The Bells Chime
(and Other Issy Ficlets)

Hi there! Welcome to yet ANOTHER fanfiction dedicated to Issy. (I'm aware that this could be classified as obsession. Heehe.) This thread has come into existance because I find that I adore writing ficlets about Issy's summer, her past, and the occasional future ficlet. In other words, yes, I am obsessed.

Really, though, I just write a lot of ficlets based on some aspect of Issy's life, because I get bored or I don't have the time to RP so I compensate through writing.

What's a ficlet, you ask? I call these too short to be a short story in itself, and yet too long to be a drabble. An itty bitty fic, if you will. Hence the 'let'. Heehee. Ficlet. These are just short stories, detailing some little aspect of her life, or made up events. (These happen a lot, because I'm a sucker for fluff and find myself writing a LOT of it. xD)

Why the title? Ahhh, well, I do have a ficlet in progress entitled The Bells Chime. Also, Bells it the name Issy's family uses for her. Plus, isn't it cute? I like to think that Issy sort of chimes, haha. It's cute, yeah? xD :3 -lame-

Anyway. I post ficlets in here, you post your thoughts, critique, general comments, etc. It's a pretty simple deal, I think. :] Plus, Issy would TOTALLY love you to read this stuff, so you can get to know her better, you know?

If you're not already reading it, you can check out her journal. Heehee. I mean, you know, if you're that interested in her. :] Heehee.


Table of Contents
"I'd take you with me, if I could."
Moonlight Bath
The Perfect Fit part 1
The Perfect Fit part 2

So, this is the first Ficlet I ever wrote, waaaay back in December, when I had finally, fully fleshed out Issy. Her family, her home, her hired help, pets, extended family, etc. And I honestly fell in love with Fredreich. He is one of my favorite characters in Issy's life, so you'll see a lot about him in here.

Breif history: Fredreich is an orphaned Muggle that Issy's family took in. However, at a young age he declared that he felt in debt to the family and wanted to do whatever he could for them, eventually persuading them to allow him to do chores round the house. Eventually, he became a sort of gardener and care taker of Gaia, the family pony. He does other chores, too, and the family pays him, so he's not really RELATED to them or anything. Heehee.

I'm in love with him. Anyway. Here you are. First ever Issy ficlet o:!

P.S: Lark is Matti's pet lemur. Heehee.

It rained often at the Cortella estate and if it wasn’t raining, then the sky was grey and drizzling. Those rare days when the sun did peak sent Isabella, Mattio, and the “helping hand”, Fredrich, out to play. Usually the games were sill; pirates (in which Issy was Captain), Queen of Scotland (Issy was Queen, Mattio the unruly Prince and poor Fredreich, the whipping boy), or Statues (Issy won often because Matti was impatient and twitchy and Fredreich would get called away for chores or otherwise let Issy win). Most of the time, though, the children were cooped inside, playing Wizards Chess, Gobstones, or dress up. These were nice days that Issy greatly enjoyed, which included the cook sneaking cookies to the children, muggle soda, and a plethora of Chocolate Frogs.

But, alas, Matti was getting old enough to stand up for himself and Fredreich was no longer a boy but a man of seventeen (but a helping hand, nonetheless), and Issy herself was now eleven and soon to be off to Hogwarts for her first year. It was an especially exciting time for her (though Matti spent much time pouting in between tantrums) and she was granted permission to cast small practice spells (“NOT ON MATTI!” her mother was quick to declare) so Isabella spent much time casting summoning charms (“Leave Lark be!”) and toying with the lights (“Turn ‘em back on, Issy! I can’t seeee!”).

“How d’you fancy it’ll be?” inquired Fredreich from beneath his messy hair as he groomed Gaia, the Cortella pony, one grey day.

Isabella sat upon the gate of the stall, watching idly. The question came somewhat as a surprise; Fredreich was a muggle and though he knew of the magic in the Cortella family, it had been a few years since he and Issy had spoken of it. From her perch, she scrutinized dirty dirty Fredreich and what was left of his boyish face. There would be boys his age at Hogwarts, too, she realized for the first time.

“I think it’ll be fabulous,” she finally declared, tucking back her hair. “Magnificent and… magical, of course, haha. I fancy it’ll be pretty exciting.”

Pausing in his brushing of Gaia’s fur, Fredreich smiled. “Aye, I’ll bet. You’ll dwell right well, I imagine, Tellie. You’ve a good head on your tiny structure.”

