𝐃𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎:

The mother of the scrapbook and a cutie;
swagstrp

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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄-𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄;

𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙰𝚁𝙴 𝙸𝙽 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴

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❝ 𝐋𝐄𝐓'𝐒 𝐆𝐎 ❞ I murmured. I was clothed in a black shirt, dark blue jeans and my black Converse. Lily came rushing while tying her strawberry dark red hair into a ponytail with a black scrunchie. She wore a white crop top and black denim shorts paired with her white Nikes.

Harry grabbed his car keys, me and Lily were forced by aunt Ginny to go and hang out at the mall to patch things up. At this point Aunt Ginny is being out CUPID, Aunt Ginny I love you but I love your daughter more.

James gave me a glare and came next to me and whispered, "Don't try anything funny". "Don't worry my jokes aren't funny, they're more sarcastic" I said smiling sarcastically.

"I'm taller than you" he said, reminding me of the argument we had yesterday about who is taller. It was so evident that I was 2 centimetres taller but he just can't admit it. "Whatever" I said as Harry honked the car to indicate both of us to hop on. Me and Lily exchanged unsettling glances as we both sat next to each other at the back of the car.

I'm pretty sure Harry isn't fond of both of us hanging out, his wife probably convinced him. Harry kept checking on us every stop. Throughout the whole half an hour drive no one talked, it was just silent.

Lily didn't even give a shit about my presence, she just peered through the car window looking at the view and traffic of London. She looked so pretty it was really scenic, her red hair looking out at the gloomy weather. It looked like it was going to rain. The sky was grey and it was really humid.

We reached the mall and Harry dropped us off and gave us a pep talk that we have to be safe and all. He departed to work after giving me a death glare. I don't know what I ever did to him, he hates me for no reason and I hate him because he hates me.

We walked into the mall, the distance Lily maintained from me was killing me slowly, she usually just clung on to me and I used to think it was annoying and here am I now dying for her arms to be under my possession. She was just walking around in the mall peering through accessory shops and I just followed her around like fiddling with my phone listening to music like a toxic boyfriend.

"My mom should really mind her own business" she said, still looking away from me. "Why'd you keep doing this?" I asked her. "Doing what?" she snapped with her eyebrows arched. "You keep pushing me away for no reason and after a few months we become normal again, why are you wasting time holding grudges?" I asked.

"Yeah, I know. I'm a mad woman. I'm crazy. I should just die" she said raging as she crossed her arms. "Ok miss mad women, can we just enjoy ourselves? Why are you so moody?" I asked as I put on a pleasing face. "I'm not in the mood, I just want to go home. I don't want to see your face" she said, turning away from me. Oh gosh, her arrogance is something I can't keep up with.

Arrogant brats like her should be taught a lesson, who does she think she is? Why should I beg her? I started walking away from her, I saw her closely following me. This treatment is known as the fear of getting lost. You tend to follow a person who you know even if you hate them because you don't want to be alone in a public place, it's a classic introvert trait.

I went to a boba shop and ordered some brown sugar boba. I was waiting for my order when Lily came to me and slapped my shoulders, "I almost got lost! Why did you leave me? Are you insane? I could have gotten lost" she said with her cheeks puffed. "You said you didn't want to see my face so I did you a favour" I said looking away from her. "Stop being a brat" she said, losing her cool.

"I was acting like you, did I do a good job?" I asked. She again slapped my arms. "How are we going to tolerate each other till night? It's only 9:00 am" Lily sighed. I collected my boba and took a sip of it. "It's fine we'll figure it out, should we go to an arcade?" I asked.

"What are you drinking?" she asked looking at my boba to start an engaging conversation. "Bubble tea" I squealed in happiness, bubble tea is one of the things why this world is worth saving. "Weird, I'll stick with cold coffee" she said. "Want to try some?" I asked. "Uhm, no thanks you can keep your weird drink" she said dryly.

"Should we actually go to the arcade? Arcades just scam you for money, you never actually win anything" she continued. "Scam? I never get scammed, I usually spend around 20 pounds and I get a decent amount of chocolate, a pencil sharpener and one of those tiny bouncy balls" I said as a sense of nostalgia went over me.

"Imagine paying 20 pounds for that, it's so obviously a scam" she said. "Potter, you're a rich kid, this isn't supposed to be a problem for you" I said. "I guess it is some kind of experience" she replied. Arcades- Haven't gone there in ages. I have the highest scores in Dorset's arcade.

"I'm thirsty, can I have some?" She asked, looking at my boba, I handed it over for a sip. She took a slurp, "It's actually good" she said smiling. Her mood seemed to have lifted, my mom's right I guess food and sugar does make some people happy. "Nice, now give it back" I said, trying to snatch it. "One more" she said and took a big sip and gave me the plastic cup with barely any tea left.

I gave her an impassive look. "I just took two sips" she said, smiling. "Two sips like a vacuum cleaner! Bro it was full, how did you manage to do that?" I asked and she giggled. "We'll just get another to share" she said. "No sharing, in your language sharing means drinking 80% of the drink and giving me the other 20% that you can't drink because you're full" I said. "You know me too well" she said as she punched my shoulder. Her mood changes faster than an iPhone 15's resolution.

We walked towards the arcade, it was filled with neon signs and had the whole gaming vibe with all the blue and purple LEDs set. "Those claw machines are my childhood trauma, I never win, I have never won and I never will" Lily sighed as we saw a bunch of claw machines. "Actually?" I was surprised. I don't know why, people usually say claw machines are hard and all but for me I always get it on my first try, I mean it's simple maths and physics application.

