Athena Jones
At evening
I arrived at the library and took a seat putting the red cloak he gave me yesterday beside me, I anxiously glance at the clock. Malfoy was supposed to meet me here half an hour ago, and his absence only fuelled my unease.
I swear if it wasn’t for the project work I didn’t want to see his face, not after what he said last night.
The library felt like a peaceful place to be. It was quiet, free from distractions and noise and gave a feeling of calmness. But even that feeling couldn’t mask the unease that filled the air in me.
My thoughts kept straying back to him, wondering why he hasn’t shown up yet… Was he playing games again? Or did he genuinely forgotten about it? Should I leave and forget about the project?
Maybe he stood me up on purpose didn’t he?
I looked out of the window and watched the sun was already down. I was going to put my books away when I noticed Malfoy and Astoria in the far back of the library.
When did he arrive?
She appeared to be crying, and he appeared to be about to erupt from range as they were conversing more like they were bickering. Before I moved my head to return to my books and stop staring at them, his eyes almost caught mine.
Please tell me he didn’t see me.
I looked away quickly, not wanting him to know that I was watching. They were both so caught up in their little argument that they failed to notice my presence.
Malfoy looked really pissed, his eyes narrowed and his lips pulled down into a grim line. Astoria just looked tearful and exhausted. I can’t hear what they said but it definitely doesn’t look like a pleasant conversation.
I kept my gaze on my textbooks, trying to look busy and avoid any awkward encounters.
I wonder what they were talking about, and why Astoria was crying. Could it be that things aren’t going well between them? I mean they never are, it’d always on and off between them from what I’ve heard.
I could see Malfoy’s eyes shifting between Astoria and myself, I think he was searching for me. I kept my head down, hoping he wouldn’t see.
Astoria’s tears were slowly turning into sobs as she tried to explain something that clearly was annoying him. He didn’t say anything in reply, his lips just curved into a grim, disgusted line.
I was almost caught by Malfoy again, now I miss my long hairs, at least it helped me hide my face a bit.
Astoria finally gave up and stormed out of the library.
There was a long moment of silence, only broken by a low mumbling and a slam of the door.
After a few seconds of silence, Malfoy’s footsteps approached my side of the library.
I quickly buried my face in my book, pretending to read but secretly watched him from the corner of my eye.
He sits beside me, clearing his throat, as I said “You’re late,”
He scoffed, he could never stand being called out like this.
“I’m aware of that, I am here finally” he says, he crossed his arm and leaned back on his chair.
He didn’t seem to mind that I call him late. Instead he’s more annoyed about something else, the way he spoke suggested that he wasn’t in the mood to have our project discussion, rather in the mood to argue about something else.
I rolled my eyes before picking up the cloak from my side and pushing it to his side “here’s your cloak, and next time I’d prefer if you’d stop acting like you want to help me,” I say
“Whatever” he sighs, snatching the cloak from me “I’ve changed my mind, I’ve decided I’ll do most of the work and you just fill in whatever I need you to do if you’re bothered to.”
And the bastard just crossed his arms. Was he serious or was he just messing around?
“Oh, that’s very generous of you. Thank you very much” I said sarcastically.
“Don’t get all sarcastic on me,” he shot back, a little irritation slipping into his voice.
“Whatever” I rolled my eyes
He coughed, “Let’s just concentrate on finishing your research, so I can free myself from you,”
I opened my mouth to respond, but I was at a loss for words.
His blonde hair fell down his forehead like a perfectly placed puzzle piece, and he moved the books in front of me so that they were in between us.
He was completely concentrated on his task the entire time, which was impressive considering I can’t remain focused for crap. I hate to admit it, but he knows more about this subject than I do; no surprise Snape likes him, even if he doesn’t show it, even if he pretends as if he despises him; everyone knows who Snape’s favourite is.
To be quite honest, this was not how I had anticipated it would turn out. I had expected that he would be incredibly annoying and I would have to leave the library cursing him.
But none of that occurred; instead, he wasn’t as annoying as usual, and I’m not sure whether I should be happy or frightened; tonight, he was a little different, and I hate to admit that I noticed the difference in his energy, but there’s something different.
I watched him with fascination, despite his arrogant attitude his intellect is definitely something else. The way he studies the books with such keen attention, as if he’s trying to learn every single fact by heart.
He was smart and he knew It but I don’t know what to think of his sudden change of attitude.
“You’re staring at me” he muttered, taking one of the books from the pile in front of me.
I quickly looked away, “No I’m not.”
“Yes you are, you have been for the past few seconds,” he said, he says and kept studying the book.
“You’re imagining stuffs now?” I replied looking away from him and into the book.
