Collapsing Heart

Chapter 10

I hadn't heard from Ron in three days, three long days of torturing myself, wondering what I did wrong to induce this silence.

"Hermione, why don't you just call him?" Layla asked as she came and sat down next to me on the sofa. She started rubbing my back and my eyes started to droop.

I was sitting hunched over with my chin in my hands staring off into space. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, and I felt guilty because Layla had become my guardian these past few days. No matter what I did though I couldn't snap out of this despondency.

"I can't call him Lay." I said wearily. I sat upright and my spine popped and crackled in protest from sitting in one position too long, I then slouched down into the sofa and sighed.

"Why not?" Layla asked as she rolled her eyes at me and mimicked my position.

"It's complicated ok? Now will you just drop it." I whined.

"I will not drop it Hermione, look at you, your a zombie right now. I am feeling down too you know, but I am not moping around feeling sorry for myself. We haven't eaten properly in days, and for what, a BOY? I need you." Layla yelled as she stood up over me and waved he hands in frustration.

In that moment it felt as if a bucket of cold water was dumped over my head. How could I be so selfish? Here I was moaning and being depressed about a guy I hadn't known long. This is why I never dated guys before, I mean I was always busy with school, but I saw friends of mine get hurt often by selfish boys. Even though my heart was telling me Ron wasn't like that, I still felt raw and hurt. Mom would be disappointed in me right now if she was here.

"I'm sorry. Your right, I haven't been there for you. What do you want to eat, better yet let's make pizza from scratch I know you love that." I said as I stood up, wiped my eyes and fixed my ponytail, and started walking towards the kitchen.

"Hermione." Layla called softly, still in the living room.

I spun around and faced her with a forced half smile.

"Yes?"

"If Ron doesn't call you back, then he is an idiot." She said softly as she stepped forward and gave me a side hug.

"Thanks kiddo." I said as I mussed her hair and we walked to the kitchen together.

"Umm Hermione, do we any ingredients to make pizza?" Layla asked as she watched me rummage through the cupboards and refrigerator.

I continued to look through them all and I could see that we only has ham and chicken slices that we could use for the toppings. I took my phone out my pocket and dialed the taxi company we had been using since we had got here.

"Yes, could I get a taxi to Marks and Spencers please...Hermione Granger...81 Willow Road...Thanks and how long do you think that will be...Fifteen minutes?...Ok thank you."

"OK Layla, the taxi will be here in fifteen minutes so get your shoes on." I said as I put my phone in my bag and checked that I had my wallet in it as well.

"I miss our car, I hate these taxis they take forever to get here." Layla said as she roughly shoved her feet into her shoes.

"I know, but we are only here for three weeks though so you will have the car then." I said as I put my flip flops on. I didn't want to think about going back to the States too much, because every time I did my throat closed over and I felt nauseous.

"Hermione dear, I have a swell idea. Why don't we just live here." Layla stated as though it was the most obvious answer to all our problems.

"We can't, our life is in New York." I said as I made sure all the windows and doors were locked.

"No, our house is in New York." Layla said as we both stepped on to the porch to wait for the taxi.

"Not just our house, our car, our clothes, your school, and my university. Don't you miss your friends?"

As Layla was about to answer the taxi pulled up to the house and beeped. I could tell she was annoyed, but I was thankful the taxi came when it did. I didn't want to talk about this with her because I hadn't even thought about it that much yet. Every time I did think about I would start to feel overwhelmed.

As we pulled up to the store, I paid the taxi driver and we both stepped out of the car.

"Can I push the trolley?" Layla asked loudly in a fake British accent.

"Why are you talking like that, and why so loud, and what is a trolley?" I asked humorously.

"Talking like what, I always talk like this love, and a trolley is how you Americans say 'shopping carts.'"

I shook my head, and agreed with her as we enter the store.

"Ok so what do we need from our list." Layla asked, continuing in her British accent.

"Everything silly, thats why we made a shopping list. You make lists because you need things, and you put those things you need on a list because you have to get them. Did you get that?" I said teasingly as we made our way down the aisle.

"All I heard was blah blah blah list." Layla said as she put tomato puree into the cart.

"Ohhh you didn't say that in your accent, your going to throw people off." I taunted.

"Oh well, it's hard to keep up anyway. Let's go look at desserts!" Layla said as she picked up her speed, pushing the cart towards the dessert aisle.

"Now your talking" I said as I followed close behind her.

As we walked down the aisle looking at all the desserts she stopped at one and tried to read it.

"What's a toffee Pa-Pav..."

"Toffee Pavalova? Its a dessert made mostly of meringue, and before you ask meringue is basically sugar."

"Sounds perfect." She said as she picked it up and put it in the cart.

"Hey, what if I don't want that!" I protested playfully as I tried to take it out of the cart.

"Back off grandma, go get your own." Layla laughed as she shielded her precious dessert.

We both broke out into a fit of laughter when I heard my name being called behind me.

"Hermione?"

