Working Through the Rest

Learning To Express

A couple of days later, I knock on Lily's bedroom door. I'm attempting to revise, but Scorpius, the walking library, is sadly not present, and I'm struggling to remember everything. However, Lily has a book with the information I need, and she'll probably let me borrow it.
"Come in."

I push the door open slowly and she looks up from where she's sat on her bed. She closes her book as I shut the door.
"Hey," I smile.
"Hey," she smiles back. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I nod. "Can I borrow a book?"
"Go ahead."

I nod a thank you and walk to her bookcase, scanning it for the book I need. I pause slightly as a brightly-coloured bag catches my eye, and I can't help but look at it. It's open and several brushes and tubes poke out the sides.
"Any luck?" Lily asks.
"Uh – haven't made it far," I admit. "Got distracted. I didn't know you wore much make up."
"I don't," Lily closes her book again. "That thing just turned up the other day when I was looking for something."
"There's a lot in there."
"People who don't know me well but should seem to think I want to wear a lot of make-up," Lily shrugs. "Personally, I can't see the logic of covering my spots with something that gives me more spots, but to each their own."
"I guess not," I smile at her.
"What do you think?"
"About what?"
"Wearing makeup."
"Oh...um," I pause. "It's not really something I ever devoted much thought to. I'm a guy, so it's not like I'd ever wear it."
"Bullshit," Lily says sharply. "Get the bag."
"Why?" I ask slowly.
"So I can practice."
"I thought you said–"
"People want me to wear it at formal events," Lily waves me off. "I don't want to. I reckon we could shock them nicely if you did."

I smile, and then grab the bag while attempting not to spill anything. We settle in the middle of the floor and Lily takes the bag, going through it to pull out several creams, as well as an oddly shaped sponge.

She murmurs something about staying still, before starting to dab the creams onto my face, rubbing them in with the sponge-thing. I smile as she stops, opening my eyes to see her unscrewing a small black tube and pulling out a brush. I flinch away slightly when she moves it towards my eye, but then I relax again, blinking when she tells me to.

About a minute later, my eyelashes feel oddly stuff and I smile. Lily smiles back and screws the brush closed, placing back in the bag.
"How does it feel so far?" she asks.
"It's really nice, thank you."
"I'm glad you like it. Eyeliner?"
"Go ahead."

I close my eyes, trying not to giggle too hard as the brush slides over my eyelid. The second part is also accompanied by a fair amount of swearing and I bite my lip in an attempt to not laugh.
"One eye done," Lily says triumphantly, holding up a little pocket mirror. "Merlin, I hate doing wings. But it looks good. So I'm happy."

I take the mirror, gazing in awe at the art she's managed to create, and then I smile at her again, about to speak. Before I can, however, someone knocks on the door and Lily rolls her eyes.
"Go away, James," she calls.

The door opens, and it isn't James. My stomach almost somersaults as I lock eyes with dad, watching him take in the scene. I start to stand up, but Lily's hand lands on mine and I stop.
"Lily?"
"Dad."
"What – what's going on?"
"I was practicing makeup on Albus."
"Practicing? Have you done this before?"
"No."
"Right," dad pauses. "Albus, could I speak to you, please?"
"It was my idea!" Lily says quickly.
"Lily?"
"If you're about to get angry, you should know that I was my idea."

Dad nods, and then his glare lands on me and I force myself not to shrink back. I won't cave. I won't cower. I will be strong.
"Albus," he says, apparently calm, "you do realise that this – whatever it is – isn't okay?"
"Why not?" I frown.
"Because you've been confused into believing something about yourself that isn't true. Makeup is – well, it's not normal for a boy to wear."
"Um, first of all, I've never done this before. Secondly, fuck whether it's normal or not. I don't care. I've tried something new and I quite like it."
"Lily, please clear your things away."
"Why?" Lily demands. "Seriously, what is wrong with this?"
"He isn't gay. He's been spending time with – certain people..."
"Have I?" I laugh. "Dad, I don't know any gay people. I know three LGBTQIA+ people. I met them after I realised I am gay. I don't think they could 'turn me gay'."
"Clean it off," dad snaps.

I am about to snap back when Lily speaks first, her voice starting to thicken with genuine anger.
"What is your problem? Why do you have an issue accepting that Albus is happy?"
"Because I'm trying to protect him for when he realises that it isn't true," dad replies icily. "You'll thank me soon."
"I really won't," I mutter. "You know what? Fuck this. Fuck making myself feel small because you don't want any rainbows brightening up your life."

I don't wait for a response, storming out of the room with angry tears in my eyes. I hate him. So much. The only thing I want is to be happy in my own home. And now that is gone too.

I start to rub the makeup off in the bathroom, but a fair amount sticks on my face. I ignore it. It isn't important.

I need to see Scorpius. So much.

But this doesn't really warrant emergency action.

Does it?