Twelve

Piper tried to contain her nerves as she approached Albus.

He was sitting outside, leaning against a tree and chewing on his lip anxiously. He had a textbook propped open on his lap, but was staring at it unseeingly. As Piper got closer, she saw that it wasn't even the right way up.

'Albus,' she called. He looked up, and she suddenly noticed how he looked- tired.

Tired, and confused, and hurt, and sad. His hair was everywhere, and he had dark bags under his eyes, like he hadn't slept for days. He reached up and tugged on a lock of his hair nervously, and Piper saw that his nails were bitten down to the quick. 'Hey,' he said shortly.

Piper frowned in confusion, and sat down next to him by the tree. He flinched and moved away from her, his eyes looking everywhere apart from her.

'Al, what's wrong?' Piper asked, and Albus visibly blanched. 'Are you sick?'

'Piper, I don't think we should do this,' Albus said shortly, gathering his textbook up to his chest like a shield. 'Pretend like nothing happened, I mean.'

Piper nodded slowly. 'Yeah, I agree, but-'

'And you've made your feelings clear,' Albus interrupted. 'And, look, I'm sorry, but now...'

He gestured around wildly. 'I don't think we should be friends.'

Piper felt as if someone had hit her. She took a sharp breath in, and stared at Albus in confusion. 'Al...'

She could feel her hands trembling. God, how has this gone so wrong?

'I'm sorry, Piper. But I-' he shook his head, and his hair fell in his face. Piper longed to brush it out of his eyes, like she'd always longed to. She remembered, with a pang, the kiss, where finally, finally she'd run her hands through that hair like she'd always wanted... 'I don't feel like I can be friends with you. Not when you feel the way you feel about me.'

Piper's heart was racing. She couldn't move, couldn't do anything, as Albus stood up. 'I don't want to do this,' he said softly, looking at her horror-struck face.

'So don't,' Piper said horsely, her voice trembling. 'Al, please. I don't- You're my best friend. I don't... I don't know how I can manage without you, Albus, please.'

With horror, Piper realised her eyes were welling up with tears. Oh, God, please don't cry in front of Albus, she prayed. Get a grip, Piper.

'We don't love each other in the same way.' Albus said, reaching for her, and then drawing his hand back quickly. 'It can't work, Piper. It's best this way.'

He hesitated, and Piper drew a breath in sharply, but then he turned, slowly, so slowly, and walked away, leaving Piper behind.

Alone.

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