Angelina then turned to Alicia, saying something about how bad soda was for your teeth. Alicia and Angelina argued for a few minutes, before they were interrupted by Marty with their drink orders. I immediately grabbed at my margarita and began nursing it down.
Marty came back with three Caesar salads, which we always ordered when we came. The club house only served salad, soup, and sandwiches, and the salad was the best thing on the menu, so we girls stuck with that. I finished earliest (big surprise there – not!), and turned to watch my roommate miss a goal outside.
"Oh come on Oliver! You could've gotten that!" I say rather loudly. A few stares came my way, but I pay no attention.
"A little harsh on your roommate," a gruff voice commented. I spin around and saw the owner of the team, Philbert Deverill, looking over at me. The frown on the old, withered face turned itself upside down as Phil smiled at me. He was rough when it came to the team, but he was really as gentle as a lamb.
"How are you, Katie dear?" he asked in his grandfatherly tone. I said I was good, and thought back to my days at Hogwarts. Phil reminded me a lot of Professor Dumbledore...
"So you want to get out there and kick Wood around, do yah?" Phil asked, grinning.
"Well yeah, I mean he could've saved that last goal," I said indignantly, taking another sip out of my glass.
"Come with me," Phil commanded, pulling me out of me chair by me left wrist. I shrugged at the girls, who were giggling madly. Ugh, sometimes you'd think they'd never graduate, they were that girlish.
Phil dragged me all the way down into the equipment room, which he opened up and shuffled around a bit before coming back out. I leaned up against the concrete wall and sniffed. It smelled like sweat, blood, and something else. But I wasn't sure I wanted to know what that something else was. I mean it could be anything! They were men after all...
"Here, this should do," Phil said, thrusting a Cleansweep 11 into my hands. I marveled at the fairly nice broom in my hands, before throwing a confused look at the owner.
"Don't look at me like that, Katie. Oliver has told us that you used to be quite the chaser. So I was thinking you could go out and have a bit of fun with him, like the good ole times," Phil explained, his eyes twinkling. I looked at him numbly. Phil sighed and shoved me out of the double doors, into the bright sunlight that lit the field. Phil followed me out, placing his two large hands against his face to amplify his voice.
"Oi! Practice is over boys!" Phil bellowed to the men on brooms flying high above them. The whole team ceased moving and started to descend to the ground. Why he didn't use the sonorous spell is beyond me.
"Not you, Wood! You get extra training today!" He called up to Oliver, who too was starting to descend to the ground. Oliver stopped in mid-flight and hovered there, waiting for further instructions.
The sweaty men in blue shuffled by me, casting me quizzical looks before brushing by me and into the locker rooms. Some gave me a few seductive smirks, kind of like the guy at the gym. I shuddered involuntarily, but kept my eyes on Oliver.
"Now get up there!" Phil said, squashing a quaffle in my open palm. I smiled weakly and mounted the broom. I curled the ball in the crook of my arm and took off instantly, flying about in circles above the stadium. The feel of the wind in me hair feels heavenly, and I feel at home even though I'm suspended on a thin piece of wood 50 feet above the ground.
"What're you doing out here, Katie?" Oliver asked, pulling me back to reality. Damn, just when I was remembering the good old times.
"Training you!" I called back, grinning madly. Oliver furrowed his brows as I threw the ball up and down, trying to look menacing. I dunno if it's working or not, but hey, it's boosting my confidence!
I don't think Oliver could believe his ears.
"What?" he called out again, sure that he had heard wrong. Poor dear, doesn't think I've still got it. I'll show you, Oliver Wood!
"Your boss told me to give you extra training!" I called back again.
"Well alright," Oliver agreed. He finally got it through his thick, handsome skull? Good for him- Did I just say his skull was handsome? Oh yeah, Bell, that's not creepy in the slightest. I shook myself out of my stupor and grinned madly, remembering my current mission.
"Ready? GO!" I called out as I maneuvered back and forth, speeding towards the three rings. I fly up and chucked the ball underhand at the farthest left hoop. Oliver caught it easily.
"Gunna have to try harder than that!" Oliver said, tossing the quaffle back at me. I frown and went after the hoops again. I'm not gunna let you win that easily, Wood. I fly to the right, Oliver following my movements. That's right Ollie, just keep coming right. I bring my arm back, and threw it across my body, scoring in the far left goal.
"You should have stopped that!" I yell out in triumph, pumping my fist in the air. Oliver frowned and got the quaffle, tossing it back to me, interrupting my mini victory lap.
Oliver and I continued to play around for the better part of an hour. Finally, sweat-drenched and sore, we both threw in the metaphorical towel. I had a few drops of sweat running down the sides of my face and neck while Oliver was sweating even worse. We walked into the locker room, shoving each other playfully.
