day 20, 19/20 kisses
✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼
Ginny opened her eyes slowly and looked at the clock by her bedside, seeing she had a few hours before practice starts. She was surprised that there were noises from outside, meaning Amanda was still there. Ginny was hesitant to talk to her roommate again because of what happened yesterday, but she took a deep breath and went out of her room.
Ginny sighed in contentment and felt herself grow hungrier due to the delicious scent of food spreading through the room. She saw Amanda cooking in the kitchen while the television was on, playing some music. She was about to greet Amanda a good morning when she remembered. 'Is there a possibility... Any possibility at all that we could be something more than best friends?' Ginny shook her head and went to the bathroom right away.
Ginny looked at herself in the mirror, the memories of last night plaguing her mind. Why couldn't she answer Amanda's question? Why was she thinking of it until now? Ginny needed someone to talk to, she needed Hermione. Ginny didn't realize how long she was showering due to her being consumed by her thoughts. Knocks on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Ginny!" Amanda's soft voice called out. "Gin, you've been there for half an hour already." Ginny turned off the shower and covered herself with a towel. She opened the door to see Amanda there.
"Gin, are you –" Amanda cut herself off and blushed at the sight of Ginny. After a moment of staring, she immediately looked away, calming her devilish mind down. She cleared her throat and lowered her voice. "Y-You're in a towel."
"Yeah?" Ginny said in confusion. She noticed how Amanda was blushing and then Amanda pointed to all of her and she realized why the older girl was flustered. She too blushed and nodded. "Y-Yeah. I'll, er... I'll go to dress up!"
Amanda just nodded, still blushing, before she went to the kitchen. Ginny ran to her room, holding a hand to her heart that was beating hard against her chest. She wore her clothes hurriedly and thought she really had to talk to Hermione later.
And Ginny remembered the look in Amanda's eyes as she stared at Ginny for a moment. She did feel flustered to see Amanda looking at her like that, but at the same time, it made Ginny's heart beat faster than it already was. Ginny finished getting ready and opened the door. Amanda was there with her hand up, about to knock on Ginny's door.
"G-Gin." Amanda stuttered, cheeks flushing. "Er... Let's go! Breakfast." She looked at Ginny once more before moving to the kitchen. Ginny let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding in and followed Amanda to the kitchen. Her eyes widened when she saw so much food on the table.
There were sausages, toast, eggs, lamb chops and more. They were all her favorite foods. Ginny stared at Amanda who was sitting down, wondering why she cooked so much food today. She took a plate and sat down in front of Amanda, still confused.
"Why so much food?" Ginny asked curiously. "It isn't my birthday yet. Or yours."
Amanda scoffed at that. "I just wanted to cook, and I'm hungry too."
"You didn't break anything, did you?" Ginny stared at her with doubt. "You don't wake up early just to cook a feast."
Amanda just laughed at her before picking up her utensils and smiling at Ginny. "Eat up, Gin. I know you have a long practice today."
Ginny opened her mouth to say something when Amanda started putting food on her plate. Ginny just sighed and did the same, her mouth feeling blessed by the delicious meals. This was one of the reasons why having Amanda as your best friend was such a treat. She just cooked the best food, and they were all Ginny's favorites. What time did she wake up?
"What time did you wake up to cook this feast?" Ginny said, motioning to the food around them. Amanda swallowed the food she had been chewing.
"I don't know." Amanda mumbled before grinning at Ginny. "Just wanted to make sure you're energized for the day."
The joy on Amanda's face made Ginny blush and look down on her food to hide her red cheeks. She wondered why it was too hot when it was winter. Maybe, it was because winter was about to end. That was probably it.
Amanda smiled in amusement before finishing her meal. "You've got an hour left before practice, Gin."
"Oh right." Ginny started speeding up in eating. She did want to talk to Hermione for a bit before practice.
"Damn, Gin. It's not like you're chasing food." Amanda teased Ginny who could only roll her eyes though she did slow down. She knew she wouldn't be having lunch early because of the breakfast they just had. When she finished, Ginny stood up and she was about to clean up the table when Amanda had took the dishes first.
