Ch 11: Dinner and Dancing
In the distance, I hear the door opening, and then a loud thump. I lean back in my chair and see Oliver on the ground, Lore spread across his chest, kissing him passionately. I lean forward and shudder. That's JUST what I want to see in the morning. Ugh. I'm not even hungry anymore.
I drop my plates in the sink quietly, silently hoping that Lore wouldn't spot me. I creep out of the kitchen on tip toe, watching the couple snog on the floor out of the corner of my eye. Halfway there, and so far so good...
"Katie!" Dammit! So close, yet so far. OK, put on a happy face now.
"Oh! Hello there! How are you?" I ask cordially. Lore steps off of Oliver and looks as if nothing happened.
"I'm fine. And yourself?" She added that last part after a pause. Probably had to force herself to say it to sound civil.
"I'm fine. In fact, I was just on my way out," I say, smiling politely and entering my room. I close the door behind me softly, and turn to my right. I kick the empty pink lingerie bag, and it flies up, and floats slowly back to the floor. Stupid old bat, that Lore. I was starting to have a nice conversation with Oliver, but noooo. Just had to come in for a good morning snog. Grr.
I sigh as I enter my closet, flicking my wand before the lights lit up, casting all the shadows away.
"What to wear, what to wear," I mutter to myself. I thumb through the various racks and what can I say, that red ribbed tank top just screamed out to me. Hmm...what goes good with red...I snag a pair of jean capris. Oh I remember these. They used to be pants, but the legs were too short, so I cut them and turned 'em into capris. I donned some white tennis shoes and put my hair in a loose bun and set out for the door.
I pick my purse up off the floor, and try to ignore the sight in front of me. Oliver and Lore are having a full out songfest on the couch. Man, I'm so going to have to burn that couch. Heh, I can see myself dabbing my eyes over a tombstone that says 'Black leather couch RIP.' And of course on the grave, that stuffed lion is dancing again. Tee hee hee. Look at the little guy go! Dammit I'm doing it again.
"I'm going now. See you guys later," I call, closing the door quickly behind me. Hey, I didn't want to hear her stupid little harpy voice again! Once is enough!
Blah. Nothing to do. I've already turned every store in the area upside down, and Alicia and I have agreed that we'll take the weekends off. I sigh loudly as I cross the street. Maybe I'll just walk around this MASSIVE park. The town I live in (which shall remain nameless, since if word got out, even more little hussies will attempt to maul my poor roommates face) borders on a forest, which stretches into the town a bit. Of course the town turned that part of the forest into a park, so the place is littered with swing sets, and picnic tables, etc.
The shade of the trees provides ample protection from the heat of the sun, and I find myself winding lazily about the park on the cement trails. Oh look at that. I didn't even know there was a pond at the center of it. How quaint.
I stop to see a little old witch feed some ducks some bread, and I see a group of children running around playing tag. Overhead there are some teens flying about on broomsticks...Are they allowed to do that at their age? Humph. I wasn't.
"Katie!" I hear someone call. I whip around quickly and OW. Hair in eyes. Even though it stings, don't cry...don't cry.
"Marcus?" I inquire. My eyes are still a little blurry, so for all I know, I could be talking to a tree. Oh wait, it is him.
"Hey there!" he greets me, jogging up to me from his spot on a nearby bench.
"What're you doing here?" I ask. Shouldn't he be at training? Then again, shouldn't Oliver be as well? Right, he's with HER.
"I was supposed to meet someone here,"
"Oh, then I'll leave you to wait," I say, starting to turn. Don't want to be a burden now.
"No it's fine. I've been waiting for a while now. I don't think they're gunna show up," he insists.
"Alright," I agree. OK, now what do I say?
"Want to go for a walk?" he asks. I nod and we start winding deeper into the park.
We talked about everything; sports, the shop...Hogwarts.
