I'm Only Human (Harley)

[RIVER DESMOND GOYLE]

River's life seemed pretty perfect to anyone outside looking in. He had issues like everyone else, though, and they were mainly internal. Those are the worst ones. They're the problems that no one sees and they're slippery to grasp like water running through your fingers. Of course, the people looking in just let the water fall but to the person whose eyes from which the water falls, it's harder than that. River himself didn't even understand why his father had to be so cruel, but he supposed it was in his nature. It definitely wasn't in River's.

Although River moved into his own place, he still frequented his mother's house often. She was alone and he didn't like that, especially since his siblings went off to Hogwarts. His sister had moved in with him for the summer and had returned for Christmas break, which was awesome. River highly disliked being alone, but that was the price you paid for moving out he supposed. His sister being back at home made him happy, but still more desperate to not be so lonely. He met a girl Sophie a few months previously and they were talking he supposed, but she didn't come over as much as he would have liked which made him desire company more. His sister had promised their other siblings that she would come by that day but River wasn't up to it, so he made his way to Diagon Alley instead. He was sure he would find some other lonely sole to talk to; in fact, he was sure he'd find plenty.

River hadn't even thought of eating until his stomach rumbled as he made his way past the street leading to Knockturn Alley. He stopped mid-walk and looked round, then remembered the new pizzeria. He hadn't tried it yet, surprisingly, and he was sure it wouldn't be too expensive. Taking a risk, River headed in the direction of the pizzeria. As he neared, the smell of garlic hit him and he immediately knew he made the right choice. Grinning to himself, he entered the restaurant and greeted the hostess. After an awkward few moments of her staring, he initiated the finding of a booth for himself. He scooted in to the middle of the seat and settled in, ordering a water as he reached for the menu. River began scanning it in attempt to find himself something to eat, knowing he would probably go with the obvious - pizza.

[HARLEY TAYLOR ASHBROOK]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: dddddd; border: #cccccc solid 8px; width: 420px; padding: 15 5 15 5px;] [style=width: 400px; background-color: 272727; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align; center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; color: dddddd; border-bottom: 3px solid #181818; border-top: 3px solid #181818;] Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself [/style][style=width: 390px; background-color: dddddd; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align; center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 8px;letter-spacing: 2px; color: 272727;]The Words: 485 The Outfit: CLick hereThe NotesYAY for reply![/style][style=width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: justify; color: 272727; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: 9px; overflow: auto;] It was christmas break, and well, Harley was completely bored out of her mind. Her parents, who were muggles were working because that is what they did. They always worked. Harley decided, since she had nothing better to do, she would go to Diagon Alley, and do some window shopping. She couldn't go shopping, because she had no money, and muggle money didn't really work in Diagon Alley, but she remembered that she had a few extra galloens left over from school shopping. Harley was a saver, than a spender. Harley, at this moment in time, still was in her pajamas, and she couldn't go out looking like that. Everyone would look at her funny, and Harley had a enough funny looks to last a lifetime, honestly. Harley gave a heavy sigh, and put her feet on the floor of her bedroom since she was still laying in her bed, thinking. Harley always seemed to be thinking. Thinking, and over thinking. Harley's legs carried toward her closet, and she decided on jeans, a white tank top, a teal cover shirt that was slightly lacy, and some black boots. She quickly shed her jammies, and grabbed some clean undergarments, and put them out. She put her jeans on. They felt funny against her skin. She put on her tank top then the other shirt. She looked in the mirror. She looked decent. Her face, however, didn't look so great. Her skin was slightly oil, and her hair was, well a mess. Harley opened a drawer in her bathroom, which she happened to wander into, and pulled an over sized bow, and put her hair up in a ponytail then put the bow in. She quickly put on some makeup, and she was good to go. Harley quickly tucked her jeans into her black boots, and bam! She was ready to head out the door. She ran down the stairs, and grabbed her jacket, and a scarf. It was winter after all. She quickly wrote her parents a note telling them what she was doing. She walked out the door, and into the cold air. She looked around. Her belly was growling. She decided to go try that new pizza place in Diagon Alley, and she made her way that way. She finally arrived at Diagon Alley after a good, 15 minute walk. She scanned the area, and finally spotted the new pizza place. Harley pushed open the door. The warm air hit her when she walked in the door. The air was full of yummy smells. She smiled slightly because she liked pizza, and she was cold. She smiled at a waitress who smiled at her. She quickly slid into a booth near a window, and the waitress handed her a menu. Harley gazed through it. She couldn't decide what she wanted. She ordered a hot chocolate, and drank it while she decide what to eat. [/style][style=width: 390px; background-color: dddddd; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; text-align; center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 8px;letter-spacing: 2px; color: 272727;]created by ADE! Pb-ified by WILL[/style]

RIVER DESMOND GOYLE

[RIVER DESMOND GOYLE]

River wasn’t expecting anyone he knew, or even remotely recognized, to wander into the pizza restaurant in Diagon Alley. After all, most of the mates he graduated with were working that evening or visiting their families. It was Christmas, after all. While that was true, he supposed a similar individual could say the same about him sitting there by himself. He should have been with his own family probably, but his family wasn’t much. Of course, there were his siblings who he loved, but his father was retched and his mother had her own problems. It was why River tended to keep to himself mostly, even from his family. Arya seemed to be the only person he could really confide in besides himself.

