20 May 2020, 05:46
Slowing Down
Enjoying the calm as much as the chaos with @Alina Rosier
Alina's reaction to his suggestion of the astronomy tower warmed him clear down to his toes. And told him that his suggestion was probably more romantic than his curious, adventurous brain should've gotten credit for.
In all reality, he had been planning on sneaking out on his own one of these nights. The place promised a fantastic view and astronomy was one of his many fascinations--but, any more, so was Alina Rosier. She would make it about a thousand times better. And he was already having too much fun to end the night, so he'd suggested it. Because these days, he'd say just about anything if it meant holding her hand for another twenty minutes.
Though, suddenly, it wasn't just a whim. As they ventured the dark corridors together, Clifton decided that he really wanted to make the end of the term special for her. Just like how she went out of her way to make everything they ever planned so perfect. Down to the lemon drops and color schemes.
Alina Rosier had helped him belong in his own new, crazy life. The Clifton he saw reflected in her eyes was so much more than the one that greeted him in the mirror every morning and it had done him some good to try and make the two match. Even his grouchy bunkmate had commented on Clifton's "growing up" over the course of the term.
He now led her up onto the platform and into the gleaming starlight. At the sight, her eyes brightened in that way that illuminated her whole expression and Clifton smiled. Then felt that familiar flutter of shyness in his gut. Neither of them really said much as they approached the railing around the outside of the tower.
The view didn't disappoint. Clifton didn't even know it was possible to see that many stars from Earth and he began to wonder if they, too, had something to do with magic.
"So much for trying to find the Little Dipper," he said. Mostly because he suddenly didn't know what else to say. He glanced her way to see her completely taken in by the glimmering night sky. He smiled and was going to let her simply enjoy it when a chill breeze swirled in, playing with her hair and making her hand jerk in his with a slight chill.
Clifton wasted no time in doing what he'd seen his dad do a hundred times. Neither of them had their school robes this late after classes, but he still had a light, collared jacket from one of the Mom-dictated ensembles he lazily threw on the way most kids probably threw on a t-shirt. He pulled his arms from it and then stepped behind her.
Telling the butterflies in his stomach to kindly take a hike, he gently draped it over her shoulders.
She glanced back him before pulling it the rest of the way around and then resting back against him. Clifton liked when she did that. It made him feel stronger. Taller. Not to mention the calming smell of her hair. Carefully, he returned the gesture by sliding his arms around her. Something that shouldn't have felt so easy or natural for a boy who was ruthlessly teasing his friends about their crushes hardly a year ago. But then, this was Alina.
"You seemed pretty deep in thought, Miss Rosier," he said. "What were you thinking about?"
I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.
20 May 2020, 15:18
Slowing Down
Amongst the starts with@Clifton Troublefield
Everything about that night had been more amazing than the next and she was glad that she had not declined his invitation to the Astronomy Tower because this was one of life's unforgettable moments. She didn't want to rush it either, whether that be her time with him that night to any time she had at all with him.
"If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore, and persevere for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown. But every night come out these envoys of beauty and light the universe with their admonishing smile," she smiled at the words she said and lifted her eyes to look back up to him, careful not to move too much. She liked this moment with him and enjoyed the closeness and warmth that he brought.
"Nature and Selected Essays written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of my favorite idealists. He has this way of scripting out visionary poetics of nature and I've always found myself drawn to it...both nature itself and his words attempting to describe its beauty - but never before have I seen the night so beautiful."
She was going to say the night sky. She had never seen the night sky more beautiful. This was a truth, an absolute truth. Never before had Alina seen anything close to this sky that provided their ambience but it was more than that. It was the night. The adventure of the trophy room, the time she spent with him, the fun moments racing down the hall, and the closeness of their current moment. She had never seen a night so beautiful.
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
21 May 2020, 04:50
Slowing Down
A fumbling confession - with @Alina Rosier
Alina's answer was so perfectly and entirely Alina that Clifton could only smile. It was beautiful. Just like the stars above them. Just like her.
He might have been able to contribute some geeky things he knew about black holes and supernovas, but nothing about the city of God or the universe smiling. It sounded so hopeful.
