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Post by lachlanparker on Feb 24, 2012 23:16:40 GMT
SING ME TO SLEEP
I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS WAITING TO SAY
I MISS YOU, I'M SO SORRY Lachlan awoke with a start, unfamiliar with his surroundings and of the nightmare he'd just been having. It had been three days since the attack and he was afraid to sleep, as his mind kept betraying him of the horrible night that had happend not so long ago.
Shaking, and with an urge to yell and scream, Lachlan wiped the sweat off his forehead and sat up. Small tears leaked down the gangly boy's face, glinting off the sunlight that was slowly coming through the window.
They'd been found by Professor Flitwick, who had an appointment with Hagrid the morning after. Needless to say, the short man nearly bowled over backwards as he saw the three students lying on the forest floor covered in their own blood. Lachlan didn't remember much after that - he was asked if he was attacked, but from there it all went cold.
Of course, all of his physical wounds had been healed within minutes of getting to St. Mungo's. It was just the mental wounds they were worried about. Lachlan couldn't afford to daydream - his mind would always wander back to that horrible night, but with the amount of people coming to see him, Marlene and Emily, he'd barely had time to think.
The Ministry had launched a full inquiry into the attacks, after someone - was it Lachlan? He couldn't remember much - had told them of the nature of the attack. Albus Dumbledore had been to see them, and not soon after had left again. Trent had stayed beside Lachlan's bed for hours, but eventually, like the rest of them, they had to be shipped back to Hogwarts to continue on with their lives.
As if Lachlan would be able to do that when he got back.
He looked over to Emily in the bed next to him, wondering if she too was feeling the same way as he was. On the other side was Marlene, who'd taken the biggest beating out of all of them. She had so much internal bleeding they were going to keep her here for another week.
"Em." Lachlan said, moving to the side of his bed to face her. "You awake?"
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Post by Emily Prescott on Feb 25, 2012 0:01:00 GMT
 Emily couldn't sleep.
In fact she wasn't too sure how long she'd been awake. The sun had just come up, lighting up the room she was currently in with her friends. Illuminating the white tiles and washed walls, not bothering to hide the fact she was somewhere she really didn't want to be any more. Emily heard Lachlan awake in the next bed but didn't roll over to greet him, she just stayed stationary, not moving.
It had been three days, three whole days since the attack in the Dark Forest and the pain and terror she felt was still as raw as it had been that night. In the grand scheme of things, Emily felt lucky, at least she would be getting out soon, it was poor Marlene who'd have to stay longer. Emily's injuries had been severe, but no where near as bad as her friends.
Wiping the tear that rolled down onto her nose, she let out a shaky breath. She hated that this had happened, really she could only remember bits and pieces of being rescued, it was the other stuff she remembered vividly. Especially one thing, Bellatrix Black, Emily could still see her face, hear that evil cackle belonging to her and her friends as they'd tortured them. It was the reason she didn't want to go back to school she didn't think she could handle it.
Hearing Lachlan say her name and ask if she was awake, Emily nodded her head, sniffing and wiping away the tears from her cheeks before rolled over to face him. As she moved she winced, the curse and the knocks she'd suffered still pained her a great deal if she moved too much. "Hey." she said softly, looking at the guy she was lucky enough to call a friend, "Couldn't sleep...how about you, still having the nightmares?" she asked carefully, her voice was soft and hoarse from all the crying she'd done.
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Post by lachlanparker on Feb 25, 2012 0:38:05 GMT
As Lachlan's eyes gazed over Emily's damaged and fragile body, he could tell she was still in a lot of pain, despite the stack of pills and medication on her nightstand. They had matching tears on their cheeks and as alone and secluded as Lachlan felt inside, he knew Emily was feeling the same way. It was something they didn't need to talk about. He nodded slowly in response to her question and shifted off his own bed.
Trying not to disturb Emily's wounds, he lay down next to his friend, curling up into her side and resting his head against her shoulder. "Why us, Em." he said quietly, fighting back more tears. Deep down he knew the real reason, but he didn't want to believe that the people he knew and went to school with could be so cruel and heartless.
