Mornings {{open}}

[carson hale]

The daylight crept through the windows in a sickeningly cheerful manner, shining various colored lights from the stained glass windows. Instead of stopping to take in the beauty, Cari continued to walk down to the Great Hall for breakfast. All around her students were walking, some running and smiling. They made her sick. Who could be so cheerful this early? She thought as she pushed a random older student out of the way. In the back of her mind she registered his angry shouts, but waved it off with the flick of her wrist. It was too early to get into a duel. It was too early to be awake!

Having reached the Great hall, Cari saw breakfast foods piled upon the tables. Anything a person could desire was laid out before them. The only good thing about mornings were the breakfast selections. She used her hand to stifle a yawn as she sat down at the designated Ravenclaw table. Pileing her plate with food was easy but took more energy than she had. The effort exherted made her arms ache.

Idly Cari picked up a fork and took a few tentative bites. Delicious, as always. She knew she should probably read the chapter they were being tested over today in Transfiguration but couldn't bring herself to pull the book from her heavy book bag. Sometimes she swore the stupid thing weighed a million pounds. Looking around, Cari saw no threat of a prank being pulled so she lay her head down on her folded arms. A few more minutes of sleep wouldn't hurt.

Her blue eyes drifted shut and her breaths began to even out. Ah, sleep was good.

[robin]

Matt couldn't help but smile as he made his way to the great hall for breakfast. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and all in all it looked to be a beautiful day. He had a skip to his step as he walked, his book laden bag feeling as if it held nothing more than feathers instead of heavy tomes. Occasionally he would wave at people he recognized, giving each and every one of them a friendly greeting.

Inside the great hall, food was piled mile high on the tables. Already some students were digging in to the delectable dishes. His browns eyes scanned the room looking for a friend who he could sit with. The Hufflepuff table was half full, but most of the students were younger than him. Not that he had a problem with the younger years, he just didn't feel like eating with a bunch of first years. At least, not today. He continued to glance over the room until his eyes fell on the Ravenclaw table.

As usual, the Ravenclaws were studying their books and conversing over the previous days lesson. He even heard a few speculating on today's lessons but he blocked them out. Near the end of the table sat a familiar head of curly blonde hair. From the looks of it, she was resting her head on her arms. Did she have a headache? Deciding to find out, he took a few large strides over to where she sat. When he was close enough, Matt was able to make out the sound of gentle snoring coming from his favorite blonde. She was asleep!

"Car-car?" Matt sat down beside her. She didn't respond. Maybe a little bit of fun was in order. While he was deciding what to do, he snatched a piece of bacon from her plate and ate it. Like she would care if he took some of her breakfast. Hit by a sudden train of thought, Matt reached into his bag and pulled out one of his less favorite quills. Gently, he began to trail the feathered part over her face hoping that she would think a bug was crawling on her. This would be funny!

[carson hale]

Her dreams were sweet as candy. Frolicking through cotton candy fields, flying through marshmallow clouds, everything seemed to be made of delicious foods. She was in HEAVEN! It was weird. All of a sudden she got this weird tingly feeling on her cheek like something was running across it. Using her hand she tried to flick whatever it was off. For a moment the tickling tingle ceased. But right as her hand fell back to her side, it started up again. Her hand flew back to her face, scratching where the tickle had been. Once more it disappeared only to reappear a second later.

This was it! Her hand balled into a fist at her side, after all this was a dream. What could a punch do to her mental self. It wasn't like she was doing this in real life. Just as the tickle trailed over her jaw, she brought her fist up and slapped her cheek hard. Only, the odd thing was, it hurt. She blinked her eyes and with each flutter of her lashes, the real world came back into focus and the stinging in her cheek became more and more pronounced.

Her blue eyes flew to Matt who looked to be holding in his laughter. "I should hurt you and I would if I had the energy." Cari grumbled, propping her head up with her hand.

