[CHAPTER 30]

───🦋･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.🦋───

───🦋･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.🦋───

TITLE   : TRYING, JUST A LITTLE

ELLIE WAS NEVER ONE to do things halfway. She was all in or not in at all. But this—this—was different.

Trying meant letting her walls down. Just a little. And that was terrifying.

After breakfast, she had fully intended to go about her day as normal, pretending like she hadn't just taken a small but monumental step by acknowledging Mattheo in front of everyone. But fate, as always, had different plans.

She was headed to the common room when she ran into him.

Literally.

Ellie smacked straight into Mattheo's chest, his hands instinctively grabbing her arms to steady her.

Her cheeks burned. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

"Sorry," she muttered, stepping back.

Mattheo, to his credit, didn't say anything about it. He just gave her a small nod. "No worries."

For a brief moment, neither of them moved. The past few weeks hung heavy in the air between them.

Then, in a move that surprised even herself, Ellie hesitated before saying, "Walk with me?"

Mattheo looked stunned, but he recovered quickly. "Yeah. Sure."

They strolled down the corridor, the awkwardness settling between them like an uninvited guest.

Mattheo cleared his throat. "So... How's your week been?"

Ellie nearly laughed at how stiff he sounded, but she appreciated the effort.

"Fine," she answered. "Classes are the same. You?"

Mattheo shrugged. "Quidditch practice has been brutal."

"That's because you make it brutal," she pointed out, smirking slightly.

Mattheo glanced at her, caught off guard by the teasing tone. His lips twitched. "Fair point."

The conversation died after that, but for once, it didn't feel terrible.

By the time they reached the entrance to the common room, Ellie hesitated. This is enough, right? She had tried. She had made an effort.

But then Mattheo spoke, stopping her in her tracks.

"Ellie."

She turned to face him, heart thudding.

His gaze was unreadable. "I know I don't deserve it, but... thanks for this."

She swallowed. She could see how much it meant to him—that small act of effort.

Ellie nodded. "Don't make me regret it, Riddle."

A grin ghosted across his lips. "Wouldn't dream of it."

She rolled her eyes but felt something loosen in her chest. Maybe she could keep trying.

───🦋･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.🦋───