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"Josie, it's time for classes," Dorcas firmly states as she stands by Josie's bedside. The weekend had come and gone, and now it's Monday.
Josephine spent much of the weekend cocooned in her thoughts, especially after the encounter with Regulus.
"Josie!" Dorcas persists, witnessing Josie's resistance as she buries herself under the covers. "I understand you're grappling with what happened with Regulus, but what if he actually reciprocates your feelings? You didn't give him a chance to say anything."
Josie's expression contorts as she looks up at Dorcas. "Cas, just let me have this day in bed. I promise I'll rejoin the world tomorrow and attend classes."
With a roll of her eyes, Dorcas returns the blanket to Josie and heads for the door.
Josie recognizes that she might be a bit dramatic, but her feelings are genuine. This was the first time she has ever said her feelings for someone.
Perhaps she should consider requesting a change in her class schedule. The prospect of facing Regulus again is daunting, and Josie can't help but feel uncertain about it.
~~~
The hour is late, not unreasonably so, yet late enough. Josie manages to muster the will to leave her bed, seeking solace or sustenance in the kitchens. Dorcas never came back to the dorm. She is likely spending the night with Marlene.
Thus, Josephine ventures into the kitchens in a stealthy manner, procuring some food before she meanders toward the astronomy tower. With little else to do, she figures that crying in the Astronomy tower is better than in her bed.
Seating herself by the tower's edge, she rests her head upon the chilled railing, her gaze fixated on the celestial display above, though she consciously avoids the "Regulus star."
Her hand hesitates momentarily before she reaches for the food she has brought along, consuming it with deliberate slowness. Amidst her contemplation, thoughts of her friends flit through her mind. It has been some time since she has interacted with any of them, save for Dorcas, a circumstance she acknowledges as being largely her own doing.
Self-doubt, too, begins to cloud her mind, fostering the notion that she might be flawed, imperfect. The intricacies of human nature – the blend of good and bad – weigh heavily upon her. Uncertainty gnaws at her, the ambiguity of right choices and wrong ones a perennial struggle.
Abruptly, the creaking of the astronomy tower's door snaps Josie from her introspection. She swivels her head toward the sound, lips parting to call out a tentative greeting, before realizing the folly of such an action. After all, she has seen enough muggle horror films, thanks to Dorcas, to be aware of her potential fate.
Emerging from the shadows, a figure materializes – Regulus. The sight is enough to send a tremor through her, her grip on the railing tightening to prevent herself from jumping off the tower right then.
He stands before her, impeccably attired as though he has just exited a grand dance. The predominantly black ensemble, accentuated by the elegant vest over a crisp white shirt, catches her attention. The appearance momentarily clouds her memory of their prior encounter, overshadowed by his striking presence.
Driven by instinct, before her thoughts can catch up, she queries, "What's the occasion for dressing so formally?"
The moonlight seems to play upon his lips as he draws nearer, his response carrying an air of amusement. "The Slug Club's Christmas party."
A hint of disbelief tinges her voice as she poses her next question, almost to herself, "You're a part of that club?"
Her query, however, is swiftly answered by her own recognition of how good he is at potions.
He acknowledges her question with a subtle nod. Gathering her nerves, she clears her throat before standing and positioning herself against the railing, uncertain how to proceed. The presence of the boy she holds affections for, standing a mere couple of paces away, seems to tighten the grip of anxiety around her throat. Fidgeting with her nails, she grapples with finding the right words.
"I apologize," she begins, her gaze drifting downwards to her shoes to avoid direct eye contact. "If I've made things uncomfortable. I'm sorry." A sigh escapes her lips as she musters the courage to meet his gaze, her eyes locking with his. "I'm just some girl who... likes you, and it's all rather awkward now that I've admitted it. I fear we can't just go back to being friends or something." The words tumble out in an unstructured rush, her attempt to ramble her way through the moment.
Taking a step closer, Regulus quirks an eyebrow and speaks with a tone of candid observation. "You ran away."
Cringing, she owns up to her action. "Yes, I did," she confesses, a notable contrast to her previous evasive behavior.
Amidst the charged atmosphere, his muttered utterance of "Fuck it" hangs in the air. Before she can fully process the implication, he is advancing towards her, and then it happens – his lips are pressed against hers in an unexpected, electrifying kiss.
A startled sound escapes her as her initial surprise gives way to reciprocation. Meeting his embrace, she feels his hand cupping her face, his cool rings leaving an imprint. The sensation of his soft lips against hers intertwines with the frenzied flutter of butterflies in her stomach. Her heartbeat quickens in tandem with the escalating tempo of the moment.
Responding in kind, she mirrors his gesture, her hand tenderly grazing his face. The kiss, an intimate interlude, eventually comes to an end, leaving them both breathless, their mingled breaths hanging in the air.
Her lips still tingling, she moistens them with her tongue, registering that this has been her first kiss with a boy. His thumb gently traces her cheek, imbuing the air with a palpable vulnerability.
"Was that alright?" he inquires in a hushed whisper. Rather than a verbal reply, she draws him closer, their lips meeting again, a fleeting, almost shy touch. The kiss is briefer this time, though it sends warmth rushing to her cheeks. She finds herself breaking away this time, mirroring his actions as his hand lowers.
Left momentarily speechless, her thoughts whir like a tempest within. Regulus sighs, withdrawing a step before pivoting to exit.
Regulus Black has kissed her, and then he left. An urge to cry wells up within her, conflicted emotions surging to the forefront. Could she have done or said something different? What words could have possibly encapsulated the storm of her feelings?
Her heart continues its frantic rhythm, her breathing gradually steadying. What does the kiss mean? And why has he departed so abruptly?
~~~~~
FINALLY OMG(I act like im not the one who writes this...)
