𝑆𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔， 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 || 𝑇𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑋 𝑂𝑐

sixteen.

It had been just over two weeks since the incident. The incident had remained in Abigayle's mind ever since. It was gnawing at her. She didn't want to tell the girl's other dormmates because she knew they wouldn't take it seriously. The only person she could turn to was Mark, and he didn't even like Vivian. Nonetheless, he was a good friend and was bound to listen to the girl. That's when she decided that she was going to tell him.

It was officially the 31st of October, which was both of the girls' favourite day. A group of sixth- and seventh-year students were assisting in the setup of all the decorations for the Halloween party hosted by the new deputy head, Dumbledore. Abigayle noticed Mark going into the great hall with a large brown box stuffed to the brim with spooky items. She instantly approached the redhead and grabbed his arm. "You can't seem to get enough of me, can you?" Mark laughed as he walked to a table and laid the large box down.

Abigayle followed him, her grip remaining on his arm. "You haven't noticed anything weird with Vivian, have you?" She lifted her eyebrow. Mark shrugged. He appeared uninterested in the conversation that Abigayle was attempting to establish. "Vivian and I don't talk. Abs, you're aware of this." He took several plastic pumpkins from the box and began setting them up, using his wand to make them glow a bright orange colour.

"Yeah, but, have you just noticed anything from afar? You're observant." She shook her head and began to help him set up the pumpkins. "No, I'm not." He laughed. Mark was far from observant. Always stuck in his own head. "Whatever. She was with that Riddle boy the other week, and I don't know... Something's deeply off with him." Abigayle clutched the pumpkin. "What did that pumpkin ever do to you?" He snatched the pumpkin from her and sat it alongside the others. "I'm being serious, Markus! I need someone to talk to about this." She lowered her voice as people began to look at them.

"Okay, okay." "What's up?" He seems more serious now. He even set down the pumpkins and turned his complete attention to her. "He threatened her! Had her pushed against a wall." She lowered her voice again, hoping no one would hear. "Perhaps they were roleplaying? Vivian is probably into it." He laughed again and went on with his decorating.

"Come on, Mark! I mean it. Something's really off with him. He's weird." She looked across the room to see Vivian and Tom speaking. They seemed completely different from Vivian's birthday. She was smiling as she spoke to Tom. Tom wasn't smiling back but had a neutral expression.

"Come on, Tom! Be nice. Abigayle already doesn't like you." Vivian folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. She wanted Tom and Abigayle to get along. Truth be told, she liked Tom. She knew she liked Tom. She also knew she would never tell him that she liked him. "And who's faulting's that? Hm?" He softly thumped her on the head. Vivian rolled her eyes and turned to the side, seeing Mark and Abigayle staring at them.

Tom practically death stared at the pair, and Vivian waved. "Smile." She lightly kicked him, but the table obscured everyone's view. Tom gave a toothy smile that was rather odd. Vivian stared up at him and mentally swore at herself.

"Did you see that?" Abigayle repeatedly hit his arm at the sight. "What? The smile? It was a bit odd, but other than that." Mark shurgged. He thought that Abigayle was being dramatic. "No! He hit her, Mark!" After she said this, Mark erupted into laughter. He actually placed his hand on his stomach as if to hold in his laughter. "He gently thumped her head. They were so clearly flirting, Mckinnon. You're acting like he shoved her into a wall."

Abigayle put her hands on her head. "He pretty much did on her birthday." The frustration in her voice showed. She noticed that Tom was still staring at them. Vivian wasn't, but he was. "Fine. Fine." She huffed. "Next time you see them together, really watch, Mark. I'm telling you there's something going on." Abigayle gave him a look before exiting the great hall.