"God, Emily," Lachlan said, his voice breaking. He had so many options as to how to finish his sentence, but he knew that whatever he said would be exactly what Emily was thinking. The two of them were unable to choose their background - where they were from - so why did it mean that they were punished for it? "Poor Marlene." Lachlan said finally, unable to see Marlene from where he lay. "She really did get the worst of it."
The two friends lay on the small hospital bed, curled up against each other. Lachlan was glad for the company, and as much as he never wanted Emily to ever have to go through the ordeal they had been through, he was glad that she was there with him. Silence spoke louder than words and Lachlan buried his head into Emily's shoulder, feeling another wave of tears coming on.
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Post by Emily Prescott on Feb 25, 2012 0:51:14 GMT
Emily said nothing as Lachlan climbed up onto her bed, his head coming to rest on her shoulder. She let her head rest against his as she stared up at the ceiling, unsure of how to answer him so she just let the question hang there for a moment. The silence stretching out before them for a bit, "I don't know why...I wish I could understand it but I don't...I don't think I ever will..." she finally admitted, tears in her eyes as she continued to stare blankly at the ceiling.
Why?
God she'd asked herself that question so many times over the last few days. It's what her parents had asked Dumbledore. All questions where met with the same answer. No one knew why this had happened, well they did in a way but no one understood the reasoning. How could they, it didn't make sense. None of it. Emily couldn't believe she'd fallen victim to the stigma. That she was now part of it all, the hatred, the war, part of the Muggle-Borns who'd either been attacked or killed by people trying to rid the world of their kind.
To know she was hated that much devastated her.
"Marlene...she's going to be okay...eventually..." Emily said, her voice sounding more confident than she felt. Marlene woulnd't be okay, how could she be, none of them where. Sure they may heal physically but emotionally, Emily didn't see how any of them could move past this. "We just need to be there for each other..." she said with a small sigh, closing her eyes as Lachlan began to cry. It took all her strength not to break down to, she didn't want to cry any more, she wanted to fight this.
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Post by Chase Connors on Feb 25, 2012 1:25:14 GMT
Chase had spent most of the previous day trying to hunt down Professor Dumbledore but with little luck. The headmaster had been busy in various meeting regarding the attacks on students and hadn’t stayed in one place for long. In the end, Chase had sat himself down in front of his office and waited for about four hours on the cold stone floor of the dungeons awaiting his return. Even when the clock on the wall said it was long after curfew he remained exactly where he was. Dumbledore had to return at some point, and Chase was adamant he was talking to him today, not waiting till tomorrow. News of the attack on Hogwarts had spread quickly throughout the school and a few names were mentioned. When he’d woken the morning after and seen Lachlan’s bed empty he should have suspected something was up, but hearing his name in the same sentence as the word ‘attack’ had sent his head reeling. How could this happen? It just couldn’t be real… Chase didn’t think that things could get any worse than that but he’d been wrong. Soon after he’d heard Emily’s name mentioned as being another victim and, for the second time that day, his heart had stopped temporarily and he’d struggled to breath. It seemed impossible. He’d pinched his arms and face again and again willing himself to wake up and realize it had all been a dream. His wished weren’t granted. When Dumbledore had finally said that friends could go and visit the three students in St. Mungo’s Trent had beaten him to the chase, and the headmaster had only allowed one friend per person that day. That, was the very reason he’d spent to long hunting him down. He wanted – no, he needed – to see them for himself to know that they were okay. Lachlan had been his best friend for years! And Emily… he hadn’t seen her since that night in the Astronomy Tower, but she hadn’t been off his mind for long since. Finally, just after midnight, Professor Dumbledore had returned to his office and Chase had finally managed to ask for permission to go to Mungo’s. He was sure it was only that fact that he’d sat there for hours on end and pure persistence that the older man agreed at all. ********* Chase peered cautiously around the door in St Mungo’s. He’d been directed to this room by the witch on reception but as desperate as he’d been to get here, his feet were slowing down the closer to the door he got. He didn’t know what to expect, that was the worst of it. Fear of the unknown. Peering round, he could see both Lachlan and Emily lying together in one of the small hospital beds, and he could see tears on both of their faces and his throat clenched. He had to bite back tears of his own at the site of them there. He caught the last line of their conversation. ‘We just need to be there for each other.’ He knocked softly on the door, and leaned around the frame further, still not crossing into the room itself. ”Hey,” He gave a feeble wave. ”Mind if I join you?” |
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Post by lachlanparker on Feb 25, 2012 4:23:55 GMT
Lachlan had no words to reply with. Emily was absolutely right and Lachlan made a silent vow that he would be there for her, no matter what she needed. It was going to be difficult from here on in, but something in Lachlan's mind was blocking him from thinking about the future. All he knew now was pain, and the scarring mental images that had come to haunt his mind.
