Love, Aurélie | REGULUS BLACK

Chapter Forty - Six

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[CHAPTER FORTY - SIX]
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"LESSON LEARNED," said Xia as she fell into the blue couch in the Ravenclaw common room, "Never go star naming with Odette."

The activity was fun in theory. They would sneak up to the astronomy tower after the last class ended and they would gaze under the stars. They'd examine each one and pick three and name them after each other. Every time they would look at the sky, they would see their stars, They would never be truly alone. In one way or another, they would always have each other.

Theory did not meet reality, however. Odette was a lot more selective with the stars, refusing to go along with the plan if the star was well known. Mei was absolutely enchanted with a bright star in the sky, but Odette told her she couldn't pick that one because that was Vega. With every suggested star, Odette would call out its name. Xia was pretty sure they discovered the whole Black family in one night.

"I didn't know you knew so much about astronomy, Odette," said Mei as she tied up her hair. She looked on the verge of passing out, but she held onto her consciousness.

"Well, I . . ." Odette's mouth became dry, how did she know so much about astronomy? Regulus certainly hadn't taught her all of that. He had no time, always busy and bouncing from one place to another. He still pushed things aside to spend a few minutes with her, though, which she appreciated. When she asked why he said because she was a nice distraction. Odette wasn't sure how she was supposed to feel about that, but she took it as a good thing.

"I'm tired," said Odette, "Goodnight."

"Suddenly?" said Mei as she watched Odette hurry up the girl dorms.

Odette didn't have any dreams that night, in fact, she hadn't had any in a while. She was growing more and more curious. She promised Regulus she wouldn't reach out to Cassia, but her curiosity was eating her up.

She wouldn't break her promise so soon.

It was a few days since she almost kissed Regulus and they hadn't uttered a single word to each other. She was going mad. He would still sometimes acknowledge her in the corridors, but it wasn't the same anymore. There was no more secret smiles or "accidental" brushing of their arms.

It was more of an expressionless nod. It felt cold.

Odette hadn't realized just how much she loved the little things that they could do around each other. After spilling everything to Mei one night, the girl suggested two scenarios. Either he was feeling awkward after their almost kiss or he felt bad for pushing her away. Her insight was helpful, but she teased Odette afterward and then the blonde remembered why she didn't go to Mei for her Regulus troubles.

Odette would mumble greetings in his direction, but she'd only receive the same, cold bob. Did her breath stink? Were her lips chapped? Was she breathing too hard? Was her face too hairy? Were her blemishes prominent? Were her pores big? Wait, no it was a good thing he didn't kiss her. Why was she so worried about why he pushed her away? It was a good thing. Good thing.