Overthinking Solo Finished

Monday | 14 February 2022 | evening (during the Valentine's day tea party)

Aaron really hadn't been expecting to receive anything on Valentine's Day. He thought that the Sweets for your Sweet errand was only going to be used by couples now that he saw them forming among some third years. It was a nice surprise, though, when he got a delivery of cupcakes from friends! It made him regret not doing the same for them, but he decided he would spend a part of Valentine's writing them all letters in return. He wasn't a very eloquent kid, but he would try. The Hufflepuff would have his owl Chae-rin deliver them all tomorrow morning with everyone's breakfast post.

So while the tea party was happening in the ballroom, Aaron sat down in the courtyard with parchment and quill. Chae-rin joined him and he would feed her occasional treats while he wrote. The letters for Eun-ji and Dealla were easy enough. It was the third letter that really caused him to pause.

A pastel yellow and black ink, finishing this one off with silver glitter spattered all across the stationery:

Dear Aaron,

I must admit that I still don't know you all too well, but from what I have gathered, you're a fantastic soul with such a big heart. I should think of no one else I would more like to get in trouble with! Enjoy the cupcake - though it's not quite as sweet as you!

What troubled him about this was that there was no signer, but the handwriting did look incredibly familiar. In fact, he was pretty sure that he had seen this writing earlier today! Aly? He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. Straightening it out revealed a conversation between himself and Aly Salinger, whom he had been passing notes to in class earlier. The handwriting matched, and this revelation made his stomach do a flip.

He tried not to think too much of it until he reread the letter knowing it was from Aly. And then reread it again, with a stupid grin on his face. He didn't even notice how much he was smiling until Chae-rin nudged him with her head, asking for another treat. He felt like he had been caught doing something, but what? The Hufflepuff got another treat and threw it high into the air, watching as his owl darted up towards it.

As Chae flew more laps around the area, Aaron's brown eyes lowered back to the Ravenclaw's letter. "I should think of no one else I would more like to get in trouble with!" Why did that make him so happy? He pictured their escapade running away after his failed clingfilm prank, and another smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He wanted to do that again. Not with anyone, but with her. And she felt the same? But- well, he felt like he was overthinking her words. He never felt so conflicted about talking with someone before. His thoughts flashed briefly to Santario, but that had been fleeting and fizzled quickly, only brought forth by not having a date for the ball. This felt different. Like more.

His interactions with Aly in the weeks since their running incident had increased. They said hello more often, Aaron sometimes going out of his way to catch her in conversation between classes. No - he wasn't going out of his way - he just wanted to be friendly! And sure he liked her smile, but everyone had nice smiles! Not as nice as hers, especially surrounded by all those cute freckles, but well- He couldn't explain it, but she just had a real charm about her.

The fourteen-year-old's hand was shaking ever so slightly as it hovered over the blank parchment he had, trying to think of how to start her letter, and that's what finally got his attention. There was something different about her than his other friends. He wasn't entirely sure, but maybe he liked her. Liked her. The thought instantly felt correct, but scary. What was he supposed to do with this information!? As soon as he made the realization, everything seemed different. His face heated up, and he stared at the letter with new eyes. What if she liked him too? She had called him "sweet." But if he liked her, he was probably completely overthinking the letter. He should write something short, right?

After much internal debate, Aaron came up with a very simple reply. There had been loads of thoughts like: were there too many exclamation points? Was it too short? Too long? Should he have included a compliment?

Aly,

I hope you had a great Valentine's Day! Your cupcake and letter really made my day. I have loads of ideas on how to get in trouble, so just let me know when and where - I'll be there! =P

We should really go flying on the training pitch sometime soon! I can show you my latest broom tricks, and maybe I can help you train for Quidditch.

Aaron

But in the end, he had a letter to send to her, and a new realization that he needed to figure out. Maybe he should tell her. Not with a letter, but in person? As he got to his feet with the letters, he contemplated how he was supposed to approach this.

@Aly Salinger