A red tinge to the cheeks...

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Tingling as Dax's soft hand took hold of her own, she visibly shivered and squirmed uncomfortably at his touch. The tiniest of gasps escaped her open lips as she shuddered at his calming touch. Feeling herself lose focus completely as she gazed open mouthed at his lovely smile, which so enhanced his handsome features, she tilted her head ever so slightly to one side as if calculating; weighing up just how glorious he looked.

As his soft voice brought her back to earth she squeezed his hand rather too tightly as if not wishing to let go; she really didn't want to lose him, but she'd never had him, it really made no sense at all to her; she was at a loss of what to say and do about her mixed feelings towards dashing Dax.

Laughing merrily at his joke she smiled happily; he could make her laugh so easily it was untrue; even in the strangest of circumstances. you really don't know how hard it is Dax as she looked him cooly up and down; he really was a fine figure of a man; not so scrawny as he used to be.

As moments of silence stretched out between them she was perfectly contented to simply hold his hand firmly in hers, and gaze into his deep eyes, she didn't feel it at all necessary to talk; simply stare rather longingly at him.

Then he said something completely unexpected, eyes drawing wide, she gasped audibly feeling her cheeks burn a deep crimson within seconds, thrilled and exhilarated that Dax would offer her such a compliment; one that was admittedly completely untrue, she smiled happily, until she his shock; clearly he hadn't meant the words, though why or how they had slipped out she didn't know. Was he goading her? Seeking a rise or seeing how she would react? Open mouthed she struggled to reason out why he was so shocked; had he actually meant the compliment and now felt embarrassed?

"Da.." she began but felt her throat close up, swallowing her words. Clearing her throat she smiled softly, with one hand still clasped in his she tilted his chin back up to regain eye contact. "Dax...thankyou," she murmered softly and soothingly, "i..it means a lot to me." Trying to restrain the tears that shimmered in her own radiant eyes she smiled peacefully, not recognising that her mouth was mere inches from his; as she lost herself in those deep eyes...

[Dax Simmons]

Sophie seemed to take his statement to heart like he knew she would, and as he expect he heard her stuttering beside him. A small smile did creep across his face as he, she sounded just like him stuttering away unable to form any proper words. However his smile soon vanished when she lifted up his chin, he had done this same thing to her only a few years back, he did this to Loren before they kissed. Dread filled him thinking the worst that Sophie might actually be thinking that his slip of the tongue might have been an invitation.

It was his turn to be lost for words, all he could do was stare wide eyed nodding his head at her thanks. She seemed to be lost in her own world, her eyes were glazed over and he realised what she was doing. When they had their brief relationship year back she always said that she loved his eyes, and she was doing it again, just looking at them. He needed to do something.

“Sophie will you stop that please.” He turned his head to the side but could still feel her gaze upon him. He knew that his words were harsh and that he quit possible should have been more supportive and perhaps kinder. With a sigh Dax turned back to Sophie full of remorse.

“Sorry Soph I….I should not have snapped at you. It is just….I have seen that look before from you and you must remember I am with Loren.”

Dax shot her a small smile before looking up the street into the distance. He saw students running around chasing each other, shouting laughing and being happy. His heart gave a small leap when he saw a Ravenclaw that looked a lot like Loren, only to realise that it was not. Things were not as well as he had been making out, it had been weeks since he had last spent time with her, he almost had to remind himself that he was with Loren, to keep his own heart believing and his mind wondering about others.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Noticing Dax's sly little smirk as she struggled to formulate a coherent sentence that wouldn't affront him severely, Sophie resisted the urge to huff in indignation; things were never straightforward and easy were they? She thought rather unhappily as she remained transfixed by Dax's radiant eyes. Why did Loren have to come along? She pondered glumly a moment, but stopped such a train of thought abruptly; the shock of the thought making her blink rather stupidly.

Her longing stare which lost herself in those transfixing eyes was abruptly cut short as Dax snapped at her; the agitation clear in his voice. Stumbling as if she'd fallen out of a dream world she murmered in a daze, "wha'? What did I do?" She asked stubbornly hands immediately resting upon her hips as she glared at Dax for his unreasonnable tone. Luckily for them both he very quickly apoligised, and Sophie could stay mad at him for more than a fleeting moment.

"Oh," she murmered clearing bemused by how hasty Dax was to bring up Loren; had he really thought she'd fallen for him that quickly and easily again; to be truthful to herself she had, but she felt quite affronted at the suggestion, even if it was correct.

"What about you being with Loren?" She asked her infamously quick temper rising. "What look was I giving you? Has she got you on such a short leash already?" She asked scathingly as her temper took control; she'd been heartbroken too often before and she naturally took things to heart. "We're friends Dax, good ones I thought, can't I even look at you?" She demanded coldly, her voice beginning to break slightly under the strain and tension. "God men!" She screeched.

Arms hanging loosely at her sides now, having gesticulated wildly and very nearly accidently walloped Dax in the process, she glared at him, but instead of seeing anger like hers he viewed her pityingly to her eyes. Feeling the fight go out of her Soph took shuddering deep breaths and flung herself around Dax hugging him tight, not wishing to let go. "Oh I'm so sorry Dax, I didn't mean to," as tears begin streaming down her cheeks to dampen Dax's robes, she continually murmered apologies between her sobs, "I'm..so..s..sorry Dax."

