HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT

❝So, what did you and Mattheo end up doing yesterday?❞ Pansy asks me, attempting to conceal her curiosity as she pretends to be busy with something on her phone.

Pansy and I are the only ones from our group who have made it to breakfast so far. We're almost done, but I know the others will start trickling in soon, which means we'll end up staying here longer.

I play with the untouched scrambled eggs on my plate. ❝Nothing really,❞ I fill her in,  ❝he waited in my room while I showered. Then afterwards, we just laid on the floor and talked.❞

Pansy drops her fork, the metal clattering against the porcelain plate. ❝What?! Did you sneak him into your dorm? What did you guys talk about? What happened after?❞ She exclaims, her questions pouring out in rapid succession.

❝ I- yeah, I did. I was feeling stressed after my shower, so I just laid down on the floor. The carpet by my bed is really nice and fluffy, and Mattheo wanted to try it out, so he laid on the carpet too. We just talked about school and music, and we even listened to some music together. Then, he convinced me to go up the tower with him so he could smoke,❞ I explain, offering more details this time.

Her lips press together, and her eyes more wide than usual. ❝Uh, okay,❞ she responds, her tone conveying a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

I frown, finding her reaction odd, but I decide to let it go and not dwell on it any further.

❝Did you have fun?❞ I ask her in return.

She nods, and replies, ❝yeah, it was great.❞

Despite feeling a spark of annoyance, I make a conscious effort to extinguish it. After all, I had explicitly told Pansy to stay and enjoy herself. It was only fair that she was allowed to have fun, even if I had a less enjoyable time.

Enzo takes the seat in front of Pansy, his eyes meeting ours with a warm nod of acknowledgment.

I return Enzo's nod with a genuine smile. The previous night, he had reached out to check on me and expressed his agreement that Theodore's actions had been intentional. Knowing that Enzo was on my side, even if he hadn't intervened during the commotion, brought a comforting sense of validation that I didn't know that I needed.

As Mattheo and Theodore approach us, walking side by side, I rub my eyes and let out a tired yawn. My fingers tap restlessly against the wooden table.

Sensing the perfect moment, Pansy slides her phone over to show me a video she had taken of the boys yesterday when I had slipped away. The video captures them attempting to chug butterbeer, their expressions a mix of determination and hilarity. It brings a faint smile to my face, momentarily distracting me from the approaching duo.

Feeling a presence next to me, I instinctively assume it's Mattheo and turn to greet him. However, my movements come to a halt as I realize it's actually Theodore. Confusion washes over me as I'm certain that I had seen Mattheo heading towards the seat next to me moments ago. It doesn't make sense for Theodore to sit beside me when there's a perfect spot next to Enzo available.

Not wanting to engage with Theodore, I shift my eyes away from him without offering a greeting. I can sense his annoyance as he scoffs at my disregard, not saying anything himself.

❝Leah, study in the library after breakfast?❞ Mattheo asks me.

With a nod, I acknowledge Mattheo's suggestion. It aligns perfectly with my own plan to study today.