AN - Hey guys, I hope you're liking my story! If you have any suggestions or want something to be added just review! Hope you like chapter 2.

Summary - "I really like you, Lily, will you please be my girlfriend?" "Yes, James, I will, but we have to keep it a secret, we're supposed to hate each other, remember?" Secrets, sneaking out, new boyfriends, sixth year is going to be a crazy year for Lily Evans.

DISCLAIMER - I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters! I wish I did, but the talented J.K. Rowling does.

Pretending by HarryPotterWeasleyGirl

Chapter 2 - Give Him A Chance

Not to long after Marlene finished her list of reasons why Sirius should go out with her, (there were 63 things on the list!) the train arrived at Hogwarts, and the three of us entered the carriages. Ours was about to head up to the castle, when someone stopped it.

"Wait up, we need a ride." Ugh, I know that voice, it was James Potter and his friends, just my luck. Alice opened the door, and the boys climbed in. James, no surprise, sat next to me and tried to start a conversation.

"Evans, what a coincidence, we keep bumping into each other. It must be a sign." He said to me, I snorted.

"Yeah, a sign that you should stop following me, because last time I check, Potter, you keep bumping into me." I pushed him away from me as he started inching closer.

"Ouch, Prongs, that's got to hurt, you just got dissed by Lily." Sirius laughed, and so did Marlene, of course, number 14 of her list was that she'd always laugh at Sirius's jokes, even the not funny ones.

"Come on, Evans, give me a chance, what do you have to lose?" James tried to reason.

"A lot, actually." I answered.

"Like what?"

"Well for one, my dignity, my pride and, oh, let's not forget the contents of my stomach."

"Ouch, now that one kind of hurts," He said, with a small pout that quickly turned to a smirk. "but you'll accept my offer soon, trust me, Evans."

"In your dreams, Potter." And with that, I hopped out of the carriage and headed into the castle. I can already tell this is going to be a long year.

The first years just finished being sorted into their houses and the welcome back feast began. I was sitting in my normal spot in-between Alice and Marlene and across from Remus who was sitting next to James and Sirius. Marlene was staring at Sirius, and practically drooling, it was pretty entertaining for me and Alice to watch. Sirius seemed a little uncomfortable when he noticed the staring. But, Marlene wasn't the only one staring. I kept catching James staring at me throughout the feast, he wouldn't even look away when he noticed that I saw he was staring. I'm guessing it's just another way to annoy me, but I won't let him win. This is my year, and James bloody Potter is not going to ruin it for me. So, I decided to stare him down like he was doing to me. I perfected my glare this summer anyway. I didn't mean to, it's just I spent most of the summer glaring at Petunia whenever she called me a freak.

So there I was, glaring at James Potter, he looked as if he was going to break contact, and that would make me the superior, but that is until Alice smacked me.

"Lily, why are you and Potter staring at each other you guys are practically shagging each other with your eyes!" For some reason, maybe to embarrass me, Alice said this whole thing very loudly, so naturally Potter and his friends heard, and they started laughing at me.

"Lily, I always knew you want to shag old Jamsie here. It was just a matter of time." Sirius laughed.

I groaned and put my head on the table. "Thanks, Alice." I mumbled.

"Sorry." Alice said.

5 minutes later, and Sirius was the only one still laughing about what Alice said, and James took to staring at me again. I was grateful when Professor Dumbledore took this moment to tell the prefects to lead the first years to their dormitories. Finally an escape from this table.

"Are you ready, Remus?" I asked the Marauder. Remus was the other Gryffindor prefect and the only level-headed one of his group of friends, I never understood why he hung out with who he does, but he must have a good reason. He has to, his friends are prats after all.

"Gryffindor first years, follow us please. We're going to show you the way to your dormitories. Keep up and pay attention because the staircases change." Remus and I called out to the first years who were staring up at us with big eyes. I remember when I was in first year, I was so excited, and I partially couldn't believe I was actually at Hogwarts.

As we showed the first years the way to the common room, Remus turned to me and said, "You know, he's really trying. He's changed from last year." I instantly knew he was talking about James.

"Why is he so persistent though? And from what I've seen so far, he hasn't changed much." I replied.

"Can't you at least give him a chance, Lily? Please."

"And, why would I do that?"

"Because, he actually really likes you." I was shocked by what Remus just told me. James Potter, actually likes me. This whole thing isn't just some charade? That still doesn't change anything between us, I don't like him...right? While I was deep in thought, I didn't even hear the Fat Lady ask for the password until the third time.

"Oh, sorry. Hippogriff." I said, a little dazed.

"Sweetie, you should really pay more attention to where you're going." The Fat Lady said to me with a smile.

"Uh-huh, yeah, sure." I mumbled.

"This is the Gryffindor common room. Boys, your dormitory is upstairs and to your right, and girls yours is up the stairs and to your left. Hope you guys have a good night sleep, we'll see you tomorrow." Remus said cheerily to the first years. As the filed up the stairs, Remus turned to me. "Are you okay, Lily?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. I think I'm going to go to bed early tonight, I'm really tired." I told him.

"Oh, okay, I'll tell the others. Night, Lily."

I muttered night back and trudged up the stairs to the sixth year dormitory. As soon as I got there, I collapsed on my bed, and continued my thoughts from earlier.

James Potter, likes me, actually likes me. At least, that what's Remus says. But, maybe James and Sirius put him up to this to try and trick me. No, I trust Remus. But this doesn't make any sense, after all these years it's not just a way to annoy me? Why do I care? I don't like James Potter, nor will I ever. I said that many times on the train today to Alice and Marlene. Anyways, I can't like him, I'm supposed to hate him. So, I don't like him.

I drifted off to sleep with the strange feeling that I was lying to myself. Did I actually like James Potter now?