Hundred-Forty: Chasing Pavements

Entry For NOJOMO #19

.Tanya Faith.Skeletons

Told from Kaden’s POV

We had an assignment due in Professor Burbage’s class of Muggle Studies. We had to write a piece of writing that incorporates something we were facing in our personal lives at the moment. Once I picked up my parchment and quill, the words just flowed through my pen.

“Any volunteers?” She asked enthusiastic. “No…okay then…” She grabbed a basket with all of our names in it and began to pull them out one by one. “Ms. Diggory…” Kayleen shook her head ‘no.’ I guess she was too shy. “Okay then, I won’t force you.” She then picked the next name. “Cedric? Maybe you’ll be more sharing than your sister.” She asked.

Cedric went up the front of the class and began reciting his piece of writing.

I’m facing an issue on the Quidditch team. I am losing my touch. I need to practice more….” Suddenly Cedric closed his journal. “Gotta go!” He pleaded as she excused him.

“When nature calls, it calls,” She chuckled. “Alrighty then…” She reached her hand in the basket. “Ah, Mr. Shadows?” Zeke and I both looked up. “Oh I’m sorry…I mean Kaden.” She pointed at me. “Please come up and enjoy.”

Nervously, I made my way to the front of the class and fumbled with my papers. Burbage encouraged me to read and I took in a deep breath.

You’re so beautiful, love.

You make me sick.

You twist my soul into nothing.

You break me in half with your smile.

You can’t keep your eyes off of me.

I can’t keep my eyes off of you, either.

Every day I see you love, and every day I die.

I can’t wait to die every day though, love.

I can’t stand this obsession anymore.

Your seduction carries me into my dreams.

I see you in my nightmares love.

I can feel your presence on my body.

I distract myself with others but my heart beats for you love.

Answer me, love. Answer me.

I’m calling you in a scream, but you can’t hear my whispers.

Like secondhand smoke, I feed off your fumes.

You are cancer on my soul love, and every day I die.

T the class stood in silence. You could hear a pin drop in the room. Suddenly I felt naked in front of the crowd. Kayleen looked away with a tear in her eye. I hope she didn’t think this was about her. I found myself explaining more than I wanted to. I was lost into a poetic moment.

“This poem is about how I had a secret obsession with someone who could’ve easily killed me….my lifestyle could’ve easily killed her. We were bad for each other all around. I made a sacrifice for her. I could’ve loved her the rest of my life, but I’m trying to move on.” Thoughts of Tanya danced in my head. Detention. Running away. Finding out our secrets together. She saved me under-water, and I gave her up. I’m trying to fill the void with Kayleen. I’d never hurt my brother.

“Take your seat Mr. Shadows. That was amazing!” Mrs. Burbage bragged. “You really should consider taking more writing classes! Alright who is next?” She began to call out names.

Colin, Harry, and Zeke all looked at me. They knew who it was about and they didn’t like it.

“Kayleen?” She asked. Hesitantly, she got up in front of the class and began to read.

My secret can’t be known to the world. It makes me drown in an endless sea. It makes me feel horrible inside to know that I try to wear my heart on my sleeve but this has to stay hidden. Even my closet friends, family…none of them know. Kayleen stopped reading like her brother.

“This is so stupid! This is a school to teach us how to get ready to use our magic, not express our feelings!” She latched out as she began to cry. As she opened the door to leave, Cedric was standing there. He hugged his sister and escorted her outside.

“Who is next….Mr. Lovegood?” She asked. I shot my head around to Piastol. Would he share?

Told from Tanya’s POV

There was still no sign of mother. Alana and I decided to brave grandmothers house. We had to be strong for each-other. Grandmother taught us everything we knew about being a veela, about being a lady, about life in general. She was our means of all support systems. I wonder sometimes if I let her down, but somewhere in my heart, I know she never could be.

“Do you remember this?” I asked as I grabbed a picture from a cardboard box.

“I sure do. It was our first Yule Ball.” Alana laughed. “There we were 13 years old. You and Colin cheesing it up and me and Draco. What we were wearing?”

“I don’t know!” I began to laugh too.

The box of pictures took us back to our old selves; the piece that was missing. I think we found it that night.