#8 Breakfast

Toby looked between his friends when they asked him what had happened and he only shrugged in response, picking at the toast that he held in his hand as if it was the most interesting thing in the world- but it didn't seem as though he intended on eating it.

"I didn't mean to make a mess" he told them, as if that explained his dark mood "I was just excited and then Amy snapped at me, it's not as though there was an entire table of food she could get if she really wanted to" he was grateful for the support from his friends, considering his sister had been such an arse that morning- and to think, he was going to say something genuinely nice about her... Well after that performance, he hoped another plant smacked her.

"We can do something together after class" he agreed, smiling at the other boys- it seemed that the company of his best friends seemed to make it easy to forget his anger and upset at his sister. "We could go explore or... Maybe play chess or some other game?" it seemed like maybe Joe didn't want to go running around outside and honestly, Toby could see why, it was rather cold that morning.

Shrugging at the mention of quidditch practice he muttered "sure, if Amy doesn't knock me off my broom or something" he didn't really believe that she might do that, because the consequences to those actions would be dire, for her. "I guess it'll be fun as long as she doesn't hit a bludger at me" if she did, he'd make her life hell for as long as possible.

Nyx spun around, icy eyes shooting daggers at the source of ridicule with a cold glare. It sounded like Luckett Langford. No, it didn't sound like him. It was him. Nyx would be sure to get him back for that later. But, for right now, she wanted to bask in this moment, her moment with Mathias. She turned back to face him, her expression immediately softening. Her lashes fluttered ever so flirty-like, as she reached to brush a strand of platinum hair from her face.

"Yeah," she laughed in response, having always enjoyed Mathias' brand of humor. "I'd prefer the privacy," Nyx added with a nod, a smile lingering on her plush lips. Even though everyone seemed to be watching them, it felt like only her and him. It always felt like that. Nyx had only ever had eyes for Mathias, and when they were together, it felt like the whole world went still.

"A walk?" Nordstrom repeated, and not because she misunderstood, but because she was trying to buy time. She had just made plans with Kaspian Kettles to visit the groundskeeper, and while she would have had no objection canceling plans with her teammate, it was more about needing to get the aforementioned task done. But she didn't want Mathias to think she was opting to spend time with another boy. How could she go about this—the right away?

"Maybe this afternoon?" she countered, hoping the light-hearted grin on his fade wouldn't fade. "I made plans to visit Hagrid for one of those spare gardening pots," she started to say, reaching to grab hold of her Herbology textbooks for further evidence. It wasn't like she needed proof, but it helped showcase how important the task was to her. "You're more than welcome to join Kaspian and I," she offered, jumbling her words together in quick haste.

She didn't bother asking Kettles if he was alright with the extra addition, because if he wasn't, he was disinvited. Mathias and Nyx could go by themselves. And yet, while it all seemed easy, something told Nyx it wouldn't be. If the past was any indication of how the conversation could go, she anticipated Mathias declining her invitation. She just didn't want him to be saddened by the decision. They would have the whole afternoon together, after all—assuming he agreed.

"We should get going either way," Nordstrom said decisively, noticing that their food had disappeared from table. Students were already exiting the hall, off to attend class or enjoy their free time. Nyx clutched her textbooks to her chest and exchanged a look with Kaspian, before turning to smile at Mathias. She hoped he would come along with them, but if he didn't, she would make sure to spend every second of her entire afternoon with him and only him.

Tiana Thomas' face was putting on a show that could rival ticket prices for the one over at the Ravenclaw table! It was one expression after another: from shock, to irritation, to confusion. She looked bothered by Jake's initial response, turning to look at Amelia who appeared equally as agitated. Why was he acting so defensive? If he was hurt, they wanted to do what they could to help him! Thatcher didn't need to save face with them. They were his friends!

Her eyes moved to find Amelia again and she noticed her friend getting emotional. Tiana couldn't remember a time when she saw her teammate on the verge of tears.. the events of yesterday excluded. She reached out a hand, wanting to place it on Amy's shoulder. Emotions were running high at the Gryffindor table and Tiana wanted to be a comforting presence for once. She would usually be the one grilling Jake, but this morning that role was taken.

“We should talk about this later in private,” she started to suggest, looking for everyone's reaction. “If Jake doesn't want to tell us what really happened, that's his business,” Tiana advised the other lions, sounding more frustrated than she expected. She wanted to be diplomatic! “You can tell us when you're ready, Jake,” Ti finished, looking at the boy while standing up from her seat. The food was gone from the table and it was time for them to go.

Jacob was annoyed. Well, he was already annoyed, but this was like extra-annoyed or something. It was weird though, because he wasn't annoyed at them for questioning him but rather than their concern made it harder for him to protect them. Why did he have to be friends with such nice people?

Uh oh, Amy was teary-eyed. Now what was he supposed to do? Girls crying was not something he knew how to handle, which earned him another sab of guilt. But with the Slytherins' threat still hanging over their heads, he refused to give in, so he did the best thing he could think of in that moment: he pretended not to notice.

He'd rather his friends hated him than he be responsible for getting them hurt.

'You don't know what it wasn't fireworks,' Jacob muttered casually, yet with a defensive look. He was glad for Tiana respecting that he didn't want to talk about it, and giving him an out, but he knew it wouldn't be enough for Amy. Twiggs' had fire in them.

'Look, I can't... I mean, I don't want to make a fuss about this, all right?' He stood up, unable to keep them a bay when they had so much free time. 'Just drop it. I'm fine.'

Jacob sighed, shaking his head as he cradled his arm again. He couldn't make eye contact with either of them. What could he say? Lying felt so wrong. Any time someone messed with him in the past, big or small, he'd tell his friends everything so they could either handle it together or he had someone to rant to about how hard and unfair his life was. Not this time. He couldn't risk it and he knew the girls were too headstrong to let it go if they knew the truth.

'I've got homework to do.' Jacob sighed. 'I'll see you later.' He headed out of the hall, looking every bit the kicked puppy he was.