Curiosity Killed the Cat

Mira lay on her back on her bunk. Her ankles crossed and her eyes were closed, although you could tell she wasn't sleeping. She wore a light yellow fitted tee shirt and light blue short shorts. The combination of bright, happy colors gave off the impression of joy. Mira was anything but joyful. Even though her relationship with Elijah had never been this promising she was still radiating the negative energy that was often associated with Mira. She wasn't sad, just pissed at herself. 

For the last ten minutes she had been laying here with her eyes clamped shut trying to relax. Her goal was to avoid looking down at the large, black tattoo that was just visible in the small gap between her shirt and shorts. Mira could have just pulled the rumpled shirt down but that would make her recognize that it was there. She refused. If she pretended it didn't exist it wouldn't. 

Mira herself wasn't sure why she wasn't ecstatic about their shared tattoo. It was physical proof that they were two halves of one whole. It was probably because Mira cared what people thought. After what had happened between Chase and Elijah she would be judged about their closeness so soon afterward. But she had to come out of this room sometime. She had to face this horrid school. It was a beautiful day and she would go out and enjoy it. The lake? Sounded good enough as any place. 

Mira opened her eyes and got off her bunk. She pulled her shirt down to it's full length quickly. She slid on the pair of white flats that sat next to the bed. 

Walk across the room.
Close the door behind you.
Avoid eye contact.
Leave common room.
Walk through corridors.
Cross entrance hall.
Feel the sun, see the sky.
Feel the grass on your ankles.
See swimming children. 
Settle yourself away from them, under a nice tree.

It felt like so long since she had been out here. Winter had been long and cold. Even her favorite season had been horrible when Elijah wasn't hers. Mira ran her hands through the grass around her. Everything was so full of life. She rested her head on the tree behind her, closing her eyes again and soaking in some vitamin D. 

After only a few minutes Mira was bored and she opened her eyes again. Tanning wasn't her thing. With no book or anything to do she couldn't help but indulge herself in one interesting thing around her. Her thin, delicate fingers lifted the edge of the yellow shirt to reveal the scrolling black words. 

Her breath caught like always. Sometimes the most beautiful things were also horrifying.

Shopping was best done while surrounded by moronic Pureblood women who were known for their promiscuity rather than their brains – according to Athena’s mother that is; Athena could say she wholeheartedly agreed. That morning was spent with four girls, each one as brainless as each other, whose conversation consisted of contemplating how rock hard Krum’s abs were (and they were rock solid – something Athena had not realised) and a debate on whether Rookwood was well endowed or not. Athena was tight lipped about that. She was quick to post to the girls about her tousle with Elijah Krum before a Charms lesson though she kept close to the chest about the way he made her smile. He was an idiot but he was amusing – not exactly the Pureblood Prince they idolized. Kendall was a different kettle of fish all together; and yes he was well endowed; but they weren’t to know that.

After spending the morning in Hogsmeade making purchases for their summer wardrobes that they could really do without, the girls slowly made their way back up to the castle; their minds on lunch. Athena had long since placed her feet back in the heels she’d set out in that morning. They’d proved a little too much and so she’d switched them for a pair of royal blue flats that still went with her striped shorts and black halter-neck corset. Her shoes were the same royal blue but basically just with the added bonus of a heel. Why she’d chosen blue she didn’t know but she liked odd shoes – her purchases were enough to prove that and surely enough to rile her mother when she set eyes on them. Of course Apolline liked similar pieces to Athena but it didn’t occur to her that Athena had a master plan regarding everything she bought – Apolline just hit the roof and went off on a tirade about nothing basically.

Until then though, Athena would be forced to watch her ‘friends’ pig out on things they really shouldn’t. Evidently they didn’t care about their figures.

Rising from her seat at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, Athena took her bags. She thrust them into the arms of a more than willing Slytherin boy and directed him down to the dungeons before tossing her hair over her shoulder and striding out of the hall all together. Once she was safely out in the corridor she began to head into the grounds, rummaging around in her purse in search of her lipstick as she did so. She needed a touch up but she’d wait until she was down by the lake to do so. She picked up pace and strode out into the grounds, her trademark smirk on her lips.

However, she found she was not alone by the lake. She had company in the form of –

“Mira.”

Mira yanked down the shirt the moment she saw the movement of a figure coming towards this part of the lake. She recognized the black hair and distinctive walk anywhere. Athena Goyle. Though many thought she was crazy Athena was her best friend. The two shared a dorm, a style of living, and many secrets. Even though they didn't see eachother in the morning due to Athenas strange routine they still saw a lot of eachother around the castle. 

Like the Krums, the Goyles were in the circle of rich, Slythirin, purebloods, that all socially called on one another. While their parents hadn't become close at these gatherings the two girls had - sitting through endless dinner parties pretending to look attentive and interested only to gossip alone afterward. Where many of their group were quite airheads Athena and Mira were anything but. Both were strong willed people with strong personalities, so naturally they got in fights. But one or the other always managed to spit out an apology half-heartly and repair things.

Mira wasn't sure if she wanted Athena to know about the tattoo. It was very personal for Mira and no matter how much she loved her, Athena was probably likely to tell. The girl knew that Mira had feelings for Elijah - but not to the full extent. She didn't know that Mira loved him. It was assumed that Mira was in control and using him, not the other way around. Athena didn't like weakness.. And neither did Mira.

"Thena!" Mira exclaimed when she addressed her. "How was your outing?" Mira had been invited by one of the other girls to to shopping with them but had declined. She had wanted time to actually think today. Mira smiled, and for once it wasn't forced. Being genuinely happy to see someone was an uncommon occurrence. It may be proof that Mira Anderson was really changing.