Chapter 8

It's been days since Persephone kept on attracting and distracting attention, and it's been days since Ginny kept on ignoring the attention she was getting from the other students whenever they were together. After that incident the other day with the Mean Girl wannabes, Persephone began accompanying Ginny to her classes and having lunch together.

She doesn't know how. But she's certain it all happened during that car ride home. The next thing she knew, she and Persephone were having deep conversations about The Lord of the Rings, transitioning to The Alchemist, then to The Solitaire Mystery. She doesn't know how they got philosophical all of a sudden. And Ginny just finds herself more engaged in the conversation since she's a bit of a bookworm herself.

"Hi." Persephone, with her charming blue eyes, smiled. "Lunch?" All eyes are on them. She doesn't want to attract any more attention, so she just nods in response. "Do you want me to hold your bag?" Ginny shook her head vigorously, clutching the strap of her bag tightly in case Persephone would grab it, but instead the latter intertwined their hands.

In recent days, Persephone has been consistently displaying a tendency to invade her personal space. The latter has developed a habit of entwining their hands while walking, be it in the cafeteria, down the hallway, or even when accompanying Ginny to her classes.

Ginny couldn't quite trace back when it all began, but the girl was quite insistent that this was to prevent any sudden run-ins or attacks from anyone. Though Ginny resisted at first, claiming she could manage on her own, Persephone's persistent and frank demeanour eventually won her over.

"Let's go."

Persephone has a fondness for lavishing Ginny with the utmost care and tenderness. This, in turn, involves sending a subtle caution to any individuals attempting to become too fond of her. Ginny was well aware that those people's motivations often revolve around the curiosity of why and how Persephone chose her as a potential lover. This inquisitiveness swiftly transformed into envy and animosity. However, those harbouring jealousy over her position as Persephone's 'soon-to-be girlfriend' were swiftly thwarted, as Persephone promptly blocked them, ensuring not a single strand of her hair was touched.

It was quite a lot to handle. The last thing she didn't want to experience was being squashed to death by those giggly, utterly mental, and hormonal fangirls. She was more than pleased when Persephone told her that she was not going to allow anyone to hurt her in any sort of way. Well, not that she needs the protection since she can punch a few of them in return, but she still appreciates the gesture nonetheless. It was quite flattering and heartwarming at the same time. Some parts of her felt at peace when she was with Persephone. And it got her thinking, deeming that spending time with Persephone doesn't sound too bad at all. Maybe if Persephone would just drop the courting act, they could become good friends.

♦

Never mind. She spoke too soon.

Ginny lets out a bunch of fake laughs and coughs here and there when Reagan asks who's the top. She wishes the ground would just swallow her whole due to embarrassment. Why is she eating lunch with Persephone again? Well, she just wants to genuinely thank the latter for being nice the other day for the free ride. But then Reagan, with her annoying arse and lack of human decency, interrupted their meal all of a sudden.

"Aw, Ginny is getting shy." She has no fondness for Reagan, and that sentiment is quite set in stone, especially when the latter likes to tease her when they're not even that close. If she has a Burn Book, she'd write how much of a nosy-tattletale this person was in bloody red ink.

Natalie, out of nowhere, let out an unexpected snort and remarked, settling into the seat across, "Ginny? Shy? That's a surprise I hadn't anticipated." She playfully taunted while setting her tray of food onto the table. Great. Two of her worst nightmares combined.

She does understand why Natalie was here since they're sitting at the table designated only for prefects. What she didn't understand was why she was there. She's not a prefect, nor is Reagan. But she didn't care much about Reagan since she seems to be the kind of person who loves to meddle with other people's businesses. Ginny hates attention, yet she's the one getting all the attention from these people. She'd already gathered enough unwanted attention in the past, and she doesn't want to be involved with any sort of nonsense anymore.

"Why are you people here again?" They were in the cafeteria, sitting at the popular people's table, as cliche as it sounds.

"My question too." Persephone nonchalantly agreed, "Why are you here?" but she directed the question more to Reagan.

"I just want to have lunch with my best mate!" Natalie chipped in, a playful glint in her eye.

"Same here!" Reagan pursed her lips at Persephone, who only glowered at her in return.

"We're not friends, Reagan," she mutters in an annoyed tone.

"But we are friends, Percy." Reagan smirks teasingly. "I still remember the time we used to play dolls with Yvannah at my house."

Natalie excused herself, muttering that she had forgotten her pudding on the counter. Ginny watches Persephone and Reagan's exchange of words with curious eyes.

"Stop calling me that." Persephone's voice was laced with a cutting bitterness as she continued saying, "You've lost all the credibility and respect to call me or Yvannah friends when you made that choice. You don't get to do that."

Ginny was a bit taken aback by Persephone's tone of voice. She couldn't help but wonder if there was an ongoing feud going on between them. Definitely there is, she concluded.

Reagan's expression was a mixture of shock and hurt. "Well, I guess I can't." But she immediately masked it out, "Apologies for ruining your day." She gave a slight smile that didn't reach her eyes, "I'll see you around, Ginny." She stood up from the table and went the other way.

It took a bit of time before Persephone spoke again. "I apologise for my outburst, Ginny."

Ginny just nods in understanding, saying, "It's fine." She doesn't ask Persephone about it, simply because it's not her business to know.

