favorite liar | jegulus

five

"youve been rather quiet this year," lily said approaching james as he sat in the library one afternoon

"well if youd like i can have a proper prank ready in about five," james teased

lily took a seat across from him, "no i mean youve actually left me alone for more than a day."

he leaned back and crossed his arms grinning at her proudly, "miss me already,huh?"

"unlike you," she said. "i dont mind not being the center of attention."

"are you suggesting im full of myself, evans" he joked faking his offense

"im merely stating a fact, potter." she replied in stern yet joking manner

"okay fair enough," he said with a small laugh

"i dont know whats gotten into you," she smiled softly. "but i appreciate the space."

"like me yet?" he asked as she stood up

she rolled her eyes, "youre still a arrogant toerag potter." she said as she walked away continuing with whatever it was she had been doing before

james turned back to his divination work. he couldnt stop smiling to himself. it was one of the first time hed ever had a civil conversation with lily, in fact it was the only time their conversation didnt end poorly

for the first time it occurred to him that perhaps he had to be friends with lily before shed even consider going out with him. he let the thought go repeating the ever so wise words of sirius 'to become a better you'

it was rich to hear those words come out of sirius's mouth but james knew he was right in a sense. he needed to work on himself for awhile since all he ever heard lily say was that was an immature bully

of course he didnt see it that way. but he figured a little self improvement never hurt anyone. he had devised a mental list of things he thought would help him; train at least four time a week ( good for health and his build ) turn in all assignments and essays on time, read a book for personal pleasure ( this was tbd ) only bully and only pull dangerous pranks on snape

it was a rough list and certainly not finished. he would add to it as ideas came to him

he had been able to get through his divination predictions, his transfiguration essay, and his readings for charms fairly quickly. but right as he opened his potions book regulus appeared before him

"hey," james said noticing him before reg could utter a word

regulus took a seat, "afternoon." he started fumbling with his bag to find a quill. once he found it reg began to write out a list

"having a good week?" james asked

"decent, slughorns been pilling on work this year" regulus answered flipping one of his books open. "you?"

"eh its been a bit boring, cannot wait for quidditch to start." james said, "too much studying for my liking"

"agreed," regulus said quietly sounding bored, no annoyed with all the talking

lair you love studying

james laughed softly noticing this, "want me to shut up now?"

regulus almost blushed out of embarrassment but concealed it. he wasnt aware of how well james could read him

"if you wouldnt mind," regulus replied sounding slightly ashamed. "its just easier to work in silence"

"dont feel bad," james told him. "i like the quiet too."

regulus gave him a soft smile for the first time before they returned to their school work. unlike the last time james found himself paying more attention to regulus and less to his school work

james saw that when reg got to his potions work it took him the least amount of time to complete in comparison to everything else that seemed to require a lot more of his attention

did he lie again? no maybe it was just a light day or potions is really easy for him

deep down james knew reg was lying he just didnt want to accept it yet

he also noticed how neat regulus's hand writing and lists were. he could barely read anything sirius wrote. must've been another thing sirius did to rebel or maybe its just that regulus just cares more

he caught on to regulus's habit of mouthing his thoughts. he never spoke but his mouth was always moving. james had no idea what he was mouthing. hed never been good at reading lips

he found it sort of cute; the way regulus did certain things and paid no attention to those around him. he existed in his own little world and james found it intriguing to say the least

"how is it that slughorn piles on work and you fly through it like its nothing?" james asked

"hmm? oh yea-" regulus stuttered. "it just sort of clicks for me. im really not sure why."

james leaned back in his chair, "why do you know so much?"

regulus peered up at james his lips turning at the corners, like he was about to laugh. and for a moment their eyes locked. as james stared at him the world around him seemed slowly slip away from him, until he forgot millions of other people existed

suddenly regulus looked down hanging his head almost like he was kicking himself for something he'd done

"you ask too many questions," regulus stated

"you tell too many lies," james shot

regulus sighed, "i should get going."

reg stacked up his books, completely disregarding the order he put them in, picked up his bag and left within seconds. and before james could protest

in one swift movement regulus had disappeared out of sight nowhere to be seen

james had absolutely no idea what to feel and where to start; he was disappointed with himself and very ashamed he had said such a thing. he knew better and he regretted it the moment he said it

the problem was is that he did say it and now he couldn't take it back, no matter how hard he tries. thats the things about words they have power like no other, muggle or wizard, words hurt

as james sat there, he felt more alone than ever. and he had spent a great deal of time by himself