He let a silent tear trickle down his cheek. They were going to get through this. It was going to be okay. Just as the tear fell from his face and landed on the pale teal hospital garment that Emily was wearing, a familiar face and voice appeared from behind the door frame.
"Chase," Lachlan croaked, a bleak smile appearing on his chapped thin lips. It was good to see him after what had felt like so long. The brightness that radiated from Lachlan's eyes needed no further words or explanation; Chase was more welcome here than anywhere else. Lachlan moved his legs, curling into a ball, so that Chase could have some room at the end of the bed. He wasn't quite ready to move yet, feeling comfortable and safe snuggled in next to Emily.
He wondered if they'd told Chase what had happened. Lord knew Lachlan couldn't muster the courage to talk about it, and he suspected Emily felt the same. But, if Chase was here to see them, he must have known a little of the situation. "Thanks," Lachlan said to Chase, holding out his hand for Chase to take. He really meant it; it was an amazing feeling to know that he had such good support, considering the situation he had found himself in. Chase was always a supportive friend and Lachlan felt closer to Chase than he had ever done.
"Have you seen Trent?" he croaked, concerned about their other friend. Trent would be taking this badly, and Lachlan was starting to feel worried. He wondered if Chase and Emily knew each other, but that thought soon passed out of his mind. Chase was here now and that was all that mattered.
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Post by Chase Connors on Feb 25, 2012 10:17:32 GMT
Chase saw the small smile on Lachie’s face when he saw him, and something in his eyes seemed to light up. That, at least, was encouragement enough for Chase to take those final few stops into the room and across to where the two of them lay together, seeking comfort from each other. He friend of the last 5 years curled up further on the bed, leaving a small space at the bottom – just enough for him to sit down if he wanted to. Lachie thanked him, for visiting him, he thought, and held out a hand which Chase happily took, giving a tight squeeze. He didn’t let got quickly either, letting the hold linger. ”How you feeling?”He glanced over at Emily again before he sat down, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable with him being around. He gave her a small smile too before turning back to Lachie. ”Rumors and stories are flying around school faster than a nimbus and getting weirder each day. This morning I heard a couple of Ravenclaws saying that you’d been attacked...” He grinned, hoping to put a smile on his friends face, ”…by a guy who thought he was a werewolf who’d lost his ability to change. They further went on to say that the guy has escaped from the loony bin a few weeks ago and could frequently be found walking around in a top hat, gloves, and pirate clothing. So…”Chase hadn’t made that up either. Rumors really were getting out of hand. He left out the part where the Ravenclaws were probably no older than twelve, because that really wasn’t important. Point was, the serious aura from the first day of hearing about the attacks was fading fast under the pure absurdity of the gossip chain. Chase shook his head. ”Not since Dumbledore gave him permission to come and visit that first day. Then again, I did spend most of yesterday sitting in the dungeons, which doesn’t really lend itself to seeing friends, if you know what I mean.” He smiled at Lachie again before glancing back over at Emily. He still wanted to apologize about the other night but somehow, after everything that had happened since, it seems a ridiculous thing to bother about now. He settled for another smile in her direction. ( OOC: sorry this one is awful! >.< ) |
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Post by Emily Prescott on Feb 25, 2012 13:34:18 GMT
”Mind if I join you?”
