Winnie Milne

“Until they come back next semester, that is.”

Winnie’s happy grin slid from her face until all that was left was a grumpy frown. “Oh don’t say that. I don’t want to think about that at all.”

“I agree. Learning is so much fun, but there has to be a better way of proving what you know.”

        “Sweetheart, every day is a bad day. So I think you have your answer,” the brunette hummed while she sat up straighter and drank a sip of her coffee, the pure black sliding down her throat with no sugar. Not this time and any other time it was very little if any.

“Oh that’s so sad.” Winnie collapsed into the chair opposite the brunette, sipping on her very honeyed tea as she observed the girl. “Do you think you know why every day is a bad day?” She felt bad, genuinely, for the girl. 

        “You’d be surprised. Believe me Lilo and Stitch are both stubborn as well,” completely and utterly so, the brunette realized long ago. “Thank you, I believe it was one of my grandmother’s names and that’s why my parents chose it. Our family likes to pass on names like that.”

“You must have more gall than Christopher then,” Winnie smiled at Nani, “He just rolls over. Must be because girls are tougher than boys.” She thought to herself how nice it was that her family did that, a small smile spreading across her face. “That’s so lovely. My family just pulled Winifred-a truly awful name-out of thin air.”

        “Well, I suppose it’s not really a problem ‘til someone asks or you have to sign something,” Lottie chuckled gently – trying to make the girl feel better about it. After all, Lottie liked her full name. People just tended to shorten things and she liked the shortened as well. It fit her more in her mind most of the time. Since she was more light than the name would suggest. “I think it’s all right for a different kind of girl. Lottie fits me just right, though. I like to think.”

Winnie half-nodded, knowing Lottie was right. “I’m past school where my name was called for attendance every day...and kids have moved on from teasing me about being named Winifred. I suppose my only hold up now is just knowing in my own head that my name is Winifred.” Winnie laughed at herself. She knew it was silly and that it didn’t make much sense. But in all honesty, not much about her made sense. “I agree. It’s perfect for you.” She nodded with a small, musing small in agreement with the blonde.

Attractiveness:

repulsive || hideous || ugly || not attractive || unappealing || not unattractive || meh || no preference || ok || mildly attractive || nice looking || cute || adorable || attractive || pleasant on the eyes || good looking || hot || sexy || beautiful || gorgeous || hot damn || would tap that || perfect || godlike || holy fuck there are no words

Personality:

grating || irritating || frustrating || boring || confusing at best || awkward || unreasonable || psychotic || disturbing || interesting || engaging || affectionate || aggressive || ambitious || anxious || artistic || bad tempered || bossy || charismatic || appealing || unappealing || creative || courageous || dependable || unreliable || unpredictable || predictable || devious || dim || extroverted || introverted ||  egotistical || gregarious || fabulous || impulsive || intelligent || sympathetic || talkative || up beat || peaceful || calming || badass || flexible

How likely they would have sex with them:

not if they were the last person on earth and the world was ending || fuck no! || never || no way || not likely || not sure || indifferent || I’m asexual || maybe || probably || it depends || fairly likely || likely || yeah sure || yes || would tap that || hell yes || fuck yes! || wishing that could happen right now || as many times as possible || we are already having sex

Level of Friendship:

never in a million years || worst of enemies || enemies || rivals || indifferent || neutral || acquaintance || friendly toward each other || casual friends || friends || good friends || best friends || fuck buddies || bosom buddies || practically the same person || would die for them || true friends || my only friend ||

First impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them

Current impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them

How good of a kisser:

        A nod was given at the agreement, and the girl’s grin caused her to smile a bit more herself – infectious, really, people smiling. It wasn’t amazingly bright and strong like Lottie’s been known to give, but it was at least all right. “Oh no, I think it’s all right. I watched a musical with a character named Winifred that went by Winnie, so I suppose I should have guessed,” she chuckled lightly. “Charlotte. It’s kind of old, too. I think most people use it and call their daughters Charlie these days.” But she didn’t want to go by a name also used for a boy. She was too girly that way.

Winnie shook her head vigorously, “I hate it. Nobody in my family calls me Winifred anyway...they should’ve just named me Winnie and left it there.” Her name had always been a touchy subject for her. It was the name after hearing it during roll in school that kids loved to taunt her with, and one her brother loved to hold over her head. “I’m not really a fan of Charlie coming from Charlotte. It’s cute I suppose, but I like Lottie better.”

        Looks like she’d have to find some new hide outs thanks to the end of the school year. The younger ones would be running rampant, and she hardly had patience for some of the elder people of Carthay. But realizing the girl was staring at her, Meg’s eyes narrowed and her head tilted. “I’m sorry did you want applause or something?”

Winnie pouted, obviously taken aback by the brunette’s sour attitude. She had been speaking aloud, mostly to herself, but had ultimately (and unfortunately, apparently) made eye contact with the girl. “Are you always this unpleasant or have I caught you on a bad day?” Winnie asked with a head tilt. It was a genuine question.

        “Just like it’s in our job description to be a little domineering,” a trial smirk passed her lips for a second while she nodded in understanding. It was just the way siblings worked and it’d probably never change. “They probably would, though, you’re right. I’m Nani, it’s nice to meet you, Winnie.”

“Well,” Winnie began with a laugh, “I think Christopher-my brother-has learned that the domineering thing doesn’t work with me. I’m too stubborn for that.” And it was true. It was Winnie’s way or the high way when it came to the two of them. “Nani? Oh that’s so pretty!”

Excitement is always something Anna can get behind. She claps her hands together and starts to bounce on her heels, sharing in Winnie’s joy despite that fact that her own finals will not be ending for a few more days. “You know what this calls for, right? Celebratory cake and ice cream!”

Winnie couldn’t help but grin in response to her fellow blonde’s enthusiasm. “I couldn’t agree more. There’s this great bakery just this way. No time like the present when it comes to cake and ice cream.”

—     “Th-that’s what they call me,” Panic stammered, his immediate response. But then he looked up and saw a girl towering over him. She looked like one of the university girls, probably happy that finals were over or something. He didn’t keep up with the university schedule since he dropped out.

“Y-yes, I’ll be f-fine.” Maybe. That really depended on what happened today. “I just … don’t like today.” 13 was a bad number. Friday the 13ths were always bad. There was no such thing as a good one.

“No mirrors. No black cats,” he repeated, almost as a chant.

Winnie frowned. Panic? People actually called this man Panic? And he let them? Rolling her lip between her teeth for a moment’s pause, Winnie invited herself to sit beside him, tucking her skirt underneath her. “Sure that’s what they call you, but what do you call yourself?” She knew she wasn’t going to address anyone by anything other than what they told her to call them. 

She frowned again, creases rippling across her forehead. Realization washed across her and she smiled sympathetically, “It’s the Friday the thirteenth thing, isn’t it?” Winnie herself was somewhat superstitious, mostly stemming from old stories Christopher had told her when she was little. Heffalumps and Woozles still scared the living daylights out of her. 

“Well, I have excellent news,” She rummaged through her bag and produced the still cold pint of ice cream she’d just purchased along with two spoons, “I’m neither a mirror nor am I a black cat. So you have nothing to fear. What say you we share this Rocky Road and avoid the number 13, yeah?”