Escape!

[Carly]

Willow ran a brush through her hair and waved her wand loosing the multicolored streaks leaving her with plain bleech blonde hair. She smiled and then took out her lip rings pulling on a plain white dress with a black bow that tied at the waist. Different. Good. She thought happily then she sat down and pulled out some paper and began to write a letter. Jacob had changed her without knowing, without trying or even meaning too but she still wanted to say thank you. Quickly she scribbled down the words:-

Dear Jacob

I know you don't really know me and you saved me because your a good guy, I know you would have done the same for anyone but I can't help but feel different. I want to thank you, I feel changed. I don't want to be that flirty spoilt brat anymore. I'm going to use my money for better things and become a better person. I don't know what it was about you that changed me but thank you. I won't be bothering you again, hope you have a good life.

Your friend
Willow.

She put the letter in a envolope and pulled out a wooden box from under her table and opened the lid. Inside lay at least 200 or so gallons. Not really a lot or that good a gift but she didn't really have anything else to give apart from the money she got from her parents whenever she wanted it. Sighing she put the letter inside the box and put it in her bag, she hoped Jacob wouldn't take the gift the wrong way. Pulling her wand out and slinging the bag over her left shoulder she made her way out the door to sneak to Hogsmead.

[escape_x]

Jacob had put his face in his hands and leaned against the counter, nearly passing out. He had so many fire whiskey's his life that one just didn't do the job anymore. It was bad to say he was immune to alcohol at the age of twenty, but that was the sad truth. As much as he hated to admit it, he was an alcoholic. Ran in his veins, he supposed. When he felt himself starting to drool, he stood upright and shook his head, wiping his hand off on his black skinny jeans. "Gross.." he muttered, sitting back on the stool. Just as he sat, all the morning regulars entered, nodding hello. Jacob smiled slightly at them and went to work on their orders: Three butterbeers, a waffle, an egg with bacon, and toast with maple syrup on it. That one was an odd one, but it was practically normal now. He placed the plates in front of them along with a copy of the Daily Prophet, exchanged a few words and then went back to his place behind the counter.

It was then his mind wondered back to Willow. He honestly had hoped she made it to the castle all right. Boy, he could imagine the hangover she was having. She was probably laying in bed with a migraine. Poor girl. He yawned, rubbing his eyes. Dropping a few sickles into the tip jar, he went and made himself a strong cup of black coffee and resumed his perch on the stool, staring out the window. Honestly, he half hoped she'd come back. But, that didn't happen. Not with Jacob's luck. She presented him with a small challenge it seemed, a come get me kind of challenge. But that was long gone it seemed. He sighed and took a drink of his coffee. Life goes on, he reminded himself.

[Carly]

Willow took a death breath and pushed the door open. She smiled brightly and walked over slowly noticing Jacob wasn't pay much attention to the door. She hopped on the counter. "I'll have a butterbree please?" She ran her hand through her hair and wondered if he's be happy to see her. She wanted him too be. She shook the thought from her head and told herself to stop, knowing she was going to stay away from him after today. In her head she was only annoying him.

She pulled her bag up and took the box out. She'd had it since she could remember. It was black oak with neatly painted green vines running along all the edges, they met in the middle to make a weaving pattern and a purple rose head. Willow finally drew her eyes up from the box to look at Jacob again. "I just thought I'd pop by to say thanks...and well to give you this." She pushed the box off her lap onto the counter infront of him. "Only you can't open it till I've left."

[escape_x]

Jacob was staring into his coffee cup, slowly drinking it and staring at the ripples in the beverage when the door opened. He should of sprang to his feet with a big grin on his face and asked them what they wanted before they could even sit down. But he was feeling very.. slow today. His back was turned when the familiar sounding voice asked for a butterbeer. "Coming up." He sighed and reached up to grab a mug and filled it to the brim with the delicious, favorited beverage. He turned around and set it on the counter, pushing it towards the girl. For a minuet, he didn't realize who it was. The girl didn't have colors in her hair, or her lip piercings. Then it dawned on him. "Hey you.." He chuckled quietly, leaning against the counter. "I see you made it back all right."