Unexpectedly our eyes met, I looked into her vast emerald ocean and we quickly looked away from each other. I had a sudden tingle in my body. Her red hair and her bedroom eyes triggered a biological urge. I don't know why but love is just so dramatic, I feel like I'm levitating, I feel like I need to wake up from this dream. Cause how could I ever fall in love with my best friend, Lily.

"Ok, we should try that zombie VR shooter game, I remember I used to be so scared but now I'm pretty sure I'll annihilate them" Lily said. "Sure, first we need to get the arcade card right?" I said. We quickly went and bought the card and were set ready to play the game. We put on our head sets and held the fake gun. "Lysander. WE. ANNIHILATE. KILL. MURDER." she said in a serious tone. "Don't dare lecture me on what I do best" I smiled.

The game started and me and Lily were doing a great job. "Potts, 30 degrees west!" I informed, "Clockwise 60, Scammy" she said as we were getting deeper and deeper into the game and the time was over. We removed our headsets and hi-fived, "Ok, that was good" she said smiling. "I got more kills than you" I flexed. "Only seven kills more, that's like nothing" she snickered.

"Oh shut up, stop trying to make yourself feel better. You know I'm better" I said playfully leaning on her shoulder and she pinched my elbow. "I'll never agree to that" she said, giving a sarcastic smile, I looked at her. She's just so pretty, so full of herself, I almost forgot we weren't on good terms half an hour ago.

"Let's do that bike racing thing and then that water gun! Oh look there are also bumper cars! Ok I'm really good at bowling too so, let's do that! Hmm, whack a mole is a kids game but I still like it, which one gives more tickets? Maybe that tower building one" Lily blabbered and I was just looking at her, her words really filled my heart, her smile was just warming.

"Scamander, are you even listening?" she snapped at me and I jumped as I snapped out of Lily's enchantment. "Yeah" I said. "Let's play basketball!" she said as she ran to the basketball machine, "Sounds more like 'Lysander can you beat my ass'" I said chuckling. "Never underestimate a Quidditch player" she said, raising her eyebrows playfully.

We tapped in our cards to compete with each other. 3...2...1...GO! I started hooping the basketballs as if my life depended on it and Lily was doing a great job at it too... Half way through the game she realised she had to slow me down and in my 41st point she slammed by basketball and it rolled away, "Cheater" I said as I ran after it and picked up the ball and made a three pointer shot which of course didn't matter or count as a three pointer.

The game ended in Lily's victory and she celebrated by doing a little dance, "Take that 'L' Lysander" she said grinning hard. "You're a cheater" I said. "No one cares, I won. That's what matters" she said coming close to my face and I pushed her away annoyed.

I started walking to the next bike racing game. "Then let's play 'Just dance' " she suggested. NO, I DON'T DANCE, THAT'S SO EMBARRASSING. We saw two couples competing with each other, they were just laughing so bad and blushing half of the time in embarrassment. "Heh, no thanks" I said withdrawing respectively from her challenge. "Please" Lily begged. "I don't dance if you want to compete with some stranger" I said blankly. "But that won't be fun, I want to see you dance and make fun of you" she said. "I appreciate your honesty, but still no" I said.

"Hmph" she said, acting mad and angry as we moved on to the next few games. We spent around an hour and a half, it was pretty fun, we didn't even notice the time passing. After finishing all the money in the card we were rewarded a small teddy bear, a handful of snacks and of course pencil sharpeners.

"That was fun!" Lily said, smiling and hugging the teddy bear. "I won't disagree" I said, giving a weak smile. "We should have done 'Just dance' but you were a coward" she frowned. "I'm never dancing, like ever" I said strictly.

"Do you want to get married?" she asked randomly.

"That's very irrelevant" I responded. "Seriously though, do you want to?" she asked. "No, not really. I'd be a terrible husband, I don't want to ruin a girl's life" I said choking on the sentence. "You're overreacting, you aren't that bad. Marriage is beautiful"she said, smiling and daydreaming. "What happened to love is fake and all?" I asked. "I was just moody and it was also after a break up I wasn't myself. I'm honestly a bit more cleared up now. I still think of him though" she said.

"Will you ever go back if you get the chance?" I asked. "Oh no, the claw machines" she said, looking at them and dodging my question. Now if I ask her again it'll be weird but I really want to know the answer. "Should we try?" I asked, going on with the claw machine conversation. "No thanks, it's just sad when I lose and I always lose" she said saddened, I could see the trauma in her eyes.

"I'm gonna try. Pick one" I said looking around. "That one" she said pointing at the one with a lot of Mario themed stuffed plushies. I looked at the position on the prize. That mushroom, I guess it's name was toad in the Mario movie, that plush had the highest percentage of winning. "I'll go for the mushroom, do you have change? I only have credit card" I said.

"Wasting coins" she sighed as she handed me some. She seemed so confident that I would lose. Sadly, I have never lost to a claw machine except to the rigged ones and of course I lost many games while practising. I inserted the coins and my sweaty palms began to play. I had so much pressure on me, I had to win this or it would be so embarrassing, my skills are pretty rusty but my calculations can help.

My gamer hands activated and I moved it to precision in accordance with the prize. One rule is that it should never be a super perfect grab and you have to aim for the more crooked parts so the claw can really hook into it. I pressed the button and the claw went down. My heart started beating faster and my palms got sweater. Fate, please don't embarrass me in front of my crush.

