A/N: A snow day! I could sing! But I won't…or you'll all run away screaming =) Anyway- sorry it took awhile- but here's chapter four!
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Chapter 4- Trick Feelings
James snorted. He joined his other three friends as the crowded around the 'new guy'. Many of the girls fancied Luke, and many of the guys were disgusted by him. But none more than the Marauders.
Luke was telling them some random story about what he had achieved in America, while running a black comb through his light hair for the hundredth time.
"I have never seen a guy spent so much time in front of the mirror." Sirius whispered in amused amazement.
"Maybe he isn't a guy." Remus snickered.
Luke turned around; tucking his comb into his robes, and gave them a grin. "I'm headed down for breakfast." He exited, obviously expecting them to follow.
"Honestly…" Peter and the rest stared after him.
"That man is in need of a reality check."
James was the first to leave, almost tumbling down the stairs in his hurry. He stopped at the foot of the steps and glanced around the common room. Yes- there was Lily- with her friends. Glaring at him. He smiled.
Suddenly, Lily came flying his way, colliding into him. She looked furious; her green eyes flashed dangerously as she turned around and stuck a finger out at her friends. "You two are- are immature!"
"Oh come on, Lily," Jessica said loudly, "we aren't all that bad."
The red-head's mouth worked, but she simply glared at them before turning back to James, who was dazed, at the least.
"And you- oh, damn it all- I'll deal with you later." She narrowed her eyes and stomped out of the portrait hole.
Sirius patted James on the back. "I wonder- just how does she mean to deal with you?" he chuckled thoughtfully.
Heather and Jessica came up to them. "Oh, Lily'll come around. You'll see."
"If we have any say in it- it'll be sooner than anyone thinks." Heather winked at him, and Jessica opened her mouth again-
"Don't think I can't hear you!" Lily's voice floated over to them from the portrait hole.
Jessica rolled her light eyes and grinned at the Marauders.
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Lily was in a bad mood for the remainder of the day…which was, consequently, the whole day. Her friends, however, were in a jolly mood.
"Lily, just give James a chance…you'll see. It'll all go fine."
"I don't see what you're worried about- I mean- come on, the poor guy is embarrassed around you!"
"Any guy who can continue to chase after a girl even when she constantly rejects him obviously has an interest."
Lily felt foolish, listening to them. But she had decided, a long time ago. She wasn't going to do this anymore.
When she found the chance, the first thing she did was run to someplace quiet. She needed to think. "The only bloody place I can think of is the Heads room." She mumbled to herself, giving the password and dropping onto the couch inside.
She sighed, laying back and letting the warmth of the fire engulf her. Her thoughts drifted miserably, and came to the one thing she wanted to forget the most.
Lily walked through the halls humming a tune to herself. She brushed a hand through her hair. "I want to look perfect for him today." She smiled and turned the corner.
Chris had agreed to meet her in the empty room next to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He had wanted to talk and she wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. But one thing was sure- she wanted him to think she looked beautiful.
Heather and Jessica had told her how pretty she looked when she walked out- and she had believed them. A boost in self-esteem never hurt, did it? Not unless you were already cocky…
She smiled again, stopping in the doorway. The lighting was dim, but she thought she could see Chris on the other side of the room. She came closer, expecting him to greet her with a hug, like usual. But no…he wasn't alone.
A girl giggled. "Oh Chris, don't."
Lily didn't normally stand up for herself, especially not like this, but it was too sudden and the realization of what was going on hit her too fast. "What the bloody hell is going on?"
Chris and the mystery girl broke apart. "Lily!"
The girl looked between them haughtily. "Chris dear, what is this?"
"Nothing." He mumbled. "Damn it Lily, what're you doing here?"
"I was going to ask the same of you! Excuse me, but you invited me here!"
"I did no such- oh yeah." He rolled his eyes.
"Is that all I mean to you? Well- I can say more about you- you dirty, egotistical, cheating, lying, scum of-"
She was hit with a blow on her cheek, and stumbled backwards. Reaching a hand up to where he had hit her, she felt the hotness growing. "You didn't just do that." She said softly, staring into his dark eyes.
He hit her again is response- harder, this time. She felt herself in a daze, and vaguely heard the girl laughing. A shower of kicking and slapping met her body- she was barely aware. Her last sound had been another laugh from the girl and a cackle from Chris as they left her on the floor.
Lily wiped her eyes, realizing with embarrassment that she was crying. She hated remembering that. It was so clear, so vivid, and no matter how hard she tried to erase it, it stuck with her like glue.
She had woken up after being beaten, of course, and rid herself of most of the bruises magically. She was too ashamed to tell anybody- not even her best friends. And they still didn't understand what had provoked her sudden hatred of everything to do with guys and dating. But they never asked her to explain, and she appreciated that more than she could say.
Lily suddenly heard a rustling behind her, and spun around, still sitting on the couch. She made another attempt to scrub her eyes; only making them redder.
James came closer, dropping a silvery robe onto the floor. She watched as he slowly sat down next to her, staring. He brushed a strand of auburn hair behind her ear and his lips curled upward softly.
