My Darling | Theodore Nott

Year Five (II)

Theo watched a look of confusion and hurt cover Maddie's face.

"I don't understand. I thought-"

"Thought what? That we were friends?" Asked Theo, his words cut both of them. Maddie took a step away from him. "You and I will never be friends, Noceda. I would prefer it if you never spoke to me again."

There was a gentle snowfall outside. Maddie was holding her scarf, a crinkle formed between her eyebrows.

"I haven't spoken to you since the break. I assumed you would understand." Said Theo.

"What did I do?"

Maddie was pretty in the pink and gold way. Theo was certain he would never tire of it.

"Nothing. I simply cannot see you anymore." Said Theo, his face was blank, his hands clasped behind his back as he imagined a Maddie-less world. His next breath was shaky. Theo cleared his throat.

"I don't understand."

"As shocking as that is, Noceda, I need to go." Said Theo, walking passed her.

"Is it because I kissed you? I know you don't like me that way, I understand, I don't expect anything from you." Said Maddie, turning and following him.

That was an idiotic question. Theo thought about kissing Maddie often. He thought about how vulnerable, close to her and safe he had felt. He thought about what it would be like to touch more of her.

"Don't be an idiot, Noceda." Drawled Theo, walking faster.

"You're being cruel."

"Has it ever struck you that I may just be cruel?" Asked Theo, not looking at her, Maddie was still following him, he could hear her footsteps.

"No. You're not cruel, not even close,"

"Are you about to drone on about seeing the real me?" He asked, rolling his eyes. He may actually want to get rid of her if she started on something like that.

"This is it, Noceda. I do not wish to see you, or speak to you anymore. Because I do not want to. No special reason. You buzzing about like a fly is not making me change my mind. Now shoo." Said Theo.

The footfalls behind him stopped.

"Shoo?" She said hurt evident in her voice. "If you never speak to me again, that's your choice, but your last word to me will not be shoo." Her accent thickened as she grew madder.

Theo kept walking, and then her shoe hit him on the back not hard enough to hurt but hard enough to make him halt, he stopped, picked it up, and turned to her with an incredulous look on his face.

Maddie looked like a little like a bunny when she was angry.

"I will throw the other one." She threatened.

Maddie was good at a great many things. Threats? Not one of them.

I am serious she signed to him.

He laughed. Maddie's shoe in his hand, her standing opposed to him, he laughed.

Maddie blinked repeatedly and he wondered what colour his laugh was. She looked cute when she was confused.

"This is funny to you?" Said Maddie crossly as he returned her shoe to her, walking over until Maddie was within arms reach. He held out the shoe, maintaining as much physical distance between them as possible.

He was tempted to kiss her and tell her all his father had said and done and seek acceptance, but it was not worth the risk. Maddie took her shoe back.