SHACKLED IN MY EMBRACE

[NEVAN OMARI COOTE]

i'm latching onto you

Nevan looked at himself in the long, detailed mirror on the wall of the boy's dormitory. It wasn't something he did on a normal occasion, but on one's such as this, he took no shame in it. He just hoped his attire, demeanor, and personality were enough to carry him through the evening's events. He had casually entered his name in the mystery pairing for a date for the sweetheart's ball since he didn't really know who he could take. Few girls expressed interest in him, to the disbelief of his mother, but he didn't much care. It wasn't something he dawned on a lot since he just went with the flow of things, but he definitely wished he had some supportive and loving company once in a while. He wasn't sure why he'd put his name in other than to not be alone on Valentine's Day, but he guessed now he was getting nervous about it. After all, he could have ended up with someone completely horrible, not that he had judgements of anyone or anything. He just wanted a good time.

As he entered the Great Hall after making sure he looked suitable in the Gryffindor tower, Nevan immediately went to get a drink. He knew the punch would be spiked, as it normally was, but he didn't really mind. He needed something to calm his nerves a bit. Getting his cup, he stood over by the end of the drink table and looked on at the table marked with a 5 - his given number. He knew he didn't have to go over there immediately, and almost hoped his date would go over first, but he knew it was inevitable. He took a sip of his drink as his eyes wandered the hall, looking for anyone familiar to make the clock tick a bit faster and his heart slower.

@adelina

[Deleted]

Adelina felt she was a fool. Why didn't she tell Nevan how she felt? Why didn't she tell him how wonderful her time with her was at the New Year's Party? Adelina wasn't wise in the ways of love like her older sister, but that was no excuse for her to keep by such feeling for a sweet, handsome boy like Nevan.

And now it could be too late. Tonight, Nevan was going to meet some mystery date. Tonight, Nevan was going to potentially like his date. Tonight, Nevan could very well begin a relationship with his date unless...

Maybe he felt something for her too? Maybe he enjoyed himself last month as well? Maybe... but why did he sign up for the mystery date thing? Adelina sighed and just walked in, again a wallflower. Maybe if she was lucky, she could avoid Nevan and her first heartbreak toni...

Aaaand there he was beside her at the punch bowl. Adelina gulped and wanted to run, but she realized how stupid she would look and a slim chance would turn to... no chance.

"Hello... Nevan," she said. "How's your evening been? Find your date yet?"

NEVAN OMARI COOTE

[NEVAN OMARI COOTE]

i'm latching onto you

As Nevan was approached by Adelina, all he could think of was how pretty she looked in her outfit. "Hey," he said back, smiling. He'd almost forgot about his date. "Oh no, not yet - a bit nervous to be honest," Nevan replied, wondering why she took such interest if he'd found his date yet. Honestly, if he'd known better, he could swear she was jealous or something. Or, on the other hand, she could simply be curious about it. After all, Nevan had been going on about his own curiosity in who his date would be, so it wasn't a surprise that the whole of Gryffindor house was wondering, as well. It wasn't like Nevan was a shy person, after all. He was a pretty popular guy, actually, given his unique look and outgoing personality.

"You look great, by the way," he said as he looked her over again. He met her eyes and grinned. Nevan wasn't sure what to say exactly. On the one hand, if he'd come alone, he'd probably whisk Adelina away to the dance floor and have fun. On the other, he was supposed to be meeting his date in a matter of minutes. And besides, Adelina didn't like him that way, did she? They were friends, after all, since he was friends with most people, but he'd never imagined Adelina could feel more than friendship between them. If she did, he'd feel completely stupid for putting his name in to be paired with a stranger. And further still, for bragging about it.

@adelina

[Deleted]

Adelina laughed about Nevan being nervous about meeting this mystery date.

"Don't be," she said. "Just have fun and be yourself. I certainly like who you are." The last thing Adelina wanted to do was spoil Nevan's night with some silly jealousy act. Still, she wanted to tell him how she felt. Even if he didn't feel the same and ended up with whoever the mystery girl was, Adelina was going to go nuts if she didn't say something. She remembered her sister's advice to let the guy make the first move though.

And he said she looked pretty. Hmm... did that count as the first move? Adelina wasn't sure. She wasn't good at this type of thing.

"Thank you," she said. "And you look amazing." She blushed a bit at saying that. "Um... that is to say you look quite nice as well." Adelina sipped her punch and sighed. The heck with it. "Nevan, I know you're waiting on your date, but... can I talk to you for a moment... in private?"