[Dax Simmons]

”Yeah you can look at me but not with your eyes all googly and clouded over as if you are staring at a huge pile of chocolate.”

Dax was returning Sophie’s anger by actually getting heat up himself, his voice wavered and his eyes grew wide as frustration spread through him. He would not stand for people saying that he was Loren’s lapdog, no he was his own person and could do what he liked. (Within certain limitations)

However as soon as Sophie screeched ‘God Men’ Dax mood changed. This was not the girl that he once had a childhood fling with all those years ago, here stood a women who had been scorned and pity filled his heart. For here stood a women of Valar and honour. Then she hugged him, tears rolling down her face as she stuttered an apology out, all Dax could do was wrap his arms around her and hold her tightly. He did not know what to say, he knew that as soon as he opened his mouth he would say something that would make the situation worse, heck it was Dax. Planting a gentle kiss on the top of her head Dax tried to comfort her in as little words as possible.

“You do not need to apologise Soph. Friends like us do not need to apologise.”

[Sophie Hargreaves]

As Dax comforted her by returning the hug, not with quite the same gusto and strength she used, yet she knew he meant to help, Soph's confusion simply grew for a moment, until the clouds parted and the undeniable truth surfaced; he'd kissed her on the head, usually such an act would have sent her tingling from head to foot; yet it didn't, it was a sign of pity, not the love that he had once shown her. Though she knew deep down she could count upon Dax as a firm friend, she really wanted more from him; yet he was taken and Sophie knew that she herself wasn't good enough for him. Sobbing into his shoulder as the realisation hit; that instead of the gentle kiss upon the cheek she had secretly desired, he'd only hugged her back; and she couldn't help the feeling that he was choosing his words too carefully; as if she would simply fall head over heels for him if he put a foot wrong. Really she knew she would do precisely that, yet she couldn't admit it, not through pride and dignity, but admitting such a fact would crush what little spirit she had yet.

Breaking the feeble embrace Sophie's eyes glittered as tears still streaked down her cheeks, not so unrelenting as before, yet threatening nonetheless. Realisation of how Dax was acting was hitting Sophie hard and she stared dumbstruck at him murmuring "you pity me," in a sad constricted voice. Slowly her defensive mechanism took over; anger. Eyes narrowing and a scowl becoming predominant she narrowly prevented her fingers closing upon her wand; as she knew that would simply end in more tears and guilt; she had to get out, and quickly. Spinning neatly on her heel Sophie set off down the street, holding herself as regal and dignified as ever, as she wiped away the tears fresh ones sprang anew but she didn't need his pity, for one she was undeserved of it, and pity simply made her feel ten times worse; yet still she needed it somehow; a broad shoulder to cry upon...

[Dax Simmons]

Dax could do nothing but let Sophie walk away. Her last words were floating around in his head, and he could think of nothing else. It was true he did pity her, who would not, she was full of emotion and love for someone that is knew she could not have. But then it clicked with Dax, she was not like that. He always saw her as a girl who was overrun with emotion and feelings and let it cloud her every judgement but this was new side to her. She had controlled it, she had walked away from a situation that could have caused pain, it was more then he could do.

With a deep breath Dax pulled his bag higher on his shoulder and ran after Sophie. However unlike in muggle movies he did not shout after her he simply reached out and spun her around to face him. He could feel the eyes of many on them and with a nervous glance around Dax tried to find his tongue.

“Not true pity Soph. I have an affection for you which means I care and never…never want to see you cry. I am here for you always, and if that idiot Will decides to give you any grief just slap him one.”

Dax gave a soft laugh unsure if he had said and did the right thing. A part of him thought maybe it would have best to leave Sophie stew for a while, but then he had seen a mature side to her he had never seen before and he knew that this was the best thing. He could not bear to think they depart on such terms as they had done before.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Holding her head high Sophie glided away, though she could feel the eyes of many upon her, and hear the excited chatter of gossip, she ignored it, keeping her eyes fixed forwards and her stride steady and true; until Dax rather ungracefully span her around. "What?" She asked a little exasperatedly, she didn't want him to say anything that would cause pain; to either of them. Rumours would already be strife that they'd been seen in each others arms, and of course they would be amplified to make it seem far worse than it had been, Sophie guessed Dax would later feel Loren's fury, yet he remained steadfastedly helping Sophie.

"Oh..I see," she murmured giggling lightly as Dax advised she slap Will if he gave her any cause to. "Will and I are finished, or never truelly were," she explained not wishing to give herself false hope. "But yeah I'll slap him if he gives me any agro," smiling more brightly now she laid a hand lightly upon his shoulder, not gripping it so fiercely as she had done before.

"You're a true gentleman Dax, always, always stay like that." Smiling Sophie flirtaciously blew him a kiss, just to have the last laugh and simply said, "goodbye Dax," then turned smartly with true grin upon her face and walked serenely away.