The following morning I had breakfast with the Potters before heading home to get ready for my day with Scorpius. And though I was excited, I couldn't deny the bundle of nerves in my belly.
I took a quick shower and stood in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear. I ended up settling with a mint-green, cotton sundress to beat the scorching July heat. I put my long, dark red waves in a messy bun on top of my head and smeared sunscreen all over my pale, overly-sensitive skin.
While getting dressed, I thought about Scorpius and what I was going to say to him. What would we even talk about? We had absolutely nothing in common. At least, I didn't think we did. He would probably interrogate me about my day at Al's, that was for sure. It was hard to miss the bitterness in his voice when he had heard Damien talking to me. Suddenly, I began to worry that he would be upset with me. But I shrugged the thoughts away as I grabbed my sandals and headed downstairs. I could only find out when I got there.
"Ready to go?" Mum asked. I hadn't told Mum that we were not going to be staying at SCSY, or 'shithole' as Scorpius called it. I didn't think she needed to know. She'd go unnecessarily berserk over safety precautions. I personally thought Alice and Lauren exaggerated about Scorpius. He wasn't scary at all. And the fact of the matter was that I'd known Scorpius since before I even began at Hogwarts. I knew him better than they did, I supposed.
"So how come, you haven't been to SCSY in such a long time?" Mum asked me while I sipped on my juice box in the car in lieu of lunch.
"My partner's been busy," I Iied.
It seemed that she didn't think too much on the matter. She asked me about my day at the Potters' and I told her about what I did until we reached the centre.
"What time do you want me to pick you up?" She asked me as I got out of the car. "Your dad and I are called in at the ministry today."
"I don't know how long it will take. I'll just call you. Bye!" I went into the building so Mum could drive away and miss seeing me go with Malfoy.
Once Mum left, I exited the building again and waited for Scorpius. After a couple minutes of waiting, His shiny black car pulled into the lot and stopped right in front of me. I got in the passenger side and greeted him but he didn't greet me back. We left the centre and he drove for a bit before merging onto one of the main intercity highways. I wondered where we were headed?
"What the hell were you doing with Zabini last night?" He suddenly demanded.
I frowned. "Lovely to see you too, Scorpius," I said sarcastically.
Scorpius huffed. His phone suddenly buzzed and he retrieved it from the cup holder to check. After typing up something with one hand while he steered with the other, he put it back in its spot. "How have you been?" He finally asked me.
"I've been well, thank you," I muttered. I debated whether to mention something about mobile phones and road safety but I decided against it. He probably wouldn't take me seriously.
"Why was Damien Zabini with you last night?" He asked again.
I knew perfectly well what he was implying but I just didn't understand why he cared or thought it was any of his business. I didn't even know why I owed him an explanation but at that moment, he made me feel like I did.
"I wasn't doing anything with Damien. I was staying over at the Potters and he was there too...as well as James and Al's other friends."
"So, why were you two the only ones awake in the middle of the night?" He asked accusingly as he changed lanes to overtake a truck, quite dangerously, if I might add.
"We were all sleeping when you called, Scorpius, and he probably heard my voice so he woke up to see what was going on," I said calmly.
"Why the hell were you two sharing a room?" Scorpius asked, startled.
"I told you we were all in the basement. I was on the couch and far away from all of them if that makes you feel any better! I don't even know why you care so much!"
"I don't!" He barked. "I'm just asking a goddamn question!"
"That was three goddamn questions!" I pointed out. "Four if you count the one from last night."
Scorpius turned to look at me and glared. I heard his phone buzz again but he ignored it. The awkward silence was back so I turned on the radio and stared out my window as the current hits boomed in the car.
Suddenly the music was gone and I looked towards Scorpius. Headache again, I thought while rolling my eyes.
"Did you have a good time?" He asked. "At the Potters'"
I tried to smile politely, glad the topic had changed. Somewhat. "Yes I did. James and Al had a barbeque party and my cousins Louis and Fred were there too."
"Do you remember the barbeque party at their place in the summer after third year—second year for you?" He asked.
"I don't actually," I said, a little embarrassed. "The Potters are always having parties."
"I was there too," He said in a low tone. "Don't you remember, James and I made fun of your haircut that summer."
"My memory's a blank…But why did you make fun of my hair, Scorpius," I jokingly demanded.
"You cut it short. We called you Ross instead of Rose," Scorpius chuckled.
Scorpius chuckled.
"Oh yes!" I said, remembering the hairstyle. "It was so hot that summer, I had to cut it."
"Do you remember how red your face would get in the heat?" Scorpius said. I watched him move to the far lane to take the exit.
"Yeah! I remember that, but that doesn't happen anymore, thank Merlin!" I said. I became quiet for a moment. "I also remember you didn't come back to school for a whole year after that summer. And when you did, you were in our year."
Scorpius pursed his lips, staring straight at the street we were driving on. We finally arrived at a shopping centre and Scorpius drove across the lot towards the restaurants.
"Do you want to go to that coffee shop?" He pointed to a large cafe attached to the mall.
"Sure," I said happily. Scorpius stopped the car in front of the cafe.
"I'll go park the car. You go inside, I'll meet you there," he ordered.
"No, I'll just come with you," I said.
"It's probably packed. Find us a table," he ordered again.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" I asked jokingly.
