Tom Riddle - Downfall

Chapter 9: Caring

Tom sees me struggling to help Kim outside, but he's quick to offer his assistance. He takes one of her other arms and helps me carry her out of the party so that she can get some fresh air. She's totally wasted now, and she's practically limp in my arms. As I move her outside, I spot that few individuals have noticed the incident, and some of them are giving us curious looks. But nobody says anything, and soon we're outside with Kim. Her body leans against mine, and Tom's assistance is definitely helpful.
We bring Kim to our dorm, and I give her water at first. She lays in her bed now with a bucket in her hand because she is constantly throwing up. I look over to Tom. "Thank you, Tom. For helping me..us"
Tom looks at me, and he's obviously glad that I'm taking care of Kim's condition right now. He gives a simple nod to acknowledge my appreciation, but then he continues speaking.
"Of course, it was no problem..."
He looks at Kim as she lays on her bed and throws up into the bucket by her bed. Her body is twitching slightly, and I can tell that she's completely wasted. Tom's body language changes as he sees Kim struggling like this, and I can tell that he feels bad for her.
"I'm sorry you have to see this. She has a hard time at the moment, and I think she was just too excited to kiss Markus that she drank too much. " Then I look at my shoes covered in vomit "Eu..."

Tom's eyes shift over to my shoes as I comment on their appearance, and he sees how dirty they have become with Kim's vomit. He sighs softly, and then he smiles sympathetically at me. He looks back toward Kim, hoping she will be alright soon.
"You must care a lot about her to stick by her side, even when she's like this..."
"I do. I have known her for so long. And .. she was always a real friend to me. I would go through hell with her, " I say while I caress her hair and smile at her.
Tom's face softens as he sees my caring and loving expression toward my dear friend. He can see the way I'm brushing her hair with tenderness, and also how I'm staying by her side, helping and comforting her. As he observes us two, the jealousy and possessiveness he felt earlier at the party dissipates. The alcohol-induced jealousy has given way to a deeper appreciation of my kindness and how much I care for Kim. Seeing her in this vulnerable state makes him recognize my devotion and empathy for her. He can't help but look on intently...

"Anyone you care that much for in your life?" I ask him.
The question seems to catch him by surprise. He hesitates for a beat before answering, trying to think of a reply that wouldn't reveal too much about himself. He looks at me and then back at Kim, and he finally speaks, his voice sounding a little bit tense.
"Not really. There is one person, though..."
"Someone you care about?" I smile at him.
He thinks it's a safe reply, so he continues speaking.
"Yes, someone that I care about. But it's different than you and Kim's relationship, I think... And definitely a little bit more complicated..."
I don't say anything to him. I don't want to be too curious about his life. He is mostly the closed type. Kim is slowly falling asleep now. "I think it's best if we leave her alone for a moment. I will look after her later. "
I stand up, and we leave the dorm to the common room.
Tom nods briefly in agreement. Now that Kim's condition has improved a bit, she doesn't need constant attention anymore. He's silent for a few moments as the two of us walk side by side.
"So, are you going back to the party?"
"Oh no. The party was.. not that good. " I slightly laugh."What about you?"
Tom sighs softly and shakes his head. "No, I was already planning to leave anyway. I was already bored and frustrated at the party earlier..." he pauses for a moment as I continue walking towards the common room.
"I just wanted to make sure that Kim is okay before I left..."
Tom sighs again, and he can't help but notice the slight laugh in my voice when I mention the party being "not that good."
"Really? Why wasn't it good for you?"
"There was.. ah.. forget it." I put out my dirty shoes and sit down at the couch beside the fireplace, looking at the flames. Tom looks at me, in my black dress, and how I'm totally comfortable around him. That's not usual for him.

Tom notices the way I relax on the couch, and he's impressed with how confident and relaxed I seem beside the fireplace. He takes a seat on the couch beside me, and he starts to study my form as he gazes at me. The evening light coming in through the windows casts a slight glow on my dress, making it shine and reveal the figure of my body underneath it. Tom is slightly mesmerized by my appearance right now, and I'm unaware of the intensity of his gaze.
I slightly smile at him. "Why are you..looking like that?"
My smile draws him back to reality, and he's embarrassed that I caught him staring at me. He clears his throat softly, but he's still not taking his eyes off of my body, still mesmerized by the way that the evening light plays around me and my dress.
"Looking like what?"
He smirks, but his eyes remain fixed on me.
"I don't know. Like you're up to something. " I smile and look at the fireplace again
Tom grins at my comment. He's enjoying the playful banter, but his eyes are still moving over my figure and my attire. There's a slight lust in his eyes, and I can tell that he's attracted to me in this moment.

"I'm just looking at something very beautiful... that's all..."
He smiles mysteriously at me. I feel the heat of his gaze on me, and it's making me a little bit nervous.
I start blushing. He made me a compliment. That's rare. I don't know how to react, so I tried to escape the situation
"I'm tired now. I will look after Kim. Thanks for your help again and.. see you around. "
I stand up and walk to my dorm.
A smirk forms on his lips as I try to quickly dismiss him, and he watches me as I begin to walk away from him. But before I can leave, he speaks, not allowing me to escape without replying.
"One last question..."
"No," I smile. "Ask me another time," I smirk and leave him there. He looks after me with a little smile.
Tom follows my movement with his eyes as I walk away from him. My flirtatious reply catches his attention, and he can't help but admire my playful sass. A smile grows on his face as my body moves away from him, and he watches me until I step over the threshold of my dorm. Once I'm inside, he turns and makes his way back to his own dorm.

Back in his dorm, he sits down to contemplate everything that happened tonight. He tries to recall all the details, especially the way I looked in that black dress..