Chapter 8: Crisis

Tami and Andrew are not speaking to other, and it was getting harder to deal with them. Foundations meetings are becoming tension-filled, and meals are becoming quieter. Nothing is the same anymore. However everyone tries to lighten up the mood, it was of no use. The two are too far apart now.

It has only been two days after, but Lily felt like it was forever since she last talked to Andrew. He wasn't only avoiding Tami; he was also shutting himself off from the world. He was devastated, sure, but it was the fact that he could barely stand to look at her that hurt Lily the most. He didn't mope around all day, but to Lily, that would have been better than have him stand like a statue- unfeeling and unresponsive.

James wasn't having better luck with Tami. She kept on bursting to tears at the slightest mention of Andrew. She refused to eat healthy portions of food. She also cannot bear being in the same room as Andrew. Unlike Andrew who has managed to turn himself into stone, Tami wasn't ready to face him yet. This was no picnic for James, but he had to put up with it if he wanted the plan to succeed.

That night, on the common room, Lily confronted Andrew about what happened. It was just after dinner, and they were all gathered near the fire. She and Andrew were a bit far off, though. They sat together in awkward silence. They have been sitting there for fifteen minutes, saying nothing. Finally, Lily cracked.

"You know me Andrew, I won't stand this." She said sternly, turning to him. He put down his book before speaking.

"It's not your business to know, Lily." He looked her in the eye, his eyes cold and hard. She looked incredulous.

"You led me on for weeks. That incident by the lake happened, and you give no explanation. You go around acting like you do and I have to put up with it all. How is this not my business?" She wasn't about to let this go.

"I didn't ask to hang around. You made your choice, face the consequences." He replied, turning around.

"If you really didn't want me there, why did you give me that look when you first came here?" As he opened his lips to protest, Lily continued, "Don't pretend that you don't know what I am talking about because I know perfectly well that you do understand me."

Their eyes met. Hers were angry, alive and hurt. His were stony and protesting. But as soon as he saw her eyes rid of the warmth they usually give, his defenses broke down. He embraced her in a tight hug, his tears wetting her shirt. She didn't move an inch.

"I want answers, Andrew." She whispered softly in his left ear. She closed her eyes, fighting back the teardrop that was straining for release. Then she broke away and got up, leaving him in more pain than she could have ever imagined.

She crossed the common room and was nearing the stairs when Andrew's voice reached her.

"Lily, wait." His head was bowed down. His hands trembled. His voice, unsure.

Lily's heart melted. She never could stand seeing anyone in distress. She went back to where he was and held him in her arms. Anyone who saw this felt the gravity of the situation. Remus signaled for everyone to leave, and they did. Lily mouthed a 'thank you' to Remus. He only smiled, and then followed the others out the portrait hole.

As soon as they were alone, Lily pulled away and held Andrew at arm's length. She smiled; concern, caring, and sympathy filled her eyes. That was enough for Andrew. That night, he poured his soul out to her.

"Lily, Lils, wake up! You're going to be late!" a voice cried. Lily opened her eyes to see Jess and Nat sitting on either side of her bed, already in their uniforms.

"What time did you go to bed last night?" inquired Jess.

"I dunno, maybe around five?" Lily answered while getting up. "What time is it now?"

"It's seven-thirty. But do you really want to go to class?" asked Nat, worriedly.

"As much as I don't want to, I have to. I'm already struggling at Arithmancy as it is, I don't want to fail that class." Lily replied while making her way to the bathroom. The other girls have gone to breakfast, the dorm was empty but for the three of them.

Lily brushed her teeth, brushed her hair, and then brushed off her skirt. When she came out, she found Jess and Nat whispering closely.

"What are you two whispering about? I swear if I didn't know any better, I would think you're up to no good." She laughed. The remaining two exchanged glances that seemed to decide that Jess would do the talking.

"Lils, what happened last night? You know, after we left?" she asked.

"Ugh, don't remind me!" she cried, rolling her eyes. "It was horrible!" She proceeded to pick up her bag and her books. She was on her way out the door when Nat spoke up.

"Lily, can you tell us what happened?" she asked gravely.

"Is this what you were conspiring about?" she said, shrugging it off. "It was nothing! I don't want to talk about it."

"Lily, don't be ridiculous. Now tell us what happened." Jess pressed on. Hse received a glare from Nat which countered with a face that said 'what?'.

"I told you, I don't want to talk about it."

"Lily-"

"Tami was Andrew's girlfriend." She said with finality. She turned around and walked down the stairs. The two followed suit. When they reached the common room, they found that it was empty. Lily was sitting on the nearest armchair, her head buried in her hands.

"How could I have been so blind? There I was pouring my heart at him and he was in love with someone else!"

"Lily, it's not you're fault. You couldn't have done anything to prevent what he did," came Nat's voice.

"That's not true; you know that's not true." Lily said, looking up.

"Nat's right, Lily. He should have had the decency to say something." Jess countered.

"Maybe he did, Jess. Maybe he did tell me about Tami but I was too busy making him like me to notice. Don't you see? It's my entire fault! Now Tami hurt him and it's all because of me."

"Don't say that, Lily." Nat whispered, sitting down and putting her arm across Lily's shoulders.

"No. If I hadn't stolen her boyfriend, she and Andrew would still be together, and Andrew wouldn't be hurting right now!"

"It's not your fault. You didn't know Tami and Andrew were dating. Besides, Tami's the one who should feel guilty. She was the one who cheated on Andrew. All the while Andrew barely made advances on you and Tami was already making out with Potter. And besides the fact that kissing Potter is totally gross-"

"Jess! You're supposed to make Lily feel better, not make her vomit!" Nat reprimanded. Lily laughed, the warmth coming back to her eyes.

"See, I did make her feel better! She's laughing!" Jess protested. Lily only laughed harder. Her laughter turned out to be contagious and soon the three were laughing their heads off. But when the laughter died down, the mood returned to its former seriousness.

"All jokes aside, it wasn't your fault, Lily." Jess said. Nat nodded and this seemed to settle it. They composed themselves and ran down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

They didn't notice Remus Lupin standing on top of the boys' dorm staircase.

Later that day at Arithmancy, Lily found that she couldn't concentrate. All she could think of was how Tami could hurt Andrew. He was perfect! And why Tami had to cheat on Andrew with James Potter was beyond her.

She turned slightly to look at James. He was lazily sitting with his legs crossed. He ran a hand through his messy black hair, making it even messier. He cocked his head to one side and scribbled something on the parchment in front of him. He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. His body was perfectly toned. 'Must have been all those Quidditch practices,' she thought.

He was talking to his friend Sirius, who was sitting in front of him. Sirius said something funny, and James threw his head back, his eyes shining with mirth.

But then- panic time! Sirius caught her staring at James. He gestures to the other boy who turned on his seat. James' eyes met hers and she blushed. Wait- she blushed? James grinned and turned towards his friend.

He only grinned for a few seconds, but it made Lily's stomach do flip-flops, just like it did with Andrew.

Something from me:

Wow, that was one of my longest chapters ever! Aren't you proud of me? And now the fluff begins!

Oh, and uh…all those hits and meager reviews? What is up, people! Now, now, please be responsible readers and review! Thanks for those who did review and thanks for those who will.