Supergirl! ((Ciaran))

[Kia Brightstar]

She had grown up. It was as simple and as complicated as that. It was like she had hit her fifteenth birthday and the switch had flicked from childish to serious. But Kia was a born actress when it came to hiding things about herself and so it seemed like no one had noticed. It was exactly what she had wanted, the reason why she had kept acting like the Kia that everyone knew and appeared to enjoy. But, all the same, it rather hurt that no one had seen through her act. She wasn’t quite sure if Maryn had noticed the change in her as she was trying to make the changes between childish and serious a smoother transition so she wouldn’t receive awkward questions about the sudden change. Everyone would probably think that something serious had happened to effect such a big change.

Would those people really be wrong? Kia pondered silently, shifting slightly on the tree branch to lean back against the tree trunk more securely. If something serious was that her old crush on Ciaran had suddenly rekindled, fiercer than ever, then yes, something serious had happened. But she hadn’t changed herself because of him; hadn’t even made a conscious decision to change. It was a possibility that Ciaran had been the catalyst for the change in her, but Kia wasn’t entirely sure she liked placing all the credit for a more mature her in Ciaran, much as she liked him. He was her all-important crush but, to be honest, Kia credited more of the change to Maryn. That girl had gone from a mere dorm-mate to Kia's most treasured friend and her influence had probably been what calmed Kia down most. Maryn deserved a cake. But only if Kia got some too. It just wasn't fair if Maryn got to eat the whole cake and Kia got none. If that happened then Kia would be mean and eat cookies and ice-cream in front of Maryn, for revenge. Hah!

Kia sighed, leaning her head against the tree trunk. She would’ve liked to talk with Maryn, because her friend always managed to cheer her up somehow, but the red-head was nowhere to be found. “Maybe she’s been kidnapped by a mad dwarf and I’ll have to rescue her.” Kia giggled lightly, glad to know that not all of her childish personality had disappeared. It was good to act like a child sometimes, but not as often as she often had in the past. “Or maybe she’s got a detention for throwing slugs at Snape,” Kia continued thoughtfully, confident that no one could hear her. “Or received special powers and is in charge of saving the world…” Kia frowned. “Hey, no fair. I want to save the world too! Gotta be important for some reason, right?”

[ciaran]

For once, Ciaran didn't have his nose in a book. For once, he wasn't avoiding the large amount of people that approached him in the Common Room. Ciaran wasn't exactly the mysterious boy that he was once before. True, he still wasn't social butterfly Cia, but he wasn't the old Cia that Finn used to taunt tremendously. Ciaran was different, but still Cia. He couldn't completely change who he was and he didn't plan to. But, plans changed, right. Different things had changed him over the year. Finn's absence defiantly made Ciaran change for the better, maybe. Ciaran had always been mature. He had always acted grown up and he was. But, over the year, he had changed from boy in the corner with the book. Without Finn constantly around, Cia felt as though he didn't have the need to only talk to Finn at school. He had to talk to someone. He couldn't be that boy that Finn counted on all the time. Without her around, something had to be different. Another person that had affected him all year was Kia. He made Ciaran want to talk to people and have fun. She made him want to be crazy at times even though Ciaran still hated breaking rules. But, he had found a new admiration for rule breaking that night in the Lounge with Weetzie. Ciaran found that being bad, did feel good. Ciaran was different and yet he was Ciaran. At the end of the day, Cia felt as if he would always sort of be the boy in the corner with the book.

Ciaran made his way out of the Common Room finally. It seemed that everyone had decided that it was Talk To Cia Day. Ciaran sighed. He could be social to an extent, but talking to everyone in the Common Room was semi crazy. Ciaran smiled. He wondered where Kia was. He was in a bored mood and Ciaran knew that Kia could help him with that. She had always been good at that. Plus, Ciaran needed an excuse to talk to her. Well, in his mind he did. Cia liked Kia. She made everything light up, she made Ciaran laugh, she was smart even though Ciaran didn’t know if she could admit it or not, plus Ciaran just liked her. Cia and Kia were different, that was true. But, so what? Everyone was different. Ciaran liked being Kia’s friend and for now, that was good enough. He often tried to tell himself that she was too young, but really. She was fifteen and Ciaran had just turned sixteen. The age excuse was just something in his brain keeping him friends with Kia. Ciaran sighed. You, don’t like her. Get over it. He told himself. Was it true?