"Remember that time...in our last year, when Mad-Eye turned Malfoy into a ferret? I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life," I say, giggling at the memory. Seeing that jerk turn into a ferret and bounce around like a rubber ball on speed was so beltar. Dammit, I'm using Oliver's Glesga! (A/N: Glesga is short for Glaswegian slang. Check Sean Biggerstaff's Official website for more)
"Tell me about it. Sure he was supposed to be in my house, but that boy was too much of a prat even for my tastes!" Marcus exclaims. We share a hardy laugh, and fall silent again. Man...I never really realized how much I miss the school. I THINK Dumbledore is still teaching, but damn, that mean's he's ollllllld. Heh, I wonder if that a-hole Snape is still there.
"Katie..." Marcus says. His voice just grew softer. Fluff senses: Tingling!
"Aye?" Wow, that sounded lame. I guess that's what I get for picking up Oliver's words. That's twice in 5 minutes!
"I don't know how to say this..." Hmm...any guesses where this is headed?
"Just be blunt and to the point. It's easier that way,"
"Ok...Katie. I like you. I've liked you since 5th year, when you totally kicked my butt by stealing the Quaffle out of my arms about 20 or so times," he laughs nervously. He likes me? Uh oh...How do I feel about him? What do I say?!
"Thanks, I like you too," I clap a hand to my mouth, but then relax it to my cheek. Can't let him see what I just did. Agh! Why did I just say that? Do I really like him?
"I know this sounds sudden, but do you want to go dancing tonight?" he asks bluntly. I have to laugh at myself. I tell him to be blunt, and then I'm taken aback when he is. Oh I'm such a fickle, fickle girl.
"Sounds good," I agree. I've hardly ever been dancing, we've always been too busy.
"Meet you out in front of your apartment around 8?" he queried, smiling...evilly?
"Ok," I agree. He glances at his watch and grabs my hand. I turn and he pulls me into a rather intimate embrace. His hand is placed on my lower back, pushing me against him slightly.
"Listen, I've got to go, but I can't wait for tonight. So...see you at 8," he says, squeezing me, then kissing my hand, and then dashing off.
I sigh heavily and heave myself onto the nearest bench. What have I just gotten myself into?
Great; another clothes problem. Where am I going to get 'club-acceptable' apparel? I spent all my money buying Oliver that book! Perfect. Just perfect. I'm going to end up looking like an over-dressed prat.
I apparate back to my apartment, throwing open the door, and catching two very surprised looking magical folk in my wake.
"Katie! What're you doing back?" Oliver asks. His fists are still balled around the material of Lore's shirt, and I can see Lore snatch her hands back from where they were previously resting on the waistband of his pants. Gross, just gross. This is why we have DOORS and BEDROOMS! Or do you prefer to shag on the kitchen counter or the coffee table? Ugh, bloody people.
I grunted in response and threw myself onto the cold leather couch. Even if this couch is soiled with unmentionable...things, I still love it. I feel my legs being pushed out of the way.
"What's up Kates? You're acting a bit shirty. Something happen?" Oliver asks. Aww. I'm touched that you took time from your make-out session to see how I am.
"I got invited to go dancing, and I don't have anything to wear," I groaned into a throw pillow. Oliver laughs loudly. So it's funny is it? Well...it is a bit trivial, but important none the less!
"You really think they care how you dress?" he asks, laughter still tainting his voice.
"YES!" I yell. Still muffled by the pillow, but the point gets across.
"And you have nothing in that immense closet of yours?"
"NO!"
"Well I'm sure Lore could lend you an outfit, provided that you invite us to go with you and...who are you going with, anyways?"
"Flint- and I don't think Lore would want me to borrow her clothes,"
"Oh. It's quite alright. I have enough as is. In fact I have an outfit I've never worn that I could let you keep! It's a bit too big for me, anyways," I don't know whether to thank her or slap her. A bit too big? Sure, go right ahead and give it to me.
"Oh thank you! That's very kind! And I'd love to have you two accompany Marcus and I to the club!" I exclaim. OK, enough fake emotions for me today. I think I'll go barf and then go dance with that stuffed lion...
"I'll go get your outfit right now. I'll be back in a little bit," she says, leaning down and giving Oliver a quick peck on the cheek before heading out the door.