"Ada, let me wash the dishes," said Ginny with a hint of guilt. "You cooked so I'll wash." She wanted to help out a bit. Amanda already woke up early and she wanted to wash the dishes too.
Amanda put the dishes in the sink without a sign of hearing what she said. She smiled at Ginny who was frowning at her. "Just relax and watch your sappy movies or something. I'll finish up quick."
Ginny opened her mouth to say something when Amanda started pushing her out. "Come on, sit down and relax." With one last glare, she turned back to her dishes. Ginny just sighed before she stared at the television. She couldn't focus because of the thoughts running through her mind.
She was thinking of Amanda. Amanda always did these little things for her, and they confused Ginny with her feelings. Those little things never failed to make Ginny's heart flutter and soften, but then, she was also afraid. The possibility of feeling for Amanda was scaring the hell out of her.
Amanda was her best friend, and if she was really falling for her, she could mess everything up. If she took a risk, her relationship with Amanda may be ruined forever, and she could lose the Auror, and the thought of losing Amanda was enough to make Ginny's heart break. Ginny was too absorbed in her thoughts and fears that she didn't notice how someone sat beside her. Her eyes widened when someone blew air into her ear, making her jump in her seat.
"Amanda Faye Lewis!" Ginny glared at her.
Amanda laughed loudly at her reaction. "I'm sorry, Gin. You were lost in your thoughts. Like this." She imitated Ginny's expression.
Ginny smacked her on the shoulder, and she was about to punch her again when Amanda grabbed Ginny's wrist and pulled her close. Ginny's eyes widened and she fell onto Amanda's chest. Amanda's arms wrapped around her waist, and when Ginny could hear the fast and hart beating of Amanda's heart, she looked up and saw Amanda with closed eyes.
"What's making you think hard so early in the morning?" asked Amanda in a soft voice.
Ginny racked her brain for an answer before saying the first thing that came to mind and chuckling. "Just thinking about why you cooked so much food. It's just... unusual."
Amanda laughed softly because she usually cooked simple breakfasts and not even food like lamb chops or baked potatoes, but she just couldn't sleep the previous night, her thoughts consuming her. She couldn't even remember if she did sleep because she just was busy at work as well, coming home at 1 in the morning.
"Do you really not know?" Amanda asked. Ginny shook her head as an answer. Amanda simply smiled before she pulled away and looked into Ginny's eyes properly. There was curiosity and confusion in Ginny's eyes. She really did not know why Amanda cooked so early.
Amanda laughed once more before she pinched Ginny's cheeks. "You're an idiot at times, Gin." Ginny couldn't help but smile at the tone of affection in Amanda's voice. "You have Quidditch practice, get ready now, eh?"
Ginny quickly stood up from the couch and cursed under her breath when she checked the time and saw that she still had a few minutes less than an hour. She glared at Amanda who laughed even harder at the glare on Ginny's face. Ginny then realized that Amanda was still in her pajamas.
"Aren't you going to work?" Ginny asked in confusion. "You have work in 10 minutes, don't you?"
Amanda stopped laughing and smiled warmly at Ginny, shaking her head. "I'm off for the morning. I might go to Diagon Alley later." She hoped that Ginny wouldn't realize she was lying. "I do have the night shift later so I won't be home tonight."
"Another night shift?" Ginny frowned with worry in her eyes.
"I'm fine, Gin. An Auror has to do what they have to." Amanda just smiled at her. "It's just for a few hours anyways." Ginny just nodded before she took her bag, remembering that she wanted to talk to Hermione. She was about to get a coat when Amanda hugged her from the back with her arms around Ginny's waist. Ginny froze in her position.
"Ada, what is it? Are –"
"Happy 20, Ginny." Amanda whispered softly into Ginny's ear.
Ginny furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "20? What do you mean Happy 20?" Amanda removed her hold on Ginny and turned the Chaser around gently. She fixed Ginny's clothes and her hair, not responding. She glanced at Ginny and saw her raising an eyebrow, waiting for the reply.
