Inability to Focus

[Noemie Snow]

Noemie was feeling a little confused by what happened with the roses, the teen was still trying to figure out who could've sent her a rose, a pink rose with no note. She wanted to know who it was from. She desired deeply to know who liked her like that. Noemie brushed a hand through her auburn hair as she read through the same page of the book of in front of her. She couldn't seem to focus on her work, which was frustrating she was trying to work. The part-veela sighed heavily, frustrated by her lack of progress that she was currently making. The ravenclaw looked up from her work and glanced about the room. It was filled with students who were probably making far more progress than she currently was. Noemie had to bet that it was from that boy, that annoying boy from slytherin who annoyed her, but she couldn't really believe that he liked her. She didn't like him, did she? He was pretty sure, he annoyed her, he always insulted her, she always insulted him, it was mutual. Noemie put her head in her hands groaning heavily.

Noemie closed her books and straightened up. She just needed to take a small break, maybe there was someone around here, someone she knew, someone to talk to. She couldn't spot Evelyn, Flavio, November or Amber, any of the girls that she had become friends over the last year. The part veela wondered if maybe she could just go seek them out, but she needed to do this work, the essay wasn't going to write itself and she needed to get it done, she had quidditch later and she wanted to get in a run before curfew. She stretched a little before reopening the books and trying again to work. She ran a hand through her hair before trying her best to focus on the work. Trying her best to take her mind off boys, the roses, and everything else that was going on in her life, just focusing on her work and doing well in school.
​

 

[Amber Chou Wilson]

Valentine's day had been fun for Amber, though she really did miss delivering the roses. Perhaps she could do it again next year, but for now she knew she had made the right decision as it had given her a lot more time to catch up with her homework. Still, five roses was a lot more than she expected and it had been delightful to receive every one of them. They had all been yellow for friendship, and she was happy about that.

But now it was time to study once more, and as Amber entered the library she spotted her friend Noemie. The two hadn't talked in a while, and Noemie also seemed to be trying to study. Once again, Amber noticed how beautiful her friend was, and she blushed slightly at the thought. Was that weird to think? She quickly pushed it away and approached her with a smile. "Hi Noemie, do you mind if I join you?" She asked, though she was already sitting down as she hoped the girl wouldn't say she minded. They were friends, after all. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages, how are you doing?" Amber kept her voice low, as they were in the library, but it was still bright and cheerful as ever.

 

[November Albertson]

November felt like a failure to her friends. She should have sent Noemie and Ainsley nice flowers for Valentine's Day. Ainsley hadn't sent her one, but she had been so kind to her before Valentine's Day November wished she had given the girl one. And Noemie sent her a really nice note with a yellow flower, and it worked out that November's favorite color was yellow so it made her love the flower idea more. She had a yellow rose from Noemie and Flavio that she wished she'd be able to keep forever. So the girl had gone out of her way down to the gardens and picked out a light pink rose, one that was much lighter in color than the bright pink rose she had gotten from a unknown person on Valentine's day. She knew the color was Noemie's favorite color, they had been friends for quite some time now it seemed and had known each other from before they even came to school. November wrote out a little poem on a piece of paper and tied it around the the stem of the rose and made sure to cut off all the thorns. She knew it probably was going to seem like a nice gesture, but November felt bad about having to do such a thing. She should have remembered before the fact, not after getting the rose from Noemie. She pondered where she might find her friend and decided to head to the library.

Entering the library she spotted Noemie sitting down and made her way towards the girl. But as she did, Amber seemed to appear from nowhere and sat down with Noemie. It made November stop in her tracks, did Amber know she was friends with Noemie? Was she there to say awful things about her to her only girl friend at the school she really trusted? November had said things to Noemie about Amber, but nothing had been terribly mean or rude, just her personal thoughts about all the fighting they were going through. Swallowing the build of spit in her mouth November moved over and stood besides Noemie biting her bottom lip slightly. "Hey," she said quietly, knowing Amber was probably going to be mad she was there interrupting whatever she was doing. But, November needed to get this over with and make sure Noemie still wanted to be her friend even though she had forgotten to send the girl a rose. "I wanted to thank for...for the rose Noemie. It was really sweet..." November paused glancing towards, Amber. What was Amber going to think of this. "I went out and cut this rose for you, I thought it was a better color than the ones they were offering. Light pink, just like you like," November said holding the rose out with her note attached.
​