As he left the Common Room, Ciaran noticed a flash of red hair. He ran towards the girl. “Hey, Maryn!” He called after Kia’s good friend. Maryn paused and turned around. “Hmm?” She asked calmly. “Umm, have you seen Kia?” Ciaran asked trying to act casual. Maryn raised an eyebrow. “Why?” She asked with a hint of something in her voice. Maryn thought that Ciaran and Kia would be a good couple and it sure didn’t seem like a surprise that she thought that way. Maryn laughed knowing Ciaran understood that she was thinking about him and Kia. “Umm, I think maybe outside. I haven’t seen her since this morning and I’ve been all around the castle this past hour looking for a toad I accidentally let escape in Transfiguration.” Maryn said with a humorous smile on her face. Ciaran laughed. “Nice one. Umm, I’ll go find her then.” He said walking away. Maryn nodded. “Please do.” Maryn said laughing as she entered the Common Room.

Ciaran entered the grounds. It didn’t take him long before he spotted Kia leaning against a familiar tree. Ciaran smiled as he walked over to her. For a moment, it seemed that Kia hadn’t seen him standing there. Ciaran laughed as Kia was say something funny as usual. Ciaran smiled. Kia was great at being funny and crazy, but there was more to her. She was more than just crazy and fun and Cia knew this. He wondered if Kia did. Ciaran walked closer to the tree. He laughed hearing the last words she said about super powers. “You can be important without powers.” Ciaran said smiling. “But, if you had special powers then you could wear a cape which would be fun I think.” He said lightly. “But then again, you are a witch. What other powers could you ask for?” He said smiling and laughing lightly. “Oh, by the way, hey Kia.” Ciaran said taking a seat next to her on the ground.

[Kia Brightstar]

Not many people saw anything beyond the laughter and bubbly attitude, but both Maryn and Ciaran had. They had managed something that not even Kae had managed to do and so it seemed only natural to accept them in her life and make them important to her. Maryn had been easy to accept as a good friend as she was one of the few people able to calm Kia, whether Maryn knew it or not. It was a new feeling, to know that her secrets would be completely safe with a female of her own age, and now that she’d found it, Kia wasn’t willing to let it go. She had many friends and even more acquaintances but very few, if any, of them would be willing to accept the more mature side of her that Kia was discovering. The insecure voice in the back of her mind sometimes wondered if Maryn would be happy with a more serious Kia but she just had to rouse up a bit of trouble and that voice would disappear.

The only other person she wondered about was Ciaran. Not just about how he would react to her changed personality but also about her feelings for him. Kia didn’t think it was love – didn’t even know if she could fall in love at such a young age – but it wasn’t the childish crush she had had on him a few years ago. Ciaran was older than her, which made Kia wary of pursuing her feelings. After all, would he really be interested in a girl who was younger and still considerably immature? The only thing she could do for him was to make him laugh, which wasn’t much at all. The sensible thing to do would be to wait and try to discover how Ciaran felt toward her, but that would take too long and Kia had never been patient. But she was too unsure to outright state that she liked him, which left one option: use actions rather than words and brush it off as a misunderstanding if he actually didn’t like her. At least she’d be saved from humiliation when it was confirmed that he wasn’t interested.

Kia looked up at the sound of a voice, startled to see the very person she had been thinking of standing in front of her. “Ciaran! I was just thinking about you and here you are!” Kia stood to greet him with a warm kiss to his cheek before tugging him down to sit next to her. “But I want to be Supergirl,” Kia whined playfully. “She had a great costume and she could fly. Not to mention the cape! Capes are great.” Kia shifted to lean against Ciaran casually. “I really am sure that Maryn was kidnapped by a mad dwarf though. I haven’t seen her in hours and I was going to ask her if she wanted to sneak past the prefects and take a midnight trip to the kitchens with me. Just because it’s fun.” Kia turned her head to look up at Ciaran and offer a wicked grin, ignoring the slight nervousness that always invaded her whenever Ciaran came near.