A cross between smiling proudly and rolling her eyes made Fredreich bark with laughter. Isabella pulled a face, wrinkling her upturned nose and puckering her lips. Jumping down, she rightened herself to a full height of a messy four foot eight, held her hands upon her hips, and hoisted her chin high.

“I’ll let you know, Fredreich. I might be tiny, but one day, I’m going to be an amazing witch. And you’ll be very jealous.”

Fredreich laughed. “You’re right.”

There was a pause.

Fredreich continued to nonchalantly comb Gaia while Isabella’s hands abruptly dropped frojm her hips. The pride upon her face was replaced by genuine shame and she glanced to the ground, shuffling her feet and toying with the hem of her skirt. Sometimes, she spoike without thinking. It wasn’t with intent to brag that she’d teased him, after all! He was a childhood playmate, Fredrich.

“Will you be? Really?” Isabella asked softly. “Are you jealous Fredreich? I’d bring you, if I could. To Hogwarts.”

Glancing up, she met the smile of her childhood friend, of the boy she knew so much better.

“You are indeed a very nice girl, Tellie, with a very kind offer. Indeed, I envy this great chance of yours. But you’ve your path in life and I’ve mine. I was destined to die in that orphanage, till your mother came along. Make the best of your life, Tellie. Do it for the both of us and I’ll not be saddened by your greater fortune.”

All the while, a smile remained upon the servant boy’s face, but Isabella felt a swelling of sadness. Often, she forgot the status of Fredreich and Lorelei and Tomás. She didn’t really think of them as lower than she. Especially so as Fredreich was so much of a playmate, a friend.

“Oh Fredreich!” she cried, running and throwing her arms around Fredreich’s waist. “You’ve been a great friend! I’m sorry for being such a pushy, rotten, spoiled friend.”

The boy merely laughed and hugged his friend back.

“Nonsense, Tellie. You’ve been quite the fine friend. The best I could ask of.”

This is awesome. This post was really good. Can't wait for the next one. PAMS

ISSYYYYY!!!! *clings to her*

I like rereading this, Ashireklie. I shall reread it again and again and again, and never ever ever get tired of it. Because I lufffffs Issyyy!!!! *squishes her* And Fredreich! *pats his head* *end mini-rant*

yeah, as I said before. You have skeelz, and I luff you and your skeelz.

Aww. <33 That was very cute. I have a crush on Fredrich. LMAO

Matti has a LEMUR?! That's an amazing pet, possibly better than a prairie dog. Hehe.


Can't wait for more. =)

I know. xD This is me being kinda obsessed but it's fun, too. I love fleshing her out and she's got a nice lil history going on, too. Plus I like to write Potential Future Stories. ROFL

Haha, why thank you ^____^ The next one shall be posted shortly - I hope you enjoy it just as much. :]

Heehee ^______^

Awww really? You honestly think it's that good? Awww that makes me feel amazing now. Haha. I'm especially fond of this lil one just cos it's all... "Eeeeeeee!" Sentimental and has Fredreich! I won't lie. I REALLY adore Fredreich and I've said it so many times but it's oh so true. Heehee.

Issy luffs you.
And Juni. ^_____^ Haha!

I think you're making a mountain out of a mole heel buuuut I love you nonetheless.

Ayyye you certainly did. I'm glad you enjoyed it, too. Goodness, I agree, about Fredreich coming to Hogwarts. Can you imagine though? -swoons- He'd steal Samson's fanclub (Not that SAMSON would have minded ahahaha)

I'm glad you thought so, BrainTwinneh! And yes, I, too, have quite the crush on Fredreich. He's just fantastic and pretty amazing. :]

That he does! A lemur AND a kinkajou. Look that one up. Waaay cute.

More coming up!

Yaaays!

Moonlight Bath

So uh. Yeah. I kinda really like this one, too. This is a scene that has never happened and might never happen. Which I like to write a lot. Whenever I have a craving for fluff, I write stuff like this. I know, silly me.

Anyway, to get the disclaimer out of the way, Samson is NOT my character, but belongs to the amazihng Harmonizer. But oh what a character he is.

This takes place during the summer holis following Issy's first term, at her home. =] Enjoy!