I turned around and there stood Harry and Ginny. No one said anything and the atmosphere was turning awkward. I eventually mumbled a "hi" and a "how are you", then continued to look at the desserts.

"Look, I know why you are acting weird towards me, and I kind of get it. My brother is an idiot, but please don't take it out on me. I thought we got along pretty good at my house and I thought we were friends.

" I know Ginny, I am sorry. I don't mean to be rude, but I am confused right now." I said as my eyes filled up with tears.

As soon as I wiped my eyes Ron rounded the corner with two types of bread in his hand, he hadn't seen Layla and I since he was intently studying the packaging.

"Gin, what kind of bread do you want? There so many bloody kinds, White, Brown, Wholemeal, Rye, 50/50...

As he looked up at Ginny, he then slowly turned and looked at me. His eyes widened in panic and his mouth opened and shut.

"Why haven't you called my sister, I looked up to you, and you are turning out to be a very mean mean boy." Layla firmly said. Her arms were crossed and she was glaring right at him.

Before me or Ron could say anything Ginny jumped in and offered to take Layla so Ron and I could talk.

Ron didn't say anything, and once again I felt hurt. Obviously he didn't want to explain himself or work things out.

"It's ok Ginny, we need to get home anyway. Come on Layla." I said as my voice quivered. Keep it together was my chant as we made our way to the checkout, and as we stood outside waiting for a taxi.

"Hermione!" Ron called. He came running out the door towards Layla and I. He had put on a hat and sunglasses, he was obviously trying to make himself inconspicuous, but he stood out even more.

"Please, I'm sorry, can we please talk." Ron pleaded as he looked into my eyes.

"I cant right now Ron, I have to go home and make Layla dinner. Maybe some other time." I said trying to act nonchalant, but my insides were churning.

"Oh, O-ok." Ron stuttered and looked down. I could tell he was disappointed, but a small part of me wanted him to feel the pain I felt these past three days.

As he turned to walk away Layla shouted for him to wait. At this time Ginny and Harry had exited the store and I noticed that Harry had a disguise on similar to Ron.

"Ginny, can I come to your house for a little bit." Layla asked and then winked at Ginny.

"Definitely, Harry and I are having Bangers and Mash, and I could use some help making it." Ginny said trying to hide a smile.

"Well, I will see you two crazies later, peace out." Layla said and then ran towards Ginny and Harry.

I stood there in shock, those two were like twins, and they were quite scary. I am sure if they plotted together, they could probably take over the world. Ron and I watched in silence as the three of them got in their car and left.

"So ummm." Ron said and then went silent again.

The taxi then pulled up and the driver shouted "Taxi for Granger!"

"Yes, thats me." I confirmed and started to walk towards the taxi. As I went to sit in the back I saw that Ron was still standing in the same spot looking unsure.

"Ron, are coming or not?" I asked.

"Yeah." He mumbled and then scurried to joined me in the back of the car.

"Where to Miss?" the driver asked as we got settled.

"81 Willow Road please." I said quietly.

Once we got back to the house, things were even more awkward. Ron sat silently at the table and I silently put away all the food that I had just bought. As I put the last item in the cupboard I had reached my breaking point.

"Please Ron, say something." I said frustratingly.

He jumped at my voice and stuttered as he looked down at the table, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what Ron, not calling me for three days. Leading me on, to think I thought you actually liked me. I am such a fool!" I yelled as I dropped in the chair opposite him.

"Your not a fool Hermione, don't say that, and I do like you ok, more than I have liked anyone in a long time." Ron yelled back.

"Then whats going on, I know we haven't known each other long, but I thought we had a connection, a spark even."

"We did, I mean we do. I just, I'm not good at relationships." Ron exclaimed as he grabbed his hair and pulled at it with frustration.

"That is no reason for you not to call me, I never pressured you into committing into anything permanent. I mean I am leaving in three weeks for gods sake." I stated.

"Exactly." Ron grumbled.

"What does that mean?"

"It means I am scared Hermione, I care about you so much and we hardly know each other. You will be leaving in three weeks, probably go back and meet someone new, so I thought whats the point."

"What's the point? How dare you? For your information Ron, you may or may not believe this but you were my first kiss. And when we were in Ginny's spare room, that was all new for me. So don't go there ok."

Ron made chocking sound and said, "I was your first kiss. Thats impossible, your beautiful, I am sure guys try and ask you out all the time."

"Try is the key word Ron, I have been too busy with school to worry about boys." I said embarrassingly. I cant believe I just told him he was my first kiss!

"Look, I am sorry again, for not calling you, but like I said, I am scared and quite frankly I think you can do better than me." Ron stated darkly.

"Why do you say that?"

"I told you I am bad at relationships."

"But why?" I shouted in frustration.

"Because I let my wife die!" Ron shouted and then shot out of the chair and stormed outside.

Well, there you go. Ron is not so perfect after all. Let me know what you think. Thanks again to all the reviewers. Please tell me what you think. I know I said I would be writing more in July, but I have super busy these past few weeks. I was at the London premiere for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Did anyone else go? Also what did everyone think of the movie. I cried!