Babysitters

Chapter 26

VERONICA VALDEZ

I rolled in my bed. I hadn't slept at all, my mind had been tormenting me the whole night. What happened yesterday was repeating itself in my head over and over. The way he just—leaned down and kissed me. It was unlike any other kiss I've ever had before. Though not lasting more than a few seconds, it was full of emotions so strong I had a hard time comprehending what was actually happening. I could almost still feel his soft lips against mine, caressing them for just a moment. A moment I wished would've lasted forever, but he pulled away.
I remember how we walked back to the others quietly, neither of us saying a word. They hadn't even noticed we were gone.
I chuckled to myself.
Now that I knew how kissing Theo felt like, I also knew I had to do it again. I'm so goddamn infatuated with this boy-I swear.
I laid in my bed for what felt like hours, just trying to remember all the tiny details from yesterday, before I decided it was time to go find him and give myself the chance to experience it all over again.
I pulled on the hoodie he gave me yesterday and a pair of shorts. The hoodie still smelt like him, comforting and safe. No one else has ever been able to make me feel that way.
I made my way quickly towards his room, watching out for the others since I wasn't sure if Theo would want them to know yet. Or maybe he'd already told them, though I doubt it. None of the boys had said a word about it, except Enzo who knew everything but the kiss.
I knocked on Theo's door, and waited for an answer that never came. I frowned and knocked again, but as no one still opened the door I just assumed he was sleeping. I pushed the door open, just slightly to not invade his personal space in case he wasn't in the mood for it. I peeked inside, but the room was empty. Theo's bed was neatly made, and the window was closed. Everything looked like it had been just tidied to perfection—which was weird according to what I'd understood from our conversations. He wasn't too fond of cleaning, he only did it because Narcissa wanted him to.
I stepped inside the room, my eyes slowly studying for any clues about Theo's current location. Everything was as it should, nothing out of the ordinary. I was almost ready to leave the room, before my eyes caught on something.
A note.
It was laying on his bed, abandoned in the center of it. I walked closer, and opened it slowly, making sure I was careful enough not to rip it. The white paper had a string of numbers written on it in a messy handwriting. I turned the paper around in my hands, but the numbers were all there was. No names, dates, nothing.
Reading the number, I grew more and more sure that it was Theo's phone number. If not Theo's, whose would it be?
I folded the paper and slid into my pocket before making my way out of the room, back into the hallway. Enzo's room was right across the hall, making the decision of asking him about it easy. I walked to his door with long strides, determined to find Theo, but as I knocked, the same thing happened. No one responded. I tried to open the door like I did with Theo's, but it was locked, and I wasn't about to break into his room when I already knew he wouldn't be there.
Baffled, I walked back to my room in silence. Even the dining hall seemed to be empty of people as I passed it, making me wonder if I truly was the only person in the manor currently.
But why would no one say anything if they were going to leave me here?
Weren't the boys originally supposed to be my babysitters? I gotta admit, they're doing a pretty bad job at it.

***

The hours of the day have never felt so long. It was almost like time had stopped. I hadn't hear a single voice the whole day, and watching Netflix all alone was getting boring.
I decided I should at least try to message the number on his bed. I couldn't think of anyone else it could belong to other than Theo.
I opened my phone and typed in the number with my hands trembling, although I didn't know why. I guess I was scared. No, not scared—worried.
Worried that something has happened to him. After last night, I thought our friend(?)ship had developed onto a stage where he'd at least tell me before leaving anywhere.
I pressed the 'send' button, and waited. My eyes not once left the screen as I sat with my phone in my hands, bouncing my leg nervously on the bed.

ME
Hey, is this Theo?

After almost ten minutes of waiting and still not seeing a response I sighed and put the phone down. As soon as he'd come back, I'd find him and make him tell me everything.
The movie playing on my laptop was reaching its end, but even though I'd watched it now two times I still had just a brief idea of what it was about. The first time I watched it with Theo, a reason why I had chosen it again now. The movie brought a comforting memory of him, making a bit easier to convince myself he was safe.
It's almost ridiculous how important he has became to me in such a short amount of time, and I haven't even noticed it happening. I've definitely started growing on him, and if I'm being honest it scares me. Despite everything that has happened between us, every conversation we've had making it more effortless to understand him, I still think about how he has been in Hogwarts. How he's known for the title of the biggest 'player' along with Mattheo, how his bodycount is likely more than 25 at this point, how he's considered to be unable for committing to a relationship for more than three weeks.
All of that scares me. Maybe it's his reputation or my trust issues, might be both, but it doesn't change the fact that deep down I'm afraid of fully trusting him.
Enzo has been a really big help, telling me things about Theo from the times I haven't been around. He's told me things Theo has said about me, only small ones though because quoting him, he; "can't break the bro code."
I've tried my best to push the apprehensive thoughts away, but the questions I'm incapable of answering keep showing up in my mind.
What if this is some sick plan of his into getting something from me?
And from that, they start wandering.
What could he want from me? Surely it's not sex, 'cause he would've already made a move. Is he planning to use me in some way? Being all friendly and nice so I'd consider him as a friend? But what about the kiss?
I feel awful for not being able to trust him when he seems to trust me. I want to get rid of all my suspicions so I could actually get the relationship I've always desired. The one that happens only once in a lifetime, the one with undeniable love and trust that never gets broken by the other.
But I'm scared to be abandoned. I'm scared I'll get hurt.
I'm really fucking scared.

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A/N:
Hello loves <3
Another week, another update, as (almost) always. I hope you've had a lovely start of the week.
I've began the oneshots book, as surprisingly many of you liked the idea! Getting it out will take a while, forgive me, since I have a couple of drafts I want to finish and add to it before publishing it. I'll probably inform more of it in the 'conversation' section, so if you're interested, follow me and you'll know when it's out :)
Love u all x