2 Feb 2021, 20:48
The Picnic Lunch
Kayden checked himself in the mirror for the eighth-time, before leaving the dormitory. Today was the day. He felt intimidated, nervous, and excited all at the same time. He grabbed the basket, then walked out towards the lake. It was a nice day outside, despite it being in winter. The snow had cleared up and the sun was shining, tinting off the lake.
He grabbed a blanket out of the basket and spread it across the lawn. He folded his legs and sat down, beginning to put things in their proper position. As he set out the strawberries, the giant squid's head brimmed just above the lake.
He hoped that wasn't a bad omen. He checked his watch. Twelve-thirty. She should be here by now.
He watched the squid disappear back into the lake and breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this was going to be a good day after all.
He checked his reflection in a glass, making sure that his teeth had nothing in them, making sure that his hair was parted correctly. His stomach felt weird, and he shook his hands to let out the nerves.
He heard the sound of footsteps behind him and drew in a breath.
This was it.
@Jennifer King
He grabbed a blanket out of the basket and spread it across the lawn. He folded his legs and sat down, beginning to put things in their proper position. As he set out the strawberries, the giant squid's head brimmed just above the lake.
He hoped that wasn't a bad omen. He checked his watch. Twelve-thirty. She should be here by now.
He watched the squid disappear back into the lake and breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this was going to be a good day after all.
He checked his reflection in a glass, making sure that his teeth had nothing in them, making sure that his hair was parted correctly. His stomach felt weird, and he shook his hands to let out the nerves.
He heard the sound of footsteps behind him and drew in a breath.
This was it.
@Jennifer King
Last edited by Kayden Lind on 4 Feb 2021, 20:02, edited 1 time in total.
"The Hufflepuffs stayed, not for glory like their Gryffindor friends, but out of a sense of duty."
_-J.K Rowling
2 Feb 2021, 22:27
The Picnic Lunch
12:00. Jenny was pulling on her black jeans, and emerald v-neck. 12:15, Jenny was pulling on her white sweater. 12:20 She quickly pulled her hair into a twisted braid on her shoulder. 12:25 She hurriedly put on her black boots. 12:30 She rushed out of the common room, feeling joy and nervous. She walked outside, realizing how nice it was outside. A tad bit chilly, but sunny. She looked around, and saw Kayden sitting by the lake.
She couldn't help but turn pink as she rushed over. She's never felt this way about someone. Ever. Breathless, she walked up behind him. "Hey, I've arrived! You look prepared." And that he was. He had the lunch all ready. She sat down next to him. A picnic! If only her mother could see her now. Not a tea party, a picnic. With her ultimate crush. Maybe he thought if her as a friend and this is why he was doing that. But she hoped it was more than that. She felt close to him, yet she barely knew him for that long. Why was this happening?? Why was he perfect? Jenny was hooked. 100% hooked. She looked around.
"nice day out, huh? So, what do we have here?" She asked, gesturing to the basket.
@Kayden Lind
She couldn't help but turn pink as she rushed over. She's never felt this way about someone. Ever. Breathless, she walked up behind him. "Hey, I've arrived! You look prepared." And that he was. He had the lunch all ready. She sat down next to him. A picnic! If only her mother could see her now. Not a tea party, a picnic. With her ultimate crush. Maybe he thought if her as a friend and this is why he was doing that. But she hoped it was more than that. She felt close to him, yet she barely knew him for that long. Why was this happening?? Why was he perfect? Jenny was hooked. 100% hooked. She looked around.
"nice day out, huh? So, what do we have here?" She asked, gesturing to the basket.
@Kayden Lind
“You're a strange person.” “I prefer the term fabulously weird.”
-Alex Fierro
3 Feb 2021, 14:41
The Picnic Lunch
He turned around and saw Jennifer standing there, looking great. He flushed, then regained his composure. She sat down next to him and gestured at the food laid before them. "Oh, it's just sandwiches and some fruit. I'm not exactly the most talented chef in the world." He motioned for her to sit down, and handed her a sandwich.
He remembered back to the rehearsal room. There he had felt awkward, but that had gone away with time. Here though, under the circumstances of it begin romantic, he felt an endearing weight placed upon his shoulders. He maintained his composure however and tried to keep himself from hyperventilating.