"You've gotten better, Katie," Oliver commented as he wiped his forehead on his robes.
"And I think you've gotten worse!" I grinned. Oliver looked over at me, his eyes a mixture of panic and fear.
"Just kidding, just kidding. You've really gotten a lot better, Ollie," I say in all sincerity. Poor boy doesn't know how to take a joke!
"Don't call me Ollie," Oliver growled in his cute Scottish accent. Wow, is it getting a little hot in here?
"Why not, Ollie? I like calling you Ollie, Ollie," I tease. Oliver spun on his heel and looked at me angrily. I put up my hands in defense and smiled again. Hopefully the rumors would hold true, and my charming smile would disarm this savage. Uh oh...guess not.
"Alright alright, sorry Oliver," I say. Oliver mumbled something like 'thanks' as he pulled a plastic cup out of a dispenser and filled it up from a water cooler nearby. He downed the drink, and filled it up again, then handed it to me. I took it gratefully and poured the cool liquid into my mouth. I'm not swallowing 'cus the cold water tastes good in my mouth.
"So Katie, want to go out for dinner with me tonight?" Oliver asked. I spit out the water I was drinking, spraying some of it on Oliver, whose face screwed up in disgust and mirth. I blushed a shade of candy apple red and tried to collect myself.
"Sorry, but what'd you just ask me?" I asked. I probably just had sweat or earwax in my ears or something, preventing me from hearing his real question.
"My mates invited me out to dinner with them tonight, because Hart is getting engaged, and I've been told to bring a friend along. So yeah, you want to go?" Oliver asked.
"Alright, but what kind of event is it? Dressy? Casual?" Please say casual, please say casual.
"Dressy," Oliver said, as he started to strip down. I turned around in embarrassment and to be polite and damned him mentally. Why must it be dressy! Damn! I hate getting all dolled up!
"Great," I mumble, thinking Oliver couldn't hear me. But he did. He looked up and saw the back of my blonde head and smiled. Don't ask how I know about all this stuff, I just consider it as like a 6th sense or otherwise I just imagine it. Oh well.
"I'm sure you can find something at that little shop of yours," Oliver said as he removed his arm guards. Hmm...Well we did get a ship-
"OH MY GOD! I have to go! I'll talk to you in a little while!" I yell over my shoulder as I take off down the musty cement corridor towards the exit. Shit, I'm going to be in so much trouble for being late.
"Be ready by seven thirty!" I could hear Oliver yell. I yelled back an 'OK' as I turned a corner. Oliver probably shook his head and took off his pants. Agh! Bad Katie! He's your roommate!
"Shit, shit, shit," I mutter under my breath as I reach the side walk outside of the stadium. Once I was free from the binds of the spells put on the stadium so you couldn't apparate into it and avoid buying a ticket, I disappear with a loud pop.
Alicia looked up from watching two blonde girls looking around to see me standing right next to her, looking flushed and breathless.
"Oh, Alicia. I'm so sorry, I lost track of time and-"
"Calm down! It's OK! It's not like we have a boss to yell at us. Besides, it's been a slow day anyway," Alicia said, motioning to the two customers holding up a black pleated skirt and giggling madly. That's right...Me and Alicia own the shop. Huzzah! I love being the boss of myself sometimes. Hmm, I wonder what those girls are looking at; oh, a nice dressy skirt. Wait a minute...dressy?
"That reminds me. Oliver asked me to go out to dinner with him and some of his teammates. Apparently Alex Hart is getting engaged. So I need a fancy outfit to wear!" I say, imploring Alicia to help me find something. I'm not a very dressy person – I choose to stay with the casual tomboyish look. I've been like that for most of my life.
"Alright, let's see if we got anything fancy in our shipments today," Alicia said as she walked towards the back room. The two customers had left so we could leave the room unattended.
"Lumos!" I yell, lighting the bulbs above me so they flickered above the new boxes. Alicia opened one up, and pawed through it. No luck, so she started pawing through another. I sit down on a rung on a ladder that was leaning haphazardly against a wall.
After a few minutes of pawing through boxes upon boxes of clothing, Alicia was at the last box. She threw a hopeful glance at a bored looking me and dug in. Suddenly, Alicia brought out a black garment. She pulled it out to its full length, and stood there in awe.
"Katie, give me the clipboard," Alicia muttered, holding the dress up in the light. I ran and brought back the clipboard, holding for Alicia to see. Wonder what she wants the clipboard for?
"I knew it! Fall season means gala season so we're going to start getting truckloads of formal wear. This is just the first shipment," Alicia mumbled excitedly. She then turned on me and thrust the black dress in my arms. What? What's this?
