As we grow up, we learn from our mistakes, and gain knowledge and wisdom. But sometimes, our mistakes are so great, that it's hard to pick up the broken pieces; or loose ends that have been a product from our mistakes. Lily had no idea how hard this was, and how lucky she was to be able to pick up the pieces resulting from her terrible mistake, and start just where she left off.

This whole mistake started about the fifth year of Hogwarts. Lily and her friends; Beth, Theresa, and Liz; were as close as sisters; tighter than a fat kid in leather. At this point in, everyone in knew who the cool kids were, and who weren't. The cliques were set, and it just so happened, that Lily and her group of friends were placed in the 'quiet, geeky' group. Lily was tired of this label; in fact, she had enough of labels all together. Her view: Labels were for soup cans, and soup cans only. So she decided to come up with a plot to break the cliques; a plot that when against the laws of teenagers. She was going to become 'in' with the popular kids.

But how was Lily supposed to pull this devious plot out? Get friendly with the leaders of the group, of course: James Potter and Alicia Montgomery. She was going to make sure that she was included in their tight-knit group of friends, and that way, she would have an automatic pass into the popular group.

Should she tell her friends? Would they approve? Would they even let her go on with her plan? Would they care? Lily decided she wasn't going to tell them, because she was too afraid of them not approving, or even approving. Besides, what they didn't know couldn't hurt them, could it?

At lunch, she sat next to Alicia, and started small talk. She was nice enough, and apparently, Lily was one of the cooler geeks. Otherwise, she doubted Alicia would have even looked at her. In Potions class, she was partnered with James, and they were friendly; talking about quidditch and muggle sports, and what they would do over the winter break. She learnt that he stayed at Hogwarts over every break, except the summer one; because his parents worked so much he was home alone all the time. So what was the point of going home to an empty house? He could just stay in Hogwarts wit his friends. That night, Lily owled her parents, telling them that she had so much homework, she decided to stay in Hogwarts over the break. She promised she would see them over spring break, but she figured that she could worm her away out of going home then too.

"So, Alicia….do, would you like to give some beauty tips? I kind of want to look good for a guy….." Lily asked one night, as she and Alicia were the only two sitting in their dorm. Theresa, Beth, and Liz all had Quidditch tryouts, and they hadn't started to notice how close she was getting with Alicia.

"Oh, sure! But Lily, you look pretty as it is." Alicia said as she looked up from her magazine. As she started brushing Lily's hair; now sitting on her bed; she talked to Lily.

"Thanks, but I want to do something to it….other than just putting it up in a ponytail or bun. Something that'll look good, and keep my hair out of my face," Lily explained to Alicia.

"Then I know exactly what to do," Alicia said with a creative smile. Soon after, the girls started talking like they had been best friends for years.

"You know who I hate? That ice queen Kellie Crosby (A/N: Kellie is a character from Greekchic; Miss Cinderella). She is so mean to everyone! Like you, the other day in the hallway, she just shoved you out of her way and knocked all of your books out of your hands. That was uncalled for."

"I know! It was so embarrassing! I thought I was going to die! Why would she do something like that?"

"Because you're pretty; it's obvious she's jealous."

"You really think that?"

"I know I am, but I'm not that witchy." Lily smiled at Alicia's comment. She was nicer than Lily had originally thought.

"So, who is that you want to look good for?" Alicia asked French-braiding Lily's hair.

"Uhm……." Lily stalled, as she thought. Who would be the best to have a crush on? "James Potter," she said with a little smirk. Her plan was working. And she had a way of getting closer to James now too.

"Lily! Why didn't you tell me?" Alicia said with happiness in her voice. "I couldn't think of a better person for you to like!" She seemed to like Lily's choice.

"Yea, but could you do me a huge favor and not tell anyone?" Lily really meant this, she couldn't imagine if anyone else found out.

"Oh, of course not; I wouldn't dare imagine telling anyone." Alicia said. Too bad Lily had no idea what Alicia was really going to do with this bit of information.