The next day rolled by in a foreboding manner. Clouds were low and grey and the ground- a grimy, wet mixture of mud and snow from the heavy rain last night.
"No, no! I think the hall would look best with the ceiling" Professor Flitwick gestured up at the open sky and the gloomy greenish-gray clouds.
Students from Slughorn's Advanced Potions class and Flitwick's fourth year Charms lay about the hall in lazy fashion on the two remaining benches positioned on the opposite sides of the room either slowly helping decorate or lounging around. The house tables had magically disappeared; tall and full bodied evergreen trees were being grown around the room, and the walls had transformed from their usual dark wood dress to an ornately sculpted gold and painted one as if out of the St. Peter's Basilica.
Slughorn nodded to the short man and pointed his wand towards the sky and the usual Great Hall ceiling appeared.
"No, no, something more elegant" Flitwick sang, "something relevant to the Theme!"
The heavy man nodded smugly as if he understood but then shook his head and leaned over to the Flitwick. "And my good man,… what would that be?"
Flitwick let out a high pitched growl and waved him away.
"I like the concept" Lily and Remus stood near one of the large trees and levitated golden ornaments with their wands and hooked them on individual branches. "It's different"
I simply nodded at Lily's cheery comment.
I was seated on the edge of the bench near the two, among the few students who hurriedly walking about me, helping the Professors decorate.
"I would have liked some snow though" Remus commented, pulling out another orb of gold from the box of decorations I was holding on my lap. "But I don't mind the Evergreen and Gold idea"
I was too preoccupied in watching Regulus from across the room, near Slughorn. He was helping his House Head by holding a box full of garland which seemed to never-endingly slithered out of it.
I was both sad and angry at how rude he'd treated me last night. I hated knowing that he was going with someone else and how he wasn't even looking at me—even now…
I gritted my teeth, gripping the corners of the box. Is he so great and I so little that he couldn't even dare to glance my way?
"Eli"
The garland finally finished and Slughorn patted his back with a thanks. Regulus let out an entirely fake tiny smile which almost immediately morphed into his usual indifferent façade once he set the box down and flipped his dark bangs away from his face.
For a split second his eyes jerked towards mine
He's looking at me?
"Elise?"
A melancholic grimace grew on my lips. He's looking at me!
"Eli?"
I wanted to bury my face in my box "what?"
Lily's hands dropped to her sides and Remus made a face towards me and then tried to follow my gaze.
I scrambled out of my thoughts and confused Remus with a last minute glance towards Holly and Al who were across the room with their own tree.
"We're out of ornaments" Lily spoke sweetly but there was still a hint of concern to it
"I'll get some more" I hoped off my seat with the empty box trying to pretend I never saw the alarming looks Lily and Remus gave each other: Remus had no answer for Lily who wanted to know what was going on.
I walked across the room to my far right corner, near the entryway, where the stacks of decorations stood. All the while, I tried not looking over to Regulus who was only feet away from them with a few of his Slytherin friends.
I silently let go of the empty carton on the floor and searched for another box full of ornaments and gold trinkets.
"Having a little trouble Potter?"
There were multiple muffled belittling and condescending sneers coming from the bench.
I looked over and locked eyes with the Avery Jr., a Slytherin student from Remus and Lily's Advanced Potions class. He sat with his elbows on his knees with other Slytherin kids around him; Parkinson, Serverus, Mulciber Jr., Lesley, and especially Regulus from my class.
For a moment my eyes fluttered to his direction but I only received that same callous look- I sort of felt taken aback even though I shouldn't have.
"What's the matter? You deaf or something?"
I found my box and picked it up, silently.
"ay?" Lesley barked while the others laughed with her.
Avery didn't seem to be laughing; instead, he raised his hand as if to signal for them to stop acting so childish. He jumped off his seat and stood up straight, nearing me by the boxes. "I'll teach her to listen to me when I talk"
There grew a wicked half smirk on his lips as I realized his one hand nearing his pocket for his wand and how close he was getting.
For a moment I forgot all my frustration and anger with Regulus and desperately met his eyes. I waited for him to do something, save me again like he always seemed to do from his friends.
There was a waver to his stolid face but then he hunched over looking away from me.
I clicked my tongue, bewildered, and started to reach for my own wand but just as Avery only stood mere inches away from my face, I heard Al's roaring yell.
