Why does life always throw jokes at me like I'm some freakin' clown?

"YOU!?! What the hell are you still doing here?" Lily, try as she might, wasn't able to suppress the torrent of words she flung at James.

But James shrugged them all with a smirk. "Language, Lily. We're surrounded by kids."

Gnashing her teeth, Lily grabbed Serena and Nate's hands and walked off to the school's main entrance.

"Lily, wait up!"

James took hold of Lily's arm and swung her to face him.

"Now what, Potter?!"

Turning to face the kids, James said, "Nate and Serera, could you give us a few minutes, please?"

"No! Stay exactly where you are. I have nothing to say to him."

"Lily, you left abruptly when I invited you for lunch. This is the least you could do."

Aware of the tension between the couple, Nate piped up. " Sure, James, I was meaning to show Serena a new game…in the playground."

"But, Nate.." Serena, who was always supportive to Lily, countered.

"Now, Serena." Nate said from his place halfway to the playground.

The moment her nephews were gone, Lily shouted with every word dripping with sarcasm, "Wow, only the mighty James Potter could do that even to my own nephews. So, did you want some time with me to make me bow down to you or something?" Lily exclaimed.

"No. You know I never wanted to do that."

"Oh really, Potter?"

"Lily, listen to me."

"Sure James. You have my complete and undivided attention." Lily answered with a roll of her eyes, "Since I have nothing important left to do, like I don't know, my job?"

"Lily, I never wanted to hurt you in any way."

"Will you stop saying my name?"

Because it still sends shivers down my spine in a way only you can.

"I love you. I have and will never stopped."

"So, you loved me so much, that you have no choice but to smother me?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand."

"I can't explain. But know this, I'm always by your side."

"Gosh, James, I feel so lucky."

"But in due time, I'll explain. And you'll see."

"No one cares. Leave me alone."

With her chest rising up and down due to the impact of every word she heard from James, she ran back to the playground. But once safely hidden from James, she opened her bag and checked her phone.

5 messages. From Marlene.

2 messages. 3 missed calls. From Sirius.

She chastised herself for once again, forgetting Sirius. Heck, she even forgot he had a boyfriend. And she figured that once James gets on the next plane back to Italy, everything will return to normal. To her life again.

Lily was pulled out from her reverie by the ringing of her cell phone.

Sirius.

"Hey Honey. I missed you."

"Hey Sirius. So, tell me, how's the business trip going." Lily struggled to put on a smile on her words.

"Awfully dismal, of course."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Why? Are you alright?"

"Of course, I am. It was just that you weren't here with me."

"Same here, honey."

"But don't worry, I'm back."

"You're b-back?"

"Lily, is something going on? Why do you sound upset? Don't you want me to come home?"

"I do. Of course I do. I was just..taken by surprise."

"So, where are you?" Sirius asked with unmistakable excitement…and love laced in his voice.

"Here at Serena and Nate's school. I was just coming to pick them up."

"Okay. Expect me in 5 minutes. I love you. Bye."

"But Si-"

Not knowing what to do, Lily did the only thing she could muster her energy to do…break down and cry.

I'm gradually falling into this trance. And I don't care.

Numbness is slowly creeping into her bones. And she doesn't want to do anything about it.

I just want to forget all about this damn mess and die. I don't deserve this.

Sirius doesn't deserve this.

She was so consumed by her anguish that she didn't hear the faint footsteps of Serena and Nate coming towards her.

Seeing her aunt's condition, Nate knelt and took Lily's hand.

Comforted by the warmth of Nate's hand, Lily looked up with her tantalizing eyes brimming with unshed tears and nodded.

"Lily? We're here for you."

Embarrassed to be seen in this kind of state, Lily stood up and brushed the remaining tears away.

"Sirius is going to be here any minute. Let's go."

But James?Where is he?

"He told us he wanted to honor your wishes this time." Nate answered her unspoken inquiry.

"Oh…I mean, good."

Good? That's all I have to say? What's happening to me?

Serena's shout, however, left her frozen while the kids ran.

"SIRIUS, SIRIUS, SIRIUS!"

"Oh hey, S & N! Still gorgeous as always.."

Serena' reply was a giggle.

Sirius scooped the kids up into his arms while promising them of his treats from England.

But when Sirius gaze dropped on her girlfriend, looking shaken and rooted to her spot, he dropped the kids and ran to Lily.

He kissed Lily's forehead before asking her, "What's wrong?"

Plastering on a huge smile, she lied. "Just playing with you, honey. Welcome back! I missed you!"

"Oh, really, huh? Come here, you." With that, he captured Lily in a passionate kiss.

After what seemed like forever, he broke the kiss and teased, "Now, still playing with me?"

"Nope." Lily answered with a grin.

I forgot how much I adore, I mean, love, Sirius. My boyfriend.

She took Sirius' hand with hers and walked towards Sirius' car.

"Let's go, guys." She called to Serena and Nate.

Unbeknownst to them, James was just inside his sports car, with the windows down, when he caught sight of the lovely scene between the two. And it seriously broke his heart in two.