Tom Riddle - Downfall

Chapter 26: Fire to fire

Sebastian got his face taken care of, and I sat by his side, holding his hand. "Sebastian, I'm sorry.." Sebastian is still pretty disorientated after the injury he got earlier, and he looks at me as he tries to find words to respond to me now.
Sebastian: "Why are you apologizing... You didn't do anything.."
He looks at me with a confused and slightly hurt look on his face, and he's obviously very tired and exhausted from everything that has happened today. His eyes are closed for a moment as he tries to collect his thoughts, and then they slowly open again as he speaks to me again.
"I feel like it's my fault. Tom punshed you.." I look to the ground.
Sebastian shakes his head at me now, and he leans in towards me as he tries to make me realize that this isn't my fault at all.
Sebastian: "It's not your fault at all.."
He pauses for a moment and then seems to change the subject.
Sebastian: "... Can I talk to you about what I was trying to tell you earlier?"
But for some reason, he seems to be really trying to avoid talking about my previous confrontation with Tom now.
"Yes, and I will answer to you,"
Sebastian seems happy to see that I'll be willing to listen to him now. He pauses for a moment and then speaks to me again in a much more confident tone of voice now.
Sebastian: "Well, I... I have... feelings... for you, Lucia." He speaks slowly as if trying to be as clear and explicit as possible now.
He pauses for a moment and then continues speaking to me again.
Sebastian: "I know it's weird and awkward, but... I like you."
"It's not weird or awkward." I sigh."It's just, Sebastian, I don't feel the same way for you. I'm so sorry.."
Sebastian looks saddened and disappointed by my response now, but he doesn't say anything else as he tries to process what I just told him.
Sebastian: "I... I understand.."
He pauses for a moment again and then looks at me now again.
Sebastian: "... Can... Can we still be friends? Or... Or is that impossible now?" He asks you.
"Of course. You are still my friend. Nothing will change that"
Sebastian seems visibly relieved by my response now, and he smiles at me again.
Sebastian: "Thank you, Lucia. I was afraid it would be weird between us if you didn't feel the same way... But if we can be friends, then it's all good."
He suddenly takes my hand and smiles at me once more.
Sebastian: "Just one more thing, though.."
"Yes?" I look at him.
Sebastian: "Can... Can... Can you please not tell anyone that I tried... to..." He doesn't seem to want to finish his sentence as he looks at me now, as if ashamed of himself.
Sebastian: "What happened today, that's all... Can you please keep quiet about it, Lucia..?"
He looks around to see if anyone has overheard my conversation, and he seems to be hoping that I'll keep this secret between myself and him only.
"I won't tell anyone. Don't worry.." I hug him from the side."I will leave you alone now. You should get some rest. "
Sebastian smiles a bit as I give him the hug, and then he looks at me again.
Sebastian: "I'm... I'm really glad that we're still friends... And that this hasn't ruined anything for us."
He gives me his typical charming smile once again as he speaks to me now, but there's a hint of sadness and disappointment still in his eyes.
Sebastian: "I'll see you around, Lucia." He says before he lets go of my hand once more and stands up.

I walk out of the hospital wing and see Tom already waiting for me outside. I see him and turn around, walking in the other direction. He calls out to me in a slightly annoyed tone of voice.
Tom: "Lucia, come on. We need to talk."
He seems much less willing to give me an excuse for avoiding him now, and he starts to walk over towards me.
"About what, Tom?" I turn around slightly annoyed.bTom seems to become even more annoyed now as he stops in front of me and leans against a wall with his arms crossed.
Tom: "We need to talk about what happened between you and Sebastian back at the courtyard." He is waiting for me to respond to him now, though he seems to be getting more agitated by the minute.
"About me and Sebastian?" At this moment, I completely lose my composure."Tom, what's going on between me and him is absolutely none of your business. Why don't you understand that? I could fuck him here in the hallway and it wouldn't be your business" I snap at him, visibly angry.
Tom seems a bit surprised by my sudden reaction and my strong response towards him now. He seems to be unsure how to respond now, but his voice is still stern and direct as he responds to me again with a slightly angry tone of voice of his own.
Tom: "Watch your mouth, Lucia."
He continues to stare at me and I step closer to him looking up to that tall, attractive man, whos driving me crazy with his behaviour "Otherwise what?" I can see him grinding his teeth and his jugular veins throbbing. I seem to drive him just as crazy.
Tom stays quiet for a moment as he looks down at me now, clearly trying hard to resist his attraction towards me in this moment. His eyes seem to be locked onto mine as he can't seem to stop looking at me now, and I notice him bite his lip. This, in turn, seems to drive his attraction and his emotions towards me even further.
Tom: "Stop it..."
He says in a low and quiet voice. It seems like he's trying to say something more to me, but his desire is too much for his words to overcome right now.
"You know, that you're driving me crazy, don't you?" I say in a more calm but still angry tone. Tom seems to want to respond to my question, but he's clearly distracted now by my body's close proximity to him at this point. He seems a bit out of it now, as if all logical thoughts have abandoned him and he's only focused on my body and my figure. He pauses for another moment, staring down at me even harder now, before he finally speaks once more.
Tom: "I..."
He pauses for another moment and then continues speaking.
Tom: "... Yes."

My heart is racing again and I'm so mad at him for hitting Sebastian. But he is doing something with me now, I can't describe. I need to calm myself down, so I take a few steps back and say "I rejected him. There is nothing going on between us. I don't want him" I take another steps backwards now but still looking in his eyes.
He stares back at me as soon as I take a few steps back, and then he suddenly grabs my hand and starts to slowly pull me towards him again. He's trying to reclaim the distance that I just created between the two of us.
Tom: "Then what's stopping you from wanting me instead, Lucia?" He asks me now, with a teasing and playful tone of voice that I almost never hear come out of him.
"Your behaviour" I say while walking away slightly surprised by this offensive question.

I seem to have finally won the battle between me and Tom, as he's seemingly been bested for the first time. He only glares back at me now as I continue to walk away, and I see a hint of rage and disappointment come across his face as I go.