After All These Years

Chapter 84

I force myself not to include the word "sleepover" in my sentences, as Tom returns dressed in his comfortable clothes.

Sitting in bed, Tom can see I've brought my book with me.

I pat the empty spot next to me as Tom awkwardly stands at the door.

"You want me to..?"

-He begins to say but trails off.

"Tom, come sit. Read with me."

He looks off to the desk, staring at his book for a moment before he decides.

He nods silently before going to grab his book.

I go back to reading mine.

*TOM RIDDLE POV*

Why am I acting like this?

So...awkward?

It must be so painfully obvious for her to tell.

I do want to sit with her, I want to be with her for as long as I can, but I'd rather not throw myself at her.

I don't want to seem desperate.

Grabbing my book from the desk, I slowly walk over to her bed.

She's laid comfortably under her sheets and comforter, wrapped and protected from the cold, but as I walk to the bedside, I sit up, on top of her sheets blankets.

As I quickly adjust my seating position, I grab for my book, flipping it open to my desired page and beginning to read along.

Occasionally, while I read, (Y/N) will shove her book into my face, pointing to a word on her page and ask me what it means.