A/N: Hey, y'all! Long time, no see! This is short, but I hope it's enjoyable anyway. :)

This is my first shot at a role-reversal—unrequited LilySeverus, but Snape isn't the one pining…

Health and Fitness Task 3: Write about unrequited love.

Word Count: 373

Enjoy!

Lily bit her lip as she gazed across the street. From her perch on the park swing, Lily had a perfect view of Severus with his back against a tree, his brows furrowed as he read from an advanced potions book. Her eyes softened when she witnessed him muttering under his breath—no doubt critiquing and improving the methods he was reading. His intelligence was something Lily deeply admired about him; while she considered herself a smart person, Severus seemed like he was on a whole other level.

Once upon a time, there hadn't been this much distance between them. Once upon a time, they were equals. But now… Severus didn't want to associate himself with a Mudblood like her. He hadn't cared so much years ago, when there was nothing to prove to anyone, but the older Slytherin students had begun to take notice of his talents. Now their blood status pushed them apart. Lily could only hold him back, so he'd cut all ties with her. Summer holidays were no longer spent together, and they saw each other at Hogwarts even less.

It stung—she'd cried and cried about it months ago—but she could begrudgingly admit that it was in character for him. He'd always had dreams, always had ambitions. But, like the naive girl she was, she'd thought she'd be around to see him achieve those goals.

Lily looked away from Severus. She twisted a long strand of red hair around her index finger. Pushed her shoe into the sand. She loved him, still. It wasn't fair, but she knew it was the truth. Even after all the hurt he'd caused her, she still missed him. She was lost in the good times they had as children, lost in the memory of a smile so rare that it only ever came out for her.

Lily Evans couldn't let go of Severus Snape. Even if he never knew she cared for him like this—even if the knowledge would disgust him—she couldn't help the thumping of her heart whenever she caught a glimpse of those dark eyes and that intelligent stare.

It would never work between them. So Lily contented herself with these glimpses, trying to satisfy herself with watching his life from afar.