He watched her play with the box for a moment. He had to admire it; it was beautifully crafted. The little smirk on his face was back as she said thanks, but it quickly faded when she slid the box toward him. "Whoa,hey. Keep your belongings. It's no big deal." He pushed it back toward her, that twisted little smirk back on his face. He felt slightly relieved that she was all right and not dead. Afterall, he was sure the Ministry would of came and questioned him. Somehow they would of found out he was last with her. They were sneaky. And his last name was a ticket straight into Azkaban. He rubbed his eyes for a moment and yawned, glancing outside quickly. "You want something to eat, or perhaps some asprin?" He arched an eyebrow, folding his arms on the counter, his face only a foot or so away from hers.

[Carly]

"Actually I never use the box so it's yours not mine." She laughed and sipped her drink slowly. "No thanks, I have to get back soon and as for the asprin, well that hand over never did catch up with me." She gazed at him thoughtfully. "I told you I'd get back okay. Fox's have better senses than humans." Willow smirked and took another sip. She had planned on downing the drink and leaving straight away but now she was here, she didn't want to go.

Willow sighed and finished the drink. "Be seeing you Jacob. I got classes to get to." Okay that was partly true. She did have classes to get to but she was going to spend the rest of today in the forest. Tomorrow was the day for classes and facing friends, starting over. She ran her hand through her hair and stood up. "See you around Hero." She smirked and head to the door but paused for a moment. No, stop this. Leave already. She went to move but her feet stayed rooted to the spot. Finally she tored them away and wondered out the door.

[escape_x]

Jacob shook his head and took the box without argument. He'd open it later when he got home but for now, he'd shrink it and put it in his box. Ah, magic was wonderful. He had to laugh at her comment though. There was no way she didn't have a hang over, and he almost wish she would of stuck around just so he could of said he'd seen a drunk fox. Mean, but hey. That was Jacob. The thought made him chuckle. He stood up straight and flattened out his apron. He looked around at the dead pub. This is the way it usually was on Mondays. Perhaps Rosmerta would let him off early. In fact, he'd ask her. Right after.. she said goodbye?

He snorted. Classes to go to. Right. He highly doubted that. But he was still going to ask Rosmerta. Perhaps he could persuade her to have some fun with him. As long as she didn't tell Charlotte she was seeing him, it would be all right. He figured he'd be the one to break it to her later. When she called him hero, he smirked a bit and waved. Hero.. huh. He shook his head and went into the back, asking for the day off. Rosmerta gladly agreed. It'd be less money she had to dish out. He hung up his apron and went back out to see if she was still standing by the door. But apparently she wasn't. He really should open that box, but he wanted to wait. Of course. He slipped out the door and yelled out her name, that little smirk on his face. He started walking up behind her slowly, hoping she'd agree to spend the afternoon with him. He needed a bit of company after all.

[Carly]

Willow stood hearing him call after her. She sighed slightly and stopped. This was going to be harder than she planned it to be. She turned around to face him. "Can I help you? Shouldn't you be working?" She smirked and put her hands on her hips. She streched and sat down on the bench. She pulled her coat around her tighter and looked up at him. Many she wasn't just bugging him after all. She pulled her wand out and twirled it around in her fingers. She already knew what was going to come next.

Willow only just realised now how much her life had change in the past twenty for hours. She ran her hair through her hair and stood up again. She never wanted to stay still. Standing she folded her arms across her chest. "So what did you have in mind then?" She said facing him and smiling. Well she was only going to be in the forest all day anyway. She argued in her mind. "I guess classes can wait." She added looking at her watch.

