"So let me get this straight—you started crying, you don't know why, and then you ran into Mattheo, and he helped you?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow.

I had all my close friends with me. Theo was sprawled out on my bed, fully stretched like he owned the place. Enzo was lying on the floor, using a pillow for his head, while Daph sat comfortably on her bed with Adel.

I'd wanted Adel here too—I felt guilty for being so caught up in my own mess lately. I hadn't talked to her much, let alone given her Mr. Bun, who was still tucked away in the drawer beside my bed. Maybe I'd give it to her later tonight.

"Yeah, that's what happened. It was... weird," I said, shrugging.

I was sitting on the floor, my head resting on Enzo's stomach. He absentmindedly played with my hair, his fingers soothing as they combed through the strands. I opened my mouth to say something, but the door suddenly swung open with a bang.

Draco, Blaise, and Riddle walked in, one after the other.

Great. Just what I needed.

I didn't want Draco here—he always found a way to make everything about Potter. And Blaise? Well, Blaise had no filter, which was... less than ideal in moments like this. And well Riddle why would I even want him? I'm literally talking about him!

"What are you doing?" I asked as Draco made his way to my bed, shoving Theo to make room for himself. Great—now my bed was going to smell like men's cologne.

Blaise, at least, had the decency to ask Daphne for permission before sitting on her bed. Riddle, on the other hand, started walking toward my desk. That meant he'd have to step over me, so as soon as his foot lifted, I moved my left leg to trip him.

"Oops," I said sweetly when he stumbled but caught himself. He retaliated with a light kick to my leg before continuing on his way to my desk. My desk, because I was the only one who used it. It held all my notes from first year until now, along with books, writing materials, pens, ink, quills, and random odds and ends—junk, as Adel liked to call it.

"We're here because we can be, my dear Ariana," Draco said in a posh tone. "Plus, I thought maybe we could do something fun."

"Yeah? Like what?" Adel asked, her voice dripping with mischief. She'd never been Draco's biggest fan, always taking the opportunity to annoy him for "the plot" she would say.

"Like none of your business, you little brat," Draco snapped.

That crossed the line. No one, not even my friends, got to insult my sister. Blaise gasped dramatically, covering Adel's ears as if shielding her from the comment.

"Hey, don't you dare call her that! You're the brat here," I shot back, grabbing a shoe and throwing it at him.

"Yeah, that's not cool," Theo said, smacking Draco's arm with the back of his hand.

Draco caught the shoe I'd thrown with ease, his reflexes annoyingly fast. He examined it briefly, holding it by the toe like it offended him, before tossing it lazily back onto the floor.

"Really, Ariana?" he said, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Throwing shoes? What are you, a grandmother scolding her unruly grandchildren?"

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "Well, if the shoe fits, Malfoy..."

Theo snickered beside him, while Blaise grinned, still dramatically shielding Adel's ears as though she were a delicate flower. Adel, for her part, looked like she was about to burst out laughing.

"You deserved it," Daphne chimed in from her bed, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. She didn't even bother looking up from the book she was flipping through, but her words made Draco's smug grin falter just a bit.

"Everyone's against me now? Lovely," Draco muttered, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve.

"You called her a brat," Blaise reminded him with a mock scolding tone. "And, frankly, that's blasphemy. Adel is an angel." He dropped his hands from Adel's ears and gave her a wink, earning a giggle from her.

"Angel, my ass," Draco grumbled under his breath, but this time, he wisely kept his voice low enough that Adel couldn't hear.

"Just don't push your luck, Malfoy," I warned him, pointing at the shoe now lying by his foot. "Next time, I'm aiming for your head."

"Yeah, yeah," Draco said, rolling his eyes as he lounged on my bed, clearly uninterested in anything that didn't involve himself. I glanced over at my desk, and my stomach twisted. There he was—Riddle—sitting comfortably with one of my most personal possessions in his hands. My astronomy book.

Not just any book, but the one my dad had given me back in second year. A blank journal I had painstakingly filled with notes, diagrams, and everything anyone could ever want to know about astronomy. Star charts, constellations, planetary movements—it was my pride and joy. And there Riddle was, flipping through it like it was the morning newspaper.

"Is that...?" I started, narrowing my eyes as I leaned forward.

