a/n: carribbean carnvaaal!! jiggle your bomsee!
Disclaimer: what you don't recognize is mine.
For someone who's been dreading for going to a drink, Constance sure has me astonished. As soon as she came home from her arithmancy teaching classes, she has spent her entire time infront of her wardrobe. She must be excited. At least one of is. I am so not looking forward to this. But hey - it could be worse right? I mean, I could be stuck by myself with James. So having Constance and Remus there is a sort of blessing... even if they might be each other's throats.
So right now, it's 7:00. I've taken my shower - exfoliated, creamed and spritzed - and I too am looking at my wardrobe. Don't ask me about the whole shower thing; I just want to look nice. Doesn't every girl? Anyway, I'm having a hard time to decide. I want to put on my new and ultra chic black heel boots, but I'm not exactly sure what to wear that with. I'm kind of hovering between my pink skirt with the white spaghetti top; or my black mini and black sleeveless top. Okay, once again, do not question me. I've already said that I just want to look nice. I'm not trying to impress anyone or anything. It has nothing to do with James Potter. Absolutely nothing! I'm great! I'm single, but I prefer to be single... YOU'RE WRONG! So stop thinking that I like him - because I DON'T! So there. It's settled. I'll wear my whole black attire. It looks better anyway.
I walk to Constance's room to see how she's doing. Unfortunately, she still hasn't chosen her outfit. She looks frazzled. I wonder how she's doing.
"Constance," I call from her doorway. She turns around with a frown. She holds two outfits on either side of her.
"Lily," she says with comeplete seriousness. "Which one of these outfits says ' I'm not trying to impress you; I'm just trying to be polite and look nice ' ?"
Hmm.. now this is a doozy. Constance has one of the most peculiar complexions - dark chocolate coloured hair, grey eyes, medium skin tone. Both outfits she's holding up look hideous. Well, not hideous, but hideous on her.
"The purple top one," I answer. "But not on you." She looks at me, then shrugs and beckons me to come over. The good thing about being bestfriends with Constance is that she listens to the advice I give her about clothes. Not at all offended. So I stride over to her wardrobe and flick through all her tops, skirts, shoes and accessories. She sure has a lot of stuff, but not as much as me. And she sure needs to organize herself. Honestly, she's being a teacher. And teachers are organized. How can she be organized if she can't even organize her clothes? I'm surprised at how well she's gotten on in the past if it's so hard to find matching things. Colour coordinating is the best for all your clothes and accessories.
I've finally dug out something for her. A nice thin white long sleeve top that shows her belly (which I for one, would never suspect she'd own), her black cargo-capris (which I helped her buy at what she calls 'a nutty muggle store'), and her black kitten heels. I don't understand it - in the wizarding world, they have shops for muggle fashions that witches and wizards all love to go to - but once they set foot in an actual muggle fashion store, they get all 'muggles are weird'. Anyway, as she's putting that on, I go into the 'bathroom' (it's what Serene calls it, and I wanna try using it too) to apply my makeup. Well, not really, seeing as all I'm doing is a shine control powder and lip shine. I don't do makeup much. I just like myself au naturel. I just finished applying the second coat of lip shine when Constance steps in. Se looks fab I must say. But she seems very titchy. Fumbling and fidgeting. Really; it's just a few drinks. Nothing big or anything. Constance really doesnt need makeup. She's practically perfect, and I'm so envious on that part. But I do like dressing up sometimes. Anyway, she's just putting on some shiny lip balm and stumbles out. I follow her into the living room where she's plopped herself down on a couch, and is clutching her purse ever so tightly.
I glance up at our clock as it reads 7:50. Wow! We spent fifty minutes dressing up? No worries. At least we won't be late or anything. They should be here in ten minutes. My eyes wonder around the room and just now have I noticed how nervous I am. This is unbelievable. I'm never nervous. I mean, why should I be nervous? It's only James Potter. I see him every day at work. Why should this be any different? Exactly. I give Constance a reassuirng smile, but all she gives back is a look of confusion. I'd be pretty confused if I were to meet up with someone I haven't talked to for a few years.
I'm so engrossed in my thoughts that I barely hear the knock on the door. I quickly stand up, do a look over in the mirror, and walk towards the door. Okay Lily, you can do this. It's not that hard.. YES IT IS!!! Deep breaths Lily, deep breaths. In and out. Oh my gosh, they're knocking again. Okay, reach for the lock, turn it to your left, grab the knob, twist and pull...
And infront of my face is a bouquet of flowers. I stumble back but Constance had seemed to make her way to the door and catches me.
"Good evening ladies," says James from behind the bouquet of flowers. He hands me a bouquet, and then one to Constance. Her eyebrow instantly shoots up. I wouldn't blame her for being suspicisous.
"There aren't any bugs or... water shooters in these are there?" she asks a bit skeptically. James himself looks taken aback.
"Of course not! I'm not that rude to girls on dates!"
