THE DOWNSLIDE (Part 2 of THIS)
And just when everything was starting to go perfectly well, things suddenly began going downslide.
THE DOWNSLIDE
And just when everything was starting to go perfectly well, things suddenly began going downslide.
~
17 February 2004
“You look beautiful.”
His awed statement sent a rush of euphoria coursing through her veins, but she tried to conceal her elation with a calm smile.
“It’s the dress,” she said in an off-handed tone, waving a hand down the silken ruffles of her gown. Tom shook his head, his gaze still fastened on her face, eyes dilated, and the crests of his cheeks matching the rosy hue of her Yule ball costume.
“It’s you,” he murmured, tucking a lock of her curls behind her ear. “Just you. You look stunning, Emma.”
Emma blushed prettily, her pulse thrumming madly against her veins. “You don’t look too bad yourself,” she commented. He was wearing a black tuxedo that enhanced his lean figure and brought out the wonderful hue of his eyes.
“We’d make quite a pair, won’t we?” he asked, one corner of his lip turning up in a Malfoy-like smirk. “The pristine, know-it-all Hermione coming over to the dark side to join her worst enemy,”
Emma gave a laugh, her eyes dancing at the ridiculous, however inviting thought. Just then, one of the cameramen went up to them and signalled them to do anything candid for the special features in the DVD that they would be releasing next year.
Tom surprised her by turning to the camera, saying, “Now I will bow my hand,” he held out his hand to Emma, whose mouth opened and closed like a water-deprived trout, unsure of what to say next. The twinkle in his eye reminded her of their previous conversation though, so she wasted no time answering, “And I’ll come over to the dark side,” in a triumphant voice.
They decided to ham it up even more by dancing together in front of the camera as well. Emma was still smiling in amusement as they made their way to their dressing rooms to freshen up a few hours later.
“I don’t think we should have done that,” she said out of nowhere. Tom cocked his head to one side and gave her a confused look. “Well, if that clip of us together finds its way under the special features of the DVD, people might get ideas about Hermione and Draco getting together, which would be totally asinine,” she struggled to explain.
“I think people had already been considering the idea of them getting together a long time ago, so don’t fret,” Tom said consolingly. Emma blanched at his announcement, her mouth falling open in surprise. “I think I’ve read a fan fiction about them before, if memory serves me correctly,”
“But Draco and Hermione can never be together!” she gasped. “That’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard,” she shook her head again to shake off the preposterous notion.
“Why?” he sounded curious.
“Because Ron and Hermione are meant to be together!” Emma rushed out. “And—and Draco’s—well—Draco’s an arse!”
They stopped in front of Emma’s dressing room. Tom’s hand went up the side of her face in a familiar manner, his eyes gentle but probing. “How about Tom and Emma? Can they be together?” he asked softly.
Emma melted on the spot. “Of course,” she whispered. “Of course they can.” She could feel his smile on her lips as he kissed her tenderly.
~
14 April 2004
The first time Emma saw her with him, she knew it would not bode well with whatever fragile secret relationship they had with each other. The young woman, who had long dark brown hair and hazel eyes, was undeniably pretty. And she seemed to be about Tom’s age, which added further insult to the injury.
Emma did not fail to notice that the girl brought Tom a cup of tea every afternoon in his dressing room. She wanted so badly to ask him about her, but she wasn’t even sure if she had any right; Tom had never openly declared his feelings for her, and vice versa. She knew full well she loved him though. She had never said those words aloud, not even to herself, afraid that the blatant confession would shatter her remaining fragments of self-preservation.
And weren’t guys supposed to tell you they loved you first? At least that was what Emma believed in. She would wait, whatever it took.
Little did she know she would be waiting in vain.
~
15 April 2004
Her birthday this year was a lot different than last year; last year, she had been blissfully happy. This year she was not.
Sure, Dan and the others had not failed to give her a proper celebration on the set, but it was Tom’s missing presence that disturbed her the most.
“I don’t think he’s scheduled to shoot some scenes today,” Rupert said with a trace of pity in his voice. “Right, mate?” he jabbed Dan on the ribs.
“Yeah, so cheer up, Em,” Dan told her, still wincing from Rupert’s elbow attack. “I’m sure Tom’s planning to surprise you in one way or another,”
Somehow, Emma couldn’t quite agree with them.
~
She found him standing outside her dressing room just as she was about to head home. He was wearing a faded blue jumper and washed out jeans, but what caught Emma’s attention was the bouquet of flowers in his hand.
“Happy Birthday, Emma,” he gave an apologetic smile as he handed her the bouquet. “I hope I’m not too late,” he scratched his head in uncertainty. “I was busy with some errands and—”
He paused when Emma stood at the tips of her toes and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You could be a thousand years late and I’d still forgive you, Tom.”
