Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

Hey Addie,

I'm So What have you been up to I just wanted to write to see how you've been doing to see how you've been doing. I know we only really know each other through Ainsley, but there's something I need to talk to you about and it doesn't involve either of us I was thinking we should get to know each other better. You know, since Ainsley clearly loves us both and all. We should socialize for her sake without Julian that fucking arse.

Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

Hi, Caleb!

I've been doing well, thanks, how are you? I was a little surprised to hear from you, but hey, you're right, we should get to know each other for Ainsley's sake. She's always bugging me to hang out with her friends, anyway. The three of us could go get lunch sometimes? You can bring your Slytherin hanger-on, too, if you want.

What's with all the crossed out stuff? Is this some cool new owling trend I'm missing out on??

Love,
Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

That's great to hear! I've been doing well, too, aside from a certain Slytherin I know being a complete bastard. The three of us should definitely get lunch together sometime soon! Or just you and me could That'd be cool too I'd rather not bring the Slytherin hanger-on, actually - he doesn't deserve to be out in the real world with real people, as he doesn't have any sense of how to act in social situations. He'd just ruin our fun.

Ah, no, it's just my defective quill being its usual self - the ink always blots and it looks like I've crossed a lot of things out when I really haven't. I apologize for that, it must look ridiculous. I ought to get a new quill soon.

What
Lots of love,
Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

Good, I'm glad! But wait, you're going to have to fill me in - why is your Slytherin hanger-on a bastard? I thought he was your best friend? Did something happen with you two?

If you're sure, though, yeah we should check with Ainsley about setting up a good time. Are you free next weekend? 

You might want to invest in a pen. I'm amazed you lot haven't already discovered the beauty of muggle technology. Want me to owl you one? Then you won't have so many blots.

Love,
Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

Okay, serious question time: does Ainsley fancy Julian? She won't admit it to me, but I feel like you might have a better idea. This is really important information. And then I can tell you why Julian's a bastard. Potentially Maybe I won't He's still my best friend but I just can't deal with him right now SO DUMB

Next weekend sounds brilliant! I might have considered saying something pretentious here like 'Let me check my calendar,' but I'm always free to hang out with you. So there's that.

I'd love to try out a Muggle pen! Thanks for offering, I can't wait to get it.

Lots of love,
Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

...Ainsley would never admit it. Ever. Not even to me. But. Yes. She does. I have best friend radar, I can tell. But you clearly have an inkling already, so what's so important? Did he do something to her? Because I will rip his insides out of his body and roast them over a barbecue if he did.

You're always free? Really? I may have to test that theory. You can't always be free. But thanks for not being pretentious, I appreciate it. Cool, we just have to check with Ainsley now!

Yeah, no problem, I have a ton just lying around my room. I've enclosed it in this letter, I hope you find it useful.

Love,
Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

Are you completely sure? Are you one hundred percent sure? Because I don't want to tell you anything that I don't have to, but I sort of have to tell you if she fancies him.

I think Julian had sex with Astraia Yaxley. I tried telling Ainsley about it in my last letter to her, but I couldn't. I can't break her heart like that.

Julian doesn't even deserve Ainsley. I will support you in whatever you suggest should be done about this.

Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

He what?

Are you fucking kidding me

I'm going to

I'm gonna kill him

Astraia Yaxley????

Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

He did. I assure you he did.

I wrote to Astraia to get a confirmation, but she hasn't written back yet. I really don't even care what she says at this point, because I know that Julian isn't lying.

Can I watch you kill him?

Yeah, Astraia Yaxley. The not-nearly-as-pretty-or-intelligent-or-funny-as-Ainsley Astraia Yaxley. I'm sure it's not her fault, though. I blame Julian for everything.

Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

I believe you, but I

I just

I can't believe

What the fuck

Yeah, you can help me kill him, if you want. But you know I need to tell Ainsley first. I'll owl her and ask her to meet up, so I can do it in person.

Thanks for telling me, I think.

Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

I look forward to it. And please keep me posted on how Ainsley reacts. I really wish things hadn’t ended up this way.

You’re welcome. I’m sorry my best friend is such a prick and yours is such a sweetheart. Like I said, she deserves a lot better. But he fancies her so much I really don’t understand how he Wow I’m going to hit him

Caleb

P.S. Thanks for the pen you sent! Does my letter look less crossed out now? I think I might have spilled some ink on this one accidentally. It just fell as I sat at my desk writing and I can’t bother to re-write this on a new piece of parchment, sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.

[Addie Beaumont]

Yeah, I'll let you know how it goes. Me, too, but hey, Slytherins are dumb, I guess. Or maybe it's just Julian.

She probably does deserve better, but you know, the heart wants what the hearts wants. I'm still going to punch him, though. Or kick him. Or both. 

Love,
Addie

P.S. I'm starting to get the feeling you're lying to me, but okay. Maybe don't write with an inkwell nearby if you're using a pen?

[Caleb Blackwood]

No, it’s actually just Julian. He’s a trainwreck.

He really does deserve to be punched and kicked. I would do it myself, but I don’t want to see his face right now. Or ever.

Caleb

P.S. Why would I lie to you? And that’s a good idea, actually. Thanks! I’ve taken your advice and moved the inkwell far, far away.

[Addie Beaumont]

He really is an idiot. But, you know, he is your best friend? Maybe you should talk to him and see what the hell he was thinking?

I mean, being totally honest, Astraia's not a bad choice for him. She's not Ainsley, but he might not actually realize how much he likes Ainsley or how much she likes him. Like, he's an idiot since he probably wasn't thinking of her when he did it, but most boys are, no offense. He's probably oblivious as fuck and doesn't think it's a big deal.

Not that I'm not mad, but you know. He's your best friend. I'd hate for you to lose that. I'd hate to lose Ainsley because she slept with someone I didn't care for, you know.

Love,
Addie

P.S. You tell me. I see the ink blots are gone, though, good job. Also, you should talk to Julian if only to warn him to sleep with his eyes open.

[Caleb Blackwood]

That's the problem, though. He wasn't thinking. He’s my best friend and I love him, but I want him to at least realize that he’s fucked up, and then we can talk properly.

I have absolutely nothing against Astraia - in fact, I think it’s really unfair to her that he slept with her, because she probably has no clue that he fancies Ainsley, and so it’s all just a mess because he refuses to acknowledge that Ainsley fancies him and so he makes all these stupid decisions that impact people other than himself. Could you possibly like, I don’t know, try to convince him that Ainsley does fancy him? Because I know he’s never taken my word for it and never will.

You give really great advice, I hope you know that. I don’t want to lose him either, trust me. I’ll fix this.

Also, have you owled Ainsley yet? I got a letter from her a little while ago and she said she hung out with Julian today. And I wrote to Julian again. I’ll try to apologize for how I acted, even though it’s extremely difficult, considering he’s dumb.

Love,
Caleb

P.S. Thank you! I tried. I’ll definitely pass the message along.