He thinks this is a date. But it's not! What if he actually got into this whole date thing and ordered a special dinner and... now is not the time to panic Lily. Okay, spruce yourself, act cool. You're too good for him anyway. But am I? I don't know! Stop thinking about this.
"Er... Lily?" asks James uncertainly. I've snapped back to reality. I look up expectantly at him.
"Well," he starts, still giving me weird looks. "I just said that Remus is here." He indicates on his right and there is Remus. He acutally looks quite handsome I must admit. Casual yet dressy with his grey oxford unbottoned at the top three buttons. He gives me a small smile. "Hello Lily, it's a pleasure to see you again."
He was always on my favourites list of the gryffindor boys. Always so nice. I smile back, and look around at Constance, who's actually staring at him with surprise. She must think he's looking pretty great too. And remus has just spotted her looking at him. "Hello Constance." Wow... he sure looks uncomfortable. Okay, input awkward silence.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Okay, awkward silence going on a bit too long. Drastic action.
"So," I say with a twinge of nervousness. "Shall we uh... get going?"
"Oh, right," says James. Both he and Remus step aside for us to pass. Constance walks out first while I lock up the door. Brace yourself kiddo, you're going on a date with James. Hey - it's not a date! It's just an innocent night out for a drink! So there.
-----
"So, what will it be?" We all look up to a waiter . He's quite young. Must be a part time job.
"I'll have some scallops," James says. "And a nice cup of sweet tea."
Okay, why is this guy here so early? I don't know what I want! I haven't even picked up the menu. Okay, maybe I should pick it up.
"Make that two," Remus chips in. "But a whiskey would be a great replacement for tea."
"And you miss?" the waiter asks, looking directly at me. Oh great. I don't know! I glance around the menu and I see they have ravioli! Great! I love ravioli!
"I'd like the.. pou..let pate ravioli please, and a shirley temple," I say. I notice that James and Remus are giving me weird looks. I give them a look back and their gazes instantly drop.
"Could I get the cheddar-broccoli stuffed potatoes with a martini please?" Constance says. The waiter smiles and nods.
"Excellent choice, miss!" he says and leaves.
At once, James and Remus gawk at me as though I were crazy. I can't stand this anymore. Do I hAve something on my face or something? I checked myself before leaving the house. Okay, this is getting annoying. "What?!"
"Um... do you know what you just ordered?" Remus asks me. He looks a bit queesy. To be honest, I have no clue what I just ordered. I saw the word ravioli and just said the name of the dish.
"Of course I do!" I say. End of discussion.
"And you.. uh.. you like that stuff eh?"
Okay, this is getting weird. And very uncomfortable. I'm about to comment when Constance speaks up. "There is nothing wrong with what she ordered."
Awkward silence number two!
"I'm just making sure before she'd do a number on us," Remus replies lightly and takes a sip of his whiskey which had just arrived.
"Well, if she wasn't sure, why would she order it?"
"I'm just being a caring friend, Constance."
Awkward silence number three! Boy, does Constance look fumed.
"Are you trying to say that I'm not being a good friend?" she asks with deadly calm. Remus raises an eyebrow. Why does this not look good?
"There is no point of me trying when you already are," he says icily. Wow, never thought he'd have it in him to say such a thing. He was always such a nice guy! Constance sure looks angry.
"So, Lily," James starts, trying to get the argument away. I look up hopefully at him. "What have you been up to?"
Is he serious?! What have I been up to? He's been working with me for the past week! But then, he is trying to steer the argument away...
"I'm doing.. auror training. With ... you," I reply stiffly. I mean - what am I suppossed to say? 'I've been working as an auror. Oh, it just occured to me that we work together'??? Oh, this is good. Remus is turning away from Constance.
"You're an auror?" he asks me. I nod.
"But I thought you wanted to be a healer."
I still do.
"Well, things change, people change..."
"Yeah, they sure do," Constance says and gives Remus a glare.
Awkward silence number four. Okay, exactly how many of these are we going to have? They're quite boring now. We're all sitting here in awkward silence. Well, James and I are sitting here in awkward silence while Constance and Remus mutter things under their breaths.
"And here we are!" We all look up once again to see the waiter. He's pushing a tray with delicious plates upon it.
"Scallops, scallops, potatoes, and ravioli!" he says, looking pleased with himself. "Bon apetit!" And he rolls away.
I'm just about to stab a ravioli with my fork when I have this feeling like everyone's watching me. I look up to find James and Remus staring at me. Constance is just looking at her plate.
"So, you're actually going to eat that?" James asks tentively. I give him an odd look.
"Well, what else am I suppossed to do with it?" I ask him. He shrugs, but ocntinues to stare.
I go back to my plate. It looks so delicious, with the cream sauce and bits of parsely at the side. I stab one and lift it up to my mouth. I can smell the mouthwatering scent. But they're still staring at me.
