Drop the Act

[Ai Nightray]

It was the middle of September already and Ai couldn't believe the turns her life had took within the span of a little over than a month. The prefect meeting, though was long over was still not forgotten by many and she was still at a rack over that. She had been such a failure then and she didn't even know why she even bothered with it and how she ended up in being the Head Girl. It was definitely not the most wonderful job after all. Especially since it wasn't in her job description to deal with childish prefects who would throw cupcakes around and a Head Boy who would give out deductions by means of cards. Someone could have at least warned her that she would be working a boy who refuses to talk and prefects who were not mature enough act properly and acknowledge authority. It was a pain and though she knew it wasn't her fault, she still blamed herself for that fail of a meeting. Then, aside from that was dealing with Heath. It had only been a few days ago since they had seen each other on the Fifth Floor. The Hufflepuff prefect had kissed her that night and it was the last one they had shared and knowing that brought pain to her really. He had left her already after all and the only one left with hr was Jeremiah, so she was trying her best to keep her schedule a little less crowded to make time. Well, today though, her free time wouldn't be spent with a Gryffindor but instead with a Slytherin. Liam Nightray.

Ai was quite surprised to have received a note from him telling her to meet him in the Courtyard. After all, it had been a long time since they had last seen each other and Merlin knows that didn't end well. She wanted to apologize really. But what good would it do, and besides, her mind was way too much of a mush to do that. In fact it was way too much of mush since she had been waiting for almost two hours already though she knew it was her fault considering that she looked at the watch incorrectly. Or was it the note she looked at incorrectly? With a sigh, she decided not to dwell on that as she hugged the paper bag closer to her chest. It held Liam's blanket that he had given her during their encounter in the dungeons. She had tried to take good care of it, to the point of even looking for a detergent that smelled like it when Liam first threw it on her head. She only had a faint odor to go by, but she supposed she had gotten it right. And so, she continued to stand at the Courtyard, waiting for Liam to show up as it was already nearing their meeting time after all. So, she had put on a smile and tried to hide her exhaustion, pain and depression. For the first time, Ai wasn't late and was two hours early.

 

[Liam Nightray]

A lot of things could be said about Liam Nightray, but none of it was about him being sentimental. He wasn't sentimental. In fact, he was rather cold, or heartless as what other people would say. But that didn't mean that he didn't have anything to treasure. For he did, no matter how ridiculous it might sound to anyone who knew him. Not that anyone knew of it, for the seventeen year old was rather secretive. And besides, it wasn't like he would ever tell anyone that he still keeps the tiny blanket that his mother had given him on his birthday years ago. It would be highly embarrassing. A weakness! And Merlin, he would never show his weakness. Not to anyone. Not even his younger sister knew that, nor his older sister. No one did. Except for his cousin. But she had always been an exception. The Slytherin ran a hand through his locks, quite frustrated with what he was about to do. He was sure that he had that blanket securely kept in his trunk, but apparently, he was wrong. He wouldn't even know that it was missing if his cousin had not asked him about it. Missing was not really the appropriate word, for he knew who was in possession of it. In fact, it was he who had given it away. How could it have slipped his mind? Such an important thing and he gave it to a mere flea? Surely, he had not been thinking straight when he did that. He should cut all ties with her. She was messing with his mind, and it wasn't good. But alas, even though it had been a long time since he last contacted her, he had no choice but to do it now. Otherwise, he would have no other means to retrieve what was his. It wasn't like he could ask Arianna to do it for him. The Gryffindor had to stay away from the hufflepuff too. His cousin was too trusting, too easy to influence, he couldn't let her get swayed and fall into the flea's trap too. Be 'friends' or whatever trash it was that those people would say. He could have ordered Alexander to do it for him, for the younger was a hufflepuff (the first in their family in fact, which he was sure wouldn't sit well with the young boy's father, though he didn't really care), but he wasn't one to ask favor from anyone, it wasn't him.

