A/N: I had a hard time with this. I sort f like it, sort of don't. Still.. may be more of this couple in future chapters if I can figure out how I'd like to write them.

He liked to fool himself into thinking she was daydreaming about him. It was a silly thought because he could tell her glance was in the direction of James, as he was a seat ahead of her. It was always discreet enough that if James were ever to get some brains, he wouldn't notice unless she wanted it so. Severus had brains, plenty of them to know her head was in the clouds and not in transfiguration. He knew she had brains too, because sometimes she said the smartest things and the whole class praised her, even Severus. Though his praise was often mistaken as jealousy in the way he eyed her. He was being discreet too, you see.

He prided himself on his own amazing ability to observe without being known. He could watch her all day and no one, not even the bright Lily Evans, would be the wiser. For a good few months he was patient and found that watching satisfied him for the time being. He could use his time to gather his wits to charm her eventually, and until then he made sure she never knew what plans he was making in his mind. He called her names and he refused her friendship because honestly, that was how you went about it right? He never admitted his inexperience could get in the way.

Then came the day of approach and his head was held high, his shoulders were back and he walked as a new man, knowing, or at least assuming, how the day would go once he proclaimed to Lily the words of his heart. He was just waiting for it... waiting for Transfiguration and then he'd walk right up to her and say:

"Lily, come on... cut class"

No, he wouldn't say that. Severus had been taking a turn to make it to the class on time when he heard those words. He didn't stop for the world but he felt a glance from over a pair of spectacles and then he heard whispering as he passed the couple pressed against the wall. "Don't, James."

"Fine.. fine.. but cut class with me?"

A sigh, a giggle, muffled by lips he supposed and then as he entered the class a soft "Yes, oh all right.. you leave first though, It'll look better if I pretend I'm sick"

Severus stepped into the room with his books pressed tight against his hip. A spare bit of parchment fell, unbeknownst to him, from his clutch. Lily followed behind five minutes later sniffling and coughing loudly into her hand. In her other hand she held a bit of parchment which she placed on Severus' table before taking her own seat. Surprise flooded his sallow face and as she was dismissed for hacking rather loudly, he opened to see what this was.

Start with a smile.

Lily, I've been thinking, we are alike you and I...

Don't rush, mention her hair..

They were notes he took on what to say for his approach. Scrawled beneath his messy words was one single sentence in flowing calligraphy.

You should've told me earlier- L.E.