Spoiler: Note

 

[Noemie Snow]

Noemie found herself once again failing to really focus on her work and was thankful for the near god send that was Amber. The part-veela looked up at the hufflepuff girl whom she considered a friend, but upon thinking this realised she hadn't sent the girl a rose for valentines day, but unless she was the person who'd sent her the anonymous rose but she doubted that, from what November had been saying Amber didn't like girls so that didn't make sense. Unless it was new. Noemie brushed the thoughts from her mind and greeted her friend with a usual warm smile, "Oh no, by all means please," she said, hoping she perhaps didn't sound as eager for the company as she was feeling. At the question she laughed lightly, "Right now failing to study," she told the girl with a warm and friendly expression, "But overall, been busy, between quidditch, the monthly, the school work and keeping healthy I don't have much time," Noemie shrugged a little, "How about you? We should get the magazine club up and running again, I miss hanging out with you and Evelyn," Noemie admitted, speaking at the usual low level for the library.

Noemie was surprised when a second voice spoke, and she glanced up to look at November who had joined them, Noemie had sent November a rose, she had allowed the girl to confide in her about the issues with Amber, and Noemie had done the same back about the boy she kind of, maybe liked, but probably not. The part-veela shook her head at the thanks, "It's no problem," she replied quietly, since it didn't to her. She knew that it wouldn't be November who'd sent her the anonymous rose, mostly because she knew November's feelings towards someone else, and she was now being presented with a rose. Noemie was startled by this, but she took the rose anyway, the lighter pink colour being the colour that she preferred most, and the note attached. Noemie was very surprised by the note attached, it was a poem. Noemie had never had a poem written for her before, "Oh this is wonderful November, thank you," the part-veela rose to her feet and gave November a quick hug of thanks. She was a little startled at the arrival of both November and Amber at the same time, so as she return to sit down with Amber, despite knowing the conflict between them, decided that in a library with her they were less likely to blow out the conflict, "If you don't mind Amber?" she asked the girl with a bright and friend smile.
​

 

[Amber Chou Wilson]

Once again, Amber felt a little bit dazed around Noemie. She was so beautiful, and Amber wanted to know how she managed that. She hadn't talked to Noemie in a long time, and as she now looked at her she realized she didn't send her a rose during valentine's day. She hadn't gotten one in return either, and she quietly vowed to spend more time with the girl, as she felt like she had neglected the friendship a little bit. Amber smiled back when Noemie said she was failing to study. "I've been having the same problem, it's hard to focus sometimes." She nodded when Noemie told her she was busy, Amber felt the same way and she had less to do than Noemie did. Maybe she wasn't doing enough? She hoped to be prefect next year, and worked hard for that goal, but if someone like Noemie was in the same year as her, she felt like she wasn't all that hardworking in comparison. "We really should get the club back together, I miss hanging out with you both too! Evelyn probably wants to invite Fleur though. She's in Slytherin, and she's into fashion too." Amber wasn't sure what Noemie thought about that, and she wasn't even sure what she herself thought about it. She quite liked their little club the way it was, and sometimes felt like Fleur was replacing her in Evelyn's life.

When someone else approached, Amber looked up with a smile which faltered slightly at the sight of November. The girl barely even acknowledged her, and started to talk immediately to Noemie. Amber hadn't known the two were friends, and she glanced between them. When November thanked Noemie for the rose, Amber felt her cheeks heat up. Noemie hadn't sent her anything, and now it was clear she was much closer to November than to Amber. Maybe November had even talked badly about Amber to the Ravenclaw, though she knew she shouldn't assume that. Either way, she felt increasingly awkward sitting there as November handed Noemie a pale pink rose to make up for not sending her one. Amber wished she could just go. Why did November have to ruin everything? She was just trying to rekindle a friendship that had been negleced because they had both been busy, but November had to butt in and show how much better a friend she was. It felt like the other Hufflepuff was constantly competing with Amber, both in lessons and outside, and it was getting exhausting. She was sick and tired of this entire situation, and wished November would have waited until she could talk to Noemie alone to make a gesture like this. It felt deliberate, and Amber was sure November enjoyed how good this made her look. She didn't even try to look at the note. Doubtlessly it was wonderful and thoughtful and oh so clever. And just another reason for November to think herself better and smarter than Amber. As the two hugged, Amber prepared to go. But then stopped herself. Why did she have to be the one to leave? November was the one who had interrupted the conversation. Amber wasn't going anywhere. So when Noemie asked if she minded, she simply pushed down her feelings. "Of course not, "she said, though her voice was very slightly shaky. She swallowed, collecting herself. "Hi November, you're looking nice." She said, somewhat pointedly to point out the girl hadn't bothered to say hello to her before launching into her over the top gesture for Noemie.

