Caged Bird

"Oh, hey, sorry. Do you want your scarf back?" Not that he wanted to give it back, because he was starting to feel the cold from the damp of the melted snow now, but it seemed the decent thing to do after Riley had offered it.

"Yeah?" Edwin glanced at the other boy thoughtfully. Maybe everyone’ had family stuff they didn’t want to have to face. "Considering the drama that happened just before," he added. "I’d rather have an empty school."

Riley shrugged. "It's normal for athletes, no? But in the end I guess I just...really like it. Or else I still wouldn't be doing it." He finished, absentmindedly fiddling with the fabric of his jacket.

Riley glanced up when Edwin offered his scarf back, immediately breaking into a soft smile and shaking his head.

"No...keep it for now. I can handle a little cold. I wouldn't feel much better knowing you were if I could do something about it." He reasoned, glancing up at the cloudy sky.

"Drama? Oh you mean the whole Masquerade fiasco?" Riley laughed softly.

I'm glad you had fun then.

Look forward to it.

Maybe a badass princess who doesn't give a shit about female medieval dress code.

Your choice where you want to go.

He was quiet for a minute, enjoying the silence Riley had pointed out. The school grounds just seemed more beautiful when they were empty. “Yeah,” he said, finally. “It’s… serene.” He looked up at the patches of clear sky visible through tree branches, and smiled to himself. “Let’s walk.”

"No, I didn't know that actually," Riley shrugged, as if for emphasis. "It's alright. Football's not for everyone. I know a lot of people who'd rather sit in the stands and watch football rather than face the danger of getting tackled. Others don't even want anything to do with it." Riley chuckled softly.

He stood up and shook his legs out a bit, snuggling the lower half of his face a little deeper into the collar of his jacket. With his fists buried deep into his pockets, Riley nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, let's walk. Preferably to some place where I'm not freezing." He shuddered when a sudden chill went down his spine.

"And I totally understand." It wasn't as if Riley exactly wanted to be at home for the holidays either. He loved his family, but it would save him from stress from his father if he stayed on school grounds for the holidays.

Oh hush, I know.. I need practice.

And it's still the holiday season - sort of. It'd totally be valid.

Teasing you? That’s absurd! I don’t know what you’re talking about.

You're such a horrid liar.

Wish I could be like that the few times that I drink.

Aw, that's no fair. You're teasing me like that by saying I'd go ape shit, and then not telling me.