꧁𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑦 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡꧂ (𝐹.𝑊.)

19 - Basement

That night as I boarded the plane, I replayed my last conversation I had with Fred, right before I got on the train.

***

"Funny seeing you here," I said as he approached me.

"I just wanted to say goodbye," He replied.

"I'll be back Monday."

"Hensley, about what I said the other day in front of McGonagall's office..."

My heart leapt out of my chest. Was he going to tell me that it really wasn't all fake? That I wasn't totally crazy for believing there was something between us?

"Yeah?" I said almost hopefully.

"Forget about it. It was a stupid thing to say in the heat of the moment."

My heart sank.

"Oh. Yeah, okay. I can do that."

He nodded, "Alright, good."

"Yeah," I replied, my tone had changed.

"Have a good flight, okay? And don't forget about me."

"Fred, I'll only be gone for a few days."

"A lot can happen in a few days."

***

I knew that this was for the best, but I had fallen for Fred and realized it much too late. The reason I ended things so quickly...I was afraid. I was afraid of falling for Fred, which was something I couldn't ignore. I wish that I wouldn't have been so afraid.

There was nothing I could do now. I would simply watch him...admire from afar.

An 11 hour flight was too long to be alone with my thoughts. I didn't have anything to do...I couldn't do homework, and someone can only sleep for so long.

So I was stuck thinking. Of Fred. Of Harry. Of Malfoy. Of Noah. Of home.

But where was home? Hogwarts? Ilvenmorny?

Time would tell.

***

The first three faces I saw made me forget everything going on in England, because I saw my people. My best friends.

"Hensley!" They all cried at once.

A smile spread across my face as I ran to them. The four of us embraced in a hug, Noah holding on the longest.

"I missed you, Chipmunk," He mumbled.

I smiled at them all, "I missed you guys."

"You have to tell us everything," Circe said.

"I will! Can we get to my house first?" I said with a laugh.

"Fine, fine," Circe replied.

"Hi Hensley," Blake said softly.

"Hello, Blake," I replied.

I didn't know if I was ready to face Blake. Not because we had fought before or anything, but because I didn't know if I felt the same way about him anymore. Things had...changed.

Just as I was about to ask how he was, I was scooped up and spun around.

"Adam!" I exclaimed, "Put me down!"

"I missed you!"

"Awe," I laughed as he put me down.

I hugged Jenny, taking in her scent and warmth. I've missed the L.A. temperatures!

***

At home, everything was normal. Well, almost.

We were downstairs in the basement, where we normally all slept and the parents were upstairs. But there was something wrong.

Normally, we sat in a circle, Blake next next to me, Noah on my other side, and Circe across from me.

This time, Noah and I sat on the floor while Blake and Circe sat on a couch.

"Why are you guys up there?" I asked.

"Uh, Hens, we've gotta talk to you about something," Blake said slowly.

"What is it?"

"Blake and I are..." Circe trailed off.

Together.

"Oh, wow, that's great!" I said with a smile plastered on my face.

"You're not upset?" Noah asked.

"No, why would I be? I was just in a relationship, plus I'm going to a ball soon."

"Whoa, what?" Blake asked.

"Yeah. His name is Fred."

"Fred?!" He exclaimed, "You dated a guy named Fred?!"

"ls there a problem with that?"

"How old is this guy?!"

"Sixteen."

"Sixteen?!"

"Are you going to repeat everything I say?" I asked, annoyed.

"Don't act like that, Hensley," Circe scolded

"Act like what?!" I replied

"Like you're all better than us now! Just because you're going to a new school doesn't mean you're all high and mighty. Don't act like an ass."

"Oh, fuck off, Circe."

"Don't talk to her like that!" Blake shouted

"Don't yell at her!" Noah yelled back

"Don't stick your big nose into this," Circe said snidely to Noah.

"You're one to talk with that big ass honker! Who the hell are you, Rudolf?!" Noah replied

This was the first time we had ever argued. In our lives.

"I was going to come home," I said quietly.

Suddenly, the arguing stopped.

"What?" Noah said.

"I was going to come home," I repeated.

"Was going to?"

"I've changed my mind."

"Hens-" Circe tried.

"I'm staying there. Coming back in the summer, but staying there."

Noah frowned.

"I'm tired. I'm going to lay down."

"It's only 3."

"Jet lag."

My room hadn't changed, besides some clothes missing. That was a relief.

Thor hopped up into bed with me. I was glad I brought him with me. He snuggled with me and I fell into a soft sleep.