Don't Make Bets You Can't Keep ON HOLD

Chapter One

Word count: 1136

I step out of my school, breathing in the fresh September air.

"Lily?"

I groan, running my hand through my fiery red hair. "What could you possibly want this time Potter?"

James ruffles his hair nervously, and looks down at me. "I uh, would you maybe like to grab some dinner with me on Friday?"

I roll my eyes at him. "Potter, how many  times have you asked me out?"

"Um, I don't-"

"And I've said no every time right? Potter, you know my answer, and until you shape up and don't act like a prick to all but your friends, it'll stay my answer," I say, turning on my heel, and waltzing down the steps of our school, over to Marlene, who is waiting patiently in her car.

"He looks completely ruined, what was it this time?" She asks, as soon as I shut the door.

"Dinner on Friday, I obviously told him no," I scoff.

"Maybe next time you should say yes, the guy is always a mess when you reject him," she tells me pointedly.

"No, I can not say yes to him. Either way, I'd never be able to stay with him for more that a week. He's a prick, and a jerk to everyone."

"Alright then," Marlene says, stopping at a light. "Let's make a bet. If you can stay with James for six months, up till the end of March, a week after Prom, then I'll give you 50 bucks. If not, you give me 50. Deal?"

"Only cause I can't refuse a challenge," I say, agreeing to the stupid bet. Nothing will come of it, and at the end of six months, I'll have fifty extra bucks, and James will hopefully stop asking me out. It's a win win, he gets to date me, and I get money.

"Good, next time he asks you out, you have to agree, got it?"

"yeah, yeah, I got it."

"Awesome, see you tomorrow," She says, waving at me as I get out of the car, and walk inside my house.

Two Weeks Later

"Lily, look who's coming this way." I look up at Marlene, she's pointing behind me, and I turn to see a tall ruffled hair glasses wearing prick walking towards me. I groan, remembering the bet I made with Marlene, preparing myself to say yes instead of no.

"Uh, Hey Lily," James says, standing in front of me, a small blush dusting his cheeks.

"Yes, what do you need Po-James?"

He looks at me, shocked that I called him James.

"I, Uh, I wanted to ask if you wanted to grab some dinner at the diner tonight?"

"Sure James, sounds fun."

"Okay, yeah, better luck next- wait did you just say yes?"

I nod, giggling at how shocked and happy he looks.

"Okay yeah, I'll pick you up at six?"

"Sounds great, see you then." I smile at him, reaching back to grab my bag from the ground, and shouldering it. "James, don't you need my address?"

"Oh, uh, right, right, of course."  James opens his bag up, pulls out a pen and paper, and hands it to me.
I quickly scribble down my address. "Here you go."

He takes the small slip of paper, stuffing it into his pocket. I wave at James saying, "See ya tonight." And I turn around, grabbing Marlene, who is trying to hold in her giggles, and I drag her to her car.

"Oh that was great, he looked like a puppy being adopted."

I laugh, rolling my eyes. "Yeah okay, but when I have a bad time tonight, it's all your fault." I say, glaring at her.

"Hey can I come over? I want to help pick out your outfit." Marlene asks, pulling onto my street.

"What? What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Lily, I love you honestly, but you can't wear your school uniform on a date, that just doesn't work."

I blush slightly at her comment, and nod at her. "Oh alright you can come over."

She squeals, as she jumps out of the car. I laugh at her, following her into my house.

"Oh, hello Marlene, what a pleasant surprise."

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Evans, sorry about the intrusion, I'm just here to help Lily pick out an outfit for Lily's first date!"

"Date? Lily didn't tell us about any date." Mrs. Evans exclaims.

"Oh, she was asked today, James Potter is taking her to the diner."

"James Potter? Isn't he the one you constantly complain about."

"Papa!"

"Oh, he's had a mad crush on her for ages, she finally felt bad for always saying no, and agreed on a date with him!" Marlene says excitedly.

"Marlene!"

"Come on Lils, we have two hours till he gets here, we better get cracking!"

I groan as Marlene pulls me up the stairs and into my room.

"Now, It's still fairly warm, so I believe a dress will be good. Lets see here, oh this is super cute!" I watch as Marlene pulls out a salmon colored dress, it was sleeveless and had a few waves on the skirt. "We can pair it with this!" Marlene grins, grabbing my jean jacket off of the hanger, tossing me the articles of clothes. "Go get changed."

I laugh at my best friend, rolling my eyes, and walking to the bathroom. When I finish changing, Marlene sits me down on my bed, with my makeup spread out next to me.

"Alright, lets touch up your makeup." She picks up the mascara, and gently strokes my lashes with it. Next she picks up some nude eyeshadow, and puts a light layer on my eye lids. Next she dusts my cheeks with some blush, and finally, she picks the bright red lipstick, covering my lips with it.

"There, we're done, now go look at my master piece."

I laugh, and stand up to walk over to my mirror. Before I get a chance to look, Marlene stops me, handing me sandal wedges that match my dress.

"Okay, now look."

I roll my eyes, which I feel like I've done to many times today, and I admire my reflection in the mirror. I've got to say, if you've got a date, Marlene would be the person to call.

"Thanks Marls, I look pretty good."

"Pretty good? Honey, you looking fucking fabulous! I am a true artist, I need to join the fashion world." She says as dramatically as she can, flopping onto my bed, with her hand over her forehead.

"Yeah, okay drama queen, get up he's going to-" I'm cut off by the ringing of my door bell, and Marlene jumps up.

"He's here, he's here, he's here!" She sings, dancing around me. "Ready babe?"

I sigh, "Ready as I'll ever be."