Chapter 3

"So…" Camilla started whilst fidgeting at a rack of clothes.

Her friend decided a shopping trip was due, and she couldn't argue with her friend. She did need a new pair of pants and more long sleeved clothes for layering. Fall was coming, and she did not anticipate how cold it could get in London. Initially, she felt suffocated by the many layers she had to wear daily, Australian weather was not much for long sleeves and thick wool materials. But if she had to sit down at another wooden bench, or hell's worse a metal one, she might as well pad her buttocks with something thicker. She didn't need that shock every time a wind tries to blow her away.

"So what Cam?" she asked back, her hands busy as well from browsing.

"What do you think of Scorp?" That got her attention. "Of Scorpius Black?" Rose asked, quite confused with the sudden new topic.

"No of my new pet scorpion." Camilla said woodenly, smacking her arm as well.

"Of course I'm talking about Scorpius Black! Who else?!" She said exasperatedly, while Rose was rubbing her beaten arm grumbling at her friends violence.

"What are you asking me for? I think he has a weird name." Her friend gasp as if insulted and she rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatics.

"I am asking you if he's fine." Camilla whispered again, seeming too giddy for the topic. "Is… he not fine?" Rose asked perplexed.

"Rose! Clearly you weren't listening to me! He asked me! And now I'm asking you if he's fine."

"What are you on about Cam?"

"Oh you daft girl, he asked me out!" She said in frustration. "Clearly you weren't listening, what's your mind got in a knot anyway?"

"Wait, wait…" Rose suddenly paused, clearly still confused as ever. "Isn't Scorpius seeing that blonde uhm, Jessica?"

"It's Jasmine Cresswell actually, but they've broken off."

Camilla finally found some items to try on, as Rose gave up looking for more clothes. She's quite happy with a few new jumpers and shirt, a hoodie is the last on her list and she's planning to buy that from another store. Her Nan said her Mum was just like her, never really interested in shopping. She could agree with her mom in that sense, there was no point trying out everything when the basics could work fine.

"So they've broken off, and now you're dating?" Camilla peaked her head out from the curtain to look at her as if she's daft. She didn't know the dating pool in Britain flows that fast, shouldn't a rebound be at least after a few weeks or so.

"Well, I guess he's a bad experience waiting to happen." She shrugged at her brunette friend. Unlike her mahogany hair, Camilla's was more of a dark brown than her reddish-brown locks. The coloring was of her Nan's, and the shade was exactly the same as her Mum's despite having a solid straighter hair.

"I can just feel it you know…" Camilla started, she opened her curtain to let Rose witness her faux fashion show. Camilla was clearly getting a new dress to show off - perhaps for Scorpius. "It's just he's nicer to me, and has shown interest in my writing."

"Is this before or after you interviewed him with that amazing win this season?"

"Or perhaps… after he shoved his tongue down your throat after said victory?" Camilla didn't let herself be goaded, but Rose is relentless.

"You do know that his interest switches in a flip flap."

"Oh shush Mother… That is a cute skirt! You should get it." Cam said, easily willing to turnaround her attention.

"Yes, but I don't think my legs can take anymore of this London breeze."

"Nonsense Rose! It's cute, and that's all that matters. Try it with that floral top and a jean jacket."

"Oh fine.. It is cute, but seriously I'm fine with pants. It's warm, cozy and covers up e-v-e-r-y inch of me."

"Oh don't be such a sourpuss, besides it would look great for our double date." Camilla watched her startled reaction from the mirror. Rose was clearly taken by surprise. "Our what now?!" Rose's face contorted in disbelief.

"Double date." Camilla said cheerily.

"And who am I suppose to go on this double date with you?!"

"Oh well. It's just you." Camilla pointed her finger at Rose's reflection. "Me…" she did the same to herself as Rose narrowed her eyes at her cheeky friend.

"And…. Scorpius and Jackson Miles."

"Eow! No!" Camilla tried to go after her, retreating towards the counters. The two were bickering back and fort, Rose clearly too stubborn to budge to her friends' dismay.

"I'll do your homework." Camilla pleaded prettily,which unfortunately for her has no effect on Rose.

"The only work I have left is Calculus, and you don't even take them." Her friend grimaced in clear dislike. She knew Camilla hated most of their mathematics and is clearly not a fan of differential equations.

"Fine, I'll… I'll let you borrow my moped." That got Rose's attention, liking the offer given.

"Alright then." She readily agreed with Camilla looking suspiciously at her. "Alright?"

"Yep." Rose tried to bite her lip from smiling too widely. "Just, let me borrow them on the day of the date so I can escape if I want to."

"Ugh! Fine. But you will promise to at least stay for the Movie." Well at least she didn't have to talk that much if it's a movie, she just hopes she won't witness any wantonness from her friend and that guy. She knew enough just from three months in London that Scorpius Black has the most frisky appendages at school and is not below disgusting displays of affection.

… … …

For Rose, Scorpius Black was - all right. Not alright for her friend Camilla, the bastard easily broke her friends heart, but he was a genuine friend and hilarious to boot alright. The guy, despite his player tendencies, still talked to Camilla and by extension to her. In fact, he approached her more than his recent ex.

He was your usual jock, however with a brain to match. He is the perfect trifecta of looks, brains, and brawn. Only if he could turn down a notch his pompous ego, that would have been great. Still, his smug self could make Rose laugh like no other. After that disastrous date with Camilla, Scorpius escorted both of them at their Hampstead home. Camilla got too indulgent with some beer Jackson nicked from his Dad and the four had too much of a good time.

