Chapter 4

Before spending Christmas eve at her place, Scorpius convinced her to experience a London tour. Despite being in London a good few months, she has yet to experience the city as a tourist and Scorp was just happy to be her guide.

Scorpius actually lives in the busy town of Camden, so the two took their brekky at Sainsbury. Scorp brought her to his favorite spot at St. Martin's and was happily feeding some of the local birds with her half eaten sandwich. She was tempted to gift him some Marmite after insulting her sandwich choices.

After that, they took the tube to visit the iconic Tower Bridge. Which she had no problem taking a bunch of pictures of herself with him. She never posted any pictures of them together in the gram, but that was because she didn't want Camilla hounding on her on such a relaxing day. She knows what an image they paint, and quite frankly it's a disturbing thought when people mistake them as together-together.

The River Thames was calm that morning, and despite the extremely cold weather she enjoyed herself. It started snowing when they left and headed back to her house. She called her Nan about their incoming arrival and her grandmother was excited to meet her new friend. Her Nan barely talks about her Mum these days, that is why it came as a surprise to her that morning when her Nan mentioned how close her Mum is to her two male friends. Apparently her mum had more male friends than girls and it made her Nan happy she found one as well.

Scorpius however was starting to get anxious, he was never good with parents. Especially the ones whom his previous girlfriends introduced him to, and is starting to get distressed meeting Rose's Grandmum. He wanted to leave a good impression on the old lady, primarily because he really likes Rose and is quite curious about meeting a grandmother. Him and Aunt Bethany barely had anymore family to meet aside from third cousins he never even saw, so a chance to meet a grandmother was refreshing. Somewhere also deep in his heart, Scorpius wanted to be there. So in the spirit of Christmas he never bothered questioning it.

All his worries flew off the minute her Nan hugged him just as tight as the one Rose got. For a moment, he thought he heard the old lady cry but before he could ask the old lady, her big and bright smile invited him inside. Aunt B was never a good cook, in fact most of their Christmas dinners are made to order, and in most cases spent in hotels or resorts. So the scent of fresh home cooked meal had him giddy like a young boy.

He helped Rose set up the table, but her Nan shooed him away to settle on their parlour before dinner was serve. He was calmly observing the house, the aged fireplace was nice and warm and there were some photos above it. The room had a baby grand piano in one corner by the window and there were shelves upon shelves of organized books everywhere. It was cozy, like a vintage study. He almost sat at the patterned armchair by the fireplace but his attention was suddenly caught by something.

There above the fireplace was a photo of a girl. It was behind one of Rose's childhood photos from the beach, probably taken in Australia. The frame was almost weathered chrome, some of the paint chipped from its edges. The girl had the most curliest hair he had ever seen. It almost took over the entirety of the photo.

As Scorpius shakily reached out to grab the photo, he realizes that it must be her Mum. Despite Rose's straight hair, their faces are almost the same, down to the shape of their lips and even how they smile. No wonder her Nan sometimes mistake Rose for her Mum.

But it was not just her Mum's curling hair - which protrudes just like his, that got his attention. No, it wasn't even her bright hazel eyes, quite similar to his own minus the sliver shades. It was the golden necklace around her Mum's neck. The very same he's wearing. The golden dragon pendant curled atop a spherical ball with wings and crawling vines of flowers etched on both sides. In his distraction he barely notice Rose entering the parlour calling him for dinner. Scorpius shakily dropped the photo on the stone hearth and poorly excused himself. He hastily put his coat back on and ran away from the house ignoring Rose's calls.

He went back home, too focused to isolate himself from the world. He even turned off his phone, not bothering to update his Aunt despite her urging to do so. He wanted to forget identical eyes, and identical smiles. He wanted to forget glimmering gold necklaces and bright shining stars.

As he fell asleep, Scorpius dreamed of rose hedges, of flying golden trinkets, and heard once more the crash of waves on wooden planks.

… ... …

Rose decided, Scorpius was the biggest prat of all time. Her Nan put a great deal of effort into cooking a sumptuous Christmas feast for her and Scorp but the guy took off under the obvious false pretense of his Aunt's call. His Aunt was taking a vacation at Newport and there was no way the lady could fly back to London in a jiffy. Something bothered him greatly, and she wanted to get to the bottom of it. The guy was not bothering to return any of her messages and calls so she decided a visit was in order. Who did that guy think he is to take off suddenly and leave her with no warning.

She was about to leave, already practicing the speech to beat him down with. But Scorpius got ahead of her, because his face was the first thing she saw when she pried open their front door. It was already three days after his disappearing act before Scorpius decided to step on their porch once more. They stared off each other, and Scorp had the decency to look abashed.