"What's with ya? Live her alone!" the brunette had let go of his concentration on his ornament and started to stomp his way towards us. Holly quickly caught the glass ball and followed suit behind Al.
Most students around us had chosen to ignore what was going on in fear of Avery and his band of Slytherins and miraculously, with all the chaos of decorating, the two professors had not noticed anything. Nevertheleless, Lily and Remus-who always seemed to keep a protective watch on me-had and also started to hastily near us.
"She hasn't done anything to you" It was odd to hear Lily so stern, it didn't seem to fit with her dainty and charming voice at all.
"Hasn't your filthy Muggle mother taught you not to interrupt when two people are talking?" his face was mocking and Lily's dark "You filthy mudblood" He spit venom from his mouth
I instantly pulled out my wand, pointing it to his face. "Enough…" I snarled at him and immediately saw horror flash across his face before it faded away into a smug grin. "You bloody devil…I ought to-"
Avery, then, grew irritated and was about to utter something but at that moment Slughorn and Flitwick had shouted dismissal. A rush of students started to run out of the hall and amidst the bustle, Slughorn had seemed to eye all of us but then chose to ignore it when, in seconds, the group of Slytherins scattered.
Flitwick's next Charms class of third years and Slughorn's Regular Sixth year Potions class which contained Sirius, Peter and James started to pour in.
Avery was the last to leave amongst us, "You aren't safe just yet." He sneered and then rolled past my shoulders; snickering a last whisperer "We will rise and wipe out filthy traitors and…" he his eyes glanced over at Lily who met them with a piercing glare " …mudbloods….wait"
I wanted to punch him for coming up to close to my face but in my peripherals I noticed James, Sirius and Peter walk in with amused and joyful faces which almost at once fell once their eyes lay upon all our dark faces.
Regulus had already gone away and then we were all left bewildered and angry. "Come on" Holly tugged on my shoulder, trying to make me let go but it was hard, especially when I noticed Lily was brimming with tears. She did boldly try to contain them, however, up until she realized James has walked in the room.
There wasn't any time for me to comfort Lily- James could have done that—and explain to the other four what had exactly happened; I simply left them with a blank face, trying to hide my own pain and frustration.
I was wrong to think the deep partition amongst those who followed the dark lord and those who didn't had been momentarily overshadowed by the Ball, when, in fact, the fine line was thicker than ever. And that tension which was created by it, I hated so much.
I found myself angrily trying to zip my dress up to the point that I was about to almost yank the puller out of its place.
"Hey, are you ready yet? Harold's waiting …," Holly walked into my fit and immediately ran to my aid once she noticed my frustrated tugs on my zipper.
I let out a defeated sigh but that didn't uncoil the spring inside of me. "Please help" I almost whined.
"it's stuck" she grabbed the extra emerald green lace clothe which had caught onto the zipper and calmly pulled it down to loosen it and then aligned the seams perfectly to pull it back up and finish the deal.
I was amazed at how relaxed and calm she was—it was almost unnerving.
"Chill out, it's our first winter ball, you should be excited"
Her smile was too pleasant and at the moment I felt jealous of her yet also indifferent towards tonight's ball. I suddenly felt like not going at all and just spending my night at the common room catching up with some reading.
"I am" I lied and she didn't buy it for a second.
Holly rolled her eyes and pulled at my arm taking me downstairs with her into the common room.
Near Rowena's statue stood Harold, a far right from Bradley. He was smartly dressed in his dress robes and his hair roughly slicked back in stylish manner. He WAS the seemingly perfect date.
His tired expression immediately lit up once his eyes fell on me.
I subconsciously started to pull on my sleeves even if I had none, and smooth the silky chiffon green cloth which cascaded down from the where the lace top stopped at my waist.
"You look really nice" he commented.
Bradley smiled at me before leaving with Holly and I directed my attention back to Harold once I heard his voice.
I let out a tightlipped smile "thanks"
He threw his arm over my shoulder and we walked silently towards the great hall. Well, I was the one who was mostly silent. Harold continually gestured hellos and chatted shortly with other students making their way towards the ball while I thought of ways to make it seem like I was with Sirius while still faithfully staying with Harold.
"Eli!" my thoughts immediately disappeared once we finally arrived near the gates. In a huddle, stood James and Lily, Remus with Dorcas Meadows, Sirius, Alice and Frank, and Peter.
Lily had gently waved over to me, tugging out of James hold of her around her waist to come up to me.
