Dirt, Shovels and Annoying Arch-Nemesis Roommates (Watford 6th year)

Chapter 2: Penny has a theory

SIMON

I spend the rest of the afternoon avoiding Baz. I only return to our room when I know Baz should be in the Catacombs. All of Baz's showering stuff has been neatly stowed in the bathroom and his clothes are carefully arranged in the wardrobe. There's a box that I don't recognise sitting on his clothes and my fingers itch to check what's inside. I reach for it before snatching my hand back.

I have resolved to ignore Baz, which includes this suspicious box.

But does his stuff really count? He'll never know.

I make a grab for the box (it's very light) and open the lid quickly. It's empty. Wait! There's a note... I carefully unfold it and read: Get the fuck out of my stuff Snow.

"Get the fuck out of my stuff Snow."

I jump and spin around. Baz is leaning in the doorway, glaring at me. I can tell he is pleased with the note, and how I fell for his trap because the right corner of his lip is quirked very slightly.

"Baz," I say warily while hastily stuffing the box back into the wardrobe.

He regards me coolly, as he twists his wand artfully in his right hand, "you are so predictable Snow," he gestures between us, "it almost makes this boring." He smiles sinisterly, "it certainly makes you easier to trap."

I decide to pull a 'Penny Move' and roll my eyes. Baz's threats are becoming redundant. I think I overdo the eyeroll because Baz raises his eyebrows and says, "keep rolling your eyes Snow, you might find your brain somewhere in there."

I frown, "fuck you."

He sneers, "Agatha would certainly like to."

I feel red clouding my vision and my feet start towards him as if tugged by an invisible string. Insulting me is one thing, but why did he have to bring Aggie into it?! And then I stop, because not only are we in our room, but this is exactly what I had resolved to avoid. Baz in his entirety. I turn away with a sigh and look out the window. When I turn back around, Baz is no longer standing there, and the shower is running.

BAZ

The water is scalding hot and gives my skin a rosy flush. I rub the cedar and bergamot shampoo into my hair and the citrusy scent stings my nostrils. I take a deep breath in and exhale slowly.

What the hell just happened?

Snow had backed down from an argument, as though something clicked in his brain, and he shut off his anger. He had turned back to the window with a tired sort of grimace which made me feel oddly cheated out of something. These fiery interactions are all I get of Snow, and whilst I may not want him to stalk me, it was nice to know that he obsessed over me as much as I did him, although admittedly in a very different way. I would rather have his hate than his indifference.

When I step out of the bathroom with a billow of steam, I expect to see Snow sitting in his bed, watching me just like last year, clutching his cross. Instead, Snow is curled in a lump on his bed, his breaths deep and even, his tawny skin glowing in the moonlight.

***

The next morning, I find myself glumly sipping tea as Dev recounts his wonderful trip to Italy whilst Niall looks sappily at him.

"The water was so clear, and it was so warm, and the girls... there was this one girl, with the biggest tits I have ever seen, she was an amazing kisser, she even let me squeeze them."

I can tell Dev wants to talk about this girl, but Niall's expression is quickly souring. I point to myself, "I'm gay and this topic is grossing me out."