"Katie, where have you been today?" Harry asks me. "You weren't at school. Are you sick?"
"No. I'm fine." I say and roll away so I don't have to look Harry in the eye.
"Well, if you're fine I don't see why you wouldn't go to school. Everyone has been asking where you were."
"I highly doubt that." I murmur into the pillow that I sunk my face in.
"What was that?" He asks.
I lift my face. " 'I highly doubt that' is what I said."
"What is this now all about?" He says sounding confused.
"Oh, please, Harry. Stop pretending to be so oblivious. You and I both know that everyone likes you better. They're all just friends with me, because they want to be friends with you."
"That is not true. Why would you say such a thing?"
"One of many many examples: Everytime we get to work in pairings, everyone groans when you choose me. They want to do something with you. Not me. I am kind of the annoying sidekick."
"Even if this should be true, which it isn't. Who cares? You're my bestest friend and I'm your bestest friend, right? So forget the others." He says with an encouraging smie, showing his dimples.
"I can't. One day they'll win and you'll completely forget about me."
"Katie, don't say such a thing. I'd never forget you. And if it reassures you, from now on, there'll be only me and you, all right?"
"You'd do that? I cannot ask that from you."
"Quit acting like we're in a soap opera. You know I'd do everything for you."
--Kate--
None of us dares to talk. And while silence was anything but uncomfortable when we were friends, it now is awkward as hell. I don't really know what to say, and since he said that we should talk, he should begin talking, right?
"Hi." He then says. "Hi." I answer lamely.
Another wave of silence follows, which makes it even more awkward and uncomfortable. I don't really know what to say and if I should say something. I should say something, but what? What? This is torture. What am I supposed to do? I don't even dare looking at him, so I just stare on my shoes.
I hear him taking a deep breath and then he begins saying. "How's everything going?" Oh, so he's trying to do small talk now? I don't really know why, but the fact that we're having small talk is so absurd, that I can barely contain my laughter and a snort escapes my mouth. Then it is just like a dam that broke and the laughter bursts out of me.
I wish it'd be a pretty or at least ladylike laugh, but sadly I cannot say that from my laugh. It is just loud and really . . . ugly. It sounds so hysteric, but I just can't help it. I then see Harry looking at me with a horrified expression on his face at first, but then just chuckles and shakes his head at me.
When I finally calmed down, I noticed, that some tears even escaped my eyes. I quickly wipe them away and look embarrassed by my outburst to the ground. Harry chuckles again. "Oh, Kate. You never knew how to deal with serious moments." A small fit of laughter bursts out of me remembering how much trouble it sometimes got us in.
"No, I indeed didn't. I am surprised that you remember though."
I watch his expression going back to serious now. "Right. Look, Kate. I know I've acted like a dickhead towards you and believe me I hate myself for it. I feel so ridiculous right now. I've been just so stupid. I should've just stayed with you. All this time and I knew, but I didn't do a thing about it."
