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CHAPTER SIX. BENEFITS OF FRIENDS

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The next morning, Evangeline was sat at a table in the dining hall. Her sister was sat across from her, giving her a lecture about the benefits of being kind to people. She had somehow found out about what she had said the night before in the common room. Vivian always found things out. Evangeline was convinced that she had a spy in the Gryffindor house, relaying messages to her on everything that she did. It wouldn't surprise her if that were the case.

Evangeline was only half listening to her sister's words, most of her attention on her breakfast. She stuck her fork into a piece of sausage and put it in her mouth, taking a bite of it and placing her fork back on her plate. "Are you even listening to me?" Vivian asked. Evangeline looked up at her. "No," she answered. "At least you're honest," the older girl muttered before sighing.

"Look Ang, I don't know why you're such a bitch to everyone that you come into contact with but, it needs to stop," Vivian said. Evangeline scoffed, "So what, you think you're the boss of me now?" Vivian sighed again. "If you continue to be a mean hag, you're never gonna make any friends," she began. "If I really wanted friends, I would make an effort to make some," Evangeline said. Vivian ignored her.

"And you'll never get a boyfriend, or girlfriend, whichever you prefer, and you'll be alone forever," she concluded. "None of what you're saying sounds like an issue to me. I like being alone," the younger girl said. It was Vivian's turn to scoff. "No matter how many times you tell me that, you're never gonna convince me that what you're saying is true," she said. Evangeline shrugged indifferently.

"I mean sure, being by yourself can be great. It gives you time to think or do whatever you need to do. But being alone, really truly alone, terrifies even me. And you know me, I'm not easily scared," Vivian said. She stared at her younger sister with such an intensity that Evangeline looked away, growing uncomfortable under her gaze. "See, I'm right and you know I'm right. Admit it," Vivian said.

Evangeline would do no such thing. She was nothing if not stubborn. Instead, she changed the subject. "Don't you have friends? How about you go bother them?" She suggested. Vivian tsked, "You're changing the subject. That means you agree with me, which means that I'm right."

"Would it satisfy your huge ego if you were right?" Evangeline said. "My ego is a normal size but, it would be satisfied if you admitted that I was right, yes," Vivian said. "I will do no such thing because you are, in fact, wrong," the youngest Caspian replied. Vivian rolled her eyes and took a bite of her oatmeal, chewing it thoroughly and swallowing before speaking again.

"Whatever you say, but everyone gets lonely every once in a while," she said. Evangeline shrugged her shoulders, "Not me." Vivian was certain that her sister was trying to convince herself just as much as she was trying to convince Vivian. "Is it so bad to have friends?" She questioned. Evangeline thought the question over as Vivian continued. "I mean, friends are great. They're supportive and trusting and loyal. They're there for you whenever you need them and always have your back. Good ones at least. If your friends aren't like this then drop 'em, because they're not your friends."

Evangeline stared blankly at the girl sat in front of her. "Doesn't that sound great?" Vivian asked. Evangeline looked down and thought about it. She never felt the need to have friends. She didn't understand what was so great about them. Friends could be great. But to her, they were only temporary. Eventually they would leave. Everyone always left.

"You're over analyzing. Why do you always do that?" Vivian said. "I'm not over analyzing. I'm just thinking," Evangeline replied. "It's a simple yes or no question. Not much to think about," the older girl said. "Do you want an answer or not?" Evangeline asked, growing annoyed. "Sorry, continue," Vivian said, resting her elbows on the table and placing her chin in her open palms. She smiled as she leaned forward.

Evangeline sighed, "I don't want nor do I need friends. I've got you and that's more than enough." Vivian lifted her head out of her palms and scowled at her sister. "That's beyond pathetic. I'm not gonna be here forever, you know. And no offense, but I don't want to be your only friend. I shouldn't even count, I'm your sister," she said.

"Ouch, Viv. Why don't you stab me in the face? I think that'd be less painful," Evangeline muttered. Vivian perked up, "Was that a joke that I detected?" Evangeline rolled her brown eyes. "If you want it to be," she said. A smile overtook Vivian's face. "I bring out the best in you," she said thoughtfully.

A tiny smile involuntarily made its way onto Evangeline's face, causing Vivian's smile to widen. It was true. Evangeline found herself happier when she was around her sister. No one was ever capable of making her smile like the eldest Caspian. "You're smiling!" Vivian gushed loudly. Multiple sets of eyes strayed to the two girls but Evangeline's smile was long gone. The Gryffindors sitting closest to the girls looked between the two Caspians.

Vivian looked around, eyebrows raised. "Can we help you with something?" She questioned. They looked away then, going back to whatever they were originally doing. Once she was sure that no one else was looking their way, Evangeline turned to her sister. "A little louder next time. I don't think they could hear you over at the Slytherin table," she deadpanned. Vivian rolled her eyes, "Relax. They would just see you smiling, something that wouldn't be so bad. Besides, you have a nice smile. You definitely look much prettier when you smile," she said.

