A Letter From Nowhere (for Drew)

[bella]

Clearly Bella had come off more pitiful then forceful. She walked on after him, though she kept finding herself glancing over her shoulder and then falling even further behind as she would always stop when doing so. She worried for a moment when she couldn’t hear him up ahead of her anymore. To her surprise he’d only slowed down. She gave a grateful smile. At least on some level he respected her. And then…

“Do you want to hold my hand?” How dare he continue to tease her when clearly she was…okay, well, Bella couldn’t out rightly say she was scared. Some thought deep in the back of her mind just kept telling her that if she was with Drew she was okay. It embarrassed her so, thinking that someone who could barely manage to pass O.W.L.s was her soul motion for comfort. But, for almost, ever so briefly, for a small moment, something lingered on Drew’s face that she’d never seen before. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it allowed her to come to terms – somewhat – that he was asking because he was trying to help her, not tease.

She knew her face clearly expressed her gratitude. She’d never been good at keeping her facial expressions down to a minimum. Bella was always referred to as an open book, as easy to read as the books she was often found reading herself. “Thanks,” she murmured and grasped onto the offered hand. It meant a lot to her, no matter how small a gesture.

[drew]

Though Isabella thought she was as easily readable as say a muggle, she wasn't. Her emotions were always obviously displayed on her face but Drew never knew if that what she was really feeling, and definitely not what she was thinking. He wasn't a mind reader, as much as he liked to think. Stopping he took her hand in his and kept on, passing the knarled and ill looking tree he'd seen on his way to find her.....wait.

He'd alreadys passed that. Was it a different one? There was no way they could be going in circles, so it had to be. Which one was which. A fury brown.....well whatever it was ran across right in front of there feet, and he looked at it blankly as he screeched and disappeared from site. "Must be an R.O.U.S. Rodent of unusual size." In all probability she's have no idea what he was talking about. He'd picked up that line from a muggle book that is mother forced him to listen to as she read out loud in the kitchen or from the couch, or whereever she was. It was called Princess Bride or something, and it was torture to go through.

Drew bent down, kind of pulling Bella with him and touched the ground with one hand. You wouldn't think that would do much good but there was a lot of gravel over here, that was probably pulled from the original trail but wandering feet. "Don't worry, a guy's sense of direction will always lead back to the right place." There was sarcasm no doubt as he turned a little to the left, he'd be right, if it was only the right tree. "We can go back to the school if you want, once we find how to get there."

[bella]

OOC: OMG! LOVE THAT MOVIE. Heh, but anyways…


She raised a question eyebrow – rodent of unusual size, huh? She let it go quickly, not worrying herself with what exactly he considered one of those. If it meant they were going to run into some giant mouse, well…ew but nothing a good spell wouldn’t fix, right? Almost involuntarily she found herself trying to think of one that would stun a large mouse. Oh my God, get a grip of yourself…

But she still couldn’t help holding tighter to Drew’s hand. She was far from getting lost, but – “What are you doing?” she asked, watching as he examined the ground and nearly pulling her down with. Surely he couldn’t really be figuring out which way they should be going by staring at the ground? But sure enough, he seemed to think so. “A guy’s sense of direction is about as good as handing a Muggle a wand and telling them to Stun you,” she muttered as he pulled her along. He seemed to know where he was going, but Bella had no clue. For all she knew he could be dragging her deeper into the Forest.

At the mention of going inside, she said quickly “I don’t want to leave you just yet.” Whoops….bring on another round of blush. “I mean, I just don’t want to go inside just yet. I like it out here. I’ve never been outside at night. It’s peaceful…I mean, the Forest is sort of scary but…” She was not going to allow herself to admit feeling safe in the Forbidden Forest if he was around…even if it was true.

[drew]

ooc: haha one of the greatest movies ever made. The book kind of goes and on on and makes me want to fall asleep, but the movie is good.


His comment obviously made her more confused than ever, which was almost the intention. He liked confusing her, it was a little game he had. Haha, and it wasn't that hard to annoy Bella. "I'm about to put my ear up to the ground." Drew did so just to spite her, it was fun. "There's a pair of centaurs running ten yards from here, one just said the best joke I've ever heard." Of course he'd heard absolutely nothing, expect for maybe a worm riggle in the earth.

Standing up straight he kept going, sure of where he was headed. At least it was a fifty fifty, a toss up. If it wasn't that tree, it was the one before it. If it wasn't the one before well, they'd better just set up camp huh? "I've done that before, worst idea I've ever had." He didn't get stunned lets just say that. He stopped in his tracks when the funky looking rock he'd left earlier showed up, but that wasn't what made him stop. Drew smirked and looked over at Isabella, the same blush was there again. Now he knew why.

