Closed Consequences of Exaggeration

[Isadora Novak]

Isadora was not in a good mood. She hadn't exactly looked forward to the break, but she had at least expected she would get to sleep in. Unfortunately, her mother had different ideas. Ever since Isadora had come home with the story of how she had befriended Axel Zhefarovich the second, her mother had been extremely pleased with her. It was something Isadora wasn't exactly used to, so she had milked it for all it was worth. She might have exaggerated it all a bit, but who could blame her? Her mother had seemed so happy to hear they were the best of friends, and Isadora had pretty much figured it would be easy enough to pretend. She would only see Axel at Hogwarts anyway. But then her mother had announced she had arranged a playdate for Isadora and Axel because they were so close. Isadora had pretended to be pleased, but she was mortified. She didn't really want Axel to know how much she had been exaggerating their friendship, but it seemed inevitable now.

Her mother had woken her up early to get her dressed, putting her in a stuffy blouse that itched. She had even braided a bow into her hair, which looked kind of cute but was definitely embarrassing at her current age. Isadora had expected their nanny to accompany her to Axel's house, as she usually took care of those things, but this time her mother was accompanying her herself. Isadora should have figured, her mother never missed an opportunity to social climb. Isadora fussed with her skirt as her mother knocked on the door, glancing around. She hoped this wouldn't be as dreadful as she was fearing.

 

[Axel Zhefarovich II]

Axel heard his mother call his name and he made a face into the mirror in his room. He was wearing a stupid button down shirt and his mom had made him brush his hair and then checked on him and brushed it herself to make sure it looked 'decent.' Axel heard his mother's voice carrying up the stairwell, and he knew he'd have to head down soon because she wouldn't want to yell after him again. The soon-to-be third year left his room and slowly trudged the steps.

It wasn't that he minded having to see Isadora, but the way his mom had gone on and on about the set up and that she'd actually used the word 'play date' was just too much. They were pre-teens after all not babies. He could only trudge for so long before he hit the bottom step and was there at the foyer. His mother had stepped back by that point to let Isadora and her mother in. He almost laughed when he saw her before he realized he looked just as silly. It was showtime though, and he hoped Isadora was ready. "Isadora, it's so good to see you. Thanks for coming over for this play date. Should we grab a snack before we play?" He stated in his most formal tone. He knew he'd done well when he took a peek up at his mother and caught her nod of approval. He fought back an eye roll as he turned his attention back to Isadora.

 

[Isadora Novak]

Isadora couldn't help grimacing slightly at the sight of Axel, as she felt pretty embarrassed about this all. Her mother was delighted and Isadora could hear her coo over Axel's perfect manners. he had to admit, he was good. She forced a smile. "Thank you." She said, forcing her words to come out quietly. Her mother always told her she talked too loud. "That would be delightful." She added, biting her tongue to stop herself from rolling her eyes at her own words. Her mother started a conversation with Axel's mother, clearly thrilled to talk to someone from such an important family. Isadora looked at Axel with a slight frown, ready for him to lead her somewhere more interesting.

 

[Axel Zhefarovich II]

Axel nodded his head towards the kitchen and then took off for the kitchen, thankful for the space between them and their mothers. He held open the door for Isadora, smiling at the parents before he went through himself. "Well that was dreadful" he declared. "Your mom made you dress up too, I see" he rolled his eyes, purposely reaching up to muss his hair. It was a spacious kitchen, his grandfather was quite the chef but Axel's favorite part if it all was the door he opened, revealing a pantry filled with snacks. "Dinner is served" he bowed playfully as he gestured her inside.

 

[Isadora Novak]

Isadora was glad to get away from the parents, who were still chatting in the hallway as they walked off. She snorted when he mentioned her having to dress up. "She loves any excuse to put me in frilly stuff." She said, tugging the ribbon out of her hair at once. She knew her mother wouldn't be pleased with her for that, but it wasn't like she was going to tell her off in front of Mrs. Zhefarovich the seventeenth or whatever. Isadora followed Axel into the kitchen, looking around for a moment. It was pretty fancy. She grinned when he opened the pantry. "Oh, this is much better." She said immediately.