Growing up with the Mauraders (Book 1) UNDER SERIOUS EDITING

Chapter 19: Boy Advice

Mackenzie

I was sitting in my bed doing my Herbology homework when Iris and Bella rush in.

"Maize we need your help." Iris states.

"With what?" I ask not looking up.

"It's about boys." Bella adds.

I look at them confused, "Why would you ask me Freckles and Rainbow? I don't have a boyfriend either."

"I know but you have 2 brothers and you hang out with Sirius and his friends all the time. You can talk to boys without getting nervous. Iris replies.

"The boys I have only ever talked to ARE Sirius' friends. They're like my brothers. It doesn't count."

"Ok whatever so can I help us?" Bella asks.

"Sure." I shrug.

Next thing I know I'm being dragged downstairs ,against my will, into the common room.

"Alright see those three boys." Bella points.

"Don't point," Iris hiss and pushes her arm down.

Bella rolls her eyes and continues, "We need you to talk to them."

I look over to where Bella was previously pointing. Charlie Wood, Jackson Grace, and Jake Daniels, standing in a corner all talking like they've known each other for years.

"Wow what are the odds that all the guys we like are best friends with each other." I say amused.

"Oh just shut up and talk to them." Bella exclaims pushing me towards them.

I take a deep breathe and walk over to the three. Jake sees me first and gets the other one's attention.

"Um excuse me your Charlie Wood right?" I ask.

Charlie is on Jake's left and replies "Yes I am. And you must be Mackenzie Black."

I tilt my head "How did you know who I am?"

"I could ask you the same question, " He smirks, "But your reputation precedes you."

I blush and look at the ground. He smiles and turns to his friends. "These are my best mates Jackson and Jake."

"Nice to meet you," I smile, I turn and gesture to Iris and Bella huddled in the corner. Those two are Bella and Iris. My best friends."

Jake and Jackson both nod before walking over to them. Leaving me alone with Charlie. "I heard you made the quidditch team." He states.

"Yea," I nod . "What about you? Do you play quidditch?"

"Yes but I didn't try out this year." He replies, "Didn't want to be in the shadow of my brother."

I laugh, "I totally get the feeling." There is a silence, "What position would you play? If you were on the team?"

"Chaser."

I nod and we awkwardly look anywhere but each other "Looks like are friends are getting along." I say gesturing to the group of four.

"Looks like it."

We don;t talk anymore and soon Jake taps Charlie on the shoulder, with Jackson behind him, and they leave.

"Maize. Freckles. Dorm NOW!" Iris squeals running up the stairs.

Iris

Wow those girls are so slow. I think as I jump up and down on the bed waiting for them.

When the finally get in here I go up and hug Maize saying "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! "

"Wasy there red." She says prying me off.

"Another nickname?" I ask.

"I don't know the just come to me." She shrugs.

"Seriously though thank you." Bella says hugging Maize as well.

"It was nothing. They're just guys." She says shrugging and starts her homework again.

Soon we are all doing our homework when someone knocks on the door.

"Come in!" Maize shouts. Her gaze transects on an essay she's writing.

Lily rushes in looking distressed, "He said he loves me!"

Like a bullet out of a gun Maize is up and next to a now crying Lily.

"Hey Lil, it's ok tell me what happened. "

Lily

flashback

I was leaving Charms class when James takes my hand and leads me to the black lake. We sit down my the "Marauders" tree. James takes my hands and says

"Lily listen I've liked you for a while and I just wanted to say -"

"please don't break up with me." I blurt out.

"What no Lily that's not what I was going to say. Actually I was going to say the opposite. Lily... I Love You." He says looking me straight in the eye.

My mind is racing and I didn't know what to say. It seems so soon, so I ran up to your dorm.

Flashback over

"I don't know what to do. I'm scared Mackenzie." I say looking up at her.

"Well Lily do you love him?" She asks simply.

I think for a minute before responding. "Yes. Yes I do." I say firmly.

"Well then go tell him." She suggests.

"But what if I blew it with him. I mean I did run away" I say as I start to sob again.

"I know James, he's like my brother. If truly loves ,you which he does . He'll take you back." She said smiling. "He did pine after you for 7 years."

"Alright I'll go talk to him." I say wiping my eyes and head towards the bathroom to get cleaned up.

James

I told Lily I loved her and she ran away. Oh god ot was too soon and now I've messed the whole thing up.I run my hand through my hair. I need to talk to Kenzie about this. I hurry through the common room and spot Marlene on the couch. I go up to her and ask if she can stand on the stairs while I run up them to find Mackenzie. She shrugs but agrees. I thank her and rush up to find Mackenzies dorm. I barge in making Kenzie look up from a book she was reading, Bella is so startled she falls off the bed, and Iris is unphased.

"What are you doing here?" She asks kinda shocked.

"I told Lily I loved her and she ran away. Did I ask to soon? Does she not feel the same way? Was I rushing things?" I start rambling.

"Well you could always ask her." She says pointing to the bathroom. Just as she says that Lily walks out. I run over and hug her.

"Lily flower I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to rush things. I take it slow if you want. " I say taking her hand.

"James it's ok. Mackenzie helped me realize I love you too. I was just surprised and confused. I didn't know what to say so I panicked." She confesses blushing.

"It's ok. I'm not mad. I love you." I say kissing her nose.

"And I love you." She says smiling and pecks me on the lips.

"Let's go to the black lake and talk." Lily suggest.

"Ok." I grab her hand but before we leave I yell

"thanks for the help Kenzie." And run down the stairs pulling Lily behind at me.

"Not problem. Have fun!" She calls smirking.