Out of my League

Chapter Seventeen

I don't know why everyone is clapping as we walk into the dance floor, we aren't even doing anything worth applause.

Cedric and I go towards the middle of the floor and wait for the classical music to begin. I'm not very nervous to dance in front of everyone since I'm experienced.

Throughout the dance I find myself looking over Cedric's shoulder at Parvati and Harry. She looks so happy to be with him, I personally think she could've done way better. But that's coming from someone who can't keep her eyes off of him. I keep telling myself that it's only to check up on him and make sure he's not doing the dance wrong hoping that will engrave it into my brain and make me actually believe it.

It's not that I have a little crush on him or anything, it's just that I've just started to get along with him and I want to devote some of my attention to him.

I feel like I'm being rude to Ced though. And I really do like Cedric, he's very sweet. I can admit to myself that I have a very minimal crush on him possibly. It's hard not to, practically every other file does too so it's nothing to be ashamed of.

Once the first dance is over the ball becomes a lot more lively. It's a lot more what I picture a muggle school dance looks like from what some of my muggleborn friends have described.

Cedric, as expected, knows how to have a good time. I'm glad that he was my first date ever. He's a good example of how high my standards should be. I know it'll be hard to find someone who will beat him and that's good. It will make it easier on me in the future to differ an arse posing as a nice guy from an actual kind person with good intentions. I understand that Cedric and I won't go any further than tonight and honestly I'm not completely crushed about it, I'm not thrilled but I'm content with it. He's too old for me anyways. I think I might have gotten a little ahead of myself at dinner the other night. I think that it was just him being friendly to his date, which is something I should've expected.

"I'm sorry, I never got you that drink." He reminds me pulling me out of my thoughts. "Let me go do that."

I've become less nervous to speak to him over the course of our time here and he's a very enjoyable person to get to know actually. "Ok I'll just be over here." I shout back at him while going over to the tables where most people put their coats or other belongings that they wouldn't need to dance in.

I had almost forgotten about Harry until I see him sitting, looking unamused, next to Ron. I notice both of their dates are gone. I'm the reason why they got those dates, the least they could do is pay me some respect and keep them entertained the whole night.

Harry perks up a bit once he sees me walking in their direction. The ball is nearly over actually, I hadn't checked the time. I was having so much of a good time with Ced.

"Hi!" I say joyfully. I can't help but sound foolish while my cheeks begin to feel sore from smiling so much.

"What's got you beaming so suddenly?" Ron scoffs while crossing his arms.

My mood immediately drops because of his ignorance and discourteousness.

"What's your problem Weasley?" I snap rudely.

Harry shifts in his seat a little, showing his discomfort with the situation. "Er... hi Kennedy, how's your night been?" He asks to try and change the subject.

"Really good actually! Cedric is a lot less intimidating than I thought and, well he's going to get us some drinks right now and..." As I look up slightly to try and think of what to say next I notice that neither of them are interested in my story at all. They look rather annoyed by it actually. It sort of hurts my feelings, I just can't stand when people are irritated by me doing something that was unintentional and purely part of my personality. It makes me feel so self conscious about how I act on a daily basis and question if I'm annoying or if nobody likes me. But instead of crying or going and telling someone I just get angry with whoever made me feel this way. It's one of my rather toxic traits but I can't really change my nature so I just have to accept that it's how I deal with emotional pain.

"Well if you didn't care why did you ask?" I demand while crossing my arms.

"I don't know." Harry sighs. So now he's not even putting in an effort to make it look like he cares.

Why does he have to be such an arrogant prick sometimes? Why can't we just go one day without getting into an argument or getting each other into trouble?

"Whatever Harry." I roll my eyes before scolding him. "It's pathetic really, you're a champion. You're supposed to be the one that everyone looks up to, but instead you're sitting off to the side feeling sorry for yourself."

"I didn't chose this! I didn't put my name in that cup!" He says sitting up and uncrossing his arms.

"That's the biggest crap I've ever heard." I retort.

"It's true, and if you don't believe me... well then you can uh." He tugs at his collar a little "No, I don't need your approval. You're just some stupid girl that tries to get under my skin and it's not working." He finishes.

"It sure sounds like it's working." I sneer.

I'm smirking now but really I want to scream. I'm not even that sad about what he said. I'm just fuming.

How could he through away weeks of me forcing myself to bite my tongue and not make some rude remark about how much of a dimwit he is, and instead taking my own time to do things like teach him how to ballroom dance.

I thought that we were starting to be sort of friends but I guess this whole time he's just thought of me as nothing more than any other classmate. Or I guess, according to him 'a stupid girl who tries to get under his skin.'

"I hate you." I mutter. I can't bring myself to say it like I mean it. Right now I might feel like I truly mean it but later, when I won't be able to sleep over this, I'll regret it. Oh how I'll be wishing I never said that. In fact I feel the guilt already.

All he manages to say is a small emotionless "Ok." Before standing up and leaving up the stairs.

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