NEVAN OMARI COOTE

[NEVAN OMARI COOTE]

i'm latching onto you

Nevan grinned. "Aw, well thanks! That's great advice," he mused, grinning. He didn't like to have a big ego or anything, but Adelina's words definitely made him feel a bit more confident. He bit his lower lip as she asked to speak to him in private, wondering what exactly it could be about. Butterflies started swarming about in his stomach; he sort of knew the negative connotations that came about when a girl asked to talk privately. He hoped Adelina's words weren't of an abrasive nature, but being friends meant putting up with it if that was what was brought about. "Sure, come on," he nodded, then gestured her away from everyone else. He sat down on the ground and patted the spot beside him, then waited for her to start at what she wished to talk about. No matter what anyone said of him, Nevan was a fierce friend and that would never change, no matter what words were exchanged that night.

@adelina

[Deleted]

Adelina smiled at first when Nevan agreed to speak to her, but then the butterflies flew back into her stomach when she realized this was the time and she HAD to tell him how she felt. No turning back unless she wanted to look like a complete derp and possibly lose any future chance of talking to him. So, she mentally told the butterflies to flutter off and nest in her stomach some other time. It didn't help, but she thought it.

"Um..." she began when they had reached a private spot. "Nevan, I know this is probably the worst possible time to tell you this given you are about to spend the evening with another girl, but I wanted to tell you I've really grown quite fond of you since the New Year's party, but wasn't sure how to express it. I've... never told a boy I liked him before." She bit her lower lip, not seductively, but nervously hoping what she said didn't come out wrong. "I was wondering if your date doesn't work out tonight, would you consider... going out with me some time?"

NEVAN OMARI COOTE

[NEVAN OMARI COOTE]

i'm latching onto you

Nevan smiled at her, waiting for her to speak as she joined him, and then his face fell. Her words hit him like a ton of bricks and all he wanted to do was bury his head in his knees. "R-really?" he asked, stuttering. Stuttering was definitely not in his vocabulary, but he was so caught off guard by what she said. And then it made sense. Her nervousness around him, the way she seemed to glow when they talked...how could he have not noticed her feelings? And, worse, how did he not notice his own? He looked at the floor, silent, and then looked back up and found her gaze. "Adelina I....I'm so sorry I didn't notice before...and I've gone on and on about tonight and..." he paused. Nevan sighed, looked away once more, then back up at her and cupped her cheek with his hand. "I'd love to go out with you," he answered, then pressed his lips against her forehead. He pulled back and then took her hand. He looked down at it, rubbing it softly with his thumb. Nevan glanced back up and frowned. "I can't say I won't have fun tonight, you know, but....but I promise we'll be having that date. And...and I hope many more after."

@adelina

[Deleted]

Whatever awkwardness and neverousness Adelina felt had suddenly flowed out of her and was replaced with pure joy. The glow on her face would show this to Nevan. Without really thinking, she embraced him. Normally, Adelina would not embrace anyone unless they offered to hug her first just to make sure they were ones who enjoyed hugs. But she felt in this case, Nevan would not protest.

"Wonderful!" she said. She then broke the hug and blushed. "Ahem... I mean that would be very nice." She then chuckled. "I promise I will not be rude during yourmystery date tonight though. In fact, I may just go back to the Common Room and read for a bit. You're welcomed to join me there when you return of course." Was it too early to snuggle on the couch in the Common Room with him? Again, Adelina was trying to figure out how all this worked. Perhaps she should have asked Ali a few more things.

NEVAN OMARI COOTE

[NEVAN OMARI COOTE]

i'm latching onto you

Nevan grinned as she hugged him, returning it as he wrapped his arms around the top part of her small form. He blushed along with her, chuckling to himself. "I know you won't - and I appreciate that," he said, nodding. He knew this wasn't the most ideal of circumstances, but he would have been completely rude if he stood his own date up. She didn't deserve that, not after she signed up to be paired with someone. She deserved the date she signed up for and Nevan was going to uphold that, but Adelina's offer of him joining her when it was through brought a smile to his face. "I'll be there," Nevan said with a defining nod. He gave her another squeeze then stood up, extending his hand to her to help her up. "I'll see you later then?"

@adelina

[Deleted]

(Wrapping up this one. A quick thread, but oh wells. See ya in the Common Room!)

Adelina was beaming now. The evening started out a sad one, but would now end with Nevan joining her in the Common Room. What they would do up there- cuddle, chit-chat, play a game of Wizard's Chess perhaps- she didn't know. But she knew she would have a wonderful time with this boy she now discovered felt the same for her that she did for him. She took his hand, her eyes glued to him.

"Yes, certainly," she said when he said he would see her later. She was about to walk away when she gave him a kiss on each cheek. It was something she usually only did with her family in parting, but for some reason she wanted to do the same for Nevan. "Au revoir, Nevan. And remember, be yourself tonight with your mystery date."

She waved and then departed.

NEVAN OMARI COOTE