[escape_x]

Jacob laughed quietly, pulling his winter robe around him. He'd almost forgotten it was chilly outside. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, smirking as he approached her. At least she stopped. "Nah, it's slow. Rosmerta let me off." He shrugged, smirking. "Can you help me? Hm.. well I was kinda hoping you could." He laughed quietly, watching her twirl her wand around. She was hardly recognizable with the color from her hair gone. He rather missed it. Perhaps he should mention it later when the got somewhere warm. He sat down on the bench beside her and yawned, folding his arms over his chest, looking around the little village that was covered in snow. He took a deep breath let it out slowly. He always found it amusing how one could see their breath when it was cold.

"What did I have in mind? I have no idea." He stated bluntly. "We can.. go get some hot chocolate. Go to the candy shop. The Hogs Head, where ever." He stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets. He felt like this was a indirect date, but he couldn't state it like that He smirked when she said classes can wait and he nodded his head. "Yeah, they can. Besides, you weren't going back anyways." He stared at her for a minuet before laughing quietly. He sat back on the bench, waiting for her response.

[Carly]

"Well I was actually going to spend the day in the forest." She shrugged feeling no need to lie to him. "I'm going to start going to classes from now on though." Willow smiled then nodded "Hot Chocolate sounds good. I'm freezing, besides I'm not going the Hogs Head anymore." She shrugged. Running her hand through her hair again. She felt in her pocket and found her lip rings. She played with them in her hand. Turning to face him "I quit drinking." She explain. "Cold turkey." She chuckled lightly. It was amazing what she could do when she put her mind to it.

Willow rubbed her arms making a metal note in her head to stop wearing clothes that weren't suitable in the cold weather. She dropped her lip rings back into her pocket and pulled the coat around her tighter. "It was nice of her to let you off." She laughed slightly almost wishing that she could just stay like this forever. This was a very different way a life but a much funner one. She certainly prefer being with Jacob to being around all those other people. She missed Grace though they were used to going everywhere together but recently they had grown apart.

[escape_x]

Jacob arched an eyebrow. "The forest hm? My sister spends her time in there too." He shook his head. When he was in Hogwarts, that was not his preferred spot. He wasn't sure what attracted people to it, but eh. You just learned to go along with me. He was a bit surprised to hear her pass up the Hogs Head, and even more surprised to hear she quit drinking. "Cold turkey hm? I guess." He smirked, standing up. Well, if it was hot chocolate she wanted then he'd get her some. "Come on, we'll go to Madam Puddifoots and get some hot chocolate." He hated it in there, but his brother was working. He figured he could liven the place up. He watched her shiver and he shook his head, pulling off his winter robe and draping it over his shoulders. "Don't argue. Just wear it." He stated, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah it was." He nodded, starting for the little shop a ways up the hill. He couldn't help but notice the change in her. It was a very sudden change, and he couldn't help but wonder what brought it on. He was curious, naturally. He'd save the questions for later though. Perhaps they'd go back to his house and find something entertaining. He glanced over at her. "So.. where's your little clan? Those whipped little boys and all them." He laughed, turning his attention back to the snow covered trail.

[Carly]

Willow couldn't help but laugh. "Erm well, I ditched them all." She shrugged as if it was no big deal and pulled his robe tighter around her. "Now your going to get cold." She frowned. He said don't argue but well it was her nature. "I'll be fine once we get inside, you can have it back then." Coming to Madam Puddifoots she pushed the door open and hurried inside. Sitting down she folded his robe it and put it on the table by his chair.

"I have to admit it feels weird not having them here and getting me like everything I ask for." She bit her lip then added "A good weird though." Thoughtfully she looked up "Who's your sister? Would I know her?" There was more than a good chance that she did but then if it was some one who wasn't popular when then the chances were pretty much close to zero. She just didn't mix with people that weren't on her level of popularity.

[escape_x]

Jacob laughed and shook his head. She ditched them all? Weird. Well, he wasn't going to question it. Now at least. He waved his hand to the side. "Nah. I'll be fine." Sure he was cold, but at least he had decent clothes on that were suitable for freezing cold weather. He laughed and followed her into the tea shop, closing the door. Instantly he recognized his unhappy looking brother standing behind the counter. And he thought his job was bad. He held up two fingers and mouth 'hot chocolate'. Andrew grinned and shook his head, starting on their order. Jacob went around the table and pulled her chair out before he went and sat in his. He folded his arms across his chest and nodded, listening to her speak.

