Second Floor Common Room - Evening

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory was lying on a couch, Vladdie on her stomach.

The former was channel surfing and eating candy.

The latter was rolling around on his back, batting at what appeared to be a whole lot of nothing in the air.

Comments

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Cally says. "A few people threw a party last night, and, well, yeah, Anders did too."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"I should hope he did," Archie says, mock-severely, his glance flicking toward the doorway again at the mention. "Although he seems to have disappeared on you. That's not terribly nice of him."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally rolls her eyes. "You know, we're allowed to spend time seperate from each other."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"Hard to tell from the way he carries on sometimes," Archie mutters. "So sensitive about it when you bring it up. You'd think he wouldn't remember to breathe without you to remind him."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"You really don't get that whole making fun of Anders isn't the nicest thing to do in front of me thing, do you?" Cally harrumphs.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie shrugs. "Maybe I just think that his attachment to you is a little bit unhealthy, that's all. Maybe I just worry about you."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Well, it's flattering, and all? But I kinda think that might be none of your business." Cally scratches the back of her neck. "Okay, this whole drop everything and be still be friends think isn't working out like I thought it would."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie sighs. "I'm sorry. I just half expect him to come barging in any moment now and start giving me the evil eye for talking to you. Honestly, I would like to be friends with you again. But Samuel makes it . . . complicated."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally throws up her arms and sighs. "I give. It was nice knowing you, Archie. But if you really hate my boyfriend that much, I might was well just walk away now."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"Cally, wait. I'm sorry, truly I am." Archie looks down and starts fiddling with a loose fold of his shirt, awkward and not wanting to meet her eyes. "But if you don't believe it would be worth it to try and maintain a friendship between us, given the animosity between him and myself . . . well, I don't blame you if you want to walk away."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"I just..." Cally lets out a sigh. "I just wish it were simpler, that's all."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"It's never simple," replies Archie, and his voice is more bitter than the conversation would seem to warrant. "For your sake, I could try and attempt civility, but I can make no guarantees, especially if he's unwilling to cooperate."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Well, if I have to get between you as a mediary or something? I'll totally do that. Because I kinda want you two to get along, or at least not hate each other."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie hesitates for a moment. "I don't know if it would be worth the stress for you."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"But I'm willing to try it. Once." Cally nods.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"Once." Archie nods, too, and sighs. "All right, then. Just . . . not tonight."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Well, d'uh. Of course not tonight." Cally smiles.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

He can't help asking. "Why not tonight?"

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Cause he's not here?" Cally says.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie kind of realizes that, since he's still watching the door. "So he isn't. Where has he gotten off to tonight?"

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"He's off with Bridge somewhere, I think." Cally shrugs. "Boys bein' boys, I guess."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie briefly entertains notions of asking Cally if she wonders whether Anders might be kissing Bridge, since Bridge seemed to be so amenable to that the other night. But he doesn't feel like making her mad at him again, so he doesn't.

"Well, that at least saves us the trouble of a possible scene, doesn't it?" He smiles awkwardly. "So are we friends again?"

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Friends, definitely," Cally says with a nod. She then leans in and gives him a peck on the cheek. "And that makes it official, or something."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie blinks, surprised, and smiles in relief. "We'll consider it official, then. You don't think Samuel will take that terribly amiss, will he?"

And because he can't resist asking any longer, he adds, "You know, Bridge was awfully free about kissing people when we were playing that game the other night. I wonder if he's making a habit of it right now . . ."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Well, if Bridge kisses Anders, they better take pictures. Cause I want to see that if it ever happens," Cally giggles. "Possibly might ask to join them, even."