Mary and you had been friends for a long time. Since year two, to be specific. You sat together whenever you could, giggling during class, looking at each other whenever something funny happened.

With time, your relationship grew. You were close, you were affectionate. More than what normal friends were. Mary would sometimes picture kissing your sweet lips, and holding you close. She was slowly but surely, falling in love with you. she didn't want to be just your friend who you were suspiciously close with, she wanted to be your girlfriend.

She didn't even know if you liked girls. Sings showed you did, but it was never something easy to accept; so Mary just stood there, waiting. You were so pretty, so pretty when you were excited about your house winning, so pretty when you went out with marls, and her—with your face covered in the make-up she had done.

Those exactly were her thoughts this very second. you sat opposite to one another, each of you with a cup in your hands. going to teahouses always made cold days better. Mary smiled, the indoor candles reflecting on her skin and jewellery. “You look cosy. pretty like that.” She didn't quite hesitate to say this, it was normal at this point.