Beneath the Mask, by Amadah

Katie - age 21.

Angelina - age 22

Oliver - age 24

Alicia - age 21

Disclaimer: J.K Rowling owns the who's and I own the what's and where's. Well, mostly.

Go here to see pictures of things in story: whisperling. net / mask (remember to take out the spaces.)

CHAPTER TWO: Totally Tangled

I felt the evil satisfaction as I noticed redness suffusing Oliver's face. I had hit home and it was clear to anyone in the room who I was insulting. Despite his obvious embarrassment, Oliver didn't look away from me.

"Katie!" Alicia and Angelina gasped in unison.

"That was a bit harsh, Kates," said Alicia warily. I could tell she was angry. I could tell all three of them were angry and surprised that I would say something like that. In fact, so was I. Angry and surprised, that is. Mad at Oliver for not surrendering to my glare and surprised that I had actually blurted that out. The words, what the hell is wrong with me? Popped into my head, as usual. Finally it was me who looked away in defeat, for which I mentally scolded myself. The moment of my wicked pleased-with-self mode was suddenly replaced with shameful guilt and my gaze wandered towards my feet.

"Sorry," I mumbled almost inaudibly, but I think he heard me because I was sure I heard a slight sigh escape his mouth. Angelina sighed more clearly and leaned against the back of her chair.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she said, looking pointedly at me. Much to my disgrace, I blushed and couldn't return her regarding stare.

"Why not?" I managed to ask. She shrugged.

"We should've told you we were coming. I'm so sorry, Kates. Maybe we should go – " she got to her feet. I felt as though the knot in my stomach had gotten totally tangled within itself and I was sure I was going to be sick – all because I had to be such a bitch.

Yeah. That was me. Katie Bell the major bitch.

I so terribly wanted to say something as Oliver and Alicia got up. All three of them seemed to be looking at me with these really strange – blank – looks that I couldn't understand, yet they caused an utter uneasiness inside my apartment. Half of me wanted them to just get out, and half of me – perhaps more then half – wanted them to stay, wanted to amend things; not only what I had said to hurt Oliver but just..everything. I wanted them to be my best friends again.

But even as my head raced with possible things to say, my mouth remained stubbornly shut as the three quietly exited my apartment as I sat there, merely staring after them at loss for words. I continued sitting there, hoping that the worn door knob would twist and re-open, hoping that they'd come back in and say "April fools!" or some such thing. But they didn't.

Of course, they didn't.

"I'm sorry," I said out loud. That was the first time I could ever remember talking to a door in my life.

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After drinking a couple beers and mentally yelling at myself for being such an idiot, I decided to follow my original plan of going to the Den. Maybe a little dancing would do me some good right now. I didn't bother reapplying makeup or anything; just retrieved my mask, slid it into my large blue-and-pink striped handbag (not very tasteful in my opinion, but it was the first thing I grabbed) and left behind my apartment and mess. I lived on the fifth floor and hiking down all those stairs was definitely not fun in high heels, but I was used to it. I knew I could just apparate there if I wanted, but I didn't feel like it. For some reason, I was drawn to rain like a magnet and couldn't resist a nice walk with water seemingly embracing my hair and face. It was the only time I truly felt alive. Happy, even. Suddenly I wasn't in the mood for dancing. Not the kind they did at the Den, anyway. I don't know what it was that made me do it. Perhaps the sudden appearance of Oliver, I don't know. But instead I turned around and headed towards the local park. Once I arrived there, I kicked off my shoes, tossed my bag aside and began to skip around like a little girl. I actually smiled to – for my own silliness, for the rain, for old memories. I twirled around, with my mouth catching the rain drops.

And I remembered.

"Katie?" A voice said from behind me. I spun around in surprise, feeling completely embarrassed that someone had caught me, a fifteen-year-old Katie, dancing in the rain. I never danced in front of anyone. I felt partly relieved that it was just Oliver, but the fact that it was him also made me feel a bit more stupid.

"You look like you're having fun," he said with his lop-sided grin. This time I smiled.

"Until I was interrupted."

"Sorry."

"It's not a problem." He had his hands in his pockets and his hair was flat from the rain. He was looking at me strangely, a look I had never seen before.

"Is something up?" I asked wonderingly, thinking perhaps he was worrying about something. It took him a minute to answer.

"No. Not really...," he said slowly. He seated himself on the bench beside the lake. We were at Hogwarts, me in my fifth year, Oliver in his seventh.

"I'll be leaving in a few days," he said. Ah. So he was thinking about his graduation.

"Are you excited?" I asked, sitting on the empty space next to him. He shrugged.

"I guess." We sat in silence for a moment, looking out over the lake. I didn't say anything, because I could tell he wasn't finished. It took a few minutes for him to continue.

"There's someone I don't want to leave behind," he said, turning towards him. I looked at him.

"Who?" Again, silence. He appeared as though he was considering his answer. His expression was very, very strange and I was beginning to feel a bit...suspicious. He took a deep breath.

"I don't want to leave you, Kate," he told me quietly. I grinned.

"And I'd be insulted if you did, Captain," I said jokingly, nudging his arm. But my smile faded as I saw his genuine serious expression. He was one of my best friends and usually I could guess what was going on. Not this time, though...Well actually I had an idea. But I couldn't bear to think of it. I wouldn't know what to do if Oliver returned my secret feelings for him. He sighed and put his palm on my cheek.

"Uh..." I said, feeling rather embarrassed again. And very moronic. He stared into my eyes for what seemed like ages to me, but was most likely only a few seconds.

"You have no idea how badly I wish I didn't have to leave you." His tone scared me.

It scared me a lot. He leaned slowly forward. I sat frozen to the bench, knowing what was about to happen and unable to move. I was stunned as his lips met mine gently. I closed my eyes feeling as if I was about to burst. Why was I so scared? This was supposed to be amazing. Oliver was kissing me. Me, Katie Bell.

I'm not sure how I unfroze – but once I did, I sprung to my feet, feeling absolutely terrified.

And I ran.

Thank you so much to the following lovelies.

Firenze - my very first reviewer.

Bearkat-chick

Kathy

Gooniegrl

Celi

Karen Walker

Seniya

Ebony

Crying Pixie

This second chapter would not exist without you.