Believer

Chapter Nine

It's been almost a month since tryouts. None of the list has been posted, but we had practice for our first game this weekend, so I hoped Marcus would post the list soon.

It's been difficult without Liza around, I mostly felt like I was alone walking to class, I heard more things alone then talking with Liza walking to class. With my new change of appearance I believed I was the new talk of the school. Mostly rumors on how I got my glasses. Most were saying how I'm going to the dogs, I didn't look confident, I looked alone, I looked homely. Many things I wouldn't dare to say to a person who was in Slytherin. Especially on a bad day. Here lately I was having a bunch of those.

Harry kept his distance due to the fact I had so many classes and had to focus, Hermione tried to coax me into talking to her. I just didn't feel the same. I felt alone.

Freddie and I hung out a lot when we could when he wasn't at Hogsmead, class, or in practice.

I got to hang out a little with George as well like we were our little group when we first met. George still thought Liza was pretty, but never dared to mention her around me, sometimes he'd slip and apologize though.

Still nothing new with Joy, Kris, and Sydney. Still, none of them talked to me.

Draco would occasionally smile at me when he saw me walk the corridor, or ask how I was in potions class. He still doesn't know how to talk to me even though I'm "one of the guys".

Sometimes I'd hang out with Marcus to talk about possible strategies for Quidditch. Even he could tell I was slipping.

Walking in the common room after a long day of studies I heard a bunch of students murmuring. I shook my head and walked to my room. I didn't give a damn about anything at the moment. I was tired and felt just... weak.

Reading was my only means of escape here recently. I pulled The Outsiders out of my trunk and lied on my bed. I had read this story 20 times since I first purchased it, I just couldn't put it down.

I loved reading about Ponyboy, Dallas, Johnny, Soda Pop, Darrel, Steve, and Two-Bit. I bit my lip skimming the pages.

"Stay gold Ponyboy," I heard a faint voice as the door shut. I peered over my book to see Liza standing at the door.

"T-The Quidditch list is posted," she muttered as I closed my book and put it under my pillow, "look, I'm sorry-"

"Yeah, you should be," I muttered as she looked to the floor, "you realize how alone I have been for the past month?"

"I've been alone too-"

"You've had Aislin, don't act like you're been alone, I've seen you two laughing and giggling when I was in the common room studying. Seems like you've found a best friend-"

"Nova-"

"Just don't," I spat as I walked out of the room, out of the common room to the owlery.

I guess being alone so long, just made you cherish being alone more. I sat up there humming to myself as I found Hedwig and pet her head. Even though she wasn't mine, she was still found to me. I guess we both know how it feels to be locked up in a cage, along with Harry.

I heard a cough behind me as I jumped. There stood Harry as I rolled my eyes.

"She sent you, didn't she?" I muttered as he walked over to me.

"Maybe," he said, "who's she and what have you done?"

"I haven't done anything, Harry. It's what Liza's done."

"Well, what has Liza done?" He asked as I looked down.

"You wouldn't understand," I sighed holding my arm.