On some nights, Issy found herself unable to sleep, like this one. Normally, it was no problem slipping out, but with a sleeping Juni and Sabrina in the room, she had to take extra care to be as stealthy as she could to sneak out. Heehee. Snenaking out of her own room. Never had she needed to do that. Slipping into fuzzy pink slippers and a matching fuzzy robe round her, she crept towards the slightly ajar door. Gently, she toed it open and slid out.

How strange.

The “escape” gave her a sort of rush, a thrill in her stomach.

Shuffling quietly down the hall, Issy passed Matti’s room, pausing to listen to her brother’s sleep snuffles before carrying on down the hall of their wing, through the shadows to the staircase. Down in the other wing, her parents were deeply asleep, home for the first time in a while (only to be gone at sunrise). Besides, what did it matter to them if she was out on the balcony anyway? At least she wasn’t running amuck, nudie in the streets.

Much as she enjoyed the noise and action of school and having her house full of her eclectic group of friends, also enjoyed was the night. Sound came only from the breeze rifling leaves, crickets chirping and cicadas singing their annoying song – sounds Issy missed terribly while away at Hogwarts. These were the welcoming noises that made her feel truly at home.

Padding across the landing, down the hall, Issy made for the sliding glass doors, pushing them open. Outside the air was light and mild, a slight breeze carrying a light chill that lasted hardly a moment, before fading off.

The truth was, this was how she felt most at home – her real home mixed with her home away from home. Here on the balcony, she reflected, this was where she felt most comfortable. All of the accommodations of home, such as the house, the grounds, Fredreich, the food, the pets, was everything she missed while away at Hogwarts. And the Hogwarts aspects she missed most that first month of summer holidays were her friends. Together, they made the elite home and she found herself selfishly wishing it could remain like this forever. A light breeze lifted her loose hair and gave it a gentle tousle, wrapping itself round her bare skin before disappearing as she tipped her face towards the be speckled night sky.

This, she decided, was the best form of “home” she knew. Sabrina, Samson, Juni, Callie… they were all a better and more imaginable staple of her house than her own parents were and she couldn’t quite decide if this was sad or fortunate.

Continuing their song, the cricket’s seemed to grow louder and the locusts more rapid. Sounds that usually annoyed most were, in this moment, music to her ears, however off-key they were. Everything finally felt complete and she felt the most incredible urge to giggle, at nothing more than the comfort and familiarity the past nights had given her. So she did – she giggled seemingly at nothing but the words in her mind.

“Fancy seeing you out here.”

Emitting a quiet squeak, Issy jumped and spun round to face Samson in the doorway of the sliding doors, his face seemingly blank but for the slightest hint of a smile round the corners of his mouth. Heart pounding lightly from the sudden surprise of another voice, Issy blinked at Samson.

“Fancy seeing me?” she finally asked. “How about seeing you?”

Now the corners of his mouth finally lifted in a true smile and he stepped out of the door way, closing the door behind him, watching Issy stand and eye him back. Everyone was supposed to be asleep! She’d not expected anyone to come out here – this was her nightly ritual, besides watching the sun set and rise.

“What do you mean?”

“I live here. This is my balcony. What’s your excuse for being out here, eh?”

The tall boy merely rolled his shoulders. “Do I have to have an excuse?” he asked.

This quieted her. No, there certainly needed to be no excuse for why Samson was outside. After all, what really was her excuse? So instead she shrugged, closed her robe round her shorts and cami and turned back around to walk back to the balcony wall. Folding her hands upon the cool stone, she rest her chin upon them, looking out over the grounds and a moment later, she could feel Samson standing beside her.

“I do this a lot,” she explained, quietly. “When I’m home. I love to come here at night. During the day I’m out on the patio or the terrace, playing in the pool, out in the stables or playing something with Matti and Fredreich. But nighttime? I love to come outside and hang out on this balcony for a while. The stars. The moon. Crickets. All the noises. This is home.”

Realizing she was rambling, Issy closed her mouth and smiled. The silence that greeted her was uneasy though, so she glanced up to see Samson smiling down at her.

“That’s… cute…” he finally said, seeming to struggle over the last word.

And she felt her cheeks flame up, as if the compliment were more personal. Though sharing those thoughts and feelings was rather personal, though Issy would have felt so inclined as to say it to whoever had come to stand beside her.

“Why are you out here?” she ventured to ask, in hopes of light conversation.

“Can’t sleep,” was Samson’s reply, accompanied by a shrug. “I haven’t been sleeping so well at night as it is.”

She could think of nothing more to say, so she settled for an “Oh.”

