Chapter Seven.

Cruise Control

Maybe I, should set my life on cruise control.

Headless Chickens "Cruise Control

When morning arose on both these pairs, Lily was already was up. Lately she had been in conflict with herself over some thing. Or someone, to be more precise. She knew James liked her, she could feel it. Every time he looked at her she felt it. Even though he had made a few definite passes at her, he hadn't for some while. But surely, her logical mind thought, it doesn't matter because you don't like him in that way. Yeah, that's right she thought, doesn't matter to me. Yeah right.

You see, Lily was a very quietly determined person. In her mind, since she had already brushed James off, she couldn't just fall in love with him. She wasn't in love with him yet but she was afraid if she didn't do something about it, she might be. And this had to stop. Where was her world famous cool, when she needed it. She wasn't reduced to a starstruck mess when he was around. She was in control. But for some reason James Potter had rattled her cool, some where in between his hazel eyes, cocky attitude and scruffy hair. He had affected her in way no one else had done so far. She sighed, she had to stop this. She could ignore James Potter, couldn't she. Apart from the fact that he was Lainie's best friend, they went to the same school, were in the same house, did almost every class together, now because of Livvy and Remus they would be seeing even more of eachother.........

She left her window seat and went to find some one to talk to. She was spending too much time inside and by herself.

James was roused by Lainie's elbow digging her. Her shoved it away and found his glasses. He shook her awake.

"Bloody hell James, why'd did you wake me up"

"Come on", he tugged at her arm "Lets go grab some breakfast"

They trudged downstairs and began so munch on the croissants that his parents left them.

"So any regrets about last night, something you would have like to have done" James hinted.

Thanks for the reminder, James, really sensitive when I've just woken up"

"Any time, Lainie, really it was my pleasure" He grinned as Lainie scowled at him. "If anyone at school finds out about this, I will really kill you. Hang on, no wait. I will slowly torture you till you die of pain."

"Right, got it then. It's our little secret."

"Better go and pack. I'll see you at my house in about an hour." "Cool, see you then." Laine wandered out James's gate and wandered along the footpath and up her path. Between the manicured hedges, along the stone tiles and around the water feature which she and James made a foam castle out of with "Mr. Bubbles Amazing Walk on Foam". She stomped up the steps and fumbled in her backpack for her keys. She opened the door and wandered along the hall. Aimlessly looking at the photos that lined the walls. She wandered up the stairs and into her room. She surveyed her room, done in grey and white with her bed in the middle. She wandered through into her bathroom. As she climbed into the shower she let the water wash over her.

James however was idolizing a photo of Lily. True it had all of his and Lainies friends in it as well but that didn't matter to him. They were all grinning with their arms round eachother's necks. On the far left was Peter, looking nervous and out of place as usual, as if he wasn't cool enough to hang out with these people. James shook his head. Next was Remus with his arm clamped around Livvy, whose blonde hair curled around her face. They were grining and laughing with one another. They eyes sparkling like the sky on a summers day. Next to them was Sirius, his hair falling into his eyes but still managing to look elegant, him, James and Lainie seemed to be the centre of the photo. Their black hair shone and they were all laughing and smiling from ear to ear. Lainie had her hair out for a change and she and Sirius were looking at James from time to time as the photo moved. James was talking quietly to Lily who eyes sparkled like the sea and hair seemed to glow. In fact, to him she lit up the entire photo. James smiled to himself and ruffled his hair. Then he headed for the shower. He wasn't going impress Lily by being unshowered and dirty.

Lily and Sirius were chatting on the couch at about four o clock on the last day of Christmas holidays. They were lamenting over the break. What had happened. Who had happened. Remus and Livvy were out walking. Again. They had hardly been able to take their eyes off one another to talk to anyone else.

"Ahh, young love" cried Lily dramatically after yet another silent meal as Sirius was strangely quiet and no one else was talking to her.

They had paused to think when to people clambered through the portrait. They had black hair and were laughing.

"Hey guys, miss us?" said James in a voice laden with hinting.

"Course we did" shrieked Lily as she pulled Lainie into a hug. Then Sirius got in on the act and soon the were in a large group hug. After a while they were all lying on the couch. Lily lying down on the sofa with her head on Lainie's lap as she leaned on James. Sirius sat on the armchair by himself though he did have Lily's cat Ebony who had curled up purring on his lap. "So, we've heard the news. Ahh, young love" sighed Lainie with a melodramatic sigh.

"Great news though, never thought Remus would actually say it though" said James.

"What you knew that he liked Liv?" said a scandalized Lily

"Course we knew, can't believe she didn't though, he was a love sick puppy around her. Probably had lots of dirty dreams about her." Sirius said with a grin.

"Thanks Sirius, really needed to know that." Lainie said. 'Wow, I still can't believe they are in love. Or something like it" Lily commented

"Lucky them, I guess" said a puzzled Lainie

'Why" said James, "Do you wish you were ?"