Jackson and her hadn't worked out. She never like boys who had last names for first anyway, and honestly she has a feeling Jackson's swings the other way. The guy had the same starry-eyed look Camilla was giving to Scorpius. At least Scorpius was still chivalrous, and quite the gentleman even after breaking Cam's heart. What was the girl thinking anyway.

Her time in London was fairing well, and the next thing she knew it was almost Christmas. The hols were surely to be a somber affair for her and Nan. Her Pops died just three years ago, but at least in Brisbane their neighbors were there during the hols. Plus the beach was better than snow. The appeal of pretty snowflakes wore off after a flurry of sneeze overwrought her.

It would just be her and Nan. Camilla and her family will be gone for her families festivities in Crawley, so it was quite saddening they would be left alone.

Her Nan once knew the community, but much like her Mum, she was quite reserved and a bit introverted. It was her Pop who was friendly with most of the neighbors, he knows most of his patients and could converse with them despite their inability to respond with their mouths wide open mid dental procedure. Maybe, she got her sunny attitude from her Pop. But sometimes, when she lets her heart wonder, she thinks of warm and friendly smiles. Of smirks teasing friends, and boisterous laughs that could echo through stone cold walls.

It's during the hols that her mind wanders to her parents. What were they like, who were they. She has barely any clue about her Mum and nothing at all with her Dad. She doesn't even know his name. So sometimes, when the night is at its darkest she longs for a sibling. Someone else to be with her, someone who could understand her loneliness. If only she could wish those things to Santa. But year after year, it's just a pointless wish among the stars.

She was brought out from her melancholy by a sudden bright light to her right. She had to squint her eyes to read the new message from her phone and cursed lowly at the bright screen.

'You up?' The message read.

'What do you want?'

'Hey! What makes you think I want something?'

'Cause it's 2 in the morning Scorp.'

Scorpius sent her a series of annoying memes and fluffy doe eyed cats. The guy was slowly starting to irk her, but he was endearing in a brotherly kind of way.

"Nothing to do I see…" She said through the screen. She was too tired to type hence called him instead in Facetime. They both have cute cat filters that they were making fun of.

"Christmas is boring." Scorp said sleepily from the other side, shagging his curly hair making it look more tousled and rumpled. Rose had to agree, it was not a holiday she was looking forward to.

"You know Rosey… we have the same eyes." He suddenly said.

"Yeah… we do, don't we." Scorp smiled serenely from behind the screen, the two just staring off each other. Camilla would have been green with envy if she finds out Scorp usually calls her every night.

That was the first time they addressed the color of their eyes. It was too identical that it honestly gives her a fright. If she had platinum blonde hair they could pass of as twins. The most audacious thought, she thinks.

It was almost four in the morning when the two decided to end their call. They talked endlessly, about her Nan, about Australia, his Aunt and his many paramours. Until for a wild moment, Rose suddenly had a strange urge. "Come to my place for Christmas then!" She invited him too excitedly. Rose wanted to cringe at her forwardness but willed herself to smile charmingly. They are friends, but not Christmas-celebrating-together friends.

"Would your Nan be alright with that?" He asked skeptically, looking equally stunned as her.

"Uhm.. I'm sure Nan wouldn't mind. And it would be great timing since you said your Aunt left for a vacation. Besides I think my Nan would like you."

Scorpius couldn't refuse even if he wanted to, Rose always had a way of disarming him with just her smile. Of course he would like to spend Christmas with her and her adorable Nan. It would be great to meet the old lady, Scorpius always wondered what it felt like to spend Christmas with a family, even one as small as Rose's. As a kid, he was always travelling during the hols. His Aunt never married but had a revolving number of suitors at their doorstep. She was a very independent woman, never letting any man put her down. Literally and figuratively, that once a marriage was up for proposal she bolts as fast as lightning carrying him with her.

Maybe in another life, Aunt Bethany would have her own child and a family. But his father, left him to her care, never to return. His Aunt took that job too seriously perhaps. She raised him well, his childhood was filled with laughter over Bridget Jones and unreasonable amount of time in Church. To which he knows his Aunt ain't a saint nor is religious, she has just fallen fancy to their local Pastor. But despite being a romantic, she never wanted to commit. Unlike his excuse of teenage woes, his Aunt could have perfectly made a nice family with any of her beaus. But her commitment was to him, and to what ever promise his Father asked of her.

It was one of the reason he resented his Father. Perhaps, Aunt B was waiting for him to come back, but the man never did. And in doing so, she landed herself a pseudo son, whether willing or unwillingly. That is why he tries as much to give his Aunt space. She didn't need to anchor herself to him and he would never hold her back. So when her newest beau wanted to go on a vacation, he encouraged her so and asked to be left behind. He did have to study for GCSE's and both agreed he is old enough to spend Christmas alone. Though it was getting quite lonely, and he was bored beyond belief.

Now, Rose was a saving grace. He stopped questioning his affinity towards her since the first time they spent together, albeit it was a double date. He just never felt more in tuned with anyone other than Rose, so he went with the flow, befriended the girl and in time they seem inseparable. He sat beside her on class, studied together, introduced her to his friends, and even invited her to some of his games. If not for his incessant flirting with others, people would assume they're together. But Rose was different, and any girl or boy could see that. Not even his exes and current flings are intimidated by her presence.

It was like they were two peas in a pod. Scorp could talk to her about anything, even the stars, so a Christmas invite with her gave him delight.

"I'd be happy to." He smiled at her.

They left their phones on as both succumbed to sleep. His necklace suddenly glowed, as the stars by Rose's windows shined just as bright.