CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I'm sitting in Transfiguration all by myself. James is in hospital wing and Martin is on the other side of the room. Christmas draws close and no one pays attention in class. I'm debating with myself about Martin and James.
"I say take James."
"I say Martin."
"Martin's a retard. He bashed up James."
"So? James bashed up Martin too."
"Yeah, but Martin wasn't defenseless. Martin put a spell on James. That wasn't fair."
"But Lily's always hated James."
"She doesn't really hate him, she just pretends to."
"Martin has nicer eyes."
"James is hotter."
"So not."
"Anyways, James saved her life."
"Well it's not like Martin couldn't help that."
"Martin has a crummy name. Anyway, he's leaving for Russia soon. Might as well take James. Better investment in my opinion."
"Oh, so they're investments now are they?"
"No, that's not what I mean. James loves her more, ok?"
"How do you know?"
"Lily," someone whispers in my ear.
"Huh?" I turn around and Bertha passes me a note. I take it and turn back to face the front before opening it. I can recognise the handwriting immediately.
Dear Lily, I just wanted to write to tell you I'm really sorry about what happened. I was really upset about you and James, and I got drunk. Courtney, who you know is my ex, just happened to be there when I needed someone. Whatever we did when we were drunk, I didn't mean for it to happen. I only beat James up because he was/is trying to steal you from me and I can tell you don't hate him anymore. I don't want to force you to be with me. I guess I just have to accept whatever you decision is. Please don't be angry with me.
-Love Martin-
I glance across at Martin. He's pretending to pay attention to avoid having to look at me. I dip my quill in purple ink and begin to write.
Martin, So obviously you didn't trust me to be with James. Nothing happened that night with him. Although I knew no one was going to believe that, I thought you would. Why would you get drunk over James and I having a detention! We were working until two in the morning! Beating James up is one thing, putting a spell on him so that he cannot retaliate is completely different. It was unfair! I never really hated James, and he's not trying to steal me. He didn't force me to do anything. If anything, it should be me you're blaming. It's hard not to be angry with you when I see you and Courtney making out with each other in a classroom and 2 in the morning.
-Lily-
Before long I receive Martin's reply.
Lily, I'm not even going to bother to respond to what you said.
-Martin-
Martin, fine, be like that. But why don't you think things through before you accuse people?
-Lily-
I watch as Martin unfolds and reads the note. He's face is completely expressionless. I don't have time to try to read his eyes because the bell goes. At lunch I sit silently by myself. A clever Ravenclaw girl Caitlin approaches me.
"Hi," she smiles and sits next to me.
"Hi," I respond not looking at her. She's probably just another one of those gossipers trying to cook up a false story.
"I just noticed you all by yourself, so I thought I'd talk to you," Caitlin says.
"Ok…"
"In case you're wondering, I don't believe any of the rumors about you and James."
"Right…"
"I just thought you might want someone to listen to what you have to say."
"Um…"
Caitlin's cheery expression falls. "Fine. I was just trying to be nice to you." Caitlin gets up.
"Wait, no. Let's go outside to talk," I stand up with her.
An hour later she has the full story.
"Ok. That's a lot more complicated than they make it out to be," Caitlin says once I've finished talking.
"Yeah, tell me about it," I mumble.
"Well, firstly, do you know who you want to be with out of James or Martin?"
"Not really," I frown, "But I'm kind of angrier with Martin at the moment. I think I just want to be friends with both of them."
"Ok. Maybe you should just let things go for a while. Don't try to change anything. Just let it take its own course," Caitlin suggests.
"Yeah, probably good idea," I smile, "Thanks for talking to me."
"No problem. I'd better get ready for my next class."
"Sure, see you."
~*~*~*~*~*
"Hey, James," I hear Sirius' voice.
I open my eyes and look up at him. I'm in hospital wing.
"Hi," I reply.
"Painful?"
"Yeah, a bit," I try to sit up.
"Really, or do you mean heartache?"