"Try it on!" Alicia said, shoving me into a dressing room. I didn't say anything, but shut the pink door loudly. Yes, nearly our whole shop is done in pink or black. Sometimes it'll look ok, but most of the time it just screams 'girly.'
I hung the dress on a brass knob and began to strip. First there goes my blue polo, then my jeans...At last I was down to my black underwear and bra. I pulled the dress over my head, and with a few tugs and pokes here and there, I came to the conclusion that the dress was a halter. Leave it to me to get stuck in a dress for a few minutes.
But once I had made my discovery, getting into the dress was easy. I already had the tie around my neck, so I cinched it carefully down my body and smoothed it out. I examined myself in the mirror, frowning a bit at the rather low neckline, and the extremely low back. It ended right on my hip bone. Last time I wore something this low someone put an ice cube in my underwear.
I stepped nervously out of the dressing room to see Alicia toting boxes back and forth. When she heard the door open, her eyes snapped to attention, and she dropped the box she was carrying. Am I that terrifying?
"Katie..." Alicia gaped. I immediately covered myself, a hot blush creeping across my cheeks and nose. Leave it to me, I can be extremely immodest at times, and other times I'll be as prudent as a woman from the 18th century.
"Is it that bad?" I asked timidly. Please say no, please say no. I don't want to have to go through more boxes.
"No! It looks wonderful. You look wonderful!" Alicia said, bobbing up and down on the pads of her feet, clapping happily like a child. Oh Alicia, sometimes you just crack me up.
"Thanks," I mumble, smiling to myself.
5 minutes later, Alicia and I were sitting on the counter; Alicia ringing up the dress.
"So I guess that's gunna be taken out of my paycheck,"
"Sad but true," Alicia agreed as she scanned the dress into the muggle-like computer. She tapped on a few keys and I sighed as I handed over a handful of coins. I better find more occasions to wear the dress to if it costs that much.
"So..." Alicia said, turning away from the computer and looking at me, while I was leaning heavily against the counter, the dress thrown over my shoulder.
"So..."
"So can I come over to do your makeup and hair?" Alicia said quickly, grinning her usual wide toothy grin. I laughed heartily and nodded in agreement. Let's just hope it won't turn out like last time...
Alicia and I spent the rest of the work day talking about how we were going to do my hair and makeup, putting away the new shipment, and of course, quidditch. Funny, how that always comes up in nearly every conversation I have.
5 o'clock came around and it was finally time to close shop. I stepped out onto the pavement, Alicia close on my heels. A hooded figure was leaning up against the wall nearby.
"Took you long enough," the figure said in a mysterious voice. I look at the figure and my hand slowly goes to the back pocket of my jeans, fingering the handle of my wand. Two hands came up and pushed off the hood. Angelina stood there, grinning madly.
"Dammit, Angelina! You scared us!" Alicia reprimanded our black friend. (AN: I'm not trying to be racist, I'm just trying to find alternatives to saying everyone's' names!)
"Speak for yourself," I mutter. Sure, I might have been a little paranoid, but I was not scared! Even if I was, I wouldn't admit it.
"So we're all going over to Katie's so we can help her get ready for her big date with Oliver," Alicia said. Angelina threw me a surprised look. I rolled my eyes heavily and exhaled loudly.
"So you're finally going out on a date, are you? Took long enough!" Angelina said, clapping me on the back. I shrugged her hand off and turned a bit angry.
"It's not a date! Oliver just needed to take someone to this engagement party he's going to, and you know me, the stand in date," I say, twirling my finger about in my hair as Alicia locked up for the night. Humph. Now I know how Hermione felt in her fourth year when Ron asked her at the last minute because she was 'the backup date.'
It was indeed true, though. Oliver occasionally called on me to be his date for impromptu events which he couldn't find a real date. Plus it's not like he minded, for him it was like going out to eat with a best friend or a sister. I, on the other hand, as much fun as I have with Oliver, he always gave me a meager few hours for me to look acceptable to the wizarding world. Let's just say I've cut it really close a few times.
I apparated with a loud pop, and ended up outside the door to me and Oliver's flat. Alicia and Angelina soon appeared by my sides. I fumbled in my jean pockets for a second, then pulled out an old gold key, and shoved it roughly in the lock. I opened the door and stepped into the apartment, chucking my purse onto the ground and flopping myself down on the couch. Even if it was a slow day at the store, I still got quite a workout with Oliver. I turn over and slam my face into a pillow. Maybe I could squeeze in a quick nap...
"What're you doing Katie? You have to be ready in two hours! And you still need to shower, and prep, and-"
"I get the point!" I grumbled into the pillow. Why was everyone trying to disrupt my sleep time today? Why?