The claw grabbed it. But that isn't all, till it comes up, it's still a question mark. The claw lifted and a slight slip, the prize was holding on to dear life. I was biting my lips in nervousness, Lily's eyes widened in surprise. COME ON MOVE FASTER TO THE HOLE! DROP THE FREAKING MUSHROOM!

PLOP! It went straight down the prize hole. "NO WAY!" Lily screamed with excitement shaking me. Many passers-by were watching the scene and were pointing at me. My anxiety levels were going up as a crowd started gathering around to try out the claw machine. Lily took the mushroom plushie and hugged it. "It's so soft and big! It's so cute" she squealed and hugged it with joy.

I really wish she loved me 1% of how much she loved that mushroom. As a crowd gathered around the claw machine and many girls started comparing their lousy boyfriends to me, me and lily permeated from the scene to avoid anxiety attacks. It is so scary when many people look at you and admire you so openly, that too in public.

We were in a deserted lift lobby waiting for the elevator. Lily suddenly hugged me and I was just weirded out as my cheeks turned slightly pink, "You were so cool" she said in a contemptuous tone. "I-It's nothing to brag about" I said, stuttering. I don't know why but when I get appreciated, I just feel melancholic, I feel like I don't deserve it.

She pulled away and said, "I always wanted to get one of these" she said smiling. I could see her inner child on cloud nine right now. "We should watch a movie that'll really kill time" Lily suggested. "Maybe Inside Out 2? I don't know if it's still in theaters but we can try" I said.

"I honestly don't care about the movie, I just want popcorn and nachos" she said cutely, she's such a pookie, she's so cute and childish but also mature and womanly. How can someone be just perfect? I'm a simp for Lily, a die hard one.

The elevator arrived and doors opened. We were going to walk in when we saw two girls making out. "We should take the next one" Lily whispered but the girls broke apart and said, "Come in" in a flustered way. It was so awkward. Lily was trying so hard not to giggle and my mind was singing, 'A hopeless romantic all my life, surrounded by couples all the time, I guess I should take it as a sign~'. Dear idiot brain, please shut up.

We immediately ran out of the elevator as we reached our floor. "We shouldn't have interrupted them, they were so cute, they even had matching bracelets" Lily squealed. "Do you remember when we entered this mall you were like, 'I should just die, I'm a loser' and you were acting all moody, what happened to that Lily?" I asked.

"It's just hard to hate you, it's hard to believe you would do all that nonsense. You're actually pure" she said. "What nonsense?" I asked. "Keres told me you are an asshole who broke us up with your scheming, but that seems so wrong. I believed that until yesterday but every time we talk, I don't feel so. You're a good person and I trust you. You'd never do that" she said smiling.

My face was blank on the outside. I just chuckled. But my insides were killing me. THAT FUCKING MORON KERES! LIKE BRO WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? YOU HAVE A NEW GIRLFRIEND, GO LIVE YOUR LIFE WHY'D YOU WANNA GET RID OF THE SPECIAL BOND ME AND MY LILY SHARE.

"He's really good at cooking up stories" I chuckled, smiling. "Or you're just really wicked" she said. "If I did do all that would you be mad?" I asked her in curiosity. "No, I'll just ask you out and get married to you and book a honeymoon to Italy and be-head with a guillotine" she said with an affirmative thumbs up. That's cruel, but at least we date even though I die at the end.

"Firstly though, you're not that romantic. You'll never take all that effort for some girl like me" she said. She should first understand that she's not just 'some girl' in my life. "No jokes but I might surprise you" I said. "Ok Romeo, let's see how you find your girlfriend. But seriously imagine being you, no girlfriend and you're like sixteen and fucking hot" she said. I ignored the statement.

"Let's see" I said as we walked to the movie theatre to decide on what movie we were going to watch. "Inside out 2 is still showing, is it ok?" I asked. "Won't it be childish? Also I haven't seen the first part" Lily said. "It's disney, it'll be fun" I said as we picked our seats and booked the tickets. Why is London so expensive? I definitely spend way less in Dorset.

"Movie is at 3:30pm, maybe we can grab lunch, walk around and maybe buy something" I suggested. "I need to buy lipstick, I want it branded so it's better to buy here" she said. "Ok" I said. I really wish I had a sister. I could experience walking inside make up shops and fooling around by trying random shades of compacts.

"First and foremost, I need lunch" Lily said. "Potter, it's only fifteen past twelve" I said. "I had an early breakfast! Don't blame me" she said, hugging her stomach. "McDonalds?" I asked. "McDonalds who?" she asked. I got pissed, SHE DIDN'T KNOW MCDONALDS? BRO MCDONALDS IS LIKE EVEN IN THE OCEAN. BRUH.

"You don't know McDonalds?" I asked dumbfounded. "I've heard of it" she said casually. "Lily Luna, do you live in mars?" I asked. Imagine you don't know McDonalds, that's just- CRUEL. I mean really you have to be traumatised by Ronald McDonald in your childhood at least once. When I used to live in America I swear, I used to be traumatised by that clown statue sitting on the bench outside the McDonalds.

There was also a crazy rumour that someone died on that bench and that clown was possessed by that dude's soul. I used to live in an apartment and I used to have a perfect view of that clown from my room. Whenever I wake up in the middle of the night I used to check whether he was still there or walked away. Those were dark times.

