It was hot. Almost smoldering, unbearable hot. James had half a mind to turn back to the castle. He knew no one would be outside in this heat. But he couldn't leave, not until he knew was Sirius was up to.

James saw Lily before he spotted his best friend. He stopped dead in his tracks. Lily was leaning against a tree near the lake, with her legs outstretched in front of her. Trust Lily to find best spot anywhere for reading.

Meanwhile, Sirius had a look in his eyes that James had not seen before. It looked like Sirius was about to throw a f*ck you to the wind. James suddenly wondered if he knew his best friend at all. Nonetheless, he knew something was wrong. So he waited. And listened.

Lily heard heavy footsteps approaching.

"Lily?" Lily watched as Sirius sat next to her.

"Black! What brings you here?" That's when Lily saw the yellow roses. "Beautiful flowers. Were you looking for someone?"

Sirius said the next words in a huff, "I was looking for you. These are for you." Sirius made sure to brush Lily's fingers with his own when the latter reached for the bouquet.

Sirius flushed, an unprecedented move for a Marauder, thought Lily. "What for? Did you do something wrong? Where is your gang of troublemakers?"

Roses are her favorite flowers. Yellow is her favorite color. How did he know?

Sirius chuckled as he put his right arm over Lily's shoulder, "Oh, Evans, I saw you were alone. Didn't want you to get lonely."

"Bugger off." But Lily was laughing. He could be adorable when he wants to. She did not exert a lot of force in pushing Sirius away.

"Are these from James, Sirius?"

"God, no. James would have given you lilies." Sirius laughed out loud and said, "It hurts me that you don't think I'm capable of such class."

James clenched his left fist. His eyes burned. But he remained quiet.

"So why do you have flowers and why are they for me?" Lily asked

Sirius replied. "Because I'm pathetic, Lily."

Lily smirked, "Glad you know. But what pathetic act have you done this time?"

Sirius closed his eyes, his lips a thin line. He leaned back until he was lying on the grass.

Lily shoved him. "Come on, tell me. Otherwise, go to the kitchen and bring me back a snack. Maybe a treacle tart?", she laughed.

"Oh, Evans, you truly know how to break a man's heart," Sirius said, not moving, not opening his eyes.

He wanted to shout it at the top of his lungs! He loves her!

He saw her for the first time on the first day of their first Potions class when Slughorn asked a question and her hand was the first—the only—hand to shoot straight up. She answered the question correctly in her soft sweet voice without missing a beat. He saw her red hair. Curious.

He was intrigued by her when James said right after that same class, "That Evans girl is something," to which he replied with, "Who? The ginger? I bet she's a pain in the ass." But he looked at her again, at her retreating back and thought she was pretty.

He fell in love with her when he found out that she knew Remus' "furry little problem". In fifth year, Remus told the Marauders that he knows that five students know of his condition.

Sirius screamed, "Who the f*ck found out? I bet it's Snape, huh?"

"Lily knows," Remus replied. "She knew but didn't tell anyone. She didn't even tell me."

Peter piped up, "How do you know she knows?"

"I know because Professor Minnie asked to meet us last Friday for extra credit. Lily said that she cannot go because she has homework to catch up on. But I remember that very morning, she told me she was looking forward to sleeping because she has finished all her homework."

"We went to the Shrieking Shack last Friday. Lily lied for you," James finally said.

"Well, she's something alright." Sirius whispered to himself.

Lily nudged Sirius. "Don't sleep on me, Black. I will push you over to the Lake. Hope you have a nice time with the Giant Squid. Don't go out with the Squid, okay? He's mine."

Sirius said nothing.

Lily knew Sirius was awake. She knew something was bothering him so quietly she said, "Please tell me, Sirius. I'm here. Nothing you say will make me look at you differently. Why did you say you are pathetic?"

Finally, he opened his eyes. Without looking at Lily, he said, "Because I am in love with the same girl my best friend loves."

Lily audibly gasped.

James had enough. He turned away and stalked toward the castle.

Sirius stood up quickly. "Don't worry, Evans. Don't worry about me."

"Sirius, I…"

"Again, don't worry about me. I'll see you around, Evans. Hope you miss me." He walked towards the castle.

Tears prickled Lily's eyes. She couldn't believe what was happening! Just when she was ready to give her heart to James!

She needs to find Alice and Marlene!