"Listen, Kates. You go shower, and I'll go into the kitchen and make you a smoothie to hold you over till dinner. Alicia will sort through all your makeup and find you some accessories. And relax, you still have plenty of time. So go take a nice hot shower, you smell like you need one," Angelina said, waving her hand in front of her face to waft away the smell of sweat. I gave her a look and sighed. God dammit, I really need to stop sighing!
I agreed and in a matter of minutes I was in the shower. Hot water ran down my body in rivulets, and I couldn't help but feel a little tense for the evening to come. Great; another night of sitting by myself, drinking by myself, and being criticized by the wives and girlfriends of the other players. They were all nice enough, but I just didn't want to be asked about my relationship with Oliver. It made me feel awkward, and that they were expected to be in love or something. Do people not comprehend the meaning of roommates these days?
I finished rinsing the conditioner out of my hair and turned off the water. I stood under the dripping shower head, just letting small drops of water splash down on my forehead. Do I really have to go get ready? Can't I just sleep? Apparently not. I take in a deep breath, and shoved the glass shower door aside and grabbed a towel.
"He's right, it is dry by the time I need to use it," I say aloud as I wrap the towel around my torso. What if I like, fake fainted and didn't have to go to the dinner? Then Oliver wouldn't have a date, and then I'd feel bad. Sometimes being a nice person isn't so great.
I step out of the bathroom door only to meet the panicky eyes of Alicia. I opened my mouth to say, but I can feel myself being flung across the room as Alicia bolted into the bathroom. I blink, and shook my head as I made my way into my room. If she had to go that bad she could have said something to hurry me up. Oh well. Closing the door tightly, I dropped the soggy towel and began rummaging through my underwear drawer, putting on a cami and some sport briefs, and on top of the briefs, some quidditch boxers. I love boxers, sooo comfy they are. Wonder if Oliver is a boxers or brief boy? I mentally slap myself and exit the room. You've got a sick mind, Bell.
Angelina sat at the table with Alicia, sipping some thick red liquid. I immediately guessed it was one of Angelina's concoctions. What she made it out of, I could only wonder. Last time I checked there wasn't any fruit in the house...(AN: Dun dun dunnnn. This moment of silliness brought to you by: Energy pills!)
Angelina slid a glass over to me as I seated myself. My hair was still very damp and dripped down my spine, leaving dark water marks on my cami. I looked at the glass cautiously before taking a sip. I swished it about in my mouth and felt my eyebrows raise.
"Not bad, Ange, not bad," I say, taking a long gulp of it.
"Thanks. I had little to work with," Angelina grunted, taking a sip from her own glass. Maybe she'll tell me what she used...
"Hey you guys, just a bit random, but don't you guys miss Hogwarts?" Alicia suddenly asked. Angelina and I looked into our glasses and nodded sadly. Why do you do this Alicia? You just have to bring up all these memories. Man, I miss chasing. Sure it was a rough and tumble game, especially when I refused to kiss Flint, he insisted on knocking me around as roughly as he could. Hmm, I wonder where that damn Neanderthal ended up. Death Eater maybe? Heh, if he was, he'd better keep a sharp eye out for Harry. The boy-who-lived is now the-man-who-catches-all. Ok so I made up the title, but I think it's clever!
"I miss the twins," Angelina said in a near whisper. Alicia and I nodded knowingly. It was all too well known that Angelina had a crush on one of the Weasley twins- Fred to be exact. I think Alicia likes George a bit, but her crush isn't as obvious as Angelina's. I take another sip and smile into my glass remembering the twins' inventions and pranks.
We sat around the table for a few more minutes, just sighing in remembrance, when we heard the door burst open. All three of us poked our heads out of the kitchen and saw Oliver march in and continue into his room.
"Better start getting ready, Katie!" he yelled through the door. We looked around at each other, then high-tailed into my room, slamming the door loudly in our wake.
I quickly stripped and pulled the dress on and sat down at the edge of the bed, giving my friends access to my face and hair. Angelina picked up a black eyeliner pencil and eyed it.
"What're you doing?" Alicia asked suddenly. Angelina turned and quirked an eyebrow. I sat there in silence – this won't end well.
"Last time you did someone's makeup you caked it on and made them look like a vampire with bug eyes," Angelina stated. I stifled a giggle by biting my thumb and I knew that Alicia would look highly offended.
"Alright then," Alicia said. My God! She swallowed her pride and is letting Angelina do my makeup? Congratulations, Alicia. Admission is the first step into solving your problems.
Hehe, I've decided to post a chapter a day, so you guys can look forward to that. Each entry will be about 7 pages in Word, and hehe, the story is 166. So celebrate! Cake day for all!
Btw-If you have any ideas for a new fic for me, don't be afraid to tell me. Have a great day 2morrow guys! Lots of hugs and kisses to you all!
English-Foxlette