𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐢 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮? (𝘑. 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳)

0.8 | The Greatest

0.8 (They know) The Greatest by Billie Elish 

Polaris woke up in James's arms, her breath catching as the comforting warmth of his embrace met the cold reality that weighed heavily on her heart. She smiled, but it was a sad smile, tinged with a melancholy that refused to be ignored. The room was quiet, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on their entwined forms. For a fleeting moment, everything felt peaceful, as if the world outside had ceased to exist. But deep down, she knew this serenity was temporary, a fragile bubble that could burst at any moment. The future loomed over her like a dark cloud, and no matter how tightly she held onto him, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was slipping through her fingers.

She instinctively tightened her grip around him, seeking solace in his presence. James stirred, a sleepy smile curling on his lips as he woke up, his eyes crinkling with warmth as he looked down at her.

"Morning, love. How'd you sleep?" he asked, his voice husky with sleep as he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. The simple gesture sent a wave of warmth through Polaris, causing a soft blush to color her cheeks.

"It was okay," she replied, her voice a whisper. "It was nice to be with you, but... I can't stop thinking about the future." A heavy sigh escaped her lips, the weight of her worries pressing down on her.

James gently lifted her chin, urging her to look up at him. "Hey, look at me," he said softly. "It's gonna be okay because I'm here, and we'll work through this together. I promise." His words were full of conviction, his eyes shimmering with hope and determination. But when Polaris finally met his gaze, she saw the stark contrast between them. His eyes, bright and full of life, were filled with hope and desire. Hers, however, were dulled by sadness, clouded with the harsh reality she had already accepted.

James hadn't—perhaps wouldn't—accept the facts as she had. She envied his optimism, his refusal to see the situation as hopeless. But in her heart, she knew there was no escape for people like her. No matter how much she wanted to believe in his words, reality felt like a noose tightening around her neck.

They both got up, the weight of unspoken fears hanging between them as they dressed in silence. Skipping breakfast, they headed straight to their first class, the day ahead feeling like a blur.

"Welcome, students. Get a cup, get your tea leaves," Professor Trelawney greeted them with a smile, her voice whimsical as she floated around the room. "Remember what I've taught you," she added, her ethereal presence casting an odd sense of foreboding over the room.

Polaris tried to focus, tried to lose herself in the motions of the class, but her mind kept wandering. She caught Sirius muttering beside her, "This class is stupid," causing a laugh to bubble up from within her, momentarily lifting the gloom that clung to her.

"Is not. You just don't appreciate the art of Divination like most," she teased, giving him a playful nudge.

Sirius rolled his eyes, smirking. "Says you," he shot back, pretending to study the tea leaves in his cup with exaggerated seriousness. "Oh look, I see 'The Grim.'" His sarcasm was palpable, making Polaris chuckle despite herself.

Professor Trelawney floated over to their table, her expression darkening as she peered into their cups. "You see The Grim in your futures," she said ominously, before turning her attention to Polaris. "And you, young lady... you see betrayal and a child." Her voice was low, eerie, sending a shiver down Polaris's spine. She clenched her fists, trying to shake off the unease, while the others rolled their eyes at Trelawney's dramatics.

Sirius, ever the skeptic, was quick to dismiss the prediction. "What a load of rubbish. I'm not going to die soon; I'm too beautiful for that," he quipped, earning a burst of laughter from the group.