BREATHE - Marlene McKinnon ✔️

NINE.

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chapter nine, secrets
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"HEY, DO YOU want to go to Hogsmead this weekend with me?" Aria swung her legs at the counter, still enjoying the fact she could walk. It was a week off crutches ( she still used them for stairs because without them it takes too long ) and she longed to play Quidditch. She's spent that week trying to convince Isabelle and James to let her try and fly on a broom.

Both of them shot the idea down quickly, giving her a lecture on why she needs to focus on herself and make sure she heals. Aria was getting really fucking tired of hearing it.

"Sure, sounds like fun. I still have to get a gift for Lucy and Kate... along with my siblings. I'm so fucking behind on Christmas shopping that it's not even funny."

"Cool. Cool... cool." Marlene muttered under her breath.

"Are you okay?" Aria's eyes went to Marlene's lip when she bit it. Taking a quick breath, Marlene leaned forward and pressed her lips to Aria's.

Shock was the first thing she felt. All air stopped, her brain stopped working and her heart went on overdrive. For a moment, Aria did nothing but sit there like a mannequin. When Marlene seemed to get the hint and start to lean away, air rushed into Aria's lungs and her arms looped around Marlene's neck.

The older girl came back quickly. The kiss that was once soft turned passionate. Aria's skin felt on fire and she didn't ever want to let go of the feeling. All she wanted was to stay there, with Marlene, and ignore the words she knew her family would spit at her.

Eventually, the world came back to the two, and they had to pull away. It was only then that Aria felt as if she was hit in the face with a frying pan.

Oh my Merlin, I can't have just done that.

Panic was the only thing Aria could feel. Any other emotion was pushed to the back of her mind and the only thing she could think of was everything her parents have ever told her.

"Aria? What's wrong?" Marlene asked tensely, the smile that was once covering her face disappearing. Aria knew she was the reason for that, but she couldn't think of anything but of how disgusted she was with herself.

"We— we can't tell anyone about this. Okay? Okay Marlene? We, we can't. They won't be happy, people will judge us. It won't go over well. Nobody can know." Panic had taken over her to the point where Aria didn't even sound like herself. Gone was the girl with a bold voice and knowing her shit, now she sounded like a scared little kid.

"Why do you care so much what other people think? Why can't we just be together?"

"Because I'm not you! I'm a muggle born! People in that world don't support this. They don't like people with the same gender being together. If I ever told my parents, who knows what would happen. I love my family, I can't risk losing them. I can't. Not even for you. Nobody can know Marlene."

The smile was gone for good. The older girl took a few steps back, head down and frowning. She nodded, grabbing her jacket. "I better leave I guess. Will you be okay getting back on your own?"

"Yeah," Aria mumbled. Marlene didn't even have to leave for the guilt to eat away at Aria. The moment Marlene left, Aria sagged against the cupboards. Her head hurt and she needed sleep, but how could she ever sleep again when all she felt was Marlene's lips?