"Yeah yeah....you know you like me" He grinned, leaving it at that he past the rock and in no time his feet touched the soft dirt of the trail once more. It was true though, once you got past the initial shock of breaking half the school rules and putting your life in danger, the Forbidden Forest really wasn't as bad as everyone usually said. He came here a lot, and as far as he was concerned he'd just keep on coming. "Well, since you don't want to go back inside because it's just so, you know, peaceful in a forest full of flesh eating monsters, is there anything particular you want to see?" Drew didn't let go of her hand, though technically he didn't need to hold it anymore.

[bella]

Bella opened her mouth to retort but what exactly was she supposed to say, ‘so what if I do’? I mean, not only was that probably the lamest comeback ever, that would also be openly admitting it. There was something to be said for liking someone and have them only suspect as opposed to liking someone and having them know. She wasn’t exactly sure of how to respond to it, but she didn’t dare let that thought rest with him the rest of the night.

But, apparently she was. Sighing, she said instead “Well, seeing how I’ve never been out here, I don’t exactly have a preference you see.” Bella tried to think – if she could go anywhere outside the castle, where would she go? She’d always been fond of the lake, but that wasn’t exactly hidden from view. The Qudditch Pitch would be fun – she wasn’t aware of ever telling Drew she was rather good on a broom. It would be totally worth it just watch his open mouth hang. Plus, they had a small chance of being heard or seen.

“How good are you on a broom?” she asked, grinning. Bella had no doubt in her mind that if asked, Drew could break into the broom cupboard.

Now back out in the moonlight, the dark wasn’t so scary to her and Bella vaguely wondered if the thought had crossed Drew. But still… She glanced down at their intertwined hands. She didn’t want to let go. Looking back up to him, she opened her mouth again, but no words came out. She dropped her gaze back to their hands. She was well aware of how ridiculous she must appear. Drew only did this to her just to get a reaction as such. Then in a defeated sort of tone, she muttered “So what if I do?” Bella didn’t even bother to explain what she was talking about. If her apparent struggle for a response wasn’t enough, well then he just didn’t deserve to know.

[drew]

"Ahh" He answered, intelligent comment that one. Letting go of her hand Drew picked a branch off one of the trees and began to peel the bark off with his finger. Finally giving up with his boring action he threw the twig a couple inches away. He scratched the back of his neck and blinked several times, just waiting for the rest of her answer.

"A broom..." He smirked, wondering where that one was going. "Good enough." He was better than some, a worse than others. Drew hadn't even sat on a broom let alone use one until his first year. He couldn't practice at home in the middle of a muggle neighborhood, so he did the best he could. He couldn't brag, but fairly good for someone who didn't use it much.

So what if I do? Late reaction and a little bit past the point. He shrugged, making it look as though he could care less. "Nothing" Drew had his smile carefully tucked away. Stepping away from the trees he turned in the direction towards the school, finishing the subject there without giving away anything, at all. A master at changing the subject, he didn't want the tables turned on him and get asked the same question. "So I'm guessing you want me to do something like break the rules and get the brooms out?" Drew gave a sly look. "That's bad you know."

[bella]

Her empty hand seemed to sting and she could feel the hurt look in her eyes. Bella swore under her breath, finding herself frustrated that she couldn’t seem to keep her emotions under control. She’d been told numerous times it was just a girl thing, but she found herself not really caring. Drew always managed to avoid giving her real answers, no matter how serious she was being. But pushing him wasn’t going to get her answers. At this point, it was best to let him silently know how much that hurt and then act like nothing had happened. If he wanted to talk about it, he would bring it up. Until then, Bella would keep shut.

Dropping the matter completely, she let out a laugh. “Drew, I don’t do anything that’s ‘good’ when I’m around you. Where were you when I said I’d thrown away morals for tonight, hmm? You asked me where I wanted to go and I want to go fly. With or without your help, I’m set on doing it now. What are you gunna do Prefect, give me detention?”

Bella grinned. He dare do anything to spoil her fun now and he would here about it. She may be a 6th year but she was willing to bet good money she knew some hexes not even the 7th year did. “So,” she said in a sweet voice, “You can either come with me, or you can go back up to the castle and be the good little boy that no one ever sees.” She’d stopped walking now, hands on her hips as she stood in his path. “You don’t have to follow me if you don't want to, just thought I’d make the offer.” With a wicked little grin, she turned on her heels and headed down to the pitch. She could break into the broom cupboard with or without Drew.


OOC: Payback is sweet, isn't it? *Laughing her head off* Boy, Bella had fun doing THAT, that's for sure.

[drew]

Drew blinked at her sudden outburst, the only thing he could really think of to answer was "Maybe." He blinked again and shrugged his shoulders. Well, she got him over at that one. He wasn't expecting something like that to come from Isabella Swan of all people. It made him smile all the same, she was taking the inititive and doing what she wanted to do, not what others wanted her to do.