He didn't even look up. "Your little astronomy diary?" he asked, his voice smooth and taunting. He flipped another page, his fingers brushing the delicate edges. "Didn't take you for an author, Pucey. Or an artist, for that matter." He tilted the book slightly, examining one of my sketches of the Regulus constellation.

"It's not a diary," I snapped, standing up. "It's—"

"Oh, I know," he cut me off, his smirk widening. "It's a masterpiece of astronomical brilliance. Truly groundbreaking. The Ministry should probably hire you immediately." His tone was laced with sarcasm, and I felt my cheeks flush with anger.

"Give it back," I demanded, crossing the room. He turned another page deliberately, ignoring me.

"Relax," he said, his voice mockingly sweet. "I'm just admiring your hard work. You've really outdone yourself here. Though..." He tapped the blank pages at the back. "Looks like you couldn't quite finish it. What happened? Did the stars stop talking to you?"

I gritted my teeth, snatching the book from his hands. "It's none of your business, Riddle."

"Touchy, touchy," he drawled, leaning back in the chair. "I'm just saying, with all this effort, you could probably replace the professor. Imagine it—Professor Pucey, lecturing us all on how to properly sketch a star. You'd love the attention."

"You're an ass," I muttered, holding the book protectively against my chest.

His smirk grew as he stood up, towering over me. "And you're predictable. So easy to rile up, Pucey. It's almost too much fun." He sat back down, his presence leaving an irritating warmth in the air. "But I'll give you this," he added, glancing up. "You're thorough. Maybe I'll let you tutor me someday—though I doubt even you could make Astronomy interesting."

"Ariana's right you are a real cazzo di culo" Adel spoke very fluent Italian a language she could speak from the age of two. Theo snorted at her words everyone else just looked at her.

"Adel don't say that" I told her. I wanted to laugh but I tried to hold it in. Riddle looked confused about what Adel had called him.

"Did you just say ass?" He asked her.

"Mattheo here only speaks Spanish as his second language," He says from the bed. Huh so the only word he got what ass

"Well, Ari can translate she also speaks Spanish" Man can't this girl learn when to talk and not to? 

I glared at her. Blaise looked up from Daphne's bed, shaking his head.

"Don't let him get to you, Ariana," Blaise said, smirking. "He's just bored. You're his entertainment for the night."

"Yeah, well, he needs a new hobby," I muttered, sliding my book into my drawer. But as I sat back down on the floor, I couldn't help glancing at Riddle. His smirk was still there, and I swore there was a flicker of satisfaction in his dark eyes.

"If you're going to insult me, Pucey, at least do it in Italian. I'd almost be impressed."

Adel burst into giggles, and Theo gave me an encouraging nod. "Go on, Ari. Show him who's boss."

I glared at them both. "You're not helping."

But as I sat back down on the floor, my head once again on Enzo's stomach, I caught a glimpse of Riddle still smirking at me. And for just a moment, I swore there was amusement in his dark eyes—not mockery, but something else.

I glanced around the room, catching the mix of expressions on everyone's faces—Theo's amusement, Blaise's smirk, Draco's mild irritation, and Adel's bright grin as though she'd just won an award for being the most chaotic person in the room. Riddle, of course, looked as pleased as ever, like a cat that had successfully cornered its prey.

"So," Blaise said, breaking the silence. "Are we actually going to do something fun tonight, or are we just going to watch Mattheo irritate Ariana to death? Because, personally, I think we could do both."

"I'm voting for the second option," Riddle quipped, reclining in the chair as if he owned it. "It's been a delight so far."

"You're insufferable," I muttered, crossing my arms and glaring at him. "Why are you even here?"

"To grace you with my charming presence, of course," he replied, flashing a smug smile. "You should be thanking me."

"Yeah, I'll get right on that," I said dryly. "Right after I throw you out the window."

Daphne chuckled from her spot on the bed, finally looking up from her book. "Careful, Ariana. I think he's actually enjoying this. The more riled up you get, the more fun he has."

"Oh, I've noticed," I said, shooting Riddle another glare. He winked at me, and I felt my face flush with frustration—or at least, I told myself it was frustration.

As the room settled into a more relaxed hum, Adel glanced slyly at Mattheo, her fingers brushing a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.

"You know," she began, her voice light but teasing, "you act all smug, but I think you like my sister."

The room went dead silent. Even Theo, who had been halfway through a snicker, froze. My head snapped as I locked eyes with Adel, who looked far too pleased with herself.

