So Much For Just Friends ((Casey and my charries))

[Carson McGreggor H6]

“I knew it. I knew it all along.” Ethan Jacobs said from his seat beside the roaring fire in the student lounge. Carson rolled his eyes. He couldn’t understand why he couldn’t just keep his mouth shut for once in his life. He didn’t need to tell Ethan anything. It’s not like he would have known the difference. Ethan would be too busy hanging out with his new girlfriend Amber or having fun with some gang of worshipers to notice that Carson had a date. He shook his head. It wasn’t a real date. It was…Carson thought of the right word for what tonight was to be. It was a gathering of two friends for a fun time together…who were only friends, and nothing more. Yes, that was it. Only friends. “Didn’t I tell you that you two were perfect for each other? I really think you owe me a word of thanks. If it wasn’t for me and Ezzie helping you two together, you would have been going to the bonfire alone.” He said, as if extremely proud of himself. “By the way…does Ezzie even know her best friend is finally going out with you? Because I do have to say, you and Casey did take quite a while on this one. I was worried I’d lose my bet.” Carson turned around from his place in front of a long mirror to stare at Ethan as if he was some crazy kid who just got released from St. Mungo’s mental ward. “You placed a bet on me and Casey?” Carson exclaimed in disbelief. He smiled a bit. “Well then, I guess you lost. Me and Casey aren’t a couple. We’re just going as friends.” He stated, hoping Ethan wouldn’t try to dig deeper into this situation than it was needed.

“Oh yeah, then why do you keep trying to fix your hair? Why is it that all of a sudden, you actually care about what you’re wearing, and better yet, what you smell like?” Ethan said slyly. Carson looked down at what he was wearing. It was nothing special, was it? He was wearing muggle clothes, that was for sure. But, he didn’t really feel all that dressed up. He was simply wearing a long sleeved shirt with a leather jacket over it. His dark jeans were a bit baggy but still did not fall below his waist like some people wore their jeans. Carson did have to admit, he was wearing his brand new sneakers. But other than his sneakers, Carson’s attire seemed pretty casual. He merely shrugged.

“I think I look like what I always look like. The only difference is the muggle clothes. And you’re lucky I even told you anything at all. I could have let you wander about on your date with Aimee or whoever that girl is. You wouldn’t have noticed the difference.” He said jokingly. “Man, you are too funny.” Ethan said sarcastically. “Her name is Amber by the way, not Aimee. And I refuse to believe you still don’t like Casey. I was talking to Ezzie the other day, and she can tell as well. You like Casey, and Casey likes you, but you both are too chicken to admit it.” He said with his eyebrow raised. Every time Ethan and Ezzie went to Hogsmeade, their relationship changed. The first time, they were together. They were a happy couple that killed Carson with their insane cuteness. The next visit, they ended up hating each other. This caused some problems not only for Ezzie and Ethan, but for Casey and Carson as well. They barely had a second to talk to each other, just because their best friends seemed to be in a never ending World War III against one another. And then there was the last visit to Hogsmeade. Ezzie became re connected with her mother, and Ethan found out he was going to be a big brother to a little Jacobs kid. Ever since then, they were good friends, and everything was almost back to normal. With all that going on between Ezzie and Ethan, Carson didn’t even want to think about all the drama going on with Angel and Hanson. No, he wasn’t getting into that. Not now. Not today. And hopefully, if he was lucky, not any time soon.

Suddenly, Carson heard the door to the student lounge open. The first person he saw was Ezzie Mendez, who looked quite pretty in a long sleeved red shirt and jeans. Although, Carson wasn’t particularly bothered by what Ezzie was wearing, for he was trying to stop his jaw from dropping down to his feet at the sight of Casey.

[Casey Allen G5]

“I don’t think it’s a date. Well, maybe. I dunno.” Casey told Ezzie as clothes flew around their dorm. This whole thing confused Casey. She was a naturally confused person, but this was just ridiculous. Carson never said that it was a date. Right? Casey couldn’t remember him mentioning anything about it. It had been a brief encounter with him the day before, really. Carson had to get to bad practice and Casey had to change into her Eden clothes. Casey sighed. It was just a friends thing. Casey was sure of it. It couldn’t be anything more. It simply couldn’t be. Casey sighed. What why she supposed to wear on this “friends date” or whatever it was? There really should be a whole category of clothes for these types of things. Really, Casey wished that she could just dress up as Eden. Casey felt so much stronger when she was her alter ego. Eden Sweden was strong, cute, and powerful. Casey Allen was quirky, cute, and ditzy. Casey sighed. It was so much cooler to be Eden than it was being Casey. But, Casey knew that she could just tell the world the truth. Then, she would have an awesome life. But nothing would ever be the same again.

