Stand Firm And Strong

Apollo was not oblivious to the fact that Brice was staring off into the distance, likely lost in his own mind as the student was so often doing. The Zabini boy could not be offended by it, though, as he too was distracted by everything that had been going on. But when Brice finally spoke, Apollo was relieved to hear good news.

"Brilliant! Hopefully your employer likes you better than mine seems to right now," he laughed - though, really, it was more of a sad attempt at a laugh due to his mood being rather low. "I'll admit to being slightly surprised that you left the money anyways, but that's definitely a good sign for... - Lorcan, you said? - if he finds it. It will make him believe you are more trustworthy than he expected, which cannot be a bad thing."

Brice seemed to drift off again, and Apollo said nothing for a few moments before leaning forward, passing a hand in front of his friend's face in hopes of getting Brice's attention. "Oi, you awake in there?" He joked, leaning back into his seat again. "So, wait, you haven't done anything all summer besides get the internship? Surely you've seen someone from school?"

Suddenly stopping, he turned his face down to Apollo, completely ignoring the fact of having his face red. He shook his head, with an emotionless expression.

"Sorry about that. I do that sometimes... I hope you're not offended. Funny that you asked that, though. I was just thinking about that. Actually, that's exactly what I've done. And it's what makes me preoccupied.... I always tend to talk with people a lot. The only people I've talked to are my family occasionally and a girl named Amber I met in the Three Broomsticks. Something's wrong with me this year, I just can't figure out what it is."

He started spinning his ring around, thinking about that. Managing not to fall too deep into thought again, he looked back towards Apollo, realizing how he was going deeper and deeper into an anti-social state, which he always feared.

"No, it's fine. I can get like that when I'm thinking about something, too," Apollo replied, not realizing he wasn't talking about the same thing as Brice. In Apollo's case, he often felt he was paying attention. But really, it was more likely that, when given time, he would find himself overthinking things and simply not paying attention anymore.

He frowned slightly, disappointed that someone he considered a friend was seemingly feeling lonely. And during summer, no less! It was a shame, really. So Apollo considered a few options very quickly in his mind before settling on a conclusion that could make everyone happy. Well, hopefully it would, anyway.

"Well my father has been expecting me to organize a party of some sort with my mother - and probably Christian as well - in order to prove to him that I understand the rules of society or something." Apollo explained, "Now, it would be very simple to invite your family, and then you at least have interacted with some fellow Purebloods before the school year starts. Would you be interested in attending?"

Brice considered the offer for some seconds. It'd be fine to go to the party, maybe that would work. He wondered if his parents were too busy, and if his sister eould like to go. Then he suddenly remembered that he actually was not a pureblood. He always tricked people into thinking so. He did not correct them, though. It'd be good to be known as part of the small number of purebloods. Eventually he nodded to Apollo.

"I'd go for sure. I don't know about my family, so that worries me... I'll try asking, though. Couldn't hurt, I guess."

With that, he went back to spinning his ring. Maybe it would be good to talk to a couple different people. He could leave his studies for later.