Starlight

XXVI: To Have a Home

I've finally found it
A place where I'm wanted...
This must be how it feels
To have a home

- 'To Have a Home', A Very Potter Sequel

xx.xx

"He's a little grouchy sometimes, sure, but he's never mean. I really think he's coming round to me. Yesterday, I passed by his desk - y'know, just to say hi - and we stood talking for ages. He asked me about my weekend, I told him that I spent it watching theatre bootlegs and then... Well, that was the end of the conversation, but it felt like progress!"

Robbie took a long, loud sip of her milkshake, straw rattling. "He sounds like a real charmer."

"I know you're being sarcastic," Melissa huffed, still picking at her lunch. "But I mean it! Paul's a good guy, I'm not describing him well enough."

"Sorry, sorry - I don't mean to be condescending, honest. But really," Robbie set her drink down with a clatter, folding her arms and swinging her legs underneath the diner table. "You deserve somebody as nice as you are. I'm sure Paul is great, but don't limit yourself! I bet there are tons of cool guys at work."

Mel seemed to consider it for a moment, her pretty eyes cast upward, light sparkling in the lenses of her glasses. "Well... There's Ted, but he'd kinda sleazy."

"Gross. He ever make a pass at you?"

"No, but sometimes you catch him looking." Mel scrunched up her nose at the thought. "Hmm, who else... There's Bill."

"Oooh," Robbie paused scarfing down her fries for a moment, trying to encourage her cousin into talking. "Tell me about Bill. Bill sounds hot."

"Oh god, no, not like that!" Mel giggled, turning bright pink - a common trait in Robbie's family, it would seem. "He's super nice but he's like... forty!" Robbie raised an eyebrow and smirked, and Mel gasped, her cheeks somehow burning even brighter. "Oh - Oh no, not that there's anything wrong with age g-gap relationships, they're just not--"

Robbie broke into a flood of giggles and Mel pouted. "Oh, shut up, Robbie. You know what I'm trying to say."

"I do," Robbie reigned in her chuckling, "I do, I'm just kidding. Well - whatever happens with Paul, you just make sure you're safe and being treated well, okay?" She picked up a fry, jabbing it in Mel's direction and scowling, in the most faux-threatening voice she could muster, "Or else."

Mel shook her head and groaned, but Robbie could see that she was smiling. "Or else? Or else what? You're gonna burst into my office and tell everyone off?"

Robbie winked at her before taking another big slurp of her drink. "If that's what it takes. I'll march right in there and I'll go, 'Ted! Stop being sleazy!' And 'Paul! You'd better date my Mel if you know what's good for you!'"

Mel groaned again, but was no longer trying to hide her amusement. "Okay... And what about Bill?"

"Oh, I'd keep Bill for myself," Robbie took a massive bite of her burger. "You know I like older men."

"Ugh, Robbie," Mel whined, but her smile remained firmly in place. "You've always known exactly how to tease me, ever since we were little! I thought it'd stop when we grew up but I swear - you've just gotten worse."