You're just too good to be true (Can't take my eyes off of you)

ONE

The sun begins to rise over the quiet streets of a quaint London suburb. Morning dew glistens on the well-manicured lawns, and the neighborhood hums with the soft sounds of cars starting and birds chirping. Inside the Evans household, the sisters—Lily and Petunia—are beginning their day, each in her own world, though their paths will inevitably cross before the morning ends.

Lily Evans stirred from her sleep, sunlight filtering through the pale pink curtains that lined her bedroom window. She lay still for a moment, relishing the peace of the early morning, before reaching for her phone to check the time. As she did so, her screen lit up with a flurry of messages—some from friends excited about the upcoming school dance, others about the student council meeting later that day.

Her room reflected her personality in every corner. The walls were painted in soft, cheerful colors—lavender, pale yellow, and mint green—decorated with posters of her favorite bands, old Beatles records, and pictures of her with friends at school events. On one side of the room, a bulletin board was covered with ribbons, certificates, and pictures from various academic competitions and charity events she'd organized. Each memento was a small but proud testament to her successes, to the life she had built for herself.

As Lily sat up in bed, she smoothed out her fiery red hair, slightly tangled from sleep. Her hair was her most distinguishing feature, a cascade of vibrant red that seemed to catch the light and shimmer with every turn. It was untamable in some ways, much like Lily's own personality—bright, bold, and impossible to ignore. She often joked that her hair matched her spirit, both in color and in its refusal to be subdued.

In contrast to the natural chaos of her hair, everything else about Lily was polished and organized. Her school uniform, a crisp white blouse and gray pleated skirt, hung neatly on the back of her door, ready for the day ahead. Lily was always prepared—organized, efficient, and proactive. These traits made her one of the most beloved students at her high school. She was not only beautiful but also effortlessly charismatic, a quality that seemed to draw people to her in a way she never quite understood.

She grabbed her uniform and moved toward the mirror, her reflection greeting her with the same smile she gave to the world every day. Lily's green eyes sparkled with life, eyes that seemed to see the best in everyone she met. As she began getting dressed, she hummed a soft tune, something from the radio, her mind already multitasking as she thought about the day ahead.

Today was going to be busy, but that was how she liked it. The student council had a meeting to plan the upcoming charity drive, and she needed to finalize her role as one of the event leaders. Then, there was soccer practice after school, though Lily wasn't on the team like her sister Petunia; she volunteered to help with the event planning and snacks. Lily loved staying involved, partly because she enjoyed it, but also because she wanted to feel useful. She liked being needed.

Lily's phone buzzed with more texts. She glanced down, seeing messages from her close group of friends. They were already chatting about outfits for the dance and who might ask whom. Of course, James Potter's name came up more than once. She bit her lip, trying not to smile too widely at the mention of him.

James Potter had been persistently charming her for months. He was a relentless flirt, and though Lily found his confidence exasperating at times, she couldn't deny that she enjoyed his attention. He was handsome in a messy, disheveled kind of way—dark hair that always seemed to fall perfectly out of place, and a grin that made him look like he was perpetually on the verge of pulling a prank. He was also popular, like her, but where Lily's popularity came from kindness and community involvement, James's came from his charisma and natural leadership on the Quidditch field.

She wondered if today would be the day he'd finally ask her to the dance.

As she smoothed her uniform and added the final touches to her hair, Lily quickly typed out a reply to her friends, offering suggestions for the event planning. Even her texts carried a warmth and positivity that made people feel included. That was Lily—always making sure everyone around her felt seen and heard.