somehow managed to work up the courage to ask them, hoping the answers would be fast and then they could talk about something more appropriate.
"Th-Then um...b-but then...well...w-what are the 'variables'? An'...an' why do they rub their tongues together? Why do they like it?" he asked, unable to look Serena in the eye as he did.
It turned out a 'variable' was just a reason. That was good...since it meant there wasn't some magical thing that made people want to kiss. But what other reason COULD somebody have to kiss unless it was two grown-ups who loved each other? That was the only reason Jake had ever seen it. That was why his parents did it, and that was why people did it on TV.
Jake spoke again, his voice still hushed and embarrassed, but he did have some questions and he somehow managed to work up the courage to ask them, hoping the answers would be fast and then they could talk about something more appropriate.
"Th-Then um...b-but then...well...w-what are the 'variables'? An'...an' why do they rub their tongues together? Why do they like it?" he asked, unable to look Serena in the eye as he did.
A Shy Meeting
Hearing his question Serena had to stop and think, "Huh...why do people enjoy kissing so much? Its not like it mandatory, but it is kinda exhilarating. And how am I suppose to tell this kid the variables without scaring him? Oh well, here it goes." She looked at him directly as she said, "Well for starters two people could kiss due to a dare, although that only happens at like parties or something like that. People could also kiss because they love each other. Its actually a common thing for people to kiss, maybe not at our age but a little later in life."
Serena paused, thinking about what she was going to say next, "I don't know how to answer this...I've never really thought of why. This is why we have parents, so they can teach us these things. I guess I can't blame him, he was whisked to Hogwarts at such a young age, I mean so was I, but my parents had already taught me all of this. She took a deep breath before she said, "Honestly...I don't know why people insist on rubbing their tongues together, I guess its just for the fun of it, gives you something extra to do while you're kissing." Her eyes grew wide and she blushed as she realized what she had said, thinking to herself, "Yeah...not the only thing you can do while you kiss, but best not tell this kid that." She slowly regained her less nervous state and smiled at him, asking, "Does that make sense?"
Serena paused, thinking about what she was going to say next, "I don't know how to answer this...I've never really thought of why. This is why we have parents, so they can teach us these things. I guess I can't blame him, he was whisked to Hogwarts at such a young age, I mean so was I, but my parents had already taught me all of this. She took a deep breath before she said, "Honestly...I don't know why people insist on rubbing their tongues together, I guess its just for the fun of it, gives you something extra to do while you're kissing." Her eyes grew wide and she blushed as she realized what she had said, thinking to herself, "Yeah...not the only thing you can do while you kiss, but best not tell this kid that." She slowly regained her less nervous state and smiled at him, asking, "Does that make sense?"
A Shy Meeting
Jake listened to the answer of his question about the variables. It wasn't that surprising. He already knew that people kissed each other when they loved each other (even though he didn't know why) and he could imagine why people might do it on a dare. Jake had never played 'truth or dare' before but he knew that people liked to dare each other to do the most embarrassing thing possible, and what could be worse than kissing? "I...I know that," he said blushing, when she said that kissing was common later in life. It wasn't like he didn't know anything.
But then she tried to answer about the rubbing tongues, and he found himself even more lost than when he'd started. Rubbing tongues together was one of the grossest thing Jake could imagine, who wouldn't even let his parents take a bite of his food. If anybody put their mouth on a fork or spoon and tried to take from his plate, then Jake needed a new plate.
"S-so...s-so they get bored or somethin'....?" Jake asked, blinking in confusion. When Serena asked if it made sense, Jake very honestly shook his head 'no'.
If anything he might have been more confused than before.
But then she tried to answer about the rubbing tongues, and he found himself even more lost than when he'd started. Rubbing tongues together was one of the grossest thing Jake could imagine, who wouldn't even let his parents take a bite of his food. If anybody put their mouth on a fork or spoon and tried to take from his plate, then Jake needed a new plate.
"S-so...s-so they get bored or somethin'....?" Jake asked, blinking in confusion. When Serena asked if it made sense, Jake very honestly shook his head 'no'.
If anything he might have been more confused than before.