Spellbound Souls

Chapter 5. Tangled Threads

Cassandra

A small beam of sunlight falls on my face and I open my eyes. I see that the curtains I closed are slightly opened. Probably Imelda's doing. With a heavy heart I drag myself out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. I take of my nightwear and step into the bath. A little moment of relaxation before I have to face everyone today. Dreading by the thought of all the conversations I will have to have today with friends, other students, professors and Sebastian. I slowly glide further into the bath until I'm completely underwater. I stay like this for a few seconds, as long as my remaining breath will let me. It's peaceful here, under the warm blanket the hot temperature of the water gives me. No sounds, no people, not anyone. Wish I could stay like this forever, where breathing does not feel like a chore. Because, well, there is no breathing underwater. With that being the last train of thought I shift my position and stick my head out of the water.

"You weren't going to drown yourself, right?" I shriek. The sudden voice rips me from my thoughts and shoots me right back in the here and now. When I look up and see who it is who interrupted my solitude time, I pull up my legs and cross my arms over my chest. A low chuckle escapes his mouth.

"You do know this is the girl's lavatory, don't you? Or have you forgotten, during your absence?" Sebastian laughs. Bollocks. There is that laugh again. I have a really hard time to hide my grin but I succeed.

"Kind of, you could say I just stumbled in," his mischievous tone is penetrating. I know exactly what he is doing.  He is not even a full day back, and he already has seen me naked, for a small part.

"Maybe, you can stumble off a cliff next?" I chide back. I gesture him to turn around and he follows my command. I get up and step out of the bath. With a movement of my wand, a floating towel twirls my hair and around my body. Sebastian turns around and takes a step closer. Only a little layer of fabric is covering my wet body and I'm not sure if I can stand just standing here with him, having a staring contest.

Sebastian leans in closer, his mouth a spark away from my ear, the movement in sending shivers down my spine.

"I forgot to tell you something yesterday," he whispers. I feel my heart rate increase. "And what's that?" I whisper back. "That I missed you." The warmth of his breath brushes past my skin. I swallow the lump in my throat, unsure what to say next.

"What are you doing here? This is the girl's lavatory!" A high voice chimes in, and I take a step back and Sebastian fixes his posture. I stand on my toes to glance over Sebastians shoulder, and I see a first year standing by the door. Oh, this is just great. She will definitely tell her friends she saw me in here with a boy. And I'm just wrapped in towels, now we'll definitely be the talk of the day, at least in the common room. Sebastian gives me a wink and turns around to face the first year.

"So I see. My apologies, miss," Sebastian takes a bow and exits the bathroom. I make eye contact with the first year and I give her an awkward smile. Not sure what else to give. Without returning a friendly gesture or expression she walks to one of the toilet stalls. With a sigh I let my head hang and walk to the place where I left my robes. I quickly dress myself and make my way back to my room.

I enter the dormitory and I shut the door behind me. I take my stand in front of the mirror and with my wand I twist my hair in my usual braid, grab my book bag and make my way to the door. I step outside and I instantly bump my whole body in the person that is standing behind the door. I look up and Sebastian greets me with a grin.

"Christ," I say with an irritating voice.

"No, just little old me," he says with a chipper voice and a sly grin.