[ciaran]

Ciaran smiled warmly as Kia talked. She always had a fun nature about her or atleast. But, still, Kia was more than just a fun person. Everyone had more to them than what they seemed to be on the surface. Ciaran knew this. On the outside, Ciaran was quiet, sort of mysterious. On the inside, he was the warm person that laighed with Kia and joked with Finn all the time. Why couldn't he be that person on the outside? Ciaran always had to be the sensiable one. The one who talked sense into people. The one who wasn't much for rule breaking or pranks. Couldn't he just be fun Ciaran? Or did that Cia even exist? It was tough to really know. Ciara had always been mature. It was like he was born that way. But being like that all the time, well it made Ciaran lack something else. It made him lack fun and well a knowledge of stuff besides books. Ciaran knew books. He loved books, but there was more to life that simply what he read on paper. Ciaran knew it. Kia made Ciaran want to leave nerdy book-land. He made her want to be active sometimes and to be someone that he wanted to be. Ciaran wasn't just going to completely change and didn't really want to change all over. But, could he change just a bit for the better? Could he change to be the person that Kia needed him to be? Could he?

Ciaran smiled as Kia kissed him on the cheek. Don't blish. Don't blush. He told himself. Ciaran's complexion did that often. Who ever said that guys don't blush, lied. It was as plain and simple as that. Ciaran sat next to Kia. He eyed her. He secretly wandered what she thought of him. Was he just that mysterious book-nerd in the corner to her or was he more than that? Were Ciaran and Kia destined to be friends forever or could they ever be more than that? Ciaran shook his head lightly. Who was he kidding. Kia was fun and free. She had a bestfriend who seemed to have a lot of opinions and Kia was an attractive girl. He had heard boys speak of her before, but they weren't saying the same things that Cia thought of when he thought to Kia. When he thought of her, he saw joy and happiness, but also a girl who was growing up and becoming someone who could make a difference. After all, Gryffindors were supposed to save the day. Right?

Ciaran smiled as Kia said that she was thinking of him and then he showed up. "Good thought I hope." Cia said warmly. "Well, I guess I'm like magic. Wait.." Ciaran joked not having to add the rest of the joke. He laughed smiling at Kia. "Yes, capes are great." he paused. "Hey you need a side-kick?" He asked playfully. "I could be book-boy or something and Niamh could be my owl girl wonder." He said nodding and smiling playfully. "Maryn, I saw her a little while ago." Ciaran explained. "So, no not kidnapped. I was looking for you actually and she said that she hadn't seen you in the castle so you might be outhere. According to her, she's been all over the castle today searching for a toad she let loose in Transfiguration." Ciaran said laughing. "Rookie mistake." He joked. Ciran eyed Kia. Months before, Ciaran would tell Kia not to sneak out past curfeu, but he had done it that one night. The night he had met Weetzie. It could be done without being caught. "Well, don't get caught, sneekie. And get me a cookie." Ciaran joked lightly. "One day I might just have to kidnapp you from your dorm and force you down to the kitchen to try one of Delijah's scones." Ciaran said smiling and he talked about the house-elf. "What?" He asked for no reason. "She makes great scones, really." Ciaran said smiling.

[Kia Brightstar]

Part of her wanted Maryn there. Because with Maryn there, to laugh at her and tease her, Kia wouldn’t feel so nervous, so insecure, so unconfident. It was strange. Ever since her mother died, Kia had worked so hard to never feel those emotions. She had a purpose, a reason, to always be cheerful and energetic, fearless and strong. After all, if she didn’t look after Kae, who would? Her father was always working, Adam had a life of his own and her aunt and uncle had their own business to worry about. None of them had the time or energy to worry about a ten year old girl. Yet another reason why she couldn’t have a boyfriend until Kae could look after herself. Even if she did somehow find a way to juggle schoolwork, looking after her sister, spending time with her family and seeing her boyfriend, what guy would want a girl who would never have any time to see him unless her little sister came along too, and bluntly tell him that he was quite far down on her list of priorities.

