Enthusiastically, Lily and Jeanne walked down the Street of Wings, a very expensive upper-class chain of boutique stores, exclaiming over stylish silk blouses or designer jeans and even elegant ball gowns with other sundresses. Dressed in a floppy wide-brimmed hat to prevent sunburn, Lily wore white fold-up trouser capris with a lavender button up sweater with short sleeves. Since the weather was relatively tropical but (at that moment) not full blown 80 degrees, Lily's sweater was sheer in the back, giving a glimpse of Lily's lavender halter top underneath. Tall foamy platform flip-flops completed her ensemble making Lily look casual but elegant which is exactly what she needed to shop down this route. Lily's dark wine red hair curled under the hat, in corkscrew curls that Jeanne had carefully charmed to stay, framing her rosy cheeks.
Jeanne, on the other hand wore an aqua strapless sundress that had a pale cream-colored ribbon daintily tied under her bust. Her floppy hat also had a matching satin aqua ribbon, matching perfectly. Jeanne was used to wearing dresses from her childhood when her father needed to present her at the business parties. But as usual, Jeanne's petite feet held white backless sandals with thin lace-ups that stopped right at her ankles. Yes, Jeanne held her chin up high. She had to in order to have the owners recognize them as able shoppers.
Stopping at a nearby street vendor, Lily smiled back cheerfully at the elderly man, showing straight white teeth, and paid for the two ice smoothies; one strawberry and one mango. Lily walked back and handed the tall red cup to Jeanne, sipping happily.
"Lily…." Jeanne trailed off in obvious discomfort.
" You ok Jeanne?" Lily instantly became full-alert mode for her best friend.
"Well…." Jeanne began haltingly, " What do you think of Sirius Black?"
Lily was not dumb. At once, she knew where this conversation was going, partially because she knew Jeanne really well also.
" He's funny. Really cool, I think," Lily said carefully. "He's also nice."
"Exactly. So is it wrong for me to feel attracted to him?" Jeanne's forehead creased in worry. " I mean, he's such a nice guy. I know him a lot better too. And you know me, Lily. I'm scared to death of guys."
Lily nodded sympathetically. Jeanne was one of her closest friends, basically a sister; they had been together for so long. Whenever Jeanne was worried or sad or needed help, Lily did whatever she could to cheer her up, save her or make her smile. However, Lily knew that she had never fully experienced having a boyfriend since Jeanne and herself preferred to keep themselves for their future Husbands. The very few girls who were prejudiced and jealous had scoffed at Lily, just saying that she couldn't get a guy even though knowing it wasn't true.
" For now, Jeanne, just wait." Lily watched Jeanne out of the corner of her eye. Jeanne was picking at her straw.
" Aghhh.. It's so infuriating." Jeanne said, exasperated and now picking at her French-manicured nails. " Do you understand? I don't know what to do, I feel like he knows everything about me, not that I don't either about him, but I fear that he knows that I might like him. But you do see how he's been hurt in the past and is definitely not willing to have a girlfriend until he feels the time is right?"
Lily nodded again. " Jeanne, calm down. The most you can do, is just lie low and be the good friend you are. You know, you should be glad. James told me that Sirius is surrounded by girls but he seldom tells them about himself. That means, he obviously thinks you are close enough to him to tell you about his own life."
Jeanne smiled wistfully and shrugged, " Yeah.. you're right. But everytime, I get lost in his eyes. I mean, they're almost black but when he's happy or troubled, I can almost sense a color change, which is why I feel so close to him." Jeanne sighed and shook her head.
" Why couldn't I be like you, Lily?" Lily scoffed but Jeanne continued. " You don't see it at Hogwarts, too, but people like you because you're…well perfect. Even the girls that want to hate you don't and guys practically worship you whether as a friend or more."
Lily guffawed and linked arms with Jeanne, continuing to look at the shiny windows and smiling at passing adults. She discarded her empty cup and turned back to Jeanne.
" Jeanne, look at me." Lily said and smiled. " I am nowhere near perfect, you of all people should see it. I'm not skinny, although I do wish I were sometimes, but I'm not willing to give up food. I'm not smart like James, or his ex Marianne who I hear is going to be Head girl this upcoming year. James is going to have a lot of trouble." Lily mused for a second.
" Anyway, back to what we were saying, you know my parents. I'll never be the person that they'll want me to be. I'm not even close to the very top of our year. My happiness is solely dependent on people like you, James and Sirius."
Lily smiled and brushed her hair out of her face, still linked in arms with Lily. " You're cute too, I heard Cal (back at Hogwarts) tell Eric. They were exclaiming over your eyes. Why couldn't I have your eyes or something cool like it? Not such a drab brown."
Lily smirked and said, " Cats eyes? You want my cats eyes? As for cute, you don't think you're cute? When you were sleeping on the common room couch that one year with Sammy beside you, I saw him put that blanket around you and murmur 'g'nite cutie.'"
Jeanne gasped and said, " That was him?"
Lily laughed a loud clean laugh and responded, " Of course that was him, your so-called one-and-only at that time."
Jeanne smiled, her warm brown eyes lightened considerably. " Thanks Lily…" Lily just hugged Jeanne tightly letting Jeanne know that she was there for her.
"Now…." Jeanne's voice suddenly became sly. " What's this between you and James?" Lily rolled her eyes and replied, "Nothing!"
