James nervously looked between the paper with Lily's number and his phone. He'd hesitated to call her for the longest time, which really wasn't like him. He'd have called her a long time ago had he known what he was going to say to her.

What was he going to say to her? Hey, ya know maybe we could meet somewhere and talk about business? And he couldn't flirt like he usually did, well because she clearly wouldn't appreciate it. And Lily was one girl he actually wanted to be friends with.

She wanted to meet up so he could help her with her bookshop. She said she desperately needed the help because she didn't know the faintest idea of how to advertise new books and all that.

He texted her number.

Hey Lily, it's James. -

She'd responded almost immediately, and he smiled.

-Hey James! How've you been?

Great, you? -

-I'm doing alright myself.
-Think you can meet me sometime to help me with the advertising and all that?

Yeah, of course. Where do you wanna meet?-

-How about my bookshop? It's just down the street.

Sure, what time? -

-Well, I've been a little busy and I'm helping a friend with something, so it won't for be a long while. Maybe a week before Christmas?

James snorted out loud. She really did need help. He glanced at the calendar. It was a week before Halloween, October 31.

That's a really long time! 😂😂 -

-I know I know. 😂😂. This is exactly why I need your help!

Why don't we meet later today? We can plan a Halloween event for your shop? I know a lot of parents in this neighborhood who'd love to have an event to take their kids to. -

-Sure, at my bookshop at maybe 4:00?

Ok, see you then! -

-Bye James!

He saved her contact as Lily Evans, with a few weird emojis to amuse himself. James turned off his phone and sighed happily. He glanced at the clock. 2:30. He had about an hour and a half before he had to leave.

He'd pulled up his laptop and set it down on the table. Then made a cup of coffee for himself, struggling for a few minutes with his parents' old coffee machine. He'd agreed to spend the weekend with his parents, which he didn't really mind. He had company and it made them happy to see him. His mother was out with her friends at their knitting club while his father was golfing of some sort with his business friends.

He'd always been the apple of his parents' eyes, as he was their only child and they couldn't have anymore after him. James did everything he could to make them proud of him. Although, they'd be proud of him whatever he chose to do, he mused.

James recalled a conversation he'd had with Lily a while ago. About how she didn't believe in love and thought it was fake. I don't believe in 'true love', she'd said, putting air quotes around true love, it's illogical and fake. James has laughed at the time, and argued that there was such a thing. Love was unconditional and free.

Of course, James had believed in the concept of love his whole life. He'd lived well, and didn't understand how a person just couldn't love another. Or fall out of love. His parents did argue occasionally, but were happy together in the end.

Love at first sight doesn't exist, she'd said.

James was a hopeless romantic, finding himself lost in stories of lovers and true loves' kisses as a child. He couldn't imagine marrying someone without loving them. Love was a wonderful, inescapable feeling that left you wanting more. And, in the words of Lily Evans, in order for us to be real, there had to be a science behind it.

Time had flown before he even realized it. James and taken a quick shower, changed into some casual wear, cleaned his glasses, and was out of the house in twenty minutes flat, walking to the bookshop at a pretty average pace. The leaves on the tree had began to turn their bright colors of red, orange, yellow, and brown. A chilly wind blew past, but James barely felt it. James pushed his glasses back up to keep them from falling. In fact, he'd relished in the gentle chill of autumn, loving the slight winter feeling. He'd found himself in front of the shop, and he quickly pushed the door open.

He walked into the cozy looking place, glancing at the shelves with interest. A cashier stopped him with a kind face, a young woman, looking maybe a but younger than his age. Dark hair in waves with dyed ends. She smiled at him.

"Hi, can I help you?"
"Yes, I'm James Potter and—"
"I'm sorry, I just have to call my boss." she turned away to a walkie-talkie in her hand, speaking quietly and James wasn't able to hear.
He heard footsteps approach behind him. And excited voice cried out, "Hi James!"
He turned to see Lily, her red hair tied into a braided crown, green eyes flashing with joy, "Hey Lily." he'd said simply.

They smiled and Lily beamed at the girl at the counter, who waved back and helped another customer. Lily slowly began to take her hair out of her braid letting it fall in delicate waves, framing her oval face. She wore a simple t-shirt promoting a new book in her shop and jeans.

"We can work over there," she stated, pointing to a corner where a few chairs and tables sat, "It's nice and quiet."

James nodded and she lead him to a simple armchair. He began to admire the small place and sat down, sinking into the comfy chair. Lily had left, then returned with a large roll of paper and a pencil case filled with which he assumed were pencils. He sat down on the floor next to her, a smile on his face as he took a pencil.

"So what's your idea for an event?" she asked, tapping her pencil against the paper.
"Well what if you had the children dress up as their favorite book character?" James suggested.
"We could have a costume contest!" she squealed, writing that down.
"And a scavenger hunt!"
"Yes!" they high-fived before beginning to write.

They sketched out plans for their new events drawing out details and writing down important information. James' mind was filled with ideas on what they could do. He had the money and could help Lily. There would be colorful displays and decorations. Places to pick up candy and clues for their scavenger hunt. Places to decorate and set up.

Time had flown so fast, James didn't realize how late it was. Before he knew it, they'd taken up the majority of the paper. James found himself looking into Lily's shining green eyes. They were so bright and full of ideas. A light green color that showed off her brilliant and clever personality.

They turned away, blushing, as James heard a cough near the shelves. He looked up toys we Severus Snape, glaring at him as if about to swing a punch.