"I'm not going to abandon you and drive away if that's what you're thinking," He said, serious as ever.
I stared at him.
"That never occurred to me..."
He looked at me straight in the eyes and said darkly, "It should, flower. Don't you know what happens to girls who're all by themselves?"
Suddenly, I didn't feel so sure anymore and I wondered if getting out of his car would be better. But before I could, he turned the car towards parking and smirked.
Huh?
"I knew it," He muttered.
"What?" I said, unsure.
He smirked again, "They told you I'm fucking nuts."
I didn't know how to respond.
We found parking near the end of the lot because of Sunday crowd. We got out of the car and walked towards the cafe. Though we were both silent, we walked side-by-side unlike before. Scorpius's phone started ringing but he scowled upon looking at the screen and turned it off and I wondered who it was that was so desperate to speak to him. Maybe it was that girl that had messaged him the other day. What was her name? Jenny? Julie? Juliann?
We arrived at the cafe and sure enough, it was packed. Scorpius waited for a table and I had to use the ladies room. When I came back out, Scorpius was already at a booth in the far corner with two large frappuccinos. He was on his phone when I spotted him and hung up as soon as he spotted me head his way. I wanted to ask him if everything was alright but he his jaw was hard and his eyes glaring as he stared at the drink in front of him. I thought it best not to say anything. He would see it as an attempt at intrusion into his life. I knew he hated that. So I softly thanked him for the drink and took a sip from the big, green straw. His eyes were immediately on me and I could feel him watch me fiercely. I squirmed in my seat.
"How's James and Al?" He asked.
"They're...they're fine…" I said picking at the napkin on the table.
"Are you?"
"What? Fine? Yeah..." I said, a little embarrassed.
"Then why are you fidgeting?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I dunno. Have you gotten your OWL results yet?" I changed the topic.
Scorpius shook his head. "Are you worried?"
"I usually do well on exams, but OWL's are different. They're harder," I said, twirling my straw in my drink. "Are you worried?"
"Only for certain subjects." He shrugged.
I smiled, "Which ones?"
"Care of Magical Creatures."
"Really? How come? I think Care of Magical Creatures is fun."
"Do I seem like the nurturing type, flower?" He grumbled.
I giggled and I could swear his eyes had lit up. The corners of Scorpius's mouth twitched and I thought he gave me half a smile.
"I still have to make you laugh," I remembered.
"Do it," he said.
"Not now," I laughed. "I need to think of something funny first."
"Of course," he said, unenthusiastically.
"Let's start off slow. What would make you smile?"
Scorpius stopped to think for a moment and looked up from his drink. His gaze was set on my face until it lowered and lingered there. He took a sharp breath and smirked. "I don't think you want to know, angel," He said in a husky voice. I felt the tingling on my arms so I folded them across my chest. I wondered if it was the air-conditioning causing the goose bumps.
I didn't insist he tell me more.
So I went back to my drink, not quite sure what to think of Scorpius. He was so...perplexing. It was kind of nerve-racking.
After a moment of watching me sip my drink, Scorpius asked in a deep, low tone, "Wouldn't you like to know what would make me happy right now?"
I cleared my throat, "No...no, that's okay...So, um, how come you wanted to see me today?"
Scorpius grew still for a moment before I saw his jaw tick and his brow furrow. "Am I not supposed to meet you every Sunday?"
"That's not what I meant," I quickly said. "I thought you weren't interested in SCSY. We didn't meet for a while so—."
"If you'd rather we go back to that, just say so," He snapped.
"That is not what I said!" I insisted.
"Then why do you look like you don't want to be here anymore?" He demanded.
"I...I don't—I mean I do...want to be here...with you." Did that come out right? I couldn't quite tell.
Scorpius grew silent for a moment and turned away.
"No. We're here for SCSY," He grunted before turning his attention to his drink.
I stared down at my fidgeting hands and the silence engulfed us both. I could feel his steel gaze pierce holes through me. I gulped and looked up. I had to say something.
"The...the truth is...I never wanted to volunteer there," I said. Scorpius stared at me with a blank expression. He didn't look offended, or even surprised. "And I never really planned to get so serious about this, but when I found out about you, that changed."
His expression remained unreadable for a moment. Then suddenly, his face darkened and his jaw hardened.
"You think I need pity?" He said through gritted teeth.
"No!" I quickly said. "I'm not pitying you! I just...I...I don't know. I want to know you..." I whispered. I could feel my face burn. I had no idea why I said that.
"Why?" He demanded.
"I told you I don't know..." I responded.
"Sure—" He began.
"Let's not talk about this. Please. Let's talk about something else," I begged. I didn't want to complicate this conversion more than it already was.
I noticed the tension slowly leave his body. His shoulders drooped a little and he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms in front of him. All the while, he was observing me with an amused look in his eyes.
"What are you looking at?" I asked warily.
His eyes were bright like he was about to say something humorous but before he could say anything, his phone started buzzing again. Multiple times. I watched him pick it up and unlock the screen to check. He was reading or looking at something. Messages, no doubt. Suddenly, I noticed his other hand furiously fisting the napkin as he read whatever was there. He slammed the phone back down on the table and I discreetly tried to see what was on it. Unfortunately for me he had locked it before putting it back. I wondered what or who it was.