Emily glanced away from the ceiling in search of the familiar voice, seeing who it was instantly when Lachlan waved him in. She glanced down at her friend and felt her heart give a tight squeeze at seeing the familiar brightness fill his eyes. It was good to see it again, it had appeared when Trent had been here also, she wondered what it would take for her to feel that spark of hope again. Right now all she was doing was struggling not to breakdown, to scream, to yell at the injustice of it all. Emily was brought out of her musings when she felt Lachlan shift against her, curling his legs up so as to give Chase some room on the bed to sit down.
The two friends held hands and Emily merely glanced down at them, before looking back at Chase as he asked how they were feeling. "Alive..." she said, the same answer she'd given to everyone who asked that question. It wasn't as though she could tell them the truth, how she was actually feeling. That she was so angry, devastated, scared, tired, in pain, no one could understand and she wasn't about to burden the other two who would as they were going through the exact same thing. As Chase went on to inform them of some of the stories floating around Hogwart's, Emily let her gaze flicker across the room to Marlene and instantly disappointment and acceptance filled her eyes. Shaking her head ever so slightly, she forced her eyes to look away from Sirius and Marlene and glanced at the things on her bedside cabinet.
She reached for a tub of painkillers, and let two drop into the palm of her hand, quickly swallowing them down with some ice cold water. Turning back to Chase she shot him a small smile that didn't even touch her eyes as she spoke, "It's good that you came to see this one...he's been pining after Trent ever since he left." she said, looking down at Lach, he knew she only teasing, though it didn't hold the same weight as it usually did, mainly because she wasn't feeling anything much.
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Post by lachlanparker on Feb 25, 2012 14:50:18 GMT
Chase's hand was warm and comforting, as opposed to the cold and clammy of Lachlan's hand. Chase gave his hand a tight squeeze and Lachlan couldn't help but smile. If there was anything that could cheer the fifth year Hufflepuff up, it was being surrounded by his closest friends. Emily was one hundred percent right to say that Lachlan had been pining over Trent; Lachlan hated to see Trent worried, and only being able to see his best friend once per day (at most) was absolutely killing him.
His eyes followed Emily's shaky movements as she lifted the pills to her mouth and took a small sip of water. He hated to think that she was still in pain; although, Lachlan was not nearly observant enough to see the pain she was in from having Sirius and Marlene all but five feet away from her.
"We're all okay, and that's all that matters." The words sounded like a lie coming out of Lachlan's mouth. They were all still alive, but that didn't necessarily mean that they were all functioning. Lachlan nested his head further into Emily's warmth and relaxed. The vivid images that had plagued his mind in his dreams were starting to falter out of his memory and he was simply glad to be around friends.
"Those rumours sound kind of nasty." Lachlan smiled bleakly, his eyes lighting up at the humour of what was being said. "Pirate costumes? How absurd." He lifted his hand away from where Chase had dropped it and wrapped it around Emily's waist, making sure not to pull too tightly as to touch the bruises that had been forming.
Lachlan's eyes drifted warily around the room, looking from Emily's scarred face to Chase's, lined with concern for his friends. "Chase," Lachlan said, biting his chapped bottom lip. "I don't know when we're going to get out of here." He wanted Chase to know, and for Chase to tell Trent if Lachlan didn't see him first.
"I'm so tired." The words didn't need to be spoken, but Lachlan could feel his eyelids getting heavy. Perhaps it was how comfortable he was physically, lying next to Emily's warmth, or because he felt safe around Chase's friendly face. He knew that if he shut his eyes for too long, the nightmares would come back and he would have to start all over again. "Can someone call the Nurse for a Dreamless Sleep potion?" he croaked.