Casey sighed after hearing for the millionth time that they were going to be late. “I dunno what to wear, Ez.” Casey whined once again. She had always thought that Ezzie had a better fashion sense than she did. Casey picked out all of Eden’s clothes, but that was so much easier. They were all flashy and bright. Dressing Casey was a whole lot different than dressing Eden Sweden. Finally, with the help of Ezzie, Casey found the perfect outfit so she started on her hair. With a bit of magic, her natural, wavy brown hair was instantly straight and beautiful. She put on a pretty shimmering gold eye-shadow that went with her outfit perfectly. Casey then found the perfect shoes and a simple bag. She smiled and looked to Ezzie. “Whatcha think?”

Casey laughed slightly as she and Ezzie headed for the Student Lounge. Casey looked beautiful in a natural way. She didn’t look like Eden Sweden or a fake. She looked like the beautiful, quirky Casey Allen that she was. And for once, Casey liked the feeling. Casey sighed. She hoped that things would be fine between her and Carson. She hoped that they would have fun being friends. That was it right? Yep. Just friends. Casey shrugged her shoulders. Was she okay with being just friends? Was she okay with being anything more than just friends? Finally, Casey and Ezzie entered the Student Lounge. Ezzie looked fabulous in her jeans and red shirt. Casey wore her dark jeans with her gold, sparkly ballet type shoes. Her shirt was pink with little gold beads in all the right places. She was semi dressy, but appropriate for the event. Casey really did look good in pink even though she wasn’t that fond of the color. “Hey guys.” Casey said to both Carson and Ethan. She was glad that things between him and Ezzie seemed less hostile and more sibling-like. It was more fun that way. “You guys look dashing.” She smiled, but she was really looking at Carson who looked extremely handsome. “I have to admit, I’ve never been to a Bonfire. In Newport, friends just light candles and have fun at the beach at night.” She laughed thinking of it. Casey looked to Ezzie and then back at the boys. “Ready?” She asked about going outside. Casey smiled and waited for Carson or Ethan (but hopefully Carson) to say something.

[Esmeralda Mendez]

((I hope it's ok that I posted Ezzie here. If not, let me know and I'll redo the post.))

Ezzie smiled at Casey from her seat on the bed as she pondered whether or not she was actually going on a date that night. “Oh c’mon Casey! If he asked you, you two are going as a pair, and you aren’t related to him in any way, it’s a date. He doesn’t have to blatantly say to you that it is. Although knowing Carson, he’s probably trying to reassure Ethan that it’s nothing special.” She said jokingly, rolling her eyes. Carson and Ethan were a funny pair. They did everything and anything together and the way Ezzie saw it, they were complete opposites. Carson loved to paint and play his guitar, and Ethan liked to skate board and party all night. Carson completely opposed anything that had to do with romantic relationships while Ethan welcomed them with wide open arms. They were two completely different people, but they had one thing in common. If Ezzie or Casey needed a shoulder to cry on, they were there. They were both very dependable as friends, but (in Ethan’s case) the second you started dating them, no one could be sure where their loyalties really laid. Ezzie watched with amusement as Casey threw things all over the room.

“You know Casey, if you don’t hurry up and pick something, you’re going to be late.” Ezzie said from behind Casey, who was digging through her trunk for something to wear. She sighed and turned to Ezzie. Finally, she admitted she needed help. “Ezzie to the rescue then!” She said with a kind smile toward her friend. She looked around on the floor. “Definitely no green. Green is a bad color on you.” She said, bending down and picking up some green shirts that lay on the floor. She placed them on the bed and began to fold them neatly as she continued to look down on the floor. Ezzie did have an obsessive habit of cleaning, but who wouldn’t be if they grew up working as a maid? Some rich people were pigs. Take Ethan for example. He never met a piece of clothing that he didn’t throw on the floor casually. The problem with rich people is that they always expect someone to clean up after themselves. Ezzie was now just as wealthy as the people she used to serve (if not more) and she would never have that state of mind. “How about that pink one with the beads? Pink is definitely your color. And you do like those dark jeans. There’s a pair over there by the window.