His footsteps were quick as he made his way towards the courtyard. He was to meet the hufflepuff there. It would be a quick meeting. All he needed to do was to get what was it and he'd be done. Afterwards, he need not associate himself with such a lowly being anymore. He made not gesture of greeting anyone as he continued on his way to their meeting place. He wasn't late though, for he was not one to be late. In fact, in his seventeen years of existence, he had never been late at all, or at least, that was what he believed, for he was extremely strict when it comes to time. The easiest way to get on his bad side was to be late, which this hufflepuff seemed to not understand at all, for every time he had to talk to her, she would arrive not on time.

It didn't take long before he arrived at his destination, and standing a few feet away from him, was the person that he despised the most. Perhaps not the most, for that position was currently occupied by a cursed Gryffindor whose name he didn't even want to utter or hear, but still, he didn't like this girl. Not that he ever liked anyone for that matter. He paused for a little bit, eyes narrowing as he noticed the expression on the latter's face. Was that smile? It was...Irritating. He had been pretty calm when he made his way here, frustrated yes, but not irritated. But that smile had quickly changed his mood and he was seething, even though he knew not why. He tried to contain his ire though, for he knew that nothing good would come out of lashing at her. He only needs to retrieve what was his, right? He started walking towards her until he was only a few steps away from the Hufflepuff. He wordlessly held his hand out, waiting for her to give him what was rightfully his. His eyebrows were pulled together, and his lips were forming a thin line. He was already glaring, he had no intention to pull a fight but the girl's smile was seriously getting on his nerves. It was fake. He knew it was fake, and should she not stop it, merlin knew he might just wipe it off her face.​

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[Ai Nightray]

Ai had waited patiently for the Slytherin to arrive and when he finally did, the Hufflepuff couldn't have been any more relieved. She had been waiting for two hours, though she couldn't blame Liam for that considering that it had been her own stupidity that brought her into that situation. Well, at least he wasn't infuriated with her right now because she was late. That really was the usual case of their argument. Well, not really argument. But more like it was the usual reason why she would often get scolded by the Slytherin just a few years ago. Well, she couldn't blame him. Even she was irritated by her own tardy habits but that had changed over the years especially considering the weight of the responsibilities dropped on her. Half the time, she couldn't afford to be late. And she tried her best to never be late again. Including meetings as simple as this one. With a sigh, the Head Girl took a good look at Liam and wondered if they had a chance of being friends. Maybe they could. This was their final year after all, and she'd be d**ned if she didn't even try to make up with him. But first, she should really start by returning his blanket.

The Hufflepuff looked at the Slytherin as he held out his hand and she continued to force a small smile on her face. What else could she do besides put that fake smile on anyways? It wasn't like she could just frown at him all day long and be irritated. Besides, she wasn't angry at all. Her emotions were a swirl that she was trying hard to contain and would barely let out when she was alone. Not when she was with Liam. The small girl handed the bag that held the boy's blanket to the boy's hand, careful not to make skin contact as she had already knew that this was one of the things the Slytherin disliked. "It's not dirty if you were wondering. I washed it after the dungeons incident since it had gotten a little dirty," she said with a small shrug as she clasped her hands behind her and continued to smile. "Oh! And don't worry, there are no stains from that time. It's as clean as the time you lent it to me. Smells like it too," the Head Girl said as she waited for a reply from the boy she was with now. She might as well make conversation right? Well, she just hoped he wouldn't get mad at her today. She did nothing wrong right? Or so she liked to think so.

 

[Liam Nightray]

The smile on the Hufflepuff's face was seriously getting on the Slytherin's nerves. It wasn't like he hated her smile, for she was not worth it for him to waste his time thinking whether he liked it or not. But still, it was getting on his nerves. For whatever reason, he didn't know. What he did know however, was that he wanted the Hufflepuff to stop doing it. It was obviously fake. Perhaps that was it. Perhaps that was why he had been so irritated since he first noticed it. He knew it was fake and the girl probably thought that he didn't. It was as if she was underestimating him and he felt quite offended. No. He felt extremely offended. Was she thinking that she could fool him? He had 'known' her for years, even though he didn't really like it, how could she expect him to fall for all her pretensions? But alas, he had forgotten one important thing about Ai. She was stupid. She might be the head girl and she might hold a lot of responsibilities, but still she was stupid. And she was slow.

