"Just Pretending"
Marlene sighs loudly as she leans back on her bed. Across the room, her best friend, Lily, gives her a curious look. "You alright, Mar?"
"I'm fine. Just all this work is wearing me out already," Marlene lies smoothly. She isn't going to tell Lily what is really wrong because she wouldn't want to jeopardize their friendship for anything in the world, not even her feelings. But the truth is Marlene is completely head over heels for Lily.
She thought it was a phase, thought it was something she would get over after a while; but it isn't just a crush. All the signs are there. Marlene's moods are always in sync with Lily's and her days always get brighter once she's seen Lily. And Marlene can't think of anything when Lily enters the room. It's like her breath has been taken from her chest when Lily smiles at her.
But Lily's completely in love with James Potter, even if she doesn't realize it yet. And that breaks Marlene's heart because she knows she can never be with Lily. So Marlene just pretends that she isn't in love with her best friend.
"Merlin, it's only the third week back. And if you're thinking that now, this year is going to be hell," Lily says.
Marlene smiles. "Well, not all of us can be like you, Lil."
Lily throws a pillow at her. "I can't help that I like school," she replies defensively, but they both know she doesn't mean it.
As they continue to joke around, Marlene realizes this is what she doesn't want to lose. She won't let her emotions drive a wedge in between their friendship for anything. Because Marlene is content with just being in Lily's presence.
A/n – written for the 10 drabbles, 10 topics. Topic number 4: femslash pairing – LilyMarlene.
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