Sun filtered into the living room through the faded blue curtains, casting a soft glow over the scene. From the outside it would look perfectly normal. A girl half asleep, her head resting on a young mans chest. The comfortable brown couch showed only minimal signs of wear, but it was obviously used often. The house was quiet. But from the inside it was a completely different story.
Rose rubbed her eyes and moved restlessly. Her night had been filled with images of roots pinning her down so she couldn't breathe until she woke in a panic. Several confused moments later she would realize she was safely ensconced with Scorpius' arm wrapped around her shoulder. His steady breathing would calm her until she drifted back into the land of groping branches.
Rose gave up on sleep and slowly detangled herself from the blonde and the blanket. He shifted slightly as she moved away, but his breathing returned to its steady rhythm once she settled the blanket around him. The kitchen was empty and clean, but Rose couldn't stay still. She busied herself with the kettle before moving to the cupboards.
As she worked she tried to remember what life had been like before. Every detail of her behaviour needed to stay the same, or else her family would find out. Already she was preparing herself for her cousins' inevitable questions, the smile she would have to wear when her mother and father came home tomorrow.
Rose forced her tears back, her mind had wandered unbidden to times they had spent in the Potters' backyard, playing games or talking. From there it slid quickly to Nick. She forced her mind back to the task at hand, mixing the dough furiously.
Scorpius woke fully, jumping up in panic when he glanced down at his empty arm.
"Rose?" He called out quietly, not wanting to wake the rest of the household.
"Worried someone left their own house in order to sneak out on you?" Liam's joking voice had Scorpius raising his fists as he turned. "Wow, hold your horses, I'm just teasing. Although if I didn't know better, I'd say you and Rose leaving early meant…" he paused, smirking, "bow chicka wow-wow."
Scorpius raised his eyebrows, trying not to show his amusement. After a moment his mind returned to the events of the night before and his face fell. "Not that it's any of your concern, but Rose deserves better than a couch."
The smile slid straight from Liam's face, a dark thought obviously crossing his mind. "She deserves better than Nick."
Scorpius felt his jaw clench at the mention of Nick but he was spared the need to respond by Rose's entrance, a tray in her hands.
"It's a good thing we broke up then." She placed the tray firmly on the coffee table, but Scorpius saw her hands shaking before she could hide them behind her back.
"That is excellent news, even Carmen admitted that his looks didn't quite make up for the rumours she heard." He reached enthusiastically forward, grabbing a biscuit and chowing down on it before pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Rumours?" Rose's throat felt sticky, and her eyes were pricking as she remembered what Scorpius had said, and the way Nick's fingers had pressed insistently against her.
"That he isn't the nicest guy around. But if you broke it off, then you have nothing to worry about." Liam smiled awkwardly, this conversation felt too tense for him. Rose sank into the couch, a blur of emotions passing across her face.
"Morning." Carmen pranced into the room, one of Rose's shirts replacing the tank top she had worn the night before, "I smelt coffee and Rose's baking so I have emerged. Wait, you're not Nick?" Her question was aimed at Scorpius, who had remained standing but placed a comforting hand on Rose's shoulder. His touch was feather light, so different from Nick's. It was the only reason she didn't move away.
"Nick and Rose aren't together anymore." He could tell that she needed a second.
"What? Why?" She waited expectantly but no one answered, "Rose?" The pause stretched as they all looked at her expectantly.
"Why don't you tell me? Since you know so much about the type of person he is." Rose's words were short, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Rose?" Carmen's voice was filled with concern.
"Those rumours you'd heard?" She stopped abruptly, unable to continue.
"Oh..." Carmen paused, an awkward silence filling the room, "I didn't want to hurt you. They were just rumours, he seemed nice enough when I met him. Besides you hadn't been dating long, and you can take care of yourself. I thought you'd be fine. And you seemed so happy at the party."
"What, the two seconds that you saw me?" Rose was standing now, eyes blazing as she stalked back and forth, "I wasn't even sober, but you would have known that if you weren't so caught up in Liam." She turned sharply away from where Carmen was trying to reach out to her.
