Habits Die Hard ---Charlotte Wright---

[Nathan Anderson]

Nathan was in no way in his mind a creature of habit. Just because he had bacon on mondays, toast on tuesdays, porridge on wednesdays, ceri- well, that part doesn't matter. He was sure that everybody parted their hair on the same side each morning, and everybody made sure to time how long they brushed their teeth. It was normal to set out clothes for the next day and alphabetise text books on your book shelf.

Suppose it might be a little bit weird coming to the library the same day each week, and the same time, on the same floor, sitting at the same table. A little bit weird just a little. But he wasn't the only one who didn't, which was really rather encouraging.

[Charlotte Wright]

Chuck, on the other hand, knew that she was a creature of habit. On the pitch, she was unpredictable, able to creatively move to throw the other team off. In life? Well, that was a different story. In life she very much preferred knowing what was next. Her schedule wasn't fluid; it was actually very rigid. If she was even a little late it threw her whole day off.

Today, luckily, she wasn't late. She was very much on time. Every week she went to the library at the same time. She went to the same floor, sat at the same table, and had the same company. Usually, she was doing something different from the week before, but she was always there. And so was Nathan.

So when she arrived this particular day, she sat down across from Nathan with a smile, pulling out the muffins she'd snagged from breakfast and pushing one across the table to him. "How was your week?"

[Nathan Anderson]

"Ahhhh" Nathan sounded happily. He grabbed the muffin with with a smile. "Always a pleasure." he said, talking about Charlottes company mostly.... Not just the breakfast treats. "I've had a horrible week." Nathan replied. "Double potions early in the week just puts a grey cloud over the rest of it." he sighed. he had his potions text book open in front of him, sick of being the worst in the class he set today's study session aside for reading up on the next lesson. "What about you? Any drama?" He asked.... Yes it was gossip but who didn't love to gossip?

[Charlotte Wright]

"I'm useless in potions." She admitted, "Otherwise I'd help" Chuck really was terrible at potions. She tried, sometimes. Well, no, she really didn't. She used to. But since fourth year when she realized it was a lost cause, she hadn't been trying. Not at all. "As for gossip, I heard that there are girls and boys sleeping together." She joked, "You know I don't really keep up with that sort of thing. I wish I did."

[Nathan Anderson]

"Oh yes of course not." Nathan replied. Sometimes if worried him that he liked to indulge in such feminine things. Maybe thats why he landed in the friend zone with Jess. "I guess I'm a little addicted to all that gossipy junk." He said with a blush. "But uhh- How is the quidditch then?" He asked, yeah that question would be much more her speed.

[Charlotte Wright]

"Nothing to be ashamed of. Maybe I'll start paying attention," Chuck mused. She probably wouldn't. It wouldn't be healthy and besides, she was way too oblivious. "Quidditch is going well - slow, but well." She nodded. She wished her team was full and real practices could happen, but alas, it was a tough year. "How's... Jess?" She asked, knowing that they were the best of friends but not much else about it. She was just trying to be polite.

[Nathan Anderson]

Nathan coundnt stop the bright red blush that sprang to his face... "uhh Jess is fine... I mean it's not like Ive asked her recently or anything..." he said looking down to his book, stumbling over his words. He let out a tight laugh, as if to try to break the awkward tension.

[Charlotte Wright]

Chuck wasn't really the type to beat around the bush, but she tried to be polite for Nathan's sake; they weren't that close. "I heard she was dating someone," She said nonchalantly "You guys are close, do you think they're good together?"

[Nathan Anderson]

"What?" Nathan asked, the volume of his voice giving away just how much he cared about the particular topic... He quietened after gaining some self control, and in hissed whispers asked "She's dating someone?! When did you hear that? Who is it? Who told you? How long?" he started spitting out questions in rapid fire.

[Charlotte Wright]

"No one, I made it up. How long have you been in love with her?" Chuck asked bluntly, eyebrows raised. He definitely couldn't lie now and say he didn't.

[Nathan Anderson]

Nathan narrowed his eyes at her, it was a clever trick. "I'm not.... In love with her.... I mean.... " he started, but admitted defeat, there was not comming back from the over reaction of the century. "I mean I lik her I guess." he said, his blush growing even bright if it were possible. .

[Charlotte Wright]

"How long have you been in love with her for?" Chuck repeated, picking at her nails. She wished someone nice and sweet like Nathan liked her. No one really liked her. She'd get over it. "Have you told her yet?"

[Nathan Anderson]

He was trying to avoid the hediously embarrassing subject of how long he had "Liked Jess a whole lot". Instead he focused on her second question. "Told her? Are you mad?" he questioned. "I mean, we're friends, if I tell her I like her, she won't want to be my friend anymore... It would be to awkward." he said.... Even though awkward was what he did best, he still didn't to loose her completely.

[Charlotte Wright]

"You should tell her," Chuck reiterated. "If she feels the same you could actually be with her." She pointed out, eyebrows raised.

[Nathan Anderson]

Nathan sighed, letting his head fall to the desk. "Everybody says that." He sounded, his voice muffled. She was telling him the exact same thing that Corey did over and over again. "I'm sure she only see'e me as a friend." He added, finding this conversation topic increasingly depressing.

"But what about you?" He asked, "You've got to have the tingly's about somebody?" He asked intending to shift the heat.