Mutual Agreement

Her eyes were large and wet with tears, almost forcing him to back out and keep playing the charade. The make-believe love he had for her had faded a long time ago, and the ashes had been scattered by the various degrees of hate he felt for the Dark Lord and his followers. He knew his eyes were always unfocused when he was talking to her, that he talked in her general direction most of the time, that he would've gladly ditched every date they had, but he wasn't ready to admit it to her.

She sniffed and a tear rolled out of her right eye. He mechanically made to wipe it off, but she moved back a little and he was left with his hand awkwardly in the air between them. She closed her eyes. He looked around the hall in an exasperated manner and started looking for an excuse to leave. It had been the worst date they ever had, even counting the uncomfortable first ones. She used to tell him everything that happened lately, and he just smiled at her, wondering why she had chosen to spend the day with him.

He took her hand in his and looked deep into her eyes for the first time in weeks. He was taken aback by what he saw: pain and numbness. He knew the haunted look all too well, for it was his own for years now.

He took her face between his hands and gently kissed her soft lips, again for the first time in weeks. She shuddered and relaxed in his embrace, as she always did. He broke the kiss and caressed the outline of her perfect face. She closed her eyes again and smiled. He released her and guided her to an arch nearby, sitting down; she followed suit and they sat in silence for what felt like forever. They looked at each other in turns, not noticing they were being watched too.

He cleared his throat and opened his mouth to say the truth. His newly cleared throat was not cooperative, so he closed his mouth again. She caught the move in the corner of her eye.

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Yes, there is, actually. I don't think we should see each other anymore."

She smiled at him and he felt butterflies in his stomach. Surely, this didn't mean he was falling for her again.

"I was thinking about the same thing. You are distracted all the time; you don't care about me that way anymore. It's OK, really. I'm still in love with you, but it's OK. Love comes to those who wait. I know how to wait. There are plenty of boys to comfort me."

"So this is it, then?"

"This is it." She was smiling her best smile at him, and he felt the urge to kiss her.

"Before we officially split up, can I have one last kiss?" She kept smiling and he leaned over and kissed her. The kiss, soft at first, became more and more passionate. They were on their knees now, kissing as if there was no tomorrow. They opened their eyes at the same time and broke the kiss.

"I daresay that was the best kiss we've ever had." They laughed, and a thought sprang to their minds.

"Could we-"

"I know this isn't right-"

"Could we drop the dating part?" they chorused. They looked at each other in awe.

"Maybe there is hope for us after all..." she said as he leaned over to kiss her again.