"Rose," Liam was on his feet as well, cookie crumbs falling out of his mouth as he rushed to speak, "Come on, don't be so harsh."
"After what he did to me? You could have at least warned me." Tears were falling even though her rage, and Rose forced herself not to wipe them away.
No one spoke; Rose's anger filled the room as she waited for them to explain themselves.
"I'm so sorry," Carmen spoke softly, not asking for more information.
"Me too, I didn't think he would actually follow through on the bet." Liam followed her example.
The confusion that was Rose's emotions shifted and she found herself back on the couch, all the energy and anger gone.
"The bet?" her voice was so quiet they barely heard it. Carmen made her way over, sitting close to Rose for comfort. Rose shifted away; suddenly she needed space.
"If he tells anyone just to win the stupid thing then I will murder him myself." Liam grinned across at her, his fist raised menacingly, and Rose forced a weak smile. But she was still confused.
"What was the bet?"
"Only a few pricks were in on it, but the one who slept with the hottest girl over the summer would win." Liam paused, trying to gauge Rose's reaction. "If it helps any, he would have won with you."
"Liam!" But Rose couldn't muster a laugh as Carmen threw a pillow across the room in retaliation to his horribly inappropriate comment. "But we won't tell anyone if you don't want us to, Rose."
"Well I might punch him." The menacing look had returned to Liam's face, but Carmen's laughter ruined it.
"Stop trying to be so manly, Liam, it doesn't work." She giggled slightly.
"Besides, I already took care of that." Scorpius grinned ruefully as he sipped on his coffee.
"Solid, mate." Liam nodded across the room at Scorpius' tall figure before returning to the coffee table and the platter of cookies.
"You know these are actually decent, Rosie." Scorpius settled gently onto the couch beside her, tentatively nibbling on his own biscuit.
She raised her eyebrows critically, her voice still quiet. "They are better than decent."
"I can agree to that," Liam spoke with his mouth full while toasting her with another cookie.
"How would you even know? Half of your cookies end up on the ground." But Carmen was laughing at him again, her cheeks a light shade of pink.
They heard the door slam and moments later Albus sauntered into the room, happily holding on to Jen's hand. "Morning losers. So this is where you got off to Scorpius. Wondered where you were last night."
From the grin on his face they could all tell he was more than pleased that Scorpius hadn't been sleeping on Albus' floor.
"I let you know I was leaving." Scorpius protested slightly.
"I didn't get a lick of sleep with all the worrying." Albus pouted.
"The two of you sound like a couple." Liam interjected from across the room.
"Well at least I have someone to snog." Scorpius quipped jokingly.
"Liam does too." In one smooth motion Carmen had raised herself from the couch and crossed the room, gently settling herself down on Liam's lap before placing a kiss on his lips.
A low whistle escaped Scorpius' lips as Carmen pulled away. Liam remained still, mouth slightly parted, eyes wide in shock.
Rose broke the silence, forcing herself not to look away at their display of affection. She couldn't help but wonder what had spurred Carmen's decision to finally act on her obvious feelings. "I think that's the first time he's ever been speechless."
But then Liam's face broke into a huge smile. He wrapped his arms firmly around Carmen and proceeded to snog the living daylights out of her.
"This is a public space." Albus quipped, but even Socrpius was grinning as they pulled apart. Rose bowed her head slightly.
"Oh you're just jealous." Carmen addressed them with her head buried in Liam's neck.
"By all means, continue. With you keeping his mouth busy I can finally get my hands on some of these cookies." Scorpius smirked as he reached for the plate.
AN - So there we have Carmen and Liam ;) Everything about their relationship and how that sudden kiss occurred will be revealed in time... But I figured we all deserved a little happiness after the unfortunate events of the previous chapters...
Do you think Rose is reacting realistically? What do you think she will tell Albus? How do you think she will feel when she sees Nick again?
Sorry this is a day late! I got super busy yesterday and didn't have time to upload it... I will do my absolute best to continue the weekly updates, although this is almost the last chapter I have written so far. But on holiday, so I will write more!
Reviews really do help motivate the writing process by the way :)
Happy Holidays to all of you! I hope some of you are getting snow!
- FTLOS