How it Began

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"You two make me sick." Mary groans as she watches Hal peck kisses all over Alice's face while she giggles.

"You're just jealous."

"Nope I'm not."

"It's sweet Mare, the beginning of a relationship is so great." Hermione says dreamily.

Alice and Mary share the same worried look, both knowing that Hermione isn't talking about Fred. "You and Fred have been together for nearly two years, you two are still like that?" Mary questions and watches as Hermione's face drops a little.

"Oh, uh yeah. We're all over each other."

"Who's all over who?" Fred questions as he comes up to the group.

"You and I, cutie." She turns around and pulls him in for a kiss while Alice and Mary watch, both wanting to tell Fred but not wanting to see him heartbroken. "Oh and those two horndogs." She points to Alice and Hal and of course that's when FP would walk up to the group.

They all go silent as FP and Alice stare awkwardly at each other. Hal doesn't seem to notice anything is off, just draws her closer and presses kisses up her neck to her cheek.

"Fucking wonderful." FP mutters under his breath, watching as Hal Cooper marks up the love of his life's beautiful skin with his lips. He awkwardly clears his throat. "Mare, you still need a ride?"

"Uh yeah, if you don't mind." She answers, clearing the awkward silence.

"Not at all. You ready?"

"Yes, lets go." She shares an sad smile with Alice and follows FP down the hall. He keeps looking back at Alice as he walks and she watches him until he's out of sight.

"Well that was awkward." Hal chuckles. "Don't know what his issue is, he's been so weird the past couple weeks." He looks at Alice who's gone pale. "What's wrong, babe?"

"I..." Alice starts, her voice breaking as she pushes him away. He doesn't move, concerned about her. "Hal, I can't breathe, I need to go." She shoves him out of the way and makes a beeline for the bathroom.

Fred goes to chase after her but stops when he remembers he can't go in the girl's bathroom. "Can you go check on her? Make sure she's okay?" He pleads with Hermione and she nods, following Alice into the bathroom.

She finds her crying and breathing heavily at the sinks, trying to catch her breath. "Hey, whats going on?"

"It's just so hard seeing him and knowing how much he hates me. And Hal-"

"It's your own fault, why are you so damn upset about it?"

"Because I never wanted to hurt him!"

"What did you think was gonna happen? You fucked Hal behind his back and then dumped him, what did you expect? That he was going to be perfectly ok with you?"

"Well no but-"

"But nothing! He's acting perfectly normal for what you did."

"Jesus, why are you being such a bitch to me? At least give me a little sympathy."

"You don't deserve sympathy here, Alice. I'm keeping it real with you."

"No you're just being a bitch. I know what I did was shitty, I'm not saying it wasn't but come on, cut me a little slack." Alice pleads, growing increasingly frustrated with Hermione.

She lets out a heavy sigh. "Why should I?"

"Because I know you're cheating on Fred." Alice casually admits.

Hermione's speechless. "H-how?"

"Mary saw you making out with him, now do you realize why you should be giving me sympathy? You're doing the exact same thing I did, you're just like me sweetheart."

"Please I'm nothing like you, Alice. I know how to keep my damn legs closed. So what if I'm making out with another guy and hanging out with him, at least I'm not sleeping with any guy who asks."

She doesn't know what's gotten into Hermione but she has a feeling it has something to do with the rich stranger she's been seeing. "I don't sleep with anyone who asks."

"No? What about Marty Mantle? Didn't you sleep with him?"

"No! He's tried to put a move on me but I rejected him."

"Oh really? Really wouldn't shock me considering what you and FP did in that closet." Hermione snarls. "Face it Alice, you're going to turn out exactly like your mother, sleeping with any guy who asks just to feel good about yourself, even if it's only for a little while."

Alice can feel tears filling her eyes. Hermione's supposed to be her friend, what happened? "Don't ever compare me to my mother." She storms out of the bathroom as a tear falls and Fred catches her arm.

"Hey, hey, you alright? What happened?"

"I'm fine Fred." She tries to get away but he keeps her there.

"You're crying, Alice, what happened? I sent Hermione to check on you."

"Yeah well don't know why you ask her what happened? I'm sure she'd tell you, but then again she keeps so much from you maybe she wouldn't."

"What are you talking about?"

She locks eyes with Hermione over his shoulder and glares at her. "She's cheating on you."

Fred turns around to see Hermione. "Is that true?"

"Fred, I-"

"I can't believe it." He throws his hands up. "I thought I could trust you!"

"You can!"

"Well clearly I can't. Fuck." He storms off and Hermione chases him, glaring at Alice as she passes.

She watches numbly as they leave her sight and she feels Hal's hand on her shoulder. She laces her fingers with his and leans into him. "Come on. I'll take you home."