 

[November Albertson]

November could feel herself blushing as Noemie read the poem she had written for her friend. She did mean the words and she hoped the girl wouldn't think it was too cheesy or anything like that. Of all the girls she knew Noemie always seemed the most grown and mature of them. So writing a poem to her seemed maybe a tad awkward but November had started to enjoy writing little poems about things in her life and writing one for a friend had seemed nice. But, as Noemie read the note she couldn't help but feel Amber staring over and she glance at the girl. It felt awkward to do this in front of Amber, not because she had told Noemie about their fighting. More so, because she was giving Noemie a large gesture of friendship that she didn't think she'd ever be willing to do for Amber. It was doubtful they would ever be friends and even if they did, November didn't think she'd be willing to write a poem for her. There was too much bad blood between them already for a deep relationship to form. Although, Amber had been very pleasant on Valentine's Day to speak with. November thought she should have looked for Noemie but she had felt awkward once she got the girl's rose and having not sent one back to talk to her on Valentine's Day. This was her moment to make things right and Amber of course had to be there for it. She thought she could see Amber getting her stuff together when Noemie stood up and hugged her. November felt bad a little that Amber felt like she had to leave.

But as Noemie sat back down with Amber it seemed like she wanted her to stay, for both of them to stay. She did have studying to do, but angered November a little. Amber was continuing to butt into her study sessions with her only two friends she had. She thought about apologising for interrupting and leaving herself but her friendship with Noemie and spending time with the Ravenclaw meant more to her than any argument she had with Amber. "If you're sure," November said with a little smile to both of the girls as she slowly moved in a chair at the table. Once her body settled she let out a breathe she hadn't felt herself holding in. "Hi," November said with a faltering smile. She wasn't sure what to make of the situation or the compliment. She was simply wearing one of her usual muggle outfits she found more comfortable than the witches robes. A yellow sweater and a floral skirt, it fit with the fall months they were beginning to experience. "You look nice today too, both of you do," November said towards Amber but also including Noemie. It felt tense, the situation so she pulled out a textbook to begin studying a bit before she'd come up with an excuse to leave.
​

 

[Noemie Snow]

Noemie was pretty happy that she wasn’t the only one that was having issues, but she knew that Amber was one of the smartest people in the year, she was certainly supposed to be a Ravenclaw, if ever Noemie had met one. She was sometimes disappointed that she didn’t have more friends in her house with her, but she had friends elsewhere and that was still good. She nodded at it, ”Oh I think I’ve seen her about, she’s really pretty, she should definitely join us!” The ravenclaw said in a friendly manner, though she enjoyed the company of Evelyn and Amber as their group, it would be nice to get someone else, ”We’ll have covered all the houses then,” Noemie was already thinking about it, thinking about sending an owl to Evelyn about it, she had so many magazines and so much of her life was taken up by studying that it would be nice to do something different, something fun like that. She smiled at her but her attention was stolen away from that, and to November. Being aware of some of the issues between Amber and November, she knew it probably wasn’t good to get in the middle of it. To put the two together, but she liked spending time with both of them, and she needed the distraction. However, the note and rose from November had been so beautiful and wonderful, that Noemie would’ve felt bad about then just getting something from her and then leaving her to spend time with Amber, so, why not get in the middle of it.