"What did I miss?" Natalie suddenly appeared with a small plate of pudding in hand, looking a bit lost. But no one answered her question. Ginny actually doesn't know how to break the ice that surrounds the atmosphere.

But then Natalie, with her oh-so nosy personality, started, "How did it all begin?"

"Begin what?" Ginny questioned confusedly, not liking that smirk on her best friend.

"You two," fingers pointing at both of them, "how did it all start?"

"Natalie, we're not—" Ginny started explaining but got cut off again.

"Y'know, Ginny, I must admit, it's quite a sight to see Persephone melting that icy exterior of yours." Natalie couldn't help but flash a mischievous grin as she started munching on her sandwich, casting a glance at Ginny.

Ginny, maintaining a stoic demeanour, raised an eyebrow and shot Natalie an annoyed glare. "Oh, please. Don't exaggerate. I am not icy. I'm capable of having feelings. Quit assuming I'm some heartless being."

Natalie let out a melodramatic gasp, placing a hand over her heart. "Oh, honey, do you not recall the days when you used to give everyone the cold shoulder?"

Ginny rolled her eyes and could only groan in response. "That was merely a phase. And no one is thawing anything, whatever that means."

Natalie shook her head, her grin widening. "Oh, Ginny. Denying it won't make it any less obvious. Persephone's got you all wrapped around her finger." Right. Ginny had yet to disclose to Natalie the true nature of her relationship with Persephone. She mentally notes that she'll tell her later.

Ginny tried to maintain her composure, not letting herself falter from Natalie's act of mischievousness. "You're reading far too much into this."

Natalie leaned in closer, her voice turning conspiratorial. "Y'know, Ginny, there's nothing wrong with letting someone in, allowing yourself to feel something."

Ginny's gaze turned thoughtful, but her icy exterior was still not showing any signs of melting. "Feelings complicate things, Natalie."

"Oh, do those feelings also involve some intimate time with Persephone too?" Natalie continued with her oh-so-annoying questions, wiggling her brows teasingly. Oh, how Ginny wanted to smack the perverted grin on her face so badly. Disgusting.

An image of a topless Persephone from their one-night stand flickers in her mind, which she then immediately shrugs off, mentally slapping herself to get back to reality. Natalie is so insufferable. She internally groans.

She turns her gaze toward Persephone, hoping for support, only to find herself met by a pair of softly dimmed baby blue eyes, studying her with evident curiosity. The intensity of the moment prompts her to swiftly avert her own gaze from those captivating eyes.

Persephone quietly watched their playful banter unfold, finding it utterly amusing. Amidst the interplay of words, her gaze lingered on Ginny's side profile. A subtle smile played on her lips as she savoured the delicate charm of her features.

"No, we're not—she's not—" Ginny fumbled, and the image of a topless Persephone came back in a flicker.

The images are haunting her, making her ashamed of herself for thinking such inappropriate things. As she was about to explain herself for the nth time, the hiccups stopped her from doing so, "I—" Hiccup. This dang hiccup. She mentally curses. "Persephone and I," she hiccuped. "are not," hiccup, hiccup.

"Ginny tends to get hiccups when she feels stressed out." Natalie answered Persephone's concerned eyes, her tone slightly apologetic as she offered Ginny her water bottle, which Ginny accepted with a slow nod.

"Are you alright?" Persephone's hand moved to rub Ginny's back in a gentle, caring gesture, her concern evident.

Persephone felt a pang of guilt. It had been rather amusing to see Ginny blush due to the teasing, but the fabric of lies Persephone had spun around everyone couldn't be sustained any longer, so she decided to just come clean.

"We're not actually a couple, Natalie." Persephone stated, her voice clear and honest. Ginny was pleasantly surprised to find that Persephone took the initiative to clarify the misunderstandings, which is something that she'd never expected the latter to do.

Natalie was in disbelief. "So, it's just a fib then?" she inquired, her interest piqued.

"However, I must admit, I do fancy you quite a lot, Ginny." Persephone fondly gazes at Ginny, who's quietly hiccuping adorably. A soft smile gracing Persephone's lips before she returns her attention to the other person.

Ginny believes that Persephone's empathetic nature makes it easy for anyone to develop affection for her, yet she can't help but resent her own heart for not even fluttering slightly at that confession.

"So it's like the other way around then—Ginny has you on the leash instead." Natalie's tease came yet again. Her teasing only stopped after Ginny gave her the death glare, making her mutter an apology.

Ginny tries a lot not to remind herself (and Persephone) about that night. Persephone hadn't kissed her so far, nor had she touched any appropriate area of her body. Some of the most intimate things she'd experienced from Persephone, for which she was extremely thankful, were the constant handholding and the way she caressed and mended her hair. That's it.

Ginny isn't particularly inclined towards physical contact. While she doesn't despise it, initiating it isn't her preference either. It's quite puzzling why she allows Persephone to touch her as if it's the most natural thing in the world. It's truly perplexing, indeed.

"Surely, I'm the top." Persephone's voice danced near her ear, a tantalising secret meant only for her, giving her chills. "Although, I'm more than willing to let you take the lead…" she pauses with a subtle playfulness laced around the meaning of her words, "only if that's something you desire." Ginny stood there, utterly flabbergasted, caught in a series of painful and annoying hiccups after Persephone's sudden display of teasing affection.

To be continued...