"I really like you, Alina," he sighed, completely content.
Or at least he had been content. Up until he fully heard the words that came out of his own mouth. Words that had apparently taken a wrong turn on their way to staying in his head. Color rushed to his face and he laughed a little self-consciously.
"I mean," he tried to mend it. "I've always liked you, but...well, you know what I mean." At least he hoped she did. Or maybe he didn't. Or...whatever.
Clifton resisted the urge to facepalm. Stuff like that was supposed to be more special, not blurted out. Especially for her. For the first time in his life, he understood that forced smile his parents would give him when they lectured him about his "free spirit" needing its wings trimmed.
Because Alina Rosier was brilliant. Pulling pranks, leaping across moving staircases, hiding from professors--all with a sense of class. And those bright eyes. There was no way he was the first boy to have his head turned. And besides, his words weren't exactly Ralph Waldo Emerson.
But it wasn't that big of a deal, was it? After all, he had just kissed her in the trophy room a few hours ago. Didn't that say basically the same thing?
He didn't know. All that he knew was that his stomach was behaving like he'd just slipped off the high-dive. And he'd be lucky to not belly-flop it.
I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.
21 May 2020, 05:03
Slowing Down
Up until now at least, there's always been a but - with @Clifton Troublefield
Alina noticed his slight change in behavior after saying his statement and it had her a little curious and honestly a little alarmed. He was nervous and she felt just maybe her statement she made of the stars was too much. She had finally done it, she had finally gone and bored Clifton Troublefield. She had a tendency to do that to people, so she noticed.
She glanced down, trying to compose herself, trying to pretend this didn't bother her. Trying to keep any tears at bay that may come. What had it been? Had the trophy room prank, race, nearly caught by prefect and professors, staircase jump and now this finally was too much of her for one evening? She should have said no. She should have said to just take her back to her dormitory. Why had she been so stupid? Could she turn back time just a little bit? To where she hadn't over-worn her welcome?
"You really like me," she whispered but even in a low tone it was apparent that her voice quivered, "but..." she paused and waited. There was silence.
She turned away from the railing and looked to him now, hating that her eyes glistened now with tears. "Just go on then. You started your statement. Finish it. You really like me, but..."
She tried to keep her eyes on him but she just couldn't. She wanted to be confident, to carry herself high, but she couldn't when it came to this. Her gaze lowered to the floor of the Astronomy Tower, feeling terribly embarrassed.
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
21 May 2020, 06:05
Slowing Down
Scrambling - with @Alina Rosier
Clifton saw her slipping. Fast. Definitely a belly-flop. Ugh, why couldn't he have just gotten it right the first time? Or, better yet, kept his mouth shut to begin with?
"No," he hurried, his heart free-falling. "No, that's not what I meant. At all. It came out stupid. Really stupid."
The tears in her eyes combined with his own panic nearly made him want to cry a little himself, but he forced himself to calm down. He would get it right. There was no way he'd let perfect night with Alina end like this.
"I meant that I've always liked you, you know, as a person. A friend. But now it's...well, it's deeper."
He ached to pull her close again and comfort her from his own idiocy, but he felt like he'd lost the privilege. So he did his best with his words.
"Like just now. When you said all those things about the universe and nature? I've never met anyone that sees the world like you do. And I was realizing that it's...well, it's addicting. You're addicting. My coach would kick me off the team if he saw the way I handle stairs when you walk by with your friends. And I don't know if you've ever seen it, but professors are always using their magic to slam my book or knock over my inkwell so I'll stop oggling. Merlin's Beard, Alina I've maybe slept eight hours over the course of the entire term. I'm too busy thinking about secret balls and goats and summer and lemons."
He sighed, hating how downcast and sad she looked. He’d seen how she was when she was angry. Eyes blazing, ready to throw her book bag at her tutor’s head. She’s even snapped at him once. But somehow seeing her like this—so small and hurt—was far more frightening. Especially when he knew he’d caused it. But he didn’t know what else to do other than to keep going.
"It’s because I think you're...beautiful. Alina. And crazy. And brave. And funny. And I have half a mind to write a thank-you note to the author of that feminist book."
