Nightmare (Harry Potter OC Fic)

9. Soulmateism

It was mid-October when Kei finally got a moment alone with Tiberius. Since his birthday, Tiberius was acting weird— always so secretive, perpetually annoyed, and seemed to be avoiding everyone and anyone he knew. Though Kei made it her mission to always throw her best friend an amazing birthday party, Tiberius blew it off and claimed he was sick. Whatever "sickness" he came down with seemed to have changed his personality and Kei was tired of it.

Just as the students were dismissed from dinner, Kei hooked her arm into Tiberius' and gave him a look. He knew that look very well and most definitely knew better than to try and get his way out of it. With pure determination, Kei manoeuvred their way through the corridors and into an empty stairwell where the pair could talk.

"Tiberius, we need to–"

"Yes, we need to talk," he cut her off seriously. Kei raised a brow at him and let go of his arm, giving him a single nod to continue. Tiberius fiddled with the sleeves of his jacket and looked positively nervous, causing Kei to grow worried over their best friend.

"Reese's," she said softly, all of her previous fury melting away, "what's wrong?"

"I– I don't know how to– Well, you see. . . I—"

"Tib, you can tell me anything."

Tiberius furrowed his brows and sighed softly before continuing,

"What do you know about. . . soulmates?"

Kei cracked a smile, "soulmates? What're you going on about? Did you fall in love over the last month? Is that why you're—"

"Frankie, I'm serious," he huffed. "Do you remember the stories? The legends! You read all the time and you can't even remember—"

"I never said I didn't know them. I only asked what you were referring to. How is that relevant to why you've been avoiding me the past month?"

Tiberius groaned and pushed Kei down with him so they were both sitting on the steps, "I'm going to show you something, okay? You can't react and you have to listen and let me explain because– because you have to! You're my best friend and- and—"

"I'm your best friend. I'll listen," they smiled softly in reassurance.

Carefully, Tiberius pushed the leather sleeve up, on his right arm, to show Kei his secret. Kei tilted her head ever so slightly and gasped softly, amazed at the lettering. Little scars littered the skin through and around the black tattoo-like penmanship. Big black letters swirled halfway up his forearm. Kei's brows furrowed in confusion and slight disappointment at the mark.

"You got a tattoo? Without me?" she scoffed. "Not only a tattoo but you got Vic's name—!"

"Franklin, shut up!" Tiberius snapped. Kei's mouth went dry and she instantly froze. "Kei. . . you said you wouldn't react and you'd listen—"

"I'm just– You don't even like him. I'm just confu– Wait, why were you asking me about soulmates?"

"That's the thing," Tiberiu groaned and pulled the sleeve back down, leaning his head on the bannister. "The last month I've been trying to find out information about this and all I've come up with are the stories we were told about soulmates!"

"So, you mean to tell me," Kei said dangerously, "you've only come to tell me BECAUSE YOU NEED HELP?!"

Tiberius flinched and gave them a sheepish smile causing Kei to thump him on the forehead, "Kei!"

"'Kei' nothing! You dingbat, you should have told me from the beginning. I would have helped you since then and we'd probably already know why this has happened and know everything about it."