Falice & Fredmione - A web of lies

7.

''Tell me again why I am on the South Side at this impossible hour?'' Alice complained while walking towards the Whyte Whyrm with Fred and Hermione. Hermione and Fred were just behind her but didn't feel that comfortable on this side of town.

''You're the only one who will get into the Whyrm, Alice. They know you.'' Fred explained her once again. Hermione had been so worried about FP that she decided to tell Fred and Alice about her concerns. They had decided to check out the South Side, especially the Whyrm because FP was there most of the time if he wasn't working at Pop's or at school.

Alice looked down on her clothes who were specially like her old self again. No pink. No white. Just black. Her flannel was tied around her waist like it always had been and there where holes in her denim jeans. Hal would literally kill her if he knew what she was doing right now and the last thing she wanted was to screw up again since things had just calmed down between them.

She had to admit, wearing these clothes again made her feel confident and comfortable. This was who she was, but she wasn't that girl anymore. She chose the North side life and she wouldn't trade that anymore. The sign of the Whyrm gave her some old memories but she didn't want to be there anymore like she used too. She was done partying every night and making out with guys she didn't even know. Hal Cooper was her safety net and so he became her future. She would do everything to not end up like her mother. She wasn't going to sell her body in order to survive. With Hal she didn't need to.

But she did care about FP. Maybe not in the exact same way she used to, but he was a friend. And even though they hated each other's guts sometimes, they still cared. They have been finally acting normal towards each other and her feeling said that FP would look out for her too if he needed too.

Alice always hated it when FP got too deep into Serpent business and they had a lot of arguments about that. It was actually one of the reasons Alice decided to break up with him. Her first reason was to escape her future on the South Side and the other one was because she couldn't stand seeing FP getting hurt so much. He didn't listen to her when she told him that he needed to take a step back. Just because he was meant to be the next Serpent King didn't mean he had too, according to her. FP had a different opinion on that and Alice just couldn't watch it anymore.

If she had to take a risk to make sure FP wasn't into some shady business than she would do so. Because they take care of their own and she knew both Hermione and Fred cared just as much to get him out of trouble if necessary.

With Hermione and Fred behind her she confidently swooped open the door of the Whyrm and immediately caught the eyes of Hog Eye, who was surprised to see her. She walked over to him with a big smile on her face and he placed her favourite drink in front of her. ''Good to see you, Smith.'' He winked. He was probably the only one who wasn't judging her for dating a North Sider.

Fred awkwardly ordered a coke for both him and Hermione and nervously looked around the bar. Hermione stood close to him because all those men in leather jackets kind of intimidated her. ''First time here?'' Hog Eye asked after he scanned the both of them. Fred just nodded and smiled slightly. Hog Eye gave them a assuring smile. ''Don't worry. Everyone is welcome here.'' Hermione smiled back and for a moment she actually felt more welcome in the bar.

''Have you seen FP by any chance?'' Alice asked curiously. Hog Eye pointed at the Serpents King office. ''Probably in there.'' She nodded and wanted to go upstairs until she heard a way to familiar voice. Only just hearing her made her spine shiver and her anger started bottling up.

''You have the guts to show up here.'' The blonde girl said. Alice calmly breathed out and turned to the voice who was talking to her. ''Peabody. Long time no see.'' Alice said. She didn't even pretend to be happy to see her. Everybody knew they hated each other and they gladly showed that.

''Shouldn't you be at home with Hal Cooper?'' Penny said, laughing by the mention of his name. Alice didn't respond. She didn't really care that Penny made fun of Hal. Penny took a step closer in Alice's direction until their faces almost touched. ''You know, I would never get why you left FP. He may not be rich, but he's very good in bed. I bet Hal, isn't?''