"It's the last day of our deal, Gin." Amanda smiled softly. "Today is the last day of me being your girlfriend." Seeing how Ginny was just staring at her, Amanda laughed before pushing Ginny out of the flat.
"Now, go, Gin. If you're late, Angelina's going to bring Wood." Amanda said teasingly. She leaned in and kissed Ginny's cheeks. "Take care." Without waiting for Ginny's answer, she closed the door, and her face fell suddenly while she leaned against the door to support herself. The tears fell down her face and the sobs came out uncontrollably.
"I love you, Gin." Amanda whispered to herself.
Ginny was still outside their flat. She was standing there and staring at the door, hearing the quiet sobs from Amanda. She was about to knock when the door behind her suddenly opened. It was one of their Muggle neighbors.
"Aren't you going to work yet, young lady?" The old man asked.
Ginny was about to say something when the door closed once more. She checked the clock on the wall. She had 10 minutes left. She raised her hand to knock before bringing it down and letting out a sigh. As much as she wanted to rush in and hug Amanda tight, she had to go to work. She Apparated out of the hallway and in front of Eliza and Hermione's flat.
Ginny knocked on the door, and after a second, the door opened to reveal Hermione there with surprise on her face at the sight of Ginny. "Gin, what –"
"Do you have work today?" Ginny asked immediately.
Hermione shook her head. "No. Why –"
"Can we talk later?" Ginny cut her off with pleading in her tone. "I need someone to talk to, Hermione."
Hermione's eyes softened. "Okay. I'll come to the Quidditch pitch later. Is there a problem, Gin?"
"I'll tell you later. Thank you, Hermione." Ginny gave Hermione a quick hug before Apparating to the Quidditch pitch. As she walked to the locker rooms, she thought of Amanda's words. 'It's the last day of our deal, Gin. Today is the last day of me being your girlfriend.'
"Ginny?" Ginny jumped to see one of her teammates there at the entrance with a worried look. "Gwenog's calling us out."
"O-Okay, I'm coming." Ginny sighed and followed her out into the Quidditch pitch. She suddenly remembered the sound of Amanda's sobs. Bloody hell, she felt like a knife was pierced into her chest.
✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼
"Weasley! What is wrong with you today?" Gwenog Jones shouted at her. They were practicing new plays today, but Ginny was too out of it to focus and play like she usually did.
"I'm sorry." Ginny mumbled while looking down. While her teammates were looking at her with worry, Gwenog was fuming. All of them knew that Ginny was the best Chaser on their team, and having their best Chaser out of focus was disrupting practice.
"Gwenog." Angelina said gently. "Maybe, we can continue the next time. Everyone's out of it since it's too cold. Right, Ginny?"
"Y-Yeah." Ginny nodded, grateful Angelina was there.
Gwenog just sighed and nodded. "Sorry, Ginny. Practice is over." They all mumbled their thanks before changing their clothes. Her fellow players all checked in on Ginny, but she just smiled at them weakly, telling them she was all right. Ready to go, she went out of the room and was met by a worried Angelina.
"Are you okay, Ginny?" Angelina asked worriedly. Ever since the start of practice, Ginny didn't have her head in the game, and even when Gwenog shouted at her, it was like Ginny was still too immersed in her thoughts.
"She's fine, Angelina." Someone suddenly said behind them. Ginny and Angelina turned around and saw Hermione there with a small smile on her face. "Do you mind if I take Ginny for the day?"
"I don't. Take care, you two." Angelina watched them go before sighing loudly. She hoped Ginny could figure out whatever was bothering her.
"Come on." Hermione and Ginny walked out to the village silently and when they were far enough, Hermione pulled her into one of the cafés. She looked at Ginny who was staring out the window. She was curious at what was happening before getting up. "Gin, do you want something?"
When Ginny did not answer, Hermione tapped her on the shoulder. "Ginny."
"What?" Ginny shook herself out of her thoughts and looked at Hermione questioningly.
"I asked if you want something." Hermione asked softly.
