The Lost Prophecy | Year One

L.E.G.A.C.Y.

Jack steered them away from the group for a little privacy, and throughout the whole time, he could feel Phoenix's eyes on him with each step he took. He was painfully aware of the dreaded silence that had crept between them, and as much as he wanted to break the silence, he didn't know what to say to her.

"Looking quite sharp, Lupin," Phoenix teased, slightly tilting her head to look at him. Jack shook his head frowning, and before he knew what he was saying the words left his mouth, "Please don't call me Lupin."

Phoenix raised an eyebrow looking at him, "Aye, okay," Phoenix said, but Jack couldn't help but notice the lingering smirk in her voice.

"As you wish, Jackson."

"Jackson?" Scoffed Jack halting in his steps. "Is that so, Rosalie?"

Phoenix narrowed her eyes at him, and for a split second, Jack felt like he had gone too far with his taunt, but when he saw a smile creep up on her face, he sighed a breath of relief watching her curiously.

"Yup, absolutely," Phoenix replied, making his jaw drop.

"Wait, wait," Jack said, turning to face her, "You're telling me that you, don't mind me calling you Rosalie?"

Phoenix shrugged, "Why not, it's my name too, in a way."

Jack shook his head in disbelief, "Who are you, and what did you do to my Nix?"

"She is standing right before you."

Jack looked at her and, took a step towards her, closing the distance between them. Phoenix watched him suspiciously, as he held out his hand to her. She tentatively placed her hand in his, and he laced their fingers together.

"I know," Jack replied, and he was about to kiss her hand when Phoenix sternly asked, "Do you?"

"I do," Jack replied confidently. Yet, Phoenix couldn't help but notice the confusion and hesitation clouding his eyes and judgment.

Phoenix snapped, "If that's the case tell me, Jack," making him wince at how furiously she had spoken his name. "Why does this conversation feel like a chore? Like something that you need to mark off of your to-do list?"

"Phoenix, yes, I admit that I have been trying to talk to you for quite some days now. And yes, I was nervous earlier, but in no way is this a chore," Jack said furiously, his grip tightening around her hand.

"Phoenix, please," he pleaded, "Look at me."

"Why? So that you could talk yourself out of this conversation with more lies?"

Jack hung his head, as he weakly muttered the words, "I am sorry, I should have been honest with you about today, but I –"

"I am not talking about today," Phoenix interrupted him, "You and I both know that Scar sucks at keeping a secret. I take one look at her and I know that she's up to something, so please don't make this an excuse for avoiding me all these days."

"I was not avoiding you," Jack muttered, looking down at their hands that were still intertwined.

"Where have you been all these days, Jack?" Phoenix shot back. "Why did it take Seamus uttering those words for you to want to talk to me?"

Jack's head shot up at her accusation as he nervously shifted around on his feet. "You caught that, huh?"

"Yes, I did," Phoenix hissed, "And jealousy doesn't suit you by the way."

"J-Jealous?" Jack stuttered, "I was not –"

"Another lie? Seriously?"

Jack met her eyes as he cried out in frustration, "Fine! I was jealous! Happy?" When Phoenix remained silent, he carried on muttering. "I don't know what got over me in that moment, but I couldn't just sit there and watch him taking your hand in his."