Despite Dara's best efforts it was really the change of scenery that helped calm Jade down. The short from the bathroom back to the bedroom was enough for her to begin to convince herself that while she might not have been acting silly, it was not logical to sob and wail and cry. She was being stupid. She was being annoying. Dara wouldn't mind, she was sure, after all it was obvious her problems were genuinely serious, however she still felt as if she were being burden on the boy and therefore did the best to level out her breathing and wipe away her tears when he ran to the kitchen.

By they time he was back she still hadn't found her knickers, but she had somewhat settled her breathing and her mind, and her face was relaxed enough so that she was able to give him a weak smile. She pressed herself into him underneath the covers, burying her face into his shirt, a vague smell of the laundry pile greeting her nose.

"It's not my secret to tell," she finally murmured, pulling the covers up so they practically covered their heads. It was her fort, her protection from the outside world. She didn't want to think about Andrew anymore. It hurt too much. "And I know you're a Hufflepuff and everything so you're trustworthy and honest and sweet..." she slid a hand over his side, hugging him gently, "but you have to trust me, there's nothing we could do even if I did tell you."

She wanted to change subjects but she knew Dara would be persistent. He was determined. It wasn't the first time she felt a tinge of resentment at his many Hufflepuff qualities, they had never caused her this much turmoil. Of anyone, she should have been able to trust him the most with this secret, and even though he was her best option as an out she still couldn't share.