Finally, Casey had her outfit and looked perfect. Ezzie had been dressed for hours, but she didn’t exactly know why. Ezzie looked down at herself as she walked through the corridors with Casey. She was wearing a long sleeve red shirt with a v-neck cut and denim jeans with a sparkling gold necklace and feminine looking black gloves. It was sure to get cold out. Ezzie sighed. She had no reason to be at the bonfire tonight. She didn’t have a date. Ethan had one, Casey had one, and even Carson, who opposed all forms of dating, had a date for the bonfire. Ezzie let out a long sigh as she walked with Casey into the Student Lounge, where Ethan and Carson were awaiting. She sat down in an armchair as Casey and Carson talked. Casey complimented Ethan and Carson (or rather just Carson) and watched with half hearted amusement as Carson stuttered an answer.

“Thanks um, you look great too. And to be honest, I’ve never been to a bonfire either. In London, the only thing big enough to catch fire is a building and well…I think you can see a problem with setting fire to buildings.” Carson said with a small smile.

“So, now that all your small talk is over, let’s go. I’ve got a date waiting for me out there, and it’s rude to keep the lady waiting.” Ethan said with a smile. Ezzie tried to hold back the jealous monster inside of her as she followed the crowd out into the grounds for the bonfire.

[Casey Allen G5]

“Where exactly did you here that rubbish?” Casey asked smiling as Ezzie said that if you weren’t related you were on a date. Casey laughed slightly. Oh well. It was sort of a cute saying at least even if Casey didn’t think it was very true. “So if I go to the movies with my friend Nick that I’ve known since I was five it’s a date?” Casey laughed. She would never in a million years date Nick. He was a good friend. He was the type that was really over-protective of Casey, but she didn’t mind. Someone had to make up for Joel. He wasn’t over-protective at all. Nope, he just wanted to get Casey out of his hair. Casey thought of Nick and Joel. They were best-friends even if Nick was a muggle and he was Casey’s age. Still, Nick knew all of the Allen Family Secrets. He knew that Casey was really Eden Sweden and he knew that the family was full of Wizards. Well, he only found this out because Casey burst a mirror during a temper-tantrum. That was her first use of magic. Good thing that Nick didn’t care. Nope, he was too open-minded for that.

Casey sighed. “I don’t want to be late, but I’m as nervous as it is!” She sighed. Maybe she wouldn’t go. But she wanted to! Wow this was confusing. Casey laughed as Ezzie began to ‘work her magic’ and started to pick out an outfit for Casey. “Yea I’ve never looked good in green, but I still like it.” She explained as she picked up a green shirt and held it in her hands for no reason. Casey raised an eye-brow as Ezzie suggested the pink shirt. She sighed. “Fine but I don’t want to look too much like a Barbie.” She giggled and walked over to the window and grabbed the dark jeans. Casey loved jeans and so did Eden. It was their thing. Casey didn’t think to wear any other type of pant, but she did. Eden wore anything the stylist threw at her. Casey wanted Eden to have a bunch of different clothes. She wanted Eden to stand out.

After they left their dorm and arrived in the Student Lounge, Casey smiled over to Carson and began to talk to him as Ezzie sat down. Casey wondered if this was awkward for Ezzie. She knew that Ezzie and Ethan were friendlier now, but it had to be awkward for them even just a little bit. Casey smiled as Carson spoke. “Yea, that might be a problem.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “Well, I’m glad that get to go to my first Bonfire. After all, candles just aren’t the same.” She smiled. Casey rolled her eyes like she normally did when Ethan spoke. Casey and Ethan talked the least out of the group, but when they did talk, they sort of acted like a bickering brother and sister pair. “Yes, wouldn’t want to keep the little pansy waiting. She might freeze.” Casey said to Ethan in a joking, semi harsh tone. Casey eyed Ezzie slightly and offered her a friendly smile. This just had to be hard for her. “Let’s go.” Casey said as she made her way to the door with the others.