UNDER THE MOON, Remus Lupin

xvii.

FORGETTING REMUS LUPIN?

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"What a dick!" Kiara exclaimed after Alice's explanation of the turmoil she was being put through. Alice didn't give all the details. She certainly didn't mention that it was Professor Lupin of all people who was playing her heart like a piano. "You have to get back at him, obviously."

Alice laughed. "And how would I do that?" It wasn't as though Alice wanted to hurt Remus, but it would feel nice if he felt as disappointed as she did.

Kiara shifted her stance for a moment. They had already missed the first five minutes of class due to Alice not getting out of bed, then sharing the recent events of her love life. "Kiss someone else."

"Like... you?" Alice asked.

Kiara nervously chuckled. "Heh, uh, I was thinking more along the lines of someone who would kiss you with no questions asked."

Not many people would kiss Alice without knowing why. In fact, none would. "Nobody would do it with no questions asked. Zephyr would freak out, Clint would... I don't even know. And Adrian- well Adrian..." she perked up. "I could talk to him- wait no, why am I considering this? I don't want to hurt Re- the guy's feelings."

"Come on, Alice. Who knows? Maybe the kiss will be so good that you forget all about whoever this mystery boy is."

Problem was, Alice didn't want to forget. She wanted Remus jealous. "I'll ask him. Don't know if he'll agree. He likes Angelina Johnson. I don't think he'd want to jeopardize his chances. Which I understand."

"Who wouldn't want to kiss you?" Kiara grinned and threw Alice her school clothes.

Alice squinted. "Was... was that a flirtation?"

"Of course not." Kiara stepped outside the dormitory door and quickly closed it behind her.

After getting dressed, Alice grabbed her wand and left for class. There were only a few minutes left, but she may as well pretend that Remus rejecting her didn't affect her. She walked into class late, not giving Remus the satisfaction of acknowledging his existence. Zephyr was surprised to see she didn't look his way once. Not even when he called on her.

It was frustrating Remus even more. He wanted her attention. But her reluctance to give it to him was pushing him over the edge. Usually, she'd at least glance at him three times. Not even once today, not even when he called on her. As the class came to a bitter end, he planned to ask her to stay back, seeing as she probably wouldn't choose to do so herself. But as soon as it ended, she dashed out of the classroom before he could even open his mouth.

Adrian was laughing loudly to himself as he left the classroom. Like he knew. Remus hated himself once again. He'd managed to turn the only person here who cared about him against him. Just when things were getting good, he found some magical way to fuck it up. As per fucking usual, Remus John Lupin was miserable with himself.

Now that Alice had a moment free, she jogged up beside Adrian. "Adrian! Favor?"

"Depends on the favor. Try me."

"As we both know, you know about my little... crush," Alice currently wasn't willing to call it anything more. "And I was hoping you'd maybe... help me make him jealous?"

"And how would we go about that?" Adrian was intrigued.

"Kissing...?" Now that Alice heard herself saying it, this plan sounded ridiculous.

Adrian exhaled loudly. "I'll do it if you agree to one thing. You let me tell Fred off for chattin' shit about you constantly. It's getting annoying. You have to let me."