As promised…the second chapter! I have plans for good things to happen in this chapter! MwahahaLol Hope you enjoy! OH! Btw, I hope everyone is doing well in school or work or whatever it is you do!

Thanks for the reviews! I love you guys and I'm so glad that you're enjoying my story!!!!!

Chapter 12: Pre-party Jitters

Lindy, the house-elf for the Potters, was taking particular care to spoil James and Sirius over this break. Even though things were awkward between James and Sirius at the beginning of the break, without the females around to distract them, things were as good as ever.

One morning at breakfast Mr. Potter, actually home from his job, sat surrounded by his wife, son, and Sirius. "Boys, tell me about your semester! I'm sure you couldn't have got into that much trouble. McGonagal hasn't owled us once!"

"I'm pretty much top in all of my classes. They're probably going to promote me to head boy any day now. I do everything in the school, and I'm not even a prefect!" Sirius barked out causing the others to laugh heartily.

Gary Potter decided to play along. "I see. That will be a monumental moment in Hogwarts history to have someone who isn't a seventh year be Head Boy." He turned to look at James, "Son, you should be more like Sirius. He seems to have become quite the excellent little pupil."

Before James answered he took a moment to take in the smell of his kitchen, the sight of the family together, and appreciated every moment of it. Trying to be as un-sarcastic as possible, he answered, "Oh yes, all hail the magnificent Sirius!" followed by a small bow.

"HEY!"

The Potters laughed at Sirius, who was pouting to himself. Mrs. Potter decided to get up and give him a hug. "You know we love you, Sirius."

With a smug little grin, Sirius replied, "You have to because it's a law!"

"Ahh, of course. I forgot about that one." Mrs. Potter said as she feigned a 'how could I forgot look.' "James, How's Lily doing?"

Of all questions that Melanie Potter could have asked, this is the one James wished his mother didn't ask. He tried to change the subject slightly.

"I suppose she's doing well. Haven't you heard from her mum?"

"Occasionally, but it's not the same as someone who's went to school with her. I thought you two were getting on well?"

"We're friends, if that's what you mean. We've always been that. It's just taken her a little while to realize it." James said while trying to not roll his eyes.

Sirius chimed in, "That's an understatement!"

Mrs. Potter looked at him questioningly and decided to let the issue go. "We're having the New Year's Eve party this year. You can invite some of your friends if you want. Would you be a dear and invite Lily's parents when you send her an invitation?"

"What makes you think I'm inviting Lily?" James thought to himself. He was still sore from the way she'd been acting as of late. However, all he could do was say he would.

Sirius's mind was running in overdrive when this conversation was taking place. If Lily was going to be at the party, it was absolutely certain that Gina would be with her. He still hadn't talked to her and really didn't know how to begin. What could he say to her without her exploding at him?

&&&&&

Before Gina knew it, Lily was arriving at her house the Thursday before New Years. The girls were ecstatic to see each other.

"Gina! It's so good to see you! I've missed you so much!"

"I know Lils, I've missed you too!"

"Did you like your Christmas present?"

"I loved it! Did you like yours?"

"Absolutely! Will Jenny be joining us?"

"Yes. Not today but in a few days. I hope she makes it here before New Years!"

"Why is that?"

Gina smiled wickedly, "Because…New Years Eve! And…I have a lovely bottle of something from a cousin."

"Oh man! Sounds like we're gonna have a blast!"

"Darn right we…" Gina started to say but looked around to observe the knocking sound coming from her window.

"Looks like somebody loves you!" Lily said just kidding around.

Gina opened the window but not before shooting Lily a not so friendly look. Her demeanor brightened when she saw who it was addressed to. "It's for both of us!"

"From who?"

"James Potter!"

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah, it says he's having a party on New Year's Eve and we're both invited. Oh and you're parents too."

"I think my parents already have plans that night."

"Well, do you want to go?"

"Umm…."

"Lily?"

Lily hesitated a bit longer. She had been wanting to talk to James. To apologize. She hated to admit it, but she actually missed his company.

"Yeah, but won't it be awkward for you?"

"Of course it will, but remember, you said I shouldn't let it bother me. So that's exactly what I'm going to do—not let it bother me."

"Do you think Jenny will come?"

"I don't see why not. I wonder if her and Remus fixed things."

"I haven't heard. She hasn't owled me once this break. I guess she's trying to figure things out."

"I just hope she does what is going to make her happy."

"She will, she will."

After relaxing for a while and having quality girl time, Gina remembered that she had left the invitation from James unanswered. She was a little afraid to attach a letter to the leg of the owl because it did not look happy for having to wait so long.

"We need to owl back a response. I'll let you do it, since I'm sure James will go weak in the knees when he sees your handwriting." Gina said, smiling afterward while flinching waiting for the expected slap from Lily.

"Are we back to that again?" Lily said, shaking her head in disapproval.

"I'm afraid so." Gina responded back with a big grin.

&&&&&

James didn't want Sirius to know that he'd been waiting for Lily's answer all day, but Sirius being his best mate knew James all too well.

