The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 18 - Something else here

(Mini warning: things are going to get spicy)

The classroom swam before my eyes, faces blurring into indistinct shapes as I fought to maintain my composure.

I was having a panic attack, I knew it, but I couldn't actually feel it.

The calming draught had wrapped me in a cocoon of artificial serenity, leaving me detached from my own body.

My hand trembled visibly as I gripped the edge of my desk, knuckles white with the effort.

Beads of cold sweat trickled down my forehead, and I could feel my shirt sticking to my back.

Those calming solutions were strong stuff, alright.

Too strong.

I felt spaced out, as if I was watching myself from a great distance, not really here at all.

After what felt like an eternity of floating through my classes, it was time for Defence.

I walked down the corridor with Theo, the stone walls seeming to pulse and breathe around me.

"Mate, you don't look so good. You alright?"

Theo's voice sounded far away, concern etching deep lines on his face.

I tugged at my collar, feeling strangled despite the looseness of my tie.

"I took a calming draught." I admitted, wiping my clammy forehead. "Malfoy paid me a visit this morning, dressed like the grim fucking reaper."

Theo's brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Where'd you get a calming draught?"

"Long story." I exhaled heavily.

Theo leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What did he want? Is it your Father?"

The word Father sent a jolt through me, momentarily piercing the fog of the calming draught.

"Yeah. He has a task for me."

Just before we entered the classroom, Theo's hand clamped down on my upper arm, halting me.

His eyes, wide with barely concealed fear, bored into mine. "What does he want you to do?"

I shrugged, the motion feeling disconnected from my body. "Don't know yet."

"Morning, boys."

Astoria's cheerful voice cut through our tense exchange.

She approached with Lyanna by her side, a sight that made my heart skip despite the calming draught's effects.

Our eyes locked immediately.

I saw a twitch in Lyanna's eyebrow, a flicker of...Was that concern? I must've looked even worse than I felt.

We followed the girls into the classroom, where Enzo and Pansy were already perched on a table.

Pansy's death glare could have melted steel, but in my current state, it barely registered.

"She can't sit with us."

Enzo blurted as we neared, his eyes fixed on Lyanna with undisguised hostility.

Astoria tutted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "This isn't Mean Girls, Enzo. She's my friend, so she is sitting with us."

I glanced at Lyanna, noting the discomfort evident in the set of her shoulders, the way she bit her lower lip.

"Since when?" Pansy queried, crossing her arms over her chest, her face a mask of irritation.

Enzo was on a roll.