the second last ending

six - i encounter the unexpecteds

Marlene stays to chat with Sirius while I walk back on my own.

"Hey! Maia!"

I'm about to leave the courtyard until I see Mitch jogging to catch up to me. I had talked to him a decent amount throughout the year. When we did speak, I made sure to steer clear of the subject of the possibility of him fancying me. I don't think he even knows that I know.

"So, I reckon McKinnon's told you about the thing at the beginning of the year," he sighs, scratching his neck awkwardly. Oh, alright, so he does know.

I bite my lip nervously and nod at him.

"Yeah, that was nothing. I was dared to tell Dorcas that because everybody knew that she'd tell McKinnon, and McKinnon would tell you. Sorry if I played with your feelings or anything."

Relief rushes through me as well as disappointment. I suppose I was sort of hoping for it to be true. Does this mean that I like Mitch? Maybe, but not as much as Sirius. I'm realizing so much nowadays, it's so eye-opening.

"But near the end of the year, about a month ago, I realized that I did fancy you. I was too scared to ask you out because I heard from someone that you fancied Potter-"

"WHAT?!" I splutter loudly. If I were drinking something at the moment, it would've been splattered down Mitch's robes.

Mitch looks at me with wide eyes at my sudden exclamation. "You didn't? That's what my entire group's been saying. Perhaps someone heard wrong."

Oh, someone heard wrong alright. I have never had a thing for James.

"Well, I do fancy you-"

"Why?" I interrupt in an astonished tone. That was quite rude of me. This reinforces my question of why. There's nothing special about me. Or nothing good, anyway.

Mitch seems slightly taken aback by that, and he raises his eyebrows slightly.

"Really? You don't have any idea? Come on Maia, stop looking down on yourself. You think that you're annoying, but I think you're hilarious. You think you have no personality and are boring, but I see you as a very laidback person. And I know that you think that you're a bit of an emotional mess because sure you had a huge row with McKinnon at the beginning of the year, and sure you think you're too sensitive sometimes, but that just shows how much you care about people."

I'm completely and honestly stunned at his words. Mitch takes my silence as a hint that I have absolutely no idea what to say, so he continues to talk.

"Now, I don't know if you have realized any of that, but that's what I think, and it's true. Anyway, I suppose what I'm doing now is asking you out before the school ends, and I'm doing it now because I know I'll chicken out, and before you know it, it'll be our sixth year. So, would you like to come with me to Hogsmeade after our Transfiguration exam?"

===

"MITCH ASKED YOU OUT?!" Lily screams ecstatically, her anger towards James and Snape completely evaporated.

"This is wonderful! I can't believe you agreed!" Dorcas squeals.

I tilt my head as I look at her and ask, "Why is that?"

"I never knew you had a thing for him," she shrugs. "But this is so great!"

"Where are you going?" Em asks, jumping from her bed to mine and plopping beside me.