Hey everyone! This is my first fanfic ever, so you better review and tell me what you think, or else!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. sniff sniff.

Chapter 1: California Screamin'

I honestly believe that any story worth telling should begin with a scream. That way, the reader's attention is immediately grabbed by the handful and ends up being swallowed by Peter Pettigrew. I swear that kid eats anything within reach (including your attention). Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself…

"AHHHHHH!!!!!"

I didn't mean to scream. I really didn't. Blame him.

Once again, I am getting ahead of myself. Let me backtrack a little…

"Lily! I'm going to miss you so much!" my bestest friend in the whole wide world (Afhton) yells into my ear as we embrace in farewell. I can't believe that sixth year is over. It's over! Where did the time go?

"Eissss uutooth," I reply. I tried to say, "I'll miss you too," but it was choked by Afhton's brown hair making its way into my mouth. I don't know how she understood me, but she did. We've been best friends since that faithful day in first year. Great, now I'm going to have to tell the story. Here I go…

I was walking back to the Common Room in first year when a bunch of third year Slytherins cornered me. They called me a mudblood (at the time I had no idea what that meant), and they started to hex me. I, being a first year, didn't have a clue on how to defend myself. That was when (insert heroic music here) Afhton showed up. She was from a pureblood family, so she already knew a few spells. She hexed them back while I kneed a Slytherin guy right where the sun don't shine. We kicked their butts! Naturally, we've been best mates ever since.

Now, we can practically read each other's minds. She is always there when I need her to be, and I am always there for her. She also happens to be the one person I can trust to tell me when the outfit that I'm wearing is really hideous (or some version of that). She's cool like that.

In speaking of cool, I just noticed James Potter off to the side talking with, which I assume are his parents. Did I just think "cool"? It's not that I think he's cool, it's just that most people do, but I don't, unless you consider cool to be arrogant and git-like, then he would be cool, but then Afhton wouldn't be cool because she's not like that, and I am rambling, so I'll just shut up now.

To me, James Potter is the exact opposite of what most people call "cool." I don't know why, but ever since first year, he's had an obsession of annoying me. And then annoying turned into embarrassing. Then embarrassing turned into causing me some serious pain. Of course when that happened, I didn't go down without a fight. He's usually in the Hospital Wing longer than I am after one of our duels (yes, it is a regular occurrence at Hogwarts. (Most students love the show. We should get paid!)).

He also has an obsession with pranking and hexing innocent people. It just makes my blood boil. He's so cruel to everyone, not just me. It's not just him, though. He and the Marauders (Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew (the kid who eats everything) and, of course, James Potter) terrorize everyone anytime of any day. I, being the responsible heroine, must face the forces of darkness everyday to make the world a better place!!!

"Warning, Affie. Git alert," I hiss into my friend's ear as the one and only James Potter approaches us on the platform. I wonder what he wants. He is probably going to ask me out. Oh yeah. Another one of Potter's obsessions is asking me out. Like annoying, embarrassing, and causing physical pain isn't enough!

"Ahh, my ladies," James says to us with a bow, "I come to bid yee farewell until next year. I also wish to ask this lovely maiden if she would do me the pleasure of—"

"The answer's no, Potter! It always will be no! Why is that so impossible for you to understand?!?" I can't help but lash out at him. This would be the 316th time he has asked me out in sixth year alone. That makes a grand total of 729 times since third year. And I've said "no" every single time. I know that he'll never stop until I give in. Which will never happen, by the way. It drives me crazy!

In fact, all of the girls at school already think I'm crazy. They all love James, with his untamable hair, his sexy Quidditch body, and his famous charm. I'll admit, he's not bad looking, but there's a whole other side to him. All of those girls always ignore the arrogant, cruel, boasting, prat part of him. I can't stand it.

I catch a glimpse of my ride to the airport through the mass of people trying to catch their trains. I, ignoring James and the hurt look on his face, turn to Afhton and say, "Promise to write everyday."

"Only if you will," she sighs, pulling me into another hug. I feel tears well up in my eyes, but I hold them back. Hogwarts is my home. I hate leaving it for the summer. I feel empty not being in the corridors; not waking up in the dormitory. I always miss its magic (and its food. Yum!).

I finally brake away and push my way through the sea of people. I shout a quick "'Bye!" back to Afhton as I walk towards the car that will take me to the airport. I get into the car, and I settle into my seat. I can still see Potter standing beside Afhton with a dazed look on his face. I soon forget about him as the car starts and I drive away.

I am excited. I mean, come on, it is California! Sunny skies, palm trees, and (my favorite) the beach! And no rain! I'm so sick of all of England's rain. I need sun! Give me Vitamin D!

Well, my parents wanted to take me on a vacation with just the three of us. I have never been to the United States, ever, so they offered to take me to CALIFORNIA! I'm going to California! I'm going to California! Like I said before, I am excited.

I don't know why they wanted me to fly (by airplane, I mean). I think they wanted me to have a stress-free, magic-less, traditional muggle vacation. I guess I can live with that. I guess I've gotten really lazy lately with all of my magical perks. Well, I have been really busy with school, but still. Maybe my parents are trying to tell me something…Nah!

They also sent Petunia to France with her friends (like I said, stress-free!). My parents also had taken an earlier flight so they could get everything ready for when I arrived. I can't wait to see them. I've missed them so much!

I can't help but feel jumpy while boarding the plane. My O.W.L's were finally finished. I'd have no worries: no school work, no patrol, no crazy Quidditch parties to break up, and my personal favorite, no James Potter. And I get to go to California!

I settle into my seat, and I am pleased to note that I am next to a window. Why, do you ask, would that make me happy? No, I'm not suicidal. I love flying. Nobody, not even Afhton, knows about this. In this case, I am talking about with a broom. I love the feeling of complete tranquility as I can soar through the sky with the wind whipping through my hair. It is my escape.

I remember the first time I got on a broom. I had just found out what a mudblood meant (shortly after the incident with the Slytherins, and Afhton and me kicking their butts). I was so sad. I felt worthless. I remembered seeing some older students at Quidditch practice, so I grabbed a broom from an old closet. I had no bloody idea what I was doing, but I was so sad that I did it anyway. I went to the lake, and the next thing I knew, I was flying. I was never scared; flying came as natural to me as breathing. After that first flight, whenever I needed a break from life, I would fly away from it. The wind would blow away my troubles.

Even though I can't feel the wind from inside the plane, I'm ecstatic with the view that I will soon receive. That pleasure, though, is exterminated shortly.

I, mindlessly flipping through a muggle magazine, I hear someone approach. I'm so relaxed; I didn't even notice that the person is about to talk to me.

"Lily dearest, my I take this seat?" a familiar male voice asks me.

"Whatever, Potter," I snap at him, not even taking my eyes off of the magazine. It takes me a full 10 seconds to realize what just happened. I slowly bring my gaze off of the magazine to look at the person talking to me. It's Potter. Sitting next to me. On an airplane. To California.

"AHHHHHH!!!!!"

A/N: So here's chapter one! I hope you liked it. Please review. Tell me what 'cha think!