"So this is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night." -Back to December (Taylor Swift)
As Cassie sat in her room that same night, she began to think that perhaps she had overreacted slightly, but on the other hand, she had just told Fred her biggest secret. It was one that still made her feel guilty and talking about it had been a lot harder than she had anticipated. She hadn't expected Fred to be as deeply upset as she was, but what he said had upset her even if he hadn't meant it.
Deep down, however, she knew he hadn't meant to hurt her. He had only been trying to make her feel better and the way he made people feel better was through laughter. She knew he wasn't a complete idiot and wouldn't poke fun at a story like that. She also knew he was slightly impulsive, which had probably been a factor.
She thought everything over before deciding that in the morning, once they had both had a chance to cool off and clear their heads, she would try to talk to him again and make this right. She didn't want to make the same mistake as last time. She knew too well how fast things could change and even though the war was over, people weren't in any more danger, and she had less of a chance of losing Fred physically, she didn't want to lose him in the other sense—as a friend and boyfriend—either.
The next morning, Cassie got up early. She hadn't slept well and eventually decided it was no use staying in bed any longer. However, all morning, she did keep putting off going to see Fred. She didn't know where they stood or if he would be ready to talk to her and accept her apology yet. Instead, she moved around the house, doing pointless tasks like straightening the couch cushions and wiping down the kitchen counter simply because she couldn't keep still.
By midmorning, she was annoyed with herself. As much as she wanted to, she simply couldn't bring herself to leave the house.
As she was fiddling with the blinds in the living room, a loud pop resounded right outside. Her hopes rising and her stomach clenching, she hastily made a space in two of the blind slats so that she could peek outside. She was slightly disappointed when she saw it was not Fred, but Ginny.
"Open up!" Ginny yelled, reaching the door and knocking loudly. Three quick knocks.
Cassie swung the door open and stared at the girl standing on her doorstep. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to talk to you, of course. Why else would I be here?"
"Well come in, then," Cassie said, biting her lip nervously. The words were barely out of her mouth before Ginny stepped inside the room, looking around.
"How did you find out where I lived?" Cassie asked.
"Well, here's the story," Ginny sighed, leaning against the arm of the couch. "You left really quickly last night, which confused us. You looked really upset. We didn't know what had happened."
"It wasn't you," Cassie said quickly.
"You got into a fight with Fred," Ginny answered simply.
Cassie blinked a few times. "He told you?"
Ginny shook her head. "It was pretty obvious after Fred came back inside. He looked just as upset as you had and Mum asked him what had happened. She said she had heard shouting, but he wouldn't talk about it."
"Okay, but this still isn't explaining how you found out where I live," Cassie said.
"I'm getting to that," Ginny answered impatiently. "Mum insisted on making tea for everyone and George dragged Fred outside to get him to talk. I'm guessing Fred told him what happened, so don't be surprised if George knows the whole story."
Cassie nodded. That was expected. She felt slightly uneasy about George finding out about what she had told Fred, but it wasn't like she had told him not to tell anyone. She doubted he would tell anyone besides George anyway.
"So while they were outside and everyone was busy, I managed to sneak over to Fred and George's flat," Ginny continued. "Fred said something a while ago about a napkin with your name and address on it and I-,"
"Wait," Cassie interrupted, putting the pieces together. "Are you saying Fred still has the napkin?"
"If he didn't, I wouldn't be standing here in front of you," Ginny shrugged. "It was in the drawer of his nightstand. I memorized the address so that I could come over today."
"Why would he keep it?" Cassie asked.
Ginny shrugged again. "He might not have had time to throw it away, or maybe it's because he really likes you." She looked at Cassie and raised her eyebrows.
Cassie sighed. "I know he does, and I really like him too, but we just got into an argument. I've been meaning to go over all day and visit him so we can talk, but-,"
"—but you're procrastinating." Ginny crossed her arms and smirked.
"I'm not," Cassie answered defiantly.
"You are," Ginny argued. "It's okay. Fred's been doing the same thing. Well, sort of. I stopped by the shop this morning to talk to Fred and see if I could find out any more about what's going on. They're both working, but Fred's distracted. He clearly wants to see you, but he has the shop to run and-,"
"Did he tell you that?" Cassie asked, still feeling slightly stubborn and angry about the whole situation. "Did he tell you he wanted to see me?"
"No, but it was written all over his face," Ginny answered exasperatedly. "George agrees with me. He said Fred hasn't been himself all day. He definitely wants to see you."
"Well why doesn't he? After work I mean," Cassie replied. She was still being stubborn.
Ginny shook her head and grinned. "I think you should go see him. Right now. Both of you need to swallow your pride and talk this out. If you go now you can get it over with."
"I can't talk to him when he's working," Cassie argued.