"What would you rather talk about?" He suddenly asked, eyes narrowed at me.
"Huh?"
I was sure he had noticed me trying to look at his mobile. I flushed from embarrassment.
"Oh...I don't know," I stopped to think. "Tell me about yourself. What are your hobbies?"
It was the best I could come up with under pressure.
Scorpius cocked a brow at me and smirked. "I wasn't aware that we're on a first date."
I felt the heat throughout my entire body. "You wish!" I snapped.
Scorpius's voice lowered. "Maybe...but I prefer the third." His voice became husky and he leaned closer, "There's a lot more action."
I glared at him. What was he playing at?
"If you can't take my questions seriously then why don't you come up with some!" I snapped.
"You know what the problem is, angel?" He said, narrowing his eyes. "If I don't give you a straight answer, you get pissed. But if I tell you what I really do in my free time, you'd run the other way and right now, I can't decide which sounds better."
For a second I just I stared at him wide-eyed. He wanted me gone. That was all I understood from that.
I pursed my lips, "You didn't have to do that." I could feel my eyes brimming with tears but I was an expert at holding them back. "You could have just told me you're not serious about this. You didn't have to humour me for your own amusement!"
"Who says I'm humouring you? I'm quite interested to see where this thing leads. Maybe, just maybe, a sixteen-year-old girl could fix me up," He snapped.
"I'm sorry," I said. "I was never trying to fix...I just...I just want us to be friends like we used to be."
Scorpius's face lightened. "Things changed," He shrugged casually.
I stared at his calm demeanor. The crinkles of his forehead were gone and he was looking at me with a pleasant smile. How did he go from bitter and snappy to pleasant?!
I sighed, "I think I'd like to go home. Will you please take me home?"
"Already?"
"Yeah. Clearly this isn't going to work so what's the point in being here any longer?"
"But the fun just started, angel," he smiled, almost cynically. "Let's sit back down and test this out."
I gave him a cold look and he sighed.
"Rose, I'm not doing this to humour you. I picked you," he reminded me.
I stared at him for a moment, trying to find the sincerity in his unfathomable grey eyes. I lowered myself back in my seat. At least he admitted to picking me.
"Did you think of something funny? To make me laugh," He asked in a light tone.
"Not yet," I said, still wary of him.
"I suppose I'm funny enough for the both of us," he said.
I snorted. More like mental enough.
"And, you're already laughing," He said, amused.
"Not because you're funny. Which you aren't."
"So, you're laughing just because?"
"Because I'm crazy, or as you'd say, 'fucking nuts'," I replied sarcastically.
Scorpius let out a low chuckle and I couldn't help but notice, "You're laughing."
He nodded, "Two points for Malfoy, one for Weasley."
"Someone's suddenly in a good mood," I pointed out as took another sip of my drink.
Scorpius shrugged, "What are you talking about? I'm always in a good mood."
I watches him finish with his drink. I couldn't tell if he was being serious or not.
"You weren't that day at SCSY," I said. "You were raging."
"Would you rather I be raging?" He asked as he moved his straw around in the cup, poking at the left over ice.
"I never said that," I politely reminded him.
His face softened, "But just in general. You like me better when I'm like this, right?"
"Well obviously!" I replied.
Scorpius quirked a brow at me.
"Malfoy, did you expect me to say I like you better when you're about to beat the living daylight out of me?!" I laughed.
Scorpius's eyes widened slightly and his face darkened. "I would never do that," he said in a low growl. "Why would you say something like that?"
"Did you forget our first meeting? You weren't exactly being nice to me," I was suddenly uncomfortable again.
"How many times do I have to say it?" He snarled. "That wasn't your fault! I just took it out on you!"
"I was just joking. Forget it. I'm sorry," I insisted.
Suddenly Scorpius's phone started ringing again and he cursed really loudly before grabbing it and getting up. I watched him storm out of the coffee shop to receive it. I couldn't hear but I could see him through the decorated windows and he looked like he was barking at whoever it was. He came back inside and sat at the table with an angry, hardened look, crushing the table napkin in his fist.
I thought it was time I said something. I didn't know where the courage in me came from but at the moment I did what felt like the right thing to do. I gently slid my hand to his and tugged the napkin out of his fist before taking hold of his hand. I noticed his grip softened and he took a deep breath like tension leaving his body. He soon became the one holding my hand, rather than the other way around.
"Is everything okay" I asked gently.
He looked up at me, staring at my face, searching for something I think. "Just peachy," he muttered. He gave my hand a gently squeeze and stared out the window, lost in thought.
After a while I felt uncomfortable. He didn't seem to want to let go. So I gently tugged my hand back, turning red. He looked at me questioningly so I quickly got up with the excuse of throwing away our empty cups. I returned to the table and folded my hands in my lap. I think I was waiting for him to say something.
"Rose, don't make jokes like that again," he said darkly.
"Huh?" I said confused.
"About me beating you. I'm not that kind of bastard."
I realised he'd gone back to what I'd said before the interruption. I sighed, "You take everything so seriously."
"You think everything's a joke," He replied, calm again. How the hell did that happen?
"I don't want to talk about this."
"Avoiding a conversation to difficult for you?" He asked casually, one eyebrow raised. But I didn't miss the accusation in his tone.
