break a leg! (literally) private complete

@Gem Stuart

Being carried in Gem's arms was one of the most comforting moments she's had all year. Sure, the embarrassment still lingered in the air, but she fanned it away. All she could think of right now was.. well, how much she had allowed herself to like Gem. At first she just played the flirting game to see how it'd go, though she didn't expect this. It would make a cute story to look back on, but as of being in the moment, god, she couldn't bare it.

She giggled at his comment about being on the highest branch. She knew she shouldn't have been up there, she knew it was a stupid idea, but she did it anyway. Maybe to clear her head, being all the way up like that, not having to bother with anyone around you. Well, the squirrels maybe.

"I know.. I guess I was just trying to have fun.." She half-lied, hanging her head. Sure, it was fun and adventurous to climb trees, but she really went up there to collect her thoughts, with all the stress she acquired lately, it was hard to find a isolated area these days.

Brielle then glanced over at him again, a sort of longing to keep him in the room. God, she probably looked so stupid right now, sitting on this stupid bed with bandages around her knee. She was grateful for Illowy, even though she wasn't quite enthused about helping Brielle back there.

Gem seemed to be in his thoughts, maybe contemplating what to say. He then looked up, their eyes locking for a moment. It caused her to smile softly, with the way he looked at her. Or maybe her eyes were just playing tricks on her, and he wasn't looking at her in any particular way. He probably just thought she was a stupid Slytherin.. She said to herself, shifting in the bed with a small wince.

"Sorreh. Um, you look good. You really do." He had blurted aloud, causing Brielle to stare with disbelief at him. As she reached out for his hand, she intertwined hers with his, her green eyes twinkling with glossy tears.

"Gem, can I ask you something?" She questioned softly, as if she was second guessing herself to ask it in the first place.

@Brielle Gray

Gem felt nervous when he caught her eyes, all glassy and green, a bit red from the tears. He couldn't blame her even a little bit-- he'd be wailing like a baby if he'd broken his leg from a fall that high. What he didn't expect, though, was the sudden warmth of her hand on his, locking them together, twining their fingers. He hated that question, can I ask you something, but he knew it was just a question that self-assured people. He didn't have anything to worry about, or so he told himself.

"Yeh. Yeh, of course. You can ask me anythin'- you should be able to ask whatever ya want. Yeah, sure. Go ahead." He looked at the doors nervously, his head all light and face red. She was holding his hand, and he swore he'd have a heart attack over it. That was fine, they were in the hospital wing, at least. His fingers were tingling. Peripheral neuropathy was damaged nerves that affected the fingers, spine, and brain, and on another note, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin helped compose the emotion of love, or even an intense crush. He wondered if he could feel both of those at the very same time.

She was probably gonna ask him about helping her move her leg or something because this position was uncomfortable, which he wouldn't have a problem with, but also - he was totally dying to hear the question, and now he was getting all panicky and his hands were clammy, and he kept thinking, and God he was on the very verge of passing out. No he wasn't, but it felt like it.

@Gem Stuart

She looked down at her free hand, with it fumbling at the sheets on the bed. Should I ask him? What if he thought I was crazy? She asked herself, shaking her head at how vulnerable she'd become. "I was just uh.. wondering if-" She stopped, unable to continue. Bloody hell she couldn't believe where she was right now. Practically on the verge of tears for some boy that didn't even like her.

"You'd go on a date with me?" She said so faint even she couldn't hear the words that had come out of her mouth. With a small smidge of hope he hadn't heard her question, she kept her hand in his, not wanting to leave that position. Since when did crushes get so problematic? It was like her whole life line depended on his answer.

Praying to whatever god had been listening.. Mainly Aphrodite.. She awaited his response, hoping he didn't tear away from her like she was some goddamn freak. Oh, how tragic that would be. To have the only person you'e been remotely interested in to completely abandon you be because you caught feelings too fast?

Yes, how ever so tragic that would be..

@Brielle Gray

A date.
She wanted to go out on a date with him. Brielle Gray, basically one of the prettiest girls at the school, wanted to go out on a date with some goon like Gem. He hadn’t even realized he was holding his breath until after his throat scratched for air. No one had ever asked him on a date before, he felt like he should’ve been the person doing that, but god almighty did it feel nice. He swore his heart was going to explode out of his chest if he didn’t hurry up and answer, so he gave her hand a gentle squeeze and shifted a little before he answered.

