Chapter 6

It was the day of the match. I was sitting at breakfast with Miranda and Charlotte. I felt butterflies in my stomach. Merlin, I was nervous. We had to win this match today, if only for my sanity because James would kill us at future practices if we didn't win.

Suddenly my owl, Stwyth (old family name), swooped in and dropped a letter, presumably from Mum. Ah yes, it was.

Dear Milla,

I'm just writing to wish you luck at your match. Ian is going to attend (I told him to or no Quidditch during break) and I hope you win. I'm sure you will.

Dad says congratulations, by the way. And we miss you.

Oh, and I heard through the grapevine about this Lucia Thomas girl, and James. I'm sure you're miffed. These girls do always try to take over your place, don't they? Well it never worked before so I doubt it will this time. Don't worry, just ride it out. Although I hope you like someone that James dates, eventually. Or he'll end up alone, or with you. Merlin forbid. The pair of you, could you imagine? Your children would be Quidditch fanatics.

Goodness. That is a scary thought. Nevertheless dear, disregard my inane rambling.

I miss you darling.

Love,

Mum

Me and James? What was she on? For fuck's sake. And how did she find out about Lucia? Oh, Ginny, definitely. But how did SHE find out? Oh, I'm sure Albus or Lily owled home to tell her. Bahaha. Had to love sibling tattletales, didn't you?

I took a big bite of egg and toast, only half listening to Charlotte's crazy speech.

"WE WILL WIN! WE WILL! We've worked so hard –"

"Shut up, please," shouted Miranda over Charlotte.

Thank you, I silently mouthed to Miranda. Char glared. I had the good grace to look sheepish.

Ben grinned at us as he sat down on my left, and he commented dryly, "Excited there, Char?"

"Shut up, Ben," growled Charlotte.

Ben laughed.

She glared.

Next to Char Luke plopped down, his hair mussed. "Can't believe I can't go! Stupid fucking detention."

Miranda reached across Char and patted Luke on the shoulder. "It's too bad, but I'm sure we'll win. And you can be at the party later."

"True," he said, smiling a little.

I looked over at Lucia and James, who were sitting together a few feet away. She was, as always, flirting. How the fuck do you flirt in the morning? It was unbelievable. Suddenly, she pulled James's face toward her and she began to kiss him. His eyes looked shocked, but then he registered what was going on and began to fervently respond, using his hands to pull her face closer.

I stared in utter stupefaction.

No.

Oh my God.

I couldn't believe this blatant PDA. It was disgusting. It was sickening. I felt like I was going to throw up. I dropped my toast on my plate, uneaten. I roughly got up from the table as Char and Miranda looked at me worriedly. I ignored their calls of "Milla!" and began to stalk out of the Great Hall.

But I couldn't tear my eyes off Lucia and James. I felt an urge to kill her, and to smack him. But I kept walking determinedly. James must have heard the cries of my name and his eyes sought out mine. For a second, I stopped walking, arrested by his gaze. But he was still kissing that bint as he looked at me. Wanker.

With a harsh glare, I tore my eyes from his and clenching my fists, strode out of the Great Hall.

In my rage, I didn't know where to go. But only one place would calm me down.

The pitch.

I threw myself into the game. I was a Chaser, and I loved it. I loved the wind rushing through my hair, I loved being on a broom. It was freeing, and it was damn fun. I felt myself relax as I flew, the deafening cheers of the crowd drowned out by the wind.

Of course, I wasn't speaking to James. I was still furious, but I channeled that fury into the game. I pushed myself as hard as I could go. I looked over into the stands, scanning the crowds for Miranda. Ah, there she was! She was cheering wildly, her cheeks tinted from the wind and excitement, and I felt a wave of affection wash over me.

I had the best friends. Speaking of which, how was Charlotte doing? I looked around for her, spotting her diving madly toward the ground at unbelievable speeds in a Wronski Feint. Bloody hell, she was amazing.

James was of course, playing excellently, as usual. But I didn't want to look at him. I couldn't.