Evangeline narrowed her eyes, "I almost never smile. So, I look ugly all the time is what you're saying?" The older girl shrugged, "I didn't say that. But that frown isn't doing you any wonders." She took another bite of her oatmeal. "Is it insult your younger sibling day?" Evangeline asked. "I'm just being honest," Vivian replied before changing the subject.

"So, have you started studying for the O.W.L.s?" She asked. Evangeline furrowed her eyebrows, "The O.W.L.s are months away and the school year just started." Vivian's face scrunched up, "So? There's a lot of stuff you need to know. Might as well start now if you want to do well. You do want to do well, right?" Evangeline nodded. "Good. I can help you if you want," Vivian said. "Thanks but, I'll be fine," Evangeline said. Vivian shrugged, "Suit yourself."

••••

Evangeline walked down the crowded hallway on her way to her Charms class. The students didn't seem to be in a hurry and were taking their sweet time. If there was one thing that Evangeline Caspian hated, it was slow walkers. And Evangeline was not a patient person. So, she began pushing past people, extremely annoyed.

She got multiple complaints from the students that she pushed but she ignored them, continuing on her journey to class. She pushed past a familiar head of red hair and a cry left his lips. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" He said. Evangeline continued walking. A hand suddenly gripped her arm, turning her around. Immediately, a glare was set on her face. She eyed Ronald Weasley, her annoyance increasing.

"What?" She snapped. Harry Potter was stood a step behind his friend, looking uncomfortable. "You bumped into us," he said. Her eyes narrowed further, "So?" His eyes widened before narrowing in anger. "So? That's all you have to say?" He said. She looked behind her, already planning on walking away. "You were in my way," she said. "You could've said excuse me, like a normal, civilized person," Ron said. Harry was stood silently, watching the exchange.

"And you could've walked faster or not been in my way," she replied in a bored tone. "You're seriously blaming me?" He asked incredulously. Evangeline sighed, "Are we done here?" She was not in the mood to talk to Ronald Weasley today or any other day for that matter. "No, we are certainly not done. Once you apologize, then we'll be done," he said.

"Ron, it's fine," Harry finally spoke. Ron turned to his friend. "No, it's not, Harry. She can't just walk around being rude to people whenever she wants," he said, turning back to her. "I don't know who you think you are, but you're not better than me. You can't do whatever you want and treat people however you want just because you have money," he said, his face turning red with anger.

"I don't think I'm better than you or anyone else here," Evangeline said, her anger growing with each word. Ron laughed humorlessly, "Could've fooled me." Evangeline's anger increased. "You don't know me. So don't you dare try to pretend that you do," she seethed. "Whatever, Caspian," he said, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. Evangeline rolled her own eyes, turning around and beginning to walk to class again.

"Hey! We're not done here!" He called after her. "I am!" She called back, not bothering to turn around. "Bloody hell! That girl is going to drive me insane one day," Ron muttered. "Looks like she's already started," Harry said, snickering to himself. "What's so funny?" Ron asked in confusion. "Nothing. But maybe you were overreacting, just a little," Harry said. Ron rolled his eyes and nudged Harry, the two going to class.

Evangeline made it to Charms a minute late, silently cursing Ronald Weasley for making her late. Luckily for her, Professor Flitwick let it slide, just this once. She slipped into the only empty seat, one next to Neville Longbottom. Neville shifted slightly when she sat down next to him and she rolled her eyes, pulling out her Charms textbook. Evangeline listened intently to the Professor as he spoke, taking notes when she felt necessary.

When she felt like she was being watched, she turned her head to the side where Neville was sat. She met his eye, his widening considerably. He quickly turned away from her. She raised an eyebrow, turning to the front to make sure that Professor Flitwick wasn't looking before turning back to the boy. "Why are you staring at me?" She whispered, her words coming out harsher than intended. Neville, whose eyes were still wide, briefly glanced at her before turning away again.

"I, uh, I wasn't looking at you," he squeaked. Evangeline rolled her eyes, "Oh, so I was just imagining it then?" Neville nodded, "You must have been." He gulped. "Are you saying that I'm lying? You're calling me a liar now?" She questioned. He was instantly shaking his head. "N-no, no. I'm not saying that at all I—" She cut him off. "Relax, Longbottom. I'm only kidding." Her voice was so serious that her words did little to reassure him. "But seriously, why were you looking at me?" She asked.

She turned back to facing the front, writing a few more notes before turning back to him. She raised an eyebrow expectantly. "I was just, curious," he said. "About?" She pressed. "Um, what you look like. I've never seen your face up close. I mean, there was that one time on the carriage but even then, I didn't see your face too well. I was always too scared to approach you," he blurted quietly. "Why were you scared?" She asked. "B-because you're kinda scary. I've heard stories and stuff," he said, refusing to meet her eye.

"Well, none of those stories are true," she assured. He nodded slightly relieved. "Well, some of them are true," she added as an after thought. He gulped again, his breathing picking up. She huffed, rolling her eyes at him. The two went back to paying attention to the lesson, both taking notes, when a question suddenly popped into her head.

"So, now that you've seen my face, do you like what you see?" Evangeline had never seen a face turn so red.