Another silence followed, with another light rustling of leaves as a breeze wafted through the trees, to the two on the balcony and Issy shivered lightly as the breeze tickled her neck and dipped to her ankles. Beside her, she almost didn’t notice Samson stiffen – not at the breeze but her shiver.

Above the cacophony of the crickets and cicadas, he asked if she was cold.

She lied and told him it was perfectly fine, but even so, he inched ever so much closer towards her, his body so close she could feel the heat emanating from him, though they did not touch.

And so their silence continued, as they both listened to the song of nature and Issy shivered against the light breezes that tempted, her hair lifting now and then and occasionally shifting towards Samson, brushing up against his arm and she would wonder, briefly, if he felt it. If he was aware. And if he meant anything by not moving away.

Her mind wandered, thinking those dangerous thoughts that she knew better than to think, for Samson was probably a best friend of hers and gorgeous though he was, it was probably wrong to think such things. Like, for instance, just how gorgeous he was and how, when she glanced at him and found him looking up at the full moon above, silver moonlight bathing his face and shadows growing long where the light couldn’t reach, she felt he was more gorgeous than ever. Or how his body heat was so close and washing over her, it made her heart pound just a little harder and she could feel her pulse in her ears. And also how a teensy little part of her wanted him to slide his arm around her and pull her close.

Only to warm her up, that is.

Then she began to wonder what he was wondering, and bit her lip, debating whether it’d be wise to do.

It took her a moment before she dared to.

“You look lost in thought,” she stated, poking his arm gently.

Samson started, blinked, and then looked down at Issy, smiling softly at her. Only occasionally did he smile like that… his whole face soft, all his hard, sharp features melting into this gentle smile that made her flush and her whole body still. She wondered if he realized he was looking at her this way, and it reminded her of the day they went on that tour of the Hogwarts grounds and he brought her to that tiny pond.

“I was,” admitted Samson. “You know what?”

“Hmm?” Issy prodded, glancing back ahead, watching the trees rustle in another breeze.

“When you stand there in the moonlight. And you shiver. You kind of look cute.”

And as Issy turned to say something to Samson, to look at him and see if he was serious, he was already turned, waving over his shoulder. The doors already had slid open and he was disappearing behind them, leaving them open the slightest for her, and disappearing towards his room.

-giggledies-

I just love Samssy fluff. DON'T DENY IT Y'ALL. We've got you hooked to it too.

<3333

[A.N: Sooo. This next story isn’t so much a ficlet as it is a one shot in itself. :3 It came out a lot longer than I had expected, and deserves a special dedication to Harmonizer. We get bored and desperate for fluff, so we often create it of our own accord in MSN conversations. Anyway, I tend to have conversations with Samson (that doesn’t sound weird at all, does it?) and tend to give him therapy sessions. Samson got disgruntled when he found out that Fredreich had kissed Issy on the cheek before and they got into a conversation, the end of which follows and begins our little RP session.

And it was too cute not to write! The title is a pun… I can’t explain HOW without spoiling it, so I’ll do so at the bottom ^.^;; Eeeek! So cute! One of the cuter things Harmz and I have done. (One of, because there is one HUGE exception, that I wish I could write up for you guys. :3 GUH!)

I er... had to break it into two posts, haha. -sheepish- Apparently, it's a bit too long for one. -whistles-

Either way, this remains a favorite one-shot of mine to deal with Issy and Samson so I hope you enjoy it. :] Comments are greatly appreciated ^^;; (for all our sakes, as all of the Samson dialogue comes straight from Harmonizer herself)

Enjoy!

-Ashlie]

The Perfect Fit

“Ahhh, if it isn’t Master Carswell.”

The slightly mocking voice came from Fredreich, who stood on the pathway towards the fruit trees of the Cortella “orchard”. A smirk passed over his lips as his eyes fell on Samson, who stood not much further down the path from Fredreich. Tossing the fringe from his eyes, he watched Samson in a rather contemplative manner, his smirk growing a bit as Samson’s eyes narrowed. Heh. Fredreich couldn’t help but like riling the boy up. He was so easy to mess with and his dislike of Fredreich was overly obvious.

“What is it, Master Carswell? Why are you glaring at me?” Fredreich asked in a voice sickly sweet and purposely provoking.

“Don’t you Master Carswell me.”

“What is it, Master Carswell? Is it Timmy? In the well?!”

