"Come on Lily, our duties are over. Let's go find another compartment and you can tell us all about it," Rebecca said soothingly. I sniffed and followed them silently to an empty compartment.
"James only asks me out because he thinks of me as a challenge," I explained to them sadly.
"But why do you care?" Grace asked, trying not to be too forceful. They had never seen me like this before, and they were doing the best they could to stay calm.
"Because... Because... I love him," I muttered.
"What?" Rebecca urged.
"He's gotten mature, or so i thought, and he is so handsome and i thought he liked me. i was going to say yes, but then he was a jerk, but he's such an adorable, handsome, funny jerk who i hate, but i don't know if i really hate him at all," I said. Now they were more confused then ever.
Grace hugged me, her flowing, blonde hair falling into my face. She was so pretty. She had fair skin and blue eyes and long blond hair. She was tiny and danced really beatifully. She was caring and sweet, but one of the strongest people I know.
Rebecca was beautiful too. She had brown freckles across the bridge of her nose and she always had her long black hair up in a complicated bun on her head. She was so smart and graceful, and once you broke past her shyness she was such a fun person. I felt like everyone was beautiful but me.
The train coasted to a stop and i hurried out, not wanting to see Potter, no matter what.
My friends formed a shield around me as we walked to the great hall and, even though they were confused themselves, comforted me.
After the feast, when i was done unpacking, I changed into a big old gray tee shirt and some old sweatpants. I knew my hair was a mess and my eyes were red and puffy. I walked down to the common room and sat down in front of the fire. I stared at the flames intently, as if all the answers in the world would come out of the slowly burning embers.
Slowly the common room emptied, and one by one the people wandered up the stairs until i was the only one left. The fire dwindled into a pile of softly glowing ashes.
"Lily?" a soft voice cut through the foggy silence.
James sat on the couch next to me, placing his hand on my shoulder.
"What happened on the train?" he asked quietly. I stared straight ahead, refusing to look at him.
"It's just a game to you. I'm just a challenge. Just the girl who said no," I said tearfully, "You are such a jerk sometimes, James Potter."
"Is that what you think?" he asked.
"Yes," i said after a silence.
He opened his mouth several times before deciding on the right words.
"I like you because you said no. Because you know your own mind and you don't say yes just because i'm devilishly handsome," he explained. I laughed.
"I'm so confused," I admitted.
"What are you confused about?" he asked me.
"Everything," I sighed.
"Lily, will you go out with me?" he asked.
"Will you like me if i say yes?" i asked. He laughed. I wrapped my arms around his strong neck and kissed him. He was surprised at first, but realized what was going on quickly and kissed back. After we broke apart I realized that i had to stop lying to myself. James Potter had grown up, and it was time I did too.
