Abigail sighed deeply. “Does your father know you’re here?”
“Probably not,” was Trinity’s reply as she shrugged lazily. “So if I get back home before he wakes up, everything should be okay.”
“Which I hear is in about 5 minutes. So you should head home or you’ll miss it!”
As Abigail gently pushed Trinity's back toward the gate, the girl doubled back saying, “actually Mrs. C. It only takes me 3 minutes and 47 seconds to get home from here. I’ve timed it.”

“Oh come off it,” she sighed rolling her eyes. “Just be glad you’re not a Slytherin!” 

Trinity sat up on her mattress, closing her eyes and putting her hands together in prayer. “Dear lord, if you’re even listening to me at this bitter hour of the morning, I would just like to say thank you for not placing me in Slytherin. This act of yours has kept me out of the cold and unbearable mornings the low some of them must be having.” She peaked through one eye to see Lily starting back at her with an eyebrow cocked. "Amen."

“Hey James?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re a prick.”
“So are you.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”

“Well if you would just give me the money then I could go and buy us a map!” Trinity lunged at him, trying to reach into his pocket for the muggle currency.

“Ah ah ah!” James ducked out of the way, slapping her hand away. “Not a chance! You’ll probably just go off and leave me here and spend it all on clothes or something stupid like... I don’t know... a handbag or something.”

Trinity clasped her hands to her head. “Are you completely mental?"
 

“Well you can’t trust muggles. They'll figure something’s up when they ask how she got knocked out.” He batted his eyelashes. “'Our dear friend was riding her broomstick through the forest when she rode too fast and ended up hitting into a tree!’” He glared at Trinity. “Yes, Trin. I’m sure that would go over well.” 
“I'm going to look for a town."
“What am I supposed to do?” James asked angrily.
“Watch her. Make sure she doesn’t die or something."

“It’s rude to eavesdrop, Potter,” Casey shot, narrowing her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest; all defenses up. “Didn’t your parents teach you anything?”

James shrugged lazily, leaning in the doorway. “Just how to ride a broom and pick up chicks.”
 
 

“And Remus too. I sent him a letter about everything and he said he wants to be there.”
Trinity and Casey looked up at her in shock.
Lily’s lips parted as she examined their expressions. “What?” She finally asked. “Wasn’t I supposed to tell him? He’s my boyfriend, you know.”
Casey threw her head down onto the table. “But he’ll have told Sirius!”
“And Sirius will have told James!” Trinity exclaimed, dropping her head into her hands.
 

The last installment of "Just Pretend," follow Casey as she reminises about her past and takes a good look at her life.

A huge thank-you to all of my readers! Thank you all for sticking with the story--I'm both sad to see it go, but happy I was able to tie everything up at the end! :) Please, feel free to read, rate/review, and re-read! :) -KBD