Seeker of my Heart

29. Play with us, Noona?

I hesitated outside of the Great Hall doors, contemplating just what I wanted to do. I knew Anya and Caleb were looking for me because Yoongi told me, but I also had a hunch about what they wished to discuss and I had no interest in going over it again. They didn't like that I refused to play Quidditch for our last match but at least they respected my decision. Now I wasn't so sure.

"Sneaking off to meet your secret boyfriend again, Cassie?" Gregory said, his hated voice filling the space behind my left shoulder.

I rolled my eyes but didn't acknowledge him as I pushed into the Great Hall. Dealing with my friends was a much better prospect that putting up with Gregory or anything he had to say. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists when I heard him following behind me. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end when he remained too close for comfort.

Vyanya and Caleb were arguing quietly about something at the end of the Ravenclaw table while Jimin and Jeongguk stood awkwardly to the side. I closed my eyes against the irritation of having to argue my point once more, especially in front of Jimin, Jeongguk and Gregory.

"Hey," I said lamely, waving my hand only enough to call it a greeting. I was still feeling a little out of sorts from my stint in the Hospital Wing. I wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with me considering magical medicine was so much further ahead of muggle practices.

"Panda-bear!" Caleb said with overloud excitement as he broke away from Vyanya midsentence and wrapped his arms around my head, pulling me into his chest. "I've been searching everywhere for you!" He continued in his dramatic fashion.

I couldn't help but smile as I wrapped my arms around his back and allowed myself a moment of rest against him. Real hugs were so few and far between for me, giving or receiving, so it didn't surprise me when Caleb almost froze in uncertainty.

I plastered a smile on my face as I pulled back and looked up into his eyes. "Now that you've found me, you can't get rid of me, I'm like a cockroach."

Caleb snorted with a bemused look in his eyes as he stepped back enough to include the rest of the small group in our discussion. "Wouldn't dream of exterminating you, Panda-bear! Too much work."

"Not for everyone." Gregory said in a nasty voice, his words only loud enough to carry to mine and Caleb's ears.

"No one asked you to linger here, Button." Caleb snapped, his tone going cold and authoritative in the way it did only when he was preparing to give out a detention. "We have business to discuss that doesn't involve you and you are at the wrong table, my friend. I suggest you move along."

Gregory's face closed almost comically as he stared angrily at my friend. I couldn't help but take part in his skepticism considering Caleb had never spoken to him like that before. "As if I wanted to be included anyway." He grumbled angrily as he turned on his heel and walked away.

I stared up at my friend and couldn't help but smile, not sure what to make of his response either. "What business do we have to discuss?" I asked, feeling both weary and irritated. It wasn't as if I wanted to keep telling them I didn't want to play, because I did, so it only made me angry to have to deny that.

"You should play with us, Noona!" Jimin spoke suddenly from over Caleb's shoulder as he moved quickly into my personal space, his eyes large and insistent.

"This probably isn't the place to discuss this." I answered, my tone dead as I looked around the Great Hall and saw several groups of students paying too much attention to us.

"Come on, Cassandra." Vyanya said, her determination settling into her shoulders as she grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the Great Hall and the entrance to the castle. She didn't stop marching until we were half way to the locker rooms. Then she released me and crossed her arms over her chest as she bit her lip in frustration.