Author's note: Here's the next chapter finally!(: Enjoy everyone and don't forget to review!
Electra:
I spent the better half of the week avoiding Draco like the plague. When he called after me in the halls, I simply pretended that I couldn't hear him and sped up. Guilt tore at my insides, and Izzy thought I was a down right coward, but the truth was that I didn't know how to face Draco. And I certainly couldn't cope with the fact that I'd admitted my feelings about him, even if only to Izzy and myself. As quidditch practice drew nearer and nearer, my excuses were beginning to dry up and it was only a matter of time until I found myself walking down to the pitch to face him. Of course the rest of the team would be there as well; that was the one thing that I found solace in. Draco would find it impossible to corner me.
I made it to practice on time, but only just. Everyone else was already up in the air waiting for me. I ignored Blaise, who'd cracked a joke about finding a new chaser and mounted my broom as well. A burning sensation in the pit of my stomach told me, without looking, that Draco's gaze was fixed intently on me. I half expected him to comment on my nearly late arrival, but instead he flew to the middle of the pitch and started practice without so much as another glance my way. Relief flooded through me, but I had a nagging feeling that I was far from escaping him.
Practice was grueling, Draco pushed everyone hard in order to prepare for the match against Gryffindor. He finished off with a bit of advice for the team and then dismissed everyone.
"Ryker!" he called as I turned to leave," I'd like a moment please."
I cringed and, only after I let out a string of not-so-silent curse words, turned to face him, "Did you need something?"
He closed the space between us, apparently oblivious to my obvious discomfort," What happened to you? I thought that we'd actually made some progress." His frustration with me was evident, and all traces of the arrogant jerk that I'd been so used to had disappeared.
"I don't know, Draco. It's a little weird for me to pretend to like the arrogant git that you are sometimes. When it's just us and you're like this, it's so simple. I'm just having a hard time adjusting to it all," I said awkwardly, looking more at the ground than at him. There were a million things I'd rather have been doing other than having this talk with him, like eating Flobberworms maybe. Anything sounded better than baring my soul to Draco Malfoy of all people.
Draco rested his palm on my cheek and brought my gaze to his," I know it's not easy, trust me. But just try, okay? For me? Pretend like it's just us all the time. This right here is real, and that's all you need to focus on."
My response caught in my throat as I struggled for a moment to remember how to breath," It's not that easy, Draco. How do I know that this isn't just some trick that you've thought up?" I was hyper-aware that his hand still hadn't left my cheek as he leaned closer to me so that our noses were almost touching. All I could concentrate on was the fact that Draco's mouth was less than an inch from mine. My knees were becoming jelly and I waited anxiously for the electricity that I knew would arrive the second that his lips touched mine.
"Electra! There you are, I have so much to tell you!" Izzy called from the side of the pitch, realizing a minute too late what she'd interrupted. I could have hexed her right then. Though the evident look of guilt on her face made me stop short.
I moved hastily away from Draco and tried my best not to glare at her as I approached her without another look at Draco. I knew that my red cheeks would betray me if he saw them and I didn't want him to know how he had gotten to me.
"This better be good," I growled as I got to her, though she only giggled and mumbled a quiet apology.
"What?!" I demanded," That git actually got you to walk up and down the pitch stairs? And how may I ask did he manage that?"
Izzy went a bright shade of pink that was visible even in the dark. She looked out over the lake and didn't answer right away, but I knew right away.
"You like him!" I yelled with a victorious laugh, now things were finally even.
She looked mortified," Electra, you shut your mouth! You'll wake the entire castle and then we'll have to explain what we're doing sneaking up to the astronomy tower after hours! Besides, it's not like that."
I arched an eyebrow in disbelief," Uh huh. Then why are you're cheeks so red? Tell me, did you two snog?"
For that comment I received a well aimed kick in the shin," Electra, this isn't funny! And of course we didn't. Like I said, it's not like that. But... we're meeting up again, he said that he still wants to help me."
I rubbed my shin where she had hit me and smirked," Well, that's still plenty of time for a good snogging, and I daresay that you could use it. You're looking a little uptight."
She glared at me," Oh and what about you and Draco? Don't think I missed what I walked in on, you were like putty in his hands."
My stomach did a flop and memories of that evening flooded back," Speaking of that, you have impeccable timing. Now I can never face him again!"
"Hardly, I bet he can't get you off his mind. Malfoy is so used to getting whatever he wants, he probably finds it extremely frustrating that he hasn't gotten to kiss you yet. He'll track you down soon enough. But," she said as she got up," I, unlike you, actually need sleep. So I'll catch up with you tomorrow, okay?"
"Night," I said absentmindedly, my mind was elsewhere.
Once she had gone I had no reason left to linger in the Astronomy tower, so I returned to the common room to retrieve my journal and then snuck out to the lakeside. I wasn't afraid of being caught, Filch was likely parading about on the sixth floor with his dreadful cat.
I sat underneath a large beech tree on the shore and thought carefully about what to write, the moonlight was just barely enough for me to see what I was doing.
"Lately I've been losing myself in illusions of affection and desire. No matter how I try I can't seem to distract myself. Quidditch does little to still my emotions, in fact it makes them worse. I can't escape him, he's everywhere and to often he's in my own thoughts. The closer I get to him, the further I get from safety. I need to remember that in the end, I'm the only one who's going to be there for myself. Everyone leaves, but is it so wrong to try and enjoy the time that I have? It's definitely not healthy to greet the pain that is sure to follow, but some part of me thinks he might be worth it. I've never been so vulnerable, and I don't know how to turn back or if I even can."
Author's Note: I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!(: It's been getting really intense between Draco and Electra, hopefully not too soon. Also, I will be trying to include a journal entry from Electra where ever they fit best. I think it's really helpful to have direct insight to what she's going through from her own mind. Keep reading! It's only going to get better, I promise! Also, I'm so sorry about the spaced out posting. We've been having a really tough time keeping up with the update day, but the story is still fully in action. Expect updates more often! 3 Be sure to follow, favorite, and review! We really adore it, it motivates us to keep moving!
~Jamie