"I'm good, thank you." And Ginny looked back out the window, smiling slightly at the memory of her breakfast courtesy of Amanda. Hermione just nodded before going to order a drink. She was worried for her friend ever since Ginny came that morning, and she was sure that her problems were involving Amanda.
Hermione sat back down with her drink and she cleared her throat to call Ginny's attention, but it seemed like Ginny was spacing out again. Hermione cleared her throat again, but still nothing.
Hermione sighed in frustration before kicking Ginny under the table. "Ginevra!"
Ginny yelped at the sudden pain at her foot and glared at the older Gryffindor. "What was that for?"
"You called me out to talk?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let it out."
Ginny sighed and shook her head. "I shouldn't have bothered you. It's nothing, it's just – "
"Come on, Gin." Hermione shook her head. "I'm not dense. So, let it out before I make a way to force you to do so." Knowing what Hermione could do, Ginny started talking about everything. All that was plaguing her mind. The unexpected feelings she had for Amanda, the kisses they shared and what they made Ginny feel, and the effect Amanda had on her heart. She told Hermione everything, even the emotions she never knew she would feel with Amanda.
"I don't know what I should do anymore." Ginny looked down at the ground. "I... I just don't know."
Hermione thought of everything she just heard and held in the groan she wanted to let out. She looked at Ginny who was looking torn and she could only think one thing about the girl in front of her. What an idiot. Seriously.
Hermione took a deep breath. "Ginny, are you asking me what you should do?"
"Do you think I'd ask if I knew?" Ginny raised her voice slightly, making people look at them. Hermione sighed before pulling Ginny out of the shop and Apparating them to Eliza and Hermione's flat.
"Oh come on, Gin. Can't you see it yet?" Hermione rubbed her forehead. "You're falling for Ada, and there's nothing wrong with that!"
"And I never said there was. There's nothing wrong with falling for her." Ginny's voice wavered.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "So? What's wrong then?"
"I'm scared! I'm scared of losing her." Ginny sobbed out.
"And why would you lose her?" Hermione asked in confusion. "You've been best friends ever since you were kids."
"Damn it, it's not that... I – I'm scared of losing my best friend." Ginny whispered softly, her tears falling rapidly. Hermione's eyes softened in realization before she took a step forward and hugged Ginny tight, letting Ginny cry against her shoulder.
"Ginny, you will never lose Amanda." Hermione rubbed Ginny's back to comfort her.
"What are you saying, Hermione?" Ginny shook her head and cried. "If I make a mistake, I'm going to lose her forever."
"Ginny, listen to me. You will not lose Ada." Hermione said firmly. "Why don't you confess? She'll –"
"Don't you understand, Hermione?" Ginny cut her off. "If I take this risk and I make a mistake, I'm –"
"Ginny, open your eyes!" Hermione raised her voice. "Ada's more than your best friend already!" Ginny froze in her position, Hermione's words hitting her like a truck, and every piece started falling in place. She was starting to understand now. Every thought hit her differently now. She finally realized what her feelings for Amanda meant.
Hermione made Ginny face her. Right now, she had to help Ginny realize what she was feeling for Amanda. Ginny was always looking somewhere else that she never saw the fool in love with her was with her all along. That fool was too deeply in love with Ginny that she could never leave her. Hermione had to do something to help Ginny realize before it was too late. She wasn't stupid. She knew Amanda was about to do something stupid, and Ginny was the only person who could stop her from doing so.
"Ginny, I'm your friend." Hermione said slowly. "So is Luna and Neville and everyone else, but Ada isn't just your best friend anymore. There's a difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. You may love all of us, but there's only one person you're in love with. You have all of us here to support you and talk to, but at the end of the day, Amanda's that one person you'll come home to and she is the one person who will always be there for you no matter what." Hermione smiled when she saw the realization on Ginny's face, the Chaser finally understanding.
"What if I already messed up?" Ginny said quietly.
"Haven't you already done that?" Hermione chuckled. "Accepting that crazy deal she proposed."
Ginny just sighed at the thought that it was their last day before looking up at Hermione. "What if I'm too late?"
