Yes we're starting another role-play - Shades Vs. Maple

[shades]

Ezra ; ;
Ezra nodded sadly, “I could tell you didn’t like it, but you did it for your friends. The people you groveled and wanted to be like. You did it for Amanda and Robert, cause they told you to.” He stood up, shaking his head slightly, Ezra stood up. “I’m sorry it was like this and sorry you lost your memory. But…you hurt me, not only did you physically abandon me, but your group led me emotionally and socially down the drain.”

Walking through the halls, it was the day after Astrid’s birthday party. He had only caught a glimpse, but Robert Paisley had his arm around her waist, and they were talking with the ‘it’ crowd. Ezra stood sadly and lonely in the halls, at his locker, moving quickly with his head down and silently with no one to talk to.
It was lunch, and Ezra had no idea what to do as he caught Astrid alone; walking to get her forgotten lunch money. He wanted to talk to her, apologize, ask to hang out after school and be normal. Yet, he couldn’t.
“E!” She called, a small smile on her lips. She wasn’t wholly gone yet, spotting him and moving towards him. “Ezra, you wouldn’t believe it. I-I’m popular.”
“Yeah, great, I know.” There was a sour tone to his voice, a slight glare to his eyes. “I guess you won’t be hanging out with me anymore.”
“No, I—”
“Save it Astrid, you kicked me out cause I wasn’t Paisley, just watch, you won’t be anywhere like you used to be. I’m happy for you, I really am,” Ezra gave her a small smile. “But what you want isn’t my life. Maybe someday, but not when they dislike me already. I’m sorry.”

He didn’t want to tell her much more. She already wasn’t handling his and her not being friends anymore. Looking away in pity. “Sorry, again.”

[Maple ♥]

Astrid felt herself starting to panic; she was so confused, but she didn't want the only secure thing in her life to leave her when she felt so lost. She jumped up, grabbing onto his forearm, like a begger. "Wait, Ezra, please." She pleaded, her eyes sad. "I-I can't believe-" she shook her head, feeling guilt and shame come over her. She didn't remember doing those things, but she did know that she could try and fix it, maybe... Start over or something. Her eyes jumped up to his hopefully. "We could start over... And, hang out. Or something," she knew he'd recoil so she quickly said to reassure him, "I know things have happened. And I don't remember. I was horrible...not my self. You have to understand that I'm not like that..." She tried to convince him, dropping her grip. "Ezra," she reached out tent overly to grab his chin like she used to, still innocent when it came to what she was being told she's been like. Right now, she was same old Astrid. She smiled softly, eyes crinkling from the effort. "I need you."

She realized how this might sound, so she cleared her throat and bit her lip. "I mean, lunch. Maybe we could do lunch and just...talk. Please," she asked him, trying to persuade him with her puppy dog look he knew her to get whenever she wanted something. 

[shades]

Ezra ; ;
He could hear her begging, she truly wanted to start over; whether she remembered and was putting on an act, or not. Biting his lip, like nervous habit, Ezra nodded slightly. “Okay, I guess we can try…” He said warily, Ezra not sure how else to respond. It was easy to tell she was in jeopardy and truly lost, but Ezra couldn’t leave her like so.
Be it his unwavering morality or just plain pity, Ezra nodded again. “We’ll…start over.”

[Maple ♥]

Relief filled her features as she let out a breath and put a hand on her hip happily. Then, she stuck out her hand to him. "Name's Astrid," she said, mocking a thick manly, British accent. Astrid was known for talking in accents. Well, she used to be, anyways. Her eyes flashed a bit as she waited for him to shake her hand. 

[shades]

Ezra ; ;
“Ezra, but you knew that already.” He smiled briefly, lingering a second with her hand before dropping it to his side and standing up. Pushing his glasses up his nose and checking his watch, Ezra still had two hours to kill before his last class of the day.
Tapping his converse on the ground, Ezra looked at the entrance to the library; clutching his book to his side tighter.

[Maple ♥]

"Interesting name," she teased and noticed his anxiousness. To lighten the mood she moved towards the books she hadnt been able to get yet. "Would you mind coming with me while I get the books I came here for?" She asked, the formality of it all awkward between them. Or, at least it felt awkward for her to be "starting over". In her mind, nothing bad had happened. She understand what or why Ezra was feeling, but she knew she had to believe him because she had no other option. And by the look on his face, he wasn't messing around with her. 

Without waiting for him to answer, Astrid moved towards the textbooks area, bored ly scanning over the books to find what she needed for her classes. She didn't start them until the next day, but wanted to be prepared before she went to them. She started to make small talk, "So, what did you end up majoring in?" She said to him, a hint of sadness in her time. Even if she could remember, she doubt this "older self" of hers would've known the answer to question that she should've known of she's been his friend like she was supposed to. "I want to know everything I've....missed about you," her eyes looked to him as she ran her fingers over the spines of the books and finally found one that she needed. Just six more to go.