"Hey, Lil" the red head wore an elegant and simple half-sleeved lavender dress. It seemed like she'd gotten over the debacle from earlier today and was ready to just have a good time.
"Do you want to join our table?" Lily looked over towards Harold to seem as if she was also asking him when in fact she was actually just asking me. "We're all about to go in, and…."
"Would you mind?" I knew Harold probably want to sit with his friends; after all, he was older than all of us. He probably didn't want to waste his time with the lot of my friends
I saw a certain something in his face but he just nodded silently; almost with a restrained smile. I'd later discover why his lips were so pressed and face blank as we walked into the grand hall.
For a moment I'd forgotten all about my doubts and marveled at the cheerful atmosphere of the ball. Flitwick was busy orchestrating the band, Professor Slughorn and Randletop stood together watching- the Slug smiling at the children's joy and Randletop indifferently scrutinizing the students to make sure every student was abiding by the dress code. Professor McGonagall was laughing with Dumbledore-the headmaster's hearty laugh was uplifting. Holly, Bradley and Al were having a good time dancing while Greg and Patricia were joyfully watching with glasses of punch in their hands near one of the decorated evergreens.
Everything was beautiful and Flitwick and Slughorn's decorating had paid off.
Harold tapped my shoulder, tearing me away from the delight I got from watching everyone just having a fun time. "It's not like it matters, but I was hoping to spend some time with my friends, as well"
If it didn't matter, why was he bringing it up?
"Oh…" I let out, somewhat distracted from all the music, laughter and chatter and the two of us lagging behind Remus and Dorcas joining the others at the table. "I mean we could…" I looked over to James who just gave me a blank face, looking away quickly. I didn't know if the look was out of disappointment or defeat.
I smiled apologetically at him even though I was sure he didn't bother to look at me for he knew what I was about to say "I'll just meet up with you guys later?...Alright?" I almost rambled because I didn't want to leave any of them.
They let me go and I slowly joined Harold. I sat with him with his older, seventh year friends. None of them noticed my presence let alone tried to strike a conversation with me. I simply sat silently, trying to scope out Regulus, but in end, my eyes would always linger towards my friends. James and Lily were dancing to the new band Flitwick had introduced-nearly three to four hours into the event-which was more appealing to our generation. Sirius had eventually found Emmeline and was closely sweet talking her but from the corner of my eye I saw Emme wasn't really buying his whole seemingly smooth act; if anything, she kept pushing him away to play with him. Frank and Alice kept talking to Peter at the table and Remus and Dorcas were off with some of other of their friends from their year.
Eventually, however, when our table started to empty to the dance floor, Harold asked me to dance with him. It was fun at first, but then it simply got boring with same upbeat songs which didn't lag into slow ones until Harold had pulled me aside with some of his other friends.
One of his friends, a dirty blonde seventh year Hufflepuff pulled out a silver bottle from the inner pocket of his robe. I was baffled but contained my astonishment inside. It wasn't like I didn't know kids always sneaked in alcohol during the ball but I just never thought Harold would be one of those kids and nor did I think I'd also become a part of it.
The punch was shielded with some sort of charm which would repeal alcohol, so I didn't see where their plan was going.
They took a quick swing.
Oh so just straight up, I suppose.
"Did you want some?"
I think it was time for me to find Sirius. Even if I hadn't spotted Regulus just yet, I didn't want to end up letting my guard down and seem like a liar to him even if I was lying... Besides, I didn't want to end up getting caught drunk, let alone actually drink.
I shook my head.
"You sure?" he looked up at me and so did some of his friends and I just shook my head.
The song was changing into something slow and mellow and most couples were emerging on the dance floor and it was then when I spotted Regulus. He was with Lesley, her arms around his neck, and although I was almost sure I saw an indifferent face as he swayed with her, I was irked.
"Maybe later" I waved the bottle he was handing me away, pulling my gaze away from the two. "I'm going to go find Holly, alright" I trailed off but it didn't matter because Harold didn't care for he'd reentered a conversation with one of his seventh year friends.
I walked off slowly, searching for Sirius while often peering back towards Regulus' direction. He was dressed in dashing dress robes with that signature Slytherin color of green and silver pinstripe in his bowtie. His dark hair was roughly combed which was almost reminiscent of Sirius yet, he was put together well and almost professionally. He smoldered…. I hated him.
He hadn't noticed me just yet so I continued my search for Sirius. I found him sitting lonely on his table; Emmeline was gone and he was drinking punch with a hunched back.