"You'll get used to it." He shrugged, watching his brother work behind the counter, taking his sweet time. That kid could be obnoxious. He scoffed, looking at Willow. "Oh.. you would know her." His sister was a favorite among the boys. She handed out sex like candy. She, like Willow used to be, was a frequent drinker. She smoked, partied.. the whole nine yards. "Charlotte Valentine." He spoke her name quietly, looking up at her. Many people reacted differently to his sister. Many girls hated her, many boys loved her. He wondered how Willow and Charlotte got along. Odds are, they hated each other. Both popular and well loved amongst the male population. He laughed quietly at the thought. Andrew brought over their hot chocolates and set them on the table, smirking. They had the same little smirk. Andrew ruffled Jacob's hair and he swatted his hand away before flattening his hair back out.

[Carly]

Willow laughed watching Andrew "Wondered were I recognise him from. He was at your place?" It wasn't really a question. She sipped her hot chocolate happily letting it warm her throat as it went down. "Charlotte Valentine." She nodded "Yeah, I should have know that when I met you." She shrugged. Charlotte was what? Well she wasn't a friend but she wasn't an enemy or someone she'd like to stab either. She was well just competition and any competition was good.

Willow laughed thinking back to when they were in the same room trying to out do each other flirting with one of the popular boys of the school. "You already met my brother." She chuckled "Jasons a hot head and likes to think I've never drank, had sex or been outside Hogwarts, to him I'm his sweet little sister that can't look after herself." She sighed only now did she realise just how much her brother got on her back.

[escape_x]

Jacob smiled and held the hot mug in his hands, nodding. "Yeah. That's my brother Andrew." He shrugged a shoulder, taking a small sip of the creamy hot chocolate. If there was one thing that was good about this place, it was the hot chocolate. He often brought dates here right before they'd go back to his house and do the deed. He snorted, looking outside at the snowflakes that were drifting from the sky. It had begun to snow again. He smiled slightly, looking back at Willow. He laughed and nodded. "Yeah.. It's fairly obvious." He nodded. "Do you guys get along?" He arched an eyebrow. If they hated each other now, the outcome wouldn't be pretty if they started hanging out a lot. Charlotte would probably corner her in the Common Room. That was his sisters problem. She had no self control and wasn't afraid of anything. That was going to get her in trouble one day.

He turned his attention back to her and smirked. "I thought that was your brother. He sure was about to pop a gasket." He ran a hand through his hair, laughing. "That's an older brothers duty though. To protect the younger sister and pretend their still saints." He knew that role all too well. He smiled at her. An honest, sincere smile. Those smiles from Jacob.. well those were rare. It was amazing if you could get anything more than a smirk out of him. He took another drink of his cocoa, looking back outside. "What did you want to do after this?" He asked absentmindedly.

[Carly]

"Anything." Willow shrugged. "I didn't really have a plan today anyways." She winced after she said the word anyways. She hated it when she talked like a baby but she couldn't help but do it. Most found it cute, she just found it annoying. "Yeah, your sister and eye tend to stay out of each others way." She shrugged "I respect her and she me." She smiled at him warmly and absently began playing with a piece of her hair. She looked down remember the color was no longer there. It didn't really look right, too plain for her liking. She waved her wand and the streaked colors appared again. Yay color she thought laughing out loud slightly.

"I'm sure we'll find somewhere to go." Willow said and jumped as her phone rang. "One minute." She muttered to Jacob picking up her phone. "No, sorry. I'm going to miss the party. That's my business. Grace don't get like that. No, look. We can hang out tomorrow. No...Grace?" Willow sighed and thrusted her phone back in her pocket angerly. Grace was getting fed up of the fact that she kept ditching her to come out on her own. That was Grace's problem though right? Grace needed to find her own feet in this world.