𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒, james potter

30. the winter ball two years later

NESRIN WOULD RATHER rip out her arm than go to the Winter Ball with Garrett.

But every time she wants to tell him that she has decided not to go to the ball at all, she chickens out and stops herself. If she tells him this, she'll have to do it when they're alone in fear of someone hearing and asking endless questions about why she doesn't want to go to the ball.

And she can't be alone with him. Not again. Not ever again.

At least at the ball, they'll be surrounded by people. Worst comes to worst, she'll stay by Idris's side throughout the night. He won't mind.

She hopes.

Anxiety rushes through her as she glances at herself briefly in the reflection of Vanessa's mirror.

She doesn't know why it is so hard for her to look at herself.

The past couple of hours of getting ready with Vanessa and the other girls were excruciatingly uncomfortable. They kept asking her about Garrett and whether or not she likes him. She didn't know how to act as if thinking of him wasn't making her feel sticky with disgust all over.

The other girls all left with their dates a while ago, but Nesrin can't bring herself to leave the common room and face them all. Least of all Garrett.

She smooths down the front of her lavender dress once more, takes a deep breath, and then leaves her dorm. As she walks out of the common room, she looks around but can't find her so-called date.

Of course, he is late.

The hallway is empty. Nesrin contemplates just going to the Great Hall without him and meeting him there. That way, she won't have to walk with him to the hall alone.

Just as she decides that this is the best option, she turns around and crashes into a tall, solid body.

"I'm so sorry—" the familiar voice starts before he presumably recognizes who he's speaking to.

His face falters as his eyes dip down her body, slowly, slowly, slowly.

He swallows hard before his gaze returns to her face. His hands squeeze together in front of him, his knuckles turning white with how tightly he is holding them together—as if to stop himself from reaching out and touching her.

Nesrin's breath catches in her throat as she takes him in. His usual messy hair is now styled neatly, elegantly. His dark dress robes match the dark color of his hair and bring out the green in his eyes while making him seem paler. The dress robes suit his strong build perfectly, making him even more handsome than usual.

She can't take her eyes off him.

He stares back with a look she can't quite decipher.

The air between them changes.

He inches forward.

She stills.

And then an arm wraps around Nesrin's shoulders. Her eyes widen as she looks back, startled. Garrett stares down at her with a bright smile on his face.

He whistles as he looks her up and down. "Damn, Nes. Looking hotter than usual."

Nesrin's breathing starts to grow heavy in a mix of fear and anxiety. She glances toward James, but all signs of whatever was happening between them a second ago are erased from his face. Instead, he wears an indifferent expression as he watches them.

Garrett turns his head toward him, eyes narrowing.

He nods stiffly. "I think your girlfriend is waiting for you at the ball."