“I’m not imagining anything.” He shrugged, and flipped through the pages of the book. “ I can tell when someone is staring at me, you know,”
I rolled my eyes and returned to study the materials I needed, but my eyes kept going back to him. He’s definitely bipolar or something because there’s no way someone can change so much every now and then
“Are you even studying?” He asked, taking another book, “or just staring at me?”
He had a point, my eyes were going back to him every few seconds and I’m not even studying. This is not like me at all.
“I’m studying!” I hit his foot by mine under the table.
“Well you’re doing a poor job of it” he says flipping the pages.
“You’re so full of yourself,” I scoff
“I’m just calling it how it is.” He says calmly.
We were like this for a while back and forth throwing insult at each other until he finally sighs and puts the book down.
“Do you know what your problem is?” he asked, I could hear a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“No, because there is no problem with me, it’s all you, maybe you should figure that out,” I tilt my head with a sarcastic smile
“Your problem is, you’re annoying, and you’re a pain in the ass and a distraction to study with” he says and looks at me directly.
I fake gasped “How am I a distraction!”
“Every other second I can feel your eyes watching me. It’s really irritating, and for god’s sake, try to focus in your task instead of trying to fight with me.”
“Oh please, get over yourself, you’re not that interesting,” I respond trying to keep my voice calm but his comment is really pushing my buttons.
There was a brief uneasy stillness before he spoke again. “So, as I was saying, you can do this part,” he pauses, motioning to the notes scribbled on the parchment paper.
He added before handing me the parchment, “And I’ll do this,” before slipping the second page into his pocket before I could read any of the words on it.
As much as I despise having to do what he says, I know it is the proper thing to do, and as I stated before, I don’t want to have unneeded arguments with him. This competition between me, him, his friends, and my friends has caused numerous issues, mostly for me and my friends.
Thea, just go with the flow.
“All right,” I said, surprising myself with my calmness.
I look at the paper. I was not expecting it to be this simple, there are no arguments, no insults thrown at each other. This is new for me, it’s like we are being civil and that scares me.
“Very well then, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, clearing his throat.
Malfoy stood up to leave as I gathered all my books when a man approached me.
I’d never seen him around here before; he appeared to be older than me and new here. He was tall, but not taller than Malfoy, with curling ginger hair cascading down his brow and bright green eyes staring directly into mine, and he smiled at him before extending his arm for a handshake.
“Athena, right?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered quietly. “how do you-“
“I’ve already seen you around, so I thought I should know what your name was. I’m Ethan Rosewood,” he replied and shook my hand.
I quickly looked at Malfoy who was glaring at him as he was standing right behind me. If I’m going to meet someone new I’d prefer it to be without Malfoy’s presence.
Ethan held my hand for a sec longer than usual and smiled widely at me. His smile is quite pleasant.
“It’s good to meet you, Ethan” I pull my hands back.
“Likewise,” he says smiling.
We both look at Malfoy, who is definitely annoyed. I wonder what happened to him today, he’s totally off his game.
Malfoy’s expression darkens and he crosses his arms. Ethan definitely notices him staring at him “Oh, I’m sorry are you two—”
Before he could even finish his sentence my eyes widened in horror, “No!no! we were just working on the project Snape gave us to work together on,” I say defensively, shaking my head.
Then I turned my head to Malfoy who was standing behind me Why was he still standing wasn’t he leaving just few seconds ago “Malfoy — you were leaving? I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say with a fake smile and signalling him with my eyes to leave.
But he doesn’t listen he. This is awkward.
“Uh, so I’ll see you around,” Ethan says sensing the awkwardness
“Definitely, it was nice meeting you Ethan” I smile as he walks away.
I turned my head back to Malfoy, who was still there, with a frowning expression.
“what the hell was that! Why didn’t you leave us alone,” I say in disbelief as I stand up facing him.
He stared at me, he looked like he’s trying to form a comment but can’t think of one. Instead he just glares at me as he continues with his crossed arm stance.
“What? I have to leave just because some random guy decided to talk to you?” he finally said with a frown.
Yeah, it was actually awkward as hell. I guess I’m not surprised, Malfoy’s personality probably won’t be well received in general society.
“That’s not the point, you should learn to read the room, you can’t have people looking at us and thinking there’s something more going on than it really is” I say and he scoffed.
“I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think anyone would mistake us for dating,” he says
“That’s not the point,” I say ignoring that comment.
“the point is, now he’ll probably assume that we are dating or have something going on between us— stop ruining my chances with someone!” I say
If I have to move on from Theo I need a rebound or something, and he’s ruining my chances of getting that!
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he says rolling his eyes. “you’re not interested in him, and I am pretty sure he’s not interested in you either.”
“He was definitely interested” I insist “and he is pretty nice too, but thanks to you now we won’t know if I have a chance with him or not!” I said annoyed.
“Yeah, you don’t” he says before finally turning around and walking away. I watched him go.
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Rewritten on: 1st April.