Choices

Choice nineteen: James

Something strange is happening and I can't believe it. I'm drawn to Evans. Okay, so you might wonder what the big deal is. Well, I've been chasing her all year... but that wasn't because I liked her. That was because Sirius betted that I couldn't get her, and he was right.

Evans is one of those girls; you know, one that doesn't fall for just anybody. I've known her now for five years and I've never really thought of her. But she's something else. Sirius and I have this bet at the beginning of each year and we stick by it.

Like in our first year it was who could find the most hidden passages... and he won it, he found one more than me. Then second year it was who could get the most detentions and he bet me again! Then third year we did this brilliant one which was who could prank the most students, but we couldn't do the same person twice. Guess who won? Yep, Sirius. Last year it was pranking the teachers. He won again, although I did get Dumbledore.

This year we were on the train and Sirius said there was no point really, we should just mark him the winner. But we love it too much not to try. So the deal was we both had to get a certain girl to go out with us by the end of the year.

So there we were sitting there when Evans turned up and looked around the compartment. She sort of had her nose turned up at us, she wasn't much to look at, already in her uniform and I noticed the badge she wore on her tie.

But she came for Remus who was missing a meeting. Well Sirius knew then that she was the one I would have to get, and boy did I try. I've given her small gifts, tried conversations with her, showed off, and rumpled my hair in that way the girls think is cute and nothing has worked.

Peter said maybe she'd prefer if I was a girl but I've seen the way she looks at guys she's after one of us. The thing that was getting me through it was the fact that Sirius wasn't getting anywhere with Alex either, so he wasn't anywhere near winning.

But it must have been just after Easter when things began to change. I was in the library working on my potions essay and she was sitting there. I couldn't help but watch her. She was dressed in muggle clothes and not her uniform since it was a Sunday.

I noticed the fact that she had a short skirt on and wow, she has legs. I mean I knew she had legs, but her robes normally hide them and they're just... well I couldn't take my eyes off them. Then she had on a jumper, it was a soft chestnut colour but it brought out her hair.

Now that's something else. She's ginger, well no red. It doesn't matter, it's just I never would have been drawn to that before because... well red heads aren't really seen as all that beautiful. But she is. Her hair is this unique shade that suits her. It makes her skin seem more ivory and flawless.

Then her eyes, well I've never really had the chance to study them in depth but they're this sparkling green, like emerald, in colour. It just completes her and in that instant of watching her I realised that, yes I have a crush on her.

I didn't know what to do since all my normal tactics haven't worked on her so far this year. I think there's only one thing that's right; I have to let Sirius win this bet and lose for a fifth time in a row but if I keep this bet up it might come back to bite me in the butt.

I couldn't believe that it was Lily Evans that caught my attention. I thought, why her? I could have any girl in the school really, but it had to be her. The only one that doesn't want me. She doesn't fall for the Quidditch star. She doesn't fall for Mr. Prankster.

I didn't chose to fall for her and if I could chose I would want somebody else because then I'd have a chance. But I do have a choice and that's to get to know her, find out what she likes, her hobbies. Then in time, become her friend and after friendship maybe then I'll get her. Only time will tell if I win this one.