Noemie was glad when both the girls were polite enough to agree, she noted the slight shakiness in Amber’s voice but she decided to ignore it and focus that the two of them were at the very least sitting together. Noemie watched as they both sat and complimented each other, a light try at friendliness, ”You both look beautiful,” the auburn haired girl complimented them both with her usual manner, ”I’m glad I could grab you both, I need some help, I got a rose, a pink rose, with no note, and no indication of who it could be from, what do you think that means?” she knew that asking them both might be quite odd to asking them, but she thought maybe two heads with her would help a lot. The teen was sure she could figure out who it was from, but maybe they would have an indication about who it could be. Maybe they had heard other rumours, heard just anything else about it. The part-veela knew she should focus on her books, but she couldn’t help but want to discuss this with her friends, even if the two of them were not friends. It would just be easier if they were friends, but he'd brought up a little about the boy that she liked to both of them, and he was whom she thought had given her the rose, but the girl couldn't be certain.
​

 

[Amber Chou Wilson]

Amber felt bad for feeling like Fleur maybe shouldn't be included once Noemie showed how open she was to the idea. She forced a smile and nodded, because the Ravenclaw was right. Fleur was really pretty, and she would fit right into the club. She nodded in agreement, but the conversation about the subject died when November joined them. The rose and present were sweet, but also managedto make Amber feel unwelcome. She couldn't help but think November would turn up her nose at the idea of a club about fashion and reading magazines. And she wondered how Noemie would react to that.

She smiled at November. "Hi, we were just talking about a little unofficial club we have with our friend Evelyn, and maybe a Slytherin girl. It's about fashion and we read magazines and talk about what looks good and what we like." She paused. "But I suppose that's not really your thing. I remember you telling me at the night of the yule ball you don't think things like that are important. Or useful." She said with an apologetic shrug and a glance at Noemie. "Sorry, I forgot."

She turned to Noemie, eager to focus on what she needed help with. But the story the girl told honestly dismayed her a litle. It was exactly the same as what happened to November. And Amber was suddenly very aware that she was the only girl at this table that hadn't gotten a pink rose, and it made her feel a little insecure. Noemie and November were both very pretty, and Amber knew she dressed nice but that wasn't attracting boys. Not that she minded, she didn't want to date a boy right now, but she couldn't help comparing herself to the other two girls in her mind. She looked at November briefly, wondering if she should bring up the other Hufflepuff had had the same situation. But that wasn't her story to tell. Instead, she focused on Noemie and said to her what she had said to November. "Well, I think it means someone likes you but is too shy to tell you to your face." She said with a shrug. "Seems clear to me, even if you may have no idea who it is. Maybe it's a friend?" Amber wondered who it could be, she didn't really know if Noemie had any male friends that could secretly like her. Obviously anyone that liked girls would, as she was so beautiful that Amber herself felt a little weird around her sometimes. But that was nothing, just... jealousy, right?

 

[November Albertson]

Sorry!


November wasn't sure what to do she wasn't really planning on staying at the library that day just dropping off the rose to Noemie to try to show the girl their friendship did also mean something to November. It probably meant a lot more to her than Noemie, November figured knowing Noemie had plenty of friends, while she had very little herself. She half listened to what Noemie was saying to Amber but was surprised when the girl started talking so openly to her. It half seemed passive aggressive, the words and tone Amber was using but she thought the girl might have done it well enough to hide in from Noemie if the Ravenclaw wasn't paying attention. The words though were embarrassing for November. Hearing things she had said before put out on the table in front of her. She glanced at Noemie knowing the girl liked makeup and fashion things much like Amber, however November never felt very interested in those sort of things. "I don't think I quite meant it the way you heard it. I meant they aren't important to me, I'd rather buy books than makeup," November said timidly looking down at her feet with a shrug of her shoulders.

