Chapter Nine: You Come First
"Alicia!" Oliver panted, catching up to her. She stopped walking, but didn't look at him.
"I…I'm sorry…" he began, "you know I didn't really mean that…"
She hmphed in response, they had had this conversation before. "You know how much you mean to me…!" He tried to face her, but she kept turning away. "Obviously not as much as Quidditch," she growled, trying to keep her temper under control. He looked at her desperately, not knowing what to do. "Alicia… Quidditch is really important to me… you know that…"
She shrugged. "That's fine. As long as we all know where we stand," she snipped at him.
If only she would turn around and see his face, she would see the despair and sorrow in his eyes. He had never known what he had done to deserve her, and had always wondered what he would ever do without her. Hurting her was more painful than hurting himself.
"Alicia," he began again, softly, gently. Something in his tone made her glance at him over her shoulder, and when she saw the look in his eyes she couldn't help but turn around.
"Alicia, you… you mean more to me than anything--"
"Oliver, don--"
"If I had to choose between you and Quidd--"
"Oliver!"
He stopped. Her face softened and she placed a gentle hand on his arm. "You would never have to choose," she said, "I know how much Quidditch means to you. I would never want you to give that up. It's one of the things I love about you… how devoted you are…"
He looked into her eyes, emotions coursing through his whole being. He nodded. "But… I want you to know. You come first, always."
She nodded as well. "I know." Her eyes shifted delicately to the rest of the team. Oliver sighed. "I guess I should go rephrase my advice to Harry…" She smiled, nodding again. He turned to go, then turned back, kissing her quick and full on her lips. Then he turned, without another word, and strode over to the rest of the team. Alicia blushed bright red as the twins whistled loudly.