I instantly smiled at his sleepy expression and crossed my arms. "Hey, Sirius"
His eyes jerked up towards me as if a dog's ears would when it'd hear something. "Eli"
I took the chair next to him, watching him with a grin and he immediately made a funny face, trying to keep in a smile or laugh. "What is it? I told you I wouldn't take you back. I'm too good for you"
"Your ego never fails to shrink" I lightly nudged his arm to which we settled into a smug silence afterward.
We watched the crowd slowly swinging to the singer's hushed voice. He sang about his missing lover who'd disappeared into the lake but the lyrics didn't matter as much as the band playing behind him did; because it was beautifully sweet and lulling.
"Would like to dance with me?" I kept starring at everyone, my eyes getting a little heavy.
He straightened his back and watched me carefully "What for-"
"I just need someone …" I whispered "…to talk to" I raised my shoulders towards the end and met his eyes.
He didn't question me and nor did he refute with the possible solution of just talking at the table and so we made our way towards the rest of the crowd.
Sirius loosely gripped one of my hands while placing his other hand around the small of my back. He smiled and I immediately laughed, softly pushing him away because it felt too awkward.
"Here…" I just hugged my arms loosely around his neck and he instinctively rested his arms around my waist. We swung around for a while; I watched him and then the other couples and friends around us and then the collar of Sirius's shirt before coming back to his face again.
"Is Harold treating you right?"
I sighed, shrugging to indicate to him I didn't want to talk about him right now.
"Alright then..."
"No, I mean—"
"—Something else is on your mind?" his eyebrows rose slightly.
The band finished with that first song before immediately diving into a slow tempoed score because the singer was taking a little break.
I didn't know how to ask for his advice because, honestly, I didn't want him knowing about this annoying tension I had with Regulus.
"I'm just frustrated …" I started with a murmur "with…with…." I buried my head into his shoulder closing my eyes trying to pin point how I could make this seem logical to him "…I don't know… how everything is …. "
"meh" Sirius chuckled out his impression of how he could best describe what I was trying to say.
Sure… let's go with that "yeah, meh" I copied him, picking up my head and now resting my chin on his shoulder while I watched a couple behind him before my eyes moved on to James and Lily, "Meh is just so irritating and yet I feel that without this meh in my life,everything would be odd…"
Sirius was silent and I could tell he was confused.
I peered up to his ear trying to get a look of him but I let it go, letting the boy digest what'd told him while I slipped my eyes back out towards the others.
The singer was back on and this time he sang tenderly about some other lover who quiet didn't acknowledge he even existed.
My eyes dazedly roamed about the hall and then, quiet out of my surprise I found my eyes latched with Regulus'. Even if it was for a moment, I'd made me jump, so much so, I'd quickly removed my head from Sirius' shoulder.
"What's the matter?" he looked down at me and I had a feeling Sirius had thought I'd almost fallen asleep on his shoulder.
I watched Regulus; he was suddenly out of Lesley's grasp and discretely talking in harsh gestures with her before, altogether, swiftly heading towards the evergreens.
"Eli?"
No, it was the entrance to the hall, he was walking towards.
"Um, oh, nothing" I patted Sirius' shoulder with a 'thanks' "I think Harold's looking for me…." My voice trailed off as my eyes followed the boy, intently.
He seemed hurt? Maybe… I saw something in his eyes which just then reminded me of how angry and utterly broken I felt when he hadn't acknowledged me this morning.
I slowly let go of Sirius' shoulder and stalked off towards Regulus' direction. My movements were awkward and I kept knocking into other couples- the chaos I was creating amidst the sad, dreamy music was enough to generate a scene. But I could not have cared less, because to me, while my mind raced a mile a minute, it seemed normal.
I made it out of the crowd and towards the empty back lot of the hall where a few scattered couples and friends who bothered to stay were loitering. Remus casually leaned on one side of the wall talking with James and Lily who were now finished with their dance; I quickly hurried off before they could spot me into the outside hall. The temperature grew cold from the light flurries which had probably started a few hours ago and the music from the hall faded with each step I took towards the courtyard. A few students lay around the shadows of the corridor and most didn't acknowledge me as long as I didn't acknowledge them.
"Eli"
I shuddered from the cold and crossed my arms. "Harold?" I, then, narrowed my eyes to get a better look at the figure near the ledge of one of the windows. He was with three other of his friends who seemed a little off… They walked off with loud laughter and chatter once Harold waved them away and stepped closer to me.
