By my Side ~ Tom Felton fanfic

Chaper 23: Decisions

It was during dinner that day and this was when I decided to tell Em, Jackie and Alex about my thoughts.

'I have something to tell you all.' I said slowly. The three of them looked at me all at once. Taking a short breath, I said, 'I'm thinking of moving out soon.'

'What did you just say?' Em said rather shocked, staring at me across the table. Not that I didn't expect this reaction.

'I said, I'm thinking of moving out.'

'Why?'

'Well, I'm nineteen and I'm basically an... Adult and I'll be going to uni soon enough. I can't have extra weight on all of your shoulders for any long -'

'But you aren't putting any weight on our shoulders.'

'That's good, but still. Even if I didn't move out now, I still will in the future.'

'But -'

'It's her choice that she made herself.' Jackie said slowly from next to her. 'And it doesn't mean that you won't see each other if she moves out.'

'Yeah...' Em looked down.

'Great, now I have to put up with her by myself.' Alex said, who sat next to me.

'Sorry.' I laughed weakly.

'Do you know when, dear?' Jackie asked.

'Well, I'm thinking of looking for a flat after all the premieres are done but I'll move out as soon as everything is settled.'

'Okay.' She nodded. 'No need to rush, okay? I love your company.'

I nodded, smiling. 'Thank you so much.'

'Not a problem at all.' She smiled back.

'Oh yes - so,' I clapped my hands together. 'I would like to take you three to dinner one of the days this or next month.'

'You don't need to -'

'No, I want to. I - I don't know what other ways I can thank you. But I don't think I can't thank you all enough, anyway.'

Jackie laughed softly. 'Okay then. We'll happily take your kind offer.'

***

'So did you tell them?' Tom asked from the other side of the phone.

'I did...' I said, staring across the lawn as I sat outside, leaning against the wall. 'Em didn't look enthusiastic though...'

'Of course she won't.' He laughed softly. 'You two are like sisters.'

'Yeah... And I know I'm going to get emotional when I'm leaving. It's not that I don't love living with her... and Jackie and Alex.'

'I know.' I could tell that he was smiling. 'Do you want me to help you look for a flat?'

'Oh - no, it's fine. You're filming -'

'It's not a big role. It'll be my last day next Friday.' Then he added, definitely with a smirk on his face, 'And you know you want me to.'