When she didn't immediately dart down the stairs, he braved coming closer. "I'm sorry. I don't always know how to say things right. What I meant was that I'm not perfect, but I'm convinced you are. And...I get scared to tell you because there's no way I'm that lucky. I never have been. And if it turned out that you didn't feel the same, then I'd take it. But it would mean some serious withdrawals."
I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.
21 May 2020, 15:25
Slowing Down
Bring it on back with @Clifton Troublefield
"Can't be too amazing and perfect when I make a fool of myself, now can I?" she asked, pulling herself back up to him. Instinctively his arms came around her and she stood there with her head resting on his chest for quite some time.
"I don't know why I thought the worst..." she whispered an apology. She squeezed him tighter, hating that shes thought she almost lost him. She would have missed their physical closeness as well as their emotional closeness. She would have been an absolute wreck.
"There's been very few people that get me. Rose Moon, my Charms partner and friend once told me that I'm smarter than she originally thought upon first meeting me. I overdo my welcome a lot. I must have with my father and my mother and my grandmother. And Bella and I, we wave when we see each other which is nice but...but you've begun to be something really big for me. And the thought of you walking away was going to make things really difficult. I'm glad you're not walking away. Don't ever walk away," she stopped talking to just hold him for another moment.
He had stated that he liked all of her and hopefully he could deal with this vulnerable side too. It wasn't a side she showed too often and in fact, he would be the first at Hogwarts to ever see it. Maybe the only one else who ever caught a glimpse of it had been her twin.
After a moment, she pulled back and looked up to him now with a smile on her face, her eyes now with happiness in replacement of the sad. "I'm glad you told me," she admitted, her eyes watching what she could of his. "All of it. And...I really like you too, Clifton Troublefield, so much that it excites me and frightens me all the same."
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
21 May 2020, 21:10
Slowing Down
Meaning it this time - with @Alina Rosier
Clifton didn't dare push his luck when she came back to him. He was so relieved to have her back his arms, that he just held her, surprised at how terrified he'd been. He didn't even know girls could do that. Maybe it was just this one in particular.
And then, when she began explaining some about her family, he understood. At least a little. He realized that she was just as scared as him, but in a different way. So many people that she cared about had left her. Family, even. Clifton couldn't imagine what it took to come back from that, especially multiple times. Of course she'd have "rejection" at the top of her radar. He would've. In fact, he probably wouldn't have bothered with relationships at all.
Alina Rosier was strong. How did she keep caring? Caring enough to let herself hurt like that?
"I'm glad you're not walking away," she said. "Don't ever walk away."
He couldn't if he tried. But he only held her tighter. "Never. In fact, if you ever got sick of me, you'd probably have to run. Fast. In the other direction. And even then, I'd probably try to catch up."
They stayed like that for a long moment and Clifton finally allowed himself to relax again. She was still here. It was okay. He would just need to be a little less careless if he was going to prove to her that she could feel safe. This wasn't just one of those stupid games of who-likes-who at school. It was a deep relationship. With a true friend. Who carried real hurts.
He felt her pull away and look up at him. "I'm glad you told me. All of it. And...I really like you too, Clifton Troublefield, so much that it excites me and frightens me all the same."
Clifton's smile returned, all sorts of excitement and relief washing away his worry. He still couldn't see how a girl as smart and gorgeous as her could feel the same way, what with all his jokes and craziness, but he wasn't about to argue either. He'd just have to keep giving her good reasons to stick around.
But he'd sort that out later. For now, it was enough that she was still here. Carefully, he reached up and brushed a few loose strands of hair from her face. Then leaned toward her. "There's nothing to be afraid of."
He brought his lips to hers. Not in the nervous, rushed, see-if-i-can-get-away-with-it sort of way he'd done before. This time he meant it.
I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.
21 May 2020, 22:03
Slowing Down
Back to good with @Clifton Troublefield
They were young, and maybe they didn't know exactly all of what perfectly to say or do, but they knew their feelings. She gave into the kiss in return and it was slow, meaningful. And when they pulled back she smiled to him and took his hand, leading him back to the railing so they could look out at those stars. "Thank you for bringing me here tonight, Mr. Troublefield," she said to him.
