A walk a day drives the anxiety away. Finished

Kayden didn't know what to say. What were they? He didn't want to overstep his bounds, or make her feel uncomfortable. Most of his nervousness had left, and it was much easier to speak with her now. "I don't know." He said. People were showing up in the courtyard, and Kayden was unsure of what to do next. He broke away, slightly regretful, as they do to used walking. He decided to take a chance and ask something. "Do you think... Perhaps. That people from different houses could make a relationship work?" He didn't want to overstep his bounds, nor did he want to stay just friends. Maybe they should take it slow. Go to the valentines dance and see what happens

He would definitely enjoy these little walks, every morning before class. Far off, he saw a couple of Slytherins laughing and pointing in their direction, obviously making fun of the odd pairing. He didn't much care what people thought anymore, much less Slytherins. He had an issue with a Slytherin in a library once, and Kayden wouldn't forget that anytime soon. He held a grudge against the house, but he tried not to let it show. He would have to deal with it.

@Sage Miller

"I think it could work if we try. I'm definitely willing to try. If you want to be my boyfriend, you just have to ask." She smiled at him before looking around and her smile disappearing. She felt her heart drop when she saw some Slytherin's pointing and laughing at them. Flashbacks from when she got made fun of for something when she was younger came back, and tears welled in her eyes. She stood up, the tears now falling down her face as her eyes were wide in fear when she saw them laughing at her.

Instinct kicked in and she started walking the opposite direction of the Slytherin's. Now she had started to cry softly as she walked away from them and from Kayden. This didn't change how she felt about Kayden, it was just the flashback of embarrassment that got her and that is why she started to cry. Hopefully, Kayden followed her so she could explain that to him. She didn't want him to think it was because of him. She had a feeling he wouldn't follow her, so she grabbed his hand and pulled them out of sight of the Slytherin's. "I'm sorry, it's just I had a flashback of when I was younger, it wasn't anything you did." She said and hugged him tightly, putting her head under his chin as she sniffled and cried again softly.

Kayden smiled. He would definitely have to ask her. He began thinking she was having second thoughts however, as her smile began to fade and tears began to well up in her eyes. Kayden scanned the area, noticing the Slytherin boys mock crying. Tears flowed freely from Sage now, as she grabbed his hand and pulled him into a more enclosed area. He was about to ask her what was wrong, but before he could, she latched onto him. She explained it was a flashback of teasing. He couldn't understand why anyone would tease her, she was probably the most amazing person he had ever met. She put her head under his chin and began to weep again softly. Kayden was an expert on this, and an older prefect had jokingly told him once that the two hardest subjects at Hogwarts were potions, and women's emotions.

Kayden lifted up her head softly, and wiped a tear from her cheek gently with his hand. "Don't give them the satisfaction of seeing you cry." He said softly. "I know it hurts, but you're gonna have to learn to ignore it. He hoped this was at least somewhat helpful, as it was advice he had been given before.

@Sage Miller

Sage didn't expect him to lift her face up and wipe away some of her tears. But more came down as she smiled and nodded softly, wiping them away herself as she sniffled "well this is embarrassing, I'm sorry that you had to see me cry not long after we met. I'm such a cry baby sometimes" she said, then he said that she'd have to learn to ignore it. "I might need your help with that. I'm glad I have you Kayden, I didn't think you could mean so much to me in a matter of a few hours. But I'm glad you're here" she said and hugged him tightly again.

She opened her mouth to say something but closed it immediately, almost saying the three magic words. She didn't want to freak him out with her already saying that, so she decided to not say it unless he did. But she was still so nervous that her mind went to the worst thoughts. That was a habit she had been trying to get rid of.

After a while, she realized that she was still hugging him and she smiled, because she didn't want to let go of him, ever.

"Hey, I'm here whenever you need me." Kayden felt her hot tears flowing over his fingers, and he felt a deep sorrow for her. She didn't deserve this. Nobody deserves this. He hugged her back, realizing the sun was fully up now. Checking his watch he saw it was 10:52 A.M. It didn't matter though. It's not like anybody was expecting him.

He thought not about what he should do next, they could sit here, and embrace for hours, but that was an unlikely option. What he really marveled at was why she was single. Any boy in his right mind would feel attracted. He didn't know what to do. He could see her almost mouth the words "I love you" out loud, but he knew she was much too timid for that. So was he for that matter. They were extremely close together, her head resting on his chest, and they sat there in silence. A good silence, not an awkward one, where both don't know what to say. They didn't speak, it because nether wanted to run the moment with words. But he had some words to say. Mustering up all of his courage, he opened his mouth. "I love you Sage." He sad almost breathlessly.

