Tom Riddle - Downfall

Chapter 23: Connection

One week later. We get back our assignments, but Tom seemed to skip class. The professor gives it to me, and we have an A+.

After class I decided to go to Toms dorm. I knock at his door, and He seems to be hastily clearing away and hiding heaps of books and pages.
"Tom? Can I come in?"
Tom looks over his shoulder at me as I approach the door, having been sitting next to his desk writing something on a slip of paper. He quickly tries to hide the notes he was writing before getting up and opening the door for me.
"Yes. Yes, you can." He says to me as he steps out of my way and invites me inside his room. His room is quite organized and tidy, unlike many of the other rooms in Hogwarts. You notice the large number of pages and books that seem to be piled on his desk now.
"Everything okay?" I raise my eyebrow since he is acting strange. "You were skipping class.."
Tom continues to try and hide the paper and the book that he was working with when I mention this, but he doesn't want to lie to me either. So, he simply nods his head yes and then motions for me to come inside his room.
"Yeah, everything's fine. Just... had to work on some things. Nothing important, don't worry about it."
The curiosity is killing me at this point since he's obviously not being open with me about what he's been doing. I continue to press for an answer from him now.
"Okay, if you say so. We have our assignment back, and I wanted to tell you that we got an A+. " I smiled at him, showing him the papers.
Tom nods back at me with a quick smile and seems proud of our achievement with the assignment. But he also seems slightly distracted now by the pile of books sitting on his desk still. He doesn't seem to notice that I'm staring at the large stack of books and papers.
"That's great! It's all because of you, of course. You got everything right on the first try." He jokes lightly as he takes a small step closer towards me now.
"Am I disturbing you? Should I leave?" I feel quite uncomfortable because of his behavior. He quickly shakes his head no at my question.
"No, no, of course not. You're not disturbing me at all. I... I... uh, I just need to talk to you about something." He says nervously before looking back at the pile of books on his desk again.
"About what exactly?" He comes closer to me, searching for an excuse. Something he could say to me now to distract my attention from the books. He seems to be in a bit of a panic now since he seems not to tell me the truth about what he's been doing.
Tom: "Um, so... well..."
He stops for a moment, seemingly stuck trying to figure out what he should tell me. He's been acting suspicious recently, and now I'm cornered him into a position where he needs to tell me something. I look at him confused, but he is coming closer to me. It feels like he is hiding something from me. But still, he comes so close to me, I can't even think straight. I can smell his scent, and I can't concentrate on anything now, so I accidentally drop all of my books.
I feel myself getting lost in him as he stands in front of you now, his face very close to mine and his scent overpowering mine. I'm completely entranced in his presence.
He suddenly notices me to drop my books. Tom seems to snap right out of his trance, however, and he quickly bends over to pick up your books for me. His face is still very close to mine as he picks up my books off the floor now. I start to pick up the books too, and as we grab the same book, our hands touch, and I look up to him. He is just inches away from me now. His intense stare gives me shivers. And my heart starts to race.
I can almost feel Tom's breath on my face as he stares deep into my eyes. I can feel my chest begin to flutter as my heart beats faster and faster. Tom quickly pulls his hand away from mine and stands straight again as he gives me time to get up. His own face is now a bit red as he gives me an awkward smile, as if he's not 100% sure what to do in the situation now.

I take a step back, almost disappointed he was standing up so fast. Maybe he doesn't want to be that close to me. Maybe it's just me feeling the connection between us. I look to the ground, embarrassed and sad
"So, thank you for the good assignment, and we see each other around." I turn around and leave his dorm.
Tom watches as I leave his dorm, and he can't help but feel a strange sense of regret and disappointment. Maybe I just caught him off-guard as I came to his room so unexpectedly.

I go back to my dorm and meet with Kim there instead. I tell her everything about my encounter with Tom today and about how strange he had been acting towards me. But I also have to admit that there is indeed Something between me and Tom.
Kim smiles at me now as she listens to my story with an excited and curious expression on her face.
Kim: "I knew it! I knew there was something going on between you two. But I have to ask you, how do you feel about him?"
"I don't know. My heart beats so fast when he comes closer to me, but still.. He doesn't open up to me really, and he .. is keeping his distance. "
Kim: "I'm sure there's a reason for his behavior right now, Lucia. From everything you've told me about him, it's pretty clear that he's really interested in you too. But, for now, I think the best thing to do is give him some time to think about what he feels for you. You might have to make the first move on him, though."
She seems to think about what she just said and then gives me a reassuring smile and pat on the shoulder.
Kim: "Either way, I'm sure he's thinking about you too."
"I don't know if I want to make a move. Really. Maybe it's for the best to leave things like this. " Kim seems to understand my reservations about making a move right now. She knows that Tom is a confusing and mysterious guy.
Kim: "... You might be right about that. But, just don't give up on him after tonight. He's still the same confusing and secretive Tom that we've always known, after all. I'm sure he's just trying to figure out these strange emotions that he's feeling for you, too." She says with a smile.