[robin]

Matt watched as Cari bat at the quill he was using to tickle her. The scene was so funny that he had to bite a finger on his other hand to keep from laughing. For a second he would stop letting her think she had succeeded but then he would start again. He watched as her face twisted into the funniest faces. Her bottom lip stuck out in a pout, something she unknowingly did when she was getting angry. He would never admit it but that pout drove him crazy.

He continued to tickle her, always pausing for only a moment after she tried to hit the feather away. He didn't see her hand balling to a fist under the table or the steely resolution she had to eliminate the tickle once and for all. So needless to say it shocked him when she slapped herself across the face. In fact it actually startled him. Deciding it was probably best if he ditched the evidence, he threw the now broken quill into his backpack. Her bleary blue eyes opened and Matt was suddenly grateful that Cari was not a morning person.

"I'm sorry Car-car! It was just way to good of an opportunity to pass up. Forgive me?" He placed his hands under his chin and gave her his own version of the puppy dog pout.

[carson hale]

It took a moment for his words to register, the real world still coming into focus around her. He was apologizing? Ha! All those times she had frogged his arm must have finally gotten through to him. She was a strong girl and she took nothing from nobody. Her eyes wandered over his uniform clad body. He made the gray and yellow outfit look good.

She thought back to her own uniform. A black pleated skirt that was hemmed a tad higher than what was allowed, a white tank top under her gray sweater for that layered look that was popular. The only real difference in color between Matt and Cari was the fact that he had yellow to signify his placement in the Hufflepuff house while she had blue to display her status as a Ravenclaw.

"I'll think about forgiving you." Cari smiled, she had a plan. "You know, your shoulder looks mighty comfortable." She hinted, her hands running over his firm bicep. "If you tell me what I want to hear, there may be forgiveness in it for you. I might even throw in a back rub." Her hands continued to knead his shoulder muscles, hoping he would tell her what she wanted to hear.

While waiting for him to reply, she grabbed a still warm piece of bacon and took a bite. The salty taste assaulted her senses, she always had loved the taste of bacon. "Mmm." Cari hummed. She didn't know how the house elves did it, but they always made the most superb bacon. Her eyes still half-lidded from sleep, Cari looked at Matt and waited for him to tell her what she wanted to hear.

[robin]

Matt watched as Cari eyed him like a hungry animal. She wanted something and with his weakness for her, he would probably let her have it. Well, if she was going to check him out, he would check her out. Two could play that game. Undeniably, Cari was one hottie Matt wouldn't mind to have on his arm. She wouldn't be like the girls he had dated before. Those were few and far between. For some reason, the girls he had dated couldn't handle his relationship with his best friend. So what if occasionally he would kiss Cari hello. Ok so maybe kissing Cari wasn't a good idea when he was dating someone else. It was just how they interacted, they were each other's best friends why shouldn't they kiss each other?

Matt unconsciously straightened his shirt collar. Was it just him or did Cari's skirt seem to be shorter than what was allowed? Blue was definitely her color. She looked magnificent, even if a bit sleepy. He watched the saccharine smile play across her rosy lips and wondered if he could get away with a quick kiss, just to say good morning. Her eyes were glued to his shoulder. So that's what she wanted. A human pillow. Well, that could be arranged. For a price. Apparently, she had the same idea. Forgiveness in exchange for temporary use of his shoulder. Sounded fair but Matt wanted more. She had hit on another of his weaknesses. A back rub! Cari gave the most amazing back rubs he had ever experienced. Still, Matt wanted more. her hands began to massage the shoulder she had been eying. Either she was trying really hard to convince him or she was so certain he would say yes that she was warming it up.

He watched as she ate a piece of bacon. How could someone make eating bacon look so seductive? Her half lidded eyes fell on him and Matt couldn't help himself. He lent forward and gently captured his lips with his own. The kiss was short and sweet but highly rewarding. He loved kissing Cari. "It's a deal, Princess." His voice was low as he acquiesced to her request. She could use his shoulder, that kiss was more than enough payment.

