Author's Note - So, most awesome March Break ever. I was in London, England for 2 weeks. Defiantely amazing. I even had a minute and swung by Platform 9 3/4. LoL. I'm actually pretty proud of myself. It didn't take me 6 months to update. This chapter isn't much, it's sort of just a filler chapter. I hope to get things going in the next couple of chapters. Thanks to everyone who stuck with me and reviewed the last chapter. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to hit the review button when you're done. :)


Chapter 8

Captivated

"She doesn't seem so bad," Lila commented on Arianna's new potions partner as the group sat down for lunch.

"She isn't, it's just a bit creepy is all. That woman in my dream was utterly eerie," Arianna sighed.

"Well, Summer doesn't seem like someone who wants to kill you or anything, or like someone who could be your mother so my guess is you're fine," Shane scooped a spoonful of mashed potatoes onto his plate. "It sucks we aren't sitting beside each other anymore though. Gregory Fulton is just plain boring."

"It's nice to know I'm not boring," Arianna grinned. Peyton caught her eye and winked and Arianna had to look away.

"So how was Arithmancy today Peyton?" Ian smirked. He absentmindedly took a forkful of peas off Lila's plate and stuck it in his mouth. Arianna mentally noted how cute that was and how she had to tease Lila about it later.

At the mention of Arithmancy Peyton beamed. "Is it just me or has Mr. Thomas grown cuter over the summer?"

"It is most definitely just you," Shane piped in.

Lila laughed at this. "He does seem a bit cuter," she added.

"Hey," Ian said with a pretended hurt look on his face.

"Not as cute as you of course," Lila cooed and the two moved in to kiss.

"Um," Arianna cleared her throat. "Just because we now know about you two does not mean that I'm all for the public displays of affection. It's cute and all but I really don't need to see it."

Lila blushed a deep red and Ian shrugged. "You're just jealous because you've got no one to display public affection with." He glanced in Shane's direction. Lila quickly punched his arm.

"Whatever you want to believe," Arianna tried to stop herself from turning red. Peyton giggled and Shane looked dumbfounded.

"Am I missing something?" he asked looking very confused.

"No," Lila, Arianna and Peyton all exclaimed in unison. Shane eyed them suspiciously for a minute and then decided it wasn't worth trying to figure out and went back to eating. As he looked away Arianna shot Ian a death glare. This was the second he had received that day.

"I cannot wait for this day to be over," Peyton yawned trying to evaporate the tension. "I am beat."

Arianna was about to answer when she noticed Summer Thomas heading their way. Soon the rest of the group began to notice and they all fell silent.

Summer reached the table and looked at them all nervously. "Hi," she said very quietly.

"Hey," Arianna managed to sputter through her surprise.

"Potions was pretty boring today huh?" Summer shifted her weight anxiously.

"Um, for sure," Arianna nodded with a baffled look on her face.

"Did you want to join us?" Shane piped in. Arianna noticed something different in his eyes as he said it. He seemed...captivated. Arianna suddenly felt a wave of jealousy wash over her.

Summer opened her mouth to answer and Arianna quickly stood. "I've got to run up to the common room. I forgot I left my…um…textbook."

Peyton stood up too but she wasn't really sure what she was doing. "Um, I'll come too?" she stated more as a question than a statement.

Not wanting to be left out Lila jumped up too. "Me too I guess."

The two boys watched the girls with bewilderment. "Um, ok," Shane furrowed his eyebrows.

"See you later?" Ian questioned.

Lila nodded and pecked him on the cheek and then took off after a fleeing Arianna.

Once they were out in the hall Lila called to her cousin. "Arianna slow down and tell me what is going on? What was that all about?"

Arianna spun around to face Lila with a hurt feeling she hadn't even realized she felt. "Did you see the way he was looking at her?"

Peyton glanced at Lila and both girls frowned. Peyton looked back to Arianna and gave her a small nod.

"I mean, bugger, I don't even know what I mean," Arianna's shoulders heaved.

Lila placed an arm around her. "Aw hunnie, maybe he was just…" but she was at a loss for words.

Peyton decided this was her cue to speak up. "I'm sure he was just being friendly."

Arianna scoffed. Friendly my arse."

Lila shook her head. "It's ok to be jealous Ari."

But we're just supposed to be friends," she sighed.

"Seriously," Lila emphasized but Arianna just looked at her with skepticism on her face.

"Come on, let's go back. It's ok," Peyton took Arianna's hand and let her back towards the great hall. "Besides, I never got to finish my chicken."

Arianna snorted a laugh out and followed reluctantly. The trio reached the main doors and Peyton made her move to enter. Arianna spotted Summer sitting with Ian and Shane, the three of them chatting animatedly. Shane's eyes seemed glued to Summer. Arianna tried hard to fight back the growing feeling of jealousy back again.

"Are you ok?" Lila asked with concern snapping Arianna from her thoughts.

"Huh?" Arianna looked over at her cousin.

"You look really pale."

"I'm fine," Arianna silently said a thank you; she at least wasn't a brilliant shade of red, a colour she often turned when she was angry.

"Ok," Lila replied not sounding too sure.

"Come on, I can see my chicken," Peyton tugged Arianna's hand as they made their way back to the table.

"That was quick, did you get the book?" Ian said spotting the girls.

"I remembered I had it after all," Arianna plopped down next to Lila, the farthest away she could get from Shane. Summer was seated on one side of Shane; his other side was where Arianna usually sat.

Shane frowned when Peyton took Arianna's regular seat instead. "You're so far," Shane reached his arm across the table. "Do I smell or something?"

Summer giggled at this. "You don't smell that bad."

"Oh thanks," Shane grinned at her. Arianna remained quiet. "Seriously, are you ok Ari?" Shane turned back to her and studied her intently. Summer placed a hand on his arm and he turned his attention back to her.

"So when does Quidditch start, I'm looking forward to seeing you in action."

His question to Arianna seemed forgotten as he beamed and began telling Summer all about the upcoming season. Arianna seethed. Summer Thomas was not as quiet and timid as she first appeared. She was a snake and she was out to ruin Arianna's life. Maybe she should write to her mom. No, no, she was just overreacting. Lila gave her a sympathetic look. Ian glanced at her, giving her the look as if to say, what the hell is he playing at?

As lunch winded down Arianna's frustration built up. Shane spent every minute locked in conversation with Summer. "Walk me to Transfiguration?" Summer smiled at Shane as the group all stood.

"Well, aren't we all going that way? We can all walk together," Shane grabbed his bag. Arianna nodded quickly.

"Right, sounds good," she slipped her arm around his. "Let's be off."

As the newly latched armed pair led the way the other four remained behind for a minute.

"What a…." Peyton glared. "Seriously, what is she doing?"

"And what is Shane doing?" Lila shook her head in disapproval.

"I'll talk to him, don't worry about it. I'll straighten him out," Ian punched his fist. At this the three girls burst into a fit of laughter as the four headed to their next class. However, Arianna couldn't quite fight the weird feeling in the pit of her stomach.