𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘 . 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐓

𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄 𝐄𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄.

1994;

Enthralled in a world of fiction, Viola sank into her seat in the school library, the thick pages of her book a cocoon of dreams. Away from reality, she was lost in the words and stories of others, her mind conjuring up worlds of wonder and possibilities.

These tales were not her own, but she lost herself in their words, a refuge from the pain and loss of the real world. A sea of words and imagination, where she could find solace in worlds beyond her own.

Solitude was something she enjoyed, the peace it provided a welcome respite after long social gatherings. However, it was not a safe haven, not when she was alone and faced with only herself and her thoughts. The silence was deafening, the blank space a vacuum inviting her to analyze and agonize over every decision and action. In the absence of others, there was nowhere to hide from her own mind.

"Is this going to be a regular event now?" Theo asked with a slight hint of amusement in his words, he continued, "Me finding you in some secluded corner or deserted room?"

"No," Viola said, turning her head towards Theo. "Unless you intend to keep trying to find me wherever I hide myself."

"I saw that little stunt you pulled with Diggory," Theo said, settling himself in the seat next to Viola.

"Surprised you could see anything past that head of blonde hair you buried yourself in," Viola retorted, sending a snarky grin in Theo's direction.

Theo rolled his eyes at her response, his words tinged with sarcasm. "Real nice," he muttered. "Don't tell me he's bothering you?" He continued. "If he is, I'll send him back to his half-blood family all broken and vanquished."

"What a kind offer," Viola said, as she rose to her feet and closed her book.

Theo quickly called out to her. "Hey, hey," he interrupted. "Where are you heading off to?" She remained silent, not answering his question. "Am I the one bothering you now?" he asked.

She sighed in annoyance. "The day people will stop bothering me is the day I can die peacefully," she mumbled dismissively.

Theo rolled his eyes at this comment, his own annoyance and playful sarcasm clearly present in his actions. He didn't see the need for Viola's dismissive attitude, especially when he was simply trying to make conversation.

"Have you noticed that all you've done this year is push me away?" Theo asked. "While all I've been doing is trying to talk to you?" He continued, a hint of frustration and annoyance in his tone.

In response, Viola simply shook her head. "I never asked you to bother me," she replied.

At this, Theo scoffed, exasperated by Viola's attitude. "That bitchy attitude doesn't suit you," he remarked,

In a defiant and provocative gesture, Viola went on, "Everything suits me," her words dripping with vexation and stubbornness.

The spark of anger in Theo flared for a moment, as he realized she had no intention of backing down from their verbal exchange. His irritation and annoyance grew.

The year brought change for Theo and Viola. Gone were the days when they shared a seamless synergy, as they now existed like two parallel lines that never intersect. A tension filled the air between them, like the air before a storm that seems to threaten thunder and lightning. Though their connection had once been strong, now it was frayed, like a faded thread of a once beautiful tapestry.

Late into the night, Viola had no desire to engage in others any further, so, simply, she made her way to her dormitory, eagerly awaiting her impending rest.

"Vio," Pansy spoke from where she lay in her bed, filing her nails with a slight sass in her tone, "you dirty little liar,"

"Pardon?" Viola's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"You locked lips with Cedric Diggory and never even thought to mention it?" Pansy voiced, her tone exasperated.

"I already told you it wasn't important, isn't that how I mentioned it?" Viola reasoned with a shrug.

"Oh." Pansy spoke, titling her head. "That bad?"

"It wasn't bad." Viola denied with a slight shake of her head, "it was... whatever. Pretty sure he thought there was more to it than there actually was,"

"Yikes," Pansy hissed with a dramatic sigh, "But, that's not your fault,"

Pansy was buying into Viola's self-delusions, trying to convince themselves of that statement.

"Precisely." Viola concurred after a momentary pause. She slumped down onto her bed and placed her hand in her hair in an attempt to ease what she felt in that moment.

Pansy dropped the nail file she had been using as she spoke to Viola. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing--," Viola said, yet, before she could continue, Pansy cut her off, mocking her with a lighthearted tone.

"Nothing important," Pansy teased, her words carrying a sense of jest in them. "If I had a gallon every time you've said that..." she mimicked.

"You'd have three," Viola deadpanned with a raised brow and a playful tired smirk.

And so, she slept, enjoying a much needed respite from her perpetually turning and churning mind. It was as if her mind was a ceaseless storm of thoughts and ideas, never providing her with a moment of peace and quiet. As she drifted off to sleep, the only break she was able to find from her racing thoughts was in her sleep, but even there, she couldn't quite escape the anxiety and worry that seemed to always torment her. Yet, in those few hours of reprieve, she was able to find a fleeting bit of comfort before her thoughts once again consumed her waking hours.

-
Short chapter! I'll publish a longer one soon I promise.

Viola & Theo are toxic af at times, and it's only gonna get more frustrating for the both of them.

Also, THANK U SM FOR 2.4k reads!! That's so crazy to me. All ur vote's & comments make my day, ily. <3

Thank u 4reading.

Word count: 950