Just Friends

*4*

Summer finds the peak of the town's baseball season, it's an easy way to pass time while enjoying the fresh air, and it can be entertaining. It's really a win win.

The birds chirp loudly, the crickets buzz, and there's that smell of a warm summer breeze. It's like all your worries float away even if it's just for a few hours.

It had become an unintentional tradition each summer for Alice, FP and Hermione to meet at the baseball diamond after Fred joined the town's team. Even if it's just a practice, it's an excuse to get out of the house and actually do something with their time.

Though with the vow they had made to make this summer the best one yet, it feels more like a business meeting with the way Hermione has been scribbling down an itinerary for them in a notebook.

"How about berry picking?" Hermione tosses the suggestion into the air.

"Don't you already have that?" FP questions, peering over her shoulder at her perfectly curled handwriting.

"No, I have visiting a strawberry patch."

"That's the same thing."

"No it's not!" Hermione huffs. "A strawberry patch is just that, strawberries. Berry picking includes blueberries, raspberries - Oh! We could make our own jam too! I'm adding that to the list."

"Would you stop moving around? I'm this close to cutting your hair off." Alice grumbles, continuing her task of french-braiding the brunette's hair.

"Sorry, I'm just excited."

"Wouldn't it be more exciting if it's spontaneous?" Alice asks. "I mean having a whole planogram kind of takes the fun out of it, makes it feel more like a chore than an actual fun outing."

"Well it's not like I have each thing written down for a certain date and time, think of it as a guide if we don't know what we want to do one day."

The sound of a nearby ice cream truck captures the attention of FP and he whirls his head around, searching for the singing vehicle. "It's about time! He's late!"

"You've memorized the ice cream man's schedule?"

"He always comes around the second inning." He's up from his spot on the bleacher in an instant. "You two want anything?"

"See if he has those chocolate dip cones, he was out last time." Alice requests. "If not, surprise me with something."

"Grape sno cone!" Hermione calls as FP runs down the steps, warning a thumbs up from the boy. She chuckles. "Can you imagine how boring our lives would be without him and Fred."

"FP has been my best friend since as long as I can remember, I don't even think I would have a life without him at this point."

"You two are practically attached at the hip." She hums. "I still can't believe you've never bumped uglies before."

"Not this again."

"I'm sorry! I just find it hard to believe that you two have been friends for you entire lives, dealt with all of those hormones rushing through you and never even fooled around."

"We just don't see each other like that."

"You're both hot, you'd look good together. You can't tell me I'm wrong there."

"I am hot." Alice agrees, much to Hermione's annoyance.

"Always a joke with you."

"What do you want me to say? Sure FP is attractive, Fred's attractive too, doesn't mean I wanna do him."

"Well I'd hope not, he's all mine."

"Congratulations, you've got yourself a bean pole."

"He's one sexy bean pole." The two share a laugh and Alice gives her a nudge after securing the braid with a hair tie, so she can slip down a step so she's level with her. "How are things with Jamie?"

Alice shrugs. "Good."

"Good? Do I smell trouble in paradise."

"Things are fine it's just, I don't know, it's not as fun as it was at first."

"You get bored too easily."

"It's not that, he picked up a summer job so I hardly see him unless it's at night. And don't get me wrong, there's plenty of stuff to do, but sometimes I'd like to go out when the sun is still up, actually feel like we're on a real date, not like I'm some lady of the night he has to hide from everyone."

"You gonna end it?"

"I don't know, I need to find a backup first."

"You could just stay single for a bit."

Alice smiles. "Where's the fun in that?"

FP comes back into view, balancing different treats in his arms. Alice scurries over to relieve him, not wanting any of the goodies to fall. "You're in luck, he had one more dip cone left."

"Thank God. I've been craving one for weeks."

"I got a peanut butter chocolate shake for Fred, hopefully it doesn't melt."

"Just put it in the shade. Game's almost over anyway."

"What were you guys talking about?" FP questions, settling down next to Hermione.

"Alice and Jamie."

He rolls his eyes. "You're still with that doofus."

"Not for long." Hermione smirks.

Alice jabs her with her elbow. "I'm sorry I think that question was for me."

"What happened? Want me to kick his ass? I will."

"Normally I would think that's sweet but you've been looking for an excuse to fight him since you met." Alice points out. "Anyway, you don't have to do that. He's just been busy is all."

"Too busy for you?" Alice shrugs. "What a douche."

"He's just been working a lot, it's not a big deal."

"You're better off without him anyway, I say dump him."

"You'd love that wouldn't you? Maybe I'll keep seeing him just to drive you crazy. Maybe I'll invite him to movie night."

"If you do can you let me know ahead of time so I can be busy."

Alice rolls her eyes fondly and focuses her sight back on the baseball game. "Don't worry Jonesy, I wouldn't do that to you."