Frail ❃ Albus Potter

Twenty Seven

Breathing's just a rhythm.

Quick lil' shoutout to the amazing MajkaAEmirka because you comment on every chapter and I just love you so much! Also, I feel like we have the same taste in music and I'm just shook with how amazing you are. (Sappy Charlotte is here guys)

It had been six days after Piper had first met Tommy, and they'd started to talk more and more. Piper wasn't oblivious to his obvious flirting, and if she was being truly honest with herself, she wasn't completely against it.

Or at least, she blushed and smiled when he complimented her in that adorable American accent. And she was well aware of how handsome he was... it was just that every time she saw him, she was reminded of Albus.

Albus had complimented her all the time. Albus' hair looked a little like Tommy's in the right light...

Piper was sitting in the library, trying to study but actually just being hyper-aware of Albus sitting a few tables down when it happened.

Tommy walked up to her table, his dark skin illuminated by the narrow stretch of sunlight filtering in through a nearby window. Summer was making a valiant attempt, and the weather had suddenly brightened over the past week or two. "Hey, Pipes," Tommy said cheerfully, sliding into the seat next to her. "What're you doing?"

"Potions homework," Piper replied, smiling at him and trying not to notice the way Albus was watching them from behind a propped-up History of Magic textbook. "What about you?"

"Well..." Tommy drawled. "I was coming over here because a little birdie told me that the next Hogsmede outing is next week."

Piper's stomach sank in dread. Please don't say what I think you're about to say. Please. If there's a God, please, please, don't let him say it-

He said it. "Wanna go with me?"

Shoot. How do I say no without sounding like I've been leading him on?

Piper gazed at Tommy, her mind whirling. Tommy was lovely, sure, and given a little more time... she was sure she could feel something for him. But there hadn't been enough time, and Piper's heart was fixated on Albus. "Tommy," Piper began. "Look, you're a really nice guy, but... I've just had a bit of a heartbreak recently, and I-"

How could she say this without sounding like a total loser?

"I'm not quite ready to date someone again," Piper explained. "Not yet."

Tommy's forehead creased up in a frown. "I'm sorry to hear that, Pipes. I really am. And if your answer changes..." he shrugged. "You know where to find me."

With that, he stood up and walked away, hesitating by the door as if he was about to turn around, and then shaking his head and walking out of the library.

Piper bit her lip and looked over to where Albus was sitting- or had been sitting. There was nobody there, but Albus' book was still lying open on the table. Piper got to her feet, and peered over to a bookcase, hoping to see him, and then her heart sunk into her stomach.

Scorpius had arrived, and the two were intertwined, Albus pressed against a bookshelf, his face almost obscured by Scorpius'.

Hands trembling, Piper picked up her books and marched out of the library, her head spinning. Why did boys have to be so complicated?

Then she stopped short. She could just make out the broad shoulders of Tommy in the distance...

She didn't think. She just ran after him, her footsteps echoing on the stone floor, her chest heaving as her bag bounced uncomfortably on her back. Tommy turned just as she reached him, and his face twisted in confusion. "Pipes?"

"I've changed my mind," Piper panted. "I want to go to Hogsmede with you. I do."

Tommy grinned, and this time, Piper didn't even think of how much he looked like Albus at that moment.

Or, at least, she told herself she didn't, and it was almost the same thing.

Tag yourself I'm Albus stalking Piper in the library