"Is your Nan here?" Scorp asked timidly, both his hands in his pockets. Rose just shook her head, not wanting to talk despite her previous need to do so. She wanted the guy to freeze to death by her porch, but Rose suddenly realize the snow was actually a foot deep that morning and suddenly felt guilty for making him stand out there. She invited him inside, this time going straight for her bedroom. Rose silently berated herself for thinking of going after him in this weather. Her body is still not used to London weather, and she internally groaned at the thought that she might never will.

Rose closed her door once the two of them stepped inside. Scorpius relieved himself of his heavy coat and cap, and placed it on the chair beside a messy study table while she made herself comfortable on her bed. Rose was obviously not as tidy and meticulous as him, his room was quite plain and bordering minimalist while hers had plants and books everywhere. The strange contrast makes his mouth quirk in amusement. Finally, something truly different about them. It at least, deviated his thoughts on things that are entirely too similar for his liking.

"Would you like to say something to me… or will you just stand there and judge my room." Rose said from her bed. Her arms were crossed on her chest, a clear sign of defense.

"You haven't unpacked your clothes?" He asked, toeing the open flap of one oh her luggage. Rose slightly blushed from being called on but she just shrugged her shoulders in response, owning to her laid back personality.

Clearly Rose got her stubbornness from someone, as she doesn't bother talking anymore. Scorp settled on the lounge by the window, he didn't know where to start. Rose didn't seem as disturbed as him, and judging from her face Scorpius think Rose has not let the color of their eyes, nor even her Mum's necklace bother her. Perhaps she has yet to see them, he just wish she hasn't. He didn't feel like exploring the reasons for such coincidences.

"I would like to apologize first… I don't know exactly what compelled me to leave so rudely. But I am truly sorry Rosie."

"What…" She whispered.

"I am sorry for leaving before Christmas eve. I even forgot to drop off your present, and I even had one for your Nan. It's just a pair of gloves, for the both of you. My Aunt said gloves are good gifts, besides she recommended the cashmere. A bit too much maybe…"

"No Scorpius…" She cut off his babbling. "What did you just call me."

"Rosie..."

Rose hugged her knees closer to her chest, and sensing that the earlier aggressive mood is now gone Scorpius stood up from the lounger and sat beside her. They sat in front of one another, as Scorpius took out a pair of soft pink gloves from his jacket. Her fingers lazily caress the soft material and smiled at him in return.

Scorpius expelled a great sigh before talking again. "I got frightened actually." He admitted. Rose didn't bother replying, instead silently put on the gloves and stared back at him. He had to blink away to distract himself from her wide doe eyes.

"Your mum… you resemble her so much." He said, twiddling his thumb in anxiety. "There's so much resemblance, I've noticed lately. Too much so, that I don't think they're just coincidences." Scorpius whet his chapped lips before continuing. He didn't want to be called mad for what he is about to say to her.

However, Rose's open expression and lack of mockery gave him a bit of courage.

"We have identical eyes Rosie." She nodded, smiling a bit at the nickname. "If you look closely, we both have beauty marks just under our right ear. There…" he pointed at hers, "I have seven freckles on mine it's shape is like a harp. As yours fan out from a hook to a tail." Scorp said softly, watching her gloved fingers trace patterns from her duvet covers. "I knew what mine was, I was always fascinated with astronomy you see. That's why it was easy to spot my name on your neck."

"Too much for a coincidence right?" He asked her once more, and Rose's eyes had a bit of sheen in them, who still has yet to find her voice.

"But I didn't bother with those, until Camilla once mentioned your first name is Lyra." Scorpius took a strand of her hair and caressed it between his fingers. He could hear Rose breathing shallower, probably trying to calm herself like him. "I'm Scorpius Sorrel by the way." He chuckle hollowly, he always hated his pretentious outdated name and blamed his father for giving it to him.

"Is it a coincidence too, that were both named not only after constellations but also from reddish-brown flowers. Mahogany like your hair…" Scorpius stared back at her, the build up of tears was already obvious from her eyes. He knows she doesn't make a sound in fear of crying. "Like… your Mum's hair."

"And…" he paused, breathing in shakily. "Is it also just coincidence, that I have the very same necklace as hers?"

However, Rose had no answer for any of his questions. She just let her tears fall down, as she finally allow the weight of Scorpius' question bare her soul. It was just wishful thinking wasn't it, for her to find family in London. She was always happy with Nan, but sometimes she always felt like something was missing. Like as if a big part of her was gone, and it wasn't just because of her parents.

'Rosie.' She recalls a boy calling after her in her dreams. Of a boy with hazel eyes with swirls of silver in them, like a dash of milk on tea. Of starry nights and laughter echoing among tall rose hedges.

"Who are you Scorpius?"

"I want to ask the same thing Rosie."