Open Grounded

[Jacob Kingsley]

After flying for a bit just to make sure he stayed in fighting shape, Jacob made his way back to the shed to put the broom he'd borrowed away. He'd splintered a piece off of his broom during the holidays and had sent it home so his dad could take it to get repaired for him. He felt its absence, the space where he usually kept his broom and threw his robe atop bare. The school brooms worked alright, but they were old and had issues. Once you figured out the issue and corrected for it, you were fine, at least. Jacob fanned his shirt, happy to get some air. He'd worked up a sweat but still wasn't eager to head back to the castle. Life was confusing these days and he needed some space and time to think about everything.

He wandered deeper into the shed, looking around for the first time. He watched a spider scuttle away as moved deeper, finding a mesh bag full of muggle items. Jacob reached for it, pulling out a black and white ball. He grinned, knowing exactly what it was. His grandpa had one and they used to play when he was a kid and visited the states. Jacob took the soccer ball out, his grandfather had insisted it was soccer though his mother said it was crazy talk and it was a football, and brought it onto the pitch, looking around before he dropped it. Magic had kept it from deflating as it wasted away in the shed, and Jacob began to kick it around, memories of better times flitting through his head as he recalled all he'd learned from his grandpa. It was when his parents had been happy. Jacob paused, reaching up with his shirt to wipe a few tears and sweat before settling his glasses and beginning again.

 

[Gabriel Rosenberg]

The blonde boy made his way to the Quidditch Pitch. There was only one thing he liked and that was Quidditch on this school. Gabriel just wasn't a person for studying and he had tried it at first but he failed. It wasn't that he didn't want to make his dad proud, because he wanted nothing more than that. Their dad tried his best to get the family together and raise his children the best he can. But Gabriel knew that his father was still dealing with some stuff. He tried to hide it but Gabriel noticed him trying too hard. Just like with Sofia. Sofia had done that after their mother passed away, and look what came from that now. She was bitter and didn't want to make friends, and if she liked someone she would push them away quickly. That was what she did with Gabriel often. He loved her very much, but when she started about Quidditch and how dangerous the sport was and he should stop, than mostly their conversations ended up in fights. But Sofia did that always. It was her thing lately. Gabriel decided to leave her be for a while. He had a girlfriend now and she played Quidditch too. And she was fun to hang out with.

When he walked onto the pitch he had his broom under his arm and saw one person standing there. When he got closer he noticed Jacob. Their beater. He would stay gladly, but Lizzie would leave them soon. They would have another captain. When he got more closer he noticed a familliar round thing. Gabriel was a fan of muggle sports and really any sports. He played it together with his dad. Sofia always tried to be fun and make it a different game where they had to chase her and take the ball back. '' Hi Jacob. Beater boy!'' The blonde boy said loud and grinned. '' Playing soccer aren't you? Nice.'' Gabriel threw his broom on the ground and runned towards Jacob to retrieve the ball from him. He was always in for a game. And it seemed that he had taken a break.

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob looked up when he heard his name, his foot coming to rest on top of the ball. He was breathing hard and very sweaty but he was grinning, especially when he recognized who it was. Jacob didn't know all of his teammates extremely well, but he liked them all well enough. "Hey Gabriel!" he waved his hand at the older teenager.

When Gabriel began running towards him, Jacob kicked the ball over to him. He was happy for a partner to play with. The Gryffindor liked competitions of all kinds and he was thrilled for the chance to play more than just kicking the ball around on his own. Jacob hadn't played in a very long time, since before he'd started school even but he was still confident he'd hold his own. "Do you know how to play then?" he asked, sort of hoping that Gabriel had no clue other than what item he was kicking around.

 

[Gabriel Rosenberg]

Gabriel was wondering if the students around here knew about muggle sports. But it seemed Jacob did. Gabriel liked playing games and be busy with sports. Mostly winning was the best part. Already since young age the blonde boy had trouble when he would lose. He was mad at everyone than and it lasted for long. And still he had trouble with it. His mindset was just focused on winning. But how older he became how less angry he became. So that was a good start. When Jacob greeted him he smiled to the younger boy. Gabriel didn't spoke that much to him, but it was the son of his head of house and he was a good beater. Gabriel liked most of the Gryffindors. When Gabriel got the ball he smiled and touched it with his feet. '' Sure! I really like muggle sports. Football is the best. '' Gabriel put the ball on his feet and brought it up high and than touched it with his knee. He was not trying to impress Jacob at all ofcourse. But actually he was. Gabriel hoped that Jacob wanted to play as well. '' So what do you know about the sport? Did you play it at home?'' Gabriel asked the boy as the football touched his feet again. He than played it towards Jacob. '' Now you.'' He said with a big grin on his face.

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob watched Gabriel, realizing that the older boy wasn't overselling his knowledge of football. He could see in his movements that it wasn't just the name he knew. When he asked Jacob if he knew about the sport, Jacob considered whether to undersell his knowledge and then overperform or whether he should be honest. As the ball game rolling back towards him, Jacob caught it with the side of his foot easily. He wasn't wearing his best running sneakers, but he knew he could do well enough with them on. "Sometimes with my brother and cousins. My grandpa taught me" he stated easily before kicking the ball back to Gabriel. "Who taught you?" he asked, curious.