"At least I wouldn't have to go it alone....it gets brutal really." The fake tone was back again, he was lying, using that dramatic flare. Well, truth was depending on what professor you had ticked off it could get brutal, but that was only when they were at their boiling point. He'd almost got his prefect position taken. "Hey, people see......me" He muttered as she walked off towards the pitch, standing there for a bit. "If they don't I give them detention" He smirked, heading off after her.

She repeated the words he'd used earlier and it made him grin. So Bella was getting a backbone. Once at the pitch Drew slipped underneath the chains that held the Qudditch pitch gates shut. Going over to the shed that was waiting on the side he pulled out his wand. "Now, you've got to be careful when doing this. It's Really hard." Pointing his wand at the lock he repeated the simple words "Alohamora." The door clicked open. "See? It's brutal the things you learn in school." He rolled his eyes and pulled open the front. "Merry Christmas or whatever, your brooms await."

[bella]

Drew had stayed still for a moment; he was confused by her sudden rant. It made her feel good; it made her give a small laugh as she walked and he stayed still. But, it didn’t take long for the boy to catch up and strode along in step with her. It was a silent walk down to the pitch, but Bella didn’t trust herself to speak. The sudden adrenaline pumping through her warned her to stay quite.

Sinking under the chains, she followed in pursuit, now letting Drew take back his position of leader. If it made him feel good to think he was showing her around, she would let him. It made her smile, watching his normal self take back over. Even if this Drew was the one that side-stepped questions, well, it was this one that she had grown an attraction to.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” she laughed as she walked in past him. A few spiders skidded across the floor but she didn’t mind, more focused on trying to find the best broom out of the poor selection. There were a lot of Cleansweeps, a few Comets, and even fewer Nimbus’s. Taking the cleanest Nimbus, she faced back to Drew. “You gunna wait down here or accompany me?” She didn’t really mind either way. Her desire to fly was growing as she spoke and she didn’t seem to be concerned whether she was doing it alone now or not. “The selection isn’t that wide,” she added with a wave of her hand around her, “but there’s another Nimbus if you want that one.” She pointed over to it; never mind the fact that that one was the one with a nice big spider web hooked onto it.

Stepping back around him, Bella faced out to the field. Over her shoulder, she added “Thanks for coming by the way. I don’t know that one, ‘Alohamora’…” She laughed quietly and waited.


OOC: I have a friend coming over for a few days, so if my posts become scarce, that's why. I'll try and check if I need to post when I can.

[drew]

Drew waited while she picked out her broom, levitating a few random objects in the air while he leaned on the old wooden doorpost. He liked watching Bella walk, it gave him something pretty to look at as she moved her hips back and forth, walking to pull out a Numbus. "What?" His eyes shot up quickly, but Drew quickly regained his composure.

"It depends" He added cooly, "Are you going to kick my trash in this?" He was pretty good at flying brooms, but he had a feeling Bella was better. His flying skills left something lacking, it was his turns. If racing, Drew often made too sharp of turns and lost control, going in the opposite direction of what he had intended. Not waiting for an answer, which was typical of Drew, he went to the other broom and flicked a spider off of the web, waving his hand to free it from the broom.

By now it was very late at night, and it would be pitch black outside. Even Drew didn't risk turning on all the lights though. It'd do, flying in the dark was something he hadn't done before. He was always up for something different. He smirked at her comment as she went out and he followed after, shutting the door and locking it once again. "It's alright, being a sixth year and all." He managed to tease as he stepped out onto the field.

[bella]

Bella was surprised that she was able to maintain a steady expression when Drew seemed distracted when she’d broken their silence. Perhaps it was the aftereffect of hanging around Drew all night now, being able to hide her thoughts somewhat. She wasn’t really sure. Either way, she was beginning to understand why he acted the way he did. She found herself not minding it so much either.

When he’d finally joined her out in the darkness of the pitch, she grinned. “Well, prepare to have a sixth year kick your butt.” Without a moment’s hesitation, she mounted her broom and kicked up into the air. The sudden sensation of being back on a broom swelled inside her and it didn’t even faze her that she could scarcely see past her own nose. The moonlight was being clouded away and only left her sight minimal. Still, she wanted to go fast…really fast…. While she would never try out for her House, Bella found great joy I her skillful flying.

Unsure of Drew’s location by now, she zoomed forward without him (even if he’d been with her she wouldn’t have been able to see him) and flew in a straight line, only to double back quickly in a circle and end up hovering near on the of the glinting goal posts on the far side. The wind was picking up a little with her new height, blowing her hair into her face. Tucking it back in place she looked across the grounds: it was amazing, her sense of comfort while breaking the rules. But, she caught herself wondering, perhaps maybe it was worth it…

“Don’t tell me your scared of heights,” Bella called to the ground, finally realizing he hadn’t moved. Her giggled drifted into nothing as the breeze carried it away. “Come on, it’s fun.” She knew he would never be able to see her smile from there.

