(RoR) Before Christmas Party

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Looking around, Ash spotted Maxi standing by the bar with Mark. "Ooh, there he is." he said, pointing his boyfriend out to Maeve. Walking over to the bar, Ashton walked up behind Maxi and wrapped his arm's around the other boy's waist. "Hey, havin' a good time?" he asked.

[Maeve Malfoy]

"I wonder what would happen if someone called him Market." she laughed at his eagerness. "Okay, okay! Lead the way, O Ravenclaw Master." she let him pull her. She smiled as she watch Ashton go up behind Maxi. She thought they looked really sweet together.

[Mark Alméida]

"The dancing was awful mate" Mark told him, "if i'd have been anyworse i think i would have broken something" Mark shook his head and frowned, "I told you dancings not my thing, its yours so..." Mark laughed, "I guess ill be winning no medals"

[Max Hennerdale]

"Oh come on Mark it couldnt have been that bad" Though Maxi couldnt help but laugh, Mark was completley backwards when it came to dancing and he knew he just couldnt helkp himself. Feeling arms wrap around his waist he turned his head a little and kissed the side of Ash's face, "Yeah im having a good time babe, are you?"

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ashton smiled as Maxi kissed him on the side of his face. "Well now I am! I spent the whole time looking for you!" he paused, "And talking to Maeve."

[arabella]

^{Arabella had wandered off around the room, feeling a little bored with the unoccupied corners, she decided to walk back over by Mark. She smiled at him sweetly and gave a small wave to Maxi and Ashton, "Hi you two," she said with a wide grin. "How are you guys?" she asked politely.}

[Mark Alméida]

"No Maxi it was that bad, i bet the poor girl didnt realise just what she nearly had herself in for" Mark grimaced back, Mark sighed, he didnt know why he let himself get into these messes sometimes. Though that was just Mark he was sure of it. He drained his juice and poured himself some more. Turning around he saw Ari and gave her a small smile back, feeling slightly small and pathetic after that dance himself.

[arabella]

<sup>Arabella looked at Mark, "Why the long face, Stranger?" she asked with a smile. "Oh come on, it can't be that bad," she said putting a friendly hand on his back. Arabella laughed, "I think it went well, dont you?" she asked him with a goofy smile, the kind that made anyone laugh.

With a sigh, Arabella brought her hand back down, "I would like to dance with you again, sometime," she told Mark, "Maybe to one that would be more fitting to you," Ari said.</sup>

[Mark Alméida]

"No reason, Princess" Mark said taking a sip of his pumpkin juice, wondering still how he;d managed to find himself here and knew Maxi was finding it funny, he didnt even have to look at the boy he could feel the vibes. "Went well? Oh yeah if you call a disaster as well" he half smiled while rolling his eyes.

He felt her hand leave his back, "I dont think thats a good idea, Ari. Im a backwards dancer meaning me and dancing do not mix"

[arabella]

<sup>Arabella looked at him with slightly saddened eyes, "Why do you have to be so negative about yourself?" She asked, "I was only joking about dancing, I'd rather do something with you that you enjoyed," she told him.

Arabella sighed and tried to not look as hurt as she felt, "I think I'm gonna get some more pumpkin juice," she said and walked away. Arabella realized she was heading in the wrong direction, but proceeded towards the opposite wall, by the jukebox, anyway, hoping that Maybe Mark would stop her and try to be positive.</sup>

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ashton glared at Mark, "Mark! Snap outta it man!" he said, raising his hand and giving Mark a slap on his head. "Stop being so negative about your self! You wanna be a party-pooper at your own party?"

[Mark Alméida]

Mark had never been good with girls and he knew that. In fct, he never made an effort to be good with girls. He never needed one, he didnt particulary want one, did he? He didnt know, but what he did know was he hated puppydog eyes, sad eyes or anything like that. Feeling the slap Ash just gave him on his head, he rubbed it and looked at him, "What the hell was that for?" he asked, usually he was used to having Maxi slap him, "I dont need to slapping-marks-head-people, i hae enough to deal with fom Max" he laughed then added "Im not negative about myself, im just truthful and i know im a bad dancer thats all, thats hardly being negative"

Mark wasnt exactly a cold hearted person, in fact he was one of the warmest hearted people he knew, though he could sometimes be insensitive, but this was usually only because he didnt know how to handle a situation any different. He looked as she said she was going to get some juice, which he found strange of her walking away considering the bar was directly behind her. "Think i put my foot in this one a bit, Max?" he asked, though already knowing the answer. He drained his juice, put it down, looked at Ash and Max, then at Maeve, "Why does your species have to be so... feeling felt?" he asked frustratedly. Turning around and following Ari across the room.

He caught hold of her arm and tried to give her a smile but knew he had failed again, miserably. It came out more of a grimace and he knew that. He knew she liked him and he didnt really know how to handle it, Mark didnt really do relationships of anykind and found it hard to deal with. Now he was in front of her, he didnt know what to say and instead let go of her arm, gave her a half hearted smile and turned back to the others.

[arabella]

<sup>Ari felt her arm being tugged and stopped. She turned around and looked at Mark who gave an effort to at least smile about it. Once he turned his back on her once more, Arabella raised an eyebrow at Mark. She grabbed his hand and made him face her, "Mark, it's alright. I understand how you're feeling, believe me," she said with a smile. She pointed at the bar, "I think I meant to go back that way," she said with a laugh, "I wasn't thinking, but thanks for the sentiment," she said with a warm smile.

Ari's face suddenly grew serious, "Mark, why did you even come over here if all you were gonna do was turn you back on me anyway?" she asked, wanting a clear answer. Ari sighed, "Nevermind, don't answer that." For some odd reason, Ari wasn't acting herself and she wanted to get it past her. Why wasn't she acting like herself? Who knew...</sup>

[Mark Alméida]

"Yeah.. sure" Mark said, still not knowing what to say to her and somehow he knew that answer was not going to make it all go away or get better either. He somehow wished he was more like Maxi he knew just what to do in situations like these whereas Mark felt completly lost all the time. "Yeah, I'd be willing to bank thats where you'll find the juice" he sort of laughed but still felt a little bit awkward. Relax Mark.. he sighed and went to walk back when she said something else. "Because i was going to say something then realised i had nothing to say" he looked down at the floor, he ignored the fact she said dont answer it, "Come on," he smiled and walked back over to the others. Awkwardness, how on earth did i used to be with girls? Oh yeah... Just liked fun... I still like fun... Why cant i be back in Durmstrang? he thought to himself as he poured some more juice.

[arabella]

<sup>Arabella turned away from Mark as he walked back to the others. She brought her hands up to her face, sighed, then brought them back down. She was confused and it showed... but why was she confused?

Arabella decided to follow Mark after debating it for a moment. She sorta half walked, half dragged herself over there, "Hey," she said again to Ashton, but with less enthusiasm than before. She looked at Mark, thought for a moment, than decided against it... whatever it was that she was thinking about. "snap outta it," she murmured to herself.</sup>