Weakness (Tom Riddle: Enemies to Lovers)

Chapter 16

"What are you doing out of bed at this hour?", Tom said sternly, "As a prefect I can't let you stay here."

I wasn't in the mood to snap back or argue. "I'm sorry, I must have lost track of time." I quickly stood up, "I'll be on my way now."

I wiped my tears and started walking away, worried of what I would face in my dorm room. I felt Tom's stare on my back, but I wasn't expecting him to stop me.

"Christine?", Tom called to me while I was halfway down the corridor.

I stopped walking and turned around, struggling to keep my composure. "Yes Tom?"

He continued, "Are you alright?"

All of a sudden I couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears. There I was, a blubbering mess, crying my eyes out in front of no other than Tom Riddle.

"So, I'm guessing no then...?" he said.

Still crying I sat down on one of the benches nearby. Pulling my knees up I buried my face in my arms, not able to hear Tom as he slowly approached me. I felt his arm brush against mine as he took a seat next to me, causing me to look up. 

"What do you want? Are you enjoying my pain, cause if so you can leave me alone." I murmured.

Tom turned to me, "No actually, it's making me quite uncomfortable."

I gave him a confused look, what was wrong with him? "If you're so bothered you can go, I don't need your pity.", I replied.

"As a prefect that wouldn't be very responsible of me would it?"  he answered lightly.

The tone he took was surprisingly soft. It made me feel comfortable. "Ok... but I'm not going anywhere." I said quietly.

"Alright then", Tom responded, unbothered.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes. Just having Tom stay with me was enough to lighten my mood. My annoyance turned to relief that he was there. I reached over to him and took his hand, then slowly placed my head on his shoulder. Tom didn't even look at me, and I felt him tense up, but shortly after he relaxed.

"What happened?", he quietly said to me.

"It's kind of a long story." I replied with uncertainty.

"We have time."

At this point I could have no friends left, I might as well clear my name to someone. I told him about Malcom, Selene, the kiss, getting caught, followed by all my worries. Tom simply sat there and listened to me while I switched between telling the story and crying. When I was done, he didn't say anything. I could tell he was uneasy, he didn't know how to respond and was considering what to do.

Tom looked down at me and then pulled me into a hug. I placed my chin on his shoulder and embraced him tightly. He started awkwardly stroking my hair, as if not knowing what to do in this position. I didn't care though, I never wanted to leave his arms. His willingness to show emotion warmed my heart and his vulnerability countered my shame.

"Why are you doing this?" I whispered to him.

"I don't know." he whispered back, "but it's terrifying."

A realization hit me in that moment, something I never considered before. Could Tom be born of a love potion like my sister and I? Am I doing to him what Brooke and I did for each other? Making him feel love... breaking the effects of the potion? 

Brooke. I always tried to forget her, to forget that pain. if I wasn't already crying I would have started. But I didn't feel like analyzing my family's past, I just wanted one thing.

"Tom please promise me this." I started, "Promise me you won't act like tonight didn't happen"

He didn't respond at first, but finally he replied. "I don't make promises."