[drew]

"You see, that's just....not needed" He smirked as she already mounted the broom and flew off, Drew taking his sweet time with his own. He wiped the rest of the dust off of the stick and the seat before slowly mounting it. He watched her for awhile go in circles around the pitch, she just jumped right in and went for it. Isabella was a good rider, Drew could tell that much. He wasn't so keen on the idea of getting lapped several times.

"Hahaha, I'm not scared of heights. And I know it's fun.....I told you breaking the rules would be." It usually didn't matter how he was doing it, just taking the inititive and doing what he wanted, not what he was told, was usually good enough for him. He finally kicked off from the ground and zoomed up into the air, going past Bella and not waiting for her, he weaved in and out between the goal rings. That made you dizzy.

Drew's jacket caught the wind and slowed him down a bit, but he didn't mind. He leaned forward now, going straight on to get as much speed as possible. That was the best part with flying of course. He did a double barrel roll, something they'd learned in flying class last year. Drew laughed and went straight again. "You coming Bella?"

[bella]

Bella grinned as she watched him finally mount and do a few laps. She couldn’t deny that he was good, but of course she would always think she was better. That was the thing between them of course, their small loving rivalry. Neither boasted beyond measure, but it was always certainly there.

As he zoomed around her and in and out through the posts, the wind caught her hair once more and she finally pulled off the hair tie around her wrist and carefully drew it back without falling off her broom. Now that her sight was clear, she took off once more. Bella flew in a few circles and looped upside down once and fell stationary in the air at the center of the pitch. After figuring she’d better finally go back to Drew side due to hearing purposes, she flew back over.

“And where exactly do you plan on going, oh great guide of the grounds?” She raised a questioning eyebrow. She was perfectly content here. For a moment there was no sound but wind and then yet again, a howl sounded off in the distance. Glad to be ridded of the dark trees, she thought about asking Drew once more about what it could possibly be. But then she decided rather firmly she just didn’t want to know – she was better off without.

As an afterthought, she said “Thanks for letting me come out here with you, it’s been amazing.” This time there was no joke in her words; she really meant them. But of course, she let it pass uncommented on. Drew wasn’t going to return her serious thanks, and she was fine with that.

[drew]

It didn't take him long to realize that Bella was better than he was, though he'd already had a hunch on that one. With the kind of pride he had, he wasn't ready to admit any of it. He followed her eyes as they immediately went to the forest they had just come out of. He gave her that same lopsided grin that he always got. He didn't see what was so wrong with the forest. Perhaps the forbidden part?

Now Drew flew in circles, faster and faster for the fun of it. Everything was a blur, and he was getting quite dizzy. Naturally, the only thing to do then was go faster. Stopping right before he got to the point of falling off his broom, he looked at her face again. This time, there was three Bella's looking back at him. Eventually they all emerged back into one pretty face again. "That's because you've been with me" He smirked, winking at her once. Quite a feat actually, considering everything was still tilted.

"Yeah?" He answered after a moment, being slightly serious. "Come again with me sometime then." Drew couldn't help but keep looking at her, which bothered him some, seeing as he usually had complete control over what he did. Something about her made him want to keep looking, despite the fact the they could get on each other's nerves. "Found I'm a little more barable then you thought?" He smiled lightly, but actually curious about the answer. "As for where we're going...you'll see" He smirked once again. Drew actually....didn't know. Ah he'd think of something.

[bella]

Bella watched him fly with interest, unable to help herself from smirking. She was amazed that there could ever be something outside of school that she would ever be better at then him. Bella, she supposed, had been living under this false sense that she was no better then anyone but with her brains. But watching Drew fly around, faster and faster – how had he not fallen off yet? – she realized that maybe she had just a little bit more skill then he did. Something about that fact made her pride glow, though she almost felt boastful for the thought even though not voicing it.

When Drew floated beside her once more, she couldn’t help but feel locked in his gaze. What was wrong with her? Just look away Bella, just look away… But he was watching her – disoriented for a moment – and then actually make small talk upon her thanks. She waited for the joke, but it never came. This surprised her more then anything else. For once he was actually taking her…mildly serious… This made her smile seem to glow more then the fact that she beat him in flying.

“I’ve never considered you unbearable,” Bella answered calmly, almost waiting for him to just laugh at her, “Perhaps a bit annoying at times, but never unbearable. I’ve always liked your company. And for the record,” she added, still unbelieving, “I’d love to come back out here with you sometime…nighttime or otherwise.” Bella smiled, unsure what her face was giving away. She at least knew one thing it was silently telling – she didn’t mind where Drew decided they should go; if she could face the Forbidden Forest after hours, she seemed confident that she could follow him anywhere else as well.


OOC: And so the denying love bird make some progress...*Laughs*