“I don’t know what you mean, but I know I don’t like you.” Yes. It was that obvious.

Samson continued to glare at Fredreich, narrowed eyes turned to slits. No, he really didn’t like this Fredreich person. He was too close to Issy, too smug, and acted like he was some big hot shot. Just because he’d grown up with Issy didn’t make him any better or any cooler than Samson. In fact, Samson liked to think that he and Issy shared a rather special bond. One that even Fredreich couldn’t penetrate.

“What have I done to make you dislike me, Master Carswell? I fear I’ve done nothing to dispute you. Whatever has sweet Tellie’s little friend so angry with me?”

So it was provocation and Fredreich tended to avoid such childish acts. Samson, though, was an entirely different subject and provoked the childish brat within the reformed man. Something about him and his immediate dislike of Samson, the way he treated Issy and looked at her, the way Samson seemed so possessive of someone Fredreich had known since the birth of. It disturbed him and made his bratty side come out. It wasn’t as if Samson didn’t ask for it himself.

“Just… stop talking to me. And try keeping away from Issy, will you? It makes me… uncomfortable.”

Yes. Samson definitely asked for it.

Fredreich was momentarily taken aback. Had he properly heard the boy? Samson really had asked Fredreich to keep away from Issy? Brows arched, he blinked once, before his brows lowered and a Chesire-cat style smile crossed his face and his gaze fell once again upon the boy.

“I don’t think that you have the rights to tell me to keep away from Issy. You’re but a mate of hers from school and I’ve been with her since her birth.” He arched one brow in a manner of curiosity and a somewhat smug manner. “I should be the one telling you to keep away.”

“Why so?” demanded Samson. “I have just as much right to hang out with her. I’m her friend, too, childhood friend or not.” Promptly, Samson folded his arms over his chest in a way that Fredreich imagined must’ve been for a “tough” appearance.

Fredirech chuckled darkly in response. “Heh. You didn’t receive the letters from Tellie that I did when you upset her, Samson. I don’t know what you did to her back there at school to upset her so, but for weeks, she wasn’t herself. You were the one who broke her and you dared to break her again at her own home. I should be telling you to keep away from her, least you destroy the precious little girl she is.”

Samson’s eyes were narrowed again. “Letters, eh? Well, if you don't know what really happened between us, then I suggest you butt out. Things change, Fredreich. Especially between people. Between friends. Me and her are the only ones who really know what’s going on, and no amount of words are going to make it clear for you.”

“I'm just making it clear, Carswell. If you keep hurting her, she's going to leave you. And do you know who she'll run to? Haha. Me, of course. Because Issy can only take it so long. I don't know why she's put up with it long as she has. That's not the girl she is. But I bet you have an idea, don't you SammyBoy?” There was a twinkle in Fredreich’s eye, but not one of mirth. One of giddy warning, and even a hint of provocation. Because surely, surely Samson knew… couldn’t he?

A defiance was in Samson’s voice, though, as he retaliated against the older boy. “I think you've made yourself clear enough. And I don't care what you think, Fredreich. My relationship with Issy has definitely changed. I know we're better friends now. The last thing I'd want to do is hurt her. And let me remind you that you don't know me much. We're friends, and that's why I think she's been putting up with me. She's a strong girl. She is.” A firm nod followed.

Fredreich merely smiled and chuckled. Oh, Issy, Didn’t she realize, either? Why she continued to return to Samson, every time, even when he had hurt her? Even when he made her that Zombie girl Fredreich didn’t recognize. She’d probably cried herself to sleep those nights, too. Surely, she had to realize why she returned to the very person who had such an ability to break her.

“Strong girls don’t return to boys who hurt them without reason,” explained Fredreich, slowly, as though to a young toddler. “Can’t you think of any, ANY reason, SammyBoy? Why do you so strongly want to keep me away from my closest friend?”

“Well, I don't know about strong girls, but Issy is definitely one. And will you please stop implying that I hurt her without a reason? You don't know what happened! You. Weren't. THERE. . . And just to humor you, I can't think of ANY reason. At all. Maybe you just irritate me. Or something. I dunno.” Samson made a face, much like a young boy who was unable to explain his way out of a situation. His eyes darted to the side and he looked away. Hmph.

Inside, Fredreich was both amused and frustrated.

“You’re awfully… possessive of Tellie, you know that?”

“…no. Actually, I don’t.”

