uptown girl

14

Emmeline sat by the lake, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns in the soft grass beneath her, while her mind wandered back to the events of the previous evening. She hadn't intended to open up to anyone about it just yet, especially since she herself was still trying to process what had happened, but when Katelyn sat down beside her with that familiar, knowing smile, it was impossible not to feel the pull of confession. Katelyn had always been the perceptive one, able to read Emmeline like an open book even when she tried her best to stay closed off. And now, as the sunlight glimmered off the water, casting dancing reflections on their faces, Emmeline found herself exhaling slowly, preparing to relive the conversation that had left her heart fluttering with both excitement and uncertainty.

"So," Katelyn began, stretching her legs out and leaning back on her hands, her tone teasing but gentle, "are you going to tell me what's got you looking all starry-eyed, or am I supposed to guess?" Emmeline couldn't help the slight flush that crept into her cheeks at the comment, but she shot Katelyn a half-hearted glare in response. "I'm not starry-eyed," she muttered, though the warmth spreading across her face betrayed her. Katelyn raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look that said you're not fooling me, and Emmeline sighed, letting her guard down. "Fine, fine," she relented, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant, "James and I... we talked last night." That was all it took to pique Katelyn's interest further. She sat up straighter, her eyes widening slightly as she leaned in, waiting for more. "And?" she prompted, her curiosity palpable.

Emmeline took a deep breath, her mind still replaying the way James had looked at her, the way his voice had faltered with vulnerability when he admitted that he had been thinking about her for weeks. She could still feel the weight of his words, the warmth of his hand as he had tentatively intertwined his fingers with hers. "He... he told me he fancies me," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking it out loud made it even more real. Katelyn's eyes lit up, her mouth forming a small o of surprise, but she didn't interrupt. Emmeline continued, her words tumbling out now that the dam had broken. "It wasn't just the Patronus thing. I mean, that was part of it, but he said he'd been thinking about me for weeks, maybe longer. He said the Patronus just confirmed what he'd already been feeling."

Katelyn's expression softened as she listened, her teasing demeanor replaced by genuine interest and support. "Wow," she breathed, her voice gentle but laced with excitement. "That's... well, that's huge, Em. How do you feel about it?" Emmeline hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting out toward the lake, where the gentle ripples mirrored the swirling thoughts in her mind. "I don't know," she admitted, her brow furrowing slightly. "I mean, I like him, I do. I've always liked him, but I never thought it would actually... happen like this. I wasn't expecting him to say it, and when he did, it just caught me off guard." She shook her head slightly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her robes. "I guess I didn't think I was the kind of girl he'd be interested in. You know how he is, always surrounded by people, always so confident. I just don't understand why me."

Katelyn smiled softly, reaching out to nudge Emmeline's shoulder. "Why wouldn't it be you?" she asked, her tone reassuring but firm. "You're smart, you're funny, and you're definitely not one of those girls who fawn all over him like he's some untouchable Quidditch star. Maybe that's exactly why he likes you, because you see him for who he really is, not just the image everyone else has of him." Emmeline looked at her friend, processing her words. It made sense, but there was still a part of her that couldn't fully grasp the idea that James Potter, of all people, had feelings for her. "I suppose," she said slowly, "but it's still strange. I never thought of myself as someone he'd notice like that. I always thought we were just... friends."

Katelyn leaned back again, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. "Well, you're definitely not just friends now, are you?" she teased, her smile widening as she watched Emmeline's cheeks flush once again. The lake shimmered under the soft afternoon light, and for a moment, she felt grounded by its calmness, even though inside, her thoughts were anything but settled. How could she possibly explain the whirlwind of emotions coursing through her right now? Everything between her and James had changed in such a short span of time, yet somehow, it didn't feel as overwhelming as she would've expected. It felt... natural. And maybe that's what scared her the most. This new connection with James seemed to fall into place so effortlessly, and that made it feel fragile—like one wrong move could shatter it.