54

For the next few hours, I just sat in the library– tried to distract myself by concentrating on that dying hand of Dumbledores.

And it worked— for a while.

It worked until it didn't anymore.

Lighting was scarce, eyes tired and dry from the constant oncoming wave of tears I had to blink away every too often since I saw what had happened to Gwen. That, and I didn't even have my reading glasses with me.

It was all too much effort, reading books and using brain cells after my entire life had just gone to shit. The thought alone made a shudder crawl down my back, not wanting to imagine what He'd do to my family if He found out I had messed up again.

My eyes trailed along the shelves of the library, lingering on one of the torches illuminating the corridor. Two closed books beside me, my head rested in my hand, half of my hair falling out of the messy bun on top of my head.

The red strands tickled my nose slightly, though I didn't even bother doing anything about it.

"I heard you really went in on Malfoy the other day—" My head shot up at the words, eyes wide as I stared back at Kai just about to take a seat opposite of me. He had cut himself off, taking me in with a worried look on his face.

I hadn't looked into the mirror yet, but I assumed he had good reason to look at me like I was on the verge of death.

I felt like it, so I wouldn't be surprised if I looked like it, too.

He abandoned his original plan at the sight, ditching the chair on the other side of the table and instead came rushing to sit beside me, brows knitted together and a frown on his face. "—Are you okay?"

His question coerced a dry laugh out of me, the sound rattling through my chest as I sat up straighter, leaning into the back of my chair rather than slouching over the table.

Swallowing thickly and shaking my head, I ignored his inquiry. Instead asked, "Where did you hear that?" as my eyes roamed the rows of books stood in the shelf I was looking at.

Though I could tell he wasn't convinced by my distraction, in defeat, he sighed, "Montague."

"Of course," I muttered, the words accompanied by a snicker as I rolled my eyes simultaneously.

A longer silence hovered over us, one in which I didn't dare even glance at the boy sat beside me. I knew if I did, I couldn't guarantee myself to stay away from him.

And I knew it's what I needed to do. For his own sake, his family's sake — two sisters and his mother. Probably for my own sake, too. Because I knew, if anything ever happened to him, I'd never forgive myself.

"Adreanna."

His words snapped me out of my thoughts, head itching to turn towards him— follow the sound of his voice. But, instead, I continued to stare at the book-filled shelf, knowing only few of them had even been moved in the past century.

I hummed in recognition of my name rolling off his tongue, nodding slightly to let him know I was listening as my fingers played with the sleeves of my robe on top of the table.

I could feel his eyes burning into the side of my face, knowing the disappointed look currently playing on his features all too well. After all, I knew it was there without ever looking at him.

Another minute of silence hovered over us, broken by Kai's deep sigh as he himself leaned back in the chair he had claimed. He followed my own gaze, eyes squinting.

"Alright, what is it about that shelf over there?" He asked, a mocking tone in his voice he knew would coerce an amused huff out of me at the very least.

Today was different, though. And yet, my lips quirked upwards ever so slightly at his gesture.

I sighed, shaking my head in defeat. "Absolutely nothing," I shrugged, and the notion made him snicker sarcastically.

Another silence followed, and this time it was me who broke it. "Kai?"

With his name rolling off my tongue, the familiarity of it wrapping around me like my favourite scarf, I did look at him— my head snapping in his direction as if on cue.

I swallowed thickly as my eyes met his honey brown ones, the attempt of a smile finding itself on my lips. He mirrored my gesture, brown locks messily hanging into his face, framing it almost like it was meant to be.

He hummed in recognition of my words, and I sighed before I continued.

"I think I'd just like to be alone for a bit."

The words felt like poison as they came tumbling out of my mouth. Merlin knew the last thing I wanted right now was to be alone. And yet, I meant what I said all the same.

And he listened— of course he did. Kai Alire would always listen; would always be there— had always been there since we were children.

And so, it hurt all the more, knowing I wouldn't speak to him again for months.

The sound of his heavy footsteps fading brought the unwelcome silence with it. And I sat in it for another hour, endured it because I knew staying in the confinements of my own dorm would do nothing but make it worse.

And as the quiet feasted away at the last few sane thoughts I had, I was almost relieved when I heard the sound of footsteps approaching once more. I thought I'd be happy even if it were Kai again.

I knew it wasn't him the closer they came— recognised them a little too quickly for my liking as they came to a halt by my aisle. I didn't look up, fingers tracing the patterns of the carvings in the table that I had memorised during the past few hours.

"Hayes," Malfoy hummed, a certain giddiness in his voice as my name slipped past his tongue. "Waiting for someone in particular?"

He sounded surprised to see me here, yet his tone was mocking, and the self-satisfied smirk that played on his lips as I looked up only further acknowledged that.

Though, as soon as his eyes met mine, they flickered across my features in a hurry, brows furrowing at the sight similarly to how Kai's had.

His blond hair was neatly laid, and his dark under eyes were a stark contrast to his pale skin. In all honesty, he didn't look much better than I felt— reeked of long, sleepless nights and stress.

The one thing that was different about us was the silver flask in his hand, lazily resting in his hand as he held it. The rings on his fingers matched the colour of it.

Eyes flying back up to his, Malfoy's smile had faded, and as he took a seat opposite me, not another word daring to flee his lips, he took a sip out of the flask.

Without a word and barely a glance, he held it out for me to grab. And in the same manner, I took it.

For a while, we handed the flask back and forth. So often so, that I started to notice the engraved crest on the bottom of it. And so often so, that it was empty not long after.

The silence was comfortable, and though I wasn't surprised by the fact I didn't feel the need to break it and talk to him — I never really felt the need to talk to him — it was nice. And unexpected.

But eventually, I broke it anyway.

"What are you doing here?" My voice was low, so quiet I was surprised he even heard I had said anything, to begin with.

Contrary to expectation, his eyes lifted to connect with mine, silently taking me in for a few moments.

His lips curled upwards then, and with a shrug, he said, "Don't know if you heard, but this aisle is actually mine."

My brows raised, and I snorted dryly at his words. "I think if that were the case, I would've definitely heard, Malfoy. And I didn't." The alcohol had me slur my words slightly, and I had too little energy to try and cover it up.

"No—no," He protested. "I claimed this aisle for when I need a break from everyone. And now you—" He shook his head vigorously. "Now you just take it when you do—" There was a hint of a whine noticeable in his tone— a hint of a complaint.

Yet, he didn't even suggest the prospect of me leaving.

A little irritated, I shook my head at his explanation.

"What do you know about what I need—?"

Swiftly, Malfoy cut me off. His hand raising to wave me off with the flask still in his hand.

"Well, we're in the same boat," He huffed, the sound close to a sigh. "Aren't we, Adreanna?"

That we were. 

A/N: Daily Updates from now on. :)