as the world caves in; mattheo riddle

"Are you blackmailing me, Malfoy?"

~~~

January 19, 1997

I never liked secrets.

The truth always eats away at me. But I was good at keeping them. Well, in most cases that is.

Though lately, the secrets just seem to keep piling up, overlapping each other. I hate it. I hate the lying, the scheming, the theatrics of it all. But maybe some secrets are better kept buried.

I stare at the ceiling above my bed, the morning light casting a bright glow across the fabric of the canopy as I try and muster the energy to get up and get ready. Exhaustion seemed to be winning the battle this morning.

Truth be told, I had gone to see Mattheo last night. We just talked. And smoked. Like how it was before everything got complicated. Well, I guess it's always been complicated. Anyhow, it was nice. But deep down, I was cursing myself for the three hours of sleep I got.

"Amora," Pansy hums from across the room as she grabs her robes from her wardrobe. "You're going to be late if you keep sulking in bed."

"I'm not sulking," I mutter tiredly, running a hand over my face. "I'm... conserving energy."

Pansy lets out a laugh, shutting her wardrobe with a click.

"You sound like Theo," she snorts.

I drag myself upright with a groan, throwing my legs over the side of the bed.

"Well, he learned his attitude from someone," I shoot her a cheeky smirk.

She rolls her eyes in a playful manner before returning to her morning tasks. I stretch my limbs as I reluctantly stand up, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into my warm covers. I begin getting ready for the day, simply going through the familiar steps of my routine.

The usual sounds of rustling clothing and things being tossed around fills the room, but beneath it all, I couldn't stop thinking of last night. The way Mattheo's eyes shinned in the moonlight, how his voice sounded when he told me he missed me. Merlin, I just can't get him out of my mind.

By the time we head down to Potions, the castle is lively with chatter and crowded hallways as students rush to make it to class on time. The cold air of the dungeons nips at my skin as I hug my robe tighter around my body.

Pansy rambles on about the possible Slytherin party being planned this Friday as we walk through the class, before having to go our separate ways.

I slip into my seat, my partner no where to be found. Maybe Mattheo was back to his usual self— skipping class and avoiding responsibility.

Potions drags on as per usual, Professor Snape's dull drawl making time tick by extra slowly. Today's lesson was discussing Valerian Root, how the sedative properties work to make draught of peace and draught of living death.

I tap my fingers against my textbook, resting my cheek against my palm as I silently beg for class to end. It was odd, I really liked the concept of potions, but Snape makes it difficult to pay attention.

I quickly gather my things as Snape dismisses the class, students rushing their way to the exit. I sling my bag over my shoulder as Theo approaches with a smirk.

"Morning sunshine," he greets with his usual teasing tone. "You're looking extra chipper this morning."

I roll my eyes at him as we head towards the door.

"You're hilarious, Theodore," I reply.

He chuckles, that signature smug grin taking over his features as he falls into step beside me.