I couldn't keep track of him anymore. It was then that I realised that today was not a good day to have coffee with Scorpius Malfoy. If we wanted to depart on a good note, then it was best to do it as soon as possible.
"Will you please take me home, Scorpius," I asked as I gathered my things.
Malfoy stared at me for a minute.
"What's wrong, angel?" He suddenly sneered. "Don't want to be around me anymore?"
"No. I mean, yes. That's correct. I don't think you're in a good mood today."
"Are you scared of me, little girl?" He taunted me before muttering, "Fucking pathetic..."
"Shut up, Malfoy," I spat. "You're being rude."
"Why? Because I tell you the truth? Or because I don't kiss your ass like all your little friends and tell you how pretty and perfect you are. Always needing to be validated?"
Where the hell was this coming from?
"Why are you being so mean, you giant oaf! Don't even compare yourself to my friends!" I said.
"Right! Your pious, holy friends!" He sneered.
"I don't have to listen to your crap anymore," I said as I took out my phone and dialled mum. "And I don't want to see you again. I can't believe I wasted my Sunday for you!"
"Oh that's right! You're doing me a mighty favour, aren't you?! Thanks so fucking much, Saint Weasley!"
"Yeah, I am!" I said angrily. "And you're ungrateful! Please leave or I will."
Why the hell won't Mum pick up?
"Go on then. Leave. I know you can't wait to get back to the boys!"
"I'd rather not be around scum!"
His face twisted into an ugly, mean one. "Don't worry, we're fucking done here. I bet you're just dying to get Damien's prick up your ass again!"
I gasped. For a moment I thought I had misunderstood. I stared at him, my mouth hanging open and the tears gathering in the rim of my eyes.
"You vile creature," I whispered.
I didn't want to cry in front of him so I shot up from my seat, rocking the chair behind me, and I stormed off to the washroom in the far back of the café. I let myself burst into tears once I was inside the vestibule that led to the washrooms and the backrooms. I went straight to the ladies room and locked myself inside the safety of the larger stall at the far end.
I couldn't believe all the things he'd said to me. He called me names, taunted me, all but called me a whore! And what did I do to deserve it?! I didn't even know! I was trying to be friends!
I hated myself more for crying because I was crying over Scorpius. Scorpius was just a stupid, deranged ogre that didn't even matter to me! It hurt when I remembered the times he made me laugh, when he drove me home, or when he said he was thinking about me. And now, all those memories had been washed away. How was I supposed to please someone so bipolar? Why did I even want to please him? Why was Scorpius still able to affect me after all these years. I realised I had feelings for him before but that was the past wasn't it? I sat there on the toilet lid for what seemed like forever, crying away, when suddenly I heard a knock on my stall door.
"Someone there?" A female voice asked. I opened the door after wiping my face, thinking all the other stalls were full.
"You can use this one," I said when I got out. There was a young woman, probably early thirties, holding the hand of a little preschool girl. I went to the sink while the woman watched me.
"Your boyfriend's outside," she said to me in a gentle voice.
"What?" I looked at her confused.
"That tall, blond guy…"she said.
"He's not my boyfriend," I quickly said. Merlin, I couldn't even imagine how miserable of a relationship that would be. "What about him?" I asked in a small voice.
"He asked me to tell you he's really sorry", she said kindly. "Is he a friend?"
"Not anymore," I muttered.
"Well, he asked me to give you this." She handed me a napkin. I stared at it. I flipped it over to see writing on the other side. "Hope everything works out," she said before taking the little girl into the stall. I turned the napkin over and stared at the writing.
I'm sorry, Rose. I'm sorry I don't know what the fuck I was thinking. Please come out and talk to me.
He thought he could be mean and nasty whenever he liked and I'd forgive him for it whenever he wanted me too? Well that was not going to happen! I stormed outside to find him standing next to the service door waiting for me.
"Rose! I'm—" He began to say.
"Save it, Malfoy" I ripped up the piece of napkin with his apology on it and threw it in the garbage can next to us.
"Rose! Listen to—"
"We're done. You said so yourself now get out of my way!" I growled.
"Rose!" he tried to grab my arm but I yanked it away. "Rose, let me explain!"
"No!" I yelled, "I don't want to hear it!"
"Come on, angel!" he said through gritted teeth. He roughly grabbed my shoulders. "Don't you dare walk away from me."
"Watch me!" I shrieked. Who the hell did he think he was? Just as moved to push past him, I felt my arm being yanked so hard that I thought it would fall off. "Ow!" I cried in pain as Scorpius grabbed me and pulled me into a small dark store room near the washroom. He slammed the door shut and pushed me so hard against the wall that I felt the burst of pain on my back and on the back of my head from hitting concrete. "Get away from me, Malfoy!" I yelled. I tried to hit him and push him away but he grabbed my wrists and pinned me hard against the cold brick wall.
"I told you fucking listen to me!" He barked in my face. He was so close that I could smell the mint and the caramel coffee aromas in his breath as well as the musky scent of his body. I felt scared and suffocated. I didn't know what he was going to do to me but suddenly the worst ideas started rushing through my mind and I began to thrash.
"L-Let go of me!" I yelled in a voice cracking from fear.
"Not until you hear me out!" He said. "I need to apologize—"
"I d-don't want to hear it! I don't care anymore! L-Let me go!" I started screaming and furiously squirming in his hold.