That said, as he sat there alone in his own booth, a familiar face slid into a nearby booth. River couldn’t place her name, but he knew he’d seen the girl round Hogwarts before. What was she doing alone, here of all places? He wasn’t one for strangers, really, but River couldn’t help but get up from his seat and go over. No one deserved to be alone during the holidays, excluding himself. He paused as he lifted his arse from his chair, wondering if he should really go over or let her be. Surely she would recognize him as a Goyle and write him off – most people did. The Goyle name carried horrible connotations with it, which was what enabled River’s insecurities. Still, he had to give this girl a chance, right? He hoped she’d do the same for him.

He finally rose completely and went over to her booth, standing at the side of it foolishly. ”Uh hey – I think we know each other,” he said, then furrowed his brow. ”Sorry, sorry I mean that…I just mean that…well damn,” River sighed. He turned round on his heel and began to walk away, then stopped. He took a deep breath, turned back around, and then faced the girl again, his face reddening. ”I’m sorry, I just think I know you from Hogwarts, right? You’re a Hufflepuff, aren’t you?” he asked. ”I don’t mean to be rude or intrusive, but I saw you sitting here by yourself, you know, and I’m here by myself and well…I guess maybe it’d be better if we weren’t so alone? Do you mind if I sit with you?” River knew well that the girl might shut him down, but he had to offer, at least. There was something about both being from Hogwarts that made him feel a little less lonely, which was comforting. And seeing as River hadn’t been comforted in that sense lately, he figured there was no less in trying to obtain that.

[HARLEY TAYLOR ASHBROOK]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: dddddd; border: #cccccc solid 8px; width: 420px; padding: 15 5 15 5px;] [style=width: 400px; background-color: 272727; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align; center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; color: dddddd; border-bottom: 3px solid #181818; border-top: 3px solid #181818;] Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself [/style][style=width: 390px; background-color: dddddd; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align; center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 8px;letter-spacing: 2px; color: 272727;]The Words: 485 The Outfit: CLick hereThe NotesYAY for reply![/style][style=width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: justify; color: 272727; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: 9px; overflow: auto;] Harley was approached by a male, she did know the face, but she couldn't place a name. She gave him a smile none the less. Harley's smile was one of her best features. She loved her smile, and she did everything to keep it pretty. She watched him stumble through his words. She gave a smile giggle. He seemed slightly awkward, and harley thought she was the only extremely awkward one around. This was quite refreshing to see someone else being awkward, and stumbling with his words. " IT's okay. Just hush. I'm Harley Ashbrook, and Yes I am a hufflepuff. Yes, you can sit with him, if you wish. Yes I knew I was alone." She said giving his man a sweet smile. She rubbed the back of her neck, and looked down at the table, and waited for the man to slide in so they could continue their conversation. " You're River Goyle, aren't you? " She asked with raised eyebrows. She didn't care about his last name. It was just strange he would actually be talking to her since one, she was muggle born, and she thought all Goyle's hated Muggleborns. She was just trying to get to know who he was. She was smiling inside because she was never approached with company because most people just left her alone, and left her be. She didn't like it but people judged her because when she wasn't smiling she had a resting bitch face. She looked mean when she didn't smile, so she made it a point to always smile all the time to look friendly.She was quite friendly when you got to know her, but hardly no one got to know Harley, but Harley was slowly getting over it . Harley was now waiting for the guy to speak, and introduce himself. She was begging in her head that the guy would stay about 15 minutes at the most before he decided she was to awkward, and not talkative much then he would leave. That always happened to Harley, but Harley was used to it. She always shrugged it off. It still hurt, but she realized it was part of life, and you couldn't change people's mind. Harley realized now she was fiddling with her fingers. She did this when she was nervous or in awkward situation, but Harley kept silent. She didnt know what else to say. She was still waiting for her pizza, and she was starving. [/style][style=width: 390px; background-color: dddddd; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; text-align; center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 8px;letter-spacing: 2px; color: 272727;]created by ADE! Pb-ified by WILL[/style]

RIVER DESMOND GOYLE

[/quote]

[RIVER DESMOND GOYLE]

River couldn't resist the big grin that crossed his features when she told him to hush. For someone who seemed quiet herself, she was sure assertive in that moment. He liked it. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Harley," River answered as he slid into the seat across from her. Harley seemed like a genuine girl, and she was definitely attractive. He wondered why she'd found herself all alone that evening, but thanked his lucky stars that she had - and that he'd been the one to discover her first. It was like finding a needle in a haystack; it happened rarely, but its happening usually brought good things. He hoped the same went for their encounter.