Mattheo leaned against the desk, his smirk unfaltering. "Oh, I don't think so, paloma." His tone was smooth, a little too smooth.

Adel crossed her arms, unfazed. "Sure. That's why you're always here, picking on her."

Mattheo tilted his head, feigning thoughtfulness, then turned his attention to the rest of the room. "You know, it's funny you'd say that. I think Ariana's the one harboring feelings—just not for me." He smirked at me this time, his dark eyes dancing with mischief. "She's in love with Miles Bletchley."

The air in the room shifted immediately. Theo burst into laughter, slapping his thigh. Blaise let out a loud "Oooooh," while Enzo just muttered, "Bloody hell," under his breath. Even Daphne cracked a grin.

"Are you serious right now?" I shot back, my cheeks flushing.

"Deadly," Mattheo replied, his tone annoyingly casual. "I mean, why else would you be dating him? Can't keep away from the bloke, right? And did he not ask you to the Yule Ball today in front of the whole school"

"You're such a liar! And so what if he did?" I snapped, lobbing the nearest pillow at his head. "I do not love Miles!"

"Right, right," he drawled, dodging the pillow with ease. "That's why you've been with him all this time. Makes perfect sense."

Adel narrowed her eyes at Mattheo, her earlier amusement dimming. "Wait, so she's dating someone she doesn't love but I thought she liked him? That's... kind of sad."

"Thanks, Adel, like and love are different" I muttered.

"Well, now we know why she's so tense around me," Mattheo added, smirking. "Poor Pucey doesn't want to admit she's got a type, golden blond honey eyes and obviously it's not me."

Adel turned to me, her expression both curious and a little concerned. "Do you actually like Miles?"

I sighed, burying my face in my hands. "I like him, okay? He's... nice. And he's good to me. Can we drop this?"

Theo finally took pity on me, clapping his hands together to redirect the room. "Alright, that's enough of the Pucey love triangle drama. Let's focus on what's important—figuring out how to annoy Riddle tomorrow."

"Why wait?" Blaise said, grinning. "We've got him right here."

The group erupted into laughter, and as the noise filled the room, I couldn't help but glance at Mattheo. He was still smirking, but there was something in his expression that made me pause. Amusement, sure—but also a flicker of something else.

Whatever it was, I didn't have the energy to figure it out. For now, I let myself sink back onto the floor, determined to let the chaos around me drown out my thoughts.

Enzo patted my head sympathetically. "Yeah, you guys are ruthless."

"Speak for yourself," Blaise said, tossing a pillow at Enzo. "I'm thoroughly entertained."

Draco, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, stretched lazily on my bed. "This is all so dramatic. Can't we go back to doing something fun, like planning how to torment Potter?"

"No one wants to hear about your Harry Potter obsession, Malfoy," Daphne quipped, not even glancing up from her book.

"Obsession?" Draco sputtered, sitting up straight. "It's not an obsession. It's—"

"Borderline unhealthy," Theo finished, earning a snicker from Blaise.

As the room devolved into lighthearted bickering, I leaned back against Enzo again, my fingers fidgeting with my nails. Riddle caught my eye from across the room, his smirk still firmly in place.

"Don't worry, Pucey," he said, his tone low but still teasing. "Your secrets are safe with me—for now."

I rolled my eyes, but there was no denying the slight tug at the corner of my lips. "Good to know, Riddle. Now, why don't you take that charm and shove it up your—"

"Okay, okay!" Theo interrupted, waving his hands. "We get it, you two. Enough with the tension. Save it for when I'm not around to witness whatever this is."

I groaned, but Theo's comment seemed to lighten the atmosphere. Riddle just shrugged, clearly enjoying himself, while Adel looked at me like she'd just uncovered some great mystery.

I knew this night was going to be long, but at least, for a moment, it felt like the chaos of my friends could drown out the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

Hey guys I missed you all I've had a crazy week and remember how I was in Sacramento?

Well there was this cute guy there 100% my type and he's so funny the sad thing is that he's like from Sacramento and I'm from LA for far but yeah he gave me his Spotify and low key had to hide some playlist so the playlist from this book is hidden so I'm going to find a way for you guys to listen to the playlist from this story and like he's music taste it so different from mine

-LOVE YOUR FAVOURITE MEXICAN LATINA VICTORIA.C