What was going on? He had never felt this weird around a girl before. Usually, he was smooth and talked with them just like he would talk to anyone else. But something was special about her.
"So, what do you wanna do?" Immediately after he said this he mentally smacked himself.
She wants to eat lunch. She literally is here just to eat lunch.
He took a deep breath. You know what, it was going to be fine. Even if he totally screwed up, this wasn't that big of a deal. Right?
@Jennifer King
He remembered back to the rehearsal room. There he had felt awkward, but that had gone away with time. Here though, under the circumstances of it begin romantic, he felt an endearing weight placed upon his shoulders. He maintained his composure however and tried to keep himself from hyperventilating.
What was going on? He had never felt this weird around a girl before. Usually, he was smooth and talked with them just like he would talk to anyone else. But something was special about her.
"So, what do you wanna do?" Immediately after he said this he mentally smacked himself.
She wants to eat lunch. She literally is here just to eat lunch.
He took a deep breath. You know what, it was going to be fine. Even if he totally screwed up, this wasn't that big of a deal. Right?
@Jennifer King
"The Hufflepuffs stayed, not for glory like their Gryffindor friends, but out of a sense of duty."
_-J.K Rowling
3 Feb 2021, 16:12
The Picnic Lunch
"Well I like sandwiches." She said in a matter of fact way. It was different than the usual fancy foods the maids made at her manor. Like, Jenny doesn't need turkey and green beans for lunch. It's lunch. so this was a nice change for Jenny.
And a picnic, usually she's in a sundress and there is still fancy food. That was how it was at home, fancy. But now, this was better. This was great. She felt happy inside. She didn't feel the need to seem polite and mature in front of Kayden. It came naturally. She took a bite of her sandwich. She smiled. "Delicious." She laughed.
"Well, let's try and get to know each other a lot more. We can still eat, of course." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll start. What is your favorite color? Mine is green." Her plan was to ask questions with an answer of her own. If he had any questions she didn't ask, he could ask himself. It was a bit dumb, but it was the best she could think of. She continued with her sandwich while he would answer the question.
Once he answered, she asked another. "Favorite animal? My favorites are tigers and snakes."
@Kayden Lind
And a picnic, usually she's in a sundress and there is still fancy food. That was how it was at home, fancy. But now, this was better. This was great. She felt happy inside. She didn't feel the need to seem polite and mature in front of Kayden. It came naturally. She took a bite of her sandwich. She smiled. "Delicious." She laughed.
"Well, let's try and get to know each other a lot more. We can still eat, of course." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll start. What is your favorite color? Mine is green." Her plan was to ask questions with an answer of her own. If he had any questions she didn't ask, he could ask himself. It was a bit dumb, but it was the best she could think of. She continued with her sandwich while he would answer the question.
Once he answered, she asked another. "Favorite animal? My favorites are tigers and snakes."
@Kayden Lind
“You're a strange person.” “I prefer the term fabulously weird.”
-Alex Fierro
3 Feb 2021, 16:29
The Picnic Lunch
She scooted slightly closer to him, and all of the anxiety left. It felt normal, it felt right.
"My favorite color would probably have to be yellow or blue, I have a hard time making decisions.
They continued to talk for a while, and they finished their food. They talked for hours, speaking about their families, where they came from, what they enjoy doing at Hogwarts. It felt like he was talking to a friend. A really, really pretty friend. They talked about the houses they were sorted into, and Kayden realized that Slytherins couldn't be that bad after all.
Soon it grew dark, and they were still hanging out together. Magical lighting came on, but it was very dim. Kayden laid back on the now ruffled blanket and looked up at the sky.
"The stars are nice tonight." He said offhandedly. He could feel a sort of romantic tension in the air. It was a nice night, not very chilly, but not humid or warm either. The only thing that could have made it better is if a jazz band had been playing behind them.
He gazed up at the stars, letting the moment linger.
It felt nice.
@Jennifer King
"My favorite color would probably have to be yellow or blue, I have a hard time making decisions.
They continued to talk for a while, and they finished their food. They talked for hours, speaking about their families, where they came from, what they enjoy doing at Hogwarts. It felt like he was talking to a friend. A really, really pretty friend. They talked about the houses they were sorted into, and Kayden realized that Slytherins couldn't be that bad after all.
Soon it grew dark, and they were still hanging out together. Magical lighting came on, but it was very dim. Kayden laid back on the now ruffled blanket and looked up at the sky.