"Hey" he breathed heavy and I instantly grimaced from the smell of his breath.
"What's wrong with you" I whispered, holding his collar and then fixing his bow tie- a little weary of the fact that Randletop might be lurking around.
Harold seemed tired, lazy and maybe even a little irritated. "Nothing" he shrugged carelessly and I let go of his tie, not knowing where to go from there. I certainly didn't want to take him back into the hall as drunken as he was and nor did I really want to spend any more time with him.
"Haven't seen you around much" he commented and I looked at him a little sheepishly before looking down at my shoes.
"Why is it I feel as if Sirius might have been your date?"
My expression drew a little blank for the question seemed to sudden and unexpected "Where'd you hear this from?" I raised my head and watched him shrug once again while rubbing his chin about to chuckle as if he couldn't believe any of it.
"Well, were you?"
"No…I mean…" I crossed my arms again. Why did it matter in the first place? It wasn't as if we were committed to each other.
His hazel eyes grew dark and intense and I finished my sentence "No"
My voice wasn't as stately and firm as I'd wanted it to and because of that Harold's eyes narrowed into slits. "You're lying"
I didn't retort and with that he grew aggravated "I knew I shouldn't have asked you…" I looked away from him "…you're such a tease…."
My eyes grew wide from his last words which he'd muttered under his breath and I started to walk off because I honestly didn't want to deal with what else he might have to say about me.
And yet, Harold suddenly grabbed my wrist and forcefully spun me around. "Listen to me; I did you a favor—" his eyes glowered, his other hand catching the rim of my neckline.
"—No, asking a girl out because you think she might be easy, isn't a favor"
He was selfish, running his tongue about how I didn't act like a good date when I'd clearly done everything he'd wanted to do… everything his friends wanted to do. It was different if he thought I wasn't easy.
"Okay then, I've figured you out "he swiveled his finger in a lose fashion, yet his voice was tight and harsh. "You're been jumping around "
"Excuse me" I stared at him incredulously to which he responded with a drunken, matter-of-factly smile
"He's my friend" I tried to yank myself out of his hold once Id' realized he was referring back to Sirius "and it's not like we're dating or anything"
He let out a sigh, as if he were about to laugh. "You're such a…"
Our eyes met and I saw lustful frustration in them. At that moment I pulled harder on my collar for him to let go "A what?" my voice shook because I felt fear rising in my chest. That spring inside of me was tightening beyond its limits and that tension made my eyes water… I think I was crying.
"A tart"
I was crying.
"Don't tell me your 'friends', Sirius and all of the others really just hang around you without…"
My face grew hot; I felt his fingers trying to slip under my collar. I immediate froze for a moment before picking up my dignity and slapping him to make him stop. I wanted to reach for my wand which I'd tucked behind the zipper of my dress but even if Harold had let me go for a moment he quickly regained his composure not letting me do so if I wanted to keep an eye on him.
I did, however, jump back feeling as if he'd come after me.
"Who's there?"
Our eyes flashed down the hall towards what seemed like Randletop's voice. His steps quickened in pace but Harold didn't care and his gaze met mine again with an intense anger but I wasn't sure what had happened once his eyes fell on me, for that anger slowly melted into something sort of a pity.
Though, I didn't care much for it, because I took a run for it, not really wanting Randletop finding us here like this. I wiped at my eyes and hastily walked past a few hot and heavy couples in the dimly lit corridor who'd suddenly heard Randletop's wailing and scattered. There were a few students frightened by the sudden noise and few others who were slowly pouring out of the hall looked over at me with concern.
"No wait!"
I had jinxed everything. How on earth did I end up exactly getting the sort of date Sirius and James warned me about and yet ending up as Sirius' date, according to Harold.
"No please, Elise. I didn't mean to, honest."
Eventually, after almost slipping on the frozen snow, I made it to the long stairway to the boat house and started to run down but my plan into disappearing into the shadows of the dark stairway was diminished once I felt a strong hand grasp my arm.
I was sure the clanks of my heel down the steps had given me away.
"Please just leave me alone!"
His once handsome features were now horrifying to me. He was perceived to be such a bright and brilliant student of Ravenclaw but his behavior was so vulgar and nothing at all to what I thought he might have been like.
