A/N: I'm back with another one-shot. These are fun! That last one in James' POV was so unbelievably fun to write! I just went back and read it and the whole thing was so amazingly goofy. I hadn't realized that it was so silly!

Now, thanks to a lovely reviewer by the name of crescent mo0n19, this one-shot's title has been changed, along with some grammatical errors and the ending. If you liked the ending, I'm sorry, but I had to change it. It didn't fit with the rest of the story, as crescent mo0n19 had pointed out. Thank you for helping me, because I now realize, you were quite right. I hope this version is better.

The former name was: "I'll Never Hurt You." The plot is mostly the same, except for the end (as previously explained.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Summary: When Lily finally comes to terms with her feelings for a certain raven haired boy, is he moving on, or thinking up a way to ask her to the annual seventh year ball? This elegant ball will help two teenagers finally admit their feelings towards each other.

Forever and Always

What happens when you think you love someone, but are too scared to do anything about it? Do you take the hawk by the wings and go for it, or do you shrink away from him? I can never tell what to do anymore. Love is like trying to battle a many-headed monster that has ten million fierce, cunning heads.

Every person I've ever loved has left me. My sister, Petunia, my parents; they've all left me holding the bag. My parents are dead, so it's not their fault, but what about Petunia?! She disowned me when I first came to Hogwarts! She thinks I'm a complete and utter freak who should be shipped away wrapped in a strait jacket.

Now James is starting to give up. He hasn't asked me out once since we were appointed Head Boy and Girl. Ever since then, actually, he has toned it down drastically. But, the thing is, I've started falling for him…Hard. Sure, he still flirts, but he's grown up so much. It scares me to death. I don't know what to do. It's like everything I've ever known has come crashing down.

I've always had feelings for him, I know that, but it has become quite unbearable lately. Every time I see him (which has been often); I get nervous butterflies and suddenly wonder if my make-up is smudged, or if my breath is OK. I've taken to chewing cinnamon gum religiously and wearing waterproof mascara. And let me tell you, I have a new best friend: whitening tooth paste.

I know all of these beauty products seem shallow and completely unlike me, but I just want to look nice. How long is James going to hold out for me if I don't show at least a little interest? Not long. He's the hottest guy in Hogwarts, next to Sirius Black. Looking at the two of them side-by-side, you would just want to faint. Many girls have, in fact.

James has such nice eyes; mostly brown, but with green and blue flecks in them. Every time I look into them, I want to melt. So, in result, I only stare deep into them if I am A) Sitting down or B) Completely mad at him. And for scenario B, I usually only stay mad at him really and truly for a few minutes.

Dear Godric! I've got it bad. I have it worse than I've ever had "it" for someone. And here comes the fear again.

"Lily, are you listening to a word I'm saying?" I'm brought back from my ruminations by my best friend Justine Melucci.

"Of course I am. You were talking about how you and Sirius kissed in the rain last night." Justine is a completely stunning girl. She's got chestnut brown hair that cascades down her back in romantic waves and the bluest eyes you've ever seen. She also has a beautiful olive skin tone. I've always been a tiny bit jealous of her ability to tan; I burn like it is my job.

"Did he ask you to the ball yet?" I ask; the seventh years have an annual ball. Ours is in two weeks. I still have yet to be asked.

"Not yet. But he does want to meet me in the common room tomorrow night after dinner. I'm hoping he will ask then." Justine said, grinning.

"We need to get our gowns tomorrow. It's Hogsmede, remember?"

"Yeah. I can't wait to go shopping!" Justine squeals and falls off my bed out of excitement. We are both in my Head Girl room. It is great to have a place all to myself. "Can I crash here tonight? We can get up early and do each other's hair and make-up for tomorrow." She picks herself off the floor and brushes her clothes off.

"Yeah. That'll be fun," I say. My mind is still full of James Potter at the moment and I'm a little out of it.

What is this violent shaking and why is it happening? I open an eye and see Justine standing over me, shaking my shoulder. Drat. I wish we hadn't have stayed up so late last night.

"Yes, Justy?" I'm much too polite. Double drat.

"Wake up, Lily! We have to get ready for Hogsmede! Who knows? Maybe a cute boy will ask you to the ball there!" Hm… She could be right. I can't pine for James anymore than I can ask him to pine for me. I know for a fact that an adorable Ravenclaw was eyeing me last night at dinner. Who does know?

"I'm getting up." Is that a towel on her head? She's already taken a shower! What time is it?