“Are you enjoying being the Gryff seeker?” Kia asked curiously. She had never been overly interested in Quidditch but even she knew who was on her house team. House pride and all. It was odd though, really. Ciaran had always struck her as the mysterious guy who preferred books to people company and that was part of the reason why Kia had first become interested in him. She simply couldn’t understand why he avoided people and had been determined to unravel the mystery behind the handsome boy in the corner. It was almost disappointing to realise that maybe the mystery had only been a part of her imagination. But mystery or no mystery, Kia couldn’t help but want to know more and more about the man sitting opposite. Even if he never saw her as more than a friend, Kia could accept that. She hoped.

“Of course it was a good thought. How could it be anything else?” Kia grinned easily. “Side-kicks are always a good idea. You could rescue me when I‘ve been captured by the evil villain, which would definitely happen.” Not that she couldn’t take care of herself, having been raised among Adam and his friends, but it was always good to know that someone was watching your back. Kia rolled her eyes, sighing playfully. “Typical Maryn. Abandoning me to play hide and seek with a toad. Why she didn’t just use a spell to freeze it and then grab it, I’ll never know.” Being in the same class, naturally Kia knew that Maryn had lost the toad but she had figured her friend would’ve had the sense to use magic to capture it. “You’re always welcome to come with us and get your own cookie,” Kia offered. “Just make sure you don’t get us caught, because I’ve never been caught and I don’t plan to be.” Detention wasn’t fun, which was the only reason Kia wouldn’t let herself be caught.

[ciaran]

Ciaran nodded a bit. "It's okay I guess." He started truthfully. "I mean, no one ever thought that I would try out for Quidditch." He chucked. "Never really been the type I guess. But, I try." He said laughing. "It's fun actually. Now, I actually know more Gryffs by names and not by that guy or that girl." He said cheerfully. "And that makes a lot less confusing." He said confidently. It was weird, now Cia was so open to talking to Kia like this. Ciaran had always been confident, but not so open. That just wasn't the guy he once was. He was quiet and well, Cia. He was mysterious and Cia. But, the years were changing him. Finn's absence had changed him greatly. He was no longer the popular Finn Douglass's sister. No, Ciaran had to be something more than that even though he didn't want to be. He didn't really want to be known even though he was. Ciaran sighed. He was different and yet..did he like it? Was he still the same in some ways? Ciaran hoped so. He didn't want to change completely. He was stubborn that way. There were just somethings that Ciaran wanted to hold on to. And nothing could keep him from the things that he wanted most.

Ciaran smiled. "Hmm, I don't know. I'm just so perfect, of course you couldn't think anything bad about me." He said completely joking. Cia laughed lightly. Ciaran laughed when the super-hero talk came up. "Well, as long as I don't have to dress up as wonder women, I'm in." He said laughing. "Oh, please you could never be captured. Plus Super Cia and Niamh would never let ya." He said truthfully. In a way, Ciaran was seriously saying that he would never let anything happen to Kia. He showed the passion in his face for the silly words that he was saying. Ciaran eyed Kia and hoped that she had received the message. Cia got serious very easily. When he did, you could see the look of passion and a hint of fear twinkle in his hazel eyes. It was just there and even Ciaran couldn't explain it. Ciaran eyed Kia and then looked away towards the lake. What was he doing?

Ciaran was glad that the conversation was light for the moment. His serious flicker came upon him too often. Sometimes, it was a gift. Other times, it was just a fluke. Ciaran laughed. "Because chasing a frog is more fun?" He guessed smiling. "I dunno. Maybe she wants to kiss it so that it will turn into her prince." Cia joked smiling. He eyed Kia. "Well, Finn always told me that every girl dreamed that they would get a prince that way. So, is it true?" Ciaran asked with that flicker appearing in his eyes for just a brief moment. He smiled at Kia calmly. "Me? Get you caught? Yea, I probably would." he started. "Breaking the rules, never been my thing. But, I'm working on it step by step. It's a three step process." He commented. "I'm sure that Finn would just be so proud." He smiled. "So, how's Kae. Adam treating her okay, skittle?" He asked joking Kia with Adam's nickname for her. "Hmm, I really should get you my own nickname for you..." He said starting to think with a funny grin on his face. Ciaran smiled over to Kia as he lightly shielded his eyes from a sudden sun beam.

