Not About Angels (A Tom Riddle Story)

Chapter 37

Breathing 

Dreams 

Like air.

-f. scott fitzgerald 

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Abigail felt as if she had cried all the tears she had left in her body. She was sick of crying, of hurting. She wanted to forget everything. 

She didn't want to feel like dying anymore. 

For her health, she needed to move on. 

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With a week left before Winter Ball, Hogwarts was buzzing with excitement. It was on everyone's tongues constantly. People speculated who would ask who, who would say yes, who would refuse, and who would become a couple after the Ball. 

Cassie fell in to despair. 

"No one has asked me yet, Abi!" She sobbed. "it's my first ball, Abi. I must go with someone!" 

"It's okay. We can all go together. It's not so bad, right?" Sam asked, trying to cheer her. 

"Yeah, Cass. The three of us can go together." Abigail assured. 

"The-That's nice and all...but I want a date! Oh! You guys know just how long I've dreamt about this, don't you? Ever since this summer, I've had it all planned out. The most perfect night! My introduction to the social world! How will I do it without a proper date?" She cried. 

"I'll ask Thomas Ederly to ask you. How's that?" Sam offered Cassie his roommate.   

"Oh no! It doesn't work like that, Sammy! He has to ask he because-because he wants to! I don't want to be someone's forced charity case. I want someone to ask me because they want to ask me, not because they were forced to! What will I do?" 

Abigail shook her head. She wanted to do something, but she was powerless to do anything. 

"It's okay, Cass. I won't have date either. We'll stick together. You'll have fun, I promise." Abigail said. 

"Wool!" A voice called form behind. She turns around to find Gabriel Delcacrioux standing there, holding a small pink box in his hand. Cassie gasped and nearly fell over at the sight of him. 

"I got this at honeydukes. I sneaked off during potions. Slughorn didn't even notice." Gabriel laughs. "It's the Christmas special. Try it." 

He opened the pink box to reveal a delicate little cupcake covered in glittering crystal sugar. 

"it's beautiful." Abigail said, admiring the intricacy of the cupcake. 

"Try it." he said, smiling. 

She took a bite. She smiled. He saw, and smiled back at her. 

She took another bite, trying to analyze the flavor profile. 

"What is it? White chocolate? Vanilla? Cream?" 

"I dunno. All I know is that it looked good. Here. You got a bit on your cheek." He said, reaching out to wipe the frosting off of her cheek." 

"Come here, Cass. try some!" Abigail said, beckoning her friend. Cassie's eyes lit up with both excitement and fear. She wasn't accustomed to being this close to Gabriel. 

"Hey. I bought it for you." Gabriel said, pinching her shoulder. 

"Well, what's mine is Cassie's too." Abigail replied happily.  

"Looking out for your mates? Why don't you ever look out for me? Where's my share of the cupcake, Wool? Don't forget. I skipped Potions for this. How are you going to make up for my missing education?" Gabriel bantered.