"Eli, please" under the dim light of the nearby lamp post he had seemed to smile. But it sure wasn't out of genuine guilt, but of his fear of consequence. He probably though I was going to tell a professor or worse, spread the truth about Harold around the students.
When he tried to grab my wrist again, I knocked his hand away.
"Didn't you hear the girl the first time?"
My heart leaped; from the shadows behind me, appeared Regulus with a steady wand aimed at Harold. I'd caught on the lamp post to stable myself but I was still shaking from the fright his sudden voice had inflicted. I stared at his side view, watching his intense, dark eyes on Harold. It was astonishing how Regulus had no regard for Harold's reputation or the advantages he had of being a seventh year and him being a mere fourth year.
Harold's jaw clenched as I slowly drew out my own wand for my defense. He had nothing to say for he was at a disadvantage; if he were a Gryffindor, perhaps, he might have taken on the challenge of two again one, but he was logical and smart and considered the factors: Regulus was a Black… and a Slytherin, Randletop wasn't too far from them and a few students were already sensing something was up. He'd rather just walk away and so he did—giving me a last stare before he did so.
"Every time…."
I rested a hand on my chest, trying to relieve the constant thumps, and started to stow away my wand.
Regulus lowered his wand and fixed his coat before fixating his eyes on me "…every time we met, you always seem to be in some sort of a trouble"
I let out a faint chuckle before remembering back to why I had left the hall in the first place. We grew silent because I felt Regulus, too, had suddenly remembered his grudge against me. While I stood silently, returning to fixing my windswept hair, the boy started to walk back down the stairs.
"Was he you're real date then?" he disappeared into the dark parts of the stairwell where the lamps were too weak to reach and I followed.
"Why would you think that? I told you who I came with"
With an aloof tone, he stated why he believed so by strictly providing facts he'd observed, especially from what he'd just seen now.
I grew livid from how he played me to be such a foolish and pitiful girl. "What were you trying to prove to me?"
His words echoed in my head and I did suddenly realize how selfish and utterly foolish I had acted. I'd deserved the way Harold had treated me; I lead on a boy while I full well knew I didn't seem to see much in us being together. While I played with his interest in me to further my reputation, I also misused my dearest friend in order to make Regulus jealous.
I walked off the last step to the boat house and watched the back of Regulus' head before my eyes hooked on the docked row boat which was frozen in place in the icy black water.
"I was trying to teach you pain" I let out and, from my peripherals, watched Regulus stop his step.
"Why would you think that would bring me pain?"
"I saw it" he soon slightly turned to meet my eyes and I remembered how he'd met them earlier just a few moments ago "…in you're eyes just then when you walked out of the hall"
Regulus eyes returned to their normal dark façade and with that arrogant and sarcastic tone of his, he continued "Well then thank you Miss Potter, You've made me a better person by doing so"
"Lesley wasn't your real date either, was she?"
He tensed up suddenly but shrugged it off by shoving his hands in his pockets "Why do you insist on pushing my buttons? Hm? You like annoying me?" he drew closer "Always following me around like a dog—I never asked you to tag along with me"
I felt offended and slightly humiliated, maybe because it was true that I seemed to like following him, but that didn't debunk the fact that Regulus, too, had a habit of stumbling into my life uninvited "I never!" I fought, nevertheless, to keep my pride in tact "I never asked you to help me-that time in the hall, for my brother, today!" I shouted in return until he found himself silent.
When I didn't find him answering me, I walked towards him "You aren't emotionless Regulus! You act so brooding and aloof to prove what, exactly?" his brows furrowed and so did mine. I watched his features ferociously, trying to understand and decipher what it was he was trying so hard to guard and hide "And, pray tell, why you would think my generous behavior would come across as desperate?"
He had no where else to look; whenever he'd try to avoid my eyes he'd linger over to them again with an innocent glow to them. It was slightly innerving for I'd never seen him so soft and silent because he had nothing to say in response. His head moved an inch closer—a little too close to mine; he was struggling with his words in his throat, as if he was trying to stop himself from what he truly wanted to say.
I'd never get the chance to know, however. Even though we were so engrossed in each other, once he'd heard a scream from the top of the cliff, from the courtyard we'd made it a point to know what had happened only because it gave us an excuse to avoid the direction this conversation was taking.
It's been a long time hasn't it? Sorry for the delay with this chapter, my schedule's been quite busy lately and it didn't help that this chapter was long... Hope you all enjoyed it! Please review! =) I love reading them, really.