~
27 May 2004
“Do you like Pattinson?”
His question made her choke on the strawberry she was eating. “Wh—what? You mean, Rob?” she sputtered in disbelief. Tom didn’t answer, and merely waited for her to continue. “He doesn’t even know my name!”
“That won’t stop you from fancying him, wouldn’t it?” Tom scoffed. Emma gazed quizzically up at him, realization dawning on her; he was jealous! She honestly didn’t know whether to feel flattered or insulted. Wasn’t he even remotely aware that he was the only one she wanted?
“Fine,” she started. “I think Rob’s quite good-looking, as you probably think the same about the girl who keeps on bringing you tea in your dressing room,” she added just to infuriate him even more.
Tom’s eyes flashed angrily, and his fists tightening against his Slytherin robe costume in obvious antagonism. “So you’re lusting after that bloke then?” he shot at her. Her eyes widened at his audacity, and he finally seemed to realize that he had spoken out of turn. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, not really sounding like he meant it. He took a calming breath before speaking again. “I’m sorry, Emma.” He sounded a lot more sincere the second time he said it. “I’m just…” his voice trailed off.
“Jealous?” Emma supplied acerbically. “Well you’re not the only one who’s jealous. You keep on staring at that… that girl like a hungry wolf, and it really is starting to annoy me,” she crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for his explanation.
Tom heaved a sigh, stared up at the sky, ran his fingers through his blond locks, then turned to her. “I can’t…” he closed his eyes and leaned against the wall as though what he was about to say would drain him of his strength. “Emma, you do know I can’t… you know… I can’t afford to feel those kinds of things for you yet,” he paused. “You’re only fourteen years old. I—I’m at an age where hormones are raving out of control, and I have needs—do we really need to talk about this?” the embarrassment in his tone could not be more evident.
“No need,” Emma replied quickly, her cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry I can’t give you what you need yet, Tom…” she swallowed hard. “I—I’m sorry if I’m making you feel guilty.”
His eyes snapped open, his eyes warm with something that made Emma hot all over.
“It’s not your fault, love.”
~
19 June 2004
They hadn’t spoken to each other in weeks. It had started as a petty argument, which led to harsh words, and ended in stoic silence. Tom had stormed off, leaving Emma standing outside the courtyard with tears in her eyes.
She made no move to apologize, and neither did he. A week after their fight, her pride was so close to crumbling that she was almost tempted to walk up to him and apologize. She held back though, waiting for him to make a move, but he was as stubborn as she was.
~
23 August 2004
She cried when she found out he had a girlfriend.
Emma had never gotten personally acquainted with heartbreak until she saw him kissing a girl right outside their filming area.
She learned that her name was Melissa, and she loved fishing as much as Tom did. They were perfect for each other.
And she hated herself for caring.
~
22 September 2004
“Happy Birthday Tom,”
She had been waiting for him to come out of his dressing room for the past twenty minutes. It was the first time she had spoken to him in months, and the relief she felt was so overbearing that she began to feel the hideous threat of tears in her eyes again.
He seemed very much surprised to find her waiting for him, but wariness was painfully visible in his blue eyes. “Thanks,” he answered gruffly. She handed him a carefully wrapped parcel, which contained a book about fishing, his favourite pastime.
Emma took a deep breath, bit on her bottom lip for a moment, then whispered, “I hope you’ll be happy,” before turning around to forever walk out of his life.
~
4 October 2004
“We can’t be together, Emma.”
She stared bleakly at him, her eyes clear from tears for the first time since the start of their complicated relationship. “I know.” She replied with a grim smile. “I’m too young for you, and it will be a breach in our contracts if we engage in a romantic relationship or whatever insipid thing you call it,” she paused, loathing herself when her eyes began to water again. “And you have a girlfriend,”
Tom reached over to take her hand, but she drew back as though his touch would poison her.
“Emma…”
“Oh, I’ll be fine,” she attempted to give him a brave smile. “Nobody dies of heartbreak anyway. And as you said, I’m young. This is merely infatuation, and I’ll get over this as soon as we finish filming this movie,”
He seemed at a loss on how to respond to her stoic speech. “I’m really sorry,” he said after a long stretch of silence.
Emma swallowed back the lump in her throat. “I’m not,” she replied in a light tone. “And Tom?”
Tom’s eyes snapped to hers, his gaze rapt and a tad bit challenging.
“Just so you know… I loved you.”
And she still did.
~
A/n: That unnamed girl who kept bringing Tom tea (and probably slipping love potion in it as well) is obviously Jade, just saying. Based from what I know, they didn’t start dating until 2008. To be quite honest, Tom’s dating timeline was kind of confusing sooooo…. Cookies please? :3