"Let's eat in good old Mc'D" I said as we seated ourselves. We enjoyed our meal but of course we couldn't finish our coca cola so we grabbed it and walked around the mall just talking and passing time sipping on the drink.

"Should we drink some beer?" Lily asked with a smug. "How are you always hungry but you look so thin and weak?" I asked, "Genetics bro, no matter how much I eat I don't gain weight. Firstly, how dare you call me weak? I work out ok? Look at my biceps" Lily said, flexing her arm.

"Not bad" I commented. "I also go to the gym during holidays every now and then, I lift dumbbells too. Did you forget I play Quidditch?" she said. "Potter" I started as I eyed a haunted house in the corner of the mall. "Say yes" I requested. "For?" she asked. "For something fun" I said with a wide smirk. "I don't like your idea of fun, what is it?" she asked. "Just say yes, trust me" I pleaded.

"Ok fine, yes" she said in a bored tone. "We're going to" I said as I paused dramatically, "The haunted house" I completed. "Hah, sure" she said. "Actually?" I was surprised. I genuinely expected her to be scared. I thought I could pull off something romantic.

"I'm no coward" Lily said, smiling cooly. "Really? Fine let's go" I said nonchalantly. She might be acting all mighty now, I know she'll break once we get close. We walked to the counter and I was about to pay for the tickets when she said, "You were serious?" she asked and I could smell fear. I immediately handed the money and said, "No refunds" with an evil smirk.

"You sacred?" I asked with a cruelly composed face. "Well" she stuttered. She leaned on the wall and I went closer to her, I took closer and closer steps to her and put my left hand above her shoulder. "What are you doing?" she asked as I saw her lips tremble, I touched her chest to feel her heart race, "Not scared are you?" I asked in a low voice and her face turned pink. "I-I- just" she stuttered. I pulled back and leaned on the wall right next to her.

Play cool Lysander, be a smooth criminal. "Why'd you look so pretty today?" I asked her in my seductive voice. "Don't flatter me" she said. "Genuinely, did you add more makeup to cover up your face?" I asked cruelly. Lily punched my arm and her cheeks puffed. I looked at her fearful emerald eyes and her soft lips shaking in fear.

"You have something on your-" I said and wiped an icecream stain from the side of her lips. I touched her soft skin and delicate lips with my finger, I wiped it off and she held my finger and pushed them away right before I lost control of the situation, stop restricting me so much Potts, let me get a feel of you.

"Group 7!" an assistant called us. They gave us instructions about the whole experience. The group consisted of me, Lily, a couple about our age and three 20 year old guys. "I'm scared" Lily admitted as we entered a dark room.

"It's too late" I said. A sound of thunder followed by screams, the room suddenly was lit with a weak light and it had an elevator. We all walked into the elevator. "Which floor?" one dude asked. "Try six" his friend said. The elevator started moving with a screeching noise.

"A SPIDER ON YOUR SHOULDER!" I bluffed and Lily screamed and jumped and stomped and rubbed herself on me. I started laughing and the 20 year olds joined in, Lily glared at me laughing uncontrollably and she hit my shoulder and tugged it, "Next time you bluff, you'll be dead" she said. "Ok ok ma'am I feel threatened" I said sarcastically. The 20 year olds were trying so hard not to laugh at me and Lily bickering.

The elevator stopped, the lights in the elevator flickered and then it turned off. "Shit, shit" Lily said as she squeezed my arm. I was just imagining scenarios that I could pull off to make her fall for me but all of them were either too cringe or awkward.

"I think someone just grabbed my leg" the girl screamed as she was stomping around. "SHIT" Lily said as she stepped on top of my shoes and placed her hands on my shoulder. We were close, I could feel her breath on my cheek bone. I was so close to her and someone pushed me, our lips almost met but to my disappointment, nothing happened.

"SHIT SOMETHING GRABBED MY LEG TOO" A 20 year old screamed as panic arose in the elevator. We were all just banging the elevator. Then the elevator doors opened and we all pushed each other and ran out. It was a room with three doors. Lily pushed me forward and said, "Open!"

I opened the first door and it was some weird looking half rotten dementor. I opened the second one and there was a girl with tangled black hair, scooped up eyes with blood trickling from it and in a blood soaked down as she shrieked like a banshee.

I opened the third door and it was a path to a fancy room lit with candles. We walked in and we heard the people from the previous group scream in terror. All the candles suddenly turned off and there was a scream, mummy's and zombies were screeching and coming closer and then there was an eruption of fire from the ceiling and all of them disappeared.

Suddenly huge bats were swirling around the room and their wings were hitting us. Everyone was running around screaming in terror, this was honestly pretty lame then there was silence. Suddenly I felt something on my shoulder and my hands. I saw small robotic furry spiders. AWWW! Lily on the other hand was sprinting around jumping on the verge of tears. "SCAMANDER SAVE ME I'M DYING!"

The spiders slowly disappeared and a staircase was revealed. We walked down the staircase to see a door. One of the twenty year olds opened it and it was just a mirror maze with a lullaby playing. The door behind us slammed shut and Lily whimpered, clutching into my arm. Keep holding my arms, I love it.

"I can see youuuuuuuuuuuuu" said an eerie voice.

