Forbidden Love

Chapter 37

Eden's POV:

Potions class has ended for the day. Next stop is Transfiguration, where I'll see Theo for the first time since the hallway incident only an hour ago. 

I walk into the class and sit down at my normal seat which is diagonally behind where he sits. Students pile in, grabbing their normal seats as the bell rings for the last time. I look toward Theo's partner.. what was his name? Nevermind that. 

"Hey, um, where's Theo?" I ask him quietly. 

"Oh, I'm not sure Eden. I haven't spoken to him since this morning. He wasn't in Herbology class today either." He turns to face me, clearly noticing my pale expression now.

Was it because of this morning he skipped Herbology?

Without a thought, I walk up to the front of the class where Professor McGonagall is standing. 

"Professor, I'm feeling a bit unwell. Would it be okay if I came later today to grab the notes from today's lesson?" I ask her, painting a fake sick act on my face.

"Of course, dear. Ms. Billby informed me of your condition a few days ago. Just don't forget to get the notes. We will have our mid-semester exam next Monday." I pass an understanding nod her way, surprised that my excuse actually worked on her, and proceed to the door to go find Theo. 

I race to the courtyard, running as fast as possible, only to find it empty. Assuming it's because everyone else is in their second class of the day, I head toward the Black Lake, thinking maybe I'll find him walking along the water. 

I approach the edge of the lake, gazing upon the edge of the forest as I walk slowly. I don't see him anywhere.. This is where he normally comes to be alone, the same place I find myself when I feel the same way. 

I walk back up to the courtyard just in time before my Flying 101 class begins. I sit by the fountain, waiting for Eleanor, before I go over to where the class normally meets. Fifteen minutes go by and I spot Eleanor round the corner and enter the courtyard. 

"I got word that you skipped Transfiguration today. Any particular reason?" She asks approaching me and sitting down on my left side. 

"Theo is missing.. well, missing from class," I point out, looking around as if I'm going to see him somewhere lurking. 

"Don't sweat it, Eden. He's a lone wolf at times, you should know that by now. He doesn't always follow Draco and Mattheo everywhere they go," she adds.

"I know Eleanor but.. ever since he was in the infirmary.. he's been so distant." I say as I look down at the ground to avoid eye contact with her.

"He's been distant.. or you've been distant?" 

I look up at her as a tear falls freely from my eye. "It's so fucking hard, you know? This entire situationship, so I call it, is fucked!" I raise my voice a level. 

She grabs my hand and leans her head into my shoulder. 

"Eden, I know you're hurting right now, but you need to do what makes you happy. You need to put yourself first. I mean, even though you accepted the dark mark, Draco said it doesn't mean you have to be with him, right?" She pulls her head upright and looks at me suddenly. 

"I know but in a way it's like Draco expects me to choose him. I don't know what I want, or who I want. I just know that I love Theo, more than I've ever loved anyone else, but I also don't want to hurt Draco or Mattheo in the process of me loving him, Eleanor. It fucking hurts, it pains me to hurt people emotionally," I confess to her, pouring out all of my emotions as I softly cry.