A/N: This is a challenge from Kitty East—I'm going to write a bunch of one-shots. This is Part One: Wait.
Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, we'd know exactly why Lily said 'yes'.
Wait
"Lily, wait up!" James shouted. It was the beginning of Seventh Year, and James Potter was running down the steps and out onto the grounds. He was following a stunningly beautiful redheaded girl. He could feel the wind whipping past his hair. He was running faster than he'd ever run before. In his boxers, no less. Only in his boxers.
"Lily, hold on," James panted, still dashing to stop her. She took no notice of him calling her; she continued to walk with her nose buried in a book.
"Well, James, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Lily smiled when he had caught up to her. "Nice outfit."
James looked down and flushed scarlet. "I—oh."
"Why'd you follow me all the way out here, James?"
"I—thought… you might… want…"
"Spit it out, James, I haven't got all day," Lily said, eyebrows raised.
"You might want a date? With me? Some time?"
"Sounds lovely."
"Alright, then. I'll leave you alone," James said sulkily, turning and walking back to the castle. Then, suddenly, his head sprang up and he turned and ran back. "Wait—did you just say yes?"
"Yes, James."
"No way!" James shouted. "LILY EVANS IS GOING ON A DATE WITH ME!"
Everybody on the grounds stopped dead. The giant squid surfaced. People in the towers looked out to see James Potter screaming in triumph.
--
"Lily, why'd you even want to go out with me?" James asked. Lily was sitting across from him, gazing off into space. There was a Butterbeer on the table between them, and Madame Rosmerta was shuffling about, winking at Sirius every so often. The Three Broomsticks was unusually full, and yet James felt like it was still just him and Lily sitting there. "You look like you're having a bloody awful time."
"I'm not!" Lily said defensively. "I'm just… thinking."
"Wait—hold on. Lily Evans? Thinking? That's a new one," James said sarcastically.
"I guess… I was wondering why I finally said yes to you."
"Oh, gee, thanks," James sulked.
"No, it's a good thing. I guess you've changed a lot this year."
"Or maybe you're just looking at me differently."
"I suppose one could say that."
"That morning—I told you to wait for me so I could talk to you. And Sirius said he saw you walking through the grounds. Why didn't you wait for me?" James asked her, with a slight sadness in his eyes.
Lily paused, rethinking what had happened the day James asked her out. "Sometimes, I guess you just have to keep walking, and wait to see who follows you."
A/N: Short, yes. But I really, honestly thought that drawing it out would be too much. Short and sweet, right? Only a page in MW. But, anyway. Review and let me know what you think?