Again, Fredreich chuckled and folded his arms over his chest, another smug smile crossing his face. “Hmm… you certainly are, though. How… interesting. That after only a year, you can be so possessive of my Tellie…”

Insolently, Samson rolled his eyes. “I am not possessive of…” as he paused, Samson’s face pinched, “your,” followed by a cringe, “Tellie. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Then, he too, folded his arms.

“Course not,” replied Fredreich, flippantly, as he quietly laughed to himself at Samson’s cringing. “You’ve no reason to be possessive of my Tellie, have you? She hasn’t spent all her life with you, has she?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right,” the younger boy replied in a manner of sarcasm, looking away again as he made another face.

“Ahh, in any news, have you heard that Issy’s friend Tait is coming over today?” Fredreich’s choice of subject change, admittedly, was for bother manners of provoking Samson into a confession of sorts and, naturally, for a bit of perverse pleasure.

Samson actually turned his nose up. “Tait? Never heard of him.” His voice conveyed a manner of nonchalance, of not actually caring.

“Right, of course.” Fredreich was doing all he could not to smile. “I didn’t figure Issy would tell you of her childhood boyfriend.”

Though hard to tell, Fredreich was certain he noticed a twitch from the younger boy. “Childhood boyfriend, eh? Who knew? Issy’s pretty young, isn’t she? But… eh.” As if to keep up said manner of nonchalance, Samson shrugged.

“Well. It wasn't too long before she went off to Hogwarts. She was 10, 11. And he a year older. They seemed serious enough for their age. The boy really missed her while he was gone. I assume he can't wait to see her again. And she's probably missed him dearly, too. Probably not a moment for you to interrupt, you know. Their re-acquaintance.”

Now Fredreich really was pushing buttons, because, to be honest, Issy and Tait hadn’t had much of a relationship. Holding sweaty hands, playing at the park after school, Tait coming over to Issy’s place and watching movies together. They already had spent a lot of time together with their friends, but as a relationship, theirs was much like all other primary school relationships.

“Ooh. Funny. She never mentioned him. Well, let them have their fun I say. I don't know why you think I'd interrupt. If Issy needs alone time then she's gonna get it, I s'pose.”

Admittedly, Fredreich was greatly disappointed in Samson’s lack of rise. Surely, surely he cared more than that, didn’t he? Hadn’t there be a way to get that boy to say something?

“Ahhh... I just figured... what with your possessive habits and your desire to keep Tellie and I separated... I feared you might want to separate Tellie and Tait. But yes... best to avoid them, yes? Wouldn't want to ruin their special moment. Perhaps he'll finally have the nerve to kiss her...” Smirk. Smirky, smirky, smirk smirk. Closely, Fredreich watched, smiling serenely, for a reaction of sorts.

Instead, Samson merely rolled his eyes. “Yeeeaaah. Riiight. So, anyway. I ought to get going. Got… stuff to do.” And then he turned away, to a small bit of Fredreich’s glee, muttering curses to himself.

“Right, right, you ought to,” Fredreich replied, gaily. “Good bye! Have a good day now!”

And then, as if on cue, up the path from the house skipped Issy.

Instantly, concern wrote across her face. “Oh! Samson! Are you okay? You look… angry.” Glancing up, she noticed Fredreich and waved, grinning. “Fredreich! Hello!”

Hiding his balled fists, Samson looked up at Issy. “Me? Angry? No, not at all.” He glanced over his shoulder at Fredreich, who continued to smile serenely.

Bouncing happily, Issy grabbed Samson’s hand. “Oooh! Good then! I want you to meet my friend Tait! He’s come over to visit! Please come meet him!” Happiness was written all over the girl’s face, from her wide beam to the sparkle in her eyes and she gazed upon Samson in the same, happy, joyous way, silently begging him to comply.

In response, Samson’s eyes widened. Tait. She wanted him to meet the ex-boyfriend of the said “happy and serious relationship”?

“Oh. Uh. Sure,” he replied, caught off guard. Inside, he found himself secretly pleased as he held onto Issy’s hand. And the pleasure had nothing to do with Tait.

Still, he grumbled quietly to himself. “Hmph… boyfriend… agh.”

By that time though, an overzealous Issy was already chattering on. “Uh huuh! Yaaay! This is going to be fun! I get to have all my friends in one pla—boyfriend? Who told you that?” She glanced from Fredreich, who wore an innocent smile, back to Samson, who was doing all he could to not make a face.