"Its 7:45," wow. Sometimes it's like that girl can read my mind. 7:45…that gives me approximately one hour and fifteen minutes to get ready. Plenty of time.

"I'm going to go take a shower." I say, walking over to my large closet and getting my yellow bathrobe.

"Unless you fancy seeing a lot more of James than planned, I'd stay out of the bathroom until he comes out." Oh god. Thanks, Justine. I really need that right now. "But, then again, maybe you wouldn't mind. I'm sure he wouldn't." My bright scarlet cheeks have given away my embarrassment. No, it wouldn't be completely horrible to see him…indisposed, but I'm not going to think about that just now. It'll just make me exceptionally uncomfortable…even more so than I already am.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Justy. You know very well that I do NOT like James that way." Pu-lease. She won't believe me. She's been able to tell when I'm lying since first year.

"My implications were not as pure as the driven snow, I'll admit, but come on! He's gorgeous, we both know it. That's the only reason all of the girls go down to the Quiddich pitch when it's hot out. You and I know very well that the guys take off their shirts when the weather is nice." I most definitely know that. And let me tell you, seeing Sirius Black, James Potter, and other very attractive boys whip off their shirts and ride about on broomsticks is quite a sight. I only think the truth. Speaking the truth, however, is a completely different matter.

"Can I do your make-up?" Great change of topic, dummy.

"Sure. And please do not use your mascara. I hate washing that stuff off! It takes FOREVER!"

"That's why I like it! It never runs, even if you have a crying fit!" I say, smiling. At least she accepts my change of topic.

Fifteen minutes later, Justine's hair and make-up were done. We put on mascara, a little eyeliner, blush and lip gloss. The both of us think simple make-up is always better. I did her hair after I finished her make-up. I had said a spell that enhanced her waves and dried it all in one. She looks beautiful in a black, fitted sweater with dark jeans that accentuate her curves.

"Do you think James is out of the bathroom yet?" I say after we had done all this.

"Maybe. I'll check if you don't feel comfortable," Justy says.

"You go check," I say immediately. Better safe than sorry.

"Alright." She goes over to the door and knocks. See, the Head Boy and Girl rooms are attached by a beautiful bathroom and then connect out to a main common room. That means that James and I share a bathroom, unfortunately.

"Yoo-hoo! Jamsie, are you done yet?" Oh, Justine. She is hilarious. Almost like a Sirius Black with boobs.

"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute," James says through the door. I inwardly sigh. This boy has no idea how much I care about him. I can tell.

"OK!" She calls through the door.

A few minutes pass by and we hear James leave the bathroom on his end. Thank god. I was ready to go back to Gryffindor tower and shower there while three other PMSing girls bang on the door, telling me to hurry up if he hadn't come out soon.

I take a quick shower, washing and conditioning my elbow-length hair thoroughly. I've always loved my hair. It is what makes me different, and dear Merlin, do I love being different.

Justine does my make-up nicely and quickly. On my eyes, she puts a shimmer-y white highlighter on my brow bones and black mascara. She also puts lip gloss on my lips. She doesn't put any blush because I "blush so much on my own" and I "don't need to help it." Pft. It's not my fault. It's the curse of the red head.

9:30… It is probably a good time to do my hair. I love it when Justy does my hair! She does such a good job!

"I think we should keep your hair in its naturally curly state. You always straighten it." She's right. I like my curly hair, it's just that straightening it is easier because I know a spell that dries and straightens all in one.

"OK. Sounds good!" I say happily. I love spending quality female to female time with Justine.

"I know a spell that will dry curly hair and de-frizz it." Hooray! I've been looking for a spell like that.

"Please teach me!"

"Yes, yes." She teaches me how, and we both leave the dorms, looking quite beautiful if I do say so myself. I decide to wear a white cashmere top with a scoop neck and a bright green pashmina scarf with dark, fitted jeans. (A/N: I know these aren't '70's styles, but I don't know what those styles were, so I just did what's "in" now. Sorry if it bothered you.)

Justy and I both walk into the gown store in Hogsmede. This is going to take a long time. Look at all of these dresses!

"I think we should get dresses that match our eyes. You know, to bring out the color. What do you think, Lils?" Justy says, looking at a rack with all sorts of different colored dresses.

"Yeah. That is a good idea." It is a really good idea, actually. I've love my shockingly green eyes.