"See? She's not so bad," Oliver says after closing the door behind her. I huff loudly and Oliver jumps over and sits next to me, putting an arm around my shoulder and ruffling my hair. Agh! What is with boys and messing with the 'do?!
"I guess," I choose to bite my tongue. Like they say, 'Don't judge a book by it's cover.' You know what I got to say? Don't judge a book until you've read it cover to cover.
"So...you ran into Flint at the park? What'd he have to say?" Oliver asks, his hand resting on the back of the couch.
"No offense, roommate o' mine, but what's it to you?" I reply cheekily. Oliver raises his eyebrows.
"Just curious," he murmurs.
"But if you MUST know...he, oh, you know, just proclaimed his love for me and asked me to go dancing," I say, waving my hand to match the nonchalance of my voice. Oliver, however, jumps in his seat to face me.
"What?!" he yells. I put a hand to my ear and mouth 'ow.' But Oliver's eyes are set straight on me, imploring me to tell him more.
"He just said he likes me,"
"What did you say?"
"I said I like him too,"
"You do?"
"Don't sound so surprised, Ollie dearest. If one didn't know better, one might say one was jealous," I say coyly. Oliver furrows his brows and huffs out a sigh.
"And one might say one is going to tackle one and beat one into the ground for being shirty for no reason!" Oliver replies, throwing his hands into the air. I felt a little bad, and I turn to see Oliver making his way towards the kitchen. A pang of guilt hits me, and I run up behind him. He stumbled forward and met my hands as they laced around his torso, squeezing him into a hug.
"Aww, sowwy Owiver. I wub youuuuu," I say, making sure I sound uberly cute. I can see by the way his ears move that he's smiling. He pats my arm and I let go. He opens his mouth, but he's interrupted by a rhythmic knocking on the door. I smile as he goes and opens the door for Lore, who walks through with a small bundle of clothes draped over her left forearm.
She glides through the door and layers the bundle of clothes in my arms, which naturally stretch out to catch all the stuff.
"Some of it might be a little small, since I dug pretty deep to find some of it, but some should fit," she says. I stumble into my room, silently seething. Some of it might be a little small? She calling me fat? I'm not fat! If anything; I'm just juicy! I start cracking up with laughter at that thought, and picture being forked in the thigh with a giant pitchfork and spewing forth a bunch of water.
Enough laughing, back to work. Let's see what we got here. Alright, we've got a black leather skirt (oh dear...), a black lace up boob tube, way too small hot pants (they look like knickers!), a small baby blue halter, a dark, dark green long sleeve shirt with cuts in the fabric (oh sure, have a cut RIGHT across the chest) and last but not least, a long sleeve white mesh shirt.
OK, after discarding all the too small items, we're left with my outfit for tonight. Now to snag a pair of heels from the closet, and to I'll be ready. I glance at my clock. 5PM. Still got a long time to go, but oh well.
"Drum roll please!" I call out into the living room. I hear some rustling about, and I roll my eyes as I smooth out the outfit. Probably playing tonsil-hockey, those two.
I step out of my room and look from face to face as Lore and Oliver take in the black leather skirt and the black lace up top which I covered with the white mesh shirt. Hmm. Actually, I wouldn't even go so far as to call it mesh. More like a white fishnet shirt.
"So? How do I look?" I ask, turning around, nearly stumbling over. OK, mental note; never try to turn sharply in heels.
"Wow, Kates," Oliver murmured. His jaw was loose, and his lips were parted slightly. His soft brown eyes are glazed over, and I think he's holding his breath.
"Wow, not even I could look good in that outfit. Congratulations, Katie, you pulled it off!" Lore exclaimed. She sounds enthusiastic, but we share a knowing glance. Giving clothes to me was like donating to charity, aka, she did it for looks. Oliver may not see past her nice girl façade, but I sure as hell can. Oh well, more than one person has a façade in this room.
"I suppose I should change as well?" Lore offers. My eyes flash down, and I see she's conveniently holding a bag. Hmm. Any guesses on how many galleons she spent on her outfit? I'm betting 500...any takers?
