Maintaining Conscious Thought
I swung my bag over my shoulder after packing my stuff away in it from my table when the end of seventh period came with a long blast of the school bell. I was glad to have finished school today. I hadn't had much sleep last night – maybe two or three hours – and I was feeling weak and shivery. I yawned and hurried out of the classroom, behind almost everyone else.
The day had been too long; especially last period, which was History of Magic – award for the dullest, most boring subject goes to, that's right! History of Magic! I had gotten an extra hour of sleep in at least.
I speedily walked through the surging crowds, heading for their respective Common rooms, and went to mine. It was full by the time I'd gotten there. Everyone was chatting about their day – complaints were exchanged, gossip was shared, homework was started. I didn't feel like talking to anyone, and I definitely wasn't in the mood to work, so I made my way up to my dormitory, where I met up with Angelina and Alicia.
"Oh, hey Katie," I was greeted by Alicia. I dumped my bag down by my bed, and sat on the edge.
"You alright?"
I looked at Angelina blearily, trying to focus on her face – tired eyes just don't work well.
"I'm fine. I didn't sleep much, that's all."
"Remembering Wood called practice at seven, Kat?" Alicia asked. "Do you want us to tell him you're sick?"
"Nah. He'll just come up to check on me anyway."
"Well, you don't look very well. I think he'd believe you if you said you were sick."
"Do I really look that bad?"
The girls looked at each other for a brief moment, and then they both nodded.
"Thanks guys. I needed the self-esteem boost," I said sarcastically.
"Sorry Katie, but you look awful. Have you eaten today?" Angelina asked.
"What are you two? My keepers?"
"Have you eaten today?" Angelina asked again more forcefully.
"No, I haven't. But if I did eat something, I'd be sick everywhere anyway – I just don't feel good."
"Then you're not going to practice."
"We have a week 'til the next game, guys."
"Katie, you're sick. Oliver will probably just send you back anyway."
I just looked at Alicia.
"Okay, he won't. He'll tell you to sit and watch; otherwise he'd have to watch you throughout practice."
"No change there then," Angelina muttered, sitting cross-legged on her bed.
I glared at her.
"Well, it's true Katie. The man is obsessed with you."
"Whatever."
"Katie, are you never going to give him another chance?"
I looked at Angelina impassively. "No, I'm not."
"Can I ask, why not?"
"No, you can't."
She looked at me, surprised. "Okay, Kat."
"Sorry," I muttered, not looking at either of them. "I kissed him yesterday."
I looked up. The girl's faces showed and identical expression of shock.
"I don't know why I did, but I did."
"He didn't kiss you?"
"He kissed me back … but that isn't the same. It was stupid of me. I don't know what I was thinking."
"Maybe you were thinking that you should give him another chance, Kat."
I shook my head. "I can't."
"Why?" Alicia said, sitting on the bed next to me.
"He dumped me because I was too young. I'm still younger than him. I always will be. What if that thought dawns on him again, and he dumps me again? What would I do then?"
"Tell him to wake up!" Angelina said.
"But he's right."
"What do you mean?" Alicia asked. I looked up at her.
"He should be with someone his own age. I should be with someone my own age."
"Bullshit, Katie."
"All that matters is that he loves you, and he obviously does."
I decided not to answer.
"You two are meant for each other in every way."
"If I was a few years older, I might agree with you." I replied quietly.
"Katie, you have to get past this age thing."
"It's alright for you two to say that. The twins are the same age as you."
"And if they were older –"
"You'd be surprised if they noticed you at all," I finished Angelina's sentence.
"You're right. We would," Alicia agreed, and Angelina nodded, somewhat dazedly.
"Y'know, I wish Oliver hadn't ever noticed me. My life would be so much easier if he hadn't."
"You don't mean that," Angelina said, shaking her head.
I looked at her. "Yeah, I do."
I think they decided to drop it there, because they both shrugged at each other, and left the room.
I knew I was right. Oliver would realise he was too old for me again, and find someone older – especially when he left school at the end of the year. Especially when he's a famous Quidditch star and loads of girls will be fawning all over him – older and younger.
I would be left behind.
I could deal with that.
I sighed and stood up after glancing at my bedside clock, which read half five.
I should get my stuff ready for practice – if I don't pass out before then.
My life really was bad at the moment.
I went to my trunk and pulled out some clean work-out clothes. I emptied my schoolbag into my trunk, and stuffed the clothes in it.
Well, that took up next-to-nothing of my time.
I sighed and fell back onto my bed. This sucked.
I could shower. That, at least, was something to do.
I got my shower stuff together (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, moisturiser etc...) and went to the bathroom.
I jumped under the shower head and doused myself in water. I slowly washed my hair, and then washed the rest of me. In all honesty, there wasn't much point in showering – I'd have to go for another after training, but whatever.
I stepped out of the shower, and got dried. I dressed again, and flicked my wand at my hair to dry it. My hair was well past my shoulders by now, and it was a little darker because there wasn't much sun. I flicked my wand again, and the ends curled slightly, and it gave it much more volume. I liked doing my hair – especially since I found out I was a witch. I didn't have to spend about an hour styling it now. That made me happy.
I went to the mirror and put on a little makeup – eyeliner, mascara, and a little lipgloss. I looked pretty good, if I do say so myself. I grinned at myself in the mirror, then headed out of the bathroom. I met with Angelina and Alicia in our dorm.
"Hey guys," I said happily.
They looked at me, their eyebrows raised.
"What are you all dolled up for, Katie?" Angelina smirked.
"I'm not 'all dolled up'," I said, looking at her.
"Yeah you are. Your hair's all done and pretty, and you've got makeup on. You hardly ever wear makeup to practice. You trying to impress someone?" Alicia grinned at me.
"No. I was just bored," I shrugged. "Plus, you guys said I looked awful."
"Sure," Alicia smirked.
"Whatever," I said smiling. I picked up my bag and trotted down to the Common room to sit for a while, as I still had about thirty minutes left before I would go down to the pitch.
I still felt awful.
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