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Post by Chase Connors on Feb 25, 2012 15:33:56 GMT
Chase nodded at their answers, not really sure of what he should say. Damn, he was clueless when it came to difficult and serious situations like this. He had to fight against his natural instinct to make light and crack jokes, knowing that right now it probably wouldn’t be appreciated. He watched the various emotions that spread across Emily’s face as she looked to the next bed. He didn’t let himself think much of it, of course she was worried about Marlene. Chase smiled at Emily’s comment – it wasn’t hard to imagine Lachie pining over Trent. The two of them had been friends since before Chase came into the picture, so there was something between them that Chase just couldn’t fully understand. ”I’ll tell him mate, don’t worry. You’ll be out of here soon enough.”He hoped he was right. They looked okay physically, even if Emily was downing more painkillers. What would life be like at Hogwarts when they got back? Not easy, of that he was sure. Lachie’s eyes were closing even as he asked for a Dreamless sleep potion, and before long, he seemed to have drifted off to sleep. For several minutes there was silence in the small room. Chase kept his eyes on Emily, requestioning the look in her eyes when she looked at Marlene and Sirius. Was it really just Marlene on her mind? Was she thinking about her friends injuries, or was she thinking of the two of them as a whole? Sirius… Chase knew that she two of them were friends, but was there more to it than that? Chase didn’t want to think about it. Shaking his head, he stood and picked up the thin blanket from Lachie’s abandoned bed and draped it over his now sleeping friend. The silence was killing him. He had to say something. ”Emily…” he considered his words for a seconds, ”About the other night…” |
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Post by Emily Prescott on Feb 25, 2012 16:05:45 GMT
Emily looked down at Lachlan as he seemingly drifted to sleep. She was envious, she'd love to be able to simply drift off like that, she was exhausted, fear though kept her awake. As Chase covered Lachlan with the blanket from his own bed, she smiled slightly before they both fell into an uncomfortable silence. Emily wasnt sure what to say, all she wanted was to forget everything and then when Chase finally spoke she felt her blank expression fill with a frown as she looked up at him.
"Honestly Chase I've not really thought about it...had a little going on as you can see..." she said, unable to believe hed wanted to talk about this, now. Did he really think she was dwelling on something like that considering what she'd just been through in the last few days. Sighing she looked away from him, and suddenly felt bad for snapping, she didn't mean to she just really had too much on her mind right now.
"Sorry I didn't mean to snap...just forget about it okay...pretend it never happened..." she offered him, brushing a stray tattered lock from her face. She winced slightly with Lachlan's hand resting around her waist, after the kicking she'd recieved after the curse had been lifted from her, had left her severley bruised. Hopefully the painkillers would kick in any moment.
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Post by Chase Connors on Feb 25, 2012 16:58:44 GMT
”I know, I know. I’m sorry. It’s just… it’s been playing on my mind a lot. I mean, I’d promised myself I’d hunt you out at school and apologize and I didn’t do it, then this attack… Call me stupid, but I felt a bit guilty.” He let out a small, awkward laugh, knowing that he didn’t really make sense. ”Bit pathetic of me, right?” He gave her a small grin. It was so hard to believe that this was the same playful, teasing, flirty girl who he’d made a move on in the astronomy tower not even a week ago. She looked so frail and broken. Why her? He asked himself. Why was she attacked. Heck! Why was Lachie? Life was such a B*tch at times… Emily told him to forget about it and forget it ever happened. ”Look, babe – Emily,” He caught and corrected himself, remembering how she didn’t particularly like the pet name. ”I don’t want to just forget about it, but you’re right. Right now it’s irrelevant. I get it.”He reached over and took her hand in his, not wanting to hold too hard. She looked so fragile lying there. Both of them did. ”Just know that I am sorry, Emily. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”
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Post by Emily Prescott on Feb 25, 2012 18:24:49 GMT
"Dont be silly there's no reason to feel guilty Chase." she said shortly, not really wanting to talk about the surprise kiss at a time like this. In truth she simply wanted to forget the whole thing, she not acted like herself that night. Usually he would've been hexed, she wouldn't usually flirt and tease in the way that she did, she just hadn't been able to stop but now, now she wanted to forget any of it happening. It all felt like a lifetime ago anyway.
When he called her babe, she quickly snapped her attention back to him a glare setting it's way into her features, before he hastily corrected himself. Chase then went on to explain that he didn't want to forget about it at all, which made her sigh quietly to herself as she looked away. Starting something with someone was the last thing on her mind and had been even before the attack, which was probably why she was eager to forget that the kiss had happened, she didn't know Chase and she knew all too well about his reputation and she hated to be one to judge but she wasn't looking to be another conquest for anyone.
