Fourth Floor Common Room, morning

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel always thought better when she cooked. That was why Friday morning she could be found in the common room making muffins. Lots of them.

Hopefully the smell would draw people in to eat them.

Comments

[by137.livejournal.com]

"I didn't think so," A.J. admitted. "But...Troy thought...differently, and...I...I don't know...It's hard. Really hard, to realize I hurt him as much as I did without even realizing it..." He probably wouldn't admit it, like, ever, but part of him was actually a little mad about that, that all of that was there and he'd never said anything.

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"Then how can that be your fault? How could you know how deep he was, how serious his thoughts were? If you didn't know it, didn't realize it, then how can that be your fault?" She looked up into his face, her eyes questioning. "A.J., I can understand the hurt feelings that you feel knowing that you've hurt him, but do you honestly feel like it was planned, that you did it on purpose knowing how Troy felt? If you didn't know, then do not blame yourself. It serves no purpose other than to put weight on your heart."

[by137.livejournal.com]

"Of course I didn't intend for this to happen," A.J. said, rolling his eyes a little, but mostly out of frustration with himself. "But it still did, and, I mean, I'm okay with it. Shit happens, you know; of course I'm going to feel bad but I'm not going let it take over, either. And I'm not. I mean, I'm just trying to make this easy for both of us. Push comes to shove, we live together, we spend just about every single night in the same damn room, so if we let it get awkward, it's just going to be hell on both of us. You...you know how I was after....after what...happened between us, Annette. Staying friends is the most important thing to me, and if that means I've just got to shove my hang ups aside and deal, then that's what I'm going to do..."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She listened and felt bad for him, that he was going through all of this, because she wasn't sure how he felt about Beauty. It wasn't her place to ask really about something that wasn't offered. She felt okay asking about Troy, for some reason to Annette that was different. Beauty was her friend and they were getting close. Which... had been awkward at first, especially knowing what was going on between Beauty and A.J.

"I know... and I'm sorry I let crap come between our friendship, A.J., it's just that it was hard on me since I do have a boyfriend. I hurt someone, I hurt two people, you and him. But... staying friends is more important to me and maybe Troy will understand that and recognize that. Granted, I don't live with you nor see you on a daily basis..."

[by137.livejournal.com]

A.J. shrugged a little. "Water under the bridge," he assured her. "I mean, you and Dick are good, you and me are good, so it all worked out, you know? So I just hope this ends up working out as well in the long run."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"It will," she said but her face really didn't match the reslove in her tone.

"You're planning to go to college, right?"

[by137.livejournal.com]

A.J. shrugged his shoulder; it was an interesting jump in subject, he felt, but he was grateful for it. "Art school, maybe," he said. "Not sure if I'm the university type, but maybe just a small program somewhere to just sort of...hone my skills, build up a portfolio. Eventually maybe move to New York, do the whole scene thing. Y'know..."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"You so should. Don't let your talent just sit still. You are too incredible, you know that, right?" Annette blinked at him mentioning New York. "I'm... I'm probably going to be in New York, for college..."

[by137.livejournal.com]

"...yeah?" A.J. grinned a little at the revelation. "Don't know how that works with the whole timeline thing, 'cause I'm like...you know, the whole Neanderthal from the past thing, but...I don't know, would be pretty cool if we could work it out that we're in New York together. It's a big city, would be good to have some friends..."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"Oh, that's right," Annette bit her lip and blinked slowly. "I wasn't thinking about the whole timeline thing." She wouldn't have anyone. Her parents were dragging her away after graduation; she didn't even get to stay for the summer. There was breaking up with her boyfriend to be done, and then college... and... no one. "Oh."

[by137.livejournal.com]

A.J. shrugged again. "Still don't get all that stuff, to be honest. It could still work out. Would be really cool..." He frowned as he looked over at Annette's expression. Man, she was pulling out a lot of hug moments today, wasn't she?

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

It's been one of those weeks. Le sigh. "It would be really cool, A.J., really cool."

[by137.livejournal.com]

Another small smile, and A.J. figured, what the hell, he'd go just give Annette another hug. She looked like she needed it, anyway.

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette loved getting hugs. She didn't just get hugged to get hugged. She was always the huggee. Why was that? She didn't realize it, but she held on to A.J. rather tightly.