Falice & Fredmione - A web of lies

3.

Her mom hadn't cooked yet again and it wasn't even a surprise anymore. Alice couldn't stand those meals out of the microwave anymore so she decided to call Fred, asking if she could eat there. His parents had always loved her so it wasn't a problem if she would eat with them. They actually loved to have her over for dinner.

Alice didn't even bother saying goodbye to her mom but just left on her bike and went to the North Side again. She would stay with Hal that night anyways so her mom didn't question her going out. Not that she really cared about where her daughter was going, she thought she was old enough to make decisions like that. Alice loved her freedom, but she wished her mom cared a little more every now and then.

After parking her bike she knocked on the door of the Andrews family and the same familiar smile opened the door. ''Come on in, dinner is ready.'' When she entered the living room she was greeted by Fred's parents, who somehow felt like a second family to her. She realised that they were what a family was supposed to be and she felt lucky that they loved her so much. Sometimes she thought they loved her more than her own mom did.

''Thank you so much Mr. and Mrs. Andrews. I really appreciate that you're letting me stay for dinner.'' Fred's mom smiled at her and placed her hand on hers for a second. ''Of course, honey. And you can call me Sandra by now.'' She winked.

Fred noticed that Alice had trouble eating her dinner but he couldn't ask her about it yet. He just gave her some looks but she didn't seem to notice what he was trying to tell her with his eyes. Maybe it was time for him to just directly ask her what was going on, instead of observing her. It could be that both Hermione and he saw something that wasn't there, but on the other hand they both knew her well enough to notice when something was off.

His parents had cleaned the dishes and Fred and Alice were sitting in the garden on a red blanket, enjoying the late summer weather for as long as they still could. It was completely silent and Alice's mind seemed to drift off.

Fred leant in and grabbed her hand. ''Alice, what is bothering you? You have been acting distant lately.'' He said, getting her attention. It was almost if he caught her thoughts because she felt a little embarrassed. She still wasn't sure if she was overreacting but it was all she could think about these last days. She looked into his eyes and she knew that if she was going to tell this to someone it had to be Fred. He was the only person she trusted her life with at this moment.

''If I tell you this, can you please keep this a secret?'' Alice asked nervously. Fred felt that it was something serious, at least it was for her, so he nodded. ''You have my word.'' He squeezed her hand a bit and then let go.

Alice nervously played with her fingernails, not knowing exactly where to start. ''I- Maybe I'm overreacting.'' She shook her head and suddenly wasn't sure to tell this to him, it could be a secret of her own. ''Alice, it's bothering you so you are not overreacting. You can tell me everything, you know that.'' She started to tear up because she knew he was right. Fred was her rock and the only one she could share her darkest thoughts with.

She shoved a little closer to him on the blanket they placed in the grass and started telling what was on her mind. ''You know that big fight Hal and I had last weekend?'' Fred nodded, it was when she came to his house to have breakfast. ''Well, that night I stayed at his house and he wanted to make-up.'' She began.

Alice had just got under the covers of Hal's bed. She had been reading while he was in the shower so she almost didn't notice that he came back into the room. He had a towel around his waist and looked at his girlfriend how seemed to focus on her book.

He got under the covers as well and just studied her for a few seconds, until he grabbed her book and placed on the night stand beside him. ''Hey, I was reading that.'' She said annoyed. At first Hal didn't respond but he scooted over a little closer to her.