Some Thing Just Happens, 3
A Lily / James Saga
[Note: Third part. I'm kinda disappointed cuz I didn't get as many reviews as the first part - but oh well. Please review this time - it really helps me! This part shows more of Lily's feelings, and more. Enjoy! Read only after reading parts 1 & 2]
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Lily felt like she was going to explode inside. Of course she liked James! But she very well couldn't say that out, so she just kept quiet. Suddenly, James popped into the common room. Lily put on a false smile, and said, "Hey James! How was Quidditch practice?" She was grateful for the diversion. She hadn't wanted to answer Sarah's question, but she didn't want to lie either. Now she focused on James. He was staring at Sarah. "Hey Sarah," he replied. "Quidditch was great. Hey, Sarah, wanna sneak out to the kitchens tonight?" he asked, eyes twinkling. Lily's heart sank. He isn't even listening to me! she thought, gloomily. Sarah wrinkled her nose with distaste. "No James, I don't want to go to the kitchens. I need some sleep," she said. Obviously, the idea of sneaking out did not appeal to her. "How 'bout you, Lil?" James asked, turning to her. "Sure!" she said, without any hesitation. Maybe I'm overreacting. James is still my best boy friend. Or is he?
* * *
Lily huddled under the Invisibility Cloak with James. This feels just like it did when we were best friends, she thought. They crept out to the kitchens silently. They had been there millions of times before. Tickling the pear, they stepped in. It was dark and quiet in there. The house elves were probably sleeping. James slipped out of the cloak, and heaved himself on to a counter. He motioned for Lily to sit next to him. She sat there, and waited for him to begin talking.
"So Lil, what do you think about Sarah?" he asked her. Lily stiffened.
"Uh . . . she's nice. And pretty. And fun," she answered. James nodded, smiling.
"Yeah, she is . . ." he said, dreamily. Lily grinned. James looked pretty funny, with his hair tumbling all over and his face like a puppy dog.
"So you tell me. How's Sarah as a girlfriend?"
"She's perfect," James muttered. "Just perfect""Do you want to marry her?" Lily said, teasingly. It was a standing joke between the two of them. Whenever James asked her who she wanted to marry, she said James, and vice versa. It was just a joke of course. "Sure! Anyday!" said James, still dreaming. Lily felt tears welling up in her eyes. Everything has changed. I'm not wanted in his life! "What about you?" he asked. "Who do you want to marry?" Lily felt a stab of pain in her heart. You, she thought silently. But instead, she said, "Uh - I don't know."
* * *
As Lily walked out of the Charms classroom, she saw a whole bunch of people crowded around the bulletin board. "I wonder what's so interesting?" she said to Arabella and Tara. The three of them inched their way to the bulletin board. Finally, when she was able to get in front, she read it out to the other two.
Notice
There is going to be a Christmas Ball after the Christmas Feast (in a week's time). All sixth years are invited to attend, with a partner or without. Any inappropriate behavior will cause a loss of points to the appropriate house. - Professor McGonagall.
Lily's heart sank. She wanted to go with James, but that was now impossible, since he would most likely go with Sarah. And she didn't want to go with anyone else. I'll just go alone, she decided. She trudged back to the common room, not feeling very cheerful.
* * *
The next day was Saturday, and Lily spent it by the lake, with her journal in her hand. She watched the trees blow in the breeze, and the birds chirp in the sky. She leaned against a tree, and wrote in her journal, Everyone, everything seems to be happy, except for me. I don't know how I feel. I'm not happy, that's for sure. I'm uncertain - should I forget about James and concentrate on my life? I tried, but he's stuck in my mind. And I want him to stay there. Closing her journal, she sighed, and got up. She was just walking along the border of the lake, when she spotted James running towards her. In a minute, he was in front of her. He was panting hard, and his breath came out in little swirls of mist. Lily looked at him quizzically. He said, "I - I love you."
Lily stared at him. Her heart was thudding wildly inside her. She thought she was dreaming. Meanwhile, James wiped his brow. "Blow. I never thought I would actually say that to a girl." Lily felt her mouth break into a grin. He really meant it. He continued, "Everytime I think I should say this to her, I get nervous and tongue tied. But now it came out easy. Do you think she will accept it?" Lily felt her heart go cold. She asked, almost scared, "She? Wh-who's she?" James said impatiently, "Sarah of course." Lily could have died just then. For a minute her hopes had soared high, now they were underground. "Y-yes, she will like it," she forced herself to say. "Let's practice, ok? I'm James and you're Sarah, ok?" he said, siezing her shoulders. Lily nodded numbly. How could this be happening? "I love you," James said to her. "I love you too," she replied, trying to force her tears back. "Are you sure she's going to say just that?" he asked her, nervously. Lily nodded, trying not to let the tears flow down. "Should I tell her, then?" he asked. Again, she nodded. He ran, and she watched him retreating into the distance, as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
[A/N: This part was not very long - that's on purpose, to build up the suspense. Thanks for all the encouraging reviews - please review again, tell me your opinion. To Nadia: Have you watched this movie before? Where? Stay tuned for the next part!]