Those words made Hermione remember the last time she talked to Amanda. She knew Amanda was being offered something, and Hermione may not know what it was, and she couldn't find anything about it from the other Ministry workers, but she just knew it wasn't anything good.
Hermione smiled encouragingly at Ginny. "You're not too late to tell her how you feel. Now that you know how you feel, it's time to tell her Gin. Don't wait for another chance to do so."
Ginny was about to nod before she started panicking again. "What if I do something wrong? What if I won't be enough for her and she decides to leave me?"
Hermione blinked in disbelief. Was she really hearing what she was hearing right now. She just sighed before thinking of Amanda worriedly. "Gin, Ada wouldn't leave you. If she was that type of person, she would've left the first time you rejected her, but I think you should confess soon, Gin. Please."
Hermione smiled when she remembered how much Amanda loved Ginny. "She would give anything and do everything for you. Don't you think for a second that you wouldn't be enough for Ada because you're all she needs."
✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼
Hours had passed, and Ginny and Hermione hung out for the day, talking about everything and anything. Ginny was grateful she had Hermione to talk to during times like these. If she had to keep everything to herself, she was sure she would have gone crazy. And Hermione was just thanking the deities that Ginny had finally opened her eyes and saw Amanda and the love the Ravenclaw had for her.
Of all the things that could happen to her, Ginny had never expected to fall in love with Amanda. It was her fault too. She never let herself see how Amanda was a person worth loving, and she understood some of the feelings she felt before. Like how she wanted to hex Terry Boot when he asked Amanda out in Flourish and Blotts or that Muggle girl, Emmy or whatever her name was. Ginny just wanted to cut her hand off when she saw her touching Amanda.
And Ginny couldn't help but think she was such an idiot as all the moments were hitting her now. She thought she only loved Amanda as a best friend, but all along, she was falling in love with her.
"So, how are the preparations going?" Ginny asked teasingly. "When are you and Eliza getting married?"
Hermione smiled softly at the thought of her fiancée. "Probably sometime next –" There was a sudden Pop and Eliza Apparated into the flat, looking worried and frantic. Ginny and Hermione were surprised to see her there, knowing she had work.
"Eli, love?" Hermione asked worriedly. "What's –"
"Have you two seen Ada?" Eliza asked back just as worried. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other before shaking their heads, wondering why she asked that.
"Bloody hell." Eliza muttered under her breath before looking back at them. "Have you talked to her? Or a letter? Anything?"
"Nothing, why?" Hermione asked slowly. She was starting to have an idea why Eliza was looking for the Auror, and she didn't want to be right. Eliza was about to say something when Ginny spoke.
"Don't worry, Eliza." Ginny said reassuringly. "She's at her night shift. She had the morning off." Eliza's eyes widened and she took out her wand and cast her Sea Otter Patronus.
"Damn it, Amanda Faye." Eliza sighed in frustration and ran to their fireplace in the living room. She took some Floo Powder and shouted. "The Hog's Head." She got down to her knees and stuck her head in the fire. After a few moments, she took out her head and groaned.
"Eli, calm down, please." Hermione ran to her and rubbed her arms comfortingly. She looked back at Ginny worriedly. "Gin, what happened this morning? What did Amanda say?"
"She said she was off for the morning." Ginny said slowly as she remembered the morning. "And she was going to Diagon Alley."
Eliza groaned once more and rubbed her hands on her face. She looked back at the two confused girls in front of her and sighed. "She was supposed to meet me in Diagon Alley, and she didn't come. I checked the whole place. She wasn't there."
"Ginny?" asked Hermione gently but there was worry too in her tone. "Has Amanda been acting out lately?"
Ginny's eyes widened as everything started making sense. Amanda was always spacing out, and she was stressed after her conversation with Williamson. Ginny's voice got caught in her throat and she nodded. Eliza and Hermione looked at each other with grim expressions.
"Maybe she's just in the Muggle shops," said Ginny though her voice was trembling slightly. "Or maybe she's just at work –"
"She's not at work because she's gone!" Eliza raised her voice. When she saw that they were surprised, she took in a deep breath. "I just went to her office when she didn't come. Her office was clean. She was gone."
