Here's Chapter 1!
For this chapter, I decided to write it completely in Cherise's point of view.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of J. K. Rowling's Characters, she does.
Chapter 1~ Cherise Levon
I leaned against the velvety seat of my car, trying to find consolation, but the velvety seat cover only added to my discomfort, and somehow transformed itself into sharp quills and thorns.
This would be my last ride in my mom's small, white Camry, for a long time. Well, for a year at least.
I leaned forward, resting my head in my hands.
"Hey… You okay?" My best friend was sitting in the back seat with me, resting his hand between my shoulder blades and rubbing my back gently.
"No. Not really. In case you haven't noticed, I'm leaving as soon as we get to the airport. Not to mention I hardly got any sleep in the 3 short hours I laid in bed," I lashed out at him, sleep pounding behind my eyelids, trying to force me to close my eyes. My volume didn't phase him though, (and now that I think of it, it never has) and he pulled me closer, resting his chin on my head.
"Shh… I know this week has gone by fast, and you're not completely sure of this, but you'll be fine. I know you will." I could hear his voice crack at the last sentence, and he sucked in a breath, trying hard not to cry.
I listen to his heartbeat for a moment before speaking, (blurting out more like) "How can you believe in me so easily? I'm having trouble convincing even myself!" The tears sprung forth like a waterfall and I buried my face in his thin hoodie. He let out a low laugh and and placed a gentle kiss atop my hardly-brushed hair.
"Because I have faith in you. You just need to have faith in yourself, and you'll be fine." His words took my breath away, as they usually did and he stroked my hair. "Go to sleep now, you'll need some rest for your flight." His voice was dipped in sadness. And it was the last thing I heard before I gave in and fell asleep.
ooooo
I woke up and immediately regretted it.
"Oh, good. You're awake, I was about to wake you." My best friend's voice cut through my drowsiness. I opened my eyes to his face above mine and he was absentmindedly stroking my hair. It took me a moment to process the fact I my head was in his lap and when I did, I turned a brilliant shade of hot pink.
Good thing it was dark.
Our car was stopped in front of the airport. I sat up reluctantly, not wanting to leave him, my parents, our little apartment, or even the spiky seat covers of my mom's white Camry. My dad opened the door for me and took my hand gingerly, probably afraid I would snatch it back.
A sudden realization hit me, this wasn't some vacation, and I wasn't coming home in a couple weeks. I was leaving. It hit me so hard, I felt numb. I let him help me out of the car, letting my hand dangle loosely in his. My mom silently handed me my luggage and my carry-on. I took it, and it was then I realized no one was looking directly at me.
My bedroom, my bed, my desk, my computer. Homemade cookies, fresh bread, free hugs, folded laundry. All of the things I had taken for granted before suddenly seemed like a lottery prize now. I looked at my parents, and words couldn't describe my yearning to stay with them forever. I whimpered two words.
"Mom… Dad…" And that was all they needed.
They enveloped me in a warm hug, a Cherise sandwich, and I breathed in their scent. Combined, they smelled like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and mint, and I hugged them back fiercely. I resolved never to take them or their gifts for granted ever again
When they finally let go, I slowly walked over to my best friend. He was like the older brother I never had, and I never wanted to let him go, to hear him say good bye. But I don't always get what I want.
"So," he said lamely, trying to cool off the heat of my unspoken goodbye.
"I guess this is where you leave me." The sadness in his eyes was unmistakable and he spread his arms out for a hug. I ran to him, crying, sobbing, as he held me tight and lifted my chin. His voice cracked with emotion as he whispered, "I love you. Come back to me, okay?" I forced a smile onto my face and kissed his cheek. "I will. I-I need to g-go. G-goodb-bye."
He slowly dropped his arms and with great difficulty, I let go of him.
I walked away, the numb feeling in my chest expanding.
ooooo
"Cherise, honey? Is that you?" I spun around, and I saw my Aunt Luna rushing towards me. She was wearing light blue jeans and a pink sweater, her grey-streaked, blonde hair was tied in a side pony tail. She swept me up into a hug and laughed,
"Oh, how you've grown! The last time I saw you was when you were 6. Your hair was in cute little pigtails and you had just lost your two front teeth…" I couldn't help a laugh.
"That was 10 years ago, Auntie! How are Lorcan and Lysander doing? I thought they'd be here with you," She smiled and grabbed my two luggages.
"Oh, those two sillies are at school. Your new school. As your mother might have already told you, school over here has started already." I nodded and a new pain started pounding at the mention of my mother. My aunt noticed and let go of one of my luggages to wrap an arm around my shoulders.
"Oh honey… I know you miss your parents, and trust me, your mom was just like that at your age, but I promise you, you'll be fine." There was that promise again.
I took a shaky breath and nodded thankfully. "Sorry Auntie." She laughed and picked up my luggage again. "No, no. You're fine. Let's drop off your bags at home and then we'll go shopping!"
Shopping?
ooooo
"Um, Auntie? Are you sure we're at the right shop?" I examined a jar of suspicious looking twigs. I could've sworn one of them twitched.
"Of course!" She sang from somewhere in the opposite direction. "I came here for Lorcan, Lysander, and my school supplies! Of course, that was a while ago… Oh! Come here, you need to choose your-"
"Stick?!" I looked over my aunt's shoulder at a display of fancy looking… Sticks. "Um… Auntie? Can't I just go outside and find a cheaper one off a tree or something?" I raised a confused eyebrow.
Aunt Luna laughed heartily. "Oh no, no, no, no. These are wands, dearest. Now, pick your favorite one, and we'll get it for you."
Wands? I was starting to question what kind of school my mom signed me up for.
"Um… Okay…? That one." I pointed to a dark mahogany wand, about 10 inches long, with silver wire lacing around the handle in an intricate design.
"Ooh. Good choice, that one's a beauty." A red haired lady clad in a dark green blouse and jeans walked up to us.
"Luna! Pleasure to see you, as always," she addressed Aunt Luna. "Who's this young lady?" Gesturing to me, she smiled warmly. I smiled weakly, waving as Auntie introduced us. "Ginny, this is my niece, Cherise Levon. Cherise, this is an old friend of mine, Ginny Potter."
I nodded and shook her hand politely. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Potter," but she laughed and said. "No, no, please, call me Ginny. Or Aunt Ginny, if you want." I smiled at this lady's kindness.
Auntie suddenly grabbed my hand, dragging me towards a clothes rack. "Ginny, do you have any women's smalls, Gryffindor style?" she called, running her fingers over the fabric of the tops hanging there. The lady's voice got quieter as she left in search of a women's small, well… whatever they were talking about. "Of course, we just got a new shipping in yesterday morning."
We waited in silence until Miss Ginny, (that's what I decided to call her) came back holding what looked like a private school uniform.
A white collared blouse, a red and gold striped tie, a dark grey cardigan, a pleated black skirt, and a pair of black nylons. "Here you are Miss Cherise, the changing rooms are right over there."
I nodded in thanks, but I was really thinking, 'Why nylons?'
I came out kind of uncomfortable and hot. What happened to jeans and a hoodie? Aunt Luna and Miss Ginny smiled and clapped in approval. Aunt Luna looked at Miss Ginny. "Yes. I think that will do."
We left with a full bag. And a completely confused Cherise.
Woo! Finished with Chapter One!
Chapter two may not come until the end of the week, just to warn you. If it comes before then, well yay. If it comes by the end of the week, then... not as much yay... XD
But, thanks for the reviews on the Prologue!
~BlueSilkOcean2020