[Kia Brightstar]

“It’s good that you’re enjoying being a seeker.” Kia grinned as something occurred to her. “I bet you’re popular with the girls now. Most girls love a handsome Quidditch player, right?” Oddly enough, the thought didn’t make her jealous or annoyed. Kia tilted her head slightly in a silent question to herself. Why did she not feel anything at the idea of girls fawning over him? Simply because she knew that Ciaran wouldn’t fall into a relationship with a girl who admired him for his position on a team. Interesting. When had she become so secure in her place in Ciarans life – even if just as a friend – that she knew she would be told when he got a girlfriend? It was just a shame that she wouldn’t be that girlfriend. Ah well. Kia sighed ruefully, resolving to be happy for Cia whenever he got a girlfriend. After all, no matter what her emotions were, he was still a friend.

Kia grinned, tilting her head to look him in the eyes. The truth and passion displayed on his face reinforced her belief that she was important to him as a friend but at the same time weakened her resolve to only be friends. She knew he didn’t like her in the same way as she liked him but that couldn’t be helped. She could be satisfied in the role of an important friend, she knew she could. At least, she thought she could. As quickly as she had looked at him, Kia turned her head away. What on earth did she think she was doing? He wasn’t hers to think about in that way. He never would be. Her responsibilities alone made it impossible. No time for him, remember? No pulling him into a relationship where he would barely ever see her.

Kia frowned slightly, a spark of distaste flickering across her face. “A prince? Definitely not. A prince is a man who will never have time for the girl he rescues. After all, he has to run the kingdom one day. I’d much prefer a knight in slightly rusted armour who will have time to love me.” She always had been a slightly quirky little girl. The quirky little girl had grown into an even quirkier teenager and the teenager had finally matured, but none of the quirkiness had disappeared in the change. “When you’ve finished the third step, I’ll give you your final exam,” Kia joked. “Including dodging Snape when we’re out past curfew, arms filled with goodies from the kitchens.” Kia couldn’t help but to groan, just as she couldn’t help the sudden blush overtaking her. “Aww, not you too, Cia! And any nickname would be better than that one. Adam was like eight when he came up with that.” Kia protested lightly, too happy with the idea of Cia giving her a nickname to be annoyed by him calling her skittle.

[ciaran]

Ciaran shook his head and smiled. "Haven't really noticed." He said still smiling. Ciaran never cared about girls like that. They were too pushy, too eager to..like Finn. Ciaran laughed to himself. Why did girls like Quidditch Players anyways? They were just busy jocks basically. Quidditch Players didn't have time for much else. Ciaran himself was spending less and less time on his studies. But, still, they weren't dwindling down. No, Cia cared too much for that. Besides, OWLS were coming up. Cia would be lying if he said that he wasn't worried. Of course he was. This would determine what classes he could take. This would determine if he could be an Unspeakable. The next few weeks would determine his future. After the OWLS, Ciaran would be basically home free, but until then, he was juggling three things. School work, Quidditch, and OWL study work, fun, eh? Ciaran sighed, glad that he had finished his homework already. Sometimes, he thought that becoming Seeker was a bad idea, but he would be a big fat liar if he said that he didn't like it. He did. He liked Quiddich, he always had. But, Ciaran had to think about his future, as much as he just wanted to stay a fifth year forever, he just couldn't. Simple as that.

Ciaran laughed. "Well, it seems that Finn dearest was wrong. I should add that to the very short list I have running." He joked lightly. "I can see what your saying though even thought Finn would mock me for saying that. Personally, who would want to be a prince? I mean the tights do not look comfortable at all. " He added. Ciaran smiled lightly. it was good that he was thinking about stuff other than OWLS. Besides, Ciaran was already concerned enough with his studies. He needed some down time. He needed time to have fun with Kia. When he was with Kia, having fun was going to happen. It was just was. And usually, Ciaran learned something new when he was with Kia. Something about her, life, anything. He just did. That was just one of the many reasons of why Ciaran like hanging out with Kia. He just did. No question about it.