I pause to think about it. "I don't know."
"Lily and Martin have broken up."
"Oh…"
"C'mon, I know you're secretly rejoicing," Sirius nudges me.
"No, seriously, I'm not. You should have seen her when she saw Martin and Courtney. She really does like, or did like, him," I explain.
"But you still want her, right? So now that Martin's gone-"
"No! You don't get it! It's not about me wanting Lily, it's about whether she wants me or not!" I say, exasperated.
"Uh, ok. Since when did you become all deep about this?"
"Since now, ok?"
"Ok… oh look who's here. It's Lily. Well, I'm just going to leave now…" Sirius winks at me as Lily enters the room.
"Great…" I cringe.
"Hi James," Lily forces a smile.
"Hi," I mumble, propping myself up in my bed.
"So…"
"Um…"
"I broke up with Martin," Lily's eyes shine with tears.
"Yeah, Sirius told me. I'm really sorry," I shift uncomfortably.
"And now I don't know what to do…"
"Do you still want him?" I blurt. Oh, bad move James, I say to myself.
"Y-yes…" Lily looks up at me with her green eyes.
"Oh…" oops, that sounds like I'm really disappointed.
"Well, I have a brilliant idea!"
"Sirius??" Lily and I jump at his voice.
"You've been eavesdropping!" I say in mock shock.
"Yeah, well, whatever."
"Fine… so what's the brilliant idea of yours?" Lily asks resolutely.
"You want Martin, and Martin hates James," Sirius says.
"So…?" Lily and I look at each other and then back at Sirius.
"Really guys, it's pretty obvious. Lily flirts with James, Martin gets jealous and wants Lily back. Everyone is happy," Sirius beams at Lily and I.
"Um, Sirius, do you think that's really appropriate? Lily might not want to," I say, "Lily?" I look at Lily who's staring at the floor.
~*~*~*~*~*
"What if Lily falls for James?"
"So? Lily likes James."
"No, but Lily said she wanted Martin back."
"Oh yeah."
"C'mon, if she really likes Martin, she'll do this for him."
"What if it hurts James?"
"It won't. They're friends now. He'll understand."
"Sure?"
"Yeah, of course. It's just a bit of acting."
"Ok… if you're sure."
"Lily?" James says, "Look, if you're not ok with it, you don't have to."
"No, I'll, I'll do it," I respond.
"Brilliant!" Sirius says happily, "And I am officially appointing myself, Sirius Black, as your personal flirting instructor. We start tomorrow!"
"You and your stupid ideas…" James mutters before flashing me an apologetic sort of smile.
~*~*~*~*~*
AN: sorry, pretty crappy chapter that nevertheless took ages to write. Not much of a cliff. Yay! 170+ reviews!! I love you guys. Let's try for 200 maybe? Or is that pushing it too far? Oh well, we'll see… Replies:
Arctic*saber – thanks for supplying 6 reviews!
Windowseat wonderer – not exactly a quick update, but I've been tired. Rehearsals for awards night, carols night, and a sleepover…
Ljstagflower4e – oh, right, I get it now. What's JCtigerwolf?
Dee Ann – hmn, I didn't mean for it to be funny, but hey, whatever.
SiriusVeela – it's going to go for a lot longer than I first thought. May 30 to 40 chapters.
Angelbud2233 – and I bet you can also guess what happens now. But don't say, don't give it away!
Simone – read my bio. Keep reading! If you do I will forever worship you.
Crazystarz – oh, I'm sorry. You didn't exactly give me anything to reply to though. Plz review. Plz, plz, plz?¿? Don't be mean! Call me.
Lanette – wow, you're the only person who's said they actually liked Martin.
Clothespeg rules – I will in future include Martin getting a black.
Cyd – blah, blah, I am so bored… where do you live? (yes, random question)
Lady-anna-bee – Lily and Martin are not quite over.
Da-drama-queen – oh, fido's only been allowing one review per chapter for ages now. It's really annoying. I reviewed your story!