"Chase seriously okay...it was one kiss, just forget about it...I'm not fretting over it so you shouldn't be..." she told him, hoping that didn't seem harsh but really she didn't have the strength to censor her words or try and cushion anyone's feelings. Her head was in so many places at the moment, it was taking all her strength not to scream out at someone or simply to not burst out crying. Sighing quietly she looked at Chase, wondering what it would take to make her smile again, and then began wondering who had escorted both him and Sirius down.
Biting down on her lip she looked down at her hands, which were in Chase's and gently pulled them away. Her hands were scratched and still sore from where she'd tried to sheild her fall on the forest floor, and before she could open her mouth to fill the tense silence between her and Chase, she felt Lachlan shift at her side and looked to see if he had awoken...
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Post by lachlanparker on Feb 26, 2012 2:06:13 GMT
Not soon after the relieving feelings of being safe and in good company, Lachlan had drifted off to sleep. Muttering voices surrounded him, but he no longer cared. Both Chase and Emily would understand if he drifted off to sleep for a little while. But, as always, his dreams betrayed him. Shifting movements in a dark environment, a piercing metallic sound and the bloodcurdling scream of Marlene. Lachlan awoke with a start, only to catch the last of the conversation between Chase and Emily.
He wasn't entirely aware of what had passed between them back at that night at the Astronomy Tower. He knew that both Chase and Emily were two of his closest friends, but other than the connection that Lachlan provided, he wasn't aware they really knew each other. He and Emily had dated briefly a couple of years ago, before learning they were better off as friends, but as Emily mentioned 'one kiss' and Lachlan had awoke with a start, he looked around, puzzled as to what was going on.
He had to push the nightmares to the back of his head. They would not - no, could not - affect him this time. He wouldn't fall victim to the memories inside his head. "Kiss?" Lachlan croaked, looking around, puzzled, at his two friends. "What kiss?"
Strange emotions evoked inside Lachlan's chest. Terror, for one, as the dreams still plagued his mind. But a strange sense of protectiveness over Emily. He knew what Chase could be capable of when it came to women, and Lachlan wasn't sure he was all too comfortable having Emily in that picture. "Care to tell me what's going on?" The level of panic was starting to rise in his voice.
Emily had been through enough this past couple of days. She'd been tortured, had her mind played with by a dark figure unknown, and here she was having to talk about something that had happened what had seemed like a very long time ago. He shifted in his bed, his eyes steady on Chase, wondering what on earth had happened in the brief minute he had drifted off to sleep.
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Post by Chase Connors on Feb 26, 2012 16:10:48 GMT
Chase didn’t reply. He didn’t know how. Truth be told, he hardly knew this girl at all. One night flirting at the top of the Astronomy Tower was hardly enough to be able to claim to ‘know’ someone. And from that night to now, it was like two different people. The flirty young woman was gone, in her place was a frightened and scarred girl who’d gone through an ordeal that very few people would ever be able to fully understand. He couldn’t. he couldn’t begin to imagine. He watched as she pulled her hands from his. He could see the scratches and scars that lined her hands from the attack. Defensive wounds? He didn’t know. He tried to think of something to say to her but his mind pulled a blank. At that moment, however, Lachie jumped suddenly and his eyes opened meaning that, thankfully, he didn’t have to. Lachie looked backwards and forwards between Chase and Emily, and asked then what kiss they were referring to. Damn, had he really heard that much? A strange look crossed Lachie’s face and Chase was sure it had something to do with the fact that Emily was one of his best friends and was very protective of her, even more so now. He asked what was going on and Chase watched as Lachie shifted and kept a steady gaze on him. He looked down, not sure how to meet his best friends’ eyes. He wanted to say nothing – nothing was going on, but then, his best friend deserved the truth a little more than that. Chase sighed. He was known for being blunt and ridiculously honest at times, so why should now be any different? ”We were just talking about when I unexpectedly latched onto Emily and gave her an example of a real goodnight kiss before she ran away from me the other night in the Astronomy Tower. No worries mate, nothing big.” He felt himself cringing even as the words were coming out of his mouth. There had to have been a better, more tactful way to say that. Too late now. All he could do was wait for the reaction that was sure to follow. |
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