“Date... ehm, yeah! Yes, I’d love ta go out onna’ date wiv you, you’re... you’re great, spectacular, even.” He was swallowing back his nervousness successfully, at the very least. “How about after... Transfiguration? We can hang aroun’ an-and I’ll even get us sumfin’ ta eat.” He was real excited, beyond his very own words. His face felt warm, and so did his whole body, just all fuzzy– best described as delightful.

He was so caught up, looking at her, how nice she seemed, how soft her palms were, that he hadn’t even noticed the nurse that stuck her head in and smiled at the two.

“Hello, you two. Heard something about a broken leg?”

Gem almost jumped ten feet in the air when he heard the first decibel of that nurse’s voice, no matter how soft it was. He held Brielle’s hand a little bit tighter, just to be sure. Be sure of what? He didn’t know.

“Oh! Oh, yeh. She.. I think she broke ‘er knee, fell out of a tree, ha.”
“Awh, you first years, so reckless, so young,” the nurse shook her head, taking a gentle hold of the young girl’s leg, clicking her tongue. “It’s broken alright, no worry, though. We’ll have it fixed up in a jiffy!” She pulled out her wand, holding it up to Brielle’s knee, and with her voice, spoke a soft spell. ”Brackium Emendo.”

Gem didn’t see it happen, but he did watch Brielle’s face while it was happening– he wondered if it hurt, how bad, and if it even felt like anything. It had to have felt like something, those were her goddamn bones being fixed up in the span of a few seconds!

“There we are, dear. All done, still, rest a bit. Could be a little bit sore if you go straight to walkin.”
“Thanks, Miss.”

That was weird. Magic was so weird, no matter the fact he grew up around it. He’d never get used to it. A bone mending spell. How much more niche did you have to get?

@Gem Stuart

He agreed, he really agreed to go on her silly date. She thought she might just faint right there, the butterflies in her chest too great to handle. She's.. spectacular? Brielle wondered at his choice of words. It wasn't like her to feel like this, and it was honestly a little disorienting. Was it what love felt like? How could she have experienced love just as a first year? She didn't know what it was, she just knew it made her feel.. special. Like she was worth something.

"A-after Transfiguration? Maybe we can hold hands on the way there too?" She asked, her voice higher than normal. Maybe it was the light-headedness of it all, or maybe because she was all woozy from the experience.

Brielle giggled at the sound of the nurse, causing Gem to jump quite defensively. As the nurse approached the two students, Brielle smiled up at her, thankful someone was finally here to help her. Before she could cast the spell, though, Brielle's voice jumped out, a sort of concern in her voice.

"Is this going to hurt?" She asked, hoping the nice nurse's response would be 'not at all.' Though, to her dismay, she frowned at her and shook her head. "It'll just be a small pinch.. Nothing too painful." She chirped sweetly, though Brielle could almost swear she was lying.

With a few words and a flick of her wrist from the nurse, Brielle yelped, feeling her bones shift together. She squeezed Gem's hand once more, hoping that the warmth of his palms would dilute the pain of the spell. Although it hurt, the ache lasted only for a matter of 15 seconds.

She then turned back to her 'rescuer'. She grinned at him and leaned up, kissing him on the cheek. "Until we meet again..?" And with that, she unconnected their hands and placed her head on the soft pillow of her medical bed. It wasn't as nice as the one's in the dormitories, but it felt pleasant to sleep.

Brielle then drifted off in a mere second, her breathing slowing to a nice soft pace.

@Brielle Gray

It was nice, feeling her fingers squeeze around his hand like that. It stung, he was willing to believe that, better than how muggles would often handle it... snapping it back into place. It made him sick to his stomach just putting the image in his head. That aside, he noted Brielle was reasonably tired, and just as he was about to tell her to rest up, she pecked him on the cheek, short and sweet. His face felt like he'd pressed it against a frying pan, all red and stuff-- it hurt a lot less, but he was still... red. Redder than he'd ever been, probably.

"Ehm, yeah... next time," He fumbled with his fingers, watching her settle herself down in the hospital bed. He hesitated, but after he stood up, he leaned down to lay a quick kiss on her forehead and then proceed to speed out like a bat out of hell. He couldn't believe it! A date with Brielle! He huffed, running off to the boy's dormitory so he could tell James all about it-- a date! God, he couldn't get the thought of her out of his head, how nice her hands felt, how fuzzy the spot where she'd kissed him on his cheek felt. It was great, it was greater than great. Something he wouldn't forget, that was for sure.

(OOC: Gem exits.)