An hour and a half later, Justine and I walk out of the dress shop laden with bags. We both had good luck and bought a dress, purse, and shoes each. I am so happy with what I got! Boys will be tripping all over themselves when they see Justine and I walk into the ball on the arms of the two most handsome guys in Hogwarts. We don't actually have the dates just yet, but I'm almost positive James will ask me (like he always does whenever there is a chance to ask me anywhere) and Sirius is head-over-heels for Justine, even if he doesn't care to admit it.

"Justy, do you want to go to the Three Broomsticks and grab a butterbeer before we head back to school?"

"Yeah. Maybe the Marauders will be there." Justine wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

"Maybe," I say.

"Do you like James, Lily?" Snap! Am I that obvious?

"Let's just say when we made that love potion last week – you know, that one that smells different to each person depending on what attracts them the most – and I was sitting next to James, my face was not flushed because it was hot it there." Let's see if she can figure that cryptic message out.

"I knew it! You do fancy him!" Damnit! She figured it out!

"Yeah, I guess I do…" I murmur, trying not to show how uncomfortable I am. I don't know why I should be uncomfortable…She would never, ever, in a million years try to do something nasty with the jewel of information I just bestowed upon her.

"Aw! That's so great! So, if he asks you out again this year, you'll say yes?" Justy is too clever for our own good.

"Yes…" There's the red headed curse. She is right about not putting any blush on me.

"Good. Well, here we are. I'll be quiet about your unconfirmed feelings about a certain onyx haired boy until we go back to school."

"Thanks." Thank Merlin! I thought she was able to feel the heat radiating from my face, I am blushing so much.

We walk into the Three Broomsticks and immediately see James and Sirius trying to make Madam Rosmerta laugh, and she is. It's so cute that they think they have a chance with the attractive bar maid.

Justine and I conspicuously buy two butterbeers and make sure the Marauders see us. I'm positive they have because Remus elbows Sirius and gestures to Justine. It is awfully adorable. Then Sirius elbows James and now Si is pointing me out to James. I can feel my face turning red again, so I turn away.

"Justy, let's go sit down." I say, smiling slightly. Those three are so charming. Poor Peter never knows what's going on.

"Yes, lets." She's smiling too. She looks like someone has put a smiling charm on her.

"Did you notice Sirius looking at you?" I ask her

"Yeah. Did you notice James looking at you?" Justine says

"Yes. Look, here they come." Oh snap! The four of them are walking over to us. I sigh inwardly. Maybe James won't be as unattainable as I thought before.

"Hello, ladies." Sirius says suavely.

"Hey." Justine and I say simultaneously.

"Lily, can I talk to you for a second?" James says to me. Stupid stomach! Stop that flipping around! What have I ever done to you? Oh, fine. I know I shouldn't have had that second helping of treacle tart last week, but this is more important than desert! It's my love life, for goodness's sakes!

"Yeah." I say to him. "Justy, I'll be back in a few minutes." I add to Justine as she is making eyes at Sirius and too busy nonverbally flirting to be paying any attention to my situation.

James leads me to a more secluded area of the pub. Stomach, I've had enough of you, I tell you! Enough! Stop it! "So." Once we sit down, James says.

"So," I say.

"There's a ball coming up." Real subtle, James. Like I don't know what you're getting at.

"Yes there is."

"Are you going?"

"Maybe. If I get asked, then I probably will," I say.

"Nobody's asked you yet? I figured you'd definitely already have a date," He says.

"Nope. I'm still dateless." God, this boy really knows how to procrastinate.

"Do you wanna go with me?" James asks me hopefully. Aw! He looks so cute.

"Hm…Well, I was going to keep pining for the giant squid, but you're pretty good-looking. Yeah, I'll go with you." Did that just come out of my mouth?!

"You will?!" Apparently it did.

"Yeah. I'm wearing green, so plan accordingly." I get up, smiling and leave him sitting there, stunned.

I'M GOING TO THE BALL WITH JAMES POTTER!!! "Justine, I have to go to the ladies' room." I say this to her as soon as I get back to our table. Remus, Sirius, and Peter appeared to have left the table and gone to see James as soon as I sat down.

We both go into the loo, and I tell her about the conversation. The next two weeks are going to go unbearably slow.

Justine stumbles into the Head common room. I had given her the password the moment I found out about the Head dorms earlier in the year. It is Sunday night, about a half hour after dinner. Tonight is the night Sirius wanted to meet Justy. She must have just finished speaking with him.

"So…How'd it go?" I ask casually.

"Oh. My. God." Justine says, and then she starts giggling. Only one thing can make Justine giggle like a four year-old: boys.