"Lookin' good, Kates," he says. His accent sounds so good right now, and I love that new nickname he gave me.
"Thanks, Ollie,"
"Don't call me Ollie," he says, turning his attention to my door. Wait, wait, wait. She went into MY ROOM?! Probably raided all my drawers by now.
Speak of the devil...out steps Lore, looking utterly radiant. Curse her and her beauty! She's wearing a pair of black pants that fit very snugly at the waist with wide legs and a wrap shirt that ties on the sides and behind her neck. Oh. It's a halter. I knew that.
"Lore, you look...great!" Oliver said, seemingly pausing to find a word that could 'describe Lore's greatness.' Agh. I think I just barfed in my mouth. Lore grins and jumps into Oliver's arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. They start out with a kiss, then it starts getting a little more heated. This his got to be stopped.
I cough loudly, and the couple separate.
"Sorry, I just got something stuck in my throat. I'll just be going into the kitchen to get a drink," I lie. I cough a bit more as I hustle into the kitchen. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and suckle it for a second, before recapping it and putting it back in the fridge.
I come back out and see Lore looking at Oliver expectantly. Suddenly, Lore's eyes flash to mine.
"Katie! Tell him he needs to change too!" Lore commands. I smirk and look over Oliver. Hehe, good excuse to do so.
"Well Oliver, I do think you could get cleaned up a little bit. Just put on a nice shirt n some slacks and you'll be fine," I suggest. Oliver narrows his eyes playfully.
"Whose side are you on, Kates?" Oh, how badly I want to scream 'NOT LORE'S.'
Lore and I sit in an awkward silence as Oliver changes. I glance at my watch about every twenty seconds. Could he change any slower?
"What are the odds we'll have to dress him?" I joke, emphasizing the "we'll". Lore gives me an icy stare.
"I think he's perfectly capable of dressing himself," she responds coldly. OOOOOK. Totally missed the joke there. Sheesh, think she's got that massive conk (AN: Nose ) of hers high enough in the air? Pfft, biatch.
Great timing Oliver, I thank him silently as he emerges from his room. Oh wow...He's wearing black slacks, and a short-sleeve black button down shirt, a few buttons left tastefully open, like a teaser of what's under the cottony material. Totally drool worthy. Oh right, he's 'spoken for.'
"Much better, Oliver," I comment, standing up. Lore stands up too, and she brushes by me. I follow her and push back, so we're now subtly jockeying for position. Lore gives me a hard elbow to the side, grins at me, and runs over, throwing her arms around Oliver's neck. She gives him a peck on the lips and smiles.
"You look so handsome, Ollie dear," Lore coos before kissing Oliver again.
"You look nice too," Oliver responds. Ugh. I think I barfed in my mouth again...
"So, I'm hungry. Who wants dinner?" I ask, trying to ignore the lovey dovey couple.
"I'm a bit thirsty. Would you get me something, Ollie dear?" Lore pleaded, bringing her bottom lip out. Is that her attempt at the puppy-dog look? Weak!
"Sure thing. What do you want?"
"Sparkling water please," Lore asked. Oliver nodded and disappeared into the kitchen with me close on his heels.
He pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge, and looked at it for a minute, putting a hand to his chin. He mumbled a few words, and before my eyes our cheap bottled water transformed into an expensive looking sparkling water bottle. Oliver smiled at me while he went to deliver Lore her water. Ew, I can hear the harpy from here.
"So what sounds good for dinner?" I ask Oliver as I hear him stride back into the kitchen.
"What do we have?"
"Not much...How about I cook up some ravioli?" I suggest, picking up a package of four-cheese ravioli. I hear sounds of approval from behind me, and I pull the package out of the fridge.
"So shall I make some salad?" Oliver asks, taking the ravioli's out of my hand and probably placing them on the counter.
"You shall," I say, handing him a head of lettuce. "Old fashion style."
I heat up a pot of water, and dump the ravioli's inside, and turn to Oliver, who's washing the lettuce under the head of the faucet.
"Oliver," I murmur his name.
"Mm?" Oliver mumbles, keeping his eyes on the gigantic green veggie.
"Why do you like her?" I whisper.
"We've already been through this, Katie," he says firmly. What, no more 'Kates'?
"I'm serious, Oliver. Why?" I press. He shuts off the faucet and turns to me.
"She's a good person, and I'm really quite fond of her. She's sweet, caring, and she's pretty to boot!" Oliver hisses. I blink at him and go back to my work.
"Sorry I asked," I say. That better have sounded sincere, or else I'm in deep trouble with Oliver.
"'S fine," Oliver says, raising a thick knife and cutting the lettuce up.
We spend the next few minutes in silence, the only sounds coming from the cutting board and the fridge opening and closing.
Pretty soon, the table is set, and all three of us, decked out in club wear, sit down for a meal together. The tension in the air is thick. Not just between Lore and I, but between Oliver and I as well. Grr. Stupid Lore. It's all your fault...
I stab a few ravioli with my fork and stuff them into my mouth. I cast a sidelong glance at the clock on the wall. 7:30. Time is sure flying...Watch, this will end up being the slowest half hour of my LIFE.
I finished dinner in a hurry, and dropped my plate in the sink. I whipped my wand out of my shirt (all the holes make it a handy little wand holder) and cast the scourgifying spell on my plate before stepping out onto the balcony, but not before grabbing a quill and a small scroll. I had noticed that our owl had returned, so might as well use her.
Ange-
Going out dancing with Marcus, Lore, and Oliver. Latter two are angry. Not cool. I'll owl you later. Pray that something bad won't happen.
-Katie
I signed and sealed the envelope and attached it to Keep's leg and she flew off with a hoot.
"Nice to see you too!" I call after the owl as she flies away. Off in the distance I see a few more owls making their rounds. I sigh and lean over the rail. You gotta love owl post. I stare out at the skyline for a few minutes, just taking in the scenery. I look down below me, and in the blink of an eye, Marcus appears. I glance at my watch (8:01) and rush into the apartment.
"Time to go! I called into the house. Once again, my poor ears are met with the sound of rustling on the couch. I hustle into my room, casting a sidelong glance at the pair who were slightly red in the face, and grab my purse. Bloody couple.
Hehe, I know I know. You're all thinking, SO MANY POSTS IN ONE DAY?! Does she think time is flying by in a matter of hours and not days?! Truth is, I'm in a really good mood, and I'm loving all the reviews, so I thought as a treat I'd post another chappie. The next chapter is gunna be HUGE. But of course, I gotta make you guys sweat it out. I know, I know. I'm cruel. So shoot me JUST KIDDING ::ducks flying bullets:: didn't know some of you would take it so literally, SHEESH. But ehehe, here's the hall of Fame!
-Inu-Kokoro (worship it eh? lol, its like a cult! ahhhhh! But hehe, hopefully this'll reach you in time to get THREE updates in one day .-)
-Paradise-Unknown (hehe, glad you liked it. I think you'll love the next chap. Got action, and hehe, what goes around comes around : D)
-lilred-07 (here ya go! Hope you like it!)
-sumeR's Girl (Haha, glad you liked it. But insofar as the corset, -i really should have specified- but it's kinda like a gauzy lace)
-ShadowStar21 (I understand. can get a little buggy sometimes. Eh, it comes with the territory i guess)
-Soccer-Bitch (here ya go! The next installment!)
-sum1 (::ding ding ding:: and she issssss corrrrrrrrrect!
-lindalee4 (I'm taking the PSAT's in like 3 days xx. How was it? Hard? Easy? Confidential? lol)
-devilishly dreamy (Y yo tambien. Lore es una mujer muy malo ::hisses::)
-amanda (thank you, thank you)
-Creepy Susie (You have a point. But for the sake of fluffiness and attempting to keep this mildly funny, i just used the lamest dares that came to mind first. lol, don't think too badly of me!)
-PhyrePrincess (Thanks so much, my beta-ing friend!)