Addie

[Addie Beaumont]

I wouldn't be surprised if he had realized that, and maybe just doesn't want to talk about it. Like, he's an idiot, but he doesn't strike me as unperceptive. Whether he lets himself admit it or not, he knows he has feelings for Ainsley, I'd bet.

You know, maybe it's possible we have this wrong and Julian actually does like Astraia. I mean, he's your best friend so obviously you know him best, but liking Ainsley doesn't automatically preclude him from liking other girls? He might honestly not think that Ainsley could like him back. Even though she does. I can try to convince him, but that would necessitate me talking to him. Maybe we should all have lunch together, and I'll see what I can drill into his head when Ainsley isn't listening.

Thanks, I try. I've just had some experience with boys being stupid, that's all.

Yeah, I owled Ainsley. I'm going over to her house tonight to talk to her. I'm assuming she wants to tell me about whatever happened at Julian's house. I'll let you know how things turn out. I hope you and him can work things out, though. Except, I'm still going to hit him, probably.

Love,
Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

Addie,

I’m over at Julian’s right now so this has to be quick (he’s being a dick), but Ainsley's owl just brought me a letter from her that doesn’t sound like her at all. Is she alright? I don’t even know what to say, I just hope she’s okay. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.

Ainsley being angry isn’t something that Julian’s expecting, so I think we should all get together soon and try to sort this out, maybe?

Love,
Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

Caleb,

Why, does it sound deliberately uncaring and yet also pissed off at the same time? Because that sounds about right, judging by her reaction last night when I dropped the bombshell. I think she'll be all right, I slept over at her house and I did my best to comfort her last night. She was saying something about cutting her hair off and writing to some guy named Leo by the time I left, so, I don't know, maybe that'll make her feel better. I'm honestly not sure what you can do, as you're Julian's best friend first and foremost.

I agree, but it'll have to wait until she's calmed down some more. I'm not going to put her in the same room as Julian right after this. Actually, I'm not going to put myself in the same room as Julian until I'm certain I won't go to Azkaban for murder. Maybe in a week or so? I'll let you know on how Ainsley's doing.

Love,
Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

Addie,

Pretty much. I’m worried about her, but I guess there’s not much I can do. I wrote back to her to apologize, so I hope she forgives me. Also, who’s Leo? Is this the same Leo she was sitting with at the Tamarisk earlier this week (I’m assuming she told you about that)? And do you think she’s actually going to cut her hair? I loved her long hair, dammit. Just keep me updated, yeah?

That makes sense, and I don’t blame you. However, I won’t let either of you murder Julian, I’m sorry to say, no matter how much of a dick he can be. I told him to write to Ainsley himself, and I think he might. But I’ll let you know how that goes when he fills me in. I think they have to sort themselves out eventually without either of us interfering, because it seems like there’s no other way to get things back to normal.

Love,
Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

Caleb,

Well, I'm glad you apologized, at least. I'm sure she'll forgive you when she calms down; she may be Gryffindor, but she doesn't tend to hold grudges. And yeah, I think it is the same guy. She said he was, like, twenty years old, so I'm a little concerned, but I trust her to take care of herself, and hopefully he'll take her mind off Julian. Also, yes, she cut her yesterday and sent me pictures. I know, her long hair was gorgeous, but it looks super cute this way, too!

Yeah, no, I get that. I guess we'll both have to wait and see what happens with the two of them. But yes, we shouldn't interfere any more than we already have. Honestly, I don't think he'd have expected her to react so strongly, given that they honestly weren't that close before this summer, and I can't really blame him for that. I can blame him for being a dick, though, but don't worry, I promise I won't actually kill him if and when I see him again.

How's your week been, aside from the drama?

Love,
Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

Addie,

I think she’s forgiven me at this point, but she still seems a little distant, which is understandable. I hope she’ll come around soon, though. He’s twenty?!?! What the hell I realized he was older but I thought he was like, eighteen He’s twenty? Please tell me she didn’t go out with him? Or at least, if she did, let me know how it went? You’re right, she can probably pull the short hair off really well, too. I can’t wait to see it in person!

I hope it’s okay that I already told Julian and Ainsley about these potential dinner plans, even if we’re going to wait a bit to all be in the same room together for everyone’s sake. I recently found out that she and Julian shotgunned when they hung out, which just reinforces what an idiot he is because that was clearly him leading her on, but I’m trying to get him to work things out with her somehow, as apparently they’re writing to one another now? Am I allowed to ask about Ainsley’s current feelings towards Julian, or would you telling me the truth about that be going against the girl code? (There is a girl code, right? I’m assuming there is one.)

I don’t even know what my week has been aside from this drama, really. It’s all very new to me, because Julian has literally never had drama in the past. I have no idea what’s up with this particular summer, but if no one gets hurt in the end and I have the chance to talk to you, then I’m all for it. How have you been, aside from the drama, of course?

Love,
Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

Caleb,

I think she'll be fine, judging from her most recent letters. She'll calm down and come around, at least to you, I'm sure. Yes, he's twenty and yes, she did go out with him. Uh, I'd tell you how it went, but I'm not entirely sure you want to know. I mean, it went pretty well, but yeah, you probably shouldn't hear the details unless Ainsley wants you to. Maybe ask her yourself?

Yeah, no, that's totally fine. I've actually decided that it's officially going to be my early birthday dinner, which means I'll send you guys the address of this really nice, fancy muggle restaurant, and my parents will pay for everything, it should be fun! Of course, Julian should only come if Ainsley wants him to, but you know. She did tell me about the shotgunning and I think she enjoyed it a lot -- up until she learned he'd already slept with Astraia Yaxley, of course. I do hope he apologized. And well. Her current feelings for Julian, well, I'm pretty sure they're a mess. However, I think she might lighten up now that she's been on a date with someone else and, apparently, had a really good time. Guess we'll see.

(And yes, there's a girl code, which is why I'm not giving you details, sorry.)

I get what you mean, Ainsley has never had boy drama, either, so it's all kind of ridiculous. But hopefully things will calm down soon enough. Really, you want to talk me? That's weird, I didn't think you knew my name until fourth year. But I've been pretty good, thanks. Went clubbing with Faye the other weekend, in fact. It's been a pretty fun summer.

Addie

[Caleb Blackwood]

Addie,

You aren’t upset with me, are you? I just want to make sure I haven’t said anything that offended you, because I’d hate for there to be some stupid misunderstanding between us. If I did, I’m sorry. And I understand everything you said about not being able to tell me stuff that has to do with Ainsley, that’s totally fine. I would have been surprised if you had told me.

What would you like for your birthday? For the record, I’ve known your name since first year, because that’s when I got to know Ainsley, and you two were really good friends even back then. Why would you think I didn’t know your name until fourth year? And how did clubbing go? I’m glad you’re having a good summer.

Love,
Caleb

[Addie Beaumont]

Caleb,

No, of course not. Why would I be upset? Is there a reason you think I am? Everything's good, I'm glad we're on the same page. 

Have you really? That's sweet. You and Ainsley were always so close, I never wanted to intrude, so I guess I never really got to know you. But, anyway, yes, clubbing was fun. Thanks, I hope your summer's going great, too. Or at least, goes better, after all this drama.

Love,
Addie