Sure Isn't Like Home (Open)

J. J. face began to heat up when she realized how close they suddenly were. She didn't think she had been this close to any boy that wasn't related to her before.

But she didn't want to seem... she wasn't sure what she didn't want to seem like but she refused to pull away first. Possibly it was her competitive streak coming into play.

Either way, she raised her eyebrow and smirked pretending that her head wasn't more than a little flustered.

"Oh really?" she drawled with more confidence than she actually felt, "Well you better prepare to lose; I hate to brag, but, I'm pretty darn good at most games."

Rhys leaned away from the girl, nodded, then looked at his cup. This girl seemed jumpy and he wondered why. Did he do something odd? Looking down at his hands for a second before picking up his cup, he sighed.

Way to mess things up, Rhys.

"P'ck the gam' and 'll play, " He said before drinking his juice.

J. J. blinked as Rhys moved back and seemed to turn back to being shy again. Did she do something this time?

Whatever, she would fix it if she did. She leaned back to her seat again, and pulled her hair over her shoulder.

"Let's see what shall we play," she mused, biting her lip and smiling, "What do you know about card games, Mr. Haines?"

Rhys paused then smiled. He pushed his chair away from the table, finished with his meal.

"Bl'ck j'ck, Go F'sh. All the bas'cs," He said, " 'm good at bl'ck j'ck."

"Now, Miss J'nes," He grinned wildly, leaning back on his chair. " You b'tt'r get r'ady t' b' beat."

J. J. smirked, wiggingly her eyebrows and enjoying herself quite completely.

"Thats some big talk for an 'ittle firstie," she laughed easily, ignoring the fact that the boy was easily bigger than her.

Rhys grinned, tipping his chair backwards and forwards.

"P'ch th' g'm', swe'ts." He said mischievously. " 'M good f'r a f'rstie,"

J. J. smirked and produced a deck of cards that she always kept on her - she did love a game - from her bag.

She threw it across the table at the boy and leaned back.

"Fine, lets see these skills Mr. Firstie," she playfully taunted.

Catching the card deck with one hand, Rhys then shuffled the deck one, twice- three times, then placed it on the table. He gave himself and J.J. seven cards each, a serious look upon his face, then looked up at his fellow Hufflepuff.

"L'fe or Dea' battle 'ff G' F'sh," He stated, "You f'rst,"

J. J. Watched the boy shuffle and deal the cards with a serious look upon his face. She tried to remain just as serious but she couldn't help but crack and laugh once he made his statement.

Still she picked up her hand with a reserved look. She analyzed each of them closely.

a four, a two; the three of clubs, queen of hearts and an ace; there was also a six and seven.

Bitting her lip she looked at each of them carefully, "Do you have an... Ace?"

Rhys looked down at his card, a surprised look on his face. A moment past before he pulled out his ace, a bit defeated. Lucky guess.

"Hmph." He grunted, shuffling through his cards carefully. " 'Ny t'ns?"

J J wiggled in delight as the card was passed to her. She, however, refrained from bragging about it too early. Wouldn't want to jinx it.

She shook her head with an impish grin, "Nope. Go fish."

"Let us see..." again she looked about think, "what do you know about finding any twos?"

Rhys draw another card from the pile, then said,

"N'pe, G' F'sh," He looked through his pile, then gave a half smile. " 'Ny threes?"

J. J. fake pouted picked up another card from the pile and shoved it into her hand, "Drat."

She continued her pout as she produced the three from her hand and slid it across the table.

"Well now," she mused looking through her cards, "Sevens - I bet you have a seven hiding in there somewhere that you want to give me."

Rhys grinned and shook his head.

"N'," He chimed, happy with himself, " K'ngs?"

"Well I never," she gasped, playfully pretending to be offended as she grabbed another card, only to smile as she saw it, "Well it would appear I don't need you."

She matched it up with its pair, well shaking her head at his question, "That would be a negitive, Rhysie. How about Queens - they are waay better than kings anyways."

Rhys blushed at her nicname for him and the fact that he was losing badly. Then he even handed over his queen, sighing.

" 'M los'ng," He sighed, looking at the card he just pulled from the pile. "Threes?"

J. J. chuckled softly and gave him a smile, "Its okay - when you have my advanced experience you'll be this amazing too."

"Its fishing time," she responded with a grin and a headshake, "What would you know about aquiring a four?"

Rhys hung his head with shame as he pulled another card from the pile, then passed it to J.J.

"Yo' s'ck," He grumbled, "I th'nk I j'st lost,"


(OOC: I forget how many cards he lost/ she won so I guessed)

J. J. smiled easily as she took the last card.

"Now, now Rhysie, there's no need for insult," she repremended with a smile, "You played a very vallent game. I am honoured to have played with you."

Rhys stood up and bowed to JJ, grinning ear to ear. Gracefully accepting defeat, he stood up again, a twinkle in his eyes.

"You're th' mast'r," He mused, "Mast'r of c'rd g'mes"

J. J. laughed, and smiled at the boy.

"But of course, was it ever in doubt?"

She winked as she pulled away from the table, "I might just let you in on my secrets one of these days."

"Tell m', teach'r," Rhys laughed, then stopped suddenly. Rhys looked towards the door, then to the clock, then back to J.J.

"I h've to g'," He mumbled, "Cl'ss t'me,"

J. J. nodded understandably when he said he had to go, "You don't want to be late for those."

She got up from the table herself and gave him a little wave, "Don't worry - I'll see you around. You'll get those secrets eventually."