Not so far away now

[Peyton Marvelli]

There was silence. Peyton lay with her eyes closed outside on the warm grass and listened as there was silence. It had been a long time since she had been on her like this, and it was refreshing to spend some time with her thoughts. It wouldn't be long now until she would have to take another trip back to America. She knew what she wanted, she always had somewhere deep down. Peyton sighed, and smiled to herself. In the distance she was aware of voices. Unsure of their direction but not minding too much unless they got closer. Her friends were busy in classes these days, and although Peyton had her own work to do, she would tend to leave it to the last minute and instead make use of the free time in the sun.

Her stomach began to make noises, and she realised she had yet to eat any lunch. This was normal for this girl, but Peytons mind moved to what she was going to eat today, and whether there would be anyone about if she was to go inside. Peyton was having a particularly interesting craving for carrots at the moment..

 

[Orland Riley]

Despite the day being pleasant and warm, Orland was still definitely not an outdoors person. He preferred to confide to the likes of his dormitory, or perhaps the library. It was easier to stay out of trouble when you had nobody to talk to. Today, however, he had been drawn into the fresh air with a headache, and had decided that a little time outside would do him good. It was not often that Orland took his Mother's advice, and the corner of his lips turned up when he realised this was something she would suggest to cure just about anything.
Wandering aimlessly across the grass, hands dug deep into the pockets of his leather jacket, Orland approached a tree, planning on sitting down for a moment in the shade to survey the area. Perhaps he would see something interesting that he could interfere with. However as he entered the cool shade of the large oak, his eyes were averted to a girl lying on the grass, and though her eyes were closed, he could just make out a smile.
It took him several minutes to decide he would approach her, and he had been unconsciously taking steps towards her. By the time he realized, he was less than 6 feet away. All of a sudden, he heard a rumbling coming from the girl's stomach. He had been quiet up until now, but suddenly he became overwhelmed and started to laugh. "Jeez, we should go inside. That sounded like thunder," Orland joked, trying to appear casual.

 

[Peyton Marvelli]

Peyton jumped as suddenly there was a voice very nearby. She smirked as she realized he'd been making a joke, and sat up almost instantly. It was rare that she was that comfortable around strangers, and this boy was no different. "I er.." she mumbled, wondering what he wanted. She hadn't fallen asleep had she? "I'm hungry" she concluded, knowing that they were going to have to sit through an awkward silence now.

She wasn't used to talking to people, new people at least, and as the sun burned down on the pair of them Peyton sat nervously looking down at the grass. She looked up at the boy again, admiring his waxed hair - In the past that had been something Peyton had attempted but she'd never been successful. "You ditching classes too?" she asked. She had been made a prefect this year, and technically this would be something she would have to report. Why she'd been made it though she didn't completely understand. If anything she thought the title had been given to her purely because of "what she'd been through" and wasn't particularly keen on spreading that about.

 

[Orland Riley]

"I can tell," Orland replied, unsure of whether to sit down or stay standing. Either way, the situation was becoming more and more awkward, and he was beginning to regret his outburst. It was extremely clear why he preferred to be indoors and away from others.
Searching his suddenly blank mind for anything to say, Orland couldn't help but notice the girl glancing up at his hair. He smirked a little, finding the confidence to sit down on the grass. It was a strange feeling, considering Orland never felt awkward around anyone. Though he liked to keep to himself, he had a strange ability to approach anyone and feel powerful and in control, yet suddenly he found he was lost for words.
Ignoring this strange occurrence, he considered the girl's question. Being someone who tried to catch others out, guilt trip, blackmail and manipulate people into falling for his traps, he was not simply going to reply to her question. "Who wants to know?" He asked, frowning slightly but not enough for it to be noticeable. "You can't try and grass me without first giving me the pleasure of knowing your name." Orland felt his confidence returning, and it was a very welcome feeling. He had felt very insecure for a moment, and it was difficult to shake it off.

 

[Peyton Marvelli]

Peyton, although she didn't show it, was pleased that he was someone that wouldn't give out his personal details to strangers. Wise, she thought. Watching him sit down beside her with her bright blue eyes, she wondered how to respond to this question before answering "How about someone doing just that." she said. It was clear she was a prefect. It had been announced at on the first night in September, and she was just going to make it clear that whatever his purposes, they weren't going to get him into trouble with her at least. It was a mistake that she'd been given a title - to be made to stand out - and everyone knew it. She had seen this boy around, and figured he was a year or so younger. "My name?" she repeated, "Who wants to know?" she smiled and looked back out over the grassy fields of Durmstrang. This always was one of the most peaceful places of the school. She knew nothing of this boy, and she didn't make friends easily. If they got on well however maybe there was a chance.

 

[Orland Riley]

Orland grinned when his instincts proved to be right. However, the girl didn't seem to be the sort who would simply snitch. Even if she was a prefect, it didn't mean she was out to get him into trouble. Orland shook himself inwardly. He could not let his guard down. "Ha," he scoffed, stretching his legs out on the warm grass. He could see why she had been drawn to lay down on it. "Orland does," he did not offer any more information, though he knew full well he was the only Orland at Durmstrang, and even knowing his first name would allow her to stir trouble if she felt that way inclined.
Despite feeling a little annoyed by her reply, or lack of it, he rather admired her for it too. Only a fool would divulge information without a second thought. Orland knew that nobody should really trust him, yet strangely hoped this girl would. He did not want to cause her any harm. If he had, he would have been a lot more subtle than simply approaching her in broad daylight.