"Oh, you're gonna listen whether you want to or not!" He growled in a warning tone. I tried to kick him in the crotch but he jerked away in time. I tried to kick him again. This time I almost busted his groin and his eyes were suddenly manic with rage.
"THAT'S IT!" He yelled before proceeding to step on my feet with his own booted ones, his entire weight on mine. I yelled pain.
"Please! It hurts!" I shrieked before bursting into tears. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
He shook his head, jaws hard, eyes blazing with fire. "You almost killed the Malfoy line, angel," he said through gritted teeth in a dangerously low voice. He tightened his grip on my wrists to painful levels and started pushing my entire body down to the ground, lowering himself as well, and keeping me pinned.
I tried to call for help. Why couldn't anyone hear me? Why wasn't anyone coming to help me? I felt dizzy. I was hurting everywhere. I wished I hadn't come here with him. I wished I was at home. I really wished I had stayed at the Potters' when Ben and Eric and Al were begging me to play quidditch. I wished I had told my Mum about today's plan. She would have known where to find me. I grew hysterical.
"Get off of me!" I sobbed. "Please...you're hurting me."
"Sshh. Stop crying," he ordered.
"No! Let me go!" I pleaded. I felt my body numb and I bawled. "I want to go home...please...don't hurt me! Please..."
Malfoy released his grips instantly and leaned back.
"Fuck, Rose! Okay...okay! Calm down! I won't hurt you!" He said, rubbing my arms.
"Don't...don't touch me," I cowered back and wrapped my arms around my quaking body. I leaned down to the ground and started sobbing and trembling in a fetal position.
Scorpius lifted me, holding me up, with frighteningly gentle arms. "Rose, I'm sorry! You're okay, baby girl, you're okay! I'm not going to hurt you, I promise!"
"Leave me alone! I want to go home," I sobbed. I could feel the wetness of the tears on my neck and into my neckline.
"I'll take you home. Let me help you up," He said, taking my arms.
"No!" I screamed and pulled back. "HELP!"
He immediately let go of my arms and pressed his hand to my mouth. "Sshh" he said. "I don't want to hurt you, baby."
I tried to push him with my free arm but he didn't budge so I started hitting him. He tried to hold me off but I started hitting him harder. Frustrated, he took both of my wrists and twisted my arms behind my back. I tried to scream because it hurt but he pressed on my mouth harder with his other hand. I couldn't breathe anymore and I started thrashing again while the tears flowed freely down my face and onto his hand. His silvery-grey eyes looked haunting. I tried to calm myself by taking deep breaths through my nose and slowly he pried his hand away from my face. He stared at me for a moment.
"HEL—" I was about to scream when all of a sudden Scorpius angrily slammed the wall next to my head with the palm of his hand. I screamed. The shelf shook and the cleaning supplies shook like they were about to fall off the shelves.
"Shut up! Shut the fuck up!" He yelled. He hit the wall again and I let out a yelp. I tried to twists my arms back.
"You're hurting me..." I whimpered. I squirmed and he let go of my wrists. I pulled my arms back out from behind me and wrapped them around myself.
He leaned his face closer and I turned my head. "Are you done being a hellion?" He demanded. I looked at him. His eyes were glaring at mine, making me tear up again. He sighed and looked away for a second. To my surprise, his expression had returned softened.
"I...I want to go home..." I pleaded, not sure if he would twist my arms again.
He only nodded however. "I'll take you home—"
"No!" I cried out. "N-not with you."
He nodded again. "Okay," he whispered. His piercing grey eyes didn't seem so horrifying anymore, they looked...almost pained.
"I'm so sorry," he said quietly. My eyes blurred again. "Oh angel," he whispered. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I'm sorry." He gently stroked and rubbed the part of my arm that he bruised. I started trembling again, afraid of this sudden gentleness. He didn't sound like the man he was minutes ago. The one who'd attacked me. He looked distressed and I muffled out the sounds of him pleading and apologising. I turned my head to the side and stared at the items on the wooden shelf. Maybe if they had collapsed to the floor earlier, someone would have come to check it out.
I hadn't noticed when Malfoy had leaned closer. I could feel his hot breath on my cheek. "Rose…" he said again. Putting my hair behind my ear and whispering softly. I cringed. "Please, don't pull away," he pleaded. "I'm not going to hurt you, baby." I remained rigid as I felt his face brush mine, feeling the rough stroke of his stubble on my cheek.
"No!" I croaked, pushing him with my hands in a futile attempt. He pulled back finally, sighing, and completely let go of his grip on me. I sighed again, out of relief this time. I felt like I could finally breathe.
"I think someone's in here!"
"I heard a girl screaming!"
"The door's jammed! I'll get my manager."
We both looked towards door of the storage room. There were voices on the other side! They'd heard me! They'd come to save me! I was just about to scream for them but Malfoy caught on my intentions immediately. He pulled me into him so hard my back collided with his chest and I was sitting between his legs. He wrapped his arms around me and held his hand at the mouth, blocking me from making any significant sound. I thrashed around again and tried to elbow him in the side.
"I think it's the girl from the washroom!"
"Marlena, call the police!"
Scorpius leaned his face closer to my ear. "Guess we're going home the old-fashioned way," he whispered.
