WHO: Teddy and Megan WHAT: Awkward meeting WHERE: Quidditch pitch, then ice cream shop RATING: PG STATUS: Done
It had been an intense match, but Appleby Arrows finally emerged victorious. Teddy had attended the game alone since Draco was busy playing doting dad, he wasn't exactly speaking to Ernie beyond work matters, and none of Teddy's other mates really favored Quidditch. Besides, he looked at it like he could escape quickly if he didn't have to worry about leaving with someone else. He was still humiliated about his conversation with Megan and his feelings. It was all complicated and he hated it.
He didn't want to be rude though. She had invited him and he should at least congratulate her. "Hi, there!" He called through the throng of fans. "Nice game, Megan!"
The match had felt very long and drawn out, as well as intense, but Megan wouldn't have it any other way. Especially with it being her aunt's team that she was facing. She hadn't held back at all as Beater and was surprised to learn the outcome was a victory for the Arrows. She was thrilled. Directly after the match had finished, Megan spoke to Gwenog Jones for a couple of minutes. It was mostly her aunt congratulating her on how well she had done and that she was going to be a great asset as Beater someday soon. Megan wasn't so sure still, but it was nice to hear.
What was even nicer was hearing a familiar voice calling out to her and she headed out of the crowds of people toward him. "Thanks, Teddy!" Megan replied. She was glad that Teddy had come, but she was feeling unsure of how to act around him. Everything was...well, awkward between them, at least lately. Plus, she didn't want to talk to Ernie anymore and she wasn't sure how to talk to Hannah about any of this. "It was a great match."
Normally, Teddy kissed girls hello (it was proper, after all), but he stopped short of that with Megan that day. He skidded in front of her, his neck doing a weird craning thing when he decided against the kiss hello. "It definitely was," he agreed, his voice sounding too eager. "Uh, you did brilliant even if I was holding my breath!"
Megan noticed that Teddy did something rather odd, but decided not to say anything about it. She also noticed that he sounded a little odd too. All she did was grin. "I did, didn't I? And you needn't hold your breath, you might get hurt!" Megan felt like she needed to suggest something, but what could she suggest that wouldn't make things even more awkward than they already were.
Was her grin...too bright? Too painted on? Was he imaging it because of his own insecurities? Teddy's stomach did several flip-flops as he worked himself into a state over wondering what Megan was or wasn't thinking. Did she consider him a joke? A wanker? WHAT? "Oh, haha, right. Should breathe next time." He gestured around the empty space, indicating the air. "Fresh air is SO brilliant to take in!" Oy, did that sound as ridiculous as he thought it did?
"Considering that you're a lot more busy now, fresh air is definitely brilliant. You should get out more often." Megan told him. This was getting to be a weird conversation. She bit her bottom lip, not wanting to say something to make things even more awkward between them. "Um Teddy? I'm sorry for causing this," she said, pointing between the two of them.
"What?" Teddy was caught off guard by her words. He hadn't expected to discuss it, especially outside with others milling about. "Oh, er." He licked his lips. "You didn't. Yeah, it's nothing. We're fine. Better than fine!"
"Really? That's good." Megan smiled, although she wasn't sure she believed him. But she was sorry. Even though he was saying that she didn't, she knew she did. She had asked him about it. "Well, I'm going to get some ice cream to celebrate the win. Do you want to come with me? It's not as good as my freshly baked cupcakes or brownies, but it is ice cream. Everything's better with ice cream."
"You have a point there," Teddy responded, relieved to be off the awkward subject of, well, them. "If you don't mind," he added. Okay, the awkwardness came crashing back.
"Alright!" Megan was relieved that things seemed to be a little better between. "I'm going to the one on Diagon Alley, if you want to meet me there. Just need to get my things first."
Teddy nodded though he was unsure if it was wise for him to go. Still, he didn't want to say no. "Um, I can help if you want. I mean, carry things. If you need."
"Only if you want to help. I don't really need any help, but thanks for the offer," she said, shaking her head a little. "Like I said, only if you want to."
Well, if nothing else, Teddy was a gentleman so he automatically said, "Of course I want to. Which way?"
"Okay then. Follow me!" Megan led him back to the lockers to get her bags. She handed one of them to Teddy. "You can carry this one. And thanks."
Teddy flung the bag over his shoulder. He was trying not to think about the fact that it was just them. Maybe he should ask her if there was anyone else to invite? Would that make it more awkward or less? "No problem," he answered. "Shall we apparate or...?"
"Apparate is probably easiest and less dirty way to travel." Megan commented. "And no risk of ending up in the wrong place. Unless you splinch yourself. Don't get yourself splinched, Teddy." Maybe she didn't need to say that to him, but he was her friend and she'd tell any of her friends just that as well.
Teddy chuckled. "Now that? I'm pretty good at. Just don't ask me about too many defense spells, love." Oh, crap, he said love. "I mean, Megan." He called everyone love, surely that was okay? Or was it after...
Megan laughed. "I won't. My defense spells are probably right there with yours." Megan stopped, noticing him say her name. "You've called me love before all this. It doesn't bother me."
Before all this. So she felt it too. Weird. Odd. Awkward as hell. "Uh, right, okay. Um, meet you there then?"
"Meet you there." Megan agreed. She was hoping things would be a little less awkward between them.
He arrived a few seconds before Megan. He wiped his brow with a tissue, but he didn't know if he was hot because of the weather or because of his nerves.
A few seconds after Teddy, Megan appeared at her destination. "Hello again, Teddy." Megan greeted. "What sort of ice cream do you want?"
Teddy couldn't help cracking a smile at that question. "I feel eight again. My mum used to say it just like that." He held the door open to her. "And I'm treating you. You did win and all."
"How else am I supposed to ask?" Megan said with a laugh. "Okay, fine. Then I want chocolate chip cookie dough with rainbow sprinkles."
"Well, now you have to tell me to eat carefully and use my napkin," he teased before going to place their order. He carried the cups back to their table, sliding Megan's toward her. "There. I got chocolate with whip."
"Good choice." Megan laughed. "Now don't forget, Teddy. You need to eat carefully and use your napkin! It'd be a shame if you got any ice cream on yourself."
"Oy, my mum would love you," Teddy teased. After he said it, he ducked his head down for two reason, one being Kaleigh already loved Hannah and the other being he just suggested Megan should know his mother...like they were a couple. Or something. Stupid Ernie. Now Teddy was going to second guess EVERYTHING.
"Why would she? Because I'm saying things she says?" Megan was confused. Why did he say that to her?
"Um, uh, yeah. I mean...she likes knowing my mates. Not just girl mates. All mates." Oy, could he sound stupider?
"Oh. Okay." Megan said before eating some of her ice cream.
"That's all I meant," he pressed when she accepted it so easily. He was going to make sure, absolutely sure, that Megan understood he didn't mean it like...well, like THAT.
"Well, that's good." Megan told him. She was glad that was all he had meant.
"You believe me?" Stupid moment number...he lost track.
"Of course I do. That's why I was always asking you...." Megan trailed off. She didn't want to bring it up again.
"Right." Teddy looked into his half-melted ice cream. "I should go. I have some work to do for Monday..."
"Yeah, alright." Megan gave him what she hoped was a happy smile. "Thanks for coming to the match and getting ice cream with me."
"Yeah, sure, any time." Teddy tried to smile back, but he felt incredibly silly. He just knew he had to get away. "You alright to get home?"
"I'll be fine getting home." Megan told him. "Bye, Teddy."