What's in a name?
She likes to bite on her thumbnail when she's reading. If the text is especially confusing then her brows get an unattractive fold between them. While she's writing, she sticks out her tongue to the left, only the left. These and a few other things are the things I've noticed about library girl. It was three weeks ago that she caught my attention. I'd come to the library to find a book on Quidditch moves and plays and there she was. She was stunning. My heart beat picked up and my palms were clammy. When she looked up and our eyes met for the briefest of seconds. My mouth went dry. After our one second eye contact I swept out of the library with cheeks flaming. I have never had a reaction like that just from simply seeing a girl.
So I've been coming to the library every night, between 8 and 10, much to my shame. Sirius would die of laughter if he knew I was practically stalking a girl instead of just asking her out. But with this girl, even the thought of talking to her is terrifying. I've chosen a table to the right of where library girl usually sits. I can see her, but she can only see me if she turns around. I peak up from my book prop and stare at her some more. She's doing arithmancy. I can tell because she gets more flustered with this homework than any of the others, plus there's a lot of erasing.
For the past few weeks, I've kept my eyes peeled for library girl everywhere I went. She's in two of my classes, I don't know how I haven't noticed her before. She is quiet and has a small group of friends. The teachers call her ms. Evans. So at least I have some kind of name to go by. She's in Gryffindor and the same year as me, which is lucky. But, for the life of me, I can not figure out her name!
She hangs around a greasy Slytherin who causes a lot of trouble with the Gryffindors but I haven't bothered to learn his name. I figure they must be partners for some class, she's just too beautiful for an evil Slytherin. Speak of the Devil. My eyes narrow into slits as he pulls out a chair next her, greeting her like an old friend. I quickly look down at my book as his eyes sweep their surroundings, almost as if he's checking to make sure someone isn't there…who does he not want to see them together? This thought is intriguing because I have no explanation as to why someone like grease ball would be ashamed to be seen with her.
"James?" someone says loudly from my right.
"Shhh!" I shush Remus before pulling him down directly in front of me to shield my face from Library girl. I hope she hasn't seen me! My face is flaming as I check around Remus' shoulder to see if she was looking at us strangely the way that a few other tables were. Phew, grease ball has distracted her with what looks like a serious conversation. Moony is completely baffled by now. He's looking at me like I've grown three heads.
"What are you doing in the library? And who are you hiding from?" He's about to turn around but I pull his arm before he can find my source of embarrassment.
"Don't look!" I sigh while rubbing the back of my neck. "Okay, look slowly and casually, got it?" He nods, still looking at me strangely. "Turn slowly around, ok good. Right there, that girl with red hair…Do you know her name?" I try to sound nonchalant. It doesn't work.
"Oh, with Snape?" I guess that that is Grease ball and nod my head. Remus turns back around, regarding me carefully, "You mean Lily Evans? Look, if you're planning a prank or something then please don't, she's so nice and-"
"I'm not gonna prank her!" I huff. I'm distracted from Remus as I glance at her again. Lily. Well, that fits with her nicely. I goofily smile, Remus is again questioning my sanity.
"Okay then, why do you wanna know? Wait, Is this where you've been sneaking off to for the past few weeks?" I nod sheepishly.
"Promise you won't tell Sirius. He seems to think I've got a girl I've been going and seeing…well I guess he's technically right." I try not to make eye contact with him. Now he knows I'm a pathetic stalker. I can see his mouth hanging open from my peripheral vision. "Stop looking at me like that, okay? So what? I think she's pretty so I just come here and kind of.. you know.. watch her." Gosh it sounds even worse when you say it out loud.
"Why don't you just go talk to her?" Remus doesn't get what it's like to be terrified of a girl. Hell, I didn't know what it was like until I saw Lily.
"I can't. She's just so… and I'm so… Look I just can't okay? Maybe later, but I've got to work up the courage first."
"I'm so amazed right now, you, James Potter, the guy who has a different date every weekend, is scared to talk to a girl! And that girl is Lily Evans! This is just too great!" He laughs heartily.
"Well say it a bit louder won't you, I don't think they heard you in Hawaii." I grumble at him.
"If you want me to introduce you, I can. I mean, I'm friends with her you know."
"You are!? Why didn't you tell me sooner!" I smile and almost hug him, but I don't, I'm not that crazy yet. "I don't want to talk to her yet though, I've gotta be more prepared, but if you could, you know, talk me up or something when you see her, maybe that will give me a better chance with her! And I've gotta think of some thing about me that will impress her…" I start to think of all of my good qualities that maybe I can let slip around her, so she can get to know me and maybe like me back…
"No, James she really would probably not like that, it might sound a bit arroga-"
I don't hear him as I start gathering my things. "Thanks a lot Remus, You're the best! I've gotta go make a list now! See you later!" I call behind me before rushing out of the library.