It's Nice To Have A Friend

13 - If You Leave Me Now

Mallory watched from the safety of her umbrella as Freddy exited the plane. A smile broke across her face as his eyes landed on her. "I missed you, Fredald," she mumbled as he approached. 

"I missed you, too," he replied, looping his arms around her. Malory buried her face in his chest. They didn't say anything else until Freddy pulled away. "I can't hang out today. Family stuff."

Mallory furrowed her brows as she looked up at him and nodded. "That's okay," she assured him with a small smile, wondering why he had originally told her he'd be free the entire day. 

"We took two cars. Once we pack my car, I can drive you home," he told her. "How'd you get here anyway?"

"My dad dropped me off on his way to work," Mallory responded. She took his hand in hers as they followed his parents and siblings to the parking lot. Mallory watched them pack their cars before she got into Freddy's car. 

"How was Christmas?" Freddy asked as he turned the radio on. 

"It was good," Mallory replied with a smile. "How was yours?"

Freddy looked over with a smile. "Good."

They fell silent as they hummed softly to the music on the radio. After a few minutes, Freddy pulled into Mallory's driveway. He put the car in park before looking at Mallory. Mallory smiled back at him. He raised his hand to her jaw and pulled her into a kiss. Mallory tangled her fingers in his hair.

As the song changed to "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, Freddy got out of the car, keeping the car running as he motioned for Mallory to join him. Mallory grinned as she stepped into the pouring rain and let Freddy spin her around. Mallory looped her arms around his neck as they started to slow dance. Everything was perfect. 

As the song ended, Freddy spun Mallory one last time before he brought her into a soft kiss. He rested his forehead against hers as they pulled away. "I should probably leave," he whispered, letting his hands fall from Mallory's waist. 

"Alright. I'll see you soon, yeah?" Mallory replied as she stepped away, smiling at Freddy. Her smile quickly disappeared as Freddy sighed and ran a hand through his hair. His eyes met hers again, lips pursed. "Right?" Mallory pressed.

He bit his bottom lip and looked toward the mountains. "Mallory, I don't think I can do this," he admitted softly.

Mallory fell silent. Her heart dropped to her stomach as she watched him, waiting for him to tell her he was joking.

"The distance has been hard on me, Mallory, and then you came home."

"What?" was all Mallory could manage to say. She averted her gaze to the ground as she felt her voice waver. 

"All you talk about is your school," he explained. "And I... I don't know what's worse, how much you talk about James, or how little you talk about Sirius."

Mallory bit her bottom lip. What did he want her to talk about? She had been at Hogwarts for three and a half months straight. "How long have you been thinking about this, Freddy?"

Freddy was silent for a moment. Mallory managed to tear her gaze away from the ground to watch him. Freddy shrugged awkwardly. "Since September," he admitted. 

Mallory stared at him, stunned. It couldn't be real. "What?"

"I just... You don't understand." 

"No. I guess I really don't," Mallory agreed, wiping at her eyes. "You're just barely bringing this up? When you're about to leave? We can't talk it out or anything." 

Freddy shrugged again. 

"If you didn't want to hear about school and James, then why did you ask?"