I lay on my bed the night before New Year's Eve pondering why I had been so stupid. I clearly had feelings for Oliver and he clearly had feelings for me but I managed to pull off the greatest recovery after that kiss that anyone had ever pulled off. I pretended that Oliver had a fever. I think the conversation went something like this:
"Ollie," I asked feigning concern to hide my panic and happiness that my best friend had just kissed me, "Are you feeling all right? You feel a little bit warm."
"Yeah, I feel fine," Oliver replied confused, "About that kiss…"
"That's all right I know it was the fever talking. Don't worry about it Ollie, you and I are still just friends. And I don't ever want that to change."
"Um, Kat…" Oliver trailed off, "Yeah, I bet it is just the fever talking. I see you in the morning."
Oliver and I were both very much aware that it wasn't the fever talking. I liked Oliver Wood, maybe even loved him. So why didn't I tell him that? Why didn't I let him know that I felt the same way about him?
"I DON'T WANT THINGS TO CHANGE BETWEEN US! I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY BEST FRIEND BECAUSE WE STUPIDLY STARTED DATING. BUT MOST OF ALL I'M AFRAID OF GETTING HURT OR HURTING OLIVER!" I ranted to the posters on my wall, thanking the gods of thick walls and soundproofing that my parents had decided to soundproof all of the bedrooms and most of the other rooms in the house.
It was well past midnight and I was yet to be tired. Instead of sleeping I had decided to rant and rave as much as possible so that hopefully I wouldn't cry or spontaneously burst out yelling when I saw Oliver tomorrow night at the Weasley's New Year's party.
"Katie?" my mum opened the door, "I know your room is soundproofed but I don't think it's really all that effective when you're yelling so loudly. Can you please keep it down?"
"Sorry mum," I replied sheepishly, maybe it was best to go to sleep after all.
Mum shut the door and I rolled over to face the wall. I suddenly felt very much like crying and did so until I had cried myself to sleep.
"Happy New Year," George shouted as he opened the door for me, "Oh my God, Katie, you look awful!"
"Katie?" Alicia asked concernedly coming up behind George.
"I don't want to talk about it," I told George brusquely.
"Come here," Angelina had appeared behind George and Alicia and pulled me off towards Ginny's, Fred and George's younger sister, room.
"What's wrong?" Alicia asked bluntly, "We're your best friends, other than Oliver, and you can tell us anything."
I just shook my head, "I need to work this one out on my own guys."
"It'll be a lot easier if you talk about it," Angelina prodded.
"No, it won't. I know what the problem is and I can't fix it. Nobody can fix it right now."
"But-" Alicia protested.
"No buts. I've got this one, okay guys?" I gave them a small smile, "Just give me a little bit of time."
"Okay," Angelina and Alicia consented but rather reluctantly as if they weren't sure that I could handle this.
"Don't worry about me, I'm a tough cookie. I'll be fine, I always have been."
"That's why I'm worried," Alicia muttered to Angelina as I walked out of the room, "She's been crying and Katie never cries."
"I agree, something is up," Angelina agreed, "and I think it has to do with a certain Quidditch Captain."
I threw my stuff on Ron's bed and threw myself on top. I had just hauled my trunk and all my crap up God knows how many stairs. I was going to stay at the Weasley's for the rest of Christmas break.
"Oy, Katie!" George called.
I pulled my headphones on and turned my music up full blast.
"Katie!"
Damn, that kid could yell, my headphones were noise canceling. I did the next best thing and ignored him; I didn't feel like going to party.
"Katie Ann Bell!" George grabbed my headphones and yanked them off my head, "Don't make me carry you down the stairs to the party, because I will."
"I don't want to go! Leave me alone to wallow in self pity!" I protested.
George grabbed me and successfully pinned my arms to my sides, "You leave me no choice."
"George! Put me down! If you don't put me down I'll kick you where it hurts!" I threatened.
"Katie, if you don't stop kicking and screaming I'm going to have to throw you down the stairs, and I have a feeling that wouldn't be too pleasant. Now, if you don't mind stopping your violent protests, I'll put you down but only if you promise to go downstairs to the party and not lock yourself in any rooms," George lectured.
"Fine, just put me down!" I agreed reluctantly, and quite loudly too.
"Katie, are you all right?" Oliver gasped as he practically collapsed on the stairs, he had run up them al without stopping, "You were screaming bloody murder!"
"I'm fine. I would have been much better if this git hadn't decided to carry me to the party like a sack of potatoes," I replied nonchalantly.
"Right," Oliver gasped, "I'm going back down then…"
"You do that," I said nodding, "Just go about your merry old business, nothing's wrong here."
Oliver gave me a weird look and started down the stairs still trying to regain control of his breathing. I turned to George.
"I hope you're happy," I said sarcastically, "You just met the reason I don't want to go to the party."
"Did you and Oliver have a fight?" George asked confused.
I didn't answer but turned and walked down the stairs quickly.
"Katie, is Oliver what's bothering you?" Alicia asked later that night when she pulled me into the kitchen.
"Alicia, I said I'd handle it!" I exclaimed getting frustrated, nobody had left me alone all night and I was getting ready to blow soon.
"Okay, don't get all PMS-y with me," Alicia replied huffily as she walked out of the kitchen, "I can take a hint."
"I don't think you can!" I called after her, not entirely willing to let it go.
"Katie?" Oliver asked from behind me, "Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not! Do I look or sound okay?" I realized I had reached the breaking point, "No, I don't think I do! Why can't you all leave me the freaking hell alone?"
Oliver didn't say anything but just pulled me into a hug. I turned around and buried my face in his shoulder. I felt like crying but held it all in.
"I'm sorry Katie," he whispered, "I'll never hurt you again."
"Ollie," I muttered into his shoulder, he couldn't hear me but it felt good to say anyway, "You hurt me every single time I see you. I think that I love you."
"What's that Kat?" Oliver asked.
"Thanks Ollie, I don't know what I'd do without you as my best friend."
"That's what I'm here for," he replied sighing, "Just to be your best friend."
I sighed involuntarily, knowing that neither of us really felt that way but that we were each lying to ourselves and to each other. I took Oliver's hand and squeezed it and dropped it before going into the party considerably better than before but still dangerously close to breaking point and with my heart still in tiny pieces.
AN/ It's a lot shorter than last chapter but that's okay, right? I think it really says a lot about Katie's fighting spirit and ability to surpress her feelings which will come into play later, after all they're not 'getting together' for a while, sorry guys! But you do want the story to last longer, right?
If not then maybe I'll just kill them all off or something, or, even better have them 'fall in love and live happliy ever after' in the middle of some exciting event later at the party like the evil plot of Fred and George's that they were planning earlier in the story. It involves Percy, just as a hint.
Anyways, please review! My ego could use some inflation!
Love From,
MotherCrumpet
P.S. I wouldn't get too used to this many chapters in so little a time period, it's simply not normal. I'm on break so I have a lot of time, or did today anyway. Don't forget to review! Love you all!