Open Growing Pains

[Jacob Kingsley]

Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, Jacob couldn't have looked more out of place at the ball. But he didn't plan on staying so he didn't care. All he cared about was getting some steaming cocoa and some cookies and then he'd be back to his regularly scheduled comic book reading in his bed. It felt like the perfect night which was a huge change from the teen who'd previously attended every social event he could to talk loud, eat tons, and dance the night away. Not this year. The teen tapped his sneakered foot, hoping the girl ahead of him would stop talking about whether she wanted a Christmas tree cookie or an ornament shaped one. "Maybe both?" he offered and then groaned when she looked aghast at his reply. He was so close but so very, very far.

Ten long minutes later, the girl had decided on a candy cane cookie and he'd just gone for as many as could fit on his plate. With his mouth full of cookie, Jacob began his walk to the doors, a mug of cocoa in one hand and a warm plate of cookies in the other. He was steps away from what was going to be a perfect night.

 

[Aciano Fields]

Aciano has done nothing to redeem himself in the eyes of his mother. He would start to make the effort and just slack somewhere at some point. Clearly, he really didn’t care to put in the effort. It was his last year anyway, a little too late to change the woman’s perspective on him. And, seeing as it was his last year Aciano deliberately decided to attend the Yule Ball. It made perfect sense to go seeing as it was his last year and he needed to get out of the dungeons or else he’ll go stir crazy. Aciano dressed up in his fineness, sporting a royal color blazer and matching bottom. His hair was styled back, the Slytherin teen was dress to impressed.

Aciano rolls in as a young Kingsley was walking out with a plate of cookies in one hand, and hot cocoa in the other. Aciano smirks, ”Whoa, sure you got enough on that plate? Save some for the rest of us,” the teen winks, generously giving the boy some time to respond to that. Aciano had always thought the Kinglsey teen was a little cutie.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian fidgeted with his bow tie one last time as he stepped into the great hall for the yule ball. It was the first time he was actually dressed properly for the occasion, as he had decided during the break that he wanted to look as nice as all the older boys did at the ball. He'd never worn something like this before, and he quietly thought he looked pretty nice like this. He was sort of hoping to run into someone he wanted to impress. Maybe Emily, or Jacob. But anyone else he was friends with would be good too. In his experience, the yule ball was always a fun time. He looked around eagerly for anyone he knew, and his heart skipped a beat as he spotted Jacob. He hadn't talked to the other boy in a while, and thought this would be a great opportunity. He noticed Jacob wasn't dressed up at all, but he still looked very nice even in a t-shirt and jeans.

Heedless of his surroundings, Abian made his way over to Jacob. He waved at him from a small distance, only to realize as he approached that the boy was talking to someone else. Immediately, Abian felt incredibly short. The boy Jacob was talking to was way older than him, clearly a seventh year. Abian's steps faltered, and he looked between Jacob and this older stranger uncertainly. He had felt like he looked pretty nice in his suit, but now that he was comparing himself to this guy, he suddenly felt like a child playing dress up. He wavered in place, wondering if he could still turn and leave without looking like he was being rude. Had he interrupted something?

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob's friendships were mostly contained to people in his year. He had a few friends outside of that, but most of the older teens he knew were due to their titles in the school. The Prefects were important to know to keep out of trouble, and the other quidditch players he knew because he'd have to deal with them. The guy who spoke to him didn't fit any of those, but the wink sure caught his attention. The teen let out a nervous laugh and then shrugged. "I don't mind sharing if they run out" he said as he held the plate towards the guy.

"Nice coat" he added after a moment. He didn't feel underdressed though. He hadn't planned to attend the ball, so he was dressed exactly right for what he had planned. Jacob gave a sweeping glance of the room, wondering if anyone was watching him talk to this older guy and spotting Abian. He gave him a small amused smile, wondering if he would join them or if he was heading to meet a date.

 

[Aciano Fields]

The teen chuckles, taking one of the cookies off the plate. Aciano a meat-eater, he pretty much ate meat all the time. Due to his weight lifting and the effects of a full moon, Aciano’s diet was of obvious reasons. He took a little bite of crummy softness, this cookie was sure to upset his stomach. He didn’t care, he had the attention of the cute Kinglsey boy played into his hand. “It’s good, but it can be better,” the older teen left the rest on his plate, brushing the crumbs away from his stylish blazer. “Yeah, you fancy the thread, hmm? I bet it’d look good on you,” Aciano tease.

Aciano turns around to see who Jacob was smiling at, there was a boy who looked out of his element compared to himself. Acianco smirks, turning back to Jacob, “Seems like you’ve got an audience of one, Jakey.” Just then a mistletoe floated above them, and it couldn’t have come at a perfect time. Aciano looks up and points to Jacob, then leans in to kiss the boy. It was a soft, pushy and nippy kiss, one that Aciano would make sure Jacob will remember him by. “Merry Christmas, Jake.”

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob's cheeks reddened at the compliment he'd received. He didn't think the jacket was his color at all, but that the guy thought it would look good on him made him happy. He gave a quick shake of his head, not wanting the guy to tease his friend, Abian. "Nah, that's just Abian. He's my friend" he stated, noting the guy seemed to know far more about him than he seemed to know about the older guy. The Gryffindor didn't have a chance to say more before the older teen was kissing him. It came out of nowhere, and Jacob's eyes widened and he felt the full awkwardness of kissing with his hands full. He still had the plate of cookies and his cocoa, which had surely cooked by now. Thankfully, there were spells that would right that wrong. Before Jacob could get to the point of full involvement in the kiss, it was over and that was when Jacob saw the mistletoe overheard give one last final shake over them and then float away to another pair. Jacob let out a low, nervous chuckle. "Yea, you too. Merry Christmas..." he couldn't add more, not knowing the guy's name.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian wasn't sure what to do now, but was a bit reassured when he saw that Jacob noticed him and smiled at him. Catching Jacob's eye, he waved at him enthusiastically and started to head over. But just as he was about to approach and introduce himself to Jacob's new friend, the older boy kissed Jacob. Abian stopped in his tracks, staring with wide eyes. He felt oddly hollow at the sight, both jealous and resigned. He'd known Jacob was too cool to ever consider kissing him, especially as he was older and a captain of the Quidditch team. But to have the confirmation shoved in his face still hurt. Here he was, some stupid kid in a bow tie, and Jacob was kissing a seventh year. What had he been thinking, approaching him? He wondered if this guy was Jacob's boyfriend. He'd never seen them together before, but then again, he wasn't the most observant. Abian decided that he couldn't have the friendly chat with Jacob and this stranger that he had planned. Almost automatically, he kept on walking and moved past them, pushing past a gaggle of third years so he could get out of sight quickly. He felt oddly embarrassed on top of the strange hurt. He kind of wanted to leave the ball now. Even the falling snow didn't seem that cool anymore.

 

[Aciano Fields]

It was a heck of a lot easier for Aciano to kiss the teen, versus Jacob who was balancing items in his hands at once. Aciano didn’t feel the same eagerness he pushed into that kiss, but he didn’t blame the Gryffindor. It was unexpected, the mistletoe came out of thin air and Aciano went for the kiss. That may cause a little friction whatever it is that he had going on with the Sara babe that was on the Slytherin’s quidditch team. Aciano playfully winks at the younger boy, “Aciano, the name is Aciano. Anytime, Jakey boy,” he pulls away just as Abian pushed passed him. If he didn’t know any better he would think the Hufflepuff teen wasn’t too happy about the kiss. Aciano smirks, “Check you later, Jake,” the older teen sauntered away to enjoy the rest of his night.