Now if only he could kick the feelings he had for her. Ah, who was he kidding. Cari was a drug and he was a junkie addicted to her charm. He'd never quit.

[carson hale]

Cari could see that Matt was seriously considering what she had said. Well that and checking her out. Not that she minded. It was only fair since she had just been looking at him like a man stranded on a desert island would look at a roasted turkey. It really was a pity Matt couldn't keep a girlfriend or that she herself could never keep a boyfriend. They always had problems with the intimate interactions between them. Cari didn't see what was wrong. Two best friends who occasionally like to make out with each other. ok so maybe that was the problem, but they would just have to deal. She wasn't going to stop doing something she enjoyed just to please someone else.

His eyes were fixed on her legs, the hemline of her skirt to be exact. When he adjusted his collar, Cari had to fight the urge to laugh. She loved the effect she had on men, especially Matt. It was fun to watch him squirm in his seat, obviously made uncomfortable by the length of her skirt. but something told her he was uncomfortable in a completely good way. That was when he got that look of intense concentration on his face. he was thinking of something, and there was a ninety percent chance it was her.

So long as she had known him, Matt had never been a greedy person but right now he looked ready to bargain. what else could he possibly want from her besides forgiveness and a back rub? A longer back rub? She wasn't going near his feet. Nope, she didn't massage feet! In an attempt to hurry his decision she began to seriously rub his shoulder, giving him a taste of the back rub he would get if he let her use his shoulder.

Cari had just been staring into his eyes waiting for his answer when Matt swooped in for a surprise kiss. This really didn't shock her, they did this all the time. What had surprised her was the little time she had been given to respond. In that short span, she hadn't had the time to really enjoy the kiss, just half heartedly partake. Kind of disappointing. But the disappointment settled when Matt told her it was a deal.

"Thank you." Quickly she kissed his cheek before wrapping her arms around his bicep and hugging it close. Who would have thought that rock hard muscle could be so comfortable? Now if only Cari could get that kiss out of her head.

Nuzzling her cheek deeper into his shoulder, she inhaled his uniquely wonderful scent. "I love you Matt." She whispered knowing he would think of it as a friendly I love you, not one of deep emotion shared between lovers.

[robin]

He resisted the urge to touch his cheek after she had quickly kissed it. He had felt the light gloss on her lips leave a mark, but for the moment, he didn't care. Cari had kissed his cheek and he was in heaven. Her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulder. She held on so tight, it felt like the circulation would be cut off if he didn't do something. Looking down, Cari looked so sweet snuggled into his shoulder.

He heard her murmur a faint 'I love you, Matt.' and that made up his mind.

Reaching over, he pried her hands off. He ignored her look of confusion and lifted the arm she had been resting on to sling it around her shoulders. His large hand pulled her tight against his side, letting her snuggle into his chest. "I thought this would be more comfortable." His lips were millimeters from her ear when he spoke. letting her settle in a bit, he waited until she was completely calm.

"I love you too, Car-car." He happily mumbled.

Letting himself enjoy the unexpected morning embrace, Matt waited before broaching a new topic. "Did you get all of your homework done?" It was random and totally boring, but he wanted to hear her angelic voice.

[carson hale]

It had shocked Cari when Matt had pulled his arm so suddenly out of her grasp. Did he regret saying yes? Did a girl he fancy just enter the Great Hall? The confusion ended when instead of pulling away further, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer so that she could rest her head on his chest. His faint heartbeat was pounding gin her ear, the sound lulling her back to sleep.

"I love you, Car-car." He had muttered and for a moment Cari let her heart soar. She forgot that he was just her best friend and she forgot everything that was keeping them apart. For a minute they were a couple and she couldn't be happier. Then like everything else, the fantasy came crashing down bringing the blonde back to reality.

"Homework? I knew I forgot to do something. Eh, I'll probably just skim the reading before class and use a Quick Quotes to write the paper for me." Cari nuzzled closer, not wanting to pull away. "What about you? Did you get all of your homework done?" She asked, not bothering to lift her head.