HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

The clock inches closer to one AM, and I find myself still firmly planted in my seat next to Theodore, even though the game dissolved approximately an hour ago. Theodore remains by my side, while Pansy occupies the space in front of me, perched on the low table.

Exhaustion seeps into my bones, and Pansy's incessant chatter only adds to the weariness. I struggle to keep my eyes open, my focus drifting as her words become a mere blur. She mentions Mattheo, and my gaze instinctively darts around the room, searching for him amidst the various crowds of people.

I spot him, his hand encircling the waist of a girl. Curiosity prickles within me, and I find myself yearning to know the words he whispers into her ear. Is he complimenting her beauty, acknowledging her allure?

In an instant, his gaze shifts abruptly, the warmth dissipating as his eyes collide with mine. They quickly flicker to the side, then back to me. And without breaking our locked gaze, he leans in and plants a kiss on the girl standing before him.

Throughout the entire duration of the kiss, his eyes remain fixed on mine. A frown creases my brow, feeling increasingly uncomfortable witnessing this intimate moment. Eventually, I avert my gaze, unable to continue watching as the scene unfolds.

❝You guys would be cute together,❞ I hear Pansy say.

As Pansy's words float through the air, I instinctively close my eyes, allowing them to swirl and settle within me. Uncertain, I question if she is referring to me.

Suddenly, Pansy's hands grip my shoulders, shaking me gently but insistently. ❝Leah,❞ she says, her voice laced with determination. ❝I said, you guys would be cute together.❞

Confusion washes over me, and I look at her, searching for clarity. ❝What? Who?❞ I inquire, my voice traced with bewilderment.

Pansy nods in Theodore's direction, his attention consumed by a fervent discussion with Enzo and Draco. My eyes shift toward him, and a grimace forms on my face.

❝No,❞ I begin to protest, a nagging sensation stirring within me at her remark. ❝What makes you think that?❞ I ask, my words cautious and deliberate.

In a drunken haze, Pansy giggles, her words slurring together. ❝You guys seem to have a connection,❞ she remarks, her amusement evident.

I shake my head in disagreement, unwilling to engage in a discussion about her perception of me and him. Theodore has never been kind to me, except for the moment he reluctantly lent me his shirt earlier today. Aside from that small act of kindness, he seems to revel in my misery and misfortunes.

Cocooning myself further, I wrap my arms tightly around my body, seeking comfort. The thought of leaving crosses my mind, a strong desire to retreat to bed and find solace in sleep. However, laziness and drowsiness hold me hostage, preventing me from mustering the energy to rise from my spot on the sofa. Theodore's arm brushes against mine, offering a surprising warmth to my otherwise cold body.

As Pansy delves deeper into her conviction of Theodore and me being an ideal match, I feel a sudden surge of urgency to escape the common room. The day has taken its toll on me, and the peculiar behavior of my closest friend is something I cannot deal with in the middle of the night.