"Umm, sounds fun. But, I have to admit, Snape dodging might take awhile for me." He said seriously. Ciaran wasn't at that rule breaking step yet. One step at a time. That's what he needed. He grinned brightly. "Aww, Kia, c'mon. You know you love it." He sighed. "A new nickname, now that will take some thought. Years maybe. So ask again your sixth year." He said smiling and completely joking. "I'll think of something great, promise." He said seriously. Ciaran looked around. "Where is everyone?" He asked. "Usually, by this point in the conversation, we would have already been malled by Slytherins and first years in the same five minutes." Ciaran laughed and smiled. "Wow, this beat studying for the OWLS any day. And to think, they are almost over. Yes." He said smiling.

[Kia Brightstar]

Kia smiled to herself, pleased with being proved right. He hadn't noticed the girls trying to get his attention. For some reason, that made twin feelings of hope and despair rise up in her chest. Kia's eyes widened slightly before she closed them quietly, seeking the reason for the sudden bursts of emotion in her heart. It just wouldn't do for this ridiculous rollercoaster of twisting emotions to continue when her mind had already decided to see him get a girlfriend - a girlfriend who was not her. The sudden pang of sadness and regret in her chest suggested that her heart wasn't entirely satisified with that idea and, as Kia searched her feelings a bit more thoroughly, she found the reason why. Hearing that Ciaran wasn't interested in other girls had given her hope that maybe, just maybe, she was in with a chance after all but knowing he hadn't noticed them trying to get his attention made her despair that he would never notice her. Kia roughly quelled the rising tears that she could feel trying to track down her face.

Why would she care if he found love with someone else? Why did the idea of being merely his friend make her heart hurt when her mind had already decreed that she was too busy for anything but friendship? It was so tempting, oh so tempting, to just tell Cia that she was pretty sure she was falling in love with him but her mind promptly rejected that idea by showing her an image of Kae and idly asking what would happen to her when Kia became too busy for her. Fine. Kia slumped slightly, admitting defeat silently. Kae meant the world to her and it went against her nature to put someone before her sister. It was shameful to realise how close she had come to letting Cia be a higher priority than her sister. It was time for damage control in the best way Kia knew how to. Be herself and show no other feelings for him other than a good freidnship. Maybe if she tried hard enough it would become the truth?

"Snape dodging can be hard," Kia agreed lightly. "It takes a real talent...and a knowledge of a few secret passages." Kia winked, easily falling back into her old personality and burying her emotions at the back of her mind for now. "The first years tend to be kinda serious about their exams after hearing horror stories from older siblings who don't want them to fail," Kia offered helpfully. "As for the Slytherins...well, who knows. Maybe they're worshipping Snape in the dungeons," Kia jested laughingly. Kia tilted her head slightly to look up at Ciaran out of the corner of her eye; it wasn't fair that her head had won against her heart but she wasn't going to put herself through having to look at him while she heard his answer. "Have you ever been in love? Like, not just a crush but seriously."

((*cringes* An overly emotional Kia and an awkward post but I'm just glad to be back to posting. Feel free to throw cake at me for such a bad post ))

[ciaran]

Ciaran eyed Kia as she spoke. Why did she always seem so together, so sure of herself? True, Kia was younger than Ciaran, but in Cia's eyes, Kia seemed to have the world under control. She knew who she was or at least it looked that way to Cia. Ciaran, well, he was still learning who he was. So far in his life, Ciaran had just been the mysterious boy in the corner who loved books and studying. He was the boy that hated doing anything to get himself in trouble and the one who wished he was a stronger person. True, Ciaran had grown out of that a bit, but he was still trying to mind a medium. Find a place in his mind that seemed to fit him completely. Ciaran sighed. Life seemed so complicated, didn't it? It just did, simple as that. Ciaran sighed as he eyed Kia. Ciaran didn't know if he would admit it, but he was sort of envious of her. Yes, Kia had been through a lot over the years, Ciaran knew this without Kia saying it herself, but she knew who she was. Ciaran smiled. She was fun, confident, beautiful Kia in Ciaran's eyes. She was herself and nothing less and this was one of the many reasons why Cia really did love being her friend. But, it was more than that? Ciaran knew he felt more than just friendship without really having to think about it too much. The feeling was just..there.