"The stars are nice tonight." He said offhandedly. He could feel a sort of romantic tension in the air. It was a nice night, not very chilly, but not humid or warm either. The only thing that could have made it better is if a jazz band had been playing behind them.
He gazed up at the stars, letting the moment linger.
It felt nice.
@Jennifer King
"The Hufflepuffs stayed, not for glory like their Gryffindor friends, but out of a sense of duty."
_-J.K Rowling
3 Feb 2021, 16:37
The Picnic Lunch
They talked for hours and hours. Jenny hadn't realized how long they had been there but by the time the stars came out, she felt like she really knew him. He knew her. And she liked him. As he leaned back and commented on the stars, Jenny finally realized he was right. Everything was beautiful at that moment. "Your right, actually. It's all beautiful. I just needed a different way to look at it, I guess."
She laid back beside him and rested her hands on her stomach. She looked at the sky with him. She could slightly see her breath, but it didn't bother her. She realized with a pang this was going to have to end very soon. They aren't even in the same house so they couldn't see each other that much. Or could they? "We'll have to go back soon. I really don't want to, though. I'm enjoying this. It's quite nice and peaceful, out here with you and the stars." She looked to see a lizard sitting on the basket. "And that lizard staring at us." She laughed.
If only her mother could see her now. Laying on a blanket, looking at the stars outside.
@Kayden Lind
She laid back beside him and rested her hands on her stomach. She looked at the sky with him. She could slightly see her breath, but it didn't bother her. She realized with a pang this was going to have to end very soon. They aren't even in the same house so they couldn't see each other that much. Or could they? "We'll have to go back soon. I really don't want to, though. I'm enjoying this. It's quite nice and peaceful, out here with you and the stars." She looked to see a lizard sitting on the basket. "And that lizard staring at us." She laughed.
If only her mother could see her now. Laying on a blanket, looking at the stars outside.
@Kayden Lind
“You're a strange person.” “I prefer the term fabulously weird.”
-Alex Fierro
3 Feb 2021, 17:02
The Picnic Lunch
She lie down beside him, commenting about having to go back soon.
"You're right. But Jenny I- I really like you. Like a lot."
He had said it. He felt a lot better now, but something inside of him still nagged.
He couldn't place exactly what it was. This is what he wanted, wasn't it?
Wasn't it?
A shooting star blazed across the night sky, illuminating the lake. He looked over and he could have sworn that giant squid was giving him a nod of approval.
He laughed internally then shut his eyes. Leaving this would be the hardest thing he had ever done.
He cast a glance over at Jennifer, who was silent. Though they were quiet, it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, it was a welcome one.
He intertwined his hand with Jennys and smiled. He couldn't have imagined something more perfect than this.
A Saturday night, no schoolwork, nothing. Just this.
There was a part of him that longed for sleep, for the comfort of his bed, but he was quickly able to push that part of him away. He felt the warmth of Jennifer's body in the cold winter air, as the sun completely set beyond the horizon.
@Jennifer King
"You're right. But Jenny I- I really like you. Like a lot."
He had said it. He felt a lot better now, but something inside of him still nagged.
He couldn't place exactly what it was. This is what he wanted, wasn't it?
Wasn't it?
A shooting star blazed across the night sky, illuminating the lake. He looked over and he could have sworn that giant squid was giving him a nod of approval.
He laughed internally then shut his eyes. Leaving this would be the hardest thing he had ever done.
He cast a glance over at Jennifer, who was silent. Though they were quiet, it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, it was a welcome one.
He intertwined his hand with Jennys and smiled. He couldn't have imagined something more perfect than this.
A Saturday night, no schoolwork, nothing. Just this.
There was a part of him that longed for sleep, for the comfort of his bed, but he was quickly able to push that part of him away. He felt the warmth of Jennifer's body in the cold winter air, as the sun completely set beyond the horizon.
@Jennifer King
"The Hufflepuffs stayed, not for glory like their Gryffindor friends, but out of a sense of duty."
_-J.K Rowling
3 Feb 2021, 17:39
The Picnic Lunch
Did she hear him right? He liked her? A lot? Speechless, she smiled. "I like you too, Kayden." She looked, at him before looking back at the stars. This was the best day (night?) of her life. Wasn't this what she wanted? Yes, she thought so. She noticed a shooting star, and she gasped in awe. A nice silence filled the air, and Jenny didn't mind.
