LIFELINE | 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙮 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙮

▪︎ 50.

Half-century! But more to go!

***

It was getting tough to catch Percy by himself. He, most of the time, had company, and oddly, she found him walking beside Harry a lot.

Eliza was slightly growing frustrated. She couldn't stay the same way, not talking to him. She had to corner him. She had to.

Meanwhile, Cedric has started to get a lot closer. She found herself in his company greatly. He was nice and very mature, too, and it almost felt like he was her brother or something.

Two days after the break-in, Eliza found herself in the library.

She wasn't studying, but, with a huge book in front of her, hiding her face, she looked at Percy, her leg tapping under the table uncomfortably.

He was alone, studying, and this was her chance, but she didn't get up out of anxiety. Her back felt stuck to the chair as she looked at him over her book, debating to go there.

She watched him, occasionally pretending to read so that he wouldn't look around and find her and leave. But, it was very obvious to anyone else who looked at her, would know that she was looking at the Head-Boy and not her book.

And so was the case with another red-head.

"Talk to him," A voice from behind startled Eliza. Eliza spun around to see Ginny and Colin sitting together and giggling.

"Go on, talk," Ginny prodded Eliza on.

"What do you mean?" Eliza said, acting dumb. "I'm studying."

Ginny rolled her eyes good-naturedly, and she and Colin shared a look. "We know you're looking at my brother." She said.

Eliza flushed. "It's that obvious?" She asked.

They giggled again. "Very," Ginny replied.

Eliza looked at Percy nervously, "I-I don't know..."

"Look, I know my brother. He's not one to be so upfront and emotional. He won't talk. That stupid pride of his won't let him. So go, force him. Drag him out if you have to. Just do it." Ginny said, shrugging.

And this was the push Eliza needed.

"Are you sure...?"

"Go."

Eliza sighed and stood up. Anxiously, she strode near Percy's table and stood at his side.

Mustering all bravery she could've, she spoke, "Can we talk?" She asked.

Percy looked up and turned down again, "I'm busy."

Eliza looked at Ginny again, who nodded encouragingly.

"I don't care. We need to talk." She said strongly.

Percy looked affronted. "I'm busy." He said again, shrugging off her words.

"Do I have to drag you out of the library and demand you to talk?" She asked, folding her arms.

"Do what you will, I'm busy."

"Fine," Eliza said, gathering up all her courage and moving to turn away, but she didn't. Instead, she swiftly dipped her head and kissed his lips before pulling away.

Percy stared at her shell, shocked before a faint blush found its way for the first time in almost two months.

"Let's talk, please," Eliza pleaded. She didn't know what to do if he still refused. She supposed she could always get her and him kicked out by the library again for the second time.

Wordlessly, Percy's chair scraped. He left his items on the desk as he walked out, Eliza behind him.

He wouldn't admit it, but he missed the feel of her lips on his.

Both Eliza and Percy walked into an empty classroom, soundlessly. Once inside it, she closed the door, leaving it slightly ajar.

They sat, facing opposite of each other. Eliza took her time to study the freckles on his face before sitting down comfortably.

"Hi," She breathed out breathlessly, not believing that she was talking to Percy.

Percy raised a brow, forcing down the small smile, trying its hardest to shine. He genuinely wanted to smile, but he wanted Eliza to know she'd hurt him.

"Um – hello?" Percy added unsurely.

Eliza smiled. However, she let the smile on her face falter.

"Percy," She called out. "I'm sorry." She said somewhat lamely.

Percy didn't react. He simply watched her as if he knew that she was going to continue.

Eliza sighed. "I'm very sorry, Percy. I am. I'm sorry for getting you in detention, I know with you being Head-Boy—"

"It's not detention that I'm upset about." Percy cut her.

Eliza looked at him. Waiting in anticipation. She thought she knew him well, but it seemed like in those intricate emotions, there were several layers of unspoken words she missed.

"I'm not upset about Detention, Alexandera." He repeated, sending a jolt through the girl. It had been many days since she heard her first name being called by him. "I'm upset about the fact that, despite telling you that public display of affection was out of bounds, you not only did that, but you kissed me. It's almost as if my word meant so little to you."

Eliza stared at him, tight-lipped. Because what he said was not true, but it made sense. Was that how it was? Did his words always mean so little to her?

No. Not at all. She loved him, and every part of him meant something to her.

"That's not true," Eliza said. "Your words don't mean little to me. You are my world, Percy. How can your words mean so little?"

For the sake of the conversation to continue, Percy had to stop himself from melting. He was her world. How could he stay mad at someone who thought about him?

"Then why did you do it, Alexandera?" He questioned.

Elixa looked at him, dead in the eyes. She wanted him to know that she wouldn't lie. She'd never lie to him. She wanted him to know that she was truthful.

"Because – because – I don't know..." She said. "Maybe because I thought it'd be funny, but it wasn't, and I'm sorry. I really should've considered your words. I shouldn't have tried to make a joke of it even though you didn't like it."

"I miss you," She continued. "And I'm very sorry, I made you feel that way because it was not my intention. I simply wanted to tease you and kiss you not to make you upset. I regret doing it so much because I can't be like this anymore, Percy. I can't stay like this, I see you every day but am not able to talk to you; I simply can't. I'm so so so sorry for not listening to you, for getting you in detention and for making you think that your word means so little. I love you and I... don't know what else to say or do so that you'd forgive me."

Percy finally allowed a small smile to break through.

"Listen, I—"

He cut her off again, cupping her cheeks with his hands and kissing her.

"I love you," Percy said, "And I forgive you because I miss you too."