Purposefully Hating Cedric

12

Well Fight or Flight I'd Rather Die Than Have to Cry in Front of You
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Will and I decide to make our debut as a couple simple. Since gossip spreads like wildfire around this school, I know that our "relationship" will be made known quickly if even one person catches us holding hands. So, his fingers interlock with mine as we make our way to the great hall.

"Woah, woah, woah." Blaise appears beside us, his eyes on our hands. "Since when was this," he points between the both of us, "a thing?"

Will and I share a look, the both of us trying not to laugh.

"Uh, since now." I shrug.

"I'm going to need more details than that," Blaise presses on.

Will takes the liberty of answering for me. "We had a thing at Ilvermorny, but had to go long distance when Bella found out that she was moving back to the UK," he explains, no trace of any sort of lie in his voice. "But obviously now we're able to be together because I happened to move here too."

The same story is shared with everyone who asks about us. I've got the lie memorized by the end of breakfast, so I'm prepared when Will and I are bombarded on our way out of the great hall by my Gryffindor friends.

"Now," says Fred.

"I refuse to believe," continues George.

"That you, Bella Maxwell," says Fred.

"Have a bloody boyfriend," says George.

"And decided not to tell," continues Fred.

"Any of us!" Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny say in unison.

I'm silent for a moment, struggling to grasp what just happened. "Was that rehearsed?" I eventually ask, which causes Ron to blush slightly. I have my answer.

"Don't avoid the question, Bella," Hermione scolds.

I sigh, and Wilbur squeezes my hand reassuringly. "Look, I'm sorry." I drawl it out. "But we only started dating last night." Odd expressions cross my friends' faces. "Hey, don't give me those judgmental looks," I snap. "I've known Will for over two years."

"It's true," Will says. He then continues to explain the well-rehearsed story, which causes most of the irritation to disappear from my friends' faces.

"Okay, I guess we can forgive you this once," Harry teases.

"But rest assured," says Fred, "if you even think about keeping something like this from us again, you might find your pumpkin juice replaced with Otter's Fizzy Orange Juice one of these days."

I gasp dramatically at the empty threat, then saying goodbye to my friends and Will as I part ways for first period. My least favorite period.

I enter the potions classroom, then take my assigned seat by Cedric as usual, although this time I don't make a snide remark like I usually do. I promised myself that I would stay away from him as much as possible, and that also means not talking to him when I have to be near him.

The first words spoken between either of us aren't until halfway through class when the lecture is over, and Snape instructs the class to use the remainder of the period to catch up on missing work and talk amongst ourselves.

"I thought you were lying," Cedric's voice is low enough so only I can hear. I don't need any context to know what he's referring to.

I can't bring myself to meet his eyes. Not that he deserves it anyway. "Clearly not," I say, simple. I continue to work in my book, but I still feel his eyes on me.