Gloria and Niall's Summer Fling

[Niall Anglesey]

July of 2013

[/size]
The summer before Niall's Seventh Year[/center]

Niall rubbed his eyes as he swallowed back the lingering taste of black coffee on his tongue. He'd had a late night last night, heading to one of the wizarding pubs far from his home and getting completely wasted. He'd woken up the next morning in his own bed, albiet with scratch marks on his shoulder, which looked like a particularly excited woman had dug her nails into him. He briefly wondered what would be the most plausible story to throw Gloria's way to make it look like he hadn't been with another woman. To tell the truth, he wasn't sure he'd even been with another woman. Maybe he'd just gotten hurt while crashing into something on the way home. His mum didn't even bat an eyelash, assuming he was just celebrating the fact that in a few weeks, he'd turn seventeen and be an adult. He didn't want to be an adult. Too much responsibility.

He made his way to her door, knocking on it softly as he waited for her to open it. It wasn't that she was a chore. She was a nice girl, a beautiful girl who was smart and from a respectable family and well on her way in life. But she wasn't his girlfriend, at least he didn't think so. She was just a fling, a passing summer memory. He did like her, but not enough to pull her into his crazy world. Besides, he was sure she'd get sick of him and dump him soon enough or he would. Whatever worked and hurt her less and was less of a mess for him to clean up. Hearing footsteps on the other side, he threw away his morose thoughts and flashed a smile, holding out a single rose. "Hello, ma cherie," he greeted, holding out a hand for her.

[Gloria Chaucer]

Gloria had been fully intending to send Niall on his way back to his home when she sat inside her room. He'd disappeared somewhere the day before and she'd been a fool, hoping he'd come and all that had come out of it was that she had been utterly disappointed. She hadn't cried, thankfully. Gloria was glad she hadn't become the weepy female kind of woman that clung to her boyfriend like glue. A shudder passed through her even as she thought; she'd never, never be like that.

She knew he was the one knocking and despite all her pep talks to send him away right at the door, the moment she opened the door and saw his face, an unconscious smile broke out which she had to try hard to suppress. "Niall," she greeted formally enough, though she wasn't sure she pulled it off with as much disdain as she wanted. she walked into the room without taking the offered flower, opting to act aloof; she wasn't going to be a pushover this time.