Closed Changing Tides

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko was nervous about coming to the Yule Ball. It was hard to think how different things were only a year ago. He had had a date. He thought he was happy. He thought they both were. But looking back maybe that was just what he wanted to think. It was impossible to know. It wasn't like he could just ask Estella what she had been thinking. He could hardly look at her which had made getting the most recent issue of the Monthly out a challenge but it had gotten done. He was glad that Aubrey had agreed to come with him. He needed someone familiar to help him get through the night with out feeling miserable. Nikko turned to his friend and raised the camera he had brought with him to take a few pictures for the paper. "Say cheese." he said with a laugh and hoped she'd strike a pose for him.

 

[Aubrey Miller]

Aubrey had worried for a bit that she'd have to come to the ball alone, but thankfully, Nikko had asked her to go with him. She followed him into the hall, looking around at the decorations. She was saved from any musing about where Salem was and if the younger Gryffindor was with anyone, when Nikko told her to say cheese. She turned to him, smiling, and put a hand on her hip, posing for him. "Cheese," She winked playfully.

 

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko let out a small laugh as Aubrey played along and winked at him. He brought the camera up to his eye and looked at her through the view finder. Somehow he hadn't noticed how nice she had looked when they met up in the common room. There was something about being down here in the great hall and seeing her again that made his heart beat a bit faster. Nikko snapped the picture and tried to shake of this feeling. He wasn't sure what it was but he knew he was suddenly very sad that this was going to be his last ball. "Perfect." he said and his voice came out sounding a bit rough. Nikko cleared his throat before speaking again. "Did you want to get something to eat or dance?" he asked and was relieved he sounded normal again.

 

[Aubrey Miller]

Bree smiled at Nikko, moving closer again as he lowered his camera. "I'm chill either way." She told him easily. "I could go for some food but some dancing would be nice too. What do you want to do?" She looked around the hall. Her heart ached a little to see Salem. Salem looked absolutely stunning, really. She missed the younger Gryffindor all over again. She shifted closer to Nikko, looking up to him. "You okay?" She asked softly, knowing he'd be having the same troubles she was. Or at least, similar ones.

 

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko swore he hadn't been looking for her but as he scanned the hall to see how crowded the dance floor was he caught sight of Estella and he frowned. His frown only deepened when he saw Sawyer next to her. He didn't have any feelings for her anymore but that didn't seem to keep the ache out of his chest as he shook his head and turned back to Aubrey. "Yeah...." he said unconvincingly. "I'm fine." he added quickly and tried to smile. He hadn't heard all of what she said but he felt like he needed to keep moving. "Lets dance." he said as he held out his hand for hers.

 

[Aubrey Miller]

Aubrey immediately took his hand, shifting closer. "You're a terrible liar." She told him. A quick look around revealed what was most likely bothering him. Estella was here with someone else. Not just someone else. Sawyer. She turned her eyes quickly back to Nikko, trying to pull him out to dance. "Come on, you. We look too good not to be dancing," She gave him a smile. The music had slowed down, but that didn't bother her. She held out her hands to him, her offer obvious.