The seventeen years old silently took the bag given to him by the hufflepuff. He wasn't even listening to what she was saying as he had quickly blocked her voice out as soon as he decided that he hated the smile on her face. He was determined to ignore her. He already had his blanket, he need not stay with her anymore. He should turn around and leave. He had no further business with her. But against better judgment, he didn't move, instead, he blankly stared at the bag in his hands, then gave the girl a disbelieving look, before he returned his attention back to the bag again. He didn't charm it, did she? She didn't do anything to it? Right? Absentmindedly, he pulled the blanket out of the bag and held it in front of him. He shouldn't be doing this. Not now. Not in front of her, but he couldn't really help himself. He had to check. One eyebrow raised, he examined the fabric in front of him. He was not even listening to the girl, but her last words did caught his attention. Smells like it too? Did she expect him to smell it? That was ridiculous. That's childish! He would not do that. Perhaps he would, but not out here in the open where he would be seen by a lot of people. He folded it neatly and returned it to the bag. He should leave, but he couldn't stop himself from commenting about the girl's annoying behaviour. "Stop it," he told her flatly, he was scowling, even though he didn't really mean to scowl. He was tired and he wanted no argument. Not now, but still, the girl was getting even more annoying as time pass by. "Stop all these small talks. I don't need it. And stop doing that," he pointed at her face, he was already glaring. He was trying to learn how to control his temper these days, but obviously, it wasn't really working.​

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[Ai Nightray]

Ai knew not what was currently irking the Slytherin. Especially since she was yet to do anything that was certainly wrong and that would annoy him a lot. She was here early so he wouldn't really be able to complain about time right? She was quite happy about that actually though still not nearly enough for her to forget the recent happenings around her. That blanket was clean. So he couldn't complain about it being dirty or not taking care of his things. If anything, she had almost protected that blanket with her life because among all her possessions, she took care of the blanket the most. Well, aside from those that were locked up of course, but those would only bring her more pain and sadness. It would merely make her remember of the past and the happiness they held. It will only make her sway from her current beliefs, just like how friendship had made her sway. Just like how love made her sway. And when she swayed, tripped and fell, no one was there to catch her so she had experienced a full-blast of the pain. And even now, no one was there to pick her up. Lost in her thoughts once again, she had shook her head and snapped out of it.

The Hufflepuff watched as Liam brought out the blanket as if to inspect it and a small part of her knew that the Slytherin still doubted her. Still didn't trust her and it bothered her greatly. It was already their seventh year. She might as well try to be his acquaintance anyway. "How have you been doing lately? Been a while since we last... talked," she didn't exactly know what to say since the two of them didn't really talk half the time. Well, except when Liam was trying to bite her head off. And in rare cases, vice versa. Nevertheless, she continued to smile and tried to smile as she waited for an answer of his. She was caught by surprise though when he suddenly scowled at her and told her to stop 'it'. Whatever 'it' was. "W-wha-?" and before she could even continue with her sentence, there he was again with his grumpy attitude that he was already used to by now. And to be honest, quite immune as well. But that didn't she mean that she was not a little surprised. Especially when he seemed unhappy about something on her face. "Doing what? I'm not doing anything," she said quite defensively and waited for him to tell her what was wrong. Couldn't have been dirt right? Surely he would not get angry about such an unimportant thing. She merely waited for his answers.

 

[Liam Nightray]

Liam had no interest in small talks, in fact, he had no interest in any kind of conversation at all. He didn't like unintelligent gossips, it was a pathetic way of wasting ones time. And thus, when the Hufflepuff continued to act like there was nothing wrong between them. Merlin was she so annoying. He didn't like her. He didn't like wasting his time with her. He didn't even like to share the same space with her. She was stupid, and stupidity was contagious. The Slytherin's eyes narrowed in annoyance as he tried to block that girl's noise, but it wasn't working, and it was seriously getting on his nerves. How could Ai talk to him this freely like they were old friends? They could never be friends, he wouldn't even say that they were acquaintances. They never had a proper conversation before, and every time their paths would cross, it would always end up in arguments, with them constantly after each other's throat, and that was tiring. Exhausting even, that's why he wanted nothing to do with her. She was trouble, and he didn't want to get involved. "Won't you stop it already!," he snapped, his voice sharp and full of irritation as he brought up his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose again. His head was throbbing, and the girl's chatters wasn't helping.

