A Story by -Jeisa-

A Trip to Verona

Chapter Two

James pulled Lily through the streets of Verona, the stars sparkling above them in between the buildings. He had been pulling her along so quickly that all Lily caught were glimpses of the activity around them.

Twenty minutes later, the left the buildings behind them and emerged on a small grassy hill. James stopped.

"Where are we?" Lily asked, looking around.

"A small place outside the city that I found a long time ago." James said, leading her slowly farther away from the city.

Lily looked out at the vast hills before her. "Wow." she said. "It's beautiful." She turned to James. "Can I run?" she asked.

James gave her an odd look. "Sure." he said slowly and Lily took off running. He watched her as she ran down the hill and up the other side, she looked so carefree, so beautiful. What the hell am I thinking? James thought to himself. I'm still in love with her. Why did I agree to just be friends? He groaned inwardly. She turned back to him and motioned him over, smiling the smile that made James' stomach twist into knots. James smiled and sprinted to where she was already laying and looking at the stars. He joined her and they lay in silence for a while.

Lily broke it. Her giggles soon filled the air and eventually she was full out laughing.

"What?" James asked. She kept laughing. "What? What's so funny?"

"I- It's just that-" she took a deep breath to calm her laughter. "I never thought that I'd ever be laying looking at the stars with James Potter. Actually, I never thought I'd ever see you again. And I-" she paused. "I miss you."

"I miss you too."

"I'm glad we can be friends again." With that said, Lily scooted over and lay her head on his should.

"Me too."

Sirius woke early the next morning, which was unusual for him. He silently left the room he was in and then he realized that he wasn't in his apartment. Images from the night before flashed before his eyes.

Sirius and Riley danced for several hours, stopping for drinks often. Soon they were both wasted and making out on the dance floor.

"Why Ms. Vaughn," Sirius started when they paused to take a breath. "and here I was thinking that you hated me."

"I never hated you."

"You certainly never loved me." he slurred.

"True." She paused before leaning in close to him. "But I don't mind everything else about you." They kissed again.

Having given his key to Lily, they decided to go back to Lily and Riley's apartment.

The rest of the night was a blur to Sirius, but it was clear what had happened from the half-covered naked girl laying in the bed that was in the room he had just exited. Sirius sighed and decided to get some breakfast for the two of them...while making a stop along the way.

Sirius stopped by a small bakery down the street, but quickly resumed his journey to the one place he desperately needed to go. Juliet's house.

The square was empty in the early morning. Sirius was glad to have some time to himself. He sat on the bench below the infamous balcony and looked up at it. He imagined Riley being there, looking down at him with love in her eyes, but he quickly shook the image from his head.

Looking to the left and right he inspected the bricks from a distance. At first the loose brick was hard to find, but he eventually spotted it. He worked it loose and two envelopes fell out of the hole. Gingerly, he picked them up, though it was clear that they had not been there for very long. Sirius stood and swiftly walked out of the square and back to Lily and Riley's apartment, placing the letters in his pocket.

After he and Riley enjoyed breakfast together, Sirius returned to his and James' apartment. When he arrived he was surprised to find Lily and James asleep on the couch in each others arms. He cleared his throat loudly and they began to stir.

"I knew this was going to happen." he said shaking his head.

"Sirius go away." Lily said, cuddling closer into James.

"Well considering I'm the one living here for the next month, I think I shouldn't be the one going away."

"Padfoot at least stop talking." James said as he put his hand to his forehead. "I have a headache."

"I feel like none of this is my business-"

"No it's not." Lily interjected.

He ignored her and continued. "-but aren't you getting married Lily? As in...you're engaged."

Lily bolted upright. "Shit."

"Ya. That's what I was thinking too." Sirius said as he watched Lily frantically search for her shoes. "I think you should go." he added, she nodded in reply and then ran out the door.

"Padfoot what the hell was that about?" James questioned as he sat and rubbed his eyes.

"These." he said, pulling out the letters he had found. He handed the one that was clearly Lily's handwriting to James.

"What are these?" he asked, turning over the envelope in his hands.

"They are Riley and Lily's letters to Juliet."

"You mean they participated in that silly ritual?" Sirius nodded. "How'd you find out about them?"

