We entered the mall and the Marauders became speechless.
"You've never been to a muggle mall before?" I asked in amazement.
"Never," Remus breathed.
"Okay guys, the men's department is over—" While I was saying this, they all went in different directions. "that way," I mumbled to myself. But then I realized that they would probably get lost and god knows what would happen if I couldn't find the Marauders.
"Wait!" I screamed. "Come back!" They all obediently trotted back. I jabbed my finger to the left. "This way. And stay with me."
We walked over and I let them loose. They each got a few items of clothing while I paid for it.
"We'll pay you back, Marley," Remus said.
I shrugged. "No need to, you guys are my guests." Then I linked arms with Remus, heading over to where Peter, Sirius, and James were. "D'you guys like ice cream?" They all nodded. "Good, the food court is down that way and to the right. Remus, here's 10 bucks, that'll be enough to pay for triple scoops each." Sirius just scowled.
"How come he gets to hold the money?"
"Because Marley likes me better than you," Remus sang skipping around Sirius while I shot him death glares. He apparently caught one of them because he abruptly stopped skipping and awkwardly coughed. "Um, it's because I'm responsible," He said.
"Riii-ght," I countered. "James, maybe you can get some ice cream later. You have to come with me on an errand."
James looked me up and down and grinned. "Alright love, sounds good to me."
I blushed, but decided I couldn't show how uncomfortable I felt, so I yanked on his arm and started dragging him away from his friends.
"We might be awhile," He called back to them making Sirius yell out cat-calls. I tightened my grip on James's arm.
When I finally let go he pulled me so close to him that I could smell his minty breath against my face. My mind turned to mush as he leaned in closer; we were now nose to nose.
"I like you a lot Marley," James said in a deep voice.
Then I realized what I was doing, and with a player, a fictional player never the less. Even though I liked him so much, I wouldn't allow him to mean something to me, or hurt me for that matter; I just couldn't.
So instead I let out a strangled laugh and back away. "No you don't, you barely even know me." James was quiet, knowing I was right.
I took his hand and smiled. "Have you ever tried contacts? Because that's what we're going to get for you. See, with those glasses you're easily recognizable because you and the Marauders are kind of like, erm…celebrities here, and so you need a disguise."
James just nodded his head and an awkward silence followed. Finally, he turned to me and said, "Marley, you said we barely know each other, so what do you want to know?"
I grinned. "Anything you want to tell me."
"Okay, brace yourself. I got my first snog when I was 13; I once lit my lawn on fire; if I were a girl my name would've been Willimeena; my mum and dad are both 46; I love watching comedies; when I was twelve Peter drew a mustache on my face that didn't come off for two weeks; and I love brussel sprouts."
Grimacing at his last comment, I took a deep breath. "I want to be a professional chef when I'm older; unlike most five year old girls, I forced my best friend to cut my hair really short so I could join the boy's soccer team; I once had a purebred poodle named Spike who liked studded leather and ran off with a pug who I haven't seen since; In seventh grade I pierced my nose which didn't go over that well, it swelled to the size of a banana; I'm really good at math but I hate it; and if I could I'd live on Cheetos and chocolate."
James was silent for a minute soaking up all the information I just said. "What about your family?"
I took a steadying breath, knowing this would come up sooner or later. "My brother Leon died last year in a car crash. He was my twin and we were practically joined at the hip. My parents have been away on business trips frequently since, so my twenty one year old sister Hazel comes over, but she's normally only here for meals and is hung over. When my parents are home, they're always distant, like I died too." A lump the size of a fist was forming in my throat. We had now stopped walking; James's eyes boring into me. "And…and what's worse is he died mad. Mad at me and everything else. He died before I had the chance to apologize."
Tears had now decided to fall, rolling down my cheeks as I stared down at my shoes, trying to regain control. It was too hard and painful though. Memories of crying and regret flooded my brain while tire squeals erupted through my ears.
The next thing I knew, James was pulling me into a hug and I smelled his brand new shirt. He was just rocking back and forth: a motion so simple yet comforting. When my shallow breathing came to a normal pace, I let go of James. He put his hands in his pockets and looked everywhere but my face.
That is one of the worst feelings in the world, because I know I'm not the only one who hates being in a state of vulnerability. I wiped my eyes and tried to hide my previous emotions.
"I'm so sorry James. The last thing you need right now is to deal with someone else's sob story," I said with a watery smile creeping up on my lips.
He shrugged and finally looked me in the eye. "Don't worry about it."
More awkward silence followed us around until we came to a small shop called Eye Witness. A woman with an overly white smile came up to us. "Can I help you with anything?"