He laughed lightly. "I bet." He commented about the Snape dodging. "Well, your the master, I'm simply a rookie." He smiled a tad looking around with his eyes for a moment. Ciaran laughed at Kia's comments about first years and Slytherins. "Well, I'm certainly glad I am no longer a first year, nor a Slytherin." He said simply. Seriously, Cia couldn't imagine himself being a Slytherin. True, they were all different. Oh, who was he kidding. In his mind they were all this same and this was coming from a guy that really didn't like or understand stereotypes. He sighed. Ciaran's eyes widened for a moment when Kia asked if he had ever been in loved. Ciaran eyes her calmly. For a moment, Ciaran wondered where this came from, why she asked. But, he didn't have to wonder. He didn't mind really that she asked, it was just, random was all. He sighed. "Um, truthfully, I'm not so completely sure I even know what love is." He shook his head. "Tell, me I don't sound sound like a girl." He joked and then his eyes became serious again. "Um, I've had crushes, yes, but love..I haven't been there yet. Not completely anyways." He finished feeling slightly embarrassed. Ciaran sighed, eying her. Ciaran sighed again. In his mind it was all true, he had never before been in love. Not really. But, on the other hand, in some way that didn't make sense, Cia was falling for Kia. Could it ever end in him loving her? He wasn't sure yet. And it kind of scared him just thinking about it. Ciaran brushed his hand lightly over his hair. "What about you?" He asked simply thinking of nothing else to say.

((Not bad post. Good post. *gives cake* Hehe, well this post I really tried to make it seem boyish, but it's hard. ))

[Kia Brightstar]

Kia tilted her head ever so slightly, glancing at Ciaran through her dark eyelashes. He always seemed to know what to say and what to do and yet it was obvious that he was changing. No longer sitting in the corner with that adorably mysterious air surrounding him but shining out through the crowd in a way that Kia had strived to achieve. But she had tried too hard to stand out and be unique and found herself feeling like an idiot far too often for her liking. As if that wasn't a big enough blow to her ego, it had taken only a summer of quietness, thoughts about the future and a little bit of self-contemplation to be tackled by the realization that she needed to grow up if she wanted to achieve anything in life, even Adam had said so. Kia had big dreams and it didn't sit well with her to wonder if she would actually get anywhere with those dreams. She wanted to stand out, yes; wanted to be recognized as her own person, but she also had Kae to look after. It had taken that summer to tone down her dreams, her mind ripping them into unrecognizable shreds but her heart still clung on to them. Even as a child, Kia had wished for the impossible; for a unicorn to be her best friend and for her mother to wake up even years after she had died. She grew older and wished to become a gymnast, holding her gymnastic teacher as her role-model and listening, properly listening, to an adult for what had to be the first time in years, decades. But it wasn't possible. She wasn't talented enough and she had to think about Kae's and her fathers best interests. "It hurts to have your dreams crushed," Kia sighed, not noticing that the words had been said out-loud rather than in her head.

"Yes," Kia joked lightly, "I'm the master. Bow to me, rookie." Kia frowned quickly, irritation flashing briefly in her eyes. She could understand why Slytherins had so many people prejudiced against them and a part of her - the part that had spent too long listening to people complain about their treatment at the hands of Slytherins - agreed, using her own clashes with Slytherins as evidence. However, it just didn't seem...fair. Gryffindors were just as bad to Slytherins as Slytherins were to Hufflepuffs and yet the Gryffs were declared brave and the Slytherins classed as bullies. "Of course you don't sound like a girl," Kia grinned impishly. "We girls sound much smarter than boys," Kia taunted laughingly, half-expecting to be pounced on and tickled. "How do you know where to draw the line between crushes and love?" Kia countered easily, dismissing the idea that Ciaran would notice her avoidance of the question. "I've had crushes, yes," Kia admitted bluntly, not embarrassed at all. "Everyone has crushes. But were any of the crushes love? I don't think so, but how can I be sure. To me, I think love is being able to look at a person and know that spending the rest of your life with him - or her, in your case - would be the most exciting and interesting experience you've ever had." Kia shrugged. "When I'm sure I feel that way, I reckon I'm in love. If that's not love then I have to come up with a new theory." Kia ended lightly.

((Whoo! I get cake AND compliment! Oh yeah, I'm great ))