Love, Aurélie | REGULUS BLACK

Chapter Thirty-Five

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[CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE]
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SHE FELT HER HEART POUND against her chest. There was only one thing swimming around her mind; he cared. She wasn't sure why she found it to be such a big deal, but she did. She spent a couple of minutes taking in the prior events. She almost forgot she had to meet up with Benny.

Odette wasn't sure what time it was as she had ditched her watch in the kitchens. She figured she could retrieve it later. She tried to hurry to where they agreed to meet up. She had been walking incredibly fast that she had not noticed Emma in the corridor. Emma grabbed her arm and yanked her to a stop. Odette spun around to see her, surprised.

"Oh, it's just you, Emma," said Odette with a sigh.

"Yes, just me," said Emma, "You sure know how to make someone feel special, Odette."

"Thanks, it's a talent of mine," said Odette as she forced a smile, "You wouldn't know the time, would you?"

"It's two fifteen, why?" said Emma before her eyebrows shot up and disappeared under her dark bangs. "Speaking of which, don't you have a date to attend?"

"Yes, I do," she said as she ran a hand through her hair. "I'm completely late, aren't I?"

"Totally," said Emma. Odette turned around to hurry away, but Emma stopped her.

"Hey, would you like a piece of advice?"

"If that piece of advice is to avoid being late next time, I already figured that out myself," said Odette.

"No, no," said Emma, "A piece of advice for, well, someone like you. Someone who seems unsure."

"I suppose I have a few minutes to spare if it ends up saving me from a disaster."

"I'll make it quick," said Emma, "Don't think of it as a date. Avoid that word entirely. Don't say it, don't think it, don't let him say it, just avoid the word. Think of it as two friends hanging out, okay? Do what friends do, that's all. Now, hurry!"

Emma gently pushed Odette away from her. The blonde girl didn't bother to say anything as she picked up her pace.

To be frank, she felt awful. She didn't know what she was thinking when she purposely got rid of her watch. She didn't think she'd feel that guilty, but she did. As she hurried, she recited all the possible apologies she could think of. She really had no excuse, so she wouldn't try to make one. She wouldn't be completely honest, but she won't tell complete lies either.

"Benny!" she yelled. He stopped walking and turned around. Odette slowed down and bent over to catch her breath. She really needed to do more physical activities.

"Odette!" he exclaimed, "Are you okay? What's the matter?"

Odette didn't respond right away, but she was able to look up and smile.

"Benny! How glad am I to have run into you! Look, I'm so, so sorry! I really am! I was waiting, but then I ran into a friend and —"

"Odette," he interrupted her. Odette looked up. He smiled softly as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Odette's eyes widened as she was reminded of Regulus's warm hand in hers. Slowly, she felt her cheeks heat up until she was brought back to the present by Benny. "It's okay."

She stared at him for a second, and then a few more, she just stared. Finally, she nodded her head slightly. She quickly realized what she was doing and shook her head frantically.

"What am I doing. . .? No! No, It's not okay. Don't say things like that, Benny."

"And why not?"