And then he started muttering something incoherent and I started to feel drowsy. He was jinxing me, the bastard! Suddenly, the door of the storage burst open and I saw bright light before everything went pitch dark as I heard the words whispered in my ear, 'I'm sorry'.
...
I don't know what's happening or why I'm running in a dark, narrow corridor with only a tiny light behind me. All I know is that I have to run as fast as I can. I look back to see if I'm in the clear but I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for. What am I running for? Who am I running from? Suddenly I collide into a wall that feels like concrete. I look up and see a pair of dazzling silvery grey eyes. He takes hold of me and flashes a wicked smile.
"Don't worry now, I've got you," he says.
It doesn't feel right. I don't want him to 'get' me. Is he who I'm running from?
"No!" I try to say. I want to scream but it comes out as barely a whisper."Let me go!" I try again. I seem to have lost my voice.
"You've nothing to fear. I won't hurt you." He says again. But that wicked grin; it won't let me believe him. He takes my hand and leads me further into darkness. I can't see the light behind me anymore.
"No!" I choke out. "Don't take me!" I try to pull my hands back but they're numb.
"Let's get you to bed," he says.
And with that, I'm completely surrounded by the darkness. No more running, no more light. Just darkness.
...
I felt the sun blazing through my eyelids and I felt a pounding headache emerge. For a moment I thought it was almost time for class but then I remembered I was on summer vacation. It was Sunday and I was supposed to meet Malfoy...Malfoy! Consciousness dawned on me as the memory of my afternoon with Scorpius flooded back into my brain. My eyes shot wide open and the first thing I saw was the familiar yellow stain on the ceiling. My bedroom.
I looked around, grateful as ever to be back in my own room, in my own bed. But how the hell had I gotten back home? Last thing I remembered was...Malfoy. And the voices outside. Had they saved me? I tried to lift my body up but it hurt so I fell back on the bed.
"It's the after affects. It'll wear off soon."
I yelped when I saw him sitting at my desk, his hair ruffled and top buttons undone. What the hell was he doing in my room? Suddenly, a vicious thought entered my mind and my hand shot to my crotch to feel for underwear. I looked up at him.
His eyes narrowed and his steel gaze became scrutinizing. "I've not raped you," he growled.
I felt my entire body burn and I tried to kick the covers away in order to get up.
"Wh-why won't you leave me alone?!" I croaked out. My voice was hoarse. I could barely speak. Malfoy held a glass of water out but I didn't take it.
"I will, once you give me a chance to explain."
"Explain?!" I cried out, gaining some of my voice back. "There's nothing left to explain, Malfoy! You've not only assaulted me but you've kidnapped me too!"
Malfoy smirked. "Correct me if I'm wrong but is this not your room? I'd hardly call this a kidnapping."
"You lunatic! If you don't leave...I'll...I'll yell," I threatened.
"Save your voice. No one's home," He said, inching closer to my bed.
I cringed. My muscles started to loosen up and I lifted myself to sit on the bed.
"Careful," he said in a soft voice. I felt my eyes tear again as I vividly recalled the way I was tackled to the ground, the way he made me heel through pain.
"Why are you still here?" I sniffled, turning my head away so he wouldn't see my blurred gaze.
He didn't say anything for a moment. I turned to look at him and he was calmly strolling through my bedroom, looking at everything, touching my things. I watched him take the photo frame of me with my family off my desk and stare at it. He put the frame back in its place and picked up the one of Albus and I and then one of Hugo and I with our Nana and Papa Granger. There were more frames of me with my school friends as well as the huge Weasley family photo from last Christmas.
"You've got quite the collection, flower," said Malfoy in a soft voice. "Of loved ones, I mean. You'd be sorely missed if something were to happen to you."
I stiffened. "You're going to hurt me..."
"No." He said, looking at me, putting the last frame back. "But I am utterly capable of actually abducting you if you do not have the water, the sandwich and the painkiller I've got for you."
He pointed to the tray of food on my bed side table that I hadn't noticed before.
"You're trying to drug me!" I screeched and shifted back on the bed as close to the headboard as I could get.
"I assure you, I have better tastes," He said, flatly.
"I don't want anything from you."
"It's out of your own fridge."
"I don't care!"
"Don't make me force feed you, angel, because you know I will!" He said angrily.
I cringed again. Why did he have to shouting at me?
"That jinx I used on you, in less than an hour, your entire body will start to ache! And as much as I regret forcing you, Rose, I will do it again if it means you won't be in pain for the rest of the evening!"
"Okay, okay..." I said looking down at my hands. "You don't have to shout..."
Malfoy grunted. He walked around the bed and sat at the foot before taking his shoes off.
"Wh-what are you doing?" I asked. "I said, I'll do it! I'll eat!"
He only nodded and kicked his shoes away before turning to look at me, eyeing my huddled position. "Sit properly," he ordered.
I stretched my legs out in front of me rested my back against the headboard. To my sheer horror, he came up next to me, sitting exactly as I was and gave me an amused look. I stared at him with my eyes wide. I wasn't sure whether to yell at him or push him off the bed. But I wasn't pleased the least bit. Who would be pleased with a man that forced himself into your home and refused to leave?!
I watched Malfoy pick up the tray off my night stand and place it in his lap. He handed me the plate with what looked to be a ham and cheese sandwich.
