chapter twenty-six; Valentine's day "Happy Birthday, Jo!"
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Lucy Reese Collins
I STARE INTO THE BLACK LAKE ENJOYING THE SILENCE. In my head, I am playing memories with my mom over and over again. If I look back at it, maybe I did go to school too early. I am trying to forget my mom in the wrong way. I was supposed to cry, think a lot about her, but I started to make out and hook up with boys. I changed. I grab a rock and throw it into the black lake. I miss you, mom.
"You have to go to bed sweetheart, tomorrow it's a big day." My mom says while helping me in bed. "Mom, you were a Ravenclaw, right?" She nods and smiles. "I was, but honey, it doesn't matter if you are a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff or Slytherin or even Gryffindor. I am proud of you either way." She kisses my cheek and I chuckle. "I think I will be a Ravenclaw too or Slytherin... Because that will make dad proud." "We will always be proud of you, so is your dad-"
"Aren't you supposed to get ready for Jo's party?" I look up and see Hudson. "Maybe, I am just thinking." "Thinking or not, it's Valentine's day, you are supposed to be with someone you like, such as Charles or-" I chuckle a bit. "I am not in love with Charles." "Of course you're not, Luce." He says sarcastically what makes me look at him. "I am serious, I just like to play the game." "If you say so...-" I push him a bit while laughing. "You are not the one to talk, aren't you supposed to be with Jo or something?" He rolls his eyes and sits down. We are both leaning against the tree now, both staring at the black lake. "She loves you, Hudson. You're a fool if you don't see that." "She pushes me away, ever since everything happened with Keith... It's different. She's different." I throw another rock into the black lake. "Death is doing that to people, Hudson. You know I changed after my mom and Isaac. He was my best friend... You have to talk to her before you lose her forever...-" I stand and hold out my hand. "What are we going to do?" Hudson asks as he grabs my hand and gets up. "We are going to get ready for the party because at the party you are going to win her back."
~
I chuck down another drink while looking at the people on the dancefloor. This party is absolutely amazing. Jo and I did well, very well. I see Jo a bit further, she's dancing with Hudson. They look pretty close. I grab a bottle of muggle vodka. Apparently, it's a strong liquor and in the muggle world, you use this to get drunk. I take a sip and directly after I start coughing. Damn, this is really strong. "Woah, are you okay?" Someone taps on my back trying to get me to stop. "Yeah, I am fine. This is really strong, try it." He takes a sip as well and I can see how he's trying not to cough. "Told you." I laugh while Theo gives back the bottle. He looks at the dancefloor and his eyes catch Hudson and Jo. "Do you like her, Theo?" He doesn't look away from the couple and nods. "I uh- I think I smelled her in the-" "Amortentia," I finish as I look at him. "I know," I say after that and I lean with my head against upper arm. "I just don't know what she wants, I feel like a rebound." I chuckle a bit. "I can't believe, the great Theodore Ellington feels like a rebound." He pushes me. "Oh shut up, Collins. You are bad too." "How so?" "You and Charles? Or the fact that you fucked Noah in the Potions classroom? Or-" His voice fades away, but I am too focussed on the words that just came out of his mouth. "How do you know about that?" "He told me, you are just as bad as we are. You may not have a list, but even I have never had sex with two girls from the same group." I run my hand through my hair. "I know, I fucked up...-" "You did and luckily for you, Charles doesn't know." I sip again from the bottle, only taking three or four sips now. "I don't know if I want to tell him. It will make everything so difficult. I don't even like Noah that way." Theo clears his throat and looks at something behind me. I turn around only to see Noah standing there. "Noah...-" He turns around and walks away. "Noah!" I run after him. I run out of the Room of Requirement and see the boy. "Noah, please! I am sorry. You are one of my best friends, please don't leave me!" He ignores me and walks further. "I know I shouldn't have used you, but I thought it was pure lust for you too. Noah, please!" He disappears around the corner and I know I should go after him, but I don't do it. I turn around and my eyes meet Charles'. I bite my lip before opening the door to the Room of Requirement again.