@Sage Miller

Sage pulled away in shock, her eyes were wide as she looked at him. More tears fell, she'd never felt anything like this before. But these weren't sad tears, they were happy tears. Her sadness on her face turned into a smile and she hugged him tightly, knocking him down onto his back. "I love you too!" Her voice cracked but she was so happy. She laughed a bit as she sat up and looked at him, her hair was in her face now but she didn't care. Besides, he'd probably move it out of the way. She didn't care, she just wanted to be with him no matter what. Besides when they had classes or when they were sleeping, but she wanted to do a lot of things with him.

She was lost in thoughts about all the stuff they would do together as she tried to think of what to do now. "Are uh- are you hungry?" She asked him, trying to think of things to do right now. "If not then we can just stay here and stare at each other until we pass out because of exhaustion." She giggled "because that sounds like a good time."

Kayden felt relieved as she said it back, the let out a happy grunt as she pushed him to the ground. For a second, thir faces were inches apart, and Kayden wondered if they were about to kiss. He dismissed this notion as she rolled over and sat up. He laughed as she presented the idea of staring at each other and passing out. "Well, as fun as that sounds, we should probably go get some food. I'm hungry." He stood up, extremely happy with how that went. He hoped this would be something they did every day. He helped Sage up and pushed the hair out of her face.

Her cheeks were red, and Kayden couldn't tell if it was from the tumble, or from being so close to each other. He grabbed her hand, and decided he wanted a moment of seriousness. "Thanks for coming today. I really enjoyed it." He was so happy that he had met Sage, and he felt his heart rate accelerating. The Slytherin boys had walked away, apparently realizing that their attempts were fruitless. He wondered how others would react to them. He could count on Willow being ok with it, and most Gryffindors too.

@Sage Miller

"I enjoyed it too" she said and smiled widely at him. Her stomach rumbled as she let him help her up and push her hair out of her face. She couldn't stop smiling either as she held his hand. She had never felt anything like this before, but she was glad that she was feeling it with Kayden. She started to walk back to the castle and to the Great Hall. Sage had seen romance movies before, and from what she had seen, this was the part where he held himself in his spot, grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him and kissed her.

She held onto his hand, smiling as she thought of it happening but didn't think it would happen. She took a few steps forward toward the castle, not really paying attention to what was going on. All she was thinking about was the romance movies she'd seen and food. So much had happened to her in the matter of a few hours. She couldn't imagine a more perfect time for her first kiss with a boy. But if he didn't want to then she wasn't going to push it, plus the thought slipped her mind when he fell and their faces were close to each other. Why hadn't either of them done it then?

He wanted too so bad! He wanted to pull her in and kiss her, but there was no way she was ready! She had been acting as though she was attracted, and it seemed like it was going places, but he just couldn't muster up the strength to do it! The setting was perfect, they were out of sight, the mood was right, and everything fell into place, but he just didn't think he had the strength to go thrush with it. He wanted too. But he couldn't. She began leading him towards the castle, but he didn't move. She tugged again, slightly harder, but he didn't budge.

Feeling his hormones take control, he tugged back, drawing her closer. He knew it was awkward, but he decided it would be worth it. Even if she left him... This moment would be worth it. Putting a hand around her waist, Kayden tilted his head and closed his eyes, locking lips with Sage. He pushed back her hair, and hoped desperately she wanted it as much as he did.

It felt great, the feeling of intimacy between them, and he didn't want it to end. Ever. He could feel her cheeks growing warm, and he wondered if this was really a good idea...

@Sage Miller

Sage didn't know what he was doing, but he wouldn't move. She tugged slightly harder and then turned around to face him, that's when it happened. Her mouth was open slightly as she looked into his eyes and then his face, down to his lips and back to his eyes again. This was it, he was going for it. When he closed his eyes, she closed his too and met him halfway. She put a hand on his cheek and the other on his shoulder. The electricity that was coursing between both of them almost gave her shivers.

She was in shock, but it happened, they had done it. She had wanted just as bad as he did and it finally happened. They were only 11, but with him, she felt older. With him, she wanted to be older, so that they could grow old together and own a house and get their dream jobs. She didn't know what he wanted to do but she knew what she wanted to do. After a few seconds, she pulled back, keeping her eyes closed for five seconds before opening them and looking deep into his eyes. Then, she gave him the brightest smile and the softest giggle.