Motivation ⌁ Tom Riddle ✔

17

'...and I want you to write me back as soon as possible. Take care of yourself, mother.

Love always,

Abigail.'

I attached the letter to one of the school owls and watched it fly off in the distance. Avery was waiting patiently behind me as he stared outside of the Owlery at the scene beyond the grounds and the lake. The sun was just beginning to set so it gave off a really nice view, and the slight breeze was a bonus. I walked over to him without a word and stared out at the distance with him.

Avery really was nice, that was an understatement, but it just didn't feel right. It was a gut feeling. It all just felt like kissing a friend. I didn't want to break it to him so soon because he was just starting to become happy, but I knew if I didn't then he'd grow too close to me and get hurt even more in the end if I were to break things off. I was getting more and more lost by the second, but I stopped thinking about it when Avery grabbed my hand and I let him guide me back up to the castle for dinner.

"Sit by me," he said when we reached the great hall, and he gave me a lingering kiss on the cheek, which I wanted to wriggle away from.

I didn't mind Avery kissing me at the start, but I just didn't like it any more. Avery took no notice of my uneasiness as he lead me over to the Slytherin table, and I squeezed in next to him and across from the two of us were Emily and Brianna.

I noticed Tom staring at me out of the corner of my eye. He was sitting alone a few seats down on the same side as Emily and Brianna, but I didn't let my eyes stray over there, so I didn't know whether he was looking at me angrily or not. I didn't understand why he had gotten so hurt over such a comment, though. I was only trying to reason with him and be friendly- but apparently he misunderstood. Misunderstood was probably easily the proper word that fit Tom.

"Excited for the ball next month?" Brianna said with her mouth full of food- her question was directed at me.

"Er- yes. Of course," I said. It was going to be like a giant birthday party for me.

"That's the day of your birthday, though, is it not?" Brianna said again, making Avery look over at me in surprise.

"Your birthday is on the same day as the Valentine's ball?" Avery asked, puzzled. "Why didn't you say anything?"

I shrugged and then went on to helping myself to the food in front of me. Emily and Brianna continued a conversation with each other, and then Avery leaned over to kiss me on the cheek again but I leaned away slightly, resulting in Avery looking hurt, clearing his throat, and then helping himself to a meal.

My eyes caught Tom's again, and his were filled with coldness. Though his piercing green eyes were poisonous, I still found it in me to look away.

After dinner, before I even got a chance to escape to Ravenclaw Tower, Avery had pulled me aside outside the entrance to the great hall.

"I have noticed the way you're acting towards me," he said calmly, not meeting my eyes. He looked like he was trying to keep his cool. Guilt managed to crawl inside me.

"What are you talking about?" I had clearly tried acting confused. I really didn't want to hurt his feelings.

Avery gave me an 'are you serious' type of look, but then chuckled slightly. I couldn't tell if it was a humorous one or not. I shifted uncomfortably and stared longingly up the marble staircase, watching my fellow housemates ascend to safety.

"Don't be so naive, Abby. You've been pushing me aside and you know it. If something is wrong then just tell me. Did Tom-"

"No, he didn't say anything," I said sharply. Why did everything have to lead to Tom?