Hearing that Penny slept with FP was what made Alice snap. Before Penny could even blink Alice's fist punched into her jaw with a big slam. Both of them had gotten into fights before, but this time it was serious. Penny grabbed Alice's hair and dragged her to the ground, ready to fight her. A part of the Serpents began cheering them on because they thought them fighting was hot, and the other ones just didn't know what to do.

Alice nevertheless was very strong and scratched her arm with her long nails. Penny was ready to give her a good punch on her temple when FP stormed down out of the King's office and ran towards the girls. He roughly broke them apart and his eyes shot fire. ''Knock it off, right now!'' When he saw that one of the girls was Alice his eyes grew wide. What was she doing at the Whyrm and why was she fighting Penny Peabody?

The last thing he needed was them to have the same old fights over and over again. ''What the hell are you doing here?'' He asked Alice, who still looked at Penny with rage in her eyes. She wasn't done fighting yet, but everybody was looking and she didn't need to make a scene or Hal would find out.

FP then noticed Fred and Hermione standing behind Alice with arms wrapped around each other. They kind of looked scared and in shock of what had just happened. This was something else than the punch Fred had given Hal. ''Yeah Alice, explain. We all want to know.'' Penny was getting on FP's nerves and he didn't want her to be involved in this conversation. He pointed at Alice, Hermione and Fred and then at the door. ''Outside. Now.''

When they were at the backdoor of the Whyrm Hermione looked worriedly at Alice. ''Do we need you to get some ice?'' She immediately shook her head. ''No. I'm fine.'' She didn't look anyone of them in their eyes. She wanted to go home and forget about all of this. She knew it was a bad idea and she was right. Coming back to the Whyrm would only make things worse.

''We just came to check up on you, we are worried man.'' Fred tried to explain to his best friend. FP scoffed and shook his head. His hands got through his brown locks. He looked frustrated and his voice proofed it. ''So sending Alice to fight Peabody is checking up on my now days? Are you guys fucking insane?!'' He yelled. Fred didn't even understand why FP was that mad besides that Alice got hurt, he was feeling guilty about that too.

''You've been acting weird lately, FP.'' Hermione chipped in. He looked at her and he knew her intentions were good but right now he just couldn't feel it. ''I told you to stay out of this Hermione.'' His voice was cold. Fred grabbed her hand. ''Watch your tone. She cares about you. Just like Alice and I.'' Alice still hadn't said a thing but she just had the same cold expression on her face FP had.

He looked at her and tried to catch her eyes. ''You knew this was a bad idea, Alice. Don't deny that.'' Her silence was enough proof for him that he was right. ''This is my life okay. Don't need to worry. Please leave now.'' He turned his back and walked back to the Whyrm. He was going to talk to Penny, making sure she would never hit Alice like that ever again.

Alice grabbed her bike and drove away without even saying goodbye to either Hermione or Fred. Fred knew she was mad and right now he felt like she had the right to be. She just became friends with FP again and just because both he and Hermione had talked her into that she might lose that. Fred sighed and looked at the girl who was about to cry.

He grabbed her shoulders and made her look into his eyes. He cupped her cheeks and smiled to her. ''Hey, this is not your fault okay. Alice will be okay, I'll check up on her tomorrow. Right now she just needs space. You just wanted to help FP.'' Hermione nodded softly but couldn't hold back her tears. Right now she felt like she was the reason both of her friends got hurt tonight. She didn't want Alice to feel this way and she didn't want to lose FP over this.

Fred slowly wiped away the tears that were streaming down her face until she felt better again. She felt safe with Fred and his smile made her feel things she had never felt before. He looked into her beautiful brown eyes and leant to let their lips meet in a soft but passionate kiss. Hermione grabbed his jacket while he still cupped her cheeks with his hand.

Both he and Hermione smiled when they pulled back to get some air. She chuckled and looked at the eyes of the beautiful boy in front of her. ''I'll bring you home.'' He said with a soft low voice, which made her melt away a bit. For a moment she didn't even care she was on the South Side anymore. She felt safe as long as she was with Fred Andrews.