"Riley." They answered together as James rolled his eyes at his old best childhood friend.

"Let's open them together." James suggested.

"Ok, one-"

"Two-"

"Three." Sounds of ripping paper filled the air.

Uncertainty rocked through James' body as he pulled the letter from the envelope. Delicately, he unfolded the paper and began to read.

Juliet.

I have a problem. Two years ago, the love of my life asked me to marry him. James. And I said no. I was scared. I felt as if I was too young to know what was going on. I panicked. So I ran. I left him kneeling on the floor of his bedroom. I didn't even give him an explanation. I haven't talked to him since.

So here's the real problem. I'm engaged. But not to James. To Charlie. Charlie is a nice guy, don't get me wrong. But...I'm still- I'm still in love with James. I love Charlie. I'm comfortable around him. I might be too comfortable though. I can't decide whether or not I am just settling with Charlie. James challenged me. He matches me in brains and wit, he won't back down, he gives me a reason to really think and take risks.

This is where I'm not sure. I'm marrying Charlie in three months. I think, well I know he'll make me happy. But, I don't know. He's just so career focused that I feel like his job is more important than me sometimes. And I think that with James, it'd never be that way. He'd love his job, but I wouldn't take the back seat to it.

I don't think I'll ever see James again though. I love him. I really do. And I can't help but wonder 'What if?' What if I see him again, but it's too late? What would my life be like now if I had said yes two years ago? What if?

Lily

James lowered the letter. As an afterthought he glanced down at the date on the letter. August 14th. That was two days ago. Lily still loved him. She still loved him. But she was getting married. It would never work because she was getting married.

Sirius on the other hand, was not as happy with the ending of his own letter.

Dear Juliet,

I've been in love before. Once actually. And since then no guy has ever lived up to him. But I was only seventeen. How could I have known that breaking up with him would be the one regret I'll always have? If I could see him again, I'd fix it. I just want everything to go back to the way it used to be. Lily and James, me and...Sirius. Just the sound of his name sends shivers down my spine. I'm in love. And I'm not afraid to admit it anymore.

Riley

Both boys remained silent for a long while.

"I'm such an idiot." James said, half to himself and half to Sirius.

"Why?"

"I just told Lily I was over her and she shouldn't worry about us anymore because she's getting married. We decided we could be friends." James sighed. "And now I read this," he handed the letter to Sirius. "and everything is messed up again."

Sirius was quiet for a moment while he read the letter. "You know you can't ever let Lily know you read this right?" James nodded. "Here read this." He handed over Riley's letter which James read.

"Dude, at least the girl you're in love with wants to be with you." He said when he had finished.

"So...let's backtrack now." Sirius said. "You asked Lily to be friends with you?"

"Ya."

"Why?"

"Because I want her to be happy and I want to be able to be around her. She seems happy with Charlie and she had a reason for saying no, whatever it was, so I want to be able to spend time with her. Friends was the only way."

"I guess that makes sense."

James nodded.

"So what now?"

James shrugged.

"We have to do something."

James looked at his friend. "I know."

Lily walked into her apartment the next morning to find a very hungover Riley.

"Fun night?" she asked her.

Riley groaned in response.

"I'll take that as a yes." Riley groaned again and nodded. "Have fun with Sirius?"

"I can't believe I ever slept with anyone else."

Lily raised her eyebrows at her best friend.

Riley gave her a look. "You never slept with him. You wouldn't know how amazing it was. He's like a god in bed."

"No I never slept with him, and I don't ever intend to."

"But you'd sleep with James again if you could."

"Riley!" Lily exclaimed making her friend wince from her hangover. "I'm engaged remember." She said as she held up her left hand.

"Doesn't mean that you don't want him."

"Sadly. That's true." Lily sighed. "And you know it. God, why did I ever tell you anything?" she asked.

"Because I'm your best friend and you love me." Riley said sweetly.

"Ya. Right." Lily said sarcastically.

"I resent that." Riley said as she took a sip of her coffee. "And I have a hangover. So let's change the subject."

"To what?"

"I dunno. How bout lemonade?"

"Lemonade? Seriously?"

"What? I'm thirsty."

"God you're just as bad as Sirius."