Ben was whirring around the pitch, Beater's bat in hand. The reserve for Luke was holding up well, just as I thought he would. I felt smug.

I heard screams, and my head whipped around to see Charlotte on the ground, shouting and holding up a small golden Snitch. I started screaming, racing to the ground on my broom. I ran to her and hugged her tightly. Miranda had made her way down to the pitch, somehow (no doubt jinxing someone). We shared a hug and I hugged every member of the team exultantly except James, obviously. Ben and I high fived each other.

I heard James calling my name. I ignored him. I hugged Charlotte again. I turned to go to the changing rooms, when I felt James grab my arm. Oh, fuck. He roughly turned me so I could face him. He looked angry and … hurt?

Well, he deserved it. He bloody made out with HRH. Fucker.

"Milla," he said, searching my face. "Why won't you talk to me?"

I felt tears prick my eyes, but I blinked them back furiously. I pictured HRH, all exotic and gorgeous and unlike blonde, blue-eyed me, and I felt anger wash over me. Good. That was good. Anger was better than hurt. I could be angry and deal with it more easily.

I gave James a glare through my unshed tears and tried to wrench my arm out of his grasp. He tightened his grip. Fucking strong bloke. Ugh.

"Milla," he said, his voice laced with concern.

I mutely glared again, and felt the tears trying to escape. So with a forceful pull, I removed my arm from his hold and strode into the changing rooms, where I slammed the door and felt myself release the tears, collapsing against the door.

I quickly grabbed my wand and dried my eyes. I didn't want anyone to see me in such a sorry state. So I took some deep breaths and calmed myself down.

I took a shower in complete misery and pulled a sparkly top on with jeans, the clothes I had elatedly thrown in my bag for the party.

I didn't want to go to a party. But I didn't have a choice.

Fuck.

The party was in full swing. I was already swigging my second Cosmo of the evening. Music was blaring and people were chatting and dancing and making general merriment.

I was not in a merry mood.

I took another large gulp of my drink and turned to Charlotte, who was in a pink dress. She looked fab, and she had curled her hair with the tip of her wand and some spell I didn't know. Next to her was Miranda in a blue frilly top and jeans with flats.

Miranda was already three shots in and onto her second glass of champagne. Charlotte, of course, was only on her second glass of champagne. She was effervescent, ecstatic from winning, and generally happy. I decided to mask my skulking and put on a bright social smile.

"Char, you did so well," I said warmly.

Miranda hugged her. "You were amazing."

Char smiled, "Thanks. I'm so happy with it. James certainly was, although he looks off tonight. Milla, anything happen?"

I shook my head. "No, haven't got a clue."

Miranda shrugged. "Maybe he and HRH fought?"

HAHA. My nickname was catching on. Yes!

"Maybe," I said, draining my class.

Char put down her champagne flute. "Okay, you lot. We won. We need something a bit stronger. Who's up for some vodka on the rocks?"

"Me!" said Miranda enthusiastically. "I bloody need it."

"I need it more than you," I muttered. I took the glass from Char gratefully and slugged it back. Ah, that felt good. Now I could drown out my misery. Bloody James and his stupid girlfriend.

Hey, at least we won the match. Fuck that girl. Wait a second.

Hang on a moment. Was Lucia here? At this party?

Oh my God. He brought her. He dared to bring her here. What the fuck. I drank another glass.

"Keep 'em coming," I said.

Miranda raised her glass. "Hear, hear!"

Char put back a couple of shots before announcing, swaying slightly, "I'm going to dance!"

"With who?" I asked, woozy.

"I don't know," she said indecisively, before her eyes landed on Ben, who was watching her bemusedly. She sauntered over and grabbed his hand. He looked a bit shell-shocked, but complied. She led him to the dance floor where she proceeded to push herself close to him.

Well, I'll be damned.

Miranda looked at me with an amused glance before her brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?" I demanded.

"Erm, Milla, let's…uh go over there! Look at that… painting!" she finished, lamely.

"What's going on?"

Miranda nearly shouted, "Don't look!"