We were walking around, I looked at the mirror and FUCK, I got jump scared by a clown appearing on it trying to grab me. "SHIT THERE ARE CLOWN JUMP SCARES" announced a 20 year old. Lily grabbed me and closed her eyes. There were many screams here and there. "Let's run out" she said. "Sure!" I said as I ran to a direction out of the room, we tried opening the door but it wouldn't open.

The door made a creaking noise and opened by itself. Lily opened her eyes for a peek in the worst timing possible. An evil clown walked out and screamed, "I can see you!" with his funny red nose and eyes glowing red as the door shut close. Ok that clown was actually kind of traumatising.

The clown must be a Taylor Swift fan, 'I can see you' is a vault song from, 'speak now'. I was trying so hard not to laugh while the others were trying hard not to wet their pants. The door was later unlocked and we walked through it.

Then there was a maze, the haunted maze. There were spooking and thrilling sound effects which gave goosebumps. Sudden screams of horror and sudden silence. Lily grabbed me and said, "No matter what, don't let go of my hands" she said, holding it tight as she interlocked my fingers with hers. I controlled my blush. So dramatic, I'm sure this is just my own fantasy.

We all walked through the maze and every time we hit a dead end we had a haunting consequence. Random zombies popping out of the bushes. Random skeleton hands growing from the sandy ground. Lily was crushing my hand and stepping on my foot as she closed her eyes walking with me in the maze like a blind person. She jumped every time she heard a scream.

"I want to go" she whimpered, "The sound" she said as she almost started tearing up. She started breathing heavily. Ok, enough jokes I have to get her out quick. I grabbed her hand and ran around the maze and eventually ran after dodging all the scary elements. We hit the bright lights of the mall and Lily opened her teary eyes.

I started laughing uncontrollably looking at her frown at me. "Sorry I- I- I just can't" I said hiccuping in laughter. "You sound like a donkey, like ehhh ehhh ehhh" she said furiously. "Sir want to see some pictures?" said the lady at the counter, me and Lily went to see the pictures at the counter.

I started laughing immediately looking at the photos. Lily had a weird screaming face in every single photo and my expression looked scarier than half of the ghosts there. "No thanks" Lily said to the counter as I moved away.

"I'm going to tell James you cried" I said in a threatening manner. "Shut up" she said angrily and she didn't even dare to look in my direction. "Let's buy snacks for the movie, the queue is long. It'll be perfect when we enter" I said. We stood in the line till our legs got sweaty. We finally went and sat in the air conditioned theatre in the middle row.

We finished halfway through the popcorn 15 minutes through the movie. Lily was munching on her nachos and I was focused on the movie. Half way through the movie, I got restless. I started to lose interest but Lily seemed so intrigued. Her hand was on the arm rest. Is it time to pull the classic movie theatre romance scene?

I took a deep breath. Lysander, you can do this. My greasy popcorn hands slowly crept up the armrest and Lily took off her hands. GREAT! PLAN SUCCESSFULLY FAILED! Angered by myself I dumped my hands into the popcorn bucket to grab the leftover popcorn and I felt Lily's soft cold hands touching mine, her red nails dragged on my skin. The touch of a hand lit the fuse in me. We pulled our hands away flustered. Our reflex action immediately worked, I didn't dare to look at her, the butterfly storm in my stomach was killing me.

I was just thinking of her hands on mine and I suddenly turned to take a secret glance at her. She looked at me already, our eyes met and we immediately turned. My dopamine levels were higher than ever. There's no better feeling than when you look at your crush and she's already looking at you. I want to just squeeze her. She's such a dolly person. Her small physique makes me want to devour her. Cuteness aggression is a serious issue.

Towards the end of the movie, Lily was tearing up and was sobbing. Bro, the movie wasn't even that emotional, no one died. The credits started rolling and the lights turned on and my eyes felt the sudden attack. "That was so good" Lily said, still in tears as she smiled. "Eh, the first part was better" I criticised. "Shut up" she said as she was still filling her heart with the movie. We threw out the garbage and walked out through the stairs trying not to fall down.

We walked out along with the few people in the theatre. "What's the time?" Lily asked. I looked at the phone, "5:36pm, oh your dad texted, he said he won't be able to pick us up so, I guess we're taking the bus" I said. "Buses are so crowded" Lily complained. "Should we leave?" I asked. "NO! I need to buy lipstick" she said as she walked away looking for the store as I followed her with my air pods on.

She walked into a fancy cosmetics store. She walked through the different display sections looking around. I was just intrigued by all the serums and cosmetics. Does a girl really need all this? There were glittery compacts, normal compacts, weird creams, thousands of lipsticks, various oils, moisturiser and gosh. This is one reason I wish I wasn't a girl.

I took a glittery compact rubber on my index finger. "I have a doubt, why would anyone want glitter skin except if they are roleplaying Edward Cullen?" I asked. "Idiot, that's a highlighter, it is for highlighting your skin" she said as she rubbed some off the 'highlighter' from my finger and applied it to my nose. "Look! Now you have a shiny nose!" she said.

I looked at the mirror, it looked weird. I tried rubbing off but it wasn't coming off, this is the problem with expensive makeup. Lily's hand was colourful, filled with different lines of lipstick shades. I peered over at her carefully selecting shades. It's kind of fun watching her work like a robot searching for the perfect fit.

"Does this shade look good on my skin?" she asked. "I don't know" I replied, Look, I know many things but cosmetics and makeup ain't my expertise. "How about this?" she asked, showing me a smoky red colour one. "Try wine red" I said, picking one up as I drew a line on her skin with the tester. "Hmm, I hate to agree. I think this is top for now" she said smiling.

