How long do y'all think I should continue this story? Sorry it took so long to update! I had a bit of writer's block…
Hogsmeade-
Okay, Lily, breathe in, breathe out. There…that's better. Now, I will take a sip of my nice, soothing chamomile tea. Lovely. Ooooh, I deserve this. NOT to sound egotistic, but this has been one bloody tumultuous week to say the least. In the first week back, I get assigned to a six-week project with James, Raya asks James out, and I realize, kind of belatedly, that I really want to be with James. I'm out of my mind.
Definitely not a normal week.
Anyway, this day in Hogsmeade is for me and me alone! I'm even going to make a point of avoiding James and Raya. I mean, I'd planned on spying on them, but I love James. The risks are not worth the benefits. Besides, seeing them snogging or being lovey-dovey would really kill me.
Lily sighs contentedly as she takes another sip of Mme. Puddifoot's signature chamomile tea. She hears a tinkle overhead, and glances up to see who has entered the shop. She looks back down without registering who it is, then looks back up again quickly and almost spits out her tea. James and Raya! Lily had forgotten Raya mentioning that she wanted to bring James here! Please don't notice me, Lily thought vehemently, please don't-
"Lily?"
Darn. She looks up. "Raya? Ja-Merlin! You two are here? What a coincidence!" She starts to get up.
"Don't feel that you have to leave!" says James politely, not looking Lily in the eye.
"Of course not! I just have a few things to do." replies Lily in the same manner. It's been like this since Tuesday; they have been overly stilted to each other, obviously uncomfortable to be around each other.
"No, you have to stay! There's plenty of time for a chat," interjects Raya.
"Well, if you insist…" Lily trails off, looking at Raya.
"Of course! We haven't had a proper gab in days! You're always so busy with your homework."
"Yeah, well, you know," Lily says, pulling a face. Actually, the homework has been an excuse so that she hasn't had to face Raya since she asked James out.
"Yeah," Raya says sympathetically as she sits down next to Lily; James sits across from them. They chat for a while, before James suddenly says:
"Um…Lily? D'you mind giving Raya and me a minute?"
"James!" Raya admonishes. "She's my best friend; I'll probably tell her what it is later!"
"That's okay," Lily rushes to say. "I-er-needed to use the restroom anyway."
Bathroom-
What are they talking about? I want to eavesdrop! But I can't do that without being obvious! There's a spell…no! Wait, I hear shouting….is that Raya?
Lily walks out of the bathroom to see James and Raya both on their feet.
"You WHAT?" Raya shrieks, tears in her eyes.
"Raya, please," James says, raising his hands. "I'm just-"
"Just WHAT, James? You know what? Never mind! You're a jerk!"
"Calm down," James says soothingly, reaching out to put a hand on her arm.
"Don't touch me!" Raya screams before running out of the parlor.
Lily feels the rage building as she storms up to James and slaps him. "What did you do her?"
"I broke up with her," he says, sounding shocked.
"You WHAT?"
"Merlin, Lily, not you too."
"She's my best friend! I TRUSTED you! I EVEN TOLD HER THAT-" Lily stops, looking disgusted. "I even told her that I thought you'd never hurt her. I actually complimented you, Potter."
James winces. "Lily, tell me how I could go out with her when I've just realized it could never work."
"Just realized? What could've made you realize ON YOUR FIRST DATE that you and Raya couldn't work out? WHAT?"
"YOU!" he yells, mussing his hair distractedly. "I love you! Happy? Sure, I like Raya, and I was happy just being friendly with you, but you're the only girl in Hogwarts I could possibly LOVE!"
"Love? Love...me? But you-Raya-"
"Look, Raya asked me out just as I realized it may never happen between us. Never, Lily. Do you know what that's like? So I took her up. Raya's cool. She's smart, pretty, and popular. But she's not you. I've loved you ever since fifth year, Lily, and before that I had a crush on you. But you hate me, don't you? Fine, whatever. I don't care."
"You! I! JAMES POTTER, YOU ARE A JERK!" Lily yells before running out of the shop, crying.
He's always loved me? ME? But why…?