Relaxing at the Pier

[americaneagle14]

It was evening, seven or eight or so, Monica didn't know the exact time. Classes had ended for the day, and she felt rather exhausted, more mentally than physically. It was times like these that she wished she had a pensieve; her mind was buzzing with dozens upon dozens of thoughts, many of which she wished would simply be pushed to the back of her mind. Wishful thinking never really worked well for her, though, because that was all it was; wishful thinking.

She was laying on her back, legs propped up on the very edge of the pier. Her young cat, Zack, was laying on her stomach, batting at Monica's hands as she playfully teased him. She'd changed since classes, slipping on a pair of worn and torn old jeans (her wand in its front pocket), a black camisole, and a pair of old black suede vans. Zack was playing with the lace rim on her cami, and she would occasionally bat his paw away. At the moment, she was scratching him gently behind the ear.

There weren't many people on the grounds, and the ones that were there looked about ready to go back into the castle. Monica wanted to stay out a little longer, even though the sun was already beginning to set behind the Forbidden Forest. Ever since she'd discovered this short pier, she'd come to realize it was a good place to settle down and think; relax a bit after an overly long day. The sound of footsteps tapping on the wood caught her attention, but she kept her attention on Zack, continuing to tease him and wait to see if this person was planning on addressing her.

[Heheh, sorry about the quality. I tried. =P]

[angelfire1987]

Piper yawned, her blue eyes wondering the ground of the castle. She wasn't at all tired, she was just bored with reading her textbook. She had been doing an essay for DADA, and almost fell asleep trying to get into it. Finally, after nodded off, she slammed her book down and put her things back into her khaki massager bag. She still wore her school uniform, not changing out since her last class. Her long black hair fell to the mid of her back, curling a bit at the tips. She brushed her long bangs away from her eyes as she looked up from the place she was sitting.

It was hot, and Piper knew the breeze from the lake would do her some good. She had been surprisingly relaxed since her talk with Tristam, and a lot happier. She still suffered from her nightmares about her father's death, but knowing that she had someone to help her, calmed her nerves. She got up rom the grassy patch underneath the tree she was under, and headed towards the pier. She hadn't been there since it had been built, and it was the perfect place, it looked like, to have some piece and quiet away from homework.

She walked slowly to the pier, her footsteps making the wood creek underneath her feet. She didn't even see the girl sitting down, she was too busy looking out at the water. When Piper finally reached the girl, her stomach knotted. She wanted to turn away and head back inside the castle. Piper didn't need the antics of Miss. Monica Reed, she hadn't been through quiet a lot at this particular moment. Usually, she would fight her with ever once of her being if she insulted her, but Piper knew she didn't have the energy this night.

Softly, she forced a smile on her face. "Well, hello Monica. It's been a while." In fact it had been, they hadn't talked, well more like argued since before Piper and Tristam had gotten together after Ember.

[americaneagle14]

Monica looked at the girl as she spoke, instantly recognizing the voice. Just the sight of her, even just the sound of her voice made a familiar heat fire up inside her. She hadn't forgotten the girl even though she hadn't seen her in quite some time. She hadn't forgotten the trouble she'd caused between her and Tristam, but also, she found it all rather insignificant. Her thoughts lately had nothing to do with Tristam, really, any past problems. She felt she had more important things to worry about.

That being the case, all of the resentment toward Piper that she'd harbored for such a very long time seemed to just disappear. She gave Piper a soft smile before looking back to Zack. "'Lo, Piper," she said in a rather cheery tone, traces of her German accent still in tact. Right now she felt in an oddly good mood; Piper's appearance seemed to wipe clean her mind, her thoughts slowing down quite a bit.

Thoughts of her father passed by, of her stepfather, mother, and all the happenings that had gone on since her father's death. She began contemplating her plans of becoming an Auror, knowing now that really, that was the only path she could pursue. She blinked a bit, coming back to the present and noticing she'd been giving Zack a blank stare. He was looking at Piper curiously, and Monica did the same. "Have a seat," she said in a warm manner, nodding as best she could, since she was still laying on her back, at the spot beside her. "How've you been?"

[angelfire1987]

Piper stood in her spot, weary of what Monica was doing. She wasn’t about to let her guard down, not since the girl had accused her of messing everything up with Tristam and Ava, so far in the past. But that was it, it was in the past. Nothing could be done about it, and Piper hardly knew why Monica had been so upset about it. She just wanted everything put behind her, that included rivalries or silly little disputes. Messing with the strap to her messenger bag, Piper waited for Monica to say something.

And when she did say something, boy did it surprise the heck out of Piper. Monica, being civil to Piper? Trying to hide the surprise in her face, and in her voice. Piper nodded, merely smiling at the girl and sat a few feet away from her on the edge of the pier. She took her socks and shoes off, before dipping her feet in the cool water below. She waited a few moments until she spoke, still watching her back for a unexpected change in Monica.

“So, what’s his name?” she pointed to the kitten that Monica was playing with. He was awfully cute, but she stayed clear, knowing it’s owner was Monica. “It’s very cute.” she smiled at the kitten, before turning back the gaze out on the water. The breeze felt nice against her cool skin, and just then Piper wished that she had changed into muggle clothes before heading outside for her homework session.

[americaneagle14]

Monica frowned as Zack stood up on her stomach, wobbling a bit. He stepped off of her, stretching his hind legs. She looked at him indignantly as he walked calmly toward Piper, his curious nature taking the best of him. She sighed heavily. "His name is Zack," she said as she slowly propped herself up on her elbows, then came to an upright sitting position. "The whole... curious cat deal is true, I suppose," she said idly, wrapping her arms loosely around her legs. "He won't bite unless he wants to play, feel free to pet him. No jinxes, I promise." She smirked slightly, but more in a playful manner.