"Better buy the one I selected" I said as I went back to wandering around the shop looking at the crazy price for expensive water with various alcohol mixed in it. I was vibing to 'Down Bad' when Lily tapped my shoulder and said, "I'm done let's go". She took my left ear airpod and tucked it in her ear.

"Which one did you buy?" I asked. "The one you selected" she said awkwardly, smiling. I felt happy on the inside for no reason. Can't believe I selected it for her! She liked it! I'm being so immature, I feel like I let my inner child take over me today. I'm like a lovesick cat.

We later found ourselves in a crowded bus. The sky was still dark grey. It seemed to have rained when we were inside, the roads were wet and the post lamps were drenched. As we stopped in consecutive bus stops we were forced to pack ourselves.

Lily was leaning on the window on the bus looking perplexed and I seemed like I was completely cornering her standing directly face to face with her. We barely had an inch gap between both of us. Her lips were near my neck and I could feel her breath. Such an awkward position. I placed my hand above her head and rested my face on my arm which was right above her little redhead.

My heart rate right now is dangerously high. I was so close to her and who knows how many people misunderstood us for being more than friends? I tried so hard not to make eye contact with her but we just kept catching each other's glances. Her bewildered green eyes running around, she was nervous standing close to me, she tugged on my shirt every time we took a turn. Both of us were sitting on a stove, burning from embarrassment and awkwardness.

XX~𝐿𝓎𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇~XX

EXCLUSIVE LILY'S P.O.V:

I hate this feeling. I HATE IT. Lysander is really good at manipulating shit, there is no doubt he must have done all this breaking up with Keres and everything. But every time I look at him, talk with him, I always find myself running back to him. No matter how hard I try to ignore him, my anger lasts for seconds after he opens his lips part.

Every time I look at him, I feel annoyed, irritated and agitated but when we're caught up in a moment, I feel the reason I have some essence of happiness is him. Isn't it all just bittersweet?

His silvery blue mesmerising eyes. His sweet smelling hair, his cologne, his black shirt, the comfort I get around him, I can always be myself. But when my eyes meet his, I feel confused. I can't imagine myself with a cruel person like him, but I can't cut him off either. I feel so conflicted.

I want him when I look at him but when I think of his doings I get the sense of betrayal to trust and hate. I want to despise him, I want to hate him, I want to throw him away. But I CAN'T. I just can't, no matter how hard I try, I can't- I don't want to- I'm nodding my head yes but I want to say no. It's like a single thread of gold tying me to him.

His complex and thoughtful expressions which are hard to read but are just so cute, the rareness of his genuine smiles and giggles. I looked at him, his hand over my shoulder with his head resting on them. He looked so calm while my hormones were drunk on conflict.

I don't want him next to me but I want to wrap my hands around his body, I love his presence and being the iron in his magnetic field. I looked at him, so casual, composed and here I am dying in a dilemma. I want my urge to hold on to him but I shouldn't, I have to maintain my self-respect, he made a fool of me. I can't accept it.

Heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another.

In the dense atmosphere in our close proximity, I imagined things beyond my wildest dreams and these intrusive thoughts of kissing the hell out of him, biting his neck, should remain intrusive. I convinced myself that I can't love him. But I can't ruin my friendship.

Our bus stop arrived and we got off. The sun was setting, the time was around 8:45 pm. The skies were still grumbling and grey, no jokes but I feel so comfortable in such gloomy weather, it just feels like home and the smell of crackling fire logs with a cup of coffee is all you could ask for.

We squeezed out of the bus, we had to walk a certain distance to my house, on the way me and Lysander bought ourselves some hot coffee to match the weather as a slight drizzle started. WHY? WHY IS EVEN THE WEATHER ON LYSANDER'S SIDE? WHY DOES THE WEATHER WANT ME US TO HAPPEN? THIS IS JUST SO ROMANTIC, COFFEE AT NIGHT WITH A ROMANTIC DRIZZLE.

I skipped around on the sidewalk as the sky started darkening, Lysander was walking on the pavement with his steps being the beats of the song he was listening to.

His traipse walk, his black shirt, blue jeans, golden hair, relaxed face with a secret smug, the chain on his neck. His sun kissed skin, the elegance of his tired moments.

When I stood on the sidewalk and Lysander was on the pavement we both were almost the same height, he was a bit taller though. I grabbed him and turned him around facing me as I stood at the edge tip toeing to reach his height.

"HA! I'm as tall as you!" I said proudly. I know this is childish but being tall is just so cool. "I'm still taller" he stated. "No" I argued back and I held his shoulder and thrusted myself upwards to reach his height. "You're on the edge, don't trip on me. I'll die" Lysander said in his soothing cold voice. A cyclist drove past me and-

I lost my balance. I was going to fall. I grabbed Lysander's shoulders for balance and he grabbed my waist. I felt his fingers sink into my bare skin right under my crop top. I turned pink, my stomach flipped.

His delicate lips might have brushed against mine for a millisecond, I definitely felt his soft lips on mine. We immediately retreated, pushing each other away. I stepped down from the sidewalk.

"Take your hands off me" I snapped in a furious tone, flustered. He released his fingers awkwardly and I took a step back and OUCH! MY NECK-

Both of our necklaces, his sword and my heart tangled. We moved closer once more. Lysander seemed to be as anxious about our proximity. His fingers were sweaty and he was tangling it more with his long nails. I pushed his hands away as I calmed myself and untangled our chain.