"Here," he ordered. "Eat."
"I'm not hungry," I mumbled.
"Doesn't matter. No painkillers on an empty stomach."
I stared at him, frankly, annoyed. "Why do you care?"
"I wish I didn't," He said through gritted teeth. "Now, eat!"
Startled, I quickly picked up one triangle up and nibbled on the corner. He watched me the entire time.
"You're not eating!" He accused.
"I'm trying!" I cried. I felt my eyes tear again and he sighed dramatically.
"Don't cry," he said, gentler this time.
"Please...I can't eat this," I begged.
"Yes you can!"
"I'll throw up!" I started to sob.
I hated this. Why the hell was I crying when I should be dragging his ass out of my house! But deep down I knew Scorpius Malfoy wasn't the type of guy a petite girl like me could overtake. Maybe if I could get to my phone, I could call my parents, or even James or Al. Where the hell was my phone anyway?!
"Okay," he took a deep breath. "Will you at least eat half of it?"
I sniffled and nodded. "As long as you eat the other half first."
"I didn't spike your fucking chedder!"
I felt my face burn but I didn't budge until he finally picked up the other half and took a bite. He chewed rather slowly which only added to my anxiety. Finally, he swallowed and took another bite. He looked at me to do the same so I did. He finished with his half in no time while I sat there struggling with mine. I hadn't been lying earlier when I said I couldn't eat. I'd been feeling nauseas since I gained consciousness.
"Malfoy," I said in a small voice. "I can't finish this."
He looked at me and my half eaten triangle. Malfoy nodded before taking it from me and putting it back in the tray. He handed me a glass of water and two different pills.
"These will numb the pain," he said.
I took the water and the pills even though my own mind nagged me not to take anything from him. He put the empty glass back on the tray and ordered me to lie down. I lowered myself down on the bed and suddenly the back of my neck and shoulders started to hurt. I groaned and Malfoy helped me down before gently massaging the area. I cringed at first but I couldn't deny how good it felt.
I started to feel sleepy again and the thought of a nap seemed lovely. I wondered if one of them had been a sleeping pill. I turned to my other side but I knew Malfoy was still behind me. I just didn't care enough to push him away anymore. I was too sleepy. And the fingertips grazing up and down my shoulder and bare arm felt lovely.
...
I woke up in my bed entirely alone and when I looked towards the window, I noticed the sun was slowly dying. I looked towards my clock at saw it was nearly seven in the evening. I tried to sit up but all my muscles felt so stiff. I finally managed to get up and stretch before the events of the day dawned on me once more.
Malfoy. Malfoy yelling at me. Malfoy attacking me. Malfoy hurting me. Malfoy jinxing me. Malfoy forcing me to eat. Malfoy ruining my life! There was no way in hell that I was continuing with SCSY because I never wanted to see that bastard's ugly face again.
I slipped out of my now crinkled dress and into a pair of pajamas. I was just about to head into the washroom when I spotted my food tray on my bedside table. The plate was still there but my half eaten triangle was gone. In its place was a small piece of paper. A note. I picked it up.
Your half tasted better
- S
So now he'd also take my share of the sandwich too. As if taking my happiness and peace of mind wasn't enough! I crumpled up the piece of paper and chucked it in the trash, thinking that was the last of him. Merlin was I ever wrong.
When my parents and Hugo came home that evening, I broke the news at the dinner table. I no longer wanted to continue with SCSY. I told them the truth. Half of it actually. I told them I was not comfortable with the situation and I didn't get on well with my partner. Of course Mum insisted on asking Alice for a new one but I firmly refused. I made no mention of Scorpius. I wasn't sure why but I couldn't deny the polarity in his behaviour. I definitely hated him and I thought he hated me too but then I was baffled by his concern. At least I thought it was concern. I just wasn't sure what to think so for the time being, I decided not to mention him.
Mum called Alice Tandra on Monday morning to inform her of my decision to quit. She was sorry and said it was a shame that I didn't get on with my partner but who the hell cared what she thought anyway.
I thought, after quitting SCSY, my days would be Malfoy-free for good. I had no idea that he would consume my mind. Sometimes I'd wake in the middle of the night thinking I was back in that dark storage room trying to fight him off and at other times, I'd be imagining the feel of his fingers gliding across my bare skin. Sometimes it was more than my arm. What was wrong with me?
I was royally fucked in the head thanks to that son of a bitch.
I had no idea whether I should tell anyone what happened. I knew my mum would be angry with me for being irresponsible and going out for coffee with him but she'd lose it if she found out he'd assaulted her princess/honey bear/baby doll. She would take him to the Wizengamot. Dad would probably murder him right there. I suppose I did not want that.
I tried to occupy my time with reading or visiting my friends but they all complained I was no fun. I couldn't help that I was always lost in thought or just plain depressed. Just the other day when I was over at Emma's and she had made me a sandwich, I was reminded of Malfoy's stupid ham and cheese and his stupid note. You're half tasted better. What did that even mean? How was I supposed to know? But I did imagine his mouth on the part of the sandwich where my mouth had been. Did that mean his mouth had technically touched mine? What was wrong with me?! Why was I thinking about that?! To say it was disturbing was an understatement.