Twenty minutes later we got James's contacts and headed back to the food court. As we were walking back, a little boy was staring at us. When we passed he tugged on his mother's jacket. "Mommy, that boy looks like Harry Potter!"
"How did that kid know my dad's name?"
I quickly took the contacts out of my pocket. "Uh, James? I think you should put these on now."
With great struggle and lots of whining, James put them in his eyes and put his glasses in his pocket.
Honestly, I was surprised that the Marauders were still in the food court. Sirius, Remus, and Peter jumped up and ran towards James. "Prongs, where are your glasses?" Peter asked.
James patted his pocket. "I'd better explain," I said. "You see, you guys are kind of like celebrities where I live, and celebrities need to keep their identities secret so there won't be mobs of, um, swooning girls all over you."
Peter looked thrilled but Sirius just said, "Thanks for the heads up Marley, but there's enough Sirius to go around."
"I'm serious though," I said.
"No you're not, I am."
"Sirius?"
"Yes my darling Mar-Mar?"
"Shut up."
We started walking back to my car but of course we had to pass that certain store that entrances all men— even old farts like my Grandpa: Victoria's Secret. There were women in some posters blowing kisses to innocent passerby with boobs that looked like they were about to fall out of whatever little clothing they had on. It was so sexist and…pink.
Sirius took in a sharp breath. "Wow, I want to go in there."
I snorted. "You wish."
"Please?" James joined in.
Remus was still trying to grasp words but failing dismally.
"Look how soft that dress looks," Peter breathed.
"I'm sorry Peter, but I don't think that they'll have your size," I told him making Sirius and James crack up.
"I…erm…this…well," Was all Remus had to say on the matter, blushing more and more each second.
Before I could pull them away they walked inside, as if in a trance. I crossed my arms and followed suit. As soon as I walked in, this really preppy music started playing and my nose went into overdrive with all of the perfume.
Peter was still fingering the silky dress he commented on earlier. God, that kid creeps me out. Remus stood stock still and looked very uncomfortable. James held up an emerald silk robe and muttered something along the lines of, "I wonder if Lily would wear this." Sirius looked like a kid in a candy shop. He was going around and looking at everything. Honestly, he might wet his pants soon from excitement. I was getting bored and felt like I was going to pass out soon from all of the smells.
"Guys," I whined. "Can we please go?"
Grudgingly, they came over and we walked out to where Remus was still standing. We kept going to the parking lot with more awkward silence looming over us. What is this, National Awkward Silence Day or something? I thought to myself.
"That was bloody amazing," Sirius said after awhile.
On the way home, I thought about something: the only person named Sirius or Remus I've ever heard of are in the Harry Potter books, so they'll probably have to change their names when I go to school. I brought this up to them and they agreed.
"James and Peter, you two have pretty common names, so you're fine. Remus, what do you want your name to be?"
"How about Reid?"
"Um, sure. What about you, Sirius?" I turned around and looked at Sirius.
"My new name is Cale."
"What?! Sirius, that has nothing to do with your name, why'd you pick it?" I asked incredulously.
He just shrugged. "Because Cale is a kick-arse name."
Okay then. 'Nough said.
We got back home and I made them all pasta with my special Alfredo sauce mixed with salmon. As soon as I put the plates down, the boys shoveled their faces so much and so fast I thought that they'd never stop.
"Thi ith wrullee gud." Remus said with his mouth full.
"I'm glad you like it. I hope you guys don't mind but I'm kind of tired. I'll take a shower and then show you where you can sleep."
They all nodded, shoveling more food onto their plate.
The shower felt so nice and warm, like a thousand tiny things hitting my back. I know that sounds painful, but there's no better way to describe it. It felt so good that I forgot all the chaos that will be coming this week and replaced it with nothingness.
In a new state of mind, I got out of the shower, completely calm, and turned on my radio. I must not have realized how loud it was because I wanted it louder. So I started singing and jumping around on my bed in nothing but my bra and my fuzzy, baggy pajama bottoms.
The door banged open and Sirius was just standing there, staring openly at me without even bothering to hide his eyes or the perverted look on his face.
"SIRIUS!!! GET OUT OF MY ROOM!!!!" I screeched at him.
"Will you turn the bloody music down if I do?"
"I'll do anything if you just leave!"
"Anything?"
"Sirius, GET THE HELL OUT!!!"
He put his hands up in defeat. "Fine, fine."
As he walked back to the kitchen, I heard him say, "Talk about a bloody great body."
Aw, that was kind of sweet. In a really weird, perverted way…
A/N: Hey! I'm just figuring this out. Tell me what you think of it…