She looked away quickly, staring into the fire. His hand encircled her chin, and she could feel him move closer, but didn't look up. Carefully, he moved her head back towards him. She looked down at the couch, but he moved it up again.
"I'm sick of waiting for you to tell me its okay." He said, brushing her hair out of her face as he kissed her. Her lips were unmoving at first, but then came to life under the pressure from his. He moved one hand down from her face, meeting her hip and pulling her closer.
She pushed away silently, softly, and gave him one last glance before turning around. She made a move for the door, but stopped before it. She didn't look back. James sighed and walked over to her, talking to her behind her back.
"Lily, it's okay. I don't know what you're upset about…but if you tell me, maybe I could help."
She let out a long, exaggerated breath, gathering up her energy. "I hate you. And I'll never tell you anything." I hate myself even more for that...scene. She thought to herself as she left him standing there, completely confused.
"She must not be too upset…if she still has the will to insult me." He grinned to himself, then felt silly…and now I'm laughing at my own jokes.
Suddenly, Lily tumbled back through the entrance, glancing heatedly at him. She pulled him into a kiss. He responded, but she pulled away, looking up at him through watery green eyes. "That will never happen again." She said firmly, turning around and exiting.
James' eyes were wide, and he was past confused, this time; he was mystified.
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"Lily? Are you alright?" Heather asked, sitting down next to her friend.
"We're worried about you." Jessica said simply. "You haven't been yourself lately."
Lily wanted to yell at them, let them know that they didn't know herself , that nobody did. But she wasn't that cruel…not to her friends, who were obviously only trying to help. "Nope." She tried to say cheerfully. "Nothing's wrong."
Heather raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"I definitely think something fun is in order."
"I quite agree, Jes."
Lily looked between the two of them, bewildered. "You sound as if you're plotting my demise."
"Frightened?"
Lily shook her head in disbelief. "Sometimes you two are just too…weird…for me."
Heather frowned. Before she could respond, the door burst open. Luke Whitemark entered, grinning in his own cute way. Lily's friends smiled inwardly, while she scowled outwardly. He had eyes only for her; he didn't even appear to notice the other two girls in the room.
"Luke- how many times do I have to tell you-"
"Someone once told me that the best, and possibly the only way, to get the girl you want, is through perseverance."
Lily rolled her eyes, preparing herself for another long speech. Heather and Jessica only nudged her. Suddenly, an idea occurred to her. She hated guys, true. But I hate James Potter above all. And what will bother him, will make me happy…She sprang up from the bed, knowing that wherever she went, Luke would follow hopelessly. This time, Heather and Jessica followed as well, staring at her with assorted odd expressions.
She made her way slowly down to the common room. Her eyes scanned over the students, looking for one in particular. There he was- in the corner. She walked over, stopping near him, but not so close that it would look completely on purpose. She waited awhile while Luke continued speaking. She wasn't really listening, but glanced out of the corner of her eyes to make sure that the Marauders were. Jessica and Heather had taken seats next to her.
Suddenly, Lily turned back to Luke and gave him a sweet smile. "Alright." She said.
He blinked. "A-alright?" he looked puzzled. "Alright what?"
"Alright this." She looped a hand around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. She didn't pay any mind at all to the kiss, but watched again out of the corner of her eyes, and was pleased to see James watching. Not to mention everyone else.
She pulled away. Luke grinned. "That was…amazing, Lily. Do it again?"
Lily scrunched her face up. "Er- maybe another time." She saw James relax a little. "Come to think of it, Luke, there'll be plenty of other times, you know? If we're going out…"
"Oh, I'm so happy!" Luke scampered off, up the stairs. Lily blinked in surprise, and then inwardly patted herself on the back. Not a bad actress….not bad at all. She glanced around. James looked more astounded then hurt, but it was all the same to her. His friends were simply staring with their mouths open like lumps. Heather and Jessica looked as if they had never seen her before. Lily grinned at them and walked slowly back up the stairs to her dorm.
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A/N: Like it? Hate it? Please let me know! Meanwhile, I'm off to enjoy the lovely snow…
Zetta- Lol, I only realized a few years ago that it was spelled bologna- I mean- what sense does that make? Oh well…lol, thank you for reviewing again! Punkkittin01- Thanks again! And for reviewing some of my other stories ;) Evillalmanotlamma(frogs- I must ask- is there a significance to your penname? =) just wondering- and thank you for another review. Gooey Gooey Coca Beans- I'm glad you don't find them cliché- I try to stay away from that…doesn't always work out though. Have you updated your story? I'll have to check…you'd better expect me. Chickensoup3- Thanks again!! Hope this chapter agreed with you! Dropped Rose- Glad you like it so far- hope you continue to, and of course, thank you. TheYellowSubmarine- Lol- you aren't the only obvious person- trust me. I do believe you have fixed your html issue ;) LaminaCourt- Heh, feel glad that you aren't in school anymore…there are fun points, but you know how it is. Thanks! Little Rogue- I'm glad you reviewed for me, then! I hope you enjoyed this chappie too. Britz- Wow- you are always nice enough to leave me a long review! Oh- and Hush Day- yes, it was a day at my school before homecoming- that was the prize- homecoming tickets. And I definitely appreciate the reviews/comments- who doesn't? =)