What did she do? How could she have called out to him and called him over? “Zita!” she harshly whispered to the fourth year. Her heart was pounding and her palms were sweaty. About a million different scenarios raced through her mind, each one having a worse outcome than the one before. How did her trip to the library turn into such a disaster?

Before she could think of a way to run, he was there. He was standing right next to Zita, his bright smile and sparkling eyes turning her knees to jelly. The panic was momentarily erased when her eyes met his. She felt safe near him, like nothing in the world could ever go wrong when she was in his presence. Then she could feel her cheeks blushing and she instantly looked down at her feet, breaking her gaze and bringing back the overwhelming feeling of panic.

She clenched her fists and concentrated on the pressure of her nails against her palms before looking back to him. “Hi” was all she managed to squeak out. That would have to do for the time being. She was at the mercy of Zita and it all depended on what she said next. Would Zita tell him? Would she betray what had been said privately?