Chapter 388 - Declaration (1/2)
All too soon, it was the next day, Monday with the start of the new term. The day went by quickly except for her last class, Advanced Arithmancy. Rowan was already dreading the class given the fact that both Barrett Boone and Darcy Travers were in the same class period. But to make matters worse off ever since the Yule Ball, Darcy Travers had taken to making loud, rude snide comments about her in the Slytherin common room area.
Normally, Rowan would have felt pity for the guy, but given that some of the comments were just plain rude, all niceties were thrown out the window! If Darcy Travers kept at it, she'd hex him soon enough! And if not, she'd at least punch him in the gut. Never in the face though, because that always leaves incriminating proof.
Rowan had sat down and begun to pull out her things when as usual, when the hard-faced, Parsley Parkinson entered the classroom accompanied by Darcy Travers. The scholarly young man glares at her as he slams his things onto a desk. Parkinson makes a face at Rowan as if to say, ”I know, he's out of line. But he's my best friend.”
Thankfully the glossy russet haired, doe-eyed, Matilda Madley arrived next. The curved witch sat one seat over from Rowan as was customary. Despite Madley's presence, Rowan could feel daggers being stared at her back. If looks could kill, Darcy Travers would have already stabbed her to death.
Things start to get weird when the three Ravenclaws enter the room. There is an awkward air as Darcy Travers glares at Barrett Boone, who boldly stares back. Darcy Travers is the first to glance away while some deep emotion flashes across Barrett's face before fading away. The short-haired, Brandon Ackerley must know what's going on as he pats Barrett on the back. Cadmus Quirke, on the other hand, hasn't got a clue as he merely smooths out his robes to take a seat.
And then the round-faced, cheerful short-haired witch, Alice Yates arrives. Alice happily waltz's over and sits in her usual seat between Madley and Rowan. ”How come you're not sitting with the cute Barrett over there?” Alice leaned over to whisper as she tried to play matchmaker.
Rowan feels a cold shiver run down her back. Why can't anything nice ever happen to her without any strings attached? Really!
”It was just the right mood,” Rowan sputtered. ”Nothing else!”
”You sure?” Alice teasingly said. ”I was told that it was a rather passionate kiss.”
The last part was said a bit too loudly as Rowan can feel a cold wisp of air coming from behind her. ”I'm fairly certain that it was merely a brush of the lips,” Rowan steadily replied. ”I was there, I think I would know. And I can clearly tell the difference!”
”Just checking, darling,” Alice impishly said, before turning to chat to Medley.
But despite Rowan clarifying the Yule incident, the situation didn't improve. Not even when Professor Vector came in and began the class. To be perfectly honest, it was probably one of the worst class period in her entire life. And arithmancy is one of her favorite subjects!
The moment, Professor Vector was done, Rowan was the first person out the door. She was quickly walking away when she heard a voice calling out her from behind. She turned around and to her surprise saw that it was Barrett Boone.
”Is something wrong, Boone?” Rowan asked.
”In a manner of speaking,” Barrett sheepishly confessed. ”I wonder if, I can ask a favor out of you, Prince?”
”It depends on what it is,” Rowan wryly replied as she shifted her bag on her shoulder.
”I'd like for you to pretend to be my girlfriend,” Barrett awkwardly asked.
Rowan begins to choke, before, through watery eyes, she rasped, ”Is this a joke? Because it's not funny!”
”My parents are just trying to set me up with a girl,” Barrett admitted as he rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. ”But I'd like to at least wait until after next year. And you already know my secret so as long as you don't break up with me until the end of term, I'll have plenty of time to refuse as I'll to be too heartbroken.”