" Are you sure….?" Jeanne's sly voice persisted, teasing Lily. " I positively melted when he was playing the guitar and singing to you. What a sweetie!"
" Nuh uhhh… He wasn't singing TO me, he was just singing to me," Lily said, giggling because of the mixed up logic. " Besides, you know what I told you, Marianne, his ex, was his first girl and hurt him badly. He's never turning back. I still 'fight' with him about his 'girls are evil' logic."
Jeanne laughed as well, " But it's definite that he likes you as a friend. Sirius told me that when he was in fifth year, all the little girls had crushes on him so needless to say; James doesn't exactly like younger girls. You're probably the youngest one of his friends."
Lily smirked and swung her lavender handbag like a pendulum. " I probably am the youngest one but we both know that he doesn't like me that way. He's really cool though, kind of like an older brother, just with good looks, so no, not an older brother."
Now it was Jeanne's turn to smirk. Lily only rambled when she was deep in thought and she didn't realize that she had slipped that James was good looking.
" Oh, yes, I guess James is good looking." Jeanne replied carefully. Lily didn't reply but pointed out a magnificent dress in the window of an extremely expensive store. Jeanne still realized that Lily hadn't exactly say that she didn't like James.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, James and Sirius were on their balcony, enjoying their afternoon by barbecuing some steaks and kabobs. Sirius accio-ed a pitcher of marinade and gently poured it over the sizzling pieces of meat, savoring the spicy smell. Remus had apparated in for a quick afternoon of catching up with the guys. Sipping some lemonade with the rims sugarcoated, Remus talked with James about what his father was making him do.
" He thinks it's time for me to start handling part of the business since next year, after I graduate, I might have to take after it." Remus explained.
" Ahh…Moony, don't worry, after graduation, I'll probably have to take over Father's business as well," sighed James.
Remus was dressed casually in a navy polo shirt, with light khakis and brown leather shoes. His hair, glinting in the afternoon light. Sirius came and sat down at the table, wearing a sky blue polo shirt as well, showing off his toned figure. His darker colored khakis slightly faded from age, looked comfortable and fit. James, however, was wearing a white ribbed shirt with faded jeans; loose but now baggy. If any girl were there right at this second, she would positively melt.
" You know, Remus," Sirius said thoughtfully, sipping his lemonade. " Jeanne is really shy, but once you break through her barrier, she's actually really sweet."
Remus smiled and replied, " I told you so. I had a talk with her mom yesterday. Mind you, she's relieved that you are here with the two ladies. She seems to think that Jeanne is avoiding her own home."
Sirius looked to James. " Actually, she is isn't she? I remember Jeanne mentioning about living a dream with no worries."
James nodded and reminisced what Lily had told him, " They came to Europe to escape the troubles at home, and if I remember correctly, this has always been one of their dreams."
Remus shrugged, " Apparently her mother doesn't realize that Jeanne's not happy at home."
James levitated the plate of steaks to the table as Remus poured more Lemonade into his glass. Contently eating their dinner and watching the sun slowly set filling the sky with burst of pinks, peaches and purples, Remus suddenly asked,
"Padfoot, how close are you with Jeanne?"
Sirius frowned and replied, " Pretty close, why? She tells me a lot of stuff, but then again I actually tell her a lot of stuff too. She's a really great person to talk to."
Remus spoke again, " Well, her mom tends to jump to conclusions when Jeanne's with a guy. And Jeanne, being the higher-classed witch she is, can only have the best guy as her husband. Her mom, got a bit excited when I mentioned that you befriended her."
James looked amuse, smirking at Sirius while Sirius looked up startled. " Boyfriend? No…Jeanne and I are just friends!! She's a really caring and sweet girl that's just shy. But other than that, I feel nothing but fond friendship towards her."
Remus laughed, " Well, her mom's getting excited because my mom tells her what a great guy you are."
Sirius joined in the laughing, " Haha, I'm pretty sure Jeanne feels the same. We're just close friends, nothing more. If you want to see some sparks, you should see Lily and James."
James spluttered and threw a green pepper at Sirius' face. "What the…..Lily's cool but definitely not a girlfriend."
Sirius winked while Remus slyly but casually responded, " Oh really? From what Padfoot's kept me updated on, you do a lot for her."
James rolled his eyes and flicked another green pepper at Sirius, " Nothing's going on. I'm doing for Lily just like Sirius is doing for Jeanne."
Sirius shot back though, "C'mon Prongs, you've never taken an interest in younger girls before."
Remus nodded in agreement. " Right, remembered all those little girls?"
James made a sound of protest, " I'm not interested in Lily, I just happen to think that she's funny and cool. She's a great friend. So for the last time, Lily. Is. Just. A. Friend."
Remus and Sirius laughed and patted James on the back, " Just joking, Prongs ol' buddy."
After having a delightful dinner in which Remus was wholly satisfied, as well as Sirius and James, he apparated back to England, falling onto his king sized bed.
James and Sirius magicked the dishes and utensils clean and levitated them into the cupboards.
Just as Jeanne and Lily came back from their shopping spree, delighted with all the little bags of clothes and little trinkets of this Island, James and Sirius showered and all called it a night.
A/N: Again, Thanks to all who reviewed, and if you didn't please review right now. Just take a little bit of your time to tell me if I should keep going. By the way, I'm really new to this so if I'm doing anything wrong, feel free to just tell me through your reviews.