It wasn't long until James's wait was put to an end. He had mixed emotions about knowing that Lily would be coming. A mixture of anger and happiness. It was an odd feeling.

Luckily, Remus and Peter were coming the next day to help prepare for Saturday night's big party. They would take his mind off things. He hoped.

&&&&&

The next day, the four Marauders sat in James's bedroom talking and catching up. To all of their surprises, Remus opened up to them.

"Guys." He sighed. James, Sirius, and Peter knew he was upset.

"What's wrong, Remus?"

"Is it time for the full moon again?"

"Hungry?" Sirius added as an afterthought.

"Well….I really don't know. It's Jenny. I just don't think I feel the same about her."

"That could be problematic." Sirius stated.

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"Oh, I can, Moony. Ya see there was this girl, and she was awesome. She started to like this guy and the guy got scared so he didn't do the right thing and pissed the girl off."

Everyone looked at Sirius and James said, "That's your problem, which by the way, sounds like you feel guilty about."

"Err..perhaps the tiniest bit."

"Guys? Remember me? The brains of the organization? The one who helps you not get into trouble?"

"Oh right, sorry Moony!" Peter squeaked out.

"I think Jenny likes somebody else. We hung out once over break and it just didn't feel right. I didn't even want to kiss her."

"So I take it you didn't?" James questioned, feeling sorry for his pal.

"No. I don't know if I'm upset that I think she likes someone else or what?"

"Sorry, mate, but this is something that you best figure out on your own. You really need to talk to Jenny." James suggested, not wanting to involve himself in others affairs of the heart.

"I will. When I see her at the party."

&&&&&

When Jenny finally arrived at Gina's, Lily and Gina didn't ask anything about Nick or Remus. They knew Jenny well enough to know that if she wanted them to know something she would tell them herself.

All she said on the subject was "I'll let you guys know something as soon as I know."

Before going to bed the girls decided to play the age old game, "Truth or Dare."

"Who's up for a game of Truth or Dare?" Lily asked a little too excitedly for Gina and Jenny. They were both pretty shy.

"Uh..sure." They both replied very unconvincing.

"Hmm, okay here's the deal. To make it fair, we each get to give each other a dare and a truth and you can't back out of it, but the dares can't be anything dangerous."

This seemed to relax Gina and Jenny and they finally agreed.

Gina nominated Jenny to go first.

"Ummm, Lily. Truth or dare?"

"Dare! Bring it on baby!"

"I dare you to, hmm, to run around the room saying you love James Potter!"

The look on Lily's face was priceless. The very thought of saying that sickened her, or was that some other feeling beginning to surface?

"No, I refuse to say that."

Gina called her out, "Uh. Miss Evans, you, correct me if I'm wrong, were the once who said you couldn't back down."

"Oh fine."

Lily began to run around her room screaming, "I LOVE JAMES POTTER. I LOVE JAMES POTTER. I LOVE JAMES POTTER."

She sat down , slightly out of breath. "Satisfied?"

"Extremely! Mwahahaha!" Jenny said shocking her two friends.

It was now Lily's turn to pick somebody. "Gina. Truth or Dare?"

"Truth."

"Have you ever done anything you weren't supposed to do with a boy? If yes, what?"

"Hmm, no. Not that I'm aware of anywho. Nice try though Lils."

Gina called on Jenny next and made her reveal a secret. Jenny answered that she probably liked Nick a little more than she should.

The game continued on like this for a bit longer when the girls decided to go to sleep since the party was the next day.

Before Lily went to sleep she remembered her diary and felt guilty that she hadn't written in it in so long. She went to her trunk and rummaged through her items, as quietly as possible, and pulled it out.

"Lily!"thediary wrote on the page the instant she opened to a fresh page.

"Lizzie I'm so sorry I haven't wrote to you in so long."

"It's quite alright, Lily. How have you been?"

"I've been well, but I've been being rude to someone who doesn't deserve it."

"Have you apologized?"

"No, but I plan on it, at the right time, that is."

"At least you know what you should do. Is this person by any chance, Mr. Potter?"

"Yeah. How did you know?"

"He seems to be the only reason you write in here."

Lily blushed at the thought. She did have a point though. "Well, his best mate ignored my best mate after making her think he liked her. So I kinda took my anger out on the rest of this toe rag's friends. James included."

"I see. That is horrible. I was rude to Mr. Darcy once because I thought he had wronged someone. That horrible Mr. Wickham. However, I hope that you're friend is unlike that braggart."

"To some extent, I see some similarities. But, I would have to say that I think Sirius is better than him."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I've got a lot to do, but I promise I'll write again soon. Thanks for talking with me."

"It's always a pleasure. Sweet dreams be with you."

Lily was beginning to get anxious about the party. It was going to make things better, or far worse than they've been.

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YAY!! I kept my promise of updating today! It's a few hours later than I thought it would be, but it's still today. Wow. Two chapters in one day.Lol I'm proud of myself. My writer's block is slowly disappearing. Okay..enjoy! I've got some homework I've been procrastinating to do before I go to sleep. R&R!

Goodnight everyone! I'll try to do another chapter tomorrowor very soon) if I get time..but future homework assignments may inhibit that.