 

[Peyton Marvelli]

Peyton nodded. Orland. She'd never heard of that name before, but glad to know now. "I'm Peyton by the way. Peyton Marvelli" she said, wondering how much he knew about her. She smiled inside every time she heard her surname. Although not her family name, it was the one she had chosen for herself when she'd been pushed aside from those she'd thought cared about her, and to have a name that belonged to her alone made her feel more independent and free. A few years ago she'd been the highlight of the school because of her big news - She just hoped he was young enough to have not been at the school at that time. She hated it if people knew her history before her present self. It gave them the wrong impression.
"Have you got any food?" she asked randomly, her stomach continuing to make strange noises. She'd had breakfast but it had been a long, long time ago, or at least that's how it felt. Her blonde hair blew gently in the breeze and it felt like a blessing to have it. Glancing down at her jeans and t-shirt, she knew she could have made a bit more of an effort to look feminine. She sighed quietly to herself, knowing that her over thinking mind played tricks on her, and she should just stop worrying about it. Come Feburary she would finally feel like herself though, and she couldn't wait.

 

[Orland Riley]

A rare smile spread across Orland's face when she revealed her name. It was comforting that he trusted her, even though he feared the worst. After all, almost every member of his family who had been trusting had severely paid for it. Still, it was just a name. He did not recognize it, possibly because for the last four years he had been indoors, studying hard so that he could finally escape his home and start a real life for himself. An interesting one, where he could live on edge. Orland was the sort of person who lived for that small thrill, and without such excitement, he would not be able to cope with the stress of his life.
"Good to meet you," he replied tonelessly, still dreading the thought of getting to know her better. It was true that the only pleasure he seemed to get these days was in making people feel small or threatened, yet the idea that he would be risking hurting someone he cared about made his chest hurt uncomfortably. Orland patted his pockets, knowing that he always carried a little something with him. He extracted a small granola bar, though the label was slightly obscured with all the fluff that had gathered in his pockets. "Er.. Sorry," he wiped at it with his sleeve, removing most of the lint. Meeting her eyes and holding it towards her, he grinned sheepishly, pushing the fear of hurting her to the back of his mind for now. He needed some time to relax.

 

[Peyton Marvelli]

She took the bar, grateful for anything although not a huge fan of oats. "Thanks" she said shyly, and tucked into it. Again they waiting through an awkward silence. Many time Peyton looked behind Orland, desperate to turn the attention to something in the distance. Anything. Once she was finished with her foot, she rose to her feet. One of her legs had gone dead and as she stood up, she shook it out before she could stand properly. "I should er, be getting back." she said sheepishly, pointing towards the school. It wasn't that it was nice to have company, especially on a day as nice as this, she was just a little unsure of what to talk about with a stranger such as himself. Even if he was to join her around the school, there would be other things going on instead of just a pretty view. "Thanks again" she repeated, stuffing the empty wrapper into a pocket in her jeans, and pulling her jacket around her more. She wasn't cold at all, if anything the opposite, but she was feeling insecure and wanted to get back and doing things. She'd always felt a little bit strange around boys. And over the last few years even more so. As though they would be the most judging of her "condition".

 

[Orland Riley]

Orland shrugged off Peyton's thanks. He didn't like doing favours for people, and this was no exception. He couldn't help but notice her glancing into the distance. She looked uncomfortable, and his suspicions were proved to be right when she stood up. "Right, yes, of course," he replied quickly, standing up and brushing the grass off his jeans and checking for grass stains. Most of his jeans were already torn, but that didn't mean he didn't care about his appearance.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I'll walk with you, you know, if you want me to," it was very unlike Orland to give Peyton the choice. Normally he would have followed her whether she had liked it or not. Before she even had a chance to answer, large droplets of rain suddenly began to splash down onto the grass, threatening to soak them if they didn't get inside very soon. "Aw, man," Orland cursed inwardly. He didn't like being outside in the sun, let alone the rain. Scowling, he scanned the school for the nearest entrance. "Come on," he spat, beckoning and beginning to half jog, half walk towards the castle door.

 

[Peyton Marvelli]

Peyton looked upwards towards the clouds as the grew darker and the rain began to fall. "Just in time eh" she commented, before following Orland back up towards the school doors. "Sure" she said. It was a relief to be doing something, and she'd rather have had the company than not, whatever her appearances said otherwise.
As they headed up to the main doors, Peyton remember what time it was, and pulled at Orland's arm. "We can't go this way" she said, beginning to head off in another direction. "The head boy will be in there since it's almost lunch time. He'll realize we're out of class" she added. There was a small, more discreet door to the right, and she open it slowly, unsure of whether anyone was on the other side. It had begun to rain heavily now, and if anyone was there it would be obvious they'd been outside. Pushing it open, Peyton climbed through, relieved to see no one. "Let's go" she said, holding the door open behind her for him. As long as they were quiet, they'd be fine.

 

[Orland Riley]

Orland was grateful for the girl's knowledge, and was now certain she was a prefect. She knew too much about the school not to be. He felt a tug at his arm, and resisted pulling it away. He hated any form of physical contact. As the two students headed towards the less patrolled door, Orland's previously waxed hair had been soaked through and was now plastered across his face. Great, he thought, running his hand through the gooey mess and climbing through the door after Peyton. "Thanks," he muttered, closing the door behind them.
The door had led to a dimly lit corridor, with a dark brown rug sprawled through the centre and portraits hung jauntily on the stone walls. It didn't seem people used this entrance very often, and Orland had no doubt as to why. It had a funny smell about it, as though a sewage pipe had burst just behind the wall. "That's nasty," he remarked, gazing down the corridor to look for anyone who might snitch on them. "We should get to the kitchens. Dry off by the stove," he grinned. Once they were dry, nobody would question them, and besides, he imagined that Peyton was probably still hungry. His own stomach began to rumble as he pictured what the house elves were cooking up, and he turned to sneak along the corridor. "Coming?"