Disclaimer: ...
This chapter is from Cedric's point of view starting right after Arianne throws the bracelet at him. I decided to put this in here as I recently suffered heartbreak and knew I could relate to Cedric.
It's going to be depressing, so be aware. It's not going to make sense at points, but that's the thoughts of one whose heart has been broken.
I still can't believe it.
I was so heartbroken when Arianne threw the bracelet at me. I mean, I thought we were doing ok, and she suddenly blew up at me. I never knew she was that angry, that I was bothering her that much. I'd rather know when I'm bothering someone than have a scene like that one.
After she stormed away, I stared at the floor for what must have been a few minutes at least. Actually, I don't know how long it was. I know the Ravenclaws were waiting for me to go away so they could get to their common room, but I just couldn't. I stooped to pick to the bracelet up, and noticed everyone around me. I knew that my decision to stay there was a poor one, and that I had to go.
It wasn't just the Ravenclaws that made me go. It was the tears. They started without warning and I had to leave so no one would see me, the star of the Hufflepuff team, cry. I walked around and found an empty bench in the courtyard where we all go during break. The bracelet weighed heavy in my hand. I had spent so much time picking it out for her. I knew that it would mean a lot to her, like it did to me when I saw it for the first time.
I was actually happy when Saralyn found me sitting there. I was cold and wet and didn't want to be alone with my thoughts. She dried me off and sat with me in an empty classroom she found. We talked about Arianne and what we thought was wrong. Sara thought that maybe I was weary about Arianne being somewhat wolfish once a month. I'm not. It's as much a part of her as her personality. I wouldn't change her.
My year-mates had trouble getting me out of bed. I wasn't up early anymore. My team members had to wake me up for morning practices. I cared little for my personal appearance. Now, I'm not a heavy eater to begin with, but my appetite had dropped off to one small meal twice a day. Professor Sprout had noticed, and told me I needed to stop losing weight or I'd have to see Madame Pomfrey and take potions to get me healthy again.
It was just hard. I saw her in DADA every class, and I know she was thankful Professor Lupin broke up the partnered groups and had us working on our own. It's almost surreal, as if I'm going to wake up one day and nothing bad will have transpired between us. But the rational part of my mind keeps telling to owe up to reality and face it.
But I was starting to love her.
It was about two and a half weeks later when I was bringing books from the library to my common room so some of the guys and I could do a Transfiguration essay. My arms were full and heavy, so I didn't notice at first. I did, however, hear their laughing. When I was able to peek around my books, my heart fell from my chest and I dropped them. There, right near the painting that guarded the Hufflepuff common room, was Arianne. And she was snogging Oliver Wood.
Of all the people, it had to be Wood. Maybe she had a thing for Quidditch players. Maybe it was the accent. But whatever it was, I was once again hurt. My intrusion made them spring apart. Arianne saw me and stared for a few seconds, then ran. I could think of nothing to do but call out for her. Wood did the same, but she kept running. He asked me if I had followed them and planned it on purpose, but I hadn't. He gave me a look, shook his head and left.
I think she might have been starting to love me, too. Otherwise, why would she have run like she did? My mate Alex said that I scared her is all. I didn't think that was it. I think she was ashamed to be found snogging another guy, and that it was me that caught them.
I couldn't get her out of my head. I saw her all over school and could do nothing about it but stare. Even when she was nowhere near where I was, I saw her in everything, in everyone. I did my best to keep busy, but without Quidditch, I had nothing but homework.
Quidditch... I began to worry about her and the coming Ravenclaw/Gryffindor match. I worried about her getting hurt. I worried about if they lost the match. I worried about... everything. Even knowing that she was an expert at her part in the game wasn't good enough to soothe my nerves.
Giggly girls asked me out several times a day. I said no every time, and they always responded with,
"You're wasting time pining over that girl. She wasn't even pretty. She didn't appreciate you at all. I appreciate you, Cedric. I'm pretty. Get over that prat of a girl and go out with me."
I stopped hearing them after a few days, but I still felt the same:
I didn't want them.
I wanted her.