(if that was god modding I'm sorry just wanted to keep it flowin)

[shades]

Ezra ; ;

Ezra’s eyes followed her, nodding quietly. “Forensics, I ended up majoring in forensics and minoring in biology.” He smiled slightly, remembering his life after Astrid; he engrossed himself in his studies and want to be a scientist.
Honestly, except for a lot of loneliness and going to college, Ezra has worked, done school, and well; he hasn’t had a relationship. Sure, there are girls he likes; but Ezra hasn’t met a girl like Astrid, a best friend. It’s usually random, flinging love. But when Ezra and Astrid connected, it was a best friend love.
Sadly, he didn’t know if he could achieve that with Astrid again. Or even if she like Paisley still or not.

[Maple ♥]

Astrid looked over at him with her eyebrows raised. "The dream of being a wizard didn't happen? That's just insane," she scoffed and picked out the next book she needed, shoving it under her arm. Then she got all the ones she needed and huffed, stumbling to juggle them all. "Oh jeez," she mumbled as she almost dropped them. Then she looked at him and smiled, breathing heavily. "Got it," she laughed and began to walk back to the front of the library, expecting him to follow. That was how it had always been, Astrid led, Ezra followed. Maybe it was a bad thing to other people, but it was the way it worked between them. Or...used to work. They were in different places now, so maybe he's changed. Who knew. As she dumped them to be checked out, she checked her phone. A text from her mom and her therapist. Quickly, she ignored the idea of answering them and slipped the phone back into her bag. "So...you like it here? Away from your family and all? How are they, by the way?" Her voice was a bit quiet again, staring at the wood of the front desk instead of at him shamefully. 

[shades]

Ezra ; ;
Ezra came up beside Astrid, shrugging. “Mom’s good. No boyfriends, satisfied with a singular kid to pay for through college.” He watched as Ms. Lovell came up and checked Astrid out, smiling slightly and handing the books back after getting the girl’s ID. “Even though I got a free-ride through college in scholarships this year.” Ezra shrugged, taking a majority of the books when Ms. Lovell was done.
He still was polite, you know. Ignoring any protests, Ezra began leading Astrid out, his posture standing straighter and more confident.
“Hey Ezra!” One guy waved him over, “Soccer practice is cancelled tomorrow due to a majority of the psychology students at a meeting.” Ezra nodded, having gotten into sports at the beginning of college it became a hobby to get out of the house when Astrid left and kick around a ball.
She never knew he was on the varsity soccer team in his senior year and got a minor scholarship so long as he played a semester of soccer each year, and gets on the team.
Honestly, Ezra wasn’t the best, he began a game every other week and once a month he doesn’t even play. Yet, it was fun.
“Ezra!” A small, redhead waved him over who came in with his teammate; smiling a bright smile before coming and hugging him full on around the neck, pressing her nose in his neck, standing on her tip-toes. “Thanks for helping me study for Mr. Rogers test, I got a 98. We’ll meet up for coffee some time.” The girl, named Natalie, smiled at Astrid.
“Aren’t you the new transfer on my floor? Hi, I’m Natalie, but please call me Nat. Welcome to Atkin, I’m a psychology major who must be going to class. No worries, if you a tour guide just ask.” Natalie waved at Astrid, giving Ezra another squeeze.
“Bye!” With that, the girl ran out of the library, Ezra being bright red and flustered as he readjusted the books.
“Come on.” Ezra changed the subject, walking once again.

[Maple ♥]

Astrid was thankful he's taken some of his books, now the load wasn't so heavy. She walked beside him with her bag knocking into her hip as she moved. She wasn't expecting so many people to be friends with Ezra. Maybe it was selfish to think, but she assumed she'd always be Ezra's only friend. But that was absurd; she knew deep down. But she couldn't help but frown a little as the girl hugged him. Wait, he played soccer? She was thinking this as the girl introduced her to her. "Huh?" Astrid said but the girl was already gone before she really fathomed what she said.

Clearing her throat, Astrid started walking with him again after she's gone. "She seems nice. Is she your..." She didn't mean to put an awkward pause, but it was there. "Girlfriend?" Her eyes moved to him. She couldn't be upset, obviously, but something deep down inside of her rose up as jealousy.

[shades]

Ezra ; ;
“No. No.” Ezra said quickly. Shaking his head furiously. “A girl, a friend.” Ezra amended, looking away with his flushed face. Juggling the books, he pushed his glasses up and wiped some of the condensation from Nat’s breath.
Looking at Astrid, “Why do you care?” He asked suddenly.

[Maple ♥]

His comment caught her off guard, but she smoothed down her shirt, not looking at him, and cleared her throat again. "You're my best friend, E," she said softly, then finally her blue eyes glanced up at him. "And it was small talk until you asked," she laughed and tried to lighten the mood. She moved out of the way of a bush, stepping around it as they walked. "So, do you want to do lunch or something sometime? My dorm is right here," she stopped and looked up at the large building, thankfully not far from the library. Looking back at him, she smiled softly, holding her books to her chest. "Oh," she realized he was holding we books too. "I can take those, unless you want to come to my room," she said politely, pushing her hair off of her shoulder.