At home, I mostly stayed in my room. I wasn't sure if it was depression. I wasn't sure what I was feeling but I wanted to be alone. I still had a bump on the back of my head, but it didn't hurt anymore and my hair covered it up pretty well. I had to wear a full sleeves everywhere to hide the dark purple bruises on my arms and wrist. My family found it a bit weird since I was always complaining about how hot it was.
Sometimes when I was alone in my room, I'd think about Scorpius stepping on my feet and I'd burst into tears. In all honesty, I felt abused. So why wasn't I doing anything about it? He'd thrown me against the wall, he'd tackled me to the floor, he'd even stepped on me and yet here I was doing absolutely nothing about it except wondering if he'll ever call again.
Royally fucked level one thousand.
A week later, I woke up in the morning with the decision to move forward with my life. I'd try to forget my abuse and I'd try to focus on the rest of my summer as well as my friends. I had to put Malfoy out of my mind if I didn't want to go fucking nuts.
Fucking nuts? Goddamn Malfoy...
My mood had become much brighter since my little epiphany. I decided to get out of my room and go over to the Godric's Hollow with Hugo to play some quidditch with Lily and Al. Al asked me how Scorpius was doing so I told him the best lie I could. Neither Scorpius nor I were too interested in SCSY so we quit.
Once we were home again that evening, I had nothing to so I lounged on my favourite sofa and watched some television. That vampire show that I was watching a couple weeks ago was on again so I switched to that channel. The sexy vampire had gone mental and was drinking the blood of the girl he loved. He didn't know what he was doing and didn't realize that he was hurting her. And she didn't even fight him even though she wanted to. She just took it. She just tried to remind him it was her, his lover, and he was draining the life out of her. It was quite sad really. But then he gained his senses again and realized what he'd done, so he fell to his knees and apologized for hurting her. That was when I switched the channel. I didn't know why but I couldn't continue watching that. It was making me sick to my stomach. I didn't know why, it could have been the blood, I guessed.
Just then, Mum poked her head in the TV lounge, "Rose, I think you should have a little something to eat, dear."
Come to think of it, these past couple of days I'd been living on coffee and a fruit here or there. "I am hungry," I admitted.
"Would you like a ham and cheese sandwich?" She asked.
"I hate ham and cheese...and bread," I said flatly.
Mum looked at me curiously. "Peanut butter and Jelly on rye then?"
"Yeah whatever."
I heard my cell phone buzz and I looked to see a text message from Eric. Eric? Eric had never called or messaged or even owled me before. I opened up the text, giddy to see what it said.
What's up?
Havin a jam at my place Saturday night.
Wanna come?
Of course I wanted to go. How could I not go? Finally something interesting was happening to me. So I texted him back.
What time? I'll be there
I quickly called Sophie and Emma and Priya and we did a four-way to discuss this party.
"This is your chance, Rose!" Sophie squealed.
"It's like someone up there really loves me," I joked.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so excited. Just got un-grounded and I'm going to a party!" Priya said. "You better kiss him, Rose."
"I don't want to kiss him first..." I said, unsure. "I mean, it might be awkward you know."
"Yes, but judging by what you told us about the sleepover, I think he's totally into you!" Emma encouraged.
"I don't know, I don't think he's into me like that. I think he only thinks I'm cute or something," I said.
"Talk to him tomorrow," Sophie said. "Like any other friend".
"But that's hard!"
"Pretend he's Ben!" Priya suggested. "Talk to Eric the way you talk to Ben."
"I can't be that way with Eric!" I said. "Ben's different, he's so ...easy and playful".
"Eric isn't much different, you know," Sophie said. "He's a lot like Ben and James."
Just then, my phone started beeping and I looked to see that Eric was calling me.
"Guys, I've got to go! Eric's calling!"
They squealed gleefully and wished me luck.
I nervously received his call, "Hello, Eric?"
"Hey, Rose! How've you been," He asked.
"Good, you?" Merlin I was so awkward! "What's this party you've got everyone talking about?"
"Yeah, my parents are in Ireland for a week attending a wedding, and my sister's at her boyfriend's dorm this weekend. I have the house to myself so James suggested throwing a party."
"I'm so excited!" I said. I was such a loser.
"So you're coming? Be there by nine," Eric said. "We're going to have firewhiskey and some Muggle stuff too."
"So who's coming?" I asked.
"People from school, mostly the people in my year and your year and maybe a bunch of 5th years as well. I have to invite Longbottom's sister," he said.
"Oh, how come?" I asked.
"Albus called me ten times ever since he found out about the party, he's been begging me to invite fifth years so he can bring her," he laughed.
"Yeah, he's really into Arielle," I agreed. "Do you think she's pretty?"
Eric grew silent for a moment. "Sure. I guess..." he said, unsure of himself. "But there's always someone prettier."
My heart skipped a beat.
We were both quiet for a couple seconds. "So, you're gonna come, right?" He said.
"Yeah definitely!"
"Well, I have to go," he said. "James is calling. And you know he won't stop until I pick up."
I said goodbye to Eric and collapsed back on my bed.
Maybe I could salvage my summer after all.
A/N: GUYS PLEASE! I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS! I don't know if many of you are on board with this new edition of ABYS but I'd really appreciate some feedback, anything! It actually encourages me more than anything. I love you all 3 Until next time!