She was glad when the conversation turned towards Noemie and was surprised to hear such similar words from Amber that the girl had told her when she wondered about her pink rose. "I had an unsigned rose too, but it came with a note so," November said shrugging her shoulders for a moment. Then she remembered something she had mentioned to Noemie previously about guy's picking on a girl they like. She wondered if Noemie thought the guy who always gave her trouble might be the sender of the rose. It seemed unlikely and the boy wouldn't probably admit it if Noemie went to him about it. "You don't think, that guy, the one who was rude?" November said glancing towards Amber wondering if she knew about the guy or not. "But also a friend, has anyone asked you about getting the rose? That might indicate they sent it or the sender told them to ask you," November said thinking of possibilities about Noemie's rose. One without a note was very unclear. Although she had to think her note also made her very confused, it seemed to be something a friend could say but attached to a pink rose which Amber said would indicate a crush. Noemie was left much more in the dark with this rose she was talking about. "I'm surprised you didn't get more than one unsigned pink rose Noemie, you're very pretty, it could be from an admirer," November added as a last thought.
​

 

[Noemie Snow]

Being somewhat aware of the issues between the two girl didn't really have an advantage, from what Noemie knew about both of them it wasn't going to be her to help, she was a little surprised that November didn't think that make up was useful and important, she didn't think they were important per say, but she liked them, there was nothing wrong with them. She turned to Amber, "In saying that, I loved your outfit and make up at the yuleball, you looked so beautiful. Next time we hang out with Evelyn and maybe that girl Fleur you should definitely show me how to do that," Noemie remembered seeing her, the traditional outfit she had worn and how perfectly she had matched the make up to it. She was learning on to put on make up, some bits she was better at than others, and Noemie wasn't going to turn down what could be great advice from a girl who she knew was beautiful. "I have such a hard time with finding an eyeliner I like most of the time, and my eyes water when I try to apply it, it's so frustrating," Noemie continued. She didn't have many people she could talk about make up with but Amber was certainly one of them.

Noemie knew it was somewhat exclusive to November to talk about make up, but Noemie knew that November wouldn't really mind if they were all just briefly talking about it. "All I'm good at is styling my hair," she said pulling lightly at the strands of auburn hair, before flipping them back over her shoulder. She was glad that they were both here to discuss her rose situation, she had thought it could very well just be a friend, maybe it was a friend who just wanted to show their appreciation in more than just a yellow rose, but then again who? "It might be that guy, but I don't think he liked me much at all, I did send him one, as a truce, but there's no way he likes me. I don't even really like him either, kinda," the girl replied thinking that it was impossible, it was who she kind of wanted it to be from but it couldn't be from him. They both did say it could just be from a friend and she decided it was best to just assume that, "It's probably just a friend yeah, I wish I knew who though just to thank them for it," Noemie sighed a little before chuckling lightly. November's last thought was funny to her, she didn't think she was that pretty, she knew that she was a little pretty, but she was growing and changing, "I'm not that pretty, I'm surprised I even got one pink rose," the girl said. She looked towards Amber, "Evelyn's the prettiest girl in our year anyway, she's just beautiful and she has all the admirers. I wonder how she even manages," talking about their mutual and exceedingly pretty friend was good.
​

 

[Amber Chou Wilson]

Amber didn't feel bad for bringing up what November had said to her during the yule ball, and it was predictable that the girl was now saying it completely differently. It had sounded more pointed back then, for certain. She beamed in pride at Noemie's compliment, happy to at least have one good thing to treasure about that horrible night. "I will! I'm sure you don't need it, though." She said shyly. "I can show you what eyeliner I use, if it helps." Amber didn't use it much, but on nights like the yule ball or valentine's dance she did. She sighed nviously as Noemie focused on her hair. "You are so great at styling it, you have to show me that sometime. I find it so hard to do anything interesting with my hair. All I do is wear it down or braid it occasionally." If she were to help Noemie with her makeup, maybe the Ravenclaw wouldn't mind helping Amber with her hair.

She wasn't entirely sure which guy they were talking about, which added to her annoyance and jealously a little bit. She tried not to show it, but quietly disliked having no clue what they were talking about. "I bet it's a friend." She said again, shrugging , "or a quiet admirer from afar." She shook her head when Noemie said Evelyn was the prettiest girl in their year. Without pausing to think how this might sound, she blurted out: "you're definitely prettier." she paused, considering her words and blushed a little. "I mean, I think you are. At least just as pretty, but I think even more." She said awkwardly, averting her gaze. "But there's a lot of pretty girls in our year, just each in different ways." She said, glancing at November for a second before focusing her gaze on the table, a little too embarrassed by her outburst to look at Noemie directly.