A/N: Hey guys! I'm sorry this chapter has to be so short, but I'm babysitting right now and have nothing else better to do, so I thought I'd post some more!
Disclaimer: You know the drill. It's not mine. Sorry to disappoint you. Oh and the song is JoJo's.
Use My Shoulder
Over the next 2 ½ weeks, things were pretty much the same as every year. This year, teachers spent extra time lecturing about exams, as this year, they would be taking their N.E.W.T.'s. Lily found herself becoming encreasingly worried about James, much to her dismay. He was very quiet, but when he spoke to her, it was as if they were good friends. But most of all, there wasn't a back-to-school prank. Every year since their first, the Marauders had played a prank during the first two weeks of term. But this year, there wasn't one. Lily had been listening to JoJo's "Use My Shoulder", and it prompted her so ask him about it one day after class as he was doing his homework.
Hey, what's your story
Hate to see ya looking worried
You know you can tell me
Cause I am understanding
"James?" Lily asked, trying to be friendly.
"Hmmm?" he replied, not looking up from the essay he was writing.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" she said hesitantly.
Would you mind sharing
What's bothering your happiness
Turn that from upside down
What's with all this madness
"Sure. What about?" James said as he scooted over on the couch so she could sit next to him.
"Er... are you... um... feeling alright?"
Is there something I should know
Is there something I should know
Cause I feel like you should have some hope
Cause I feel like you should have some hope
"Yeah, I guess so. Why?"
"Well, erm, you and the rest of the Marauders haven't...well, seemed up to speed lately."
"Er, we haven't?"
Well if things don't go your way
Use my shoulder to lean on
If things don't go your way
Use my pillow to lay on
If things don't go your way
Use my shoulder to cry on
That's what friends are for
"No... well... everyone knows it's your tradition to pull a prank of some sort during the first two weeks back... and, uh, you haven't."
"Oh. Well, we've been, er, rather preoccupied lately."
Take your time, clear your mind
You know I am here for you
Don't be scared, pour out your heart
I'll be there wherever you want
"Does it have anything to do with... what happened over the summer?"
"Yeah," said James heavily.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Lily. Her heart went out to him at the look on his face.
You can tell me
You know you can trust me
Baby, I'll listen to you
And everything you're going through
You know I will, I will
"It was hard. When he came to stay at my house... he was so upset. I tried to comfort him... but, in a way, they were like my second parents," said James very slowly, in a low voice. Lily took his hand in hers, comforting him. She wasn't quite sure why he was telling her this, but she was glad he was.
"We've been mates since, well, forever. And I spent so much time over there. At his house..." James drifted off.
"It's okay. But Sirius needs you right now, James," said Lily. "He needs you to be strong... he has to be feeling worse than you," offered Lily in a soothing voice.
"Yeah," said on other things. Like Quidditch,"
"Yeah... okay," said James, finally meeting Lily's eyes. She dropped his hand immediately, feeling uncomfortable.
"Thanks. I mean it, Lily," he said.
"I'm here for you, James," she said softly, before she headed upstairs so take a long, hot shower in the safety of her bedroom.
Well if things don't go your way
Use my shoulder to lean on
If things don't go your way
Use my pillow to lay on
If things don't go your way
Use my shoulder to cry on
That's what friends are for.
Thanks, and don't forget to review! Please? I'll forever be thankful. I promise! More soon! much luv, Anniebelle