"Can you stop being a creep?" I said I was still flustered from the incident. "CREEP? I was just saving myself from getting crushed by you" he argued back. "Keep- Keep your hands to yourself!" I said as I turned scarlet and walked ahead of him to show him my anger.

He ran behind me and said, "Are we going to ignore the fact that you fell for me?" He said giggling at his light hearted jokes. I just gave him a glare as we started walking on the sidewalk side by side to one another.

"You're so feisty" he commented. "Scamander, why'd you keep doing this? You're so convulative. You bully me and you also flirt, do you like me or not? " I asked, losing my cool. "Does it matter? What will you do if I like you?" He asked. "Nothing" I said. "What if I told you I didn't like you?" He asked. "Nothing" I said having a moment of realisation, OH SHIT, HE WAS RIGHT. I'M THE ONE OVERREACTING.

"But you should stop flirting and you know maintain boundaries, we're just friends and you're crossing lines" I said. "What I'm doing is pretty legit and legal" he said. He's doing it! AGAIN! He likes me but he won't say it. "Stop being all over me, I don't like it" she said. "But I like it" he said. My heart began to race. That fucking moron, I hate him, I HATE HIM. I MIGHT ACCIDENTALLY MURDER SOMEONE.

"Look up" Lysander said and it looked like the heavens had opened up. The sunset was vermillion with the blue grey sky mixing in with the sun half buried in the clouds with the rain. It was so pretty. I took a deep breath, I felt relaxed and calmed myself from my overwhelming thoughts.

Then I felt our shoulders brush. I looked at him staring directly at the sun, his grey eyes looked orangish green. The daylight in his eyes and the glow of his skin. It was hard to believe we were fighting a few minutes ago. The sunlight hit the chain on his neck and it reflected on my eyes. Goosebumps all over my hands as our shoulders kept brushing. He didn't move, my desires wouldn't allow me to move.

It was silent. The melody of nature ringing. He looked at me and I said, "You're my best friend, I don't want things to change". He smiled. My heart paced and slowed down, time seemed to stop every time I looked at him. It's hard not to fall for him. My ego and my heart are having clashes.

"What will happen will happen" he said. The rain got heavier, the sky closed up and as we neared my house we ran in the heavy rain and stood on the porch dripping in sogginess. "The mushroom got a bit wet" I said as I took it out of the bag to check on all the things we got at the mall. My hair was wet and my wet shirt was sticking to my body.

Lysander was messing his hair to make it dry quicker. We rang the doorbell, but no one answered and then we saw a note on the shoe rack. It was written, 'Mom and dad are on a date, me, Ted and Albus went out to the bar, key under the garden gnome'.

Lysander ran in the rain and took the key and came back after taking the key under the garden gnome in our front yard. I opened the door and we both went in and sighed in the comfort of our home. "What a long day" I sighed. I threw the shopping bag on the couch and grabbed a towel to dry my hair.

I saw Lysander unbutton three buttons of his black shirt from top to relieve himself from stuffiness as he flapped his shirt. I could see his collar bones, his collarbone is just too hot. Ok, I should change, I might catch a cold.

"Gimme the towel" he said, approaching me in a pococurante manner as he placed his hand over my shoulder. My heart started racing once more. I have a bad feeling about this. His wet blonde hair looked darker in the dim light. I handed him the towel hoping he would back off.

The dark atmosphere really set a scene. He took the towel and put it around his neck and took a step closer. I took a step back and hit the cold wall. "Distance Scamander" I said trying to muster up my courage to chuck him away.

"Dis-moi que tu m'aimes" he blabbered. WHAT IS HE SAYING? "Je te veux" he said as his grey blue eyes shone as his fingers ran around my face. I became timid, tense and I blushed profusely in shyness. Pull yourself Lily! "What are you saying I don't-" I started.

His titillating fingers crawled into my waist, that was enough to shut me up. His cold fingertips were burning on my skin. No proof, one touch but it felt enough. I was in euphoria. The thrill was exciting my hormones. No Lily, no, you can't like him. But I wouldn't mind him tracing my skin for a while.

"Pull yourself together and get your hands off me" I groaned in struggle as I tried pushing his shoulder and he violently thrusted me and banged me on the wall as he forced himself closer.

Fierce, I liked it but NO. I CAN'T. My thoughts were blurry. I was blinded by a view of his seductive and magnetic look. I could feel his drops of water dripping from his hair falling on my lips. His shiny nose rubbing against mine, I wanted to bite it off for some reason.

His warm breath on my face, I couldn't breathe because of our proximity. "Bitch, move" I muttered under my breath as my body plastered over his chest. I wanted to bite his lips. My desire to caress, canoodle and get a taste of him, my urges, my lust, I had it all under control. I can't think about him more than a friend.

"You're not being very brotherly, you're crossing the limits" I angered. I glanced at his moistened neck, dreamt of drinking the drops of water on him.

NO! He's a bitch, I told myself. You can't love him. One arm on my waist as he tickled and the other one ran down my shoulder to my neck, I turned pink. I held his hand and pushed it away. "Don't dare-" I said in an austere manner and warned him to keep his hands to himself.

"Stop pretending that you're not savouring it" he said foxily as he leaned in for a kiss, how badly I wanted to taste him, I wanted him to taste my bubblegum lipgloss, but I turned my face away, my ego wouldn't allow it. I can't let him have me. He needs to face a loss.