"What'd he say?" I ask, referring to Sirius.

"I walk into the common room, right? And I see Sirius sitting on the love seat in front of the fire, so I go over and sit next to him. We make casually flirty conversation and then guess what he does! Quick, guess!"

"He asked you to borrow a comb?" I say sarcastically. It's completely obvious what he asks.

"No, silly! He asks me if I want to go to the ball with him! And then I say, really witty (like I always am), 'Hm…I was wondering when you were going to ask me.' I let it sit for a few seconds, like I'm actually contemplating my answer, and then I say 'Alright. I'll go with you. I'm wearing blue.' And then I walk out of the dorm, with him grinning like a fool."

"Aww, cute! That's kind of funny, because that's almost exactly what I said to James. I said something like: I'm wearing green, so plan accordingly. I'm pretty sure we are twins that were separated at birth, Justy." I giggle.

"I reckon we are." She giggles, too. She and I have been best friends ever since we first met each other on the Hogwarts Express. She's a pureblood, so she knew a lot more about magic than I did at the time. Sometimes other kids call us the "James and Sirius of the female persuasion." It's actually really funny, because it's true.

"Well, I've got to go to bed. We've got a Defense Against the Dark Arts exam tomorrow, remember. We revised all day, but I'm going to get up early and do a bit more revisions in the morning. I'm dead tired," Justy says.

"OK. I'll see you in the morning. Come down and wake me up early, too. I need to do a bit more revising." I don't want the weekend to be over! This was such a great one! Justine and I got asked out by the guys of our dreams. I inwardly sigh again. This has been so amazing!

"LILY! WHERE'D YOU PUT MY STRAPLESS BRA?!" Justine calls. It's the night of the ball and she and I are getting ready in my Head Girl room. I'm in the bathroom, brushing my teeth after just getting out of the shower, and Justy is laying our clothes out. She has already showered. I'm so excited! The ball starts at eight o'clock, and its six now. We need a heck of a lot of time to beautify ourselves to the fullest extent.

"I don't have it! Check the hamper!" I yell out the door.

"OK!" She yells back

I absolutely love this toothpaste. It is extra foamy so it makes my teeth feel unbelievably clean. So great! OK, all done with that. I say the spell that makes my hair dry and brings out my natural curl in my hair. I've decided to just put some extra ringlets in my hair and then pin it back so it is half up and half down tonight. I have the prettiest green jeweled clip that is in the shape of a flower. My aunt mailed it to me a few days ago. She said my mother had worn it on the night of her first big dance, and that she wanted me to where it.

I come out of the bathroom and find Justine rifling through all the clothes in her hamper, presumably looking for her strapless bra. Her dress requires one, after all. It is a beautiful shade of blue that matches her eyes perfectly. The cut is a halter style with a sleek skirt that has a slit down the back. It accentuates her lady-like curves wonderfully. The bodice has pretty silvery-white embroidery on it. Sirius is going to be tripping over his feet.

My dress, however, couldn't be any more different. It is an emerald green (that also match my eyes perfectly) strapless gown with lovely gold beading all over the bodice. It has a full skirt that skims the ground. Dumbledore did say extremely fancy muggle clothes, after all.

Justy has white stiletto high heels that lace up her calf for shoes and a silvery-white satin bag. I have gold stiletto high heeled shoes with a gold satin bag. We're both going to look priceless, in my opinion.

"Lily! You're hair looks amazing! Did you use that other spell I taught you that adds a bunch of ringlets to your already curly hair?"

"Yes I did. Thanks for that, by the way." I straitened Justine's hair earlier so now it is pin strait. She is going to put it up in an up-do.

"No problem. Let me do your make-up," She says to me.

She does my make-up (black mascara, black eyeliner, green shimmer, and a rosy colored lip gloss) and then I do hers (the same as mine only instead of green shimmer, blue shimmer.)

(A.N. I know it's a giant fashion faux pau to have your make-up match your outfit, so imagine the make-up to be a lighter version of each of their dresses. J)

I do Justine's hair and we finish up anything we need to do before putting on our dresses. And, then we both put on our undergarments (We were in bath robes), and then put on our dresses. She and I had a morning scramble for panty hose this morning and had begged James and Sirius to help us get illegally into Hogsmede so we could buy two pairs. They couldn't resist doing something against the rules. Let's just say Justine can be very…persuasive when it comes to Sirius. They are going to be together for a long time. I can tell. They are much too perfect for each other to not be. Just enough amounts of their personalities are different to not clash, but they both have the similar senses of humor, and both have a zest for life.