"Yes?!" I ask impatiently.
"Nothing," they both reply together.
I shake my head and click my tongue. Okay, I'm going to eat. Wow, the first bite is amazing! It's creamy, soft and pasty... pasty?... Okay.. why is this tasting horrible now? I must be making a face because James and Remus suddenly crack up. I spit out my ravioli.
"What is this stuff?!" I demand in disgust. But they're laughing even harder.
"You er.. ordered chicken liver ravioli Lils," Constance says as she's cutting up her stuffed potatoes.
"I did not!"
"Yes, you did. Poulet pate ravioli is chicken liver ravioli."
Oh great. And I suppose this sauce is made of chicken piss? I'm suppossed to eat this! If I don't, I'll be hungry. And I can't order something else - it'll be so embarassing. I take another stab at it and pop another in my mouth. I think I shuddered. But I swallow. It's so gross!
"It's actually quite good," I say, trying to sound convincng. Apparantly, theyre not convinced. Now even Constance joins in the laughter. But then Remus catches her eye and both imediately stop. How many times is this going to happen? And why did I agree to this? It wasn't even suppossed to be dinner! We were suppossed to go out for drinks!
"My scallops are a bit raw," Remus says as he bites into one. He takes a big swig of his drink and swallows.
"You're always one to complain, aren't you?" Constance says airly. Remus stops and puts his fork down.
"Yes, I complain. But I dont whine about it," he argues back. Hoo boy...
"Did you know that you were one of the biggest pains ever?" she says, putting down her fork also.
"It was more of a pain, listening to you talk about your stupid crush on Edwin Cho," he replies. I gasp. Constance had a crush on Edwin Cho?! UBER BIG EW!!!! He isn't a bad looking guy - he was just a bit of a nerd. You know.. the types that read a lot and always seem to sniff whilst talking to you. But he's improved. I've seen him walking around the Ministry a couple of times. Constance looks a bit flushed.
"Edwin is a decent person, Remus. Unlike you!"
"He turned you down when you asked him to go to Hogsmeade with him - " (I gasp) "And if I'm not decent, how come I've never been turned down?"
"If you were decent, you'd have a girlfriend!"
"Well, I think everyone knows why I don't have a girlfriend!" Remus looked at her with fire in his eyes.
Awkwards silence number five. Honestly, how awkward can this date get?
Constance seems to be holding his gaze. Both of them have been standing since the arguement. She looks a bit relieved yet sad. I don't know why, but this feels like a movie. One of those movies that don't exactly have the brightest of endings. And out of nowhere, she suddenly hugs him. And now she's crying. Okay, so how come everytime I say things like 'How awkward can this get?', something more awkward happens?
"I'm sorry Remus!" she sniffs. It's a bit hard to make out because her face is buried on his chest. I lean causually over and press my cheek against his chest, but James pulls me back. What a spoil sport! Now how am I going to understand what she's saying? Okay, fine. I can listen perfectly well just sitting here in my seat.
"I don't think you're not decent," she continues. "You're a caring and a good listener. You're a friend! Something I haven't been in a good deal of time!"
Wow, I always thought that he'd be the one to apologize first. Awww... look at that - he's hugging her back! This is so.. awkwardly romantic. Okay, awkward moments should really stop by now.
"No, you've always been a friend," he says. "I'm the one who's been a bastard, not talking to you after all these years. And I always thought that Edwin Cho wasn't good anough for you. But... you.. you have.. you have Damien Vector now. And I know he's given you happiness."
He looks a bit hurt. Well, so would I! She pulled away from him. "Yes - yes he has."
"See?" he says a bit strangled. "You're happy now."
"Yeah... I'm happy now." She looks up him and gives him a weak smile which he returns.
Okay... awkward silence number six... come ON.
-----
How sweet, they've walked us back to our door. And such gentleman, having paid for us (even if I didn't eat the ravioli). On our way back, Constance and Remus have been trying to catch up on all those missed years. That's really good for them, but I do wish that they'd at least be walking close behind us. I had to endure 20 minutes of James. But as much as I hate to admit it, he's been good company, asking me about my family, my interests and all.
"Well, we had an.. eventful evening ladies," James says with a chuckle. He glances over to Remus who smiles back.
"I guess we can call it a night," Remus says. I completely agree. Walking home in boots for twenty minutes is not exactly the best treat. But I'd rather wear my boots than the kitten heels Constance has on.
"Good night," I say as I step into our house. Constance follows me and we watch as they take out their wands, ready to apparate.
"Remus!" Constance calls. He looks up abruptly.
"Yes?" he calls back. I give Constance a weird look.
"Um... I just wanted to tell you that um..."
"Yes?"
"If you'd been quicker, I would've instantly accepted." And with that, she stepped inside the house and I heard her run up the stairs and close her bedroom door. I look at Remus who has a faroff gaze. It's quite sad really. But, hey, you can't change the past can you? And they disapparated.