Clearly I did. And I nearly dropped my glass. Holy shit. James was dancing so close to Lucia they were almost shagging. And his face had an inebriated cast to it, and he was leaning down to Lucia… and … and… he was kissing her!

I felt my face flush and my fist clench. That git.

His hands were low around her back and he looked like he was eating her face off.

WHAT THE HELL.

Enough. I shoved my glass into Miranda's hand, and she was worriedly asking me what I was doing.

I ignored her completely. Albus, Jame's's younger brother, looked at me anxiously as I stalked by him. I spotted who I was looking for – Nate Walters. I grabbed him by the arm roughly and dragged him to the dance floor.

"What are you—" he sputtered.

"Shut up," I commanded.

I then pressed my lips to his and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Mmm. He tasted good. He started to respond to the kiss, his lips moving against mine, I pressed my body close to his and furiously kissed him as the music pounded in my ears. His teeth dragged across my bottom lip and I opened my mouth, his tongue exploring my mouth. I groaned into the kiss.

This was bloody fun. I almost forgot about James.

Once we came up for air, we started to really dance. I grinded against him, moving my body to the music. I looked triumphantly over at James and Lucia.

James was watching me with an expression of mixed emotions. I could tell he was appalled and confused. There was also something unreadable, something I couldn't tell. He wasn't really dancing so much as standing next to Lucia, I noted happily. But when my gaze traveled up to his face, our eyes locked and I couldn't look away.

I felt misery wash over me and I wrenched my gaze from his. I rested my head on Nate's shoulder and swayed to the music, desperately trying to ignore James's eyes boring into the back of my head.

I looked around the room – at anything but James - from my spot on Nate's shoulder. My eyes landed on Miranda, who was watching me with an irked expression, and then Lily Potter snogging some bloke in her year, and then Char drunkenly kissing Ben.

WHAT?

I looked back and my jaw dropped. I'm sure my eyes were round and wide. I completely forgot about James as I watched the unfathomable. Holy fuck.

Ben was standing, holding Charlotte up against the wall, and her legs were wrapped around his middle. His hands were tangled in her hair and she was furiously kissing him, her arms around his neck.

Wow, well this was new.

Nate looked down at me. Oh, I forgot about it. Poor bloke. He really had seen me in a range of emotions tonight, hadn't he?

I smiled up at him as best I could in my drunken haze. "Love this music."

He laughed. "Yeah. You want a drink?"

I nodded. "Please."

He led me to the drinks table, and I turned to say hi to Miranda, but she was glaring at me for some reason. Well, what the fuck? I turned back to Nate with a strange expression on my face.

He looked concernedly down at me. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I muttered, accepting a Firewhiskey. I downed half of it in one go.

"Clearly not," he said with a look.

"I've a lot going on," I prevaricated and gestured vaguely with my glass.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked kindly. I felt my eyes tear up at his unwarranted kindness.

"Oh, it's everything. NEWTs and James is driving us crazy with his Quidditch madness… James…" I trailed off, blinking madly.

"James?" he prompted gently.

"James and Lucia and he's my best mate and everything is…" what was that word? "It's all.. all wrong."

I felt my eyes spill over with tears and I wiped my eyes, and then drained my Firewhiskey. Nate put his drink down and hugged me.

"Thanks," I found myself whispering. I stood there for a moment, embracing him.

A hard voice cut in, "What the fuck is going on?"

Oh, fuck. James.

His eyes were blazing and his expression hard as he yanked me out of Nate's embrace.

What right did he have to butt in when he was shagging HRH in the corner?

I snapped, "What the fuck is your problem?"

He glared. "You and Walters here. Milla, what the fuck is happening? Why are you ignoring me?"

I gave him a furious look. "You know what, it's none of your bloody business."

His hold tightened on my arm. "It is too. You're my best friend."

I glared mutely at him.

"Milla," he said, forcefully.

"Fuck off, James!" I shouted and pulled my arm out of his iron grip.

I stalked past a still-snogging Ben and Charlotte and stormed up the girls' staircase. I put a silencing charm on my bed and closed the curtains around it. I started sobbing before I eventually fell asleep, still in my clothes.