1Chapter Eight

Yippee!

Sorry this chappy will be short...but you guys will LOVE ME FOREVER!

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"Ugh Lily...We were close...really close...are you sure you just don't want to kiss me now?"

"James...I was in the moment. I wasn't myself. And besides, how dramatic would it be if I just kissed you right now? I would be...awkward, uncomfortable." She laid her hand on his shoulder, setting down the rag she was using to clean his glasses. "It may be selfish, but I think we should just agree that we've come to an understanding."

"And what is that?" he asked gloomily.

"That we're friends." She stated as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

"But Lily, I don't want to be friends! At first I was just obsessed with you...I was in a realm of an infatuation. But now...I know its more. After last night..." He broke off, not wanting to mention it.

"James...I cant." James was waiting for the inevitable exit. "I need to think. If you need me I'll be in the garden." She left the room. James screeched in frustration and stamped his petit slippered foot before making a resolution to himself. He would get Lily to see. They were made for each other. With grim finality he went down to lunch.

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"So? What did she say?"

"Well...she had been avoiding me all morning. Just before I came down here I was talking to her. She admitted we were friends but..."

"Nothing more." Sirius finished for him.

"Yep." James angled his body as he chucked another slim rock into the water and watched it skip a few times. "You know..." he said unexpectantly, picking up another rock, "I think mine and Lily's relationship is like skipping these rocks."

"Care to elaborate?"

"The ripples are there. For a few seconds they expand into a glorious, symmetrical, design. But eventually...they disappear–"

"Almost as if they weren't ever there." Sirius finished soberly. James grunted and threw the rock he was holding in the water. It made a huge splash before sinking, unlike all the other ones.

"And then there's those times where its as if Lily's bashed your head in with a rock and there absolutely no way to escape the inevitable curse. I know how you feel buddy."

"How do you know how I feel?" James snapped, glaring at his best mate. It barely swayed the gray-eyed boy who, in those few seconds, seemed to mature a great deal.

"I did used to live with a few crack pots you know." his words caused James to let out a bark of bitter laughter.

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"Lil;y, I am ashamed and disappointed in you." Alice said after Lily related the past event involving her talk with James.

"I beg your pardon?" Alice couldn't help shaking her head and passing a hand through her hair in a sign, Lily recognized, of irritation.

"Lily. I love you. You are my best friend. But you are an idiot." Lily let out an indignant sort of disbelieving laugh.

"You're joking right?"

"No Lily. You were this close," she held her pointer finger and thumb a centimeter apart, "to making up with James once and for all. This is cliche, but you two were MADE for each other...and the sooner you realize that, the better it will be for the rest of us." She left the room before Lily could reply.

"You don't understand Alice..." Lily muttered bleakly to herself, messing up her black hair, "I do realize that I'm in love with James."

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"You're just in denial." Lily's head whipped up and met Remus' frowning face. She slumped in her chair, not even up to participate in a battle she knew was coming.

"Yes Lupin? What do you need?" His frown deepened.

"And since when, in our entire existence, have you ever called me 'Lupin'?" Lily had the grace to blush a bright scarlet.

"I...forgot myself. And I'm sure I called you mister Lupin on the first year train ride to Hogwarts."

"No you did not because I distinctly remember you causing James to bump into a candle and catch on fire as we got off the train. I introduced myself as Remus as we were throwing water on him and I think I might off accidently splashed you in the face."

"Oh! I do remember, now that you mention it–I mean–no, you said it was Mr. Lupin." Lily blushed again and couldn't meet Remus' smirking gaze. "Oh...do shut up. And thank you for cheering me up. It's very appreciated."

"Oh I didn't do anything Lily. And nothing will change until you admit your feelings for James." He expected her to vehemently argue back that she wasn't in love with James but all he received back from here was an,

"Ok."

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"You are avoiding me miss Evans." James came and sat by Lily on the swinging bench. She scooted away from him.

"No I'm not." She didn't look him in the eye.

"Liar. You know I hate it when you lie...it intimidates me." Lily turned to him, confused.

"Huh?"

"You scare the dung out of me when you lie...I never know what horrid, unpleasant thing you have in mind when you don't tell the truth."

"Well aren't you lucky, cause I'm not lying."

"Well aren't you lucky that I'll never give up on you?" She blushed.

"James...stop..." She nervously fixed her wire-rimmed glasses.

"No." He began pulling his hair into a ponytail; a habit he was lately getting used to because of the length of the fiery red locks.

"I'm serious."

"No you're not, you're Lily."

"Cut it out James."

"Admit, you don't have the same strength to fight me like you used to."

"So what if I don't!" She said, rounding on him, tear's shining in her eyes. Her voice was starting to choke up as if she had been holding back her emotions all day...which wouldn't surprise James. Her body was shaking. "So what if I don't want to admit that I cant fight you anymore. So what if this experience has changed my life? For the worst? So what if I've fallen hopelessly and desperately in love with you." Tears were seeping down her face and her voice softened at her last remark. James' eyes were beginning to water too.

He pulled her into an hug which was witnessed only by the blinking fireflies, and the dying sunset, and the lily pond, and the two rapidly beating hearts which cried out in need for this one simple embrace.

"I'm sorry I've been an anti-social prat all day." Lily whispered, leaning her forehead against his.

"I haven't minded." He whispered back, leaning his face closer and closer. When their lips were barely an inch apart, she responded,

"Liar." And their dark silhouette's could be seen, backgrounded by the fiery horizon, closing at the mouth.

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HAHA! I only have one more chapter for you guys. Maybe two if I feel like a'doin an a'epiloge.

Hope you've enjoyed the story so far. Liked the part here when Lily's breaking down? Reviews would be appreciated and preferred if you expect an ending to this story.

Danielle (my real name!)