James loved Lily. Lily hated James That's the way it was. James chased Lily. Lily pushed him away. That's the way it worked.
For James, Lily was his life. Lily Evans this, Lily Evans that, Lily was the object of James's obsession.
For Lily, she hated James. Well-maybe hated was too strong of a word. Because lately she'd been noticing the little things, the way his hazel eyes gleamed with mischief, the way he stopped to help that first year, the fact that he was head of the class, and the fact that she didn't mind his flirting as much as she had. In fact, she rather liked it.
That's the way it went.
Until James stopped asking Lily out. He stopped flirting with her. Besides a simple nod and the required talking that came with head boy and head girl duties, he didn't even acknowledge her presence.
Well this is brilliant, thought Lily. Because it WAS brilliant. James Potter was out of her hair, once and for all. Except...it didn't bring as much as a thrill as she'd though it would Truthfully, she missed him.
James was happy. Right? Of course he was. He and Mel were perfect together, everyone said so. She was smart, funny. But she wasn't Evans.
...
Two months. That's how long the dream couple, James and Mel, lasted. Two months.
"Looks like Potter will be back in your hair Evans," teased Mary. Lily faked a face, but really her heart was ecstatic at the thought. But he wasn't. James continued on his own path, and Lily on hers. He never returned to her, never returned to ask her out again. Only now Lily realized that she loved it, she loved him. And that if he ever did ask her out again, her answer would be different. VERY different. But now it was too late.
...
"Evans?" The question is quiet, yet the entire Great Hall falls silent, listening. James clears his throat. "Evans?"
Lily looks up, blinking.
James took that as a sign of encouragement.
"Will you go out with me?"
Silence, then-"Yes."