and my jazz collection's rare

“Oh, I definitely wouldn’t want the surprise ruined.” He cared less about the wedding than anything else. Asher was sure it would be a large affair, and he only hoped someone made it exciting.

“Fawley, are you trying to seduce me instead?”

“Merlin, no.” Nola giggled. “My flirting lipstick is stashed away upstairs. I doubt you’d fall prey to a few old tricks, though.”

“Are you going to offer to serenade me next?”

“No, but let me tell you, that’s only because I promised myself no spoilers this time.” Nola slipped the sheet music into her bag and away from any prying eyes. “A surprise for the bride and groom as a present of sorts. I’m sure I could make you smile without song, though.”

“No one’s ever that happy to see me.”

“I’d say surround yourself with better people, but I don’t mind being the only one. Makes me quite special.”

Nola was busy writing out notes on some blank sheet music when she heard someone enter. She raised her head, delighted by the sight of Asher. “Hello, you,” She chirped happily, dropping her quill momentarily. “Tuesday blues hitting you as badly as me? I’m burning myself out writing a song for Rosalind and Gilbert’s wedding.”

“Something sweet?”

“Guess I’ll have to start thanking Andromeda for her contributions.”

“Something sweet, yet bitter enough for you to enjoy. Right?” Nola wanted to be correct as she began pouring liquor freely into a cup as she had many times that evening already. “I should be the one thanking her this time.”

“If by this, you mean you, then yes.” He smiled easily at Nola. She was always a welcomed sight.

“I’m getting over a singer’s worst nightmare. A case of the strep throat. Thankfully Andie suggested a rager, or else I wouldn’t have a reason for midweek drinking and celebration. Anyway, all out of hiding now. Let me make you something sweet.”

OWL— NOLA FAWLEY:

28 February, 1979

I want to throw a party. A proper big one where everyone gets incredibly drunk, me included. Once in a uni career, right? I’ll need your help. Owl me if you’re in.

Andromeda

@nolafawley

You had me at party and sold me at drunk. What’s pinched your tush and gotten you into action like this? I love it. A, you know I’ll lend a hand. I already have ideas. Let me get them organized and we’ll get to work.

With love,

“God. D’you think she needs help?” Andromeda shook her head as she followed. “Honestly. Where do people get their drugs? It shouldn’t be this easy, should it?”

“I found some stash behind a girl’s toilet once. They’re really so accessible.” Though, Nola wouldn’t trust just any student with a batch of drugs. Her dealer was absolutely trusted, and above the age of twenty-one. “Someone like that is past the point of helping. She can only pick herself up or watch herself crumble. Sad case, really.”

“Oh, Merlin. Now I’m curious.” Smiling ruefully, Andromeda followed Nola to the door. “Does that make me awful? Isn’t she a first-year?” 

“You didn’t hear it from me, but...” Nola opened the door for her pal, grabbing sheet music from the top of her dresser before exiting. “Between Oh, Helga and Our Lady Rowena last practice, her nose began bleeding. There’s only one reason for that.” She laughed. “Honestly, it’s quite a sight. Like a wreck you can’t look away from.”

Andromeda snorted. “She does not do that.”

“…does she?”

“Don’t you want to find out?” Nola asked, hand on her hip as she stood near the door.

Andromeda quirked an eyebrow. “You do mean as an enthusiastic audience member?”

“We can sit in the back and countdown how long it takes Jennifer Burke to pass out from her painkillers.” Nola used air quotes, then went to flattening out her hair in the nearby mirror. “You know you want to.”

“I’m mostly tired of everything that’s new,” Asher answered honestly. He craved the simplicity of the taste that such sweets brought with them. Nostalgia overtook him more fully than melancholy ever could, and as a result, Asher felt lost. Trapped. For so long he had a singular purpose of freeing his mother, and now he was concerned about freeing himself. “At least back then the only thing we had to worry about was how we’d sneak more.”

“What trouble does chocolate give us now, other than a few extra pounds on the hips?” She couldn’t help teasing, soon after her features softening and turning more sincere towards his honesty. That, Nola appreciated, while not understanding completely. “I miss how new the old felt. Does that make sense?” The old simply lost its flavor.

“Go on, you can tell me you’re tired of me.” Asher reached out, grabbing the discarded chocolates. 

“That’s not what I was hinting at in even the slightest,” Though the sentence was punctuated by a faux yawn and Nola extending her arms to stretch out. “Excuse me, you were saying?” She giggled. “Don’t you ever feel that way, too? You’re lying if you say that’s as tasty as when we were young.”