Ch.13

Understanding

A/N: wow two chapters in one week! I must be spoiling you all! REVIEW!

Cause when push comes to shove

You take what you're made of

You might bend till you break

Cause it's all you can take

On your knees you look up

Decide you've had enough

You get mad

You get strong

Wipe your hands

Shake it off

Then you stand

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Lily brushed her bangs out of her eyes and sighed. She had circled the school three times now and there was no sight of Harmony. Her anger had leaked out of her so she wasn't that mad. More like sad. She really believed Harmony was her friend. But come part of her wished that Alice was wrong and that it really wasn't Harmony, just some girl who looked like her. Merlin, Lily really wished Marcie was here to help her understand all of this. Speaking of which, she thought she saw a flash of blonde to her right.

"Marcie!" Lily cried out. "Thank Merlin you are here!"

Marcie turned and looked at her almost wearily. "Yes? Are you ready to talk to me again?"

"What ever do you mean?" Lily said, confused. "I was never mad at you. I thought you were the one who was pissed off at me."

"Let's not get into this now," Marcie pulled her hair into a bun and sighed. "I just got back from my yoga class and I'm trying to maintain the peaceful environment I was just in."

"They have yoga now?" Lily asked. "Hmmm, I should sign up."

"Yes, Professor Conrad is teaching it," Marcie replied with a wan smile. "I'm sure you can still sign up. Forms are in her classroom in the East Wing."

"Oh that's fab!" Lily exclaimed. "When is it?"

"Mondays through Thursdays in the afternoon," Marcie said, distracted. "Wait, weren't we talking about something else just now?"

"Oh right!" Lily gathered her thoughts. "I was just really happy to see you. We haven't talked for so long."

"What happened to Harmony?" Marcie struggled to keep her temper under control.

"Well," Lily replied carefully. "It seems as though you were right about her. She's nothing more than a conniving little sneak."

Marcie exhaled loudly. She couldn't stay mad her best friend. Not after everything Lily went through.

"Sweetie, come here," Marcie hugged Lily. "Tell me everything."

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"Lily darling!" Harmony waltzed into the room. "I've been looking for you everywhere! Oh I do hope you are over that jerk Potter!"

"Hello Harmony," Lily gave her a cool smile.

"What's wrong dear?" Harmony asked. "You seem…different."

"Oh nothing," Lily maintained an expressionless face. "So how's your life lately?"

"Same old same old," Harmony laughed. "Nope, nothing new here."

"You know," Lily spoke slowly and clearly. "it's funny that you wouldn't want to tell your best friend about your new man."

"Pardon?" the color drained from Harmony's face but she maintained a pleasant tone.

"Potter? James Potter? Your new boyfriend?" Lily laughed humorlessly. "I'm just… a tad bit confused. Weren't you the one who said he was a jerk? And I could do better?" She laughed again. "Well I guess now we know why you wanted me away from him!"

"What's wrong with me going out with him?" Harmony examined her nails. "it's not like he's officially yours."

"But you knew I liked him!" Lily said frustrated. "And maybe we could have been together! He's all wrong for you!"

"And you're his perfect girl?" Harmony's eyes flashed dangerously as her voice lowered. "As if he would ever be interested in a nobody like you?"

"We're friends!" Lily demanded hotly.

"Can-can you remember just when it was that you two started being friends?" Harmony asked.

Lily faltered.

"Allow me to answer that question," Harmony narrowed her eyes. "It was after your little makeover. You see, Lily dear, he's into looks, not brains. And the only reason he was EVER interested in you was because Madeline made you over. But you want to know why you will NEVER be with him? It's because, inside, you're still the insecure, geeky, loser who tremble at the mere sight of him. You do realize there are prettier girls? Hotter women? Who will catch his attention? Once he seems them, he will dump you like that." Harmony snapped her fingers.

"But I'm the prettiest, hottest, fairest of them all," She continued with a strange smile on her face. "I always have been. That's why Potter should be with me. There is no one better to catch his eyes. He will remain faithful to me and we will be, oh, so happy together.mm." Harmony smiled a dreamy smile.

Lily stared at her in disbelief.

"So bye now," Harmony waved goodbye. "I'm off to find my man. I suggest you move your interests somewhere else. Perhaps a nice book? Toodles!" with a sugary smile, Harmony left.

Lily sank down in her chair. She didn't believe that Potter only liked her for her looks. That's not the Potter she used to know. She'll show Harmony that he's into more than just looks. She will show them all. Lily got up and headed for the bathroom. She will show them all.

Lily bent over the porcelain sink and carefully washed her face of all her makeup. Dabbing her face dry with a towel, she looked at herself in the mirror. She slowly brushed her hair up into a tight ponytail and swept it into a bun. Then, Lily removed her contacts and put on her old black frames. Lastly, she headed for her dormitory and slipped into her ordinary plain, black robes and swiped some chapstick on her cracked lips. With a final glance in the mirror, she turned to go.

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Lily was walking on the fifth floor when she spotted James talking to Harmony.

Harmony noticed Lily first. After looking her up and down, Harmony whispered something to James with a belittling smile. James turned.

"James!" Lily waved enthusiastically. "Hi!"

James gave her a little wave. "Hey," he had a confused look on his face as if he weren't sure who she was. "And you are?"

"Lily!" she smiled. "Remember?"

"Well I only know one Lily and she's nothing like you," James answered.

"What do you mean?" Lily said, confused. "It's me, your friend?"

James sighed and walked over. "Look, it's not your fault that you are fantasizing about me," James said kindly. "It's just-there's a line between fantasy and reality. Maybe we were friends once upon a dream. But the reality is, I have no idea who the heck you are. So in the future, remember, fantasy….reality…not the same." He patted her awkwardly on the back and headed back to Harmony. Harmony gave Lily a satisfied look and walked off with James.

"I sure showed them," she said sarcastically.

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A/N: PLEASE REVIEW!