Boundless

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓

I couldn't bear the thought of sitting in the Great Hall, pretending everything was normal after what happened at the Black Lake.

Avoiding Sebastian for the foreseeable future was a given, but now I also wanted to distance myself from Mattheo and his absurd offer to help me, especially after betraying my trust by ratting me out to Sebastian.

Mattheo might not have owed me much, but he did owe me that one secret. I had things under control-or at least, I thought I did. I was certain I could have sorted everything out by the end of the year.

The next morning, Pansy woke me with a plate of food, but I could only manage to pick at it. Word had spread about Sebastian and me, though nobody knew the details, just that it was over-this time for good.

"You have to come to class," Pansy insisted, laying out my uniform on the foot of my bed. "What's the point? I won't be paying much attention," I huffed, throwing my head back on the pillow.

"Maybe not, but at least you'll be out of this dorm. You have people around you who want to help," Pansy said, stroking a strand of hair from my face.

Much help my so-called friend had done.

"I don't need to be babied," I replied, swatting her hand away.

"For once, I think you actually do. Come to class and let the guys cheer you up," Pansy said, now taking the covers off my body.

Groaning, I unwillingly gathered up my uniform to put it on my now-cold body. Pansy had already packed my bag while convincing me to go to school.

Having missed breakfast in the Great Hall, we headed to Charms. I walked arm in arm with Pansy, though it didn't ease my nerves about everybody's stares.

Once, I walked these halls like I owned the school, but now I was just a sad shell of my former self.

Slipping into a seat in the back beside Draco, I avoided a reprimand from Professor Flitwick for being late.

"How are you feeling, S?" Draco whispered with concern, his hand on the back of my chair.

"I feel drained," I said bluntly, fiddling with the pen between my fingers.

Draco sighed and pulled me into a comforting hug. I suppressed a smile, secretly appreciating the gesture.

"You'll get over him. Nothing gets you down for long," Draco said, placing a gentle kiss on my temple.

"Thanks, Dray," I exhaled, allowing a small smile to grace my lips.

I had to agree with Pansy; school wasn't all that bad. By the end of the day, I wasn't bothered by the stares once I was surrounded by a few of the Slytherin boys.

Going down to Potions filled me with dread. Mattheo was my partner, and I knew Snape wouldn't entertain the idea of a swap this late in the year.

Theo patted my back before leaving for his study period, and Draco dragged me inside when I tried to linger in the halls.

Entering the classroom, everyone stopped what they were doing-thanks to Draco's dramatic entrance.

I elbowed him in the stomach, and he apologized, though his smirk showed no sympathy.

Sitting beside Mattheo, who was unusually early, I furrowed my brows, confused by his sudden niceties. Were we really going to pretend like yesterday didn't happen? Like Mattheo didn't betray me by telling Sebastian my secret?

As the hour passed painfully slowly, I barely paid attention to the work in front of us, letting Mattheo do the heavy lifting for once.

When the bell rang and we packed up, Mattheo hovered, waiting for our classmates to leave.

Throwing my bag over my shoulder, I looked up at him blankly.

Mattheo cleared his throat, his hands in his front pockets. "Did you want to start today?"

"I'm not interested. Go to hell," I spat, barging past him.

"What the fuck was that about?" Mattheo called out, stepping in front of me, blocking the exit.

My eyes moved from his chest to his eyes. "Move," I said harshly, but he chuckled in amusement.

"Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" he teased, and I immediately punched his shoulder.

Mattheo pointed his finger at me, his lips in a line. "Stop doing that."

I huffed and moved aside to get around him, but he just moved again. "Seriously, Riddle, move."

"Not until you tell me what's happened," he said, now folding his arms and towering over me.

"I don't have to tell you, Riddle. You should know that you betrayed our deal," I frowned.

Mattheo's head tilted, his eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Stella, what are you talking about?" he asked.

I sighed and folded my arms. "You told Sebastian that I was taking drugs," I raised my voice.

Mattheo scoffed. "Are you being serious?" he laughed sarcastically, which only fueled my fury.

"He went through my room and found everything. I caught him throwing it all into a fire down by the Black Lake," I explained, but Mattheo seemed oblivious.

"I never told him, Stella. I swear," he spoke more seriously. I frowned and shook my head. "I'm not being lied to anymore. You were the only one, beside Ominis, who knew, and I had way more to hold over his head than yours."

"Stella, why would I tell him if I was trying to get you off the bloody stuff in the first place?" Mattheo raised his voice, pleading for understanding.

"I don't know, Riddle. Why did you?" I retaliated, but he just stared at me in disbelief.

Running a hand over his face, he looked back down at me. "I didn't tell him," he repeated, but I didn't want to hear it. I was done with them both.

"Just stay away from me," I said, finally getting past the boulder of his body and left the classroom.