= Wands High =

Chapter 52 - 23 May 1998, Saturday

- What did I say...? – James finally asked, being very careful not to raise his voice.

- You didn't have to stand up for me like that – Daynen had made his way back to the group, his face really not revealing much. – Not sure I deserved it. Well, experience shows that I usually don't.

- Not sure you did either – was Hermione's reply, the displeasure in her eyes making it clear that she wasn't at all happy of how the situation had escalated. – But you didn't do anything out of the ordinary. She, out of all people, should know that by now, I think.

- Maybe that is the problem. That this is a common thing for me.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

- Sheesh! You don't do it to hurt people! Don't you be exasperating at a moment like this, please! It's just the way you are, you are just...

- A whacko? – the boy smiled. – You got a spell for that?

- If you don't cut this rubbish talk immediately, I assure you that you'll find out a spell much more different.

Daynen almost ended up backpedaling half a step, but instead took the girl's hands in his.

- I apologize, Hermione. Perhaps I should have kept quiet as we walked out of the tavern, rather than openly voicing my thoughts. That's is actually why I walked out this afternoon – common sense dictated that I don't share whatever was going on in my head.

The boy looked her in the eyes for just a while longer, before eventually shifting his gaze to the two present members of his band.

- To briefly clarify - I just sat there during and after those guys had stopped playing, and I listened as you all gave them feedback, thinking of what to say, how to react. I was desperate not to come off as a jerk and rather contribute to the atmosphere in a nice and positive way, but the more and more I tried to figure out how to respond, I just couldn't think of a single good thing to say or do. So I just went outside. I thought that would save us all a lot of turmoil and the weekend would not be ruined. Darn it, I wish I could explain it better...

- You don't have to, Daynen...

- But I do. Often I've been asked, as I have asked myself on numerous occasions – why can't you just act normally? And so often I try to do just that, and so often I think, no... I am convinced that I am, but it couldn't be further away from the truth...

He felt Hermione's hand squeezing his and was not surprised to find the all so familiar supportive smile a moment later, but he knew that this couldn't go on forever. For how long could a reasonable person handle all this, he wondered? And that applied not only to their own relationship, but also to the one he had formed with his bandmembers.

- I don't want to sound like a... what was it, a Zuzu Master? – said James, clearing his throat. – Yes, Jessie, I know that's not what she said, I was trying to make a joke. My point is, this does seem like a topic for an in-depth conversation, but I would much prefer to have it indoors with a nice beverage in my hands. Although you guys may consider me as this godlike, perfect persona, I also happen to be feeling very stressed by all this, so... shall we?

After a quick exchange of glances, a consensus was quickly reached. However, they hadn't even made more than a few steps, when Jessie decided to speak.

- I'm sorry, fellas. But I just wouldn't be a good sister, if I let Ri wander the streets alone. I'd better try to help her cool off and not do anything... out of her character. Or in her character. Not sure which one would be worse. See you a bit later, hopefully, alright?

- Sure, Jess. Give her our best when you find her – Daynen said as the drummer girl ran down the way they had come from, briefly turning her head to wave back. – Though I doubt she'd be thrilled to hear it...