Chapter 9: A Resolution - James
"Lily, please, I'm begging you!" He was on his hands and knees, begging, at seven in the morning on Sunday. The dance was that night, and Lily remained stony and unmoved… in appearances. Her dream had freaked her out a little, making her wonder… but nothing that would make her kiss James… right?
"For the billionth time, James, no. I won't kiss you, I won't date you, I won't be your date to the dance. That's no, not maybe if you ask me another billion times."
"I'll do anything, I swear. I'll give you a rose each morning if you want. I'll treat you like the queen you are, if it makes you happy. I'll cut myself if you like, just give me a chance!"
She looked shocked. "No! Don't…" Her voice softened. "Don't hurt yourself. Please." She shook her head. "And, no, I don't want to be treated like royalty, have roses each morning, or to date you. Here's what I want: I want you to look deep into yourself and realize this is a mistake. I want you to stop chasing a dream, because I'm not perfect." She turned away and went to the Great Hall for breakfast. Sighing, he followed her, thinking, I know you're not perfect and love you for your faults, too.
He remembered his plan from last night. First, pleading – maybe she'd be so surprised at him at her feet, she'd melt.
That hadn't worked. Let's see… Phase B was… James searched his mind before he finally remembered. Phase B was going to be slightly harder.
He looked around, and saw her. "Hi, Amanda," he said. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, James. What is it?"
He whispered the plan in her ear.
"Well… I don't know." She looked uneasy with it.
"Please. I'm doing it for her." Everyone knew how much he wanted Lily. And Lily knew that everyone had the general opinion that Amanda was the prettiest girl in school… unless, of course, you liked/loved someone who you thought more beautiful.
"Well, that's kind of sweet… Alright." She nodded. "I'll do it."
"Thank you so much, Amanda!" He grinned. "Okay, she's coming this way."
"James! It's just so unfair!" Her face was put into a little pout. Lily stopped, wondering what was going on.
"What is it?" He hoped he sounded sincere. Amanda was a great actress… maybe she could be one later on.
"You see this hair color? That's what's wrong."
"Oh, didn't you see the sign?" He paused enough time to "realize" that her hair wasn't changed. "But… your hair is just as it always is."
"I know. I had to kiss some first year… I'd be mad, but I didn't want that particular shade." She moved closer to him. "I wanted something a little more…" She softly caressed his blue hair. "…Like this."
Lily felt the pure anger and rage flow through her. How dare she twirl his hair like that! How dare she flirt with him like that! How dare he smile about it! She frowned – she was mad as hell at James and Amanda both.
James flicked a glance at Lily while he whispered and laughed in Amanda's ear. "Thank you so much. She bought it. You should consider acting." He grinned ear to ear as he said, "Now for the finishing touch."
"No problem, and thanks." She pulled away and grinned. "I don't understand!" Her face was now bewildered and shocked, as if he had slapped her. Perfect, he thought.
"I'm sorry, Amanda, but I…" He shook his head. "The only girl I want is Lily. I'm sure that first year…" She stalked off. He grinned, glad it was over. It had freaked him out how well that girl could pretend to be a seductress. He knew if it had been heartfelt and real, he would have reacted the same – always Lily.
Lily ran up to him. At first she wasn't sure what to do. "You know, if you think you'll get a kiss because you're crazy enough to turn down the date the entire male population of Hogwarts wants, for me, you deserve a slap." In reality, she wasn't sure whether she wanted to slap him or kiss him, either out of anger and jealousy or pride and joy at his loyalty.
"No. I don't want a kiss from that. It's just how I feel about you." He shrugged. "If that deserves a slap, so be it. If it deserves a kiss, well, I'd be happy to oblige, but if it doesn't, that's alright."
She just stared, with her jaw dropped.
He walked closer and closed it lightly. "You shouldn't stare." He grinned. "Nor should you catch flies with your lovely mouth. See you later, Lily."
Once he was around a corner, he nearly collapsed. That little performance after his fake Amanda one had drained him. Dear God, if only she mattered that little… she meant so much that his every waking thought often turned toward her. If he remembered he had homework, he'd see an image of her completing her own. If he thought of his bad potion grade, he'd remember one of the few times she had made a mistake in potions and the blush on her face as red as the scarlet potion that was supposed to be a deep emerald. She danced through his dreams, too, and he would die the day that he meant so little he could be that person he'd just pretended to be.