The sky was spackled with gloomy gray clouds.

Amapola was seated on a bench in one of the many hallways of the castle.

The air seemed empty.

Pola stared out the window opposite to her at the darkening heavens and wondered when the rain would start coming down. It was a Sunday afternoon and it was as if not a soul was in the school at all. She hadn't seen anyone she knew all day long. It was just the kind of day to stay in bed for as long as you wanted. But Amapola could not sleep. She also felt as though she could not stay awake either.

Her mind was centered on one lone thing: Emmet.

If this had been two days ago the thought of him would have made he insides feel like they were coated with a comforting layer of fuzz. Now, that layer of fuzz was worn down to a cold, hard surface.

What had happened Friday night?

She remembered him asking her to hang out and she hastily agreed. Anytime she could spend with him was time well worth it. She didn't care about all the other girls he had dated, she was just happy that he finally chose to be with her. Even if it was going to be for one night. He was easy to be with and made her smile like she was supposed to light up a room. If he told her jump, Pola would certainly say how high.

But now she wondered how low she could go. Her mind was so far off in the distant she didn't even realize no one was around anymore, or that he pulled her into an empty classroom that probably hadn't been used for years. She did know she could hardly catch her breath, and when he started kissing her, she thought she would take off from the ground.

Amapola sighed, wondering if she was even remembering the night correctly. Light rain drops tapped on the window.

Everything she had done had been with the clarity of passion. And, with hind sight, her vision had been foggy. She hung her head, her black hair falling out from behind her ears. She was only sixteen years old, but suddenly she felt so much older and didn't like it. Pola was always under the impression after a night like last night you were supposed to feel like you had all the answers and everything was finally clear. But, suddenly, it felt as if she knew nothing of the questions she had been asking. She also felt as though all the answers she did have were wiped clean and she had to start all over.

Her biggest inquiry: how do you know what love is?

Last night she thought she knew, and now she only felt guilt. She felt stained. Emmet didn't talk to her yesterday and she doubted he would talk to her today. She didn't expect him to, and she didn't want him to. Talking with him would be too much for her to handle, but she knew eventually she would have to talk to him about Friday.

She also knew she would have to go back to that classroom and get her shirt and socks.

Her heart felt like a stone weighing her down to the ground. She was sure she would never feel forgiven. No matter how many times she showered she would still feel dirty. Staring out the window she looked at the rain that was now coming down in sheets. Once again, Amapola hung her head, but this time she folded her hands too. She prayed to her Jesus, that someday he might find it in himself to forgive her and release her of this guilty feeling. To cleanse her.

Then, she stood up and began to find a door leading to the outside. Her steps at first were feeble and weak. But, as she walked longer, her strides lengthened and gained strength. She found an old, cracked, wood door and pulled the iron hinge to open it. Staring out, Amapola took a deep breath.

Then, without a second guess, she ran outdoors and felt the heavy rain wash over her like a fresh mountain dew.

I know this has very little to do with Harry Potter or Hogwarts, but I needed the setting. Thanks ^^