Be normal. Don't stare at the wall. Stop staring at the wall.
Marlene's eyes fell to the ground as she continued walking.
No, not the floor either. Look straight ahead. That's what people do... right?
Marlene moved her gaze to the others walking around her.
No, you can't stare at people. They'll get insulted. Or think you have a crush on them.
Mary looked at her in confusion, "What?"
"Nothing!" The reply came quickly.
Good going, now your best friend thinks your crazy. She doesn't. She does.
Mary pulled her hand, "Come on. We've got Charms", she nodded towards the classroom door just beside them.
Marlene swallowed nothing and flicked her eyes from the door to the emptying hallway, "Go ahead. I'll catch up later."
"You'll be late though..." Mary started to say before Marlene took off in a run, leaving Mary yelling after her.
She definitely thinks your crazy now. And you'll get detention. Detention doesn't matter. You're failing every class anyway. But Mary's going to hate you now. She won't. She will.
Marlene ran into the nearest toilets and dropped to the floor by the sink.
You've got class, go to class. You can't go to class, you're having a meltdown. Stop crying, idiot. Go play quidditch. You can't play quidditch, you've got class. When's the next practice? Did you miss it? Fuck, you missed practice. No you didn't, it's this afternoon. Maybe you should go early. Now. Yes now. No not now, you've still got 6 hours. And you're meant to be in Charms. Fuck Charms. Oh Merlin, your head hurts. Why does your head hurt? You're an idiot, that's why. Think of Suzie Quatro, think of The Runaways, think of Jimi Hendrix, think of Led Zeppelin. Strum. You can do it. It's all you can do. Strum. Strum. Strum. Strum. Strum. Strum. Strum. Strum.
"Mckinnon!" Someone touched her arm.
Fuck. It's Meadowes. Meadow? Pretty. Like them. No. Stop. Meadowes is a prick. And now they've seen you crying on the floor. You're never escaping this.
Dorcas sat down on the floor opposite her, "You alright, Mckinnon? What are you doing on the floor?"
Marlene glared at them, "What do you mean 'no'? Leave me alone, git."
"Honestly, Meadowes! I'm not in the mood to get in a fight right now."
"Good, neither am I", Dorcas said, springing up and holding a hand out for Marlene, "I am in the mood to race you round the pitch though."
Marlene took the hand, "I've got class."
You're holding Meadowes' hand. It's warm So warm. Like the sun. Never let go of this hand. You exist just to hold their hand. Hold tight and don't let go.
Why do they keep smiling?
"And were you actually going to go to class?"
"Exactly." They pulled her up.
At eye level, Marlene watched as Dorcas instinctively lifted their spare hand and wiped a tear away from Marlene's eye.
They stilled after realising what they had done, "Sorry. I didn't mean to do that."
Marlene just squeezed their hand tighter.