We both look in the mirror, holding each other's hands nervously. This is it. One of our big days. One of the days we will never forget. We're all done getting ready.

"You look amazing," I say to Justine.

"So do you." She says to me…aw! So nice!

"Are you nervous?" I ask, looking at the Justine in the mirror.

"Very. Are you?" She says

"Yeah…A lot," I say.

"This is going to be great. I promise. And if some boy ruins it, I'll see to it that certain parts of his anatomy be severed." She says to me, squeezing my hand. I'm so glad we're best friends. We are absolutely and completely best friends. She is going to be the maid of honor at my wedding, and me at hers.

"I'll do the same for you," I say.

I know what you're thinking. We're being overly dramatic and it's only a dance. Well, it's more for us. This is like a prom…no, this is bigger than a prom. It's bigger because we are going with the guys we have been secretly dreaming about ever since we laid eyes on them. The circumstances are finally right. It's finally happening.

A knock from the door breaks up our sisterly moment. James and Sirius are here! Oh, I'm so nervous! My stomach is dancing, my hands are shaking, and I feel lightheaded…but in a good way. Justine, always the bold one, answers the door.

I feel slightly faint. Look at the two men! They look even better than normal! The two boys both have black suits with crisp white shirts on. James has a green tie on and Sirius a blue one. They are both grinning at us and holding boxes, presumably with our corsages in them. I get the boutonnieres from my bureau's drawer.

"Hi!" James and Sirius say excitedly to me and Justine.

"Hi!" I respond back and Justine just smiles at them.

"We got you two flowers." Sirius said

"How sweet." Justine says.

We spend a few minutes pinning the boutonnieres to the boys' jackets and the guys slip the corsages on our wrists. If my mum were here she would definitely be cooing about pictures and how wonderful we look right about now. I feel a pang of sadness, thinking she's not here. And she won't be there when I get married to Ja – when I get married, I mean. I have to remember that we're only seventeen and a lot can happen between now and when I want to get married.

Justine and I link arms with our respective dates, and we set off towards the Entrance Hall. I don't want to link arms. I want to hold hands, damnit! I stop linking my arm with his, and slip my hand into his large, protective hand. And you know what they say about big hands…Naughty Lily! Bad! Don't think about that right now! I don't have time for a cold shower!

Pushing the thoughts from my mind, I turn to face James' surprised face. I grin at him. He grins back, squeezing my hand. Aw!

"When are they supposed to let us into the Great Hall, again?" Sirius asks to the four of us.

"8," Justine answers.

"OK, well, see you two later." James says to Sirius and Justine, and we set off in another direction, to be alone…This is scary. I don't know how to act around him. These feelings are making it so much harder. Maybe if I weren't so completely and utterly gone, this whole thing would be a bit easier on my nerves.

"You look absolutely stunning." James says to me. Oh! He's so gentlemanly!

"Thank you. You clean up pretty good, too," I say. That's about the understatement of the century. He looks gorgeous.

I smile at him. He grins back at me nervously. Wait – James Potter, nervous?! I had no idea I had that affect on him. I like it. A comfortable silence blankets us like a quilt on a cold winter night.

We're still holding hands. I glance at the clock…7:52. Eight minutes until we can actually go into the Great Hall. I can do this.

"So…Do you have any brothers or sisters?" He asks me, like he's trying to get to know me. I would hardly call Petunia my sister. More like that really bitchy cousin that thinks she is the greatest thing since Chapstick.

"Yes. I've got one sister. Her name's Petunia. Do you have any?"

"Nope. I'm an only child. Looks like my parents thought one was enough." I'll bet.

I laugh. He looks thoroughly overjoyed by the fact he was able to make me laugh. Aw!

We make cutesy small talk until the doors open. We talk more about our families, school, and he asks a few questions about being a muggle born. This is going to be easier than I though.

James and I walk into the Great Hall, still holding hands, surprisingly. I almost forgot that we are. It seems so natural…Like our bodies know more than our minds do.

He leads me over to a table and we sit down, waiting for the rest of the Marauders and their dates. Sirius comes over with Justine right next to him. We see Remus leading a pretty blond haired girl with a light yellow dress on over to us.

"Where's Peter?" I ask James.

"He couldn't find a date so he decided not to come," James answers. How sad. Peter can never find a date…to anything.

"Oh. He should have still come. This ball is a big ordeal." Well, it is to me.