She took a short glance over Piper, picking up how... awkward, she thought it was, that Piper felt. It was completely understandable, of course. If it had been terms ago, Monica probably would have sent a curse flying at her, just to watch her squirm. Now... She just had more important people to hate. Her dislike for Piper was petty, and unnecessary. "You can relax, Piper. I'm not going to hex you," she said in a calm, warm voice. It was time to get over what she'd done; the trouble she'd caused. Monica wasn't looking for the best of friends in Piper, but maybe just a coming to terms, so to speak.

The reason why she had hated Piper so much sparked a thought, one that had been bothering her for quite some time. She frowned deeply, setting her chin on her knees. There was a long silent moment in which Zack simply sniffed and examined Piper, Monica watching without really seeing. She cleared her throat tentatively, and spoke with a certain seriousness that masked concern. "Piper?" It must have sounded a bit awkward, but the girl seemed to always find him. That was something she'd always hated about her, that she got to be with Tristam more than Monica did, his supposed best friend. She couldn't help but ask. "Have you, by any chance, seen Trist lately?"

[angelfire1987]

Piper looked weary once more, as Monica smirked at her. She wasn’t sure what was up her sleeve, but did reach out a hand to pet Zack. His fur was soft and warm, and Piper’s mood instantly changed. Her expression changed from nervous to relaxed, all with the petting of Zack. She looked up at Monica, however, noticing that she had moved from her original position. Piper smiled at the girl, and then she heard her speak.

She didn’t know if knowing she wouldn’t hex her was a good thing or a bad thing. Bring it up, she might just be saying that to catch her off guard, but Piper didn’t know her that well to know if she was genuine
with her. Piper merely nodded her head as the girl assured her. She looked down at Zack, hoping her doubts didn’t show through.

Then the most curious thing happened. Piper looked up at Monica as she called her name, in a more of a question than anything. Then when she found out what she wanted to know, a knot formed inside the girls stomach. She wants to know about Tristam. I thought they were the best of friends She nodded before she spoke. “Uh, yes, I just seen Tristam actually. I met him down at the lake, well quiet by accident.” she looked at the girl, trying to search for the reason of this off-the-wall question.



OCC: Mhhh...Sorry about the crappy post...I'll do better next time.

[americaneagle14]

Monica sighed heavily, straightening up a bit. She was disappointed in the answer she received. A part of her hoped that Piper would say no, but only because it was Piper. Another hoped for the answer that she did get, but only because she hadn't seen him in so long and was worried about him. "Of course," she said shortly, not bothering to hold back the slight irritation in her tone.

Zack had finished inspecting Piper and meandered his way back over to Monica. He sat expectingly beside her, purring quietly with his tail flicking from side to side. She inwardly sighed, and started to scratch him lightly behind his ear, avoiding Piper. It was unbelievably obvious to her that Piper was being cautious, or at least feeling awkward. It was quite frustrating, actually. Here Monica was, trying to be decent to the girl when she didn't even deserve it.

"Listen, Piper, if you feel too odd around me, I'll leave. It's getting late, anyway, and I'm sure the last thing you wanted to do when you came down here was have a conversation with me," she said in a flat tone. Making peace with her didn't seem possible with Piper's silence and general unwillingness to speak. She didn't even answer Monica's initial question of how she'd been. Or, maybe she's just hard of hearing. She would try again for settling her nerves a bit. "Or are you just quiet because Zack got your tongue?" Lame joke, yes. But at least she tried.

[angelfire1987]

The expression of shear shock creped upon Piper's face as sounded less than happy about Piper seeing her best friend. Had she not seen him? And Piper had? She knew Tristam had been hidden for quiet a long time, but he never gave her any details beyond that. "Have...Have you not seen him?" Piper asked, hoping that she would say yes, and she would fill better inside, but knowing by the tone of her voice that she hadn't.

The shocked expression on her face never left, in fact in intensified with her next statement. Listen, Piper, if you feel too odd around me, I'll leave. It's getting late, anyway, and I'm sure the last thing you wanted to do when you came down here was have a conversation with me...Or are you just quiet because Zack got your tongue? She gave her a small smile, before answering.

"I'm sorry. I'm just a little apprehensive when it comes to being around you. We exactly never got along. It's just a little shocking that your being civil towards me." Piper's expression softened. She had had enough of the bickering and the hate. "I'm sorry." she said, a lot softer this time. "Let's start over, ok?" Looking around, she smiled once more when she turned back to Monica. "How are you classes going?"

[americaneagle14]

"No, I haven't," Monica said shortly in response, covering quite well her disdain toward the fact that her "best friend" had revealed himself to Piper instead of herself. What could she really expect, though? It wasn't as if their relationship was all that close anymore. Obviously, in her mind, Piper meant more to him than Monica ever did. For a moment, the hatred she'd felt for the girl simmered up inside her, but before it could reach the surface, she repressed it. She was trying to make peace with the girl and, taking a deep breath, she plastered on a calm, friendly smile.

It's just a little shocking that your being civil towards me... Monica rose a brow at the girl, a small smirk dawning her features. "I've never hexed you, I think for how I used to feel that was pretty civil." She shifted again, coming to sit cross-legged and pulled Zack into her lap. When she asked to start over, Monica just nodded, her head down as she pet Zack, watching him flick his tail repeatedly and purr.

Her expression was neutral; she was suppressing any bad feelings toward Piper that were trying to resurface. She was insignificant, not a part of her life to dwell on, so wasting her energy on hating her would be pointless. After a moment, and when Piper talked again, she succeeded in pushing the emotions to the back of her mind. "Classes?" she repeated, scratching Zack behind the ear with a smile. "They're going really well, I think. I'm in the Animagus class; it's amazing."