Stronger for You

Chp. 7 No Strings Attached

“Every friend is a lover, but not every lover is a friend; the difference is that friendship tends more.” – Unknown

Chapter Seven

Jacky’s P.o.V.

I huffed as my bangs fell into my eyes for the fifteenth time. I shook my head irritably and reached for the next branch, pulling myself up with little difficulty.

“Hah! Take that branch! Who’s the best now?” I gloat as I settle back against the trunk contentedly. Man, was I out of shape!

I relax and look out at the view. The fields of farmland and the quaint pond rippled in the distance. It was so quiet here, a true kind of a peace. And the natural beauty, where no civilization had truly disrupted it. I could live here happily.

“NO, ten spaces to the LEFT, you dolt!” Well, maybe not during wedding season. The Weasley household during a wedding was…unnerving. So much cleaning and cooking, and I have never been yelled at by Mrs. Weasley so much.

I really should be helping, but I’ve done everything she’s asked, and today I felt like a small break. Now that I was seventeen (and apparation-approved, thanks to Mr. Weasley and a very patient Remus), I simply charmed the broom and duster to do a round of cleaning in the house, with a ten-time rotation. The dishes were being scrubbed for the sixteenth time by a charmed team of scrub brushes and magic soap. And windows were washed to such cleanliness that I knew they would reflect like mirrors. Although, a few very unhappy gnomes would surely be looking out for my ankles the next time I took a walk in the garden…

A rare summer breeze lifted my hair, which I had cut to my shoulders for the summer holidays. My head ached slightly from a constant headache, a remnant of the guilt that I refused to let go of. The breeze also pushed my bracelet a centimeter or two up my arm, the disillusioned tie still silky smooth and cool against my skin. I stroked it with my fingers, relaxing further at the touch. It was almost as if he was here, and my heart ached with the knowledge that he was so close. Just an apparation away.

“And they say goddesses don’t grow on trees.” I open my eyes and roll them before looking down at the grinning redhead. This boy was going to drive me insane if he continued to find me everywhere.

“I’ve never heard that— why are there bras in your hands?” I ask, diverted. He winks and holds them up higher.

“Mum was wondering which is yours. I, being the gentleman that I am, offered my services in the matter.” I laugh and swing down to the ground, straightening up and placing a hand on my hip while staring at him accusingly.

“You only wanted to see if I had a big chest.” He shrugs unashamedly.

“Can’t blame a guy. I’m naturally curious.” I chuckle and then look closely at the bras before laughing even harder. He stares at me in confusion.

“What’s so funny?”

“Those bras in your hands, dear Fredward, are your sister’s.” Fred then demonstrated the new jig that is sweeping the nation. It’s very simple, you just jump around with your hands shaking by your stomach and chanting “Ew” over and over again. Like a twisted rain dance, if you will.

I was holding my stomach, gasping for air, by the time he was done. He straightens up and points a finger threateningly at me.

“Not one word of this ever, Grace.” He growls, his face bright red. I nod vaguely and send the bras ahead of us with a lazy flick of my wand, chuckling under my breath every time he wiped his hands on his jeans.

It was silent for a few minutes as we walked through the orchard, the ripe smell of apples clogging my nose. I look at the tall boy walking peacefully next to me, wondering what was going on in that head of his.