Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: Here is the sequel to Heart's Desire, the end for the three part beginning in Sorrow's Heart. I do hope you enjoy it. It might be slow in getting up just because I am trying to get my rhythm back into writing this. I will finish this story, so thank you for being patient.
Awkward
December 1, 1998
Angelina hurried through the streets. It had gotten unreasonably cold since she had been in the store. She hadn't brought a jacket assuming that she would be fine moving through the streets afterwards. Instead the temperature had dropped and she could see her breath as it escaped her mouth.
A slight shiver ran through her body which caused her to move faster. She knew that it was going to rain soon, and that rain would be cold. She needed to get in out of the weather soon; she didn't really want to have a cold. Looking around she realized that she was very close to George's place. As she looked up into the sky again she felt the first drop fall onto her face.
Quickly Angelina moved towards Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Things had been…not as comfortable between her and George, at least not like they used to be. They were still fine enough, but she wished that she could go back to what it was before hand. She knew that would never happen, they were past that point, and nothing further was happening.
Angelina had been on a couple of dates with different guys, but it wasn't really any big thing. She also knew that George had gone on a few dates as well. She was happy for him, if it was good for him, then she was happy.
Soon enough she got to the door of the store and was inside.
"Good afternoon Angelina." Verity said.
She looked at the girl and smiled, "Hi, how are you?"
Verity put the item she was holding back where it belonged and walked over to Angelina, "I'm good. How are you? You look cold."
"It's getting a bit chilly out." Angelina said looking back at the door.
"That'll be fun to look forward to."
The tall girl shrugged, "It is what it is."
"True."
"So is George around?"
"He's in the back. I'll go get him."
"No really Verity, I can do that."
"It's fine. I don't mind."
Angelina shook her head, "Look you're in the middle of something and—"
Just then the front door opened and a couple of kids came inside. Verity smiled at Angelina, "If you'll excuse me." She moved over to the kids, "Welcome to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes!"
Angelina turned around and headed to the back while Verity started helping the kids. Things hadn't been exactly the best between George and her. They were able to talk and hang out, it was just very…awkward. It was hard being near someone that you couldn't risk losing, but not being able to take a scary but important step forward. She wasn't sure how much longer she could go on like this.
Their friendship was rocky and yet still there. She hoped nothing would mess it up. She saw George sitting at a table writing on a parchment. She didn't want to bother him when he was in the middle of something she was sure to be another product on the shelves. If that was the case her interrupting would be ruining something important, especially since he hadn't been able to do so since…the Battle.
Deciding on not to bother him she nodded to herself and slowly turned to escape out the door when it was pulled open. Ron stood in the doorway, "Hey Angelina." He then turned to George, "A man wants to talk to you George."
Angelina turned to George and saw him looking at her quizzically before looking at his brother, "A man?"
"Yes, it's a Mr. Richards."
"I don't know a Mr. Richards."
"Oh, well he just said he wanted to talk to you."
Exhaling George looked down at the parchment and then stood slowly up, "Alright, I'm coming."
"Right." And Ron disappeared as quickly as he had reappeared.
"Angelina. What are you doing here?"
"I just…" She suddenly felt unsure and decided that it would be best to leave to prevent any further weirdness coming between the two, "I…am heading home. Just wanted to say hi."
"Oh. Well…" George paused and then looked towards the door before looking back at her, "If that's what you want."
Of course it wasn't what she wanted, but if it was what he wanted…she nodded, "I should go."
"Right." The two stood there silently for another minute, "Well, perhaps wait until I'm done with this customer so I can say good bye?"
"Sure. I can do that."
George nodded, "Thanks."
Angelina smiled at him and watched him exit the room. Exhaling she looked around the room again but decided not to go in any further. Even though it had been six months since…Fred…and she and George were…well…
She wasn't entirely sure she and George were just friends. Things hadn't been the same, and the fact that they still kept going and seeing each other at certain times made it seem like it was forced…perhaps on both sides. Maybe she was being ridiculous and everything was fine.