"I know. He told me and Sirius that we had 'stolen' the prettiest girls. I couldn't agree more." Aw. Now he's making me blush.

"I'll be sure to tell Justine that you think she's pretty." I say, feeling coy all of the sudden.

"Justine wasn't the only one I was talking about." He says, giving me one of his adorable lopsided grins. Oh, that smile just makes me want to lean over and snog his brains out. Resist!

"Then who were you talking about?" Like I don't already know.

"You, of course." Aw! He's so SWEET!

"Oi! Lils, Jamsie!" Sirius says to us. I hadn't noticed how close the two of us were leaning towards each other…

"Yes, darling?" I say. Justine grins at me from behind Sirius's back, plainly giving me a look that said: Very cute, Lily.

Sirius grins at me. "If you'd stop all of that shamelessly flirting with James, you'd have notice Dumbledore was trying to get your attention."

I turn around to see Professor Dumbledore giving me a small smile. I poke James to get his attention. I have a feeling Dumbledore wants to talk to the Head Boy and Girl.

We walk over to the Prof., and he says, "James, Lily, it is time for the Heads to lead us in the first dance of the evening." Oh snap! I forgot about that. At least I was smart and during the time between fourth and fifth year, I took a ballroom dancing class. I actually wanted to try salsa dancing, but mum thought it would be more traditional to do ballroom. So, alas, at least I'm a good dancer.

"Alright," James says. He takes my hand, and leads me to the middle of the dance floor. The band strikes up a slow tune, and James takes my waist in one hand, and my right hand in his left. I put my right hand on his shoulder. After a few awkward steps, we find a rhythm, and Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall step out onto the floor after about three minutes, to take the spotlight off the two of us. What a relief. It was a tiny bit nerve-racking to have two hundred kids watching you dance with the guy you think you are in love with.

"You're a good dancer. Where'd you learn?" I ask him. Well, he is! It's like he's done this a thousand times before. He doesn't look even remotely nervous anymore. I look into his warm, hazel eyes and I suddenly just want to tell him everything I feel right then and there. I resist again.

"My parents have a lot of fancy parties, and they insist that I dance with a bunch of girls. The thing they don't know is that I've only ever want to be dancing with one."

"And who might she be?" I say, giving him a smile.

"Well, let's see. You know her really well. She's got curly red hair, bright green eyes, and she's wearing a green jeweled flower clip in her hair."

I smile at him again. This time it's less of a bubbly, charming smile and more of a thoughtful, wistful one. I lean up close to his ear and say, "She doesn't want do dance with any other boy, either."

"Really?" James says, looking surprised. "I thought you only accepted my invitation to this because nobody else asked you."

"Actually, a few other boys did ask me. I declined." A lot of boys asked me, actually. I was waiting for James to.

"Why? You hate me! Why would you want to go with me?" He asks aghast.

"I don't hate you at all. I really like you a lot, James." I say quietly, staring deep into his eyes. At this moment, right here and right now, I am completely sure that I am in love with James. His eyes have gone from their normal color, to a deeper shade of hazel.

"I like you a lot, too, Lily. I always have." And with that statement, he kisses me. Short and sweet. Gentle and lovely. The song ends just after we break away, and James leads me over to a balcony, away from the other people.

"Where do we go from here?" I ask him.

"We could…get together." James says, looking at me nervously.

"Why do you want me?" I ask suddenly and honestly.

"Because you're the one I've always wanted. You're the one that challenges me, and knows me. You're the one that I'm supposed to be with." He certainly feels a bit reckless tonight, doesn't he?

"How do you know that?" I whisper, feeling scared and vulnerable all of a sudden.

"I know it because I love you." He whispers back, taking both my hands in his. We are facing each other now, with the waning moon shimmering above us.

"Oh, James. I love you too!" And then I throw myself at him, burying my head in his chest. We embrace each other, and I look up to his eyes. Leaning up, I kiss him with as much intensity as I have. He kisses me back with just as much, and the most unbelievable fireworks explode in my head, dancing around us. Passion, yearning, and love entangled our tongues, our hearts and souls finally melding together.

Finally breaking apart, my fingers entangled in his hair, his arms protectively around my waist, I know, in that moment in time, that we will be together for the rest of our lives. James is the one I'm supposed to be with…Forever and always.

A.N. OK! That turned out way longer and way mushier than expected. Well, I had fun writing it, so I hope you all had fun reading it! Tell me what you think with my revised chapter in a much appreciated review!