With Issy’s eyes back on him, Samson merely blinked. “Oh? Did… I say boyfriend?” An innocent smile crossed his face, the kind that always made Issy’s thoughts faulter and sputter apart. “Yeah. You know. Your friend, who is a guy and all. Like me and Fredreich. Riiiiight?”

For a moment, Issy paused, biting her lip, as Fredreich merely shrugged and gave a wave, heading off towards the fruit trees. “Uhm… right. But… he was, you know? My boyfriend. Before I came to Hogwarts, I mean.” A blush rose in her cheeks and she found her eyes on her feet, shuffling them.

“Oh, was he?” asked Samson, forcing a smile to his lips. “You never mentioned him. Hehe.” Inside, he was trying his hardest not to blow up. To make a scene or get angry or maybe to go off in search of his “ex-boyfriend” guy.

“Ahh, well.” A nervous cough. “Our break up was… ahem. Anyway. Tait awaits! I can’t wait to see him!” And suddenly the awkward look Issy had worn transformed into a radiant smile. She turned away and began to pull towards the house, not glancing over her shoulder.

“Uh… but… right. Yeah…” Samson replied in a half-hearted manner, shuffling along behind Issy.

No. He was not very eager to meet this “ex-boyfriend” guy friend person of Issy’s. How she was under the deluded impression that he would even enjoy meeting such a guy was beyond him. Further beyond him, though, was why he did feel a sense of possession over Issy, a reluctance to meet this boy, and why he harboured a resentment that this unknown boy could make her so happy, so easily.

Issy, oblivious to this, was bouncing happily up the path. “I haven’t seen him in aaaages! I saw him for Christmas holis, but it wasn’t for long. Goodness, I’ve really missed him, specially now I’m home! C’mon Samson!” She tugged upon Samson’s hand. “Hurry!”

As if reacting oppositely, Samson began to drag his feet. “Mmmhmm. Yeah.”

This, though, Issy noticed, and she paused, turning round to face Samson. “You okay?” she asked, pursing her lips and squeezing his hand slightly.

As Issy squeezed his hand, Samson felt him stomach flip. “Yeahh. Sure. Just a bit sleepy and all, you know? Now, let’s go meet this Tait, eh?” Somehow, he managed to produce a convincing beam.

Issy was not swayed by this response, though. Slowly, she nodded and then loosened her grip on Samson’s hand, though didn’t completely let go. “Right. You… don’t have to meet him, if you don’t want to, then,” she said, disappointment clear in her voice. “You can go lay down, if you want. I don’t want you to be grumpy or not feel good ‘cos I’m keeping you from sleeping.” Inconspicuously, though, she began to shuffle, because it felt important to her that Samson be by her side when she went to see Tait.

This time, it was Samson’s turn to squeeze Issy’s hand. “What? Are you kidding me? And miss this chance to meet my little flower’s ex-boyfriend that you never told me about? Nuh-uh! This will be good black-mail material, trust me.” With a wink, Samson chuckled.

In his speech, Issy couldn’t help but notice what could have been a hint of resentment. Still, it passed right over, covered by a fluttery feeling of happiness. She smiled. “Heh. Right, of course, Samson. But… I don’t think it’s blackmail if I willingly admit it, is it?” A goofy grin rest on her face though, the words “my little flower” echoing still in her mind. “Heh… come on, then.”

“Hmph. Whatever. Let’s just go.”

Impatience and anticipation filled Issy and she didn’t notice Samson sticking his tongue at as she turned round and made for the house, swinging the back porch door open. Squeezing Samson’s hand, she hummed happily, skipping her way into the kitchen, tugging Samson along with her. For whatever reason, it was important to Issy that Samson met her ex-boyfriend, a boy who remained one of her best friends from home.

“Let’s try not to skip,” Samson muttered, but Issy didn’t oblige. She merely hummed happily and said something about being excited, something Samson didn’t bother to listen to. Instead, he began to run along with Issy. Truthfully, he didn’t want to let go of her hand. “So where is he?”

Issy stumbled into the hallway. “I bet he’s in the Family Room, waiting. That’s where we always hung out, me and Couri and… EEEEEEEEK!” With that squeal, she released Samson’s hand and flung open the door to the family room.

Samson made a point to try not to look into the room, but Issy grabbed Samson’s arm, pulling him into the room, before releasing it. “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIT!”

