CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CALEB'S CONFESSION

Saturday morning I wake up early, get dressed, in old jeans, a pink t-shirt and a baggy hoodie, and run downstairs for breakfast before Rikki and Mel are awake. My head hurts a little but not bad enough that I care. I'm hoping that by coming down early, I'll avoid my family. No such luck. Only about 20 people are sitting at the tables, mostly first or second years. But sitting alone at the Gryffindor table, nose in a book as usual, is Rose. Her eyes, like mine probably, are red from crying and every now and then she sniffs. I walk over to her and sit down.

"Hey Rosie." She jumps a little having not noticed me and then she smiles.

"Hi Lily. I see we had the same idea then. Avoiding the others?"

"I take it that things didn't go well after I left last night?" I ask, sympathetically.

"You can say that again. Fred was to tipsy to even care and Roxie thought it was none of her business. Molly, Lucy and everyone else's little friends buggered off. Dom stayed, but for support since she can't really judge. But the boys, oh they were so awful Lily. They said that they were disappointed and that they had the right mind to call my parents. They made me feel so guilty and I - I" She breaks off, biting her lip. She's obviously holding back tears so I pat her on the shoulder, comfortingly.

"I know, I know. Believe me - I've been on the other end of James' rants a lot recently. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want. It's just - nevermind." I start.

"You want to know who and why and when right? At least you asked nicely. I'm not going to tell you. Not because I don't trust you, but because I don't want you to judge me too. Sorry. So, change of subject, you have a boyfriend?" It was a statement but she made it sound like a question.

"Em, I'm not sure." I mumble.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. Just that I'm not sure if we - I mean. Ugggh." I drop my head in my hands for a second then sit up straight and shake my head clear of thoughts.

"I guess you don't want to talk about it either. It's fine." Then we sit and eat in comfortable silence. A few more people enter the Great Hall and I decide to leave before any of my family walk in. I wonder where I should go. Most weekends I hang out with Caleb but I can't do that today ... I think. I make up my mind to go back to my dorm and catch up on some work. Tomorrow is a Hogsmeade day so I'll be hanging out with Mel and Rikki, I probably should get some work done.

But on my way down the hall I spot Caleb leaning against the door of our usual broomcloset. It's the only way to the stairs and I can't turn back because he's spotted me. But I really don't know if I want to avoid him. One look at his beautiful big eyes and I find unable to move. I don't walk towards him but I don't walk backwards either so Caleb starts towards me. We are alone in the empty hall.

"Lily. I -I em." He seems speechless, "Haha. It's weird.I had this whole big thing I was going to say and now I can't remember."

"Don't worry about it. You don't need to explain to me. You've had... I mean you're not - I don't mind,honestly. You need more so we can just be friends ... or not. Whichever. I get it." I tell him. I don't want to hear him say the words. Hear him say that he doesn't want me. I start to walk forward and he stays frozen for a minute before walking quickly forward to catch up with me.

"No Brown-eyes, you've got it all wrong." He starts.

"You've never had sex?" I ask, an eyebrow raised. He hesitates.

"Well, yes I have but you don't get it. I don't want to stop seeing you."

"Caleb, I'm not - I can't give you that. You need to know that. You should be with someone who can give you what you want."

"But I don't care about the sex. All I want is to be with you! I had sex in my third year with a girl who meant absolutely nothing to me. I did it because everyone else was doing it and ... y'know I'm a teenage boy. It was fine, don't get me wrong, but it had no real feeling to it. I felt horrible afterwards. And I haven't done it again since. I'm waiting for someone who actually means something to me." My eyes are, I'm sure, wide with shock after Caleb's confession. It's the most personal thing he's ever told me. I don't quite know what to say.

"I get it if you still don't want to be with me. I'll give you time to think." He says and turns to walk away.

"Wait" I shout after him, "I don't need time. I'm sorry. I just-" I'm cut off by his lips smashing against mine. They move in-sync, in the most perfect kiss you could ever imagine.

"What the hell are you doing?" We are interrupted by a female voice.

OHHHH who could it be? What did you think of that chapter? Short and sweet I think. Again just a quick reminder - I would love your ideas for the family's secrets. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks xxx