The Slytherin looked at the Hufflepuff in mock disbelief as he heard her question. Seriously? Doing what? Stupid. Seriously stupid. Had she had no sense of self awareness at all? This was ridiculous. "You know what you're doing," He said flatly, eyes narrowing even more. He was getting annoyed, which wasn't rare, but oddly, he wasn't shouting or doing anything violent at all. Perhaps it was the tiredness or perhaps it was because he had no interest in conversing with her. He just wanted her to stop pretending but it seemed that she couldn't see that. She's really an idiot, and he doubted that she'd be able to change that. She might be an over achiever, she might be the head girl, and she might have a lot of accomplishments under her wing, but she was still a flea, and she's still stupid. That would never change. He sneered as one hand run through his hair in a mock frustration. His patience was running thin. "Merlin, how could I forgot, what do I expect from you? You're stupid, of course you don't know what you're doing," he added shortly, voice cold as he glared at the girl.​

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[Ai Nightray]

Ai was completely confused by the Slytherin's actions and words. Why was he so annoyed? She couldn't understand where he's coming from since he just out of nowhere became annoyed and was making squinty eyes at her as if he wanted to slit her throat right then and there. But even if she didn't want to be killed and she wanted to actually making him a little more pleased with her than he currently is, she didn't know what he wanted her to do. "Stop what?" she couldn't help but ask him. She could not stop herself from asking anymore because she didn't want to appear stupid to him anymore. She just wanted to know why he is being like this. If he gets angrier with her more, she was sure that she would fail in her goal to actually stabilize their relationship. She didn't want him as an enemy. And not because she feared him. No. The friendship she wanted was genuine though she knew that this was far from happening. But then again, she had lost too many people now, and losing Liam, well, most would probably think it was for the better, for Ai who had lost almost everyone, even Liam was already a large part of her life. Her life was going through hell and back right now, and having people around her comforted her. No. Not exactly. Having people around her let her keep her masks and facades up. Because being alone was the hardest part when she faces her problems. No one would be there to help her pick herself up and getting up alone gets harder every single time. And yet, when there is someone, she would always think of herself as a burden that she did not want to tell them how she truly felt. That instead she will keep things to herself and act like nothing was going on with her world.

 

[Liam Nightray]

This was getting nowhere. The hufflepuff was stupid, that was a given fact. No matter what he says, this girl would never understand him, and that frustrated the Slytherin. What was so hard to understand with the what he said. He had pointedly told her to stop what she was doing, didn't he? This girl's stupidity knew no limit. Couldn't she tell that all those fake smiles and silly acts that she had been performing were the things that he wanted her to stop doing. If she was used to deceiving other people, if she could manipulate them and if she could make them believe these obviously pathetic act, then he was different. He could see behind those ridiculously wide smile and all those small talks. He hated this hufflepuff, and he made no effort to hide that. In fact, he did everything he could to make her see that he despised her and that he wanted her dead. He showed her no good deeds. Not that he was planning to. He didn't like her at all. Then after all those years, here she was, pretending to be fine with him? Stupid. Ridiculously stupid. Even his stoic grandfather would laugh at this pathetic joke. Liam might not like people, he might be antisocial, but he wasn't stupid, he knew how to tell when people's lying. And this hufflepuff was belittling him by thinking that she could get away with lying and pretending to be another person in front of him.

"You're hopeless," he said, his voicing raising a little as he ran another hand through his locks. He should leave. He should really leave. This was getting nowhere and any second, he knew that his already nonexistent patience would snap, though should that happen, he didn't care. "I know you're stupid, but damn, this is on another level.." he added with mock disbelief as he glared at the head girl. "Stop acting like you like me, 'cause bloody Merlin, I don't like you. Stop pretending, you're already stupid, do me a favor and stop making it worse." His voice was low and his eyes, sharp and cold, staring at her own, as if daring her to talk back. He stood his ground, arms crossed defiantly in front of him. He would leave, but not until he had shown her that he was right.​

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