Shaking her head she knew that was ridiculous.
Things were not fine. Anyone could tell. Of that she was certain.
So the question was should she stop seeing George?
Dread began to fill her as she thought about it. Surely it was because she still just needed that contact?
Maybe…but what kind of contact? She had Lee, Alicia and Katie. A few other people sure. But then…the contact…she stopped herself from furthering that thought. She couldn't bear to think about the alternative and she would just deal with whatever pain seeing George the way she had been was giving her. After all a little pain…she had known more. George had known more and if it was too much for him he would stop. She hoped their contact wouldn't stop…but…
"Sorry about that."
Angelina turned around in time to see George closing the door while shaking his head. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
George went and stood next to Angelina. She looked at him, "Really? I'd say something is wrong. Who was that man?"
"No one."
"No one?" She raised an eyebrow.
"No one of importance."
"Really?" At this question Angelina was then reminded of an earlier time with a different person.
She was standing in a classroom with her back to the other person and the door. He wasn't letting her leave the room…that's what he said at least. She was going to find a way around him, one way or another.
"Look, I'm sorry about that, alright?"
She shook her head, "Why do I care Fred? Explain that to me."
"Because you wouldn't be in here if you didn't."
Her jaw clenched before she responded, "I'm here because you forced me in here."
"Go on, I know you want to ask."
He had taken one step closer. She could play his game. "Fine. Who was the girl?"
"No one."
She turned around and saw that he was much more closer than she anticipated, but still far enough away, "No one?" She raised an eyebrow.
Fred moved so he was right next to her, "No one of importance is more like it."
"Oh really?"
"Yes really."
"And I should believe you why?"
The red haired man smiled at her, "Because, you know it's true."
"Right. Who cares what you were actually doing with her the other day?"
"Come on Angel, you know it is."
"Please Fred, I don't." Angelina stepped back and took a side step. "I'm leaving. I don't need this."
She took just another couple of steps before she was stopped by a hand on her wrist. "You don't really want to leave do you?"
Angelina looked at him, "Fred, please, that's not you."
A laugh escaped his lips, "True."
"Look go back to whoever you were with." Angelina started walking off.
"Oh, really? Even after knowing what you did?"
Angelina froze before opening the door and found herself once more with her back to the door, "What does that mean?"
"Means I know that you were also with someone else."
"When we weren't together."
"We're not together."
"Really? You're saying that now?"
"You're the one who said it by not saying anything."
Their voices were rising with each statement. The truth was she didn't know what they were. When you made out with someone constantly did that mean you were together? She wasn't sure, at least not when it came to Fred. The guy who aggravated her to no end. He really got under her skin and she couldn't seem to do anything about it. Sometimes she wished he could be nicer like George. But then she wouldn't be in an empty classroom with George wanting to strangle him and yet kiss him at the same time.
Angelina just shrugged, "Fine whatever you say. I'm gone."
Before she was able to turn around Fred had his arm around her pulling her closer and then kissing her. At first she tried to resist but instead the kiss continued longer until both realized that there wasn't anyone else for the other one.
George and Fred were different even in the way they would handle certain things. This, off handed way George was handling it was more of Fred's way. "George, look, you know that you can always talk to me alright?"
"I know."
She reached over and took his hand, "I mean it. Any time of the day, I'll do everything to be there for you alright?"
"Thanks Ange, that means a lot. I just…right now…I need to finish this." He pointed to the area that he had been sitting at when she came in.
"Alright, I'll talk to you later?"
"Sure."
Angelina smiled at him and received only a small touch of a smile on his face. That was much more awkward than she would have thought it would be. She really wanted to stay friends with George. Angelina hoped that George would come and talk to her. If not…perhaps she would need to go and see how he was for herself. Even if things were a bit awkward, they could surely move past that.