They were back to good. Back to greatness. Back to be something to be envied by anyone that ever wanted a special someone in their lives whether that be a close friend or more. She was lucky to have both that resided in him.
Their trip had its rocky moment but she wouldn't want it any other way. Now she knew the extent of his feelings and he knew hers. She wasn't going to go anywhere either. "What made you think of the Astronomy Tower?" it peaked her interest. "Were you just wanting somewhere high with a nice view or do you have an interest in Astronomy?"
More than ever she wanted to know everything she could about Clifton Troublefield. The good, the bad, the ugly (although none would be the ugly).
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
22 May 2020, 06:33
Slowing Down
Time slipping away - with @Alina Rosier
It felt so good to be back to where they were. Well, not back. It felt more like forward. He realized he didn't just feel comfortable around her. He was beginning to feel safe. Whatever it was, he liked it.
Clifton laughed a little in response to her question. "Well. The reason kept changing. At first, it was because I didn't want to go back yet. And also because I like astronomy. We talked about it in school once, but only enough to make me want to learn more. I don't know, it's just so crazy to think about how much is out there. My town is a small place and I used to worry that I'd run out of places to explore. But with with space, it just...goes on forever. And there's so much we still don't know."
"I even asked for a telescope a couple birthdays back." He shrugged. "Never really told anyone about it though. You don't exactly make it onto the football team by leading with solstices and equinoxes. But...I guess that's why I wanted to bring you. You get it." And then some, what with the works of Emerson.
He gave her a playful sort of smile. "Of course, then we held hands the whole way and I decided that the moon and the stars wouldn't hurt my chances that way either."
"Though, really," Clifton turned his gaze back to the view. "I think I just wanted to make tonight special. Not for any real reason, just...as a thanks I guess."
He gave her hand a squeeze, already dreading the few weeks during the summer that they'd have to part ways.
Right. Summer! Clifton facepalmed. "Duh! I was going to tell you before the prefect tried to rat us out. My parents wrote me this week." He turned to her and smiled. "They said they'd be happy to have you come visit. A lot more excited than I expected actually. I think they've warmed up to the idea of learning about it. Like you said."
At least that's what he hoped. But if he were being honest with himself, the sudden shift in the tone of their letters made him a little uneasy. Still. Everything else sounded normal. Maybe Leo had been visiting and had finally won them over.
"I don't have even one swimming pool, but wait until you see the dishwasher," he grinned. "You don't even need remember any spells, you just push a button. Easiest chore ever. Besides, my parents said you're welcome to come with us to the theme park we always go to. There's one ride you have to go on. It's like the staircases, but twenty times faster."
That's when, from the corner of his eye, he noticed the slight blush of the sunrise on the horizon. He turned his head again, shocked. They hadn't been out that long, had they? Clifton bit his lower lip and looked at her, a little guiltily.
"I...guess I should get you back. For reals, this time."
I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.
22 May 2020, 13:28
Slowing Down
Sunrises, another first with @Clifton Troublefield
Alina was excited. Being able to visit him, dishwashers, and theme parks. She didn't even have the slightest idea what the last two were but knew she'd find them amazing!
"And we're not leaving," she snapped at him, "not yet." There was a smile that played on her face though. She wasn't angry with him. The night had turned out to be successful one because they both now verbally had stated how important they were to the other and even though she made a fool of herself, he saw her vulnerable side that she didn't show often and still didn't run away.
"I've never seen the sunrise before. Never in person." The picturesque grounds from where they stood, the tower being located directly a above the front doors of the castle, nearly center. "Luckily there's no classes tomor..." but she cut off her words. Being so late it was already tomorrow. "Luckily there's no classes today so we'll watch the sunrise and then sneek back to our dorms and sleep in. Hopefully your roommate won't rat us out," she smiled.
"And then, after we've gotten a bit of sleep, we can meet in the library later. We've got some research to do and I want to give you my cheesy end-of-the-year gift." She had made something for some of her closest friends and certainly his had been made first.
"Sound like a plan to you, Mr. Troublefield?" she asked, although right now the view was stealing her attention away from him as she looked out to the landscape before them.
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.