[continued]

On the couch was a tall, slender boy, with sand-coloured hair that fell into his brown eyes. He wore a smile of adoration, which made his light brown eyes light up even more. Before he could get up, though, Issy had flung herself into his lap, hugging him tightly. “Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait!” she cried again.

Unseen by Issy and Tait, Samson retreated into a corner, folding arms over his chest. As much as he wanted to, he decided it best to not ruin their moment.

Not even bothering a glance in the boy’s direction, Tait hugged Issy back, laughing down against the top of her head. Then, he held her by the shoulders, pushing her out arms length to examine her. “Bella! It’s been forever! Look at you! I think you’ve actually grown! God. You look so pretty! Has anyone told you that? I bet all the boys at your new school just love you.” He laughed amiably, pulling her back against him in another hug.

Flushing, Issy laughed. “Aww, Tait, you’re being silly. “No one at school likes me like that.” Then she gave the boy a gentle shove. “I bet all the pretty girls are all over you at school now, though.”

Samson kept still as he, for some reason, watched the rather sickening affair. He couldn’t help but feel a snide comment. Eh. Bella. Issy is a much better name. ‘Oooh, look at me! I’m such a pretty boy and I looooove to flatter Issy!’ He rolled his eyes a bit and tried his best to not react to the knot that formed in his stomach at Tait’s mention of all the boys at school loving her… ahem.

Suddenly, Issy was squeaking, and Tait was standing up with her scooped up in his arms. It was then that he glanced over and saw Samson. Nodding a hello at the boy, he said “Hey there,” and tightened his arms, not letting Issy down as she kicked and laughed.

“Samson!” she cried. “Say hi to Tait! Tait, this is my best friend from school, Samson!” She flashed Samson a brilliant smile, radiant, and joyous, before her attention returned to Tait. “Now let me doooown, Tait! Let me doooown!”

Samson nodded cordially at Tait as he was acknowledged, glancing down at his shuffling feet. Oh Issy…

After more laughter a few more moments of taunting torture, Tait set Issy down, righting her, and then nodded again to Samson. “Sammy, was it?” he asked, extending his hand towards the tall boy. “You must be one of Bella’s friends from school, huh? I’ve heard a lil’ about you.” As Tait spoke, he slunk his arm around Issy’s waist. She seemed oblivious, though, as she watched Samson with wide eyes.

Briefly, Samson took Tait’s hand but abruptly dropped it. “It’s Samson, if you don’t mind. And it’s nice to meet you, Tait. Issy has never said anything about you, but it seems you and Issy have a good past.” Then he smirked, doing his best to ignore Tait’s arm around Issy.

Issy bit her lip as she noticed the tension in the room. Tait wore that smile, the one he put on when he rallied for a fight and she could feel that Samson wasn’t in any better a mood. This was not how the meeting was supposed to be going…

As Tait pulled Issy against him, he smirked. “That so, eh Samson? I guess Bella,” he spoke suavely, emphasizing the name that Issy had grown up with, “didn’t want to make you feel bad or anything. I mean, yeah, we have a great history, don’t we Bells?”

Issy shuffled nervously, pulling away a bit from Tait. She scratched behind her left ear, feeling awkard. “Taaait,” she whispered. “Don’t do this… I don’t want you making a scene.”

Tait had no objections to making scenes for his benefit. Nor had Samson ever seemed to have one, either.

Samson, too, could sense the hostility. Stupid Tait. He even looked stupid. And pulling Issy closer towards him. That was irritating.

“Yeah, I guess so. Or maybe she doesn’t think your history is good enough? I donno, ask her. I guess it’s not my fault she failed to mention you, what with all the time we’ve spent with each other.” He shrugged and cocked his eyebrows slightly.

Now Issy bit her lip, not in the usually happy, coy way that she tended to, but more in a grimace. “Don’t do this,” she pleads, now with Samson, pulling away from Tait. Both of them! Tait’s need to make Samson jealous and Samson’s response and need to send it back… it didn’t make her happy. Tait raised his eyebrows at Issy as she moved away.

“Bella?” he began, but Issy cut him off, shaking her head.

“No fighting! You guys are supposed to become friends! And…” she glanced at Samson. “I don’t know what you mean by that, Samson, but it’s not very nice.” Then she turned to Tait, who stood, scrutinizing her. “It’s not really nice of you, either, Tait. You’ve known me forever – you should know better than this.”

Sighing heavily, and f