Clear as Crystal (Bridgette)

[Jason Read]

"Thanks," He managed to get out.

He meant the thanks to be both for the compliment and for her fixing his hair. For some reason though, he just couldn't get the words out. He turned to her and smiled.

"Yeah, I never saw Quidditch as a serious thing. It's more like a game to play on the weekends."

With that kind of attitude, it made Jason feel like he never had fun. Maybe it was just all the stress of being a prefect and a 7th year. He remembered when he was younger and he would ride his skateboard all around Hogwarts grounds.

"That's true. So you are saying I should try to be an Auror?"

He smiled flirtatiously, and pulled on a small chunk of her hair that rested on her shoulder.

"I guess if I did, there would be a chance I would be close to Hogwarts. Maybe I could see you more then, between your classes of course."

[Bridgette Malone]

“Only just? Sometimes I worry about you… not that there is anything wrong with you… I just never see you really let go and have fun. Live in the moment.”

She glanced to the puff that was happily nesting and sleeping now in the flowers and she glanced out over the lake. Suddenly she had a great idea. She took Jason’s hands and started to lead him toward the rocks not far from where they were.

“Yes, of course I am saying I think you should try. If it is really what you want to do then go for it. My hesitation to talk to you until now is just proof of how much is wasted on indecision.”

They could have been hanging out like this since last year but she was too shy and uncertain to even dare.

“Sometimes it takes a little push from someone else to get you to see what you really want in life.”

If Aiden hadn’t helped her through the dangerous first moments where she was likely to run away then they wouldn’t even be here now. Finally she had led them up to the top of the rocks and she grinned.

"That would be great. But you would have to opt for the 90 day camp and have someone to be your on the job trainer. Otherwise it’s the Auror academy for the first year…”

She knew all about that, having seriously looked into it and all. She couldn’t opt for the 90 day camp to on the job training unless it was to be trained by someone other than her sister. There were rules about that.

“Now… enough about the future. Come live in the moment. We are here… in the now… enjoy it.”

She giggled then ran across the rocks and splashed into the lake only to surface laughing.

“Water’s not as cold as it looks… promise.”

She called up to him waiting to see if he would let go and have a little fun or just look at her like she was crazy for deciding to have a swim when no one else was out swimming in the lake.

[Jason Read]

"I live in the moment plenty of times!" he laughed slightly.

Although it wasn't completely true. There was just too much responsibility for him to off running around. Sure he would go out and take a break several times but he never did anything drastic. He gave Bridgette a confused look as she pulled him to the water's edge.

"Oh, well if you become an auror..."

He watched in disbelief as Bridgette jumped into the water with all her clothes on. If it was anyone else, Jason wouldn't even give it a second thought. But yet there he stood, on the edge of the water, tempted to go in.

[Bridgette Malone]

“Forget all of that… come live in the moment now… silly.”

She insisted from the water, not wanting to dwell on the future when they had right now, today, a perfect moment to just enjoy for all it was worth. She splashed toward the water’s edge as if she might splash him but the water never made it that far.

“If you can catch me… I will let you have my first kiss…”

Technically that was rewarding for both of them since she wanted to kiss him but kept chickening out save for the small kiss to the corner of his lips earlier. She’d never really kissed anyone before. Maybe a kiss wasn’t the right thing to offer him to tempt him into the water, what if he didn’t even want to kiss her to begin with? She sank a little in the water as if that would hide her insecurity in the moment.

[Jason Read]

Jason through his head back in defeat, trying to hide a smile. He pointed at Bridgette, smirking. He pulled his jacket off and threw it behind him. He stared at the water lapping over the rocks, hesitating. He sighed and slowly walked in.

She was right the water didn't feel bad, it actually wasn't cold. He felt foolish, as if everyone was staring at him. But when he saw Bridgette, that all went away.

"Okay, you got me in!" he threw his hands up in the air.

[Bridgette Malone]

“Yay! Jason!”

The world around them pretty much ceased to exist once Bridgette was in her element, now it was just the two of them and she wasn’t so afraid of any rejection she might face as it seemed Jason was far from rejecting her.

“Now… the wager was if you can catch me. Then you get a prize.”

Bridgette said with a soft giggle at the end as she slowly started to back away from him. If he did give chase she wouldn’t be too hard to catch but she wasn’t particularly trying to get away.