Immediately his fingers ran across neck, I allowed it this time. He played with my hair and twirled it. My romantic angst triggered. I love him, I want him, but I can't, I don't want to. I can't fall for his traps. He's sinisterlike. He ruined my delightful life for his selfishness.

The pressure and tension was high, I was palpitating and I couldn't even breathe. Our propinquinty made it really hard to catch a breathe, our lips were too close. If I spoke, I wound be mumbling into his lips. His fingers touched my lips and I snapped my teeth to chase them away. One part of me wanted to take advantage of the situation for self-delight but my ego was searching for murder weapons. Maybe I can have both? Maybe revenge can wait.

My burning love took over me, I awkwardly put my hands around his shoulders. WHY DOES IT FEEL SO WRONG TO KISS HIM? I'VE KISSED HIM BEFORE THIS ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE HARD. He seemed to get nervous, I felt his heart rate rise. I beamed and moved closer I could feel his faint lips and-

"LILY LUNA POTTER DID YOU LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN?!" I heard my mum's voice. Me and Lysander immediately pulled away from each other and acted like nothing happened as my mom turned on the lights. My dad gave Lysander a death stare, he acted casual and calm. I pulled in my act as if nothing was about to happen.

"What were you doing?" My dad asked in a stiff voice. "Nothing" I said being casual, oh shit I hope we didn't get caught. My dad glared as he placed his bag on the desk and walked in as my mum locked the door, "Hope you had fun, also change your clothes you might catch a cold" she asked. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE FUN IF YOU ENTERED 2 MINUTES LATER.

My mum and dad went into their room and me and Lysander just looked at each other. OH FUCK, THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE I CREATED A MISUNDERSTANDING THAT I LIKE HIM- I MEAN IT'S NOT A MISUNDERSTANDING- I LIKE HIM BUT- I CAN'T SO I WON'T-

I walked towards him and said, "Don't get the wrong idea, I still don't like you. That was quite a stunt by the way. If you keep this up, one day you might end up as compost in my backyard" I threatened him. "There is still a chance I'll end up in your bed instead, I'll take my chances" he said. HE'S OUT OF HIS MIND. DID THAT FUCKER REALLY SAY THAT?

"You have a death wish don't you" I chuckled. "How can you kill something which is already killed? My conscience's been pretty much dead since last year" he commented with a smug smile. "Sorry but our friendship is over, I don't want to be talking to a creep and pervert" I sneered.

"Don't blame me for what you made me do"

My anxiety triggered along with a sense of excitement as I grasped the sentence. I snickered as I went to my room and changed my clothes which were already half dried because of the heated drama. I picked up my mushroom which pretty much dried up. I lied on my bed and stuffed my head into the pillow as I squeezed the mushroom.

WHY IS HE SO HOT? HE'S SO FUCKING COOL AT THE SAME TIME. WHY IS HE SUCH A CUTE, THOUGHTFUL, TWISTED PERSON. WHY DOES HE HAVE TO BE EXACTLY MY TYPE. WHY DO I ALWAYS FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MOST UNHINGED PEOPLE. IT'S JUST SO ATTRACTIVE. I screamed into my pillow.

He's so romantic. My heart burns every time I look. His eyes steal my glances, his looks steal my words, his nose steals my sense of taste, his skin spoils my idea of comfort, his voice echoes in my thoughts and his lips steal my innocence. His collarbone is mine, screw his future girlfriend and wife. HIS COLLARBONE IS MINE. BACKOFF.

I dreamt of every scenario if my mum had entered 2 minutes later. Thinking of him gave me chills, goosebumps and also a sense of disgust on how dirty my mind was. But on the other hand I also dreamt of taking my revenge and drinking his blood from a wine glass for his schemes.

I kissed the mushroom plushie on its redhead in its white polka dot, hard wishing it was my blonde dishy. WHY? WHY DO I- I SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM. HE'S A TRAITOR, A SELFISH MORON- BUT-

I know. I know I'm in love, true love. I know it. But am I ready to ruin myself a million little times for him? Am I ready to put down my ego for him? No, I can't. I'll even ruin myself for victory. I can't let him win, not this time.

☆꧁✬◦°˚°◦. 𝕃𝕚𝕝𝕪.◦°˚°◦✬꧂☆

SWITCHING BACK TO LYSANDER'S P.O.V:

I lay down on my bed to process and access the situationship I created. HOLY SHIT, HOW THE FUCK DID I DO THAT? MY HEART FELT SO FULL. I closed my eyes as I layed on my bed and closed my eyes, smiling like an idiot.

Her emerald eyes, sea of lashes clashing on mine, our skin brushing together, her cute nose on mine, her scarlet lips so exquisite, so pure, so recherché. The tension- her irresistible charisma. Her burgundy hair tickles me, her luxurious skin makes me want to do some bad things.

I love her, I love her so much. I'm so in love with her. Now that I saw her, I don't want to look at anyone else. Her silliness, her bubbliness, her charm, her smiles, the sense of- I don't know how to put it in words. I feel baffled.

Thinking about her makes my heart race. Every time I think of how madly in love I'm with her, I feel like a psycho. Maybe, I did trouble her a bit too much. But it's fine.

I'm going to win her. I'll show her wonders. I'll make her fall for me. I'll show off how much I love her. It's time to get serious.

I'm just going to trust the process and live for the hope of it all.

XX~𝐿𝓎𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇~XX