She knew time was ticking, and this would have to end. She glanced at Kayden as he intertwined his fingers with hers. She smiled. She took a long breath as she let this moment last for a bit more. She really liked Kayden. How many times has that been said? Not enough times because there was no way she could describe this happy, bubbly, cozy feeling inside of her as they held hands side by side.
Slowly, the sunset. "This is perfect Kayden, really." She meant it. No sarcasm, no side remarks. Look at her, being so- free. Living a life besides being perfect. What in the world was happening to her? Change is good, they say. Was it true? She knew they had to leave very soon so they wouldn't be late for curfew. She knew the curfew was put to keep them safe.
@Kayden Lind
She knew time was ticking, and this would have to end. She glanced at Kayden as he intertwined his fingers with hers. She smiled. She took a long breath as she let this moment last for a bit more. She really liked Kayden. How many times has that been said? Not enough times because there was no way she could describe this happy, bubbly, cozy feeling inside of her as they held hands side by side.
Slowly, the sunset. "This is perfect Kayden, really." She meant it. No sarcasm, no side remarks. Look at her, being so- free. Living a life besides being perfect. What in the world was happening to her? Change is good, they say. Was it true? She knew they had to leave very soon so they wouldn't be late for curfew. She knew the curfew was put to keep them safe.
@Kayden Lind
“You're a strange person.” “I prefer the term fabulously weird.”
-Alex Fierro
3 Feb 2021, 19:45
The Picnic Lunch
At some point, you reach an emotional threshold. Where your emotions can no longer be barred by fear of rejection, awkwardness, or tension. Ever since Kayden had met Jennifer on the train he had known she was something special. Or at least, he had hoped. Ever since their awkward first meet in which he could barely speak to her, to the rehearsal room for their first conversations, which reduced the awkwardness by a small amount. Then it came to this lunch, in which he felt a little bit more comfortable, to now, in which he felt as if he had known her for all his life.
He leaned on his side and looked at her. " You're beautiful you know that?" He said as he put his hand to her face, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. A prickly feeling ran down his spine. He was really going for it. "I want you to know that I think that we could have something special."
He looked into her eyes, then wrapped an arm around her back. He was very close to her now. It was a weird thing to say, but for some reason, she smelled like lilac.
Closing his eyes, he leaned in.
@Jennifer King
He leaned on his side and looked at her. " You're beautiful you know that?" He said as he put his hand to her face, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. A prickly feeling ran down his spine. He was really going for it. "I want you to know that I think that we could have something special."
He looked into her eyes, then wrapped an arm around her back. He was very close to her now. It was a weird thing to say, but for some reason, she smelled like lilac.
Closing his eyes, he leaned in.
@Jennifer King
"The Hufflepuffs stayed, not for glory like their Gryffindor friends, but out of a sense of duty."
_-J.K Rowling
3 Feb 2021, 19:53
The Picnic Lunch
Jenny blushed as Kayden told her she was beautiful. He said they could be something special, and she %100, totally agreed. "I think we can be something, too." She felt warm at his touch. He got closer. Her heart was beating. She could mess this up, she could do something wrong. Was she ready for this? Was this too soon? She couldn't help but panic. He closed his eyes and leaned in. Jenny, before she could think anything through, rolled from his arm and jumped up in one swift and fluid motion. "No!" She took a step back. "I- I mean- yes, we can be something special, I agree. We should. But, but... no offense- it's just-" She was really panicking. What had she done? "It's getting really late, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
She turned and half ran half walked back to the castle. What had she done? That was what she wanted! She ruined it and panicked and now she was afraid she messed things up. And worst of all, she didn't even stay to help him clean up. She just ran off. Hopefully, he doesn't hate her now. She would love nothing more than for them to be something- together. So why had she panicked?
@Kayden Lind
She turned and half ran half walked back to the castle. What had she done? That was what she wanted! She ruined it and panicked and now she was afraid she messed things up. And worst of all, she didn't even stay to help him clean up. She just ran off. Hopefully, he doesn't hate her now. She would love nothing more than for them to be something- together. So why had she panicked?
@Kayden Lind
“You're a strange person.” “I prefer the term fabulously weird.”
-Alex Fierro