"No, no." Ginny muttered to herself. She didn't understand what was going on. Why was Amanda's office clean? Why didn't she meet up with Eliza in Diagon Alley? Why did she lie to Ginny? Her eyes slowly filled with tears and her voice got caught in her throat. She was suddenly feeling scared even if she didn't know why.
Hermione noticed Ginny's state and whispered to Eliza. "Stop panicking, and calm down." Eliza was about to protest when she too noticed Ginny, making her eyes soften.
"Sorry." Eliza mumbled before taking some parchment and writing a letter. She went back to the fireplace. "The Burrow." Eliza disappeared in the fireplace while Hermione helped Ginny to sit down on the couch. Eliza soon returned with Pigwidgeon, sitting down in front of them and finishing her letter.
"W-What's happening?" Ginny's voice wavered. Eliza and Hermione stared at each other. Hermione sighed and nodded gravely at Eliza to tell her. Eliza let Pigwidgeon fly before she turned back to Ginny. She did not know how to start it, but Ginny deserved to know.
"Er... Ada... well, she's..." Eliza let out a sigh before looking down. "Ada is going somewhere." Ginny and Hermione stared at her, asking her to continue. Eliza fiddled with her hands, wondering how she should say it before speaking quietly. "She's going to Albania. To finish off the last Death Eaters. And then to America." She glanced up and saw the frozen expressions on their faces.
"W-What?" Hermione asked, still in disbelief. She knew Williamson had offered something to Amanda but she thought it was a promotion or something. She never knew it was a dangerous mission. And they found out just when Ginny had realized her feelings for the Auror.
"When did you find out?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Just now." Eliza muttered under her breath. "I only found out from George. He found out because Percy was friends with Dawlish, and Dawlish was one of the only ones who knew."
Ginny felt her whole world crashing down, and everything had hit her. It was like someone had poured cold water over her.
'She's going to Albania. To finish off the last Death Eaters. And then to America.'
'An Auror has to do what they have to do.'
'Is there a possibility... Any possibility at all that we could be something more than best friends?'
'Forget what I asked, will you?'
'It's not too late, Ada.'
Ginny stood up unknowingly and ran out of Eliza and Hermione's flat, Apparating away. She just hoped everything she heard was a lie or a prank, and when she arrived at the flat, Amanda was there to hug her and tease her, Amanda was there to wait for her. 'I'm so sorry, Ada. Please, please, Merlin, let her be there.'
"Come on." Hermione pulled Eliza up and they too Apparated after Ginny. Eliza felt the guilt bubbling inside her. She was worried for Amanda, she too hoped her best friend was still there. She should have known that something was wrong when Amanda wasn't there when she arrived. Amanda was always earlier than her.
Eliza should have done something to talk to Amanda, to find out her friend's problems and help her solve them, and the only thing they could do now was hope. They could only hope Amanda was still there and that they weren't too late. They hoped Ginny wasn't too late.
Ginny opened the door quickly, and it was quiet. Too quiet. She looked around and her heart was dropping more and more by the second. It was too clean, it was like there was no sign that Amanda was there that morning. The television was off, everything was in place. Eliza and Hermione looked around as well, and their faces turned graver at the orderliness.
Ginny ran to Amanda's room and opened the door, not even knocking. She just hoped that she would see Amanda and her stupid yet attractive grin, but what she saw was only a clean room. It was all clean like no one had stayed there at all. She ran to the drawers and cabinets, hoping to see Amanda's things and clothes there. Amanda couldn't leave her. She just couldn't. Not now.
She wasn't even aware that she was crying until someone wrapped an arm around and led her to the bed. She lifted her head to see Eliza and Hermione looking at her worriedly. Ginny held on to Hermione, sobbing hard. Hermione hugged her back just as tight, trying to comfort her friend.
"I'm too late, Hermione." Ginny cried out. "I'm too late." Eliza and Hermione exchanged glances, not knowing what to do. There was nothing they could do for someone who just opened her heart to shout out the feelings she had just realized only for that hopeful heart to be broken once more.
✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼
✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro