Lily and James used to be the best of friends…what happened? Now they find it hard to be around each other. So then how do they ever start dating? Read and find out ;) Prologue to the main story, please review if you like it!
A/N: So I'm writing this first chapter, kind of like a prologue to the story I want to write…so read this, and please PLEASE review if you like it! I want positive feedback before I write anymore. This begins at the end of their 6th year, while on the train back to Kings Cross. Please tell me if you like it! Also, the name of the story is based on the song "Too Close For Comfort" by McFly. Go listen to it if you get a chance..it's a good song!
Too Close For Comfort"Lil—how did we ever get like this?" James Potter asked, sadly running a hand through his naturally unkempt hair. Lily scowled at the action she had come to loath, but said nothing.
"Seriously. What happened to us? We used to be really close in fourth year. We told each other everything. But then in fifth year…. something changed. Suddenly you—you couldn't stand me. It's not like I did anything to you…"
At this, Lily erupted. "DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME? Oh no, of course not! You've been a complete gentleman to me the past couple of years, what with telling me to go out with you, never asking OF COURSE! And what else…oh yes, what about the time you turned my hair green so that, how did you put it, it would 'match my eyes'? Very nice James, really…"
"Oh come on Lily, the green hair thing was only a joke, you know, 'knock knock, who's there, ha ha' kind of joke? But of course you wouldn't remember what a joke is, what with you being a tight-wad and all…"
Lily stood up abruptly, dropping her Siamese cat, Jasper, to the floor, and slowly took a few steps towards James.
"You asked what happened to us James?" Lily asked, strangely calm. James nodded, knowing the storm was coming.
"One of us grew up. THAT'S what happened. I grew up over the summer between fourth and fifth year and you didn't. You kept your silly little tricks coming all through fifth year and this year." When James looked confused, she went on. "Oh yeah James, hexing Severus Snape with your little group of 'Marauders', because you guys can't pick on someone your own size. Almost getting him killed just to teach him a lesson about spying on people…I still can't believe you did that James! With Remus in his form that night…he could've killed Snape! But no, go for the kid that's the biggest outcast in school, the guys with no friends to help him out—"
"Lily," James stopped her, "First of all, it was Sirius' idea to take Snape down to the Forbidden Forest that night, not mine. And secondly, I only hex Snape because he calls you, well, you know. And you don't deserve to be talked to like that!"
"Yes James, I know what he calls me. A mudblood. But don't you think I can handle him myself? You don't have to be my knight-in-shining-armor all the time James! I'm a big girl! I'm the best in our year at Charms! It's not as if I'm going to let him turn me into a frog!"
"Lil, if he got the chance, he'd do something much worse than turn you into a frog, believe me…"
Lily shook her head. She was frustrated. He just didn't get it…
"Look James, I guess it's cool that you feel you have to protect me all the time, but I assure you, you don't. I can take care of myself, I don't need anybody's help…I'm quite fine on my own—"
It was now James' turn to vent. "JESUS LILY! That's it with you isn't it? You can't STAND for anybody to help you! You can't STAND to be just a little dependent on anyone! You're too bloody independent to let anyone help you and too stubborn to let anyone get close to you! Damn, you won't even let your supposed 'best friend', Maggie, get too close to you, in fear of actually being a little vulnerable for once! Can't you open up a little so someone can get to know you…I mean actually get to know you? Hell, I thought I knew you back in fourth year. You told me everything. But when you came back from summer vacation, you clammed up. Stopped confiding in everybody, me, Maggie, Remus…"
Lily looked down at her shoes while James continued his rant. She struggled to control the tears that wanted to fall so badly. She couldn't show her vulnerability now. She'd come too far, covered too many tracks…it was too late for vulnerability. It was James Potter she was thinking about. He would feed off of her tears…well she wouldn't let him see her walls falling…
"…So maybe instead of keeping your heart locked up in a cage, you could actually let someone in for once! But you know what? Forget that. That would be much too hard for the ice queen, Lily Evans."
And with that, James took hold of his trunk and dragged it out of the compartment. As soon as the door had slid shut, Lily's resolve crumbled. She cried, not a deep sob with a river of tears, for that was not the style of Lily Evans. She cried a soft cry, with few tears, but much emotion. As the meaning of all that James had said finally sinking in and taking hold within her, the train came to a screeching stop at Platform 9 ¾. While gathering her things silently, hearing the mass of people outside her door desperately ready to begin vacation, Lily heard the door slide open once more. She knew who it was even before she turned around.
James poked his head inside the door, but stood for a moment in silence, observing the scene before him. She stood there, eyes red and swollen, but to him, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her auburn hair in a low ponytail and her emerald eyes glistening with tears she was trying to hide, he was at a loss for words for a moment. When he regained his thought, James was filled with regret and instead of saying "sorry" like he had planned, all he could choke out before leaving was:
"Have a nice summer Lily."
A/N: I know, pretty harsh on James' end, but we'll get more into why he's saying these things about Lily if you want me to write more! And I will, IF you review telling me to do so! I also promise that if I do write more, the next chapters will be much more light. I mean, come on, with Sirius Black in a story, how can you not have your light moments?
