Sometimes life breaks in mysterious ways

“Do you want to move a bit closer?” I ask, even though it’s the last thing on my mind.

“What?”

It’s like my words have snapped Ron out of a reverie and he peers at me, one eyebrow cocked in confusion.

It takes me a moment to work out why he’s perplexed. Although we’re close enough that I could stretch out my pinky and touch his hand on the wire fence, there is still the slightest of gaps between us.

I’m aghast by the insinuation. It’s not that I’m grossed out by Ron or anything—far from it—but, I’ve never considered him that way ever before.

Okay, that might be a lie.

I tilt my head towards the building that’s still swaying and groaning in the wind. “The shack…”

“Oh.” Pink heat floods Ron’s face, from the bottom of his cheeks to the tips of his ears. “No thanks. I’m fine here.”

A moment passes between us as we maintain eye contact. My body betrays me as my gaze slips to his lips. They’re cracked and dry from the frozen tundra blowing around us, yet still they invite me in. Without registering what’s going on, I step closer, and my hand finds its way to the zipper of Ron’s coat.

I lose control of my body, stretching on my tiptoes to press the softest of kisses against his lips. It’s so light, it’s almost like it barely happened, yet fireworks explode as our lips make contact.

As I pull away, I spot a strange look on Ron’s face, as if a rogue bludger has hit him on the head. He touches his lips with his fingers before a massive lop-sided grin breaks over his face.

“Uhm, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

It’s awkward as hell, but what do I expect from inexplicably kissing my best friend? With a sigh, I turn back to watch the Shrieking Shack, but he shifts close enough for our shoulders to touch, and I smile to myself.