When she said his name, he cringed. "Yep, that's me," he answered. His words from any other mouth would have been accompanied by a proud, cheerful tone, but as they were released from River's, they were accompanied by nothing but disappointment. Maybe his first name wasn't so bad, but Goyle definitely was. He hated his father, his family name, and all of the evil things they did. River would have no part of it; in fact, by becoming an Obliviator, he hoped to rid himself of the evil interpretations people had of himself due to his surname. Maybe it was a subconscious decision, but perhaps by being able to rid people of memories, he was trying to erase his own. That was pretty philosophical thinking, though. River wasn't worried about such deep discussions at the moment because the girl before him was far more interesting. "So I gotta ask - how come you're by yourself? I mean, you're away from school, right, for holiday?"

[HARLEY TAYLOR ASHBROOK]

Harley smiled when he asked why she was alone, but inside she was dreading the question.  " Yes. I am away on Holiday. I am alone because, honestly, I don't have any friends, and no one to hang out with normally, so I am usually alone on holiday and every day of the year" She was going to lie because she wasn't a lier, and she wasn't planning to be any time soon. Her eyes moved to the surroundings around her. She wasn't as interesting as everyone thought she was. She usually ate alone. She usually went to class alone. Every day mostly she was alone even though she was surrounded by people. She didn't like to admit it but it was lonely but she always forced a smile, and hide her pain. Harley hated being alone but she shrugged it off, and moved on. She smiled when her slice of pizza arrived in front of her. She smiled then looked at River.  " Did you get something to eat if not, do you want me to get you anything?" Harley said with a gentle tone in her voice. She took a bite of her meat lover pizza. It was delicious. She loved pizza. It was the best comfort food that the muggle world had, and she loved it. IT was treat. She hardly ever got pizza but it when she did. It was the best pizza in the world.  Harley waited for River to answer her question. 

RIVER DESMOND GOYLE 

[RIVER DESMOND GOYLE]

River frowned. "Well," he started, then smiled slightly, "you can consider me a friend." He meant it, too. He knew what it was like to be alone, to feel like no one cared about you. Given the current climate, that was definitely not a proper way to go about life. Life needed to be embraced and enjoyed; it was thrilling and fleeting. It lasted no longer than a wink, which was why River was trying to do his best to see the bright side of things. Maybe the bright side of him coming to Diagon Alley alone that day was right in front of him. As he looked up once more at Harley, he knew, for certain, it was.

He drooled a bit when her pizza came and then laughed. "No, but it's okay don't worry about me - I'll get something when the waitress comes back," he said. Just as he finished his sentence, she came back to ask Harley how her pizza was and he perked up, asking for a slice of his own. River nodded as she left, then turned his attention back to Harley. "So so far I know you're a loner and a pizza-enthusiast," River chuckled, "and really pretty." He blushed. "So let's see....we should play a game. Twenty-one questions. Ever heard of it?"

[HARLEY TAYLOR ASHBROOK]

Harley smiled at the friend comment, then laughed slightly, before covering her mouth. " Well Thank you for your offer, River but how can you be friends with someone you no nothing about? It seems quite silly, don't you think?" She asked him with raised eyebrows, but she still had a smile on her face when she was talking to him. She blushed when he said she was pretty. She didn't know what to say to that. She wasn't sure what to say to that. She had never been called pretty before. No one really called her pretty. She wasn't used to hearing it, except from one person which was Lorcan, but he didn't count since they were basically best friends.  She smiled when he said they should play the game twenty one questions. Yes, she had heard of it. She had played it all the time with her roommates back at Hogwarts. " Yes. I have heard of the game twenty -one questions, and yes we can play it." Harley said taking a drink of her water, before taking another bite of her pizza. He was right. She was pizza enthusiast.  She waited for River to continue on. She was still red a tomato, and she knew it wasn't going away time soon, but that didn't matter. Its not like anything was going to happen anyways. " Since it was your idea, you can start the game" She said in a humorous tone in her voice, but she was smiling at least.  


RIVER DESMOND GOYLE 

[RIVER DESMOND GOYLE]

River shrugged and grinned back at her. "Well I will just have to get to know you then, huh?" he asked, chuckling. He knew that she was a bit nervous, as he would be if someone only vaguely familiar came up and started talking. However, they were both having a great conversation and River was intent on keeping it going, at least for a little while. He grinned at her and did an internal cheer as she agreed to the game. As he went to open his mouth to answer, the waitress brought his pizza. ”Oh yum!” he said, taking a bite. He hid his mouth with his hand as he chewed, trying to stop laughing at himself. She definitely didn’t want to see the inside of his mouth while he had half-chewed pizza in it. It wasn’t a good look. He smiled and finally swallowed, then took a drink of his own water. ”Okay I’ll start. Hmm…okay, okay. What’s your favorite thing from Honeydukes?” he asked, his eyebrow raised slightly.