"He'll be going on break in," Ginny glanced at her watch, "five minutes." She grinned wryly.
"You certainly gave this a lot of thought," Cassie said, narrowing her eyes.
"Maybe I did, but you'll thank me when it's all over."
"I hope you're right," Cassie answered, smiling slightly.
"I know I'm right. It'll all work out. Now, go."
Cassie huffed in frustration as Ginny shooed her out of her own house. Once outside, Cassie shot one last glance at the smug looking redhead. "Ginny?"
"Yes?" she sighed impatiently.
"Thanks. In advance. You know, in case you are right about everything."
"You're welcome in advance," Ginny smiled.
Cassie took a deep breath before turning on the spot and disapparating and appearing seconds later right outside Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. "Here goes nothing," she whispered under her breath.
With her heart pounding, she stepped inside. The bell above the door jingled, announcing her entrance. Cassie felt herself cringe, despite the fact that it was loud inside the shop and the jingling bell would most likely go unnoticed.
Cassie made her way through the crowded room, glancing left and right for any sign of Fred. She couldn't see him or George anywhere, but Verity was working the register.
"Do you know where Fred is?" Cassie asked once she had reached the counter. She stood on the side, out of the way of customers and watched as Verity handed a customer a bag full of prank items.
"Cassie!" Verity exclaimed, looking surprised. "Yeah, he's in the back room with George. You can go right in. I'm sure they'll be glad to see you."
"Thanks," Cassie said quietly. She turned and held out a hand to push back the orange curtain that separated the back room from the rest of the shop, but she hesitated. She didn't know why she was so scared, but she figured it was just best to get it over with now.
Once she had pulled back the curtain, her eyes were drawn to Fred immediately, as if they were metal and he was the magnet. He had has back to her and was standing at the table in the middle of the room, his palms resting flat on the rough and slightly burned wood as he leaned on his hands, looking down at the many papers spread across the tabletop. George was on the opposite side of the table. A chair was positioned behind him, but he wasn't using it. He had a quill in his hands and he was scribbling things out on various papers as he rubbed a hand over his face.
Cassie bit her lip, trying to decide on the best way to let them know she was there, but in the end she didn't have to. George glanced up and did a double take when he saw her. His eyes went wide and a smile spread slowly over his face.
"George," Fred snapped his fingers in front of his brother's face. "Can we focus here? We're never going to get it right if you space out like that. I know I have no right to say that after today, but I'm focusing now and it's about time you did too."
George didn't say anything. He just simply shook his head. Cassie had the sudden urge to laugh. She might have, too, if her stomach hadn't already been in a nervous knot.
Finally, Fred stopped his rant and turned to follow George's gaze. His expression remained unreadable, but Cassie noticed the quiet, sharp intake of breath he took as well as the way his eyes widened slightly. She cleared her throat. "Ginny said you were going on your break soon. I was wondering if we could talk." She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Um," Fred answered, taking a bigger breath this time and letting it out as he glanced at George.
"Go ahead," George said, glancing at his watch. "It is break time after all. Good thing Cassie showed up or we might have worked right through it." He gave Cassie a grin and a wink, making Cassie feel that maybe everything might work out after all. If George seemed positive, then maybe her relationship with Fred could be saved. It would mean Fred wasn't too angry with her. She smiled back tentatively as George headed up the stairs to the flat with a last look over his shoulder.
Cassie turned her gaze back to Fred, who was turning to look at her at the same time. He was leaning sideways against the table now, leaning on one palm instead of two.
"I—well—I came to—I wanted-," Cassie stuttered. She felt herself blush. This wasn't starting off very well.
"What are you trying to say?" Fred asked. His tone sounded amused, but only very slightly.
All of a sudden, Cassie decided to forget about words and explaining. For now, all of that could go out the window. She had only been stuttering anyway and that wasn't going to do her any good. Without really thinking it through, she took a different approach. She flung herself at Fred, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him with everything she had.
His arms were around her waist and he staggered backwards into the table. Cassie heard the clink of glass as a few bottles tipped. "I hope those aren't important," she whispered, pulling back slightly.
"It's okay, they didn't break," Fred answered quickly and breathlessly, throwing a quick glance over his shoulder.
Cassie took a breath and slowly stepped away from him. Well, she tried to. She couldn't go anywhere because Fred wouldn't let her. His arms were still locked around her waist and he was looking at her with wide eyes. She still couldn't read his expression and that made her nervous. She hadn't considered that her actions would make things worse; she actually hadn't considered much at all, but it was already done. Now all she could do was wait for Fred's reaction.
A/N: For some reason, it took me forever to write this. It was a combination of being busy and the chapter itself not really wanting to cooperate. But anyway, here it is. Don't forget to leave a review!