ROTRUFIN

CHAPTER 17-eMMA'S VISIT

James, Lily and Sirius left after visiting hours were over.

Marybeth clung to me like glue for some reason.

Even Chelsea realized that something was bothering her.

We pulled Marybeth aside and sat her down.

"What's wrong?" Chelsea asked gently. "Why are you hanging on Remus?"

"I have a bad feeling," Marybeth whispered. "That something bad will happen to Remus."

"He'll be fine," Chelsea said reassuringly.

"I promise," I said softly.

Marybeth seemed much happier now.

We had some time before our session. It was a beautiful day out and we were allowed to go outside in the backyard for a bit. Marybeth had been taken by the Healers for a bath.

Chelsea linked arms with me and we headed out into the warm sunshine.

"It's a beautiful day isn't it?" Chelsea said softly sitting down on one of the benches.

I sat down beside her. The sunlight reflected in her eyes, making them almost shine.

"Yes, it is," I agreed.

Silence.

"Do you feel like talking? I mean really talking?" I asked.

"Sure," Chelsea said. "What about?"

"About that guy you said you dated," I said.

"Oh, Mike," Chelsea said rolling her eyes.

"If you don't…"

"Naw, it's fine," Chelsea said. "He dumped me for someone prettier. Plus, he used to hit me a lot. I was stupid because I thought he was the only guy that would like me. I was naiveté I guess you could say."

"There's nothing stupid about that," I said softly. "You thought he really cared about you. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be cared about."

Chelsea smiled. "Thanks,"

She playfully and lightly punched me on the arm.

"Your girlfriend Emma is a lucky girl," she said smiling as she turned her eyes onto the sky now.

"She's not my girlfriend," I said. "But my feelings are becoming mixed."

Chelsea nodded, not pressuring me any further.

"I'll see you inside," she smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before getting up and heading back inside.

I was confused now. I still had feelings for Emma, yet I was beginning to like Chelsea as well.

I sighed and stood up, following Chelsea inside.

Chelsea was exactly like me. I felt connected to her on a level that I hadn't felt with Emma. I was really going to have to do some serious thinking.

When I entered the hospital again, I saw Chelsea talking with one of the Healers.

She raised a hand to her forehead and I saw her eyes twinkling with tears.

I began approaching her.

"Chelse? What's wrong?" I demanded as the Healer put a hand on Chelsea's shoulder before heading back down the corridor.

I stood in front of her and lowered my head slightly so we were eye level.

"I was just told that my parents were in an accident," Chelsea said her voice breaking. She kept her eyes on my chest and didn't look at me. "My Dad was killed."

"Oh," I said quietly. "I'm so sorry."

She looked over at the window. The tears were streaming down her cheeks now.

I watched her sympathetically and with concern.

She smiled sarcastically.

"Still doesn't mean me mum will accept me for who I am now," she said bitterly. "Looks like I won't be going home for a while."

"I'm sure your Mum loves you," I said. "She probably just might not understand the whole thing."

I put a hand on Chelsea's shoulder.

"I'll tell Healer Barron that you're resting," I offered.

Chelsea nodded.

"Thanks,"

She headed to the girls section of the dorm rooms.

I headed to my session.

I was making really good progress and I was feeling much better about the whole situation as well.

Chelsea rested and then came out of her room for dinner. She was still upset and couldn't eat much.

After dinner, we just sat on the couch watching TV while the other patients happily went about their business.

Then, we headed to bed.

I was still deep in thought over Chelsea and Emma.

The next morning everyone awoke to sweltering heat. Luckily, the hospital had AC. I was thankful for that Muggle invention.

I found Chelsea stretched out on the couch. She was watching TV…a movie called "She's All That."

She was wearing a white tank top and gray jogging pants.

Her long, slender legs were draped over the arm of the couch.

"Hey," I said sitting down.

Chelsea draped her legs across my lap.

"Hi," she said.

"How are you doing?" I asked gently. "Do you want to talk about the accident?"

"No," she said abruptly and sat up, swinging her legs over the couch the right way. Her hair fell over her face.

"Chelse," I prodded gently.

"Alright," Chelsea muttered.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and turned to face me.

The tears were forming in her eyes.

"It seems like my whole life people that I thought cared about don't care about me back,"

"That can't be true," I said searching her face.

"But it is," she said.

I just stared into her eyes.

"Breakfast!" Healer Barron called happily.

We all rushed for breakfast.

Then, visiting hours arrived.

Oddly, James, Sirius and Lily didn't come.

"Where are your friends?" Chelsea asked wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"I don't know," I said frowning.

Then, a girl stood by one of the Healers and began talking to him. I saw him point to my direction. Intrigued, I watched as the girl got closer.

It was Emma.

"Emma!" I cried happily.

She and I met halfway.

"How are you doing?" she asked quietly.

"Actually, much better," I said. "They don't blame me here for my actions."

I added the last part with a bit of bitterness.

She caught it.

"I just wanted to come and tell you that I forgive you," Emma said slowly. "It wasn't easy for me…but I realized that you really had no control over what you were doing. Can you ever forgive me?"

I smiled.

"Of course! That's all I wanted to hear,"

Emma beamed and there were tears in her eyes now.

"Come," I said putting an arm around her shoulders. "I want you to meet my new friend Chelsea."

I led her over to Chelsea.

Chelsea's smile was forced. I could tell.

"Chelsea? This is Emma," I said brightly. "Emma? This is Chelsea."

"Nice to meet you," Emma said pleasantly.

"Same here," Chelsea said.

"She's exactly like me," I explained to Emma. "She's a werewolf too."

Emma nodded.

"Where are James, Sirius and Lily?" I asked as we all sat down.

"They wanted this to be a surprise," Emma said. "They'll be here tomorrow. I actually contacted them. I wanted to surprise you."

"Well this is certainly a surprise," I said as I hugged her.

She hugged me back.

Chelsea shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm going to the Rec room," Chelsea said suddenly. "I'll let you two catch up."

"No, it's…" my voice trailed off but Chelsea had already gotten up and began heading to the Rec room.

"I missed you," Emma said quietly. "I missed how we used to be."

I sighed.

"I know, but things are a bit different between us now," I said. "I mean I won't be able to forget what I did under the Imperius curse, nor will you."

Emma bit her bottom lip.

"I know, but I'm not blaming you,"

I put my face close to hers.

The whole thing felt very weird right now and awkward.

I decided to see what would happen if I kissed her.

I leaned forward and tilted my head slightly. She closed her eyes and I felt our lips meet.

CHELSEA

I stood, watching from the doorway. I had opened the door slightly to see what was going on. Remus was kissing Emma.

I felt a pang of jealousy and silently let the door close. I sat down and began writing a short story. I loved writing and was actually good at it. I tried not to let the disappointment show, but it wasn't easy.

REMUS.

I pulled back from the kiss and Emma slowly opened her eyes.

That spark seemed to have left.

I realized that I now regarded Emma as a best friend only.

"It feels like my brother was kissing me," Emma said bluntly.

I stared at her.

"I'm so sorry!" Emma apologized looking upset that she just came out with that blunt answer. "But I thought I was in love with you…it turns out that I love you but I have feelings toward you as a best friend. I hope you're not hurt."

She looked at me imploringly.

"Neh," I said as relief spread over me. "I actually felt the same way."

She looked relieved now.

"Good," she said. "So we're all settled?"

I nodded.

"Okay," Emma said cheerfully. "I'll stop by tomorrow with James, Lily and Sirius. Okay? Tell Chelsea I said good-bye and I'll see her tomorrow so I can get to know her better."

I nodded again.

We hugged and then she left.

CHELSEA

I continued to write. Remus entered the Rec room and sat down across from me.

"Whatcha writing?" Remus asked curiously.

"Nothing," I replied. "Just a short story."

"Ah," Remus said.

"So how are things with you and Emma? Did you guys make up?" I asked not taking my eyes off the paper.

"Yes," Remus said. "She forgave me."

"That's wonderful," I said.

"Is something wrong?" Remus asked leaning forward slightly.

I felt his eyes on me.

"No," I said shaking my head.

"I kissed her to see if my feelings toward her were still true," Remus continued.

"Were they?"

"No," Remus said. "I love her like a best friend."

I continued to write until he put a hand over mine, forcing me to stop writing.

I didn't raise my eyes to meet his.

"And right now you're my best friend too," he continued.

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before taking it off.

I continued to write.

"What are you writing?" Remus asked intrigued.

"Just a short story I was working on before. I'm finishing it now," I replied.

"Can I read it when you're finished?" Remus asked.

I shrugged one shoulder.

"Meh, if you want to,"

"Of course," Remus said nodding.

Truthfully, I began to really like him a lot. He definitely wasn't like Mike. He was completely the opposite. I really wondered why he hadn't had a girlfriend yet.

I didn't want to say anything because I just met him and I really needed friends and I didn't want to blow it with him.

Marybeth came running into the Rec room and happily bounced into a chair next to me.

"Chelsea!" she cried happily. "Whatcha doing?"

"Writing," I said.

"Let me see?" Marybeth asked reaching for the papers.

"Not yet," I said but she had already grabbed the papers and pulled, tearing it in half.

"NO!" I cried.

The ripping sound echoed in my ears.

"Oh, Chelsea," Remus said looking upset. "I'm so sorry."

"Why should you be sorry?" I demanded angrily. "She's the one who ripped it. The brat."

I angrily threw down the pen and got to my feet. I stormed out of the Rec room.

REMUS.

Chelsea got up abruptly and left the Rec room.

Marybeth looked very upset.

"Is Chelsea angry with me?" Marybeth asked worriedly.

"Probably not…I think she's angry but for a different reason. I'll go and talk to her," I said reassuringly.

I put a hand on Marybeth's shoulder before getting up and following Chelsea.

I found Chelsea staring out the window. He arms were folded over her chest.

"Chelsea? What's going on?" I asked standing in front of her.

Chelsea glared at me.

"There's nothing going on," she snapped. "I'm angry because she just tore my story apart."

"She didn't mean it," I